After Buying a Cat Slave, I Become Obsessed with Eavesdropping on Her Thoughts

Reiner is a transmigrator living in the Dyast Kingdom who possesses a mysterious system granting him Appraisal and Heart-Voice Listening abilities. After a year of working as an adventurer in Melod City, he has saved only one gold coin, leaving him with limited funds to purchase a slave. Frustrated by the poor quality of cheap slaves at the market, he spots a starving cat-type demi-human named Nora who attempts to flee. Using his ability to hear her thoughts, Reiner tracks her down and purchases her for a modest sum, paying with slime cores to supplement his meager cash. Upon acquiring Nora, he learns she possesses exceptional Agility and Perception talents rated at S-grade, making her a rare find despite her current malnourished state.

Reiner takes Nora to his home outside the city, where he provides her with food, a bath, and basic necessities. Initially terrified and suspicious of his kindness, Nora gradually warms to him as he treats her with respect rather than cruelty. He purchases her a dagger and throwing knives, recognizing that her high agility makes light weapons more suitable than heavy ones. The two begin working together as adventurers, clearing slimes from the forest near Reiner’s village. During a mission, they are ambushed by bandits. Nora is stabbed in the chest, but Reiner uses a quest reward, a vial of healing holy water, to instantly regenerate her wound. This event solidifies their bond, and Reiner rewards Nora with white bread and jam, a luxury she has never tasted before.

While exploring the Dawn Forest for a new quest, Reiner and Nora encounter slave traders capturing demi-humans. Shortly after, they discover Martina, a horse-type demi-human, fighting off goblins while critically injured. Appraisal reveals Martina to be a Legendary-grade slave with S-grade Strength. Reiner intervenes to save her, and despite her initial hostility and distrust of humans, she agrees to become his slave in exchange for protection and a promise of freedom in five years. Reiner brings Martina back to town to formalize the contract, enduring the intimidating atmosphere of the slave market. He also acquires an achievement that increases demi-humans' trust in him.

With his new slave, Reiner focuses on strengthening their combat capabilities. He visits a blacksmith to equip Martina with a massive greatsword forged from mithril and steel. The blacksmith offers the weapon in exchange for capturing a bandit leader named Leonard, who killed the smith’s son. Reiner, Nora, and Martina track down the bandit camp. Using Nora’s stealth and scouting abilities, they eliminate the sentries and ambush the remaining bandits. Martina displays devastating brute force, cleaving through enemies with her greatsword, while Nora picks off targets from the shadows. They capture Leonard alive and deliver him to the blacksmith, claiming the legendary sword.

Back home, Reiner continues to care for his slaves, buying meat for Nora and ensuring Martina’s leg heals properly. The story establishes a routine of Reiner managing his household, completing system quests, and expanding his adventurer team. He plans to clear a goblin nest in the Dawn Forest, a high-difficulty quest that promises significant rewards. Throughout these events, Reiner balances his pragmatic desire to profit from his slaves’ talents with a genuine, albeit self-interested, concern for their well-being, setting the stage for further adventures and the gradual accumulation of wealth and power in this hostile world.