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MillionNovel > From Paladin to Pawn [HIATUS] > Chapter 1 - Civilian Paladin and The Auction Block

Chapter 1 - Civilian Paladin and The Auction Block

    Lisandra sat at the table after she exited the cage and inspected her upgraded stats, thanks to the gear.


    <b>Spoiler</b> : <input type=''button'' value=''Show'' class=''spoilerButton''><table><tbody><tr><td>Name</td><td>Lisandra</td></tr><tr><td>Race</td><td>Cloud Elf</td></tr><tr><td>Level</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Class</td><td>Slave</td></tr><tr><td>Currency</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Debt</td><td>50,000,000</td></tr><tr><td>Health</td><td>100/100</td></tr><tr><td>Health Regen</td><td>2 health per second out of battle</td></tr><tr><td>Magicka</td><td>100/100</td></tr><tr><td>Magicka Regen</td><td>4 magicka per second</td></tr><tr><td>Stamina</td><td>200/200</td></tr><tr><td>Stamina Regen</td><td>1 stamina per second</td></tr><tr><td>Strength</td><td>10</td></tr><tr><td>Dexterity</td><td>20 (40)</td></tr><tr><td>Vitality</td><td>5 (10)</td></tr><tr><td>Intelligence</td><td>10</td></tr><tr><td>Willpower</td><td>20 (40)</td></tr><tr><td>Endurance</td><td>5 (20)</td></tr><tr><td>Charisma</td><td>30 (180)</td></tr><tr><td>Luck</td><td>50</td></tr></tbody></table>


    180 fucking Charisma...  As a Paladin, I couldn''t get my Charisma over 50!  I wonder if I will be able to get any of those legendary quests I read about that required huge amounts of Charisma to unlock...  But first, I need to figure out a way to get out of this situation... she thought.  Not to mention 50 fucking luck.  Each point of Luck above the default 5 costs like 500,000 credits!


    "Oy, I''m going back up front to continue driving.  We''ll be there in an hour," the ork snorted.


    She bowed her head and focused her eyes upon him, hoping to learn ''Inspection'' or ''Analyze''.


    <table><tbody><tr><td colspan=''2''>Congratulations!</td></tr><tr><td colspan=''2''>You have learned the skill ''Inspection (Beginner)''.


    You have learned the Ability ''Analyze''.</td></tr><tr><td>Inspection (Beginner)</td><td>You can see the default information a Player or NPC allows you to see.</td></tr><tr><td>Analyze</td><td>You can focus your gaze upon something to learn more from the flow of magicka around it.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <table><tbody><tr><td colspan=''2''>G''rokin Res''pit</td></tr><tr><td colspan=''2''>Ork</td></tr><tr><td>Level</td><td>200</td></tr><tr><td>Class</td><td>Merchant</td></tr><tr><td>Health</td><td>175,000/175,000</td></tr><tr><td>Magicka</td><td>250,000/250,000</td></tr><tr><td>Stamina</td><td>200,000/200,000</td></tr><tr><td colspan=''2''>G''rokin is one of the few NPCs who handle Player Sales.  He is often curious as to why people wish to be Slaves.  Keeps his hands off the merchandise.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Well, at least I don''t have to worry about him trying to paw me, she snorted softly before looking down at her hands and thinking back to how this all started.


    <hr />


    Jonas got out of his LIMP, having just spent the last twelve hours in Guardians of Delmare, obtaining the World First clear of the ''Tower of Bailorn'', which had just come out a month ago.  The damned boss last boss was a russian roulette of powerful abilities.  He washed his face and looked into the mirror.


    <b>Spoiler</b> : <input type=''button'' value=''Show'' class=''spoilerButton''><table><tbody><tr><td>Name</td><td>Jonas "GP" Plython</td></tr><tr><td>Job</td><td>Gamer</td></tr><tr><td>Net Worth</td><td>5,000,000 Credits</td></tr><tr><td>Corporate Relationship</td><td>Grand Paladin (All 8 Games)</td></tr><tr><td>Marital Status</td><td>Married (3 Children)</td></tr><tr><td>Age</td><td>38</td></tr><tr><td>Height</td><td>6''8"</td></tr><tr><td>Weight</td><td>280 lbs (Muscle)</td></tr><tr><td>Hair</td><td>Jet Black (Buzz Cut)</td></tr><tr><td>Skin</td><td>Bronze Tan</td></tr><tr><td>Eye</td><td>Silver (LIMP Nano Augmented)</td></tr></tbody></table>


    "Honey, you need to go pick up your Collector''s Edition from the Corporation today," his wife called out from the other room.  "Also, you need to tell them about the LIMP''s latest side effect, and hand in the contract to be the next expansion''s Promotional Gamer."


