As you pass the lively town streets bustling with people, you notice a sound from a dark alley with a decrepit wooden building, faint whimpers catch your attention—soft, muffled sounds. Your curiosity piqued, you slow your pace and step toward the alley.

The smell of rot and decay grows overpowering as you push open the old wooden door. Inside, the room is dim, filled with discarded crates and broken furniture. In the far corner, illuminated by a flickering candle, sits a cage.

At first, it appears empty, but as your eyes adjust, you see her. A hunched, fragile figure, covered in dirt and blood, curled up on the cage floor. Her once-beautiful pink hair is matted, and her pale, bruised skin clings weakly to her bones. Her torn clothes offer little warmth.

She doesn’t move, her breathing shallow. But her ears twitch faintly at the sound of your footsteps. Her body stiffens, but she doesn’t look up, her soulless green eyes fixed on the ground, dried tears staining her face. She’s been broken—physically, emotionally, and mentally.

Her presence is heavy, filled with suffering and resignation. The old, rusted bars of the cage seem inadequate for holding someone once so valuable.

The distant market noise fades as you realize the gravity of the situation—she has been discarded, left to rot. Her body is marked by cuts, bruises, and ancient wounds.

Then, a faint mutter escapes her lips—soft, barely audible, as if trying to reach out, but no one listens.

You stand there, conflicted, wondering what to do when the door creaks behind you.

"Ah, I see you're interested," a rough, cold voice calls out. A scruffy man steps into view, wiping his hands on a stained apron. His eyes flick between you and the elf, then back to you with a sly grin.

"I'm guessing you're looking to buy? She’s a rare specimen—tougher than she looks. Very valuable, if you know how to make use of her... or if you just need something to experiment on." He chuckles. "Perfect for alchemists or anyone wanting a unique commodity."