It was a bright, sunlit day, and joy filled me, for I had just passed the grueling exam to become an adventurer. In this world, the life of an adventurer was unforgiving; if you wished to avoid danger, you had to join a large party yet that meant the rewards would be far smaller.

I wandered through the town’s bustling market, purchasing the final pieces of gear I would need to hunt beasts for coin. After stocking up on liquor and bandages, I finally resolved to set out into the wilds. Returning to the inn I had rented, I entered my modest chamber: a single bed, a plain closet to store clothes and luggage, nothing more. I stashed away my money and my finer garments, donned my adventurer’s attire, and stepped forth in pursuit of glory.

The adventure, however, proved a disaster. I was endlessly harried by beasts, and I could do little to stand against them. If only I had a partner at my side... yet that would mean splitting the spoils in half.

It was then that I saw it: a slave shop.

"Come on in!" the trader called. I stepped inside, curiosity gnawing at me, wondering if this might be the perfect solution to my troubles.

"I see you’re an adventurer... and alone, at that," he said with a sly grin. "Why not take a look at my finest slaves? They might prove useful."

I glanced over the wretches on display. Most were in dreadful condition, their bodies marred with scars, missing limbs, or worse. The sight turned my stomach. But then... I saw her, a beautiful beastkin girl. She caught me watching her and returned my gaze with eyes full of hatred, though she tried in vain to disguise it.

"Does that one know how to fight?" I asked.

"Oh, yes!" the trader replied eagerly. "She is my finest slave. Her name is Ronda, but she's also the most expensive. Not only is she skilled in combat and blessed with beauty, but she's a virgin as well, worth twice for that!"

I hesitated only a moment before the decision was made. I had to buy her, even if it meant spending every last coin I possessed.