    Jonas looked at her as he entered the room and smiled.  "Of course, my love.  I''m just glad that I''m not tonight''s expansion''s Promotional...  I would look silly in slave chains."


    <b>Spoiler</b> : <input type=''button'' value=''Show'' class=''spoilerButton''><table><tbody><tr><td>Name</td><td>Patricia Plython</td></tr><tr><td>Job</td><td>Mother</td></tr><tr><td>Net Worth</td><td>7,500,000 Credits</td></tr><tr><td>Corporate Relationship</td><td>Technology Developer (LIMP Maker)</td></tr><tr><td>Marital Status</td><td>Married (3 Children)</td></tr><tr><td>Age</td><td>You shouldn''t ask (34)</td></tr><tr><td>Height</td><td>5''4"</td></tr><tr><td>Weight</td><td>You shouldn''t ask (125 lbs)</td></tr><tr><td>Hair</td><td>Crimson (Waist Length)</td></tr><tr><td>Skin</td><td>Pale Scottish</td></tr><tr><td>Eye</td><td>Emerald</td></tr></tbody></table>


    She swatted his ass and handed him the Contract Tablet.  "I don''t now...  Having you as my personal slave might even interest me into the Game," she whispered before they kissed.  "Anyways, enough talking.  Your uncle has your Collector''s Edition, which includes that fancy suit of armor you are always strutting around in those in-game videos.  I heard that your uncle even talked them into making the 3D Printed replica sword and shield realistic, with sharpness and weight.  It''s a good time to let them know the magicka from the game is starting to seep into heavy players.  Then again, it may just be because you play a Paladin in all of their games, where as others play different classes in each that you''re getting the Healing spell to come through."


    Patricia had always been ahead of the time as far as the tech was concerned until she had to retire to take care of the children.  "If you see Becca, tell her I said hello, and that she should stop by for dinner again soon!"


    "Darling, you know Becca has a crush on me.  She''s proposed to me in all eight of the games!" Jonas teased.


    "Yes, but she''s still my best friend from when I worked at the company in the LIMP Development team.  I want her to come visit us.  You''re a Paladin, in heart as well as game.  You would never cheat on me."


    "Alright, darling, I''ll let her know when I see her.  Say, are the LIMPs for the kids already ordered?"


    "Yes, darling.  They should arrive tomorrow, and then they have to spend a full month inside their pods to get them fully adjusted to their bodies.  Thank you for agreeing to these younger trials," Patricia said and kissed his cheek before summoning an Automatic Vehicle to take her husband to VR-Technics headquarters.


    Jonas stepped into the Headquarters, and smiles as he sees Becca behind the counter.  "Hey there, Becca.  How''s it going?"


    <b>Spoiler</b> : <input type=''button'' value=''Show'' class=''spoilerButton''><table><tbody><tr><td>Name</td><td>Rebecca "Becca" Rogers</td></tr><tr><td>Job</td><td>Receptionist / Gamer</td></tr><tr><td>Net Worth</td><td>500,000 Credits</td></tr><tr><td>Corporate Relationship</td><td>Valued Employee</td></tr><tr><td>Marital Status</td><td>Office Complications</td></tr><tr><td>Age</td><td>You shouldn''t ask (24)</td></tr><tr><td>Height</td><td>5''2"</td></tr><tr><td>Weight</td><td>You shouldn''t ask (132 lbs)</td></tr><tr><td>Hair</td><td>Blonde (Curly, Shoulder Length)</td></tr><tr><td>Skin</td><td>Ebony</td></tr><tr><td>Eye</td><td>Honey (LIMP Nano Augmented)</td></tr></tbody></table>


    "You are a true asshole, Jonas!  You couldn''t wait to run the Tower until tonight?  Do you know how much trouble you''ve gotten your poor uncle into for your clearing it in a month?  They''ve accused him of giving you information!" Becca burst out as she smiled at him from the reception desk.


