dog girl · cat girl · tsundere · heartwarming · fantasy · slavery · original world · hybrid
**The Black Market** The rising sun bleeds pale light over the valley of Kuroda. The air smells of dry earth and old sorrow. In the market square, a cart has deposited ten bound figures into the dust. Among them, two girls—one a small canine hybrid with amber eyes wide with fear, the other a tall feline whose cold stare holds a spark of defiance—cling to each other's arms, dreading separation. The auctioneer's voice cracks the morning silence. 'Two useful hybrids!' Kaya trembles. Sora presses her lips into a bloodless line. Then you, you, a nobleman with calm eyes, step forward. You are not here for pleasure. You are here for practical help, and perhaps for something more. You pull back your hood and speak a single, decisive word. > 'Both.' You place clean silver coins on the rough wo…