Jhed stepped inside.
His eyes went wide.
"There are so many people."
A long table dominated the center of the room, with chairs arranged along both sides. Every chair was occupied. Men and women — dozens of them — sitting perfectly upright, perfectly still. No fidgeting. No blinking. No sound at all, despite the number of them.
They all faced forward.
Their weapons rested beside their chairs — swords, staffs, bows, things Jhed didn't have names for yet. Every person was dressed differently: armor, robes, travelling clothes, ceremonial wear. No two looked alike.
And yet all of them sat in exactly the same way.
Like statues. Like mannequins. Like something that looked human but had been paused.
"Please, come in, sir." Animal stepped in behind him, that same mild smile on his face.
"Are they dead?" Jhed asked.
"Not at all, sir. All alive."
"Then why aren't they moving?"
"Magic, sir. Binding magic." Animal folded his hands. "They belong to me. Every one of them is available for rent."
In fifteen years I never learned anything about this world, Jhed thought. Magic, systems, history — nothing. Linea kept me inside and I let her. I don't even know what binding magic is.
He walked slowly along the table, looking at them one by one.
He stopped.
A girl. Blue hair, blue eyes — even her earrings, her dress, the gems at her collar were blue, all of it matching like she'd been made that way. A pointed Victorian-style hat. Beside her chair, a staff topped with a red gemstone.
Jhed reached out and pinched her cheek.
Her cheek went red immediately. But she didn't move. Didn't flinch. Didn't turn her head.
Her eyes filled with tears.
They ran down her face, slow and quiet, and one of them landed on Jhed's finger.
He pulled his hand back immediately.
She's crying. She can feel it. She can feel everything and she can't do anything about it.
Before he could say anything, Animal appeared beside the girl and slapped her — sharp, across the same cheek.
"My apologies, sir." Animal bowed toward Jhed, not the girl. "She released tears without permission. Inexcusable."
Jhed looked at Animal.
"No — it's fine." He stepped back. "Actually, I think I'll be going."
If I stay here any longer, he'll do something to make me one of them.
He started drifting toward the door.
"Sir." Animal's voice followed him. "You can't leave like this."
Footsteps. Animal appeared in front of him.
Then, without warning, he dropped to his knees.
And started crying.
Jhed stared.
"Sir, please." Animal's tears hit the floor in earnest. "I have debts. Significant debts. I need the income. You have to purchase at least one adventurer. Please."
Is he... actually crying.
Jhed looked at the top of Animal's white-haired head. Then, slowly, placed a hand on his shoulder.
"...Fine," Jhed said. "One. How much?"
Animal was on his feet in an instant, tears gone, smile back like neither had ever left.
"Five silver coins, sir. For one adventurer."