Chapter 137: New Slave

"Now... prove you’re worth that mercy."

"How?!"

If there was even a slim chance, she would pick it up. But how could she prove her worth? She had nothing.

"I will give you two chances for something. You just have to submit to me, or else... I won’t say what will happen to you."

Mia didn’t understand what God was asking—or what he meant by submitting to him, or how she could do that.

But she remembered something—the insufferable man from before had said he became a slave and was forgiven by Him.

Submitting... as if I’m his slave.

She gulped down shallow breaths, her chest rising and falling with tremors. Her palms clenched, nails digging into her skin as she forced her knees to stop wobbling. Then—slowly—her head lowered. Her eyes, once wide with panic, locked onto him with forced resolve.

"I am ready to submit to you, God."

Hearing her words, Leon moved into action. He used the Slave Mark skill directly on her without any warning.

If it didn’t work, he was going to make her submit by torturing her a bit—just a little pain. He would heal her right after, either way.

A cold, needle-like sensation pricked her skin. She flinched as the tendrils slithered across her forehead with a whispering hiss, burning and binding not just her flesh but something deeper—her very will. Her ears rang. Her vision swam.

Mia felt her soul being shackled by something unknown but very powerful. She could feel that the man in front of her was her master now—and she couldn’t disobey him.

Leon looked at her, dead-pale. Just like James, it had worked on the first try. He had wanted to try the other method—breaking them first to get some experience, and then putting the Slave Mark—but it seemed he’d have to do that some other time.

The black cross, similar to James’s, on her forehead was proof of everything.

James was currently seething with anger, as that bitch from before now held the same position as him. Even then, he was going to let her know who the true first slave of their master really was.

"You succeeded on the first try."

Mia felt genuinely happy for the first time. Even taking the platinum coin hadn’t given her that feeling. She couldn’t help but slump to the ground, mentally exhausted.

I survived.

Leon’s voice continued.

"But you’re not allowed to eat anything for 12 days. That’s your punishment—and your last reminder."

The color on Mia’s face disappeared. She would die if she didn’t eat for 12 days—that was even worse than the outside world.

But she didn’t say anything and kept quiet.

Maybe, just maybe, she could survive. But if she pissed the God off any more, she would really die with just a casual slap from him.

Her trembling lips pressed together, even though there were a lot of things she wanted to say.

Leon continued, surprised she didn’t protest. He felt his first slave, James, and this woman were quite similar in some ways.

"But you can have one portion of soup every three days. Nothing more."

Mia bowed continuously for mercy, as with it she could at least survive. But this was going to be tough. This would be the first time she had ever done something like this.

He gave her an order before sending her back.

"You have to be on your best behavior from now on—and work hard in building this new world."

She felt the shackle on her soul respond to his words. She felt she had to follow them—it was her duty now. If not, something bad would happen.

Bowing her head, she felt ready for the torturous weeks ahead. Once back, she could feel the hateful gazes of the others on her. She knew her greed had made her life much harder. She just had to deal with it now—as living while being hated was much better than dying.

Next one and the last one.

For this one, there was no such thing as forgiveness for this man in Leon’s eyes. He had already decided what his punishment would be.

Forcibly making him a slave and then abandoning him in the same hellhole he came from—on the brink of death—by sucking out his life force.

He wasn’t going to personally kill him, but death was the only option, because this man made Leon feel the most disgusted.

What he stole couldn’t be justified, no matter what he said. He wasn’t worthy to be in this place.

Leon pointed at the man and called him directly, as he had already given too many chances. He wanted to be done with this.

A tall man with long black, ragged hair came out. He looked the best out of all the beggars, as Leon couldn’t see any signs of injury on him—unlike the others.

The people in the group looked excited. It seemed they all wanted him to be punished. For a moment, Leon thought he noticed something—he couldn’t see properly from this angle.

Still, his spatial awareness was always on, so he would be checking every reaction—especially hers.

As he wasn’t sure right now.

The man arrived in front of him, his height matching Leon’s. Leon didn’t know if he was foolish or just stupid—he couldn’t see any remorse or fear in his eyes.

Leon didn’t bother wasting time talking. With his mana, he revealed what was stolen through the man’s clothes.

A few platinum coins—which could be overlooked—but along with them, there were two skill stones.

"Do you even know what these stones are?"

The man shook his head.

That said everything to Leon. After saving his life and giving him a chance like the others—and besides the treasure—he stole the very skill stones that Leon had specifically told them to separate for him.

This man was not worth his forgiveness. He didn’t even want him as a slave.

He checked his affinity.

[Wind Affinity (Rank 4)]

One of the highest-ranked affinities in the group—but Leon still didn’t care.

Rank 4 affinity was still nothing, and this disgusting behavior had really angered him.

Suddenly, a voice sounded from the man.

"Can you at least give me a chance to speak for a moment? It looks like you’ve already decided to punish me."

Leon gave him a nod—he wanted to see what the man had to say in his defense.

Instead of talking to him, the man turned around.

This so-called God hasn’t killed anyone. I don’t even think he can do it. But he very well can make my life hell—so I have to play my cards right.

"All of you—have you forgotten your former slum leader? I was the one who gave you protection for years. It would be basic courtesy to ask your God to go easy on me. It was just a mistake!"

A few heads turned reluctantly, and others dropped their gaze. No one dared speak, but the weight of memory—of bruises, hunger, and stolen sleep—hung over them like smoke.

They wanted to say—what protection? He was basically a thug who extorted what little they had. If they denied him, he would beat them up with his other chumps.

But the years of extortion and violence had caused many to fear him.

A woman spoke in a pleading voice—out of fear, the thug had instilled in her.

"God, can you go easy on him? He made a mistake..."

Leon flatly replied.

"All of you, stay silent. None of you are allowed to speak from now on."

The man turned around again. He wasn’t confident if this would work or not—but he had one more thing in store.

His voice was loud enough for everyone to hear, with a smirk on his face.

"How are you any different from those nobles who sit in their mansions and see us as nothing more than dirt? You have so much treasure—far more than any noble, even a duke, could have!"

Leon didn’t speak. He didn’t have to.

The air around him grew heavier, colder—like the calm before a storm.

"Explain yourself, God!"