    "Hey, it''s not my fault that my uncle happened to have made it easy to read the boss and know what to do," Jonas answered.  In truth, this was by far the hardest boss he''d ever faced in a normal dungeon!


    "Yeah, right!  Did you know they streamed it through the entire office?  How the hell did you manage to clear it?  I swear, your Uncle has stated he''s going to purposefully create a boss to take you out completely.  You''ve woken the Python..."


    Jonas swallowed nervously.  "He''s not allowed to make a boss designed to wipe out a specific class, is he?"


    "HA!  He''s already developed one for every single class, and is just waiting for approval on implementation...  He''s sworn that it will take even you a year to get through.  You really made him angry.  He went in and revised the Paladin Slayer."


    "NO!  He''s not allowed to do that!  They nerfed him because he wasn''t able to be beaten!"


    "Well, your uncle has taken the back-up of the original version and is implementing it in the next major hidden dungeon.  You better go up and collect your Collector''s Edition and beg his forgiveness!"


    Jonas dashed to the elevators and took it up to the 35th floor, and went to the corner office where his uncle worked and could look down at the city.  "Hey there Uncle Phil!"


    <b>Spoiler</b> : <input type=''button'' value=''Show'' class=''spoilerButton''><table><tbody><tr><td>Name</td><td>Phillip "Pissed Python" Plython</td></tr><tr><td>Job</td><td>Boss Creator</td></tr><tr><td>Net Worth</td><td>50,000,000 Credits</td></tr><tr><td>Corporate Relationship</td><td>Chief Boss Developer</td></tr><tr><td>Marital Status</td><td>Divorced (2 Children)</td></tr><tr><td>Age</td><td>62</td></tr><tr><td>Height</td><td>6''4"</td></tr><tr><td>Weight</td><td>150 lbs (Wirey)</td></tr><tr><td>Hair</td><td>Salt and Pepper (Einstein)</td></tr><tr><td>Skin</td><td>Necromantic Palor</td></tr><tr><td>Eye</td><td>Blue (LIMP Nano Augmented)</td></tr></tbody></table>


    "Your Collector''s Edition," he points towards a corner, where a full suit of armor, a sword, and a shield are waiting.


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Jonas quickly started getting into it, and smiled.  "Patricia sends her regards, and wants me to let you know that I''ve developed minor healing magic, with being a Paladin in all eight of the games.  She thinks it has something to do with the amount of exposure I have to the class."


    "I see...  You do realize you''ve seriously damaged my standing with the company by your managing to clear this boss in a month, right?"


    "The rest of the team all died, and I survived with a total of 2 Health!  It was pure luck that I managed to clear the Tower today!"


    "I know it was.  You hadn''t even figured out the secret trick to figuring out what moves the boss would use.  I''m going to have to post a strategy guide based on this boss in another month if other people don''t clear it.  I''m not letting them nerf another one of my bosses!"


    Jonas handed his uncle the Contract Tablet, and his uncle bursts out laughing.  "So, they''ve agreed the Grand Paladin finally gets to be acknowledged by the regular people," Phillip''s smirk was wicked.  Standing next to each other they looked like a traditional Paladin and a mad Court Alchemist.


    "So the kids will be entering the game in a week or so for a month," Jonas mentioned.


    "Good.  Patty wanted more LIMP tests on people younger than twenty-five," Phillip stated.  "Anyways, let''s go take some pictures, and then you wear that home.  Get used to the weight, as you''re going to be needing to wear it in public."


    "What weight?  It feels natural after all the time in the game," Jonas replied, making Phillip just shake his head.


    They went down to the 22nd floor, and got some still photos and some video footage of Jonas the Grand Paladin, including the golden glow forming around him from casting a Healing Hands spell.


    After that, Jonas left, remembering to invite Becca over on his way out.  Taking his uncle''s advice seriously, he decided to walk the two and a half miles home.  About a mile later, he hears a woman scream "HELP!"  He turns his head and sees a woman over a man''s shoulder, having just been dragged out of a black van.


