I Maxed Out My Luck Stat-Chapter 22: Getting A Friend (Slave) For Free

’What’s going on right now? Who is this pretty woman?’

Richard felt so stunned that he became speechless at the sight of the woman in front of him.

She was kneeling and begging, but he didn’t understand why.

The truth was that since Richard was knocked out rather quickly by the Six Eyes of Infinity, he didn’t notice that there were six perpetrators, and he only saw five in the cave. In his mind, he had already seen all the kidnappers die, so he wasn’t expecting anyone else to be related to the crime.

Especially not someone like this person before him.

For one, she didn’t resemble those bat-like creatures.

Instead, she had enough beauty to rival a Noble. Although she was covered in dirt and her entire body was a mess right now, he could see the potential.

Thus, he didn’t at all place her with the criminals who captured him.

’So why is she begging? She said she will do anything I tell her to, right? Does that mean she can help me pack all my treasures for me?’ Richard had this thought in his mind as he started to eye the woman suspiciously.

"You... How can I trust that you will keep your word?"

What if she stole some of his treasures when he wasn’t looking? Even if she paid rapt attention to the whole process, if she had some Mystic Object or Principal Disposition that aided in stealing, then she could take his treasures without him realizing it.

Richard was very wary about this.

’I know I have good luck, but her suddenly appearing when I got this treasure is too convenient.’

He rubbed his hand on his chin as he tried to come up with theories.

Such a clueless fellow.

He did not realize that this girl’s appearance was a result of the chain of events that were caused by his overwhelming good luck.

The only reason she survived the blast was due to her height when the bomb detonated, as well as the Mystic Object that automatically protected her body. In fact, that was what was currently shielding her from the radiation.

If she had died, that would be the end of it.

But was it the most optimal situation for someone like Richard?

No!

No, it wasn’t!

For one, Richard did not know his way back to the City of Brilliance. However, this woman, as a member of the Six Eyes of Infinity, knew how to enter the city from this mountain range.

There was also the fact that he could need assistance with things such as the treasures.

All of these conveniences were indeed suspicious...

... But they were beneficial.

"Y-you can trust me! We can use the Seal of Obedience if you want! Please... I beg of you, believe me! I would never deceive someone as powerful as you!"

"I see..."

Richard’s heart was racing at this point.

This was the first time anyone was looking at him with such an intense gaze of both fear and respect. The reverence in this woman’s eyes was nearly overwhelming for him, but he also relished the feeling.

’I guess she realized I was the one behind the bomb, and she must have mistaken my experiment as a claim on her life. Is that why she surrendered herself to me?’ Richard nodded slowly, quickly figuring that this had to be the case.

’Should I correct this misunderstanding, or...?’

It only took him a few seconds to realize that he didn’t have to correct anything.

Here was someone offering herself to him for free, and she also went as far as suggesting the Seal of Obedience. Why would he do something as foolish as letting her go?

’She looks like an adult. She can make her own decisions. It’s not like I am exploiting her or forcing her, right?’

Richard nodded to himself.

He wasn’t making this woman do anything.

This was her choice.

"Alright. Let’s use the Seal of Obedience..." Richard smiled. "Where is it?"

For a moment, the woman froze.

It almost felt like she was hesitating. Then, after a few seconds, she brought it out of her tattered clothing. Her movements caused portions of her bulging breasts to spill out, but she endured the humiliation even under Richard’s scrutinizing gaze.

"T-this is it..."

"Hmm..." Richard stared at the object after receiving it. "It looks like the real deal, but..."

"You are wondering how I got it?"

He nodded.

The Seal of Obedience was a very popular Mystic Object.

Even Richard knew about it.

It allowed a person to directly make a contract with another individual. Said agreement would be recognized and enforced by the Akashic Records, making it perpetually impossible to alter or break this contract unless both parties agree to new terms or dissolve the agreement.

However, just because this Mystic Object was popular, that didn’t mean it was common.

No, the truth was quite the opposite.

’Only Nobles and Royals should have access to such items, so...’ His gaze narrowed on the girl and felt something stir up within him.

