Lakyus's sense of urgency sharpened...
"Is there anything we can do to improve our odds?"
"No. If I had to suggest something, it would be to pray that the Demon Emperor appears near the palace."
"Near the palace? But wouldn't that just increase the number of people needing protection?"
"Exactly. Because the king is there. And if the king is threatened, Gazef Stronoff will have no choice but to fight."
Gazef Stronoff-the Warrior Captain, the strongest fighter in the kingdom. Even Gagaran, an adamantite adventurer, couldn't hold a candle to him. He was said to rival the heroes of legend.
Gagaran interjected, "Is he really that terrifying, this Demon Emperor?"
"I haven't faced him, so I can't say for certain. But in a matter of moments he killed a former orichalcum adventurer inside the palace-and the victim's sword was still sheathed, I'm told."
"Well, that's a bloody terrifying thought."
Gagaran knocked back another gulp of ale.
The air at the table grew heavy. A mighty demon had appeared without warning, and the entire capital lived in dread. The sheer mystery of it-the fact that no one knew when or how he might strike next-was a weapon in itself. The knights inside the palace were stretched to the breaking point, nerves frayed.
Amid the grim mood, Gagaran set down her tankard with a decisive thud.
"Let's change the subject, eh? If worrying won't do us any good, we ought to keep our spirits up."
Evileye sighed. "Gagaran... you are incorrigible."
But even as she grumbled, she seemed to accept the logic. Exhausting themselves with constant vigilance, only to be useless when the crisis actually came, was the worst outcome.
Lakyus nodded in agreement, and Gagaran grinned wolfishly.
"Hey, Evileye, did you hear? A third adamantite team's been recognized-out in E-Rantel."
"...I heard at the Adventurers' Guild this morning. The team 'Darkness', I believe."
Lakyus blinked. "A new adamantite team? This is the first I've heard."
"That's because I only got wind of it last night, Leader. They say the leader's a warrior called Momon the Dark Hero, and his partner's a magic caster named Nabe, the Beautiful Princess."
"...Just two of them?"
"That's what I'm dubious about. What do you think, Evileye?"
Evileye answered carefully, "When I first heard it, I dismissed it as nonsense. But the reports are too detailed to be a hoax. I suspect it's true."
"There you have it, Leader."
The conversation circled back. "If they're that capable," Lakyus mused, "it would be a great help to have them here if we ever face Baal."
"Same thought here. Dunno how much we can rely on them, but if he's a warrior, he can at least act as a shield."
"Gagaran, that's a rude way to put it."
"Eh, no offense meant. Just that warriors are flexible that way."
Noticing her drink was empty, Gagaran signaled for a refill. Then, as if struck by a stray thought, she spoke again.
"By the way, you heard about the new adventurer team that's been making noise in the capital?"
"...No, I can't say I have. Who?"
"They're called 'Silver Wings'. Just made orichalcum."
"Huh. First I've heard of them, too."
"Seems they'd been active in E-Rantel for a while before transferring here officially."
Lakyus was genuinely impressed.
Gagaran might be a daytime drunk, but she had a knack for picking up gossip-probably because he spent so much time chatting up other adventurers. It was a different kind of intelligence than Evileye's scholarly knowledge.
Evileye leaned forward. "Gagaran. What's the composition of this 'Silver Wings'?"
"Right. Rumors say the leader's a magic caster who also fights as a warrior-dual blades, that sort. And the other member's a lightly armored warrior woman."
"Another two-person team?"
"Yup, looks that way."
"Has E-Rantel suddenly taken to fielding tiny adventurer parties? Absurd."
Lakyus hid a smile.
Adventurer teams existed to complement each other's strengths and cover weaknesses. An ideal party combined front-line fighters, high-firepower magic casters, healers, and rangers for harassment. A duo barely qualified as a team.
"But Gagaran, you're awfully well-informed about this 'Silver Wings."
"Yeah, they're the talk of the town. For all sorts of reasons."
"All sorts"?"
Gagaran ticked off a finger. "First, the leader's name is Beryl, and he's supposedly gorgeous. I've heard the female adventurers squealing over him. The men, on the other hand, are shooting daggers."
"That's an incredibly shallow reason."
"That's rumors for you. But hey, those looks might mean work-"
Before she could finish, the inn's door swung open.
Lakyus and Gagaran instinctively glanced up.
There stood a man with black hair, crimson eyes, and skin so pale it was almost luminous. His features were unnervingly perfect. He wore a black jacket over bare skin, leather trousers, and silver accessories that were almost certainly enchanted.
Behind him came a lightly armored woman warrior.
Lakyus understood at once. These were the Silver Wings.
"Speak of the devil," Gagaran muttered.
Evileye nodded. "Astonishing. The rumors weren't exaggerated. He is remarkably handsome."
"P-please, keep your voices down. It would be terrible if they overheard."
"Leader, it's not like we're insulting them. Relax."
Lakyus sighed and studied the newcomers.
Yes, the man was arrestingly good-looking. She herself received frequent compliments on her appearance, and her friend Renner was hailed as the kingdom's most beautiful woman. Even by those standards, she had to admit the man was extraordinary-though his was a roguish, slightly dangerous beauty.
The kind that hinted at a wickedness with women.
Which, unfortunately, hit her squarely in a very private weakness.
'What is that...? He's so damn cool.'
Lakyus adored all things dark and sinister-shadow, demon swords, evil energy, chaos.
It was a secret passion she hid from her comrades, a fondness for the aesthetic of "a little bad", but undeniably awesome that normally belonged to teenage boys. A mysterious, dark-tinged handsome stranger striding into the inn was enough to make her heart thump.