    <b>Spoiler</b> : <input type=''button'' value=''Show'' class=''spoilerButton''><table><tbody><tr><td>Name</td><td>Lisa Papinap</td></tr><tr><td>Job</td><td>Student</td></tr><tr><td>Net Worth</td><td>1,000,000 Credits</td></tr><tr><td>Corporate Relationship</td><td>Mayor''s Daughter</td></tr><tr><td>Marital Status</td><td>Single</td></tr><tr><td>Age</td><td>18</td></tr><tr><td>Height</td><td>5''4"</td></tr><tr><td>Weight</td><td>Isn''t that rude?</td></tr><tr><td>Hair</td><td>Blonde (Shoulder Length)</td></tr><tr><td>Skin</td><td>Cream and Silk</td></tr><tr><td>Eye</td><td>Green</td></tr></tbody></table>


    He rushed forward and slamed his plated gauntlet into the gut of one one of the two thugs, and then twisted his arm and elbowed the one who held Lisa Papinap.


    He easily caught Lisa as the thug fell, there was a ''BANG'' from behind him, and a ''PLING'' as the bullet richocheted off his armor.  he set her on her feet, and turned, drawing his sword and shield.  "Come get some, you kidnapping scum!"


    <b>Spoiler</b> : <input type=''button'' value=''Show'' class=''spoilerButton''><table><tbody><tr><td>Name</td><td>Loius Soulvant</td></tr><tr><td>Job</td><td>Mariat Mafia Thug</td></tr><tr><td>Net Worth</td><td>55,000 Credits</td></tr><tr><td>Corporate Relationship</td><td>None (No Gaming History)</td></tr><tr><td>Marital Status</td><td>Single</td></tr><tr><td>Age</td><td>24</td></tr><tr><td>Height</td><td>5''9"</td></tr><tr><td>Weight</td><td>185 lbs</td></tr><tr><td>Hair</td><td>Brown (Short & Curly)</td></tr><tr><td>Skin</td><td>Hispanic</td></tr><tr><td>Eye</td><td>Brown</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Jonas closed the distance, blocking the bullets with his shield, and once close enough, he Shield Bashed Loius, stunning him, and allowing him to disarm the thug.  He then turned around just in time, and used Shield Swipe to trip a fourth thug from the Mariat Mafia.


    Jonas smiled as the police sirens immediately surrounded the area, he sheathed his sword, and held his hands up as the cops swarmed around the corner.  He tapped his Communications bracelet with the lead officer, transfering the information from his Augmented Vision to him.


    <b>Spoiler</b> : <input type=''button'' value=''Show'' class=''spoilerButton''><table><tbody><tr><td>Name</td><td>Jesus "Malephin" Morales</td></tr><tr><td>Job</td><td>Police Lieutenant / Gamer</td></tr><tr><td>Net Worth</td><td>255,000 Credits</td></tr><tr><td>Corporate Relationship</td><td>Respected Alchemist</td></tr><tr><td>Marital Status</td><td>Married (2 kids)</td></tr><tr><td>Age</td><td>30</td></tr><tr><td>Height</td><td>5''7"</td></tr><tr><td>Weight</td><td>187lbs</td></tr><tr><td>Hair</td><td>Brown (Short & Wavey)</td></tr><tr><td>Skin</td><td>Hispanic</td></tr><tr><td>Eye</td><td>Brown</td></tr></tbody></table>


    "Thank you, Grand Paladin.  We''ll take care of the arrests from here.  According to your video footage this was all self defense, and we won''t need to hold you for questioning," Jesus stated.


    <hr />


    The wagon rumbled over a series a bumps, shaking Lisandra out of her recollection as they approached the Market''s Auction block.


    <table><tbody><tr><td colspan=''2''>System Notification</td></tr><tr><td colspan=''2''>Welcome to the Player Slave Auctions!</td></tr><tr><td colspan=''2''>Only Players may purchase other Players.  One half of your Sale Price will be removed from your Debt.


    Thank you for trying out the Hardcore Gameplay Slave Experience.


    Customer Service will be available as soon as your Debt is cleared.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    So, I''ll be a slave to another real person...  hopefully I can avoid being bought by a representative of the Mariat Mafia.  I really don''t want to suffer at their hands anymore, Lisandra thought.  In fact, there are five bidders from the Mariat Mafia guild in attendance at the Auction, each one having orders to buy a specific slave, one of which is herself.


