The Spider Queen

Chapter 154: Slave Market

(Planet Calypso)

(Outer District- Slave Market)

“Don’t touch me!” 

“Help me please!”

“No…. no…. stay away!”

“How about this young ripe girl we picked up?”

“Sir, that girl will cost two thousand Enas. Will you be paying the full amount or through installments?”

Loud noises and jeers could be heard from inside the crowded slave market as buyers haggled desperately to get a decent price on the goods.

The slave market was located in the outer district, so it was naturally surrounded by shoddy buildings and more resembled an area in the slums.

The temperature was hot and most of the slaves locked inside the sturdy mechanical cages were sweating profusely.

Buyers would stare at them like how one would look at a product on the shelf at a store. 

They were fed periodically with low quality nutrient vials and the attractive ones among the slaves had hollow looks of despair.

It was obvious that most buyers would give them a fate far worse than death.

Slaves sold directly at the marketplace were deemed to be unworthy for auctions, so they were treated quite harshly as their value was low.

Most would have some sort of birth or appearance defect with the most common flaw being the loss of limbs.

Although the marketplace seemed quite chaotic, shadowy guards were hidden deep within in the crowd to maintain some semblance of order.

All troublemakers were swiftly executed without question.

One could also pay some extra money to hire a guide who would skillfully navigate the labyrinth of cages to get the slaves that the client wanted.

Currently one such guide was walking through the marketplace with two very important clients at her side.

They were a strange duo as the older man was a giant at seven feet in height with a bulky frame and four spider appendages jutting out of his back.

The young teenager at his side had a fair and beautiful complexion that was spoiled by the enormous pus-filled blisters covering his face and upper arms.

“Now what kind of goods are you two fine gentlemen looking for?” the attractive attendant smiled as she led Sophie and Cleo through the market.

Sophie’s eyes narrowed as she saw the awful condition some of the slaves were subjected to.

There were cages filled with what appeared to be human waste that had not been cleaned and the unlucky slaves were kept inside.

Sophie sighed deeply as she continued to put on an act.

“Fresh…. meat….” Sophie groaned as she eyed the back of the guide hungrily. 

She was the spitting image of a demon as she eyed the helpless slaves with a gaze of perverse desire.

All who gazed at her vicious expression immediately started to pray to whatever gods they believed in.

No one wanted to be the unfortunate ones to be picked by such a madman.

Shivers ran down the back of the attendant as she subtly gave a signal to one of the passing guards to keep an eye on the pair.

It was natural to see a dangerous individual shopping around the slave market and this hulking brute seemed especially sinister.

“What my boss is saying is that we need a regular supply of healthy bodies preferably on the younger side,” Cleo translated in an even tone.

“There will be a deposit required in advance for any purchases made in bulk,” the guide explained patiently.

Sophie remained silent and showed her a crystalline card with strange engravings on the back. 

Katarina had long taught her how to create a temporary bank account and transfer some funds from her personal account without any link between the two.

“Is that a….” the guide was dumbfounded for a moment as she saw the familiar glow of the card.

It was a crystalline triple diamond black card!

The funds required to own one of those cards was more than enough to promote the owner to the level of a priority one customer.

“Please excuse me for a moment as I grab my supervisor!” the attendant gave a quick bow and then vanished to get her boss.

It did not take long for an out of shape man to scurry over with the attendant leading the way excitedly.

The man wore an expensive black tuxedo with thick gold rings on his fingers and several platinum chains hanging on his neck.

“Good day! My name is Mr. Dionyse, and I am one of the current managers of the market. I must apologise for not meeting with such an esteemed client like yourself much sooner.”

“We would be happy to offer a discount on any human children that happen to catch your eye!”

Sophie was inwardly disgusted by his fawning appearance but no outward trace of it could be seen on her face as she stared expressionlessly.

Talking about human life as if it were a simple commodity to be bought and sold. 

It seemed that no matter how far humanity advanced…. festering darkness like the slave trade would continue to exist.

Cleo shot a subtle look at Sophie and quickly established a mental link so the two girls could talk secretly.

Sophie: (Discuss the details with the trader while I scout out the market for anything interesting)

Cleo: (Okay but we only have room on the spaceship for 200 people so I will try to buy children)

Cleo: (I fucking hate this awful place)

Sophie: (Don’t worry I’ll come back to make sure that it burns down to the ground)

The conversation only took a few seconds, so the trader and attendant had no idea that a discussion had occurred between their clients.

“Grrr…. “Sophie growled menacingly as she handed the card to Cleo and walked away to explore the other areas of the market.

“Forgive my master, he gets rather…. impatient,” Cleo smiled politely but her eyes hid an unspoken coldness.

“Shall we finalise the details about the trade?”

Something deep inside her must have sensed the shift in her mood as the shadows beneath her feet started to lengthen and twist with snake-like motions.

Cleo did not realise that the strange mark Sophie had imprinted on her chest prevented these dark tendrils from entering her heart.