After the auction ended.

Mirena, locked inside her cage, was pushed back behind the stage curtains.

Three hundred million gold coins—

She never expected her worth to be this high.

After all, she had designed this game herself.

She knew exchange rates inside out.

Whoever that wealthy buyer was, it didn’t matter to her.

She’d escape the moment her cage opened and she reached the outside.

Surely the noble who bought her wouldn’t take this rusty old cage too.

At most, they’d only want the “merchandise”—her.

Yet—

Whoever bought her didn’t matter.

The only thing she cared about was—

When would she finally get out of this cage?

Being trapped felt awful.

She couldn’t stay calm at all.

Locked up like a lion on display for spectators.

But she wasn’t a lion.

Her treatment was far worse—she’d be gawked at, then possibly devoured as prey.

Just thinking about it sent chills down her spine.

—Haa…

Mirena let out a soft, long sigh.

At that moment, the elf girl behind her spoke up.

“Your Highness, I’m truly honored to meet you today! Even in these circumstances, seeing you before I’m sold is Nym’s greatest blessing.”

Nym, in another cage, bowed deeply to Mirena.

She’d been bought by someone else—for one million gold coins.

As for Nym’s qualities—

Though she fell short of Mirena in many ways, she was undeniably a lovely girl.

“No, this might not be our last meeting…”

A trace of determined smile lifted Mirena’s lips.

Her aqua-blue eyes reflected Nym’s form, while her long, wavy hair fluttered restlessly.

Trapped in a cage yet standing tall and proud—

As if she weren’t caged at all.

That expression meant either madness or absolute confidence.

But Mirena didn’t seem confident at all.

So Nym asked her, concern in her voice.

“Are… are you out of your mind? You’re locked up, helpless—what can you even do?”

“…”

Mirena stayed silent. Nym’s words struck her like a mental blow.

She sank onto the cold cage floor.

She still wore her thin sleepwear.

It did nothing against the icy chill seeping through her backside.

“Sure, escaping might get me caught. But if I don’t run, must I submit meekly? Let a Vampire violate me? Never!

‘If you give up, you achieve nothing. But if you struggle, there’s still a glimmer of hope.’ So no matter what they say, I’ll escape.”

Mirena muttered it like a self-reminder.

Soon after, most nobles had left.

The buyers arrived together to pay and collect their purchases.

Only one person came for Mirena—a maid radiating icy coldness.

But the man collecting Nym had bulging muscles.

A towering figure nearly three meters tall.

Probably a noble’s bodyguard.

Compared to him, Mirena’s escort seemed frail.

—Just two guards? This looks promising…

Mirena didn’t use [Data Analysis] this time.

It’d take too long.

If she had, she’d be shocked to find the icy maid far stronger.

Her shackles were unlocked, only to be replaced with walking chains.

Both sets were equally heavy.

Thankfully, long iron links connected them, so they didn’t hinder her much.

“Follow me…”

After fastening the chains, the maid said coldly.

Mirena silently trailed behind.

She hated it, but she had to wait.

For the perfect moment—outside.

They walked slowly down empty stairs into a narrow corridor.

The arena was deathly silent, as if only four people remained.

Only then did Mirena realize where she was.

She’d been knocked out and dragged here—the most unfortunate elf.

This was a slave auction house.

Where masters sold pets they’d grown bored of.

Every elf’s eyes were dull and shadowed.

Like walking corpses, dragged by collars around their necks.

If she didn’t escape now, she’d end up like them—

Violated without mercy, then discarded.

She couldn’t bear that.

She had to flee before being taken away, before branded as a Blood Slave.

That was her best chance.

Mirena stopped walking.

She scanned the crowd for the girl who shared her fate—Nym.

She’d promised to take her away. A promise she’d keep.

“What’s wrong? Move. Still thinking of resisting?”

The maid snapped, but Mirena stood frozen.

Once she spotted Nym, she’d bolt.

Did they really expect her to submit!?

“There you are…”

—Amid the crowd, she finally saw that small green figure.

The bodyguard was shoving her—

Toward a carriage.

—Bad timing!

If Nym got on board, rescuing her would be impossible!?

Mirena dashed toward Nym without hesitation.

“Wait! That—”

She ignored the maid’s shout behind her.

Not even the maid’s master could make her obey.

Vampires were her enemies—the entire Elvenfolk’s enemies.

Why would she listen to them?

Mirena easily slipped her chains.

At lightning speed, she sprinted over.

She snatched Nym up in a princess carry.

“What!?”

“What’s happening!?”

Guards swarmed Mirena instantly.

“Your Highness… you’re really escaping?”

Nym couldn’t believe it. They’d just met by chance.

“It’s impossible to escape so many guards…”

“Impossible? Hardly!”

Mirena’s voice was firm.

She took a deep breath, stomped the ground, and leaped onto a rooftop.

“How can a mere elf have such strength…”

The blonde girl grew impatient.

Her supernatural hearing caught the commotion outside.

She stepped down from her carriage.

Her crimson eyes locked onto Mirena—on the roof, holding another elf.

Wasn’t that her three-hundred-million-gold pet?

Why on the roof? Could it be…

As she thought this, Luce rushed over to apologize.

“My apologies, Miss. Your pet escaped…”

“It’s fine. I won’t blame you, Luce…”

The blonde girl waved it off, forgiving the icy maid.

Instead, she watched Mirena—chased by Vampires—with keen interest.

“If prey doesn’t run, the Hunter loses the thrill. If a pet doesn’t resist, how can it be trained?”

“Oh… I see. Wise as always, my lady.”

Luce’s reply was hesitant.

She often didn’t grasp her lady’s words.

As long as she wasn’t angry, that was enough.

Luce looked up.

“Rest here. We’ll retrieve her immediately…”

“No need. I’ll catch her myself. It’s been ages since I exercised…”

The blonde girl’s blood-red eyes gleamed with excitement.

Everyone thought her uninterested in anything.

Yet this so-called Elven Princess had sparked her curiosity.

Gifted pets usually earned a dismissive glance from her.

Nothing held her attention long.

No one understood her—not even Luce.

“Watch the rabbit doll for me. I’m going after them…”

She watched Mirena dart between rooftops.

Silently, she vowed to claim this pet.

She tossed the ragged rabbit doll to the maid.

Then, with a powerful leap, she shot arrow-straight toward distant Mirena.

“Your Highness!”

Nym shouted a warning from Mirena’s arms.

“!?”

Mirena sensed danger.

The blonde girl lunged at their position.

Mirena jumped aside with all her strength.

“That speed’s like a missile… Who’d expect such a monster here…”

“Missile? What’s that?”

Nym was utterly confused.

“N-Nothing. I’ll explain after we escape… But things aren’t looking good.”

Mirena stared at the blonde loli before her.

She’d been far away moments ago—

Yet now, in a blink, she stood right there.