Argh... where am I? Right, I was captured again... by that ponytail woman. You're on my list now. When I break free from this prison, I'll kill you first. Not because you're the weakest strong hero I've fought. It's because I want a rematch.
— Oh, you're finally awake! Welcome to my bazaar, dragon cub!
Huh? There is a weirdly suspicious man talking to me. He has purple short hair and dark circles. He wears a purple tunic and his skin is so pale that he looks more like an undead. But he's livelier than most humans... Ironic.
— I'm a half-dragon, not a dragon cub. What do you want?
— That makes you even more special! You know, I've collected rarities my whole life, but you're one of the most valuable things I've had the pleasure of meeting.
— I'm not a thing. Watch your tone, human. You're the inferior species here.
I jump towards the pink glass wall of the tube I'm in to break it. It doesn't even budge.
— Oh, how scary! Unless you break out of that tube, you're inferior to the humans who held you captive. You're as powerful as your creators want you to be.
— Are you saying a human created me?! I don't belong to any species, because they abandoned me to earn some gold coins! Let me out of this cell, I'll show you what true terror is.
— I understand you, my dear. I lived a terrible life too. But that's no reason to kill everybody to show who's superior.
— The hell you understand me, scumbag! You're just selling slaves to show your monetary superiority! People who rule others by money or words don't deserve that much power!
— You're saying that because you were blessed by a strong body.
— That I cannot use because nobody lets me unleash my true potential!
— Are you sure? Gods are above us all, you know that. If you didn't deserve that treatment, go ask them for a compensation.
— Gods don't exist, human. Have you seen them at least once? H-Hey, don't leave me here!
— Wait a minute, my dear. I have to serve a client. They might be the ones to take you home! Who knows?
— Take me home...?
Wait, that doesn't sound too bad. What if my new owner is weaker than me? I can devour them and escape! I will eat everything in my path and become so powerful that no one will stop me! This seller doesn't seem to care about anything but money, so he'll let me go!
They're a few meters away, but I can still see and hear them clearly. It's a girl with pink long hair and round glasses. Her eyes are also pink and she wears a dark wizard's cape and hat. She looks very shy.
— Welcome to my bazaar, little girl! Wait, aren't you a bit young to be here?
— My father comes here often, his name is Albert.
— Oh, are you Albert's daughter? I'm sorry, I didn't recognize you.
— It's okay, don't worry. I don't leave my house often, because my parents say it's dangerous. That's why I wanted a new pet. They'll protect me wherever I go.
— I understand exactly why. You'll start a new adventure, right? In that case, you've come to the right place. There are tons of strong beings here, but not all of them are obedient. Are you looking for a balance between the two?
— I don't know yet... What is the most expensive one you have?
Should I interfere? She's a little girl, I'm sure I can convince her if I say please. But I would never beg a human!
— Um, that's difficult. The most expensive ones are basically impossible to tame or fit in a house. They're way too big and impractical.
— So what do you recommend?
— I have something that's both strong and small! They're similar to a human, but they have powers of a dragon!
Stop calling me a thing! And I'm not small! Wait, is he talking about me? Am I really going to escape this hell?
— Really? Can you show me?
— They're right here, dear.
They're coming here! Right, don't make it obvious, play the hard to get. I don't want them, they want me. She'll have to get on her knees and beg. Then I'll think about it.
— This is a half-dragon, a rarity among rarities. But don't get too close, she can bite.
— R-Really? I'm scared now...
— Don't be, little child! I'm sure you can tame her if you try hard enough. If that doesn't work, I have plenty of brainwashing spells to sell!
— T-That sounds too harsh... She's a human, so she deserves to be treated as such.
— Don't let her fool you. Trust me, she's really dangerous. You should have some precautions beforehand. You know what they say, better safe than sorry!
— I know that, but... she looks desperate.
Desperate? Who, me? I'm not desperate for you! You're desperate for me, human!
— Why don't you try to convince her to join you instead of forcing her? When you've decided, just call me! I will be assisting another customer, but you can interrupt me at any time.
— Y-Yes, thank you!
The man waves his hand towards the girl and winks at me. Wait, seriously?! Do you want me to feel in debt to a scum like you? Never, in a hundred years-
— Um, w-what's your name, dragon?
— I'm not a dragon. How many times do I have to say that? I'm a half-dragon, abandoned by both worlds.
— I-I'm sorry, I didn't want to offend you! H-How should I call you? Half-dragon sounds a bit rude...
Oh my god, she's too cute! She will be even better when I have her in my clutches...
— Call me half-dragon, I don't care. Names are useless for a being like me.
— T-That's not true! Names are necessary for every sentient living being! That's what characterizes them, so... you shouldn't treat yourself so harshly.
— Alright, then why don't you give me a name, owner? I have to be your obedient pet now, right?
Of course that's not true. I'll devour your little body once we're out of here.
— R-Really? But even if I buy you, you'll not be my pet... You have free will, just like me.
— You said you were looking for a pet, not a friend. Lie to my face again and I'll kill you here and now.
— I-I'm sorry! I s-said that because the seller see you as a pet, but I didn't mean it... I'm really sorry...
— Beg more. Then, I'll maybe forgive you.
— P-Please forgive me... I just wanted us to be friends. I came here because my family buys several species to treat them better than the black market...
— Really? Then why did you ask for the most expensive one? Is your family that rich or did you just want a strong pet to protect your ass from the dark world?
— I-I asked for them because they're often unwanted, because of the price... So I wanted to take care of them before an evil rich person bought them.
— How naive. There is no such thing as a good rich person. You are all the same. You think you can control everything with money, but guess what. I could tear you apart as soon as I leave this cage.
— I-I know, but... I want to change your mind about humans. They're not all evil.
— Bullshit. Just get me out of here so I can eat you.
— P-Please don't do that! P-Please, just give me one chance... If I fail, you can kill me.
— If you fail, you'll just call the security guards. But I'll kill them too.
— N-No, I mean it... I won't buy anything else from that seller, I promise. Brainwashing is not fair.
— Oh, it is fair against someone as me. Do you think you can just fight me with words?
— I don't know, but I'll have to try. If you kill me, I think I've done everything I can. I will not regret having tried, but rather not having tried.
— Okay, you convinced me. Just remember, if I'm bored for more than a second, it will be the end of you.
Of course that's not true, brat! I'll follow you until we're inside your house. You won't keep me caged, because you're naive. Then, I'll measure the power of everyone there and kill the weaker ones to level up. Easypeasy.
— R-Really? Thank you so much! I'll go there and tell the seller, I'll be back in a minute-
— Wait, aren't you forgetting something? My name.
— Oh, right! What about... Mi... Mitsurugi?
That's not a bad name...
— That's your choice, owner.
— Yay, thank you, Mitsurugi! I'm happy to have a new friend!
— Yeah, I'm happy too...
... to have you as my pet.