I'm a rich man's slave (Zumin) [On Hold]

Chapter 1

Hyun woke up after falling unconscious under the desert's sun. Cold water hit his face and a bottle of water was thrown at him. Hyun got up and noticed four people. Three men and one woman.

"Good. You're awake," said one man.

"Tie him up," the woman said right after.

The other two nodded and were immediately by Hyun's side. It took him a while to comprehend what was going on, but when he did, he started to struggle.

"What are you doing? Let me go!" Hyun growled.

The woman scoffed.

"As if.* You're a rare jewel. So much gold," she said with a grin that made Hyun shiver.

Hyun decided to use what everyone said to him to his advantage.

"I-I'm cursed! Please let me go!"

The woman turned to the other men. She clicked her tongue and shook her head.

"No. You aren't cursed. Some people can be ignorant and naïve," she muttered.

Hyun bit his lip. He didn't know what these people wanted, but he had an idea. Slave traders.

"You'd make the perfect slave for someone," one of the men beside him whispered into his ear.

Hyun was weak due to the heat and couldn't do much. His only choice was to follow them and try to escape once they got to where they were going. He noticed a bow and arrows on two of the horses and swords strapped to their waists. There was no way Hyun would be able to escape in the desert.

They tugged on the ropes on his wrists and started walking. They went a little faster, making Hyun almost run, but not fast enough where he couldn't follow. After all, they didn't want to ruin his looks. That's what they'll use to sell him.

After a long while, they made it to a kingdom. Hyun was so worn out that he fell to his knees. Before he could rest, he was pulled up by the youngest person. The silent boy made him stand and start walking again.

They passed a crowd, and they walked up onto a handmade wood stage and walked to another older man. He smiled and then noticed Hyun.

"What a fine man you have here," he exclaimed.

He walked to Hyun, who looked ready to pass out but he still glared at the man, and started to examine him.

"Perfect. You'll sell him for a lot," he finally said.

The other four nodded in agreement.

"But most people think he's cursed because of his appearance," the woman said.

The old man frowned.

"That's true. But there'll be some nobles who aren't stupid," he laughed.

Hyun looked down at his now bare feet. Even though the people he lived with treated him so bad, he still hated that this man called everyone stupid. But that didn't mean that he forgave them. It will take a long time, if it ever happened.

"Hopefully. We saw him alone, and waited a long time for the perfect opportunity," said the oldest man.

"We had better not wasted our time," muttered another man.

Hyun couldn't care enough to distinguish them. He just wanted to leave. And be free again. He wasn't a slave. Slavery was wrong, but what could a runaway do?

"Ladies and gentlemen! The sell of slaves will begin now!"

Hyun flinched but the older man was next to him right away, a tight grip on his arm. Hyun knew there would be a bruise later.

"Don't even think about running away," he growled.

Hyun didn't respond. He just prayed that at least someone kind would buy him. Hyun couldn't escape the grip of the man. Many people came and started to look over the slaves.

Hyun spaced out for most of sell, trying to figure out a way to escape, until he was pushed forward.

"I see I'm the only one that doesn't believe that rumor," the man in front of him said.

Hyun looked up. He saw a young man who looked around nineteen with black hair and dark eyes. A small frown was the only expression he showed. His eyes were cold. Hyun saw that he was dressed too nice.

'He must be a noble,' Hyun thought bitterly.

"Seems so. Well, have a nice day," the old man said.

The young man just nodded and pulled Hyun away. Once they were a good distance away, he turned and took the ropes off. Hyun rubbed his wrists and looked down.

"My name is Jumin," he introduced himself.

Hyun didn't say anything. He turned and ran, panicking when he saw Jumin sigh and run after him. He bumped into the people who had captured him. The oldest man narrowed his eyes and once again, he was grabbed roughly.

"What do you think you're doing?" he growled.

Jumin caught up to them but held his hand up when the other man raised his whip. Jumin pushed Hyun behind him and started to talk to them. Jumin held onto Hyun's wrist while he talked and soon he was done.

They left and Jumin pulled Hyun away.

"Never do that again unless you want to have a whip on your back," Jumin advised him.

Hyun hung his head. He let Jumin drag him to his house.

"Do you have a name?" Jumin asked softly.

Hyun was about to answer, but then stopped. He closed his mouth and thought for a moment. This was the chance to change his name. To not be the cursed person everyone thought he was. But now, he was going to be a slave.

"Zen."

There wasn't a choice. He was a new person now. It was against his will, but he was someone else nonetheless.

"Welcome to your new home, Zen."

A/N: I'm not good at writing this kind of stuff so if anything's bad, please bare it with me. I'll learn.