Anyway, it is not time to be idle.

Laurem's heart was pounding as he tried to make sense of their desperate situation. The rough rumbling and ceaseless wobbling of the vehicle they were in affirmed that they were on a train, hurtling towards an unknown destination. He looked over at his companion, Jin Wei, who was already conscious when they were brought in.

The surrounding darkness was almost palpable, and the only source of light came from the leaks and gaps of the corners of the closed down panes, illuminating a small section. Jin Wei barely made out their surroundings, but he could distinguish the outlines of crates and boxes in the corner. He inspected them, looking for any signs of precaution, but the dimness only allowed him to see black.

"This must be some smuggled goods," Jin Wei muttered, slightly opening the top of a crate.

His senses were overwhelmed by the familiar pungent scent of sulfur, prompting him to cough. He frowned and hastily shielded his nose, his eyes getting watery in reflex. His gaze swept the vessel's interior, counting the containers and estimating their value.

"That's a lot of explosives," he muttered under his breath. "Are they trying to bomb the whole capital?"

Jin Wei pursed his lips in a sneer. "It seems that they're not only trafficking people. How bold of them to carry such a large amount so openly..."

As the train rumbled through the icy terrain, the frigid air seeped into the cargo hold, chilling the two children as well as the crates of explosives within. The cold temperature increased the stability of the explosives, primarily affecting their susceptibility to heat and moisture. Being surrounded by it doesn't frighten Jin Wei since he knows it won't explode until too much heat is introduced.

Jin Wei heard the young child cough from his back. He looked over his shoulder, propping the kid up to reposition Laurem to a more comfortable support.

"Cover your nose," Jin Wei whispered. "The air is filled with chemicals. It's not good for you to inhale them."

Laurem gave a nod, but he knew that even if he didn't cover his nose, Jin Wei's scent was enough to completely overwhelm the acrid scent. Jin Wei noticed the child cling to him, rubbing its warm head against the crook of his neck. He patted the head, running his fingers through the hair and brushing against the two small horns on the kid's forehead.

His hands were warm and gently, almost lulling Laurem to sleep. Jin Wei reassured him, in a soft voice, "It's okay. Don't be afraid, I am here. You'll be safe."

Jin Wei scoured the metal container, his eyes darting from one end to the other as he sought for a way out. The speeding train hurtled through the darkness, rattling its metal chains and shaking the entire carriage. Jin Wei knew that there was no safe escape from a train barreling down the tracks, but he refused to give up hope.

The vessels were interconnected by heavy metal bolts, leaving no platforms or bridges for him to cross. With each crate he crossed, Jin Wei gripped his companion, Laurem, closer, his heart pounding in his chest. Only by reaching the next vessel would he feel a sense of relief.

The last few containers he cleared were brimming with gunpowder and explosives, but no people. Jin Wei speculated that the crate closer to the engine room would be the area where the traffickers stay. His suspicions were confirmed as he approached the fifth container, where he heard human voices. Quickly, he crouched behind the closest crate, hoping to remain unnoticed.

Unlike the other vessel connections, this one includes a safe walking platform with a secure top and a double-layered door. The metal door was wide open, while the screen door was shut. But, because of how nearly transparent it was, Jin Wei was able to distinguish the outlines and shadows of the people on the other side.

The darkly lighted chamber was stacked with cages of various sizes in a sickening display of cruelty. Within each, slaves of all kinds - humans and werebeasts alike - were shackled and restrained by metal restraints on their wrists and ankles. The captives were grouped together according to how they resembled to one another. The smaller, more delicate slaves were confined to tight spots while the older, bigger slaves were jammed into larger quarters.

The fact that they were isolated from the others couldn't help but bring Jin Wei comfort.

Wei surveyed the room with his gaze, observing the heartbreaking image of his fellow prisoners. Many of them were emaciated, with their bones jutting out beneath their skin. Some had rotting scars all over them, and their bodies were mangled and bruised. Their lifeless eyes stared back at him as he watched, and he could sense their desperation.

The werebeasts among the prisoners saw Jin Wei as soon as he entered the area. Their eyes were filled with a mix of curiosity and suspicion, and Jin Wei could feel their gaze lingering on him. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the perilous task that lay ahead. He was considering whether to try to save as many people as he could from this hellish situation, despite the risks.

Jin Wei understood that he wasn't doing entirely out of altruism. Although realizing that a larger group would have a greater chance of surviving, he also acknowledged that he couldn't risk forfeiting any time attempting to persuade these outsiders to join him. Every moment was vital, and he couldn't afford to waste it on pointless discussion.

After all, nobody would give trust so quickly to a random child.

Laurem must be the only exception.

As they stood vigilantly observing the situation in front of them, little did they know that danger was sneaking up from behind. Before they had a chance to react, Jin Wei caught the sound of footsteps approaching and turned to see a shadowy figure towering over them. It was too late - suddenly, a burly man appeared out of nowhere and lunged towards them, snatching Laurem by the back of his collar.

Laurem gasped for air as he was yanked back, his grip on the older person slipping away. Jin Wei frantically went to snatch him back, but before he could, another attacker appeared out of nowhere and landed a swift kick to his side. The blow sent him reeling backwards, crashing into the wall with a sickening thud.

Wide-eyed, Laurem stared as Jin Wei was thrown away, his clothing tightening about him as he was raised off the ground. He struggled desperately to free himself from his captor's hold, but all he managed to do was scratch his own skin, letting blood drip down his neck. The bulky man strengthened his hold, even going so far as to grab Laurem's hair and force him to gaze up at his face with a crooked grin.

"These bastards doing nothing but to escape all day. They really do not know how to give up!"

As he looked at the child, he noticed a pair of pointed objects on their forehead. He removed the obstructions with his one hand and couldn't help but grin as he did so.

"I wasn't able to see it earlier, but this kid got some horns. Do you think he is a demon?"

The other person considered the child's appearance before responding, "Hmm, he could also be a werebeast. Demons are known to be fiercely protective of their young, so it's unlikely that we've stumbled upon a lost one here."

"Well, that's unless he is a hybrid..."

Hybrid children are always thrown out.

Laurem was forced to pull out so he could not move. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Jin Wei sprawled on the floor. The older kid is trying to stand up while coughing blood but the other accomplice kicked him again causing Jin Wei to collapse. This view incurred a feeling of sour oppression that made him want to just explode and detonate like a bomb.

"Anyway, let's put them in a cage. It'll be a waste if they escape. These kids are really tough!"

Capturing the two children was no easy feat for the slave traders. They had to employ all their skills to catch Laurem, whose fierce demeanor made him a difficult target. The traders even had to rely on the support of their best fighters to subdue him. But, their efforts paid off when they finally managed to detain the weakened child.

Meanwhile, Jin Wei was captured owing to his particular feature, which was a dazzling and uncommon combination of hues in his irises. It was unlike anything anyone has ever seen and appeared to have been taken straight out of a legendary story. To the slave traders, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fetch a high price for the boy with god-like eyes.

The combination of Laurem's tenacity and Jin Wei's unique trait made them a valuable commodity, one that could bring in a fortune for the traders, enough to sustain them for years to come. The thought of letting them go was simply out of the question. It was like losing a treasure map. They were determined to hold on to their prized possessions, no matter what it takes.

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#JinWei:GiveHimBAAAACK!