    After a half an hour of cheering and auctioneer noise, G''rokin pokes his head in.  "Yer up in five minutes, girly.  Get ready, and don''t cause any problems," he states.


    She slowly saunters her way out of the wagon, and up onto the stage, catching the eyes of all the male players with eagerness, and all the female players with envy.


    "We''ve got a special slave up for auction now!  A legendary Cloud Elf by the name of Lisandra!" the Auctioneer broadcasts.


    <b>Spoiler</b> : <input type=''button'' value=''Show'' class=''spoilerButton''><table><tbody><tr><td colspan=''2''>Lithulis</td></tr><tr><td colspan=''2''>Drow</td></tr><tr><td>Level</td><td>50</td></tr><tr><td>Class</td><td>Auctioneer</td></tr><tr><td>Health</td><td>5000/5000</td></tr><tr><td>Magicka</td><td>1000/1000</td></tr><tr><td>Stamina</td><td>750/2500</td></tr><tr><td colspan=''2''>Lithulis is one of the most respected NPC Auctioneers of Katzor City.


    He is infamous for being able to drive the price up beyond anything reasonable.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    The moment he says ''Cloud Elf'' even the eyes that weren''t on her before turn to her, including some of the NPCs.  He motions for her to strut across the stage and show herself off, which she inwardly sighs but does so.


    "As you can tell, this is a fine specimen of the Cloud Elf race.  She''s got a vast debt she needs to work off, but any master or mistress would be lucky to have this fine thing in their party!" Lithulis proclaims as he reveals her Stat Screen, and then her Skill Screen.


    "As you can see, while she can''t take too much damage at the moment, she is highly intelligent, and her luck is ten times the standard!  Not to mention her high level of Charisma would help any Tamer.  You can have her take the damage for you, you can also have her gather or craft for you!"


    "But that''s not all!"  He reveals her Passive Boosts screen.  "While she''s a slave, you can train her in almost anything, and she has the default Cloud Elf bonus of an additional 200% Skill Growth!  Bidding starts at 500,000 Credits with a minimum bid increase of 10,000."


    Over the next five minutes, the bid quickly rises to over 1,500,000 Credits.  "1,500,000 Credits!  Going Once!"


    "Going Twice!"


    "5,000,000 Credits!"


    Lisandra''s head jerks in the direction of the man who just made a Five Million Credit bid on her!  Everyone else is also turning to face this mysterious bidder.


    <b>Spoiler</b> : <input type=''button'' value=''Show'' class=''spoilerButton''><table><tbody><tr><td colspan=''2''>Prince Loran Deji</td></tr><tr><td colspan=''2''>Mystic</td></tr><tr><td>Level</td><td>???</td></tr><tr><td>Class</td><td>Prince / Archsage</td></tr><tr><td>Health</td><td>???</td></tr><tr><td>Magicka</td><td>???</td></tr><tr><td>Stamina</td><td>???</td></tr><tr><td colspan=''2''>Not much is known about either Prince Loran Deji or the Mystic Race that rules over the Forest of Mages.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    That''s not possible!  NPCs aren''t able to see the Player Auction! Lisandra gasps.


    "F...Five Million, Going Once!"


    "Going Twice!"


    "SOLD to Prince Loran Deji, Archsage of the Forest of Mages!"


    <table><tbody><tr><td colspan=''2''>System Notification</td></tr><tr><td colspan=''2''>ERROR</td></tr><tr><td colspan=''2''>Somehow, you''ve been bought by an NPC.  Sadly, this purchase is still Legal.


    Customer Service would like to speak with you as soon as you have freed yourself of Debt.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <table><tbody><tr><td colspan=''2''>System Notification</td></tr><tr><td colspan=''2''>CONGRATULATIONS!</td></tr><tr><td colspan=''2''>You have received a payment of 2,500,000 Credits toward your Debt.


    Current Debt Owed: 47,500,000 Credits.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <hr />


    Author''s Note:  I hope you enjoyed this chapter.  I enjoyed writing it, although about an hour in, I lost all the data due to an accidental Alt+Left instead of Ctrl+Left.  Since then, I''ve been keeping it separate in a text file to help with writing this.


    Hope I got all the Spoilers and Tables correct...
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