The Western District—infamous for its brothels, slave trading firms, and every kind of black business you could think of.
Despite its reputation, it was one of the highest tax-paying, most profitable districts in the entire human kingdom.
*Screech*
The wagon came to a sudden stop in front of the district’s massive iron gate.
“I’m sorry, sir. But… I can’t go any further from this point,” the driver said, his voice cautious as he looked at Leon.
“Why ?” Leon asked with a confused expression as he looked at the wagon
“I’ve got a wife and three kids. If I go in there, I’m afraid… I won’t come out the same man,” the driver replied, uneasily.
“Fair enough,” Leon said with a chuckle as he hopped down from the carriage. Fruela followed silently behind.
“Here’s your money.” Leon handed over ten copper coins to him.
“Thank you, sir.” The driver gave a grateful nod before turning the wagon around and leaving without another word.
“So… this is the Western District, huh?” Leon muttered with a faint grin as he looked at the tall, decorated gate. Beyond it, the streets were drenched in light—glowing lanterns, colorful signs, an overwhelming sense of temptation and smell of aphrodisiac scented candles.
“I hate this place,” Fruela muttered, her voice laced with anger as her red eyes scanned the glowing street.
“Control your anger, darling. If you let your anger take over, you focus will get fucked.” Leon said calmly as he stepped through the gate.
Prostitutes lined the roofs, the doors, and even the streets—every brothel putting their merchandise on full display, each girl trying to lure in customers with practiced smiles and exposed skin.
There weren’t only human prostitutes but every kind, Elfs, Dwarves, Foxkins, Beastkins and many more.
Then, a human girl about Leon’s age approached him—pretty face, heavy makeup, wearing barely anything.
“Hello, gentleman,” she said, eyes half-lidded. “Want to take these clothes off me for just five coppers for ten minutes.”
‘My foreplay is more than that.’ Leon thought with a neutral expression.
“No, but can you tell me—” Leon began, but she walked away mid-sentence, already flirting with another man.
‘Well, that was rude, but she is a prostitute at last.’ Leon thought, slightly amused.
*Tug*
Suddenly, he felt a small tug on his pants. Looking down, he saw a young boy holding a wooden crate stacked with cigar boxes.
“Sir, would you like to buy some freshly made cigars? These are usually only for nobles, but I’ll give you a good deal on them,” the boy said, hopeful.
“Oh? Cigars, huh. How much for one?” Leon asked with a grin.
“T-Two coppers…” the boy said hesitantly.
“Give me ten.” Leon pulled out twenty coppers and handed them over without a second thought.
“R-Really?” The boy beamed, quickly passing over a neat wooden box containing ten cigars and started walking away.
‘I’ve been craving a smoke for days and it walked upto me automatically, what’s better than this ?’ Leon thought with a smile as he pulled one cigar out.
He tapped it and used his skill.
<Inspect>
[Name: Cigar]
[Type: Consumable]
[Rank: Common]
[Description: A smoking item that can release tension in the mind for a short time. Considered a luxury by nobles. May harm the lungs.]
‘Bad for the lungs, huh? Well, I’ve got Adaptive Body… I doubt it’ll affect me,’ Leon mused.
“Oi, kid,” he called out.
The boy rushed back with a confused expression.
“Yes, sir?”
“You got anything I can use to light this?”
“Ah, yes! Just a second—here!” the boy said, pulling out a small parchment from beneath his cigar boxes and handing it over.
“What’s this?” Leon asked, examining the small paper with a tiny magic circle drawn on it.
“It’s a fire spell, sir. Tear it, and you’ll learn it!” the boy explained with a smile.
“A spell?” Leon raised a brow, then tore the paper without hesitation.
[Congratulations! You have learned the skill {Lighter} successfully.]
[Name: Lighter]
[Rank: F]
[Description: Produces a small flame on the user’s fingertip.]
[Mana Cost: 5 MP]
[Cooldown: None]
“Now just hold your fingertip up to the cigar and use the spell, sir!” the boy encouraged.
Leon placed the cigar between his lips, held up his index finger, and activated the skill.
‘Lighter.’
*Bop*
A small, hovering blue flame burst to life on his fingertip, igniting the cigar in seconds.
“Huh…?” the boy stared in awe at the odd-colored flame.
“Well, isn’t this convenient. Thanks, kid.” Leon took a puff, smoke curling out from his mouth as he turned and continued walking.
“Was that a blue flame…?” the kid muttered, with a confused expression as he walked away.
…
“Come here, kid! I’ll show you a good time!”
“No, no, come here instead!”
“Hey, gentleman! Want to strip me down ?”
…
Every brothel Leon passed threw waves of propositions his way—girls young and old, some even offering him money to sleep with them.
After a few more blocks, he finally reached his destination.
The building wasn’t too big or too small, but it stood out. A large golden-lettered sign loomed above:
THE GOLDEN SLAVE TRADERS
*Puff*
*Pshhh*
Leon exhaled smoke as he eyed the place.
Two massive guards stood at the gate—lizardmen, not humans. Towering bodies covered in scales, gripping heavy metal spears in both hands and they had slave collars in their necks.
Leon immediately used his skill on the guards.
<Inspect>
[Name: Kol]
[Class: Spearman]
[Race: Lizardman]
[Level: 21]
[HP: 30,000 / 30,000]
[MP: 15,000 / 15,000]
[Description: Lizardmen are renowned for their exceptional physical strength and natural resilience. Their bodies are protected by dense, durable scales that offer powerful defense against physical attacks. As a Spearman, Kol combines raw brute force with precision, making him a formidable frontline warrior.]
‘Lizardmen… Huh.’ Leon thought with a smile as he walked upto the gate.
Suddenly, both of them crossed their spears as they looked at Leon.
“What’s your buisness here ?” Both of them asked with a serious expression.
‘Well… Time to act cocky.’ Leon thought in his mind.
“I want to buy another one like her.” He spoke with a smile as he released smoke on their faces.
*Pshhh*
The guards looked at him for a moment then removed the spears and bowed down to him.
“We are sorry, Sir. Welcome…” They spoke, letting Leon enter inside the house at once.