Once the three of them were seated in the hall, the girls of the establishment lined up in a neat row. Their gazes kept drifting toward Lynn, full of expectation, curiosity, and barely concealed hunger, as if waiting for something interesting to happen the moment he spoke.
Before Lynn could react, a buxom woman pushed her way out of the crowd and plopped down beside Skinny Monkey. Her chubby hand shot out and clamped onto his right ear, twisting it hard without mercy.
"Ow… ow ow ow… Maggie, easy! It's gonna fall off, it's gonna fall off~"
"You dead monkey," the woman snapped, her voice sharp. "What did you say back then? How long has it been since you last came here? I bet you've got a sweetheart outside already, don't you?"
"How could I, Maggie?" Skinny Monkey cried pitifully. "I just had a mission from the gang…"
Watching Skinny Monkey being completely subdued by this so-called Maggie, Lynn could not help but laugh inwardly. From the looks of it, appeasing her today would take a fierce battle. He could not help wondering how Skinny Monkey's thin body could possibly survive under such pressure.
Lynn casually swept his gaze across the remaining sisters. Every one of them was dressed heavily and layered with thick makeup, their faces painted so thoroughly that it was impossible to tell what they truly looked like beneath it all.
"Change the batch."
The words fell calmly from Lynn's mouth, yet they stunned everyone present.
The girls froze, and even the Mammy paused for a moment. No one expected such a young man to speak so bluntly, nor did they expect him to reject every single woman without hesitation.
After a brief pause, the Mammy waved her hand, motioning for the girls to withdraw.
The next group that appeared was clearly different. They were much younger, closer to Lynn's age, and their awkwardness was obvious. Though they were dressed and made up just as heavily, their discomfort showed through every stiff step and forced smile.
One girl stood out. She was dressed revealingly, her makeup thick and bright, yet it failed to hide the youth and fear in her eyes. She walked forward with her head lowered and shoulders tense.
Lynn looked up and stiffened slightly.
Even though her appearance had changed, he recognized her at once. She was the same girl who had answered his questions back in the cage.
The girl raised her head, saw Lynn, and a flash of surprise crossed her eyes. In the next instant, they lit up as she stared at him, unable to hide her reaction.
Lynn did not hesitate. He chose her immediately.
She sat down beside him timidly, her movements stiff, clearly unsure of where to place her hands or how to sit properly.
Lynn lifted the wine cup in front of him, turning it slowly between his fingers, and asked in a casual tone, "What is your name?"
"Mary… my name is Mary, sir…" Her voice trembled slightly, but she answered quickly.
"Very well," Lynn said. "You'll come with me later."
Seeing that both men had made their choices, the old Mammy turned her gaze toward Hyena.
Hyena shook his head. "Mammy, just take good care of these two brothers today. Put all the expenses on our boss's tab. We'll settle everything later."
With that, he bowed slightly toward Lynn and Skinny Monkey. "The two of you rest well. I'm needed back at the casino. I'll return to report now."
As Hyena turned to leave, Skinny Monkey barely had time to shout, "Wait for me when you're done!" before he was dragged to his feet and hauled toward the second floor by the Fat Girl.
Lynn curled his lip faintly. Who were they looking down on?
If I went all out, you'd be the ones stuck here overnight.
With the biggest obstacle conveniently occupied, Lynn wasted no more time and spoke to the Mammy. "Mammy, I'm tired. Find me a room so I can rest for a while."
After a brief pause, he added, "I like to do things while looking at the scenery. Find me an elegant room facing the street."
The Mammy's eyes immediately brightened. "Oh? Master Lynn has such refined preferences. Truly extraordinary."
She turned to Mary. "Take Master Lynn to the street-facing room on the second floor. Serve him well."
Mary nodded quietly and led Lynn upstairs.
The moment the door closed behind them, the girl's composure shattered. Tears welled up in her eyes as she rushed forward and grabbed Lynn's sleeve, clutching it as if it were her last lifeline.
"Sir… please… save me…" she sobbed. "I'll do anything. This place… this place is no place for a human being…"
Lynn looked down at her tear-streaked face. A trace of pity showed on his expression, but inside, his heart was calm.
The usury scheme he had designed had already destroyed too many families. He had seen wives torn from husbands and children left behind more times than he could count.
Still, he needed her cooperation.
"You want to leave?" Lynn lowered his voice. "I can help you, but you must do exactly as I say."
"I'll listen," Mary said frantically, nodding again and again. "I'll listen to everything you say!"
"In a moment, I'll find a chance to leave," Lynn said quietly. "You need to make noise in the room. Keep it going for at least an hour. Do you understand?"
Her body trembled, but her eyes hardened with resolve. "I… I understand."
"You must not tell anyone," Lynn continued. "If you succeed, I'll come back and buy your freedom. If you speak out…"
His gaze turned cold.
"You know the consequences."
"I swear," Mary said urgently, gripping his arm even tighter. "I won't say a word, even if I die!"
Lynn nodded and tried to pull his arm free, but she clung to him desperately, terrified of losing her only chance.
With a quiet sigh, Lynn reached into the money pouch Vasa had tucked at his lower back and pulled out three coins. When he saw them clearly, he realized they were Gold Coins.
He slipped them into Mary's arms and spoke gently. "Don't worry. If I succeed, I'll come back and get you."
He paused, then added, "Keep these for now. Even if I don't return, they'll be enough for you to buy your freedom."
Before Mary could respond, Lynn pulled his arm away and turned toward the window.
He looked down carefully. The second floor was not very high, and a rain gutter ran just below the window, sturdy enough to use as support.
After confirming no one was watching, Lynn moved, he flipped out the window, landed lightly on the gutter, ran along it, leaped onto a low wall, and dropped to the ground without a sound.
The moment his feet touched the street, he lowered his head and merged into the flow of people, moving quickly toward the Lord's Manor.
Lord Wizard, I'm coming.
The instant Lynn disappeared from sight, Mary began screaming at the top of her lungs. Her voice rose and fell, sometimes melodious, sometimes piercing, echoing through the walls.
Next door, Skinny Monkey felt a wave of shame wash over him.
Young people really are energetic.
As she screamed and moaned, Mary suddenly recalled the whispers shared among the girls over the past few days. The Wizard was recruiting apprentices. Had Master Lynn gone to take the test?
The thought of the mysterious and powerful Wizard made her heart tremble.
Could she… try as well?
Mary was about the same age as Lynn. In the past, she had never dared to dream of becoming a noble Wizard. But seeing how Lynn was willing to risk everything and rush toward the test stirred something deep within her.
Depending on others was never as reliable as controlling one's own fate.
If Lynn did not return, could these three Gold Coins really buy her freedom? She knew those bone-eating, man-devouring scoundrels would not let her go so easily.
With that thought, Mary made her decision.
Her screams grew louder and more frantic, then abruptly cut off at their peak. The room fell into silence.
Clutching the three Gold Coins tightly, Mary climbed out the window, imitating Lynn. She landed poorly and sprained her ankle, pain shooting up her leg.
She bit her lip, swallowed the pain without a sound, and limped toward the Lord's Manor, step by step.