My Choice

“…”

The Marquis fell silent, and Rensha remained quiet at her side.

The goblin’s complaints had almost no effect as the negotiation tilted entirely in the Siren Captain’s favor.

“Then, at least reveal the method for acquiring a human.”

“No, that is a trade secret.”

Rensha seemed to want to push further, but there was no way around it.

‘Am I… not going to be sold immediately?’

I heard a sliver of hope in their conversation, and my desire to survive was ignited once again.

“It seems there is no other way, but it is indeed a fair price.”

The Marquis shrugged, choosing to compromise.

“Marquis…”

“It is fine, Mr. Ding Ming, this is a private transaction between the Marquis and the Captain; Mr. Pork will certainly not blame you.”

Rensha gave the goblin a bitter smile, and the goblin hung his head as if he had given up.

“Rensha, how soon can you manage it?”

“If I contact some nearby friends, I should be able to gather this amount by tomorrow.”

“Is that so, that is good. Then…”

She adjusted the cylinder slung over her shoulder, her majestic aura softening slightly as she spoke calmly.

“Tomorrow night, at this same time, how does that sound?”

“As expected of the Marquis, I like doing business with straightforward people.”

The two shook hands, and after both agreed to the deal, they prepared to leave together.

But.

As the group began to walk away, the Marquis turned her face slightly and her lips moved almost imperceptibly.

Rensha, listening beside her, nodded, and then—

He turned his body, his blood-red pupils shimmering with a wicked light in the darkness.

Rensha’s gaze cut straight through the iron bars of countless cages and projected directly onto me.

“…!”

Leaving behind a meaningful smile, the man followed the others out of the warehouse.

“Haa… haa… haa… cough cough cough!”

I did not dare make any further movements until I watched them leave.

When I realized I could finally relax, I was gasping for air, followed immediately by violent coughing.

“Re, Renee!”

An unexpected voice reached me, and before I could react, I felt a touch on my right hand.

“I am sorry… I… I…”

She gripped my hand.

Her shoulders were trembling and there were tears in her eyes, looking exactly like someone who had just experienced pure terror.

Though I… had no right to judge her, as I was likely no better.

“Let go.”

But.

I pulled my hand away and looked at her coldly.

“What are you doing.”

“I… just now, Renee was clearly…”

I could not understand what was going through her head at all.

She always acted like a fool, giggling at everything or being easily startled.

“What do you actually want?”

Again, she looked like she wanted to get close to me.

I stopped looking at her face and turned my back to her.

“Re, Renee—”

“Go back.”

Every person, every person who looks like they want to be close to me is the same.

“But…”

“I said go back.”

The prince was the same, and so was she, who followed the prince and could even betray me…

‘You must die here.’

Dammit, dammit dammit dammit!

“Just now I should have…”

“I said stay away from me, cough cough cough!”

My voice was louder than I imagined, turning into a roar without me realizing it.

“…Yes.”

Her shoulders gave an unnatural shudder as she lowered her head and finally turned away.

What kind of expression was that?

Why show a face that looked so hurt?

The one who was hurt was me, and the one facing the fear was only me.

No one will stay by my side.

And I can never trust anyone again.

‘I cannot even trust my human childhood friend; in this world full of alien monsters, who else can I rely on besides myself?’

“Cough cough cough…”

This is no time for such thoughts.

“There is… less than a day.”

My gaze fell on the sixteen marks on the wall, and I grit my teeth.

I am going to live.