"Celestial Dragons! Slave traders! Damn it all!"
"If I survive this, I'll never let these insects off the hook!"
Vane stood on the auction stage, desperation etched into his face and fury burning in his eyes.
This was the notorious slave auction house on Sabaody Archipelago, a place drenched in sin. Among its regular clients were the Celestial Dragons—the so-called gods of this world.
Vane was one of the unfortunate souls up for auction today. Though not officially labeled a slave, the collar around his neck told another story. It was a bomb. Any sign of resistance and his head would be blown to pieces. Heavy iron chains shackled his wrists and ankles.
He was a prisoner—nothing more.
Only fifteen years old, Vane had lived his entire life on Sabaody after being born into this world from his mother's womb. A world of pirates, chaos, and no second chances. He had no cheat powers, no system, no desire to be a pirate. He simply wanted to survive, maybe even go to sea one day and make a living. But fate had other plans. Three years ago, he lost his parents. And now, here he was, up for auction like cattle.
His parents were murdered by Celestial Dragons. That hatred—deep, searing—was carved into his very bones.
Standing under the harsh lights, Vane could feel dozens of eyes upon him. Nobles. Pirates. Scum. But most chilling of all—two Celestial Dragons were in attendance. And one of them, a female, had already set her eyes on him.
"The more I look at this one, the more I like him," she said with a twisted grin. "Such an elegant little Dalit child. He's got a certain... charm."
"He'll make a fine toy," she continued. "My last one broke yesterday. What's a girl to do without toys?"
Because she sat in the second row, her words reached Vane loud and clear.
"Brother, don't you think so?" she asked the obese man beside her—her sibling, equally disgusting in demeanor.
"You should buy a few more," he replied through a runny nose. "Then you won't have to come here every time one breaks."
The two Celestial Dragon siblings were grotesque. Both wore their trademark transparent helmets and carried themselves as if they were gods above mortals. They called themselves descendants of the Creator, refused to breathe the same air as commoners, and saw all life beneath them.
Vane had been captured because he'd offended a slave trader. Now, if he were bought by the Celestial Dragons, his life would be nothing more than endless suffering.
Even as a transmigrator, Vane had no advantages. No system, no power-ups. Just a collar primed to explode and an iron will to survive. If things had gone differently, maybe he could have lived seventy more years—maybe even joined the Navy someday.
But now... now he was helpless.
He found himself praying for a miracle. Maybe Silvers Rayleigh would show up and save him? But no—Rayleigh wouldn't come. Too many people were auctioned every day. The man lived in retirement now, quiet and withdrawn. He wasn't anyone's savior.
And Vane—always quiet and distant—had never even tried to get to know people like Rayleigh.
"Next up, we have a brand new human slave!" the auctioneer announced. "Look how handsome this young man is! Aren't you tempted, dear nobles? Don't you want to make a bid? Then what are you waiting for?!"
"The starting price is one million Berries!"
The auctioneer, mic in hand, spoke with the energy of a con artist. Fast, rhythmic, persuasive. A professional. The room buzzed with excitement.
Vane's expression darkened. He wanted to kill this man. He wanted to destroy every last one of these scum on Sabaody. Especially the two Celestial Dragons in the front row.
"1.2 million Berries!"
"1.4 million!"
"2 million!"
"3 million!"
The bidding began, mostly from aristocratic women. Male nobles didn't bother—after all, they weren't interested in boys.
The female Celestial Dragon said nothing. She merely watched, smiling, confident. She knew none of these people would dare outbid her. In her world, Celestial Dragons were untouchable. Rich beyond measure thanks to the Heavenly Tribute, she could buy anything.
"6 million! 6 million! Any more bids?"
"Going once!"
"Going twice!"
"Six million—"
The auctioneer paused, then glanced at the female Celestial Dragon. Her eyes glimmered with amusement.
A middle-aged noblewoman who had bid six million gave a smug smile. "Looks like this one's mine."
But just before the gavel fell, a calm voice rang out.
"Thirty million Berries."
Silence.
The entire auction hall froze for a full thirty seconds.
The auctioneer swallowed hard. Thirty million Berries. For a slave that started at one million? Insane. But to the Celestial Dragon known as Lilia Lena, it was pocket change. And for the auctioneer? It meant a three million Berry commission.
"Thirty million Berries going once!"
"Going twice! Any challengers?"
No one dared respond. Competing with a Celestial Dragon was a death wish.
"Thirty million Berries, three times! Sold! Congratulations to Lady Lilia Lena of the Celestial Dragons!"
The auctioneer beamed. He'd hit the jackpot.
Vane clenched his fists, though his strength was gone.
He was now a possession of the Celestial Dragons. The worst fate imaginable.
Despair filled him.
But at that moment, a voice echoed in his mind:
[Ding! Investment System detected. Binding request initiated. Do you accept?]
A system?
Vane froze. Was he hallucinating? Fifteen years of hardship had taught him not to hope.
[Ding! Investment System detected. Binding request initiated. Do you accept?]
There it was again. Clear. Mechanical.
Real.
---
This is a new Fanfic, You might be wondering why pick up another one when you aren't even done with the other 5 lol... Anyways, I hope y'all support me.
Send Powerstones and join my p@treon as I'd be uploading exclusive chapters on it
patreon.com/Zphyr_