Limitless Summoner

Though he had some things figured out, Ethan still had a lot of unanswered questions in his mind. Every answer he got simply lead to more and more questions. The more he learned, the clearer it became how out of place he was here. He had barely scratched the surface of understanding this world's rules.

For instance, he knew his class was a special version of summoner's class. So what exactly was the difference between his class and the normal class? Would he still be able to do what the normal summoner class does? How does this class system even work?

He practically knew nothing about the basic knowledge which probably every other 18 year old had. He had no mentor, no childhood lessons, and no foundational understanding of the systems that governed his new reality. It was like being handed a weapon he had no idea how to wield.

He was playing catch-up in a game where everyone else had years of experience, and the stakes were his survival.

Ethan clenched his fists as he walked the cobbled streets of Rotherhollow, his mind racing. He needed to fill in these gaps—and quickly. But how? He couldn't just ask outright without risking exposure. People would expect him to know these things.

He let out a sigh and decided to worry about these things tomorrow. He was too tired at the moment to make a decision he wouldn't regret. Any small slip up could expose him. It was best to go to sleep and it was already very late in the night.

Back in the bar Ethan had learned of an inn that was relatively cheap. It was located a couple of streets away. He walked over to the inn and paid a coin to stay for the night. Just as he was about to go up to his room, he suddenly heard a ruckus outside.

"It's starting! It's starting!" Someone shouted.

Ethan paused mid-step, his hand resting on the rickety banister leading to the upper floors of the inn. His fatigue momentarily forgotten, he turned toward the source of the commotion. The voices outside were growing louder, excitement rippling through the night air.

Curiosity tugged at him. He sighed and turned back toward the door, muttering under his breath, "Guess sleep can wait."

As he stepped outside, he was met with a bustling street. People of all ages were streaming toward the town square, their faces lit with anticipation. On closer inspection, most of them were men.

Huh? Ethan raised a brow. He grabbed the sleeve of a passing young man. "What's going on?" he asked, keeping his tone casual.

The man grinned, his excitement palpable. "You new here? It's the slave auction! Happens once every few months. I heard they have so many good looking ones this time!" He pulled his arm free and hurried to join the growing throng. "You don't want to miss it!"

Ethan froze in place, feeling mortified at what he heard. He walked over to the town square and saw the spectacle in person. A crowd gathered tightly around a large wooden platform illuminated by torches. The air was thick with excitement and people jostled for a better view. 

Ethan weaved through the crowd cautiously as he took in the unsettling scene.

On the stage stood a line of captives, each bound in shackles. Men, women, and even children stood with hollow expressions, their gazes fixed downward or darting nervously across the crowd. They were dirty and visibly worn, but the fear and resignation in their eyes stood out more than anything else.

At the center of the platform, an auctioneer—a stout man with a booming voice and an air of arrogance—began the bidding. His words dripped with the practiced enthusiasm of someone who had done this far too many times. 

"Ladies and gentlemen! Tonight, we have a fine selection of laborers, artisans, and companions. A rarity among rarities, ready to serve your every need!"

Ethan's stomach churned. The crowd cheered, some shouting their bids as the auctioneer highlighted each captive's supposed merits. A muscular man was described as a "perfect farmhand," while a slender woman was paraded as "a jewel for any household."

Ethan stood there for a while and then silently turned back. It looked like this was one more thing he needed to get used to in this new world. This world had its own rules, its own horrors. If he let every wrong claw at him, he'd drown in his own helplessness before he could find solid footing.

Ethan exhaled deeply and prepared to head back into the inn to go to his room when suddenly he heard another commotion near him. 

"Can't afford the A-tier slaves? Worry not. I have the rejects here for you. Need some cheap slaves to take care of menial chores? This is the right place for you. Come one. Come all."