How did she have access to such an item?

The answer should have been very clear to Richard by now.

For one, she looked like a Noble.

She also possessed white hair and blue eyes, the signature appearance of the Bleu Noble Family.

As such, one could infer from all this and draw a conclusion.

"I... I am an illegitimate child. My father is the current Head of the Bleu Noble Family, and I have three older half-siblings. When I awakened my Principal Disposition, I was recognized as a Noble, and through Kin Recognition, I was taken to the Bleu Family..."

Richard nodded slowly as he listened.

This woman looked like she was almost twenty years old, so all of this must have happened about ten years ago during her own Awakening Ritual.

That was right around the time he was still a toddler.

There was no way he would know all of this.

"I was taken in by the Bleu Family, even though I wanted to stay with my true family, and I wanted nothing to do with the Nobles. Yet... I was forced to stay with them. I was stripped of all my autonomy. My self-respect. I... I was like a slave in that Family, and I was bullied for so many years. I tried to complain to my father about how my half-siblings and stepmother were treating me, but he paid me no mind at all."

Richard felt a little sting in his heart when he heard these things.

It reminded him of his own predicament.

No, this was surely worse.

’If I had other siblings, I may have had to experience this sort of thing, or maybe even greater.’

He shoved aside his thoughts and kept listening to the woman.

"Then, after five years staying there, in that hellish place, I was nearly assassinated. Maybe it was because I would be entering the Academy soon, and they didn’t want it to happen. But it didn’t matter anymore. I quickly realized that not only was I being maltreated in that place, but my life was also in danger. I decided to flee... and I was able to pull it off. I left the Noble House and tried to return home, but those people were hot on my tail. They knew where I would be going, so they went ahead of me and burned my entire community to the ground. They killed everyone I ever cared about—my mother, my friends... everyone. All of them died because of me..."

"...."

Richard was speechless at this point.

He had known this world was a dark, cruel place ever since his birth.

Even his mother flung him to the wall, and his father walked out on him without even caring.

’But I didn’t think it was this bad...’

Compared to his own experiences, this girl’s past was far more brutal.

Almost... overwhelming.

Still, Richard was enjoying this interesting story too much for him to tell her to stop. His eyes urged her to continue.

"So I fled. I traveled across cities and lived like a fugitive for the next four years. I eventually arrived here, in the Mountain Range... and became, you know..."

’Hm? What did she become?’

"They told me that we were mercenaries. I didn’t know they would go that far, I promise... I just recently joined, and—"

"Shh... You don’t need to say any more." At this point, Richard was too overwhelmed by compassion that he knelt before the girl and placed his finger on her lip. "I completely understand. You did what you had to do. It’s not your fault..."

"But... But I feel so... so dirty... Like I..."

"I know... But you can’t let that hold you back. Those bastards were the ones who tricked you, right? You can’t let them continue defining you..."

"R-really...?"

"Yes..." Richard nodded his head, while tumultuous thoughts swirled within his mind.

’To think she was pimped out... how sad. She definitely has great looks, befitting a Noble. Even after all her experiences, she was forced into prostitution. That’s just so sad. Her luck is truly bad...’

Indeed! 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Richard had misunderstood yet again.

He thought the poor girl was referring to a life of prostitution, which would explain her shame and hesitance to be straightforward about this ’group’ she joined.

If he had thought about it properly and hadn’t made assumptions, perhaps he would have arrived at the truth.

In any case, this was his own conclusion on the matter.

’The Bleu Family is so scummy, and the world is filled with so many nasty people. I want to help this girl, but I don’t have sufficient authority, and I am not sure I can trust her. However, with the Seal of Obedience, I can ensure she won’t betray me, and we can work together to have our collective revenge!’

Richard nodded at the girl and broadened his smile.

"What’s your name?"

"A-ah... It’s Neia..."

"Well, Neia... my name is Richard. You don’t have to worry too much from now on. I’ll take you under my wing, and together we will achieve great things."

"O-okay..."

Richard smiled and nodded.

To think he would finally be making his first real friend in this world.

"I look forward to our future together, Neia."