'Why is he dressed like that? What does that skull-motif magic item do? Where can I buy it? I want one too.'
The questions piled up at a terrifying rate. Forcing herself to take a deep breath, she reminded herself that she was the leader of Blue Rose.
She had to maintain her composure.
"Wait-where's Gagaran?"
She looked up to find Gagaran already away from the table. "He went to invite the Silver Wings over, Evileye supplied.
"What-"
Sure enough, Gagaran was already chatting up the pair.
-x-X-x-
Just as Momonga operated under the name "Momon," I had also decided to become an adventurer. Only because I'd felt it will be boring to keep Clementine cooped up in Nazarick until she rotted.
By Nazarick's standards, she was merely a moderately strong warrior, but by the metrics of this new world she was elite-in the entire kingdom, only a fully equipped Gazef Stronoff could probably best her.
Letting a hero-class fighter languish inside the tomb would have been a waste. Even if she did spend her days hitting the spa with Lazlo, getting massages, polishing her skin to a radiant gleam, grinning from ear to ear. Even if she visited the sauna, drank at the bar, or trained her martial arts against respawning undead.
Surely that wasn't enough. She wasn't a dog to be kept chained at home.
So when I'd proposed we become adventurers, she'd agreed instantly, adding something about it being a date. I could have denied it—but lately I'd been too busy with Nazarick's affairs to spend much time with her outside of nights. Momonga was practically overworked as guildmaster, and I was somewhat force to help share the burden.
'Fine. Let it be a date.'
And so I'd informed Momonga and Demiurge of my intentions. Momonga had agreed immediately. Demiurge had simply smiled and murmured, "As expected of Lord Belial" — abbreviated by my mind into the dreaded "Sasu-Beli."
The demon's baseless but terrifying confidence in me was becoming a regular occurrence.
With Momon the Dark Hero's recommendation, I and Clementine had launched our adventuring careers with a comfortable head start in E-Rantel.
We'd hunted prominent monsters, used skills to track down rare herbs in uncharted regions, and found enough genuine enjoyment in the work to rise to mithril rank in short order.
But their quick ascent led to frequent quest overlap with Momon's team, so I shifted our base of operations to the royal capital.
When I'd informed Demiurge of this decision, I'd received yet another "Sasu-Beli." The demon apparently believed every one of my actions was part of some grand design. I wondered if I had unwittingly become an tactical genius.
A few quests in the capital later, we'd hit orichalcum. The speed of promotion was almost anticlimactic.
I'd registered under a false name. "Beryl" for myself, "Claire" for Clementine. Their real identities weren't exactly safe to flaunt. Momonga was using "Momon," after all-subtlety was the watchword.
Now, with orichalcum rank came better pay, so we'd upgraded their inn. Nazarick's food and accommodations were superior, but eating occasionally in public was necessary to avoid suspicion. And if we were going to eat locally, it might as well be good.
Which was how they found themselves walking into the capital's finest adventurer lodging-and immediately being accosted by a muscular mountain of a woman.
"Oi, you two are Silver Wings, yeah? Keep me company."
Gagaran of Blue Rose. Behind me, I heard something snap—the sound of Clementine's temper, I was sure. An inferior warrior had addressed her with casual arrogance, and she was a breath away from fucking that mountain up.
Ignoring Gagaran for a moment, I turned to my partner. "Claire."
"Hmm? What? It's fine."
The smile she wore was radiant. Anyone who didn't know her would see only cheerfulness. I knew better: she was absolutely furious. I turned back to Gagaran.
"Happy to join you."
"Quick on the uptake. I like that. Follow me."
Declining an adamantite adventurer's invitation would have caused needless friction. Gagaran gestured toward a table where a flustered blonde beauty and a petite masked figure sat. Lakyus and Evileye.
'Well, being bothered wasn't the worst thing for reputation.' I didn't dislike Gagaran either, except she wasn't my type—the woman might fall outside my usual preferences.
As I took my seat, Lakyus quickly stood up.
"I'm so sorry—you were dragged over here rather forcefully..."
"Not at all. I don't mind."
I smiled. Lakyus's cheeks flushed faintly. I hadn't even used Charm yet. Was she that susceptible to good looks?
"I'm Lakyus, leader of Blue Rose."
"A pleasure. I'm Beryl, leader of Silver Wings—for what that's worth."
I offered my hand as a greeting. She hesitated for a heartbeat, then took it. Her grip was delicate. Like Clementine, she was a female warrior who somehow possessed formidable strength without bulging muscles-Gagaran excepted.
The woman was magnificently sculpted.
"That's Gagaran, our warrior, and this here is Evileye, our magic caster."
Gagaran shouldered forward, extending a hand. "Hey there!"
"Good to meet-"
The handshake clamped down like a vice. But compared to a max-level YGGDRASIL player, a high-level native warrior's strength was trivial. The level gap was merciless; in this world, people who had bled for their power could still lose to an average gamer from another world.
I respected their effort, at least. I'd cheated my way into power, and mocking them for it would be inexcusable and not in my character.
"You've got quite a grip, Gagaran."
"And you didn't even flinch. You're well trained."
"I'll let you wonder."
Warriors and their "I can gauge a man's strength by his handshake" nonsense. Cocytus would call it "the gleam of a warrior."
I understood none of it.
"And you must be Evileye. A pleasure."
"Yeah. Likewise."
I offered my hand, but she didn't take it.
Mostly Wary.
It was understandable — I looked rather untrustworthy.
"Sorry, she's a bit shy around strangers," Lakyus apologized instead of her.
"Not at all. A little caution is wise. Don't you agree?"
Evileye pointedly looked away.
"So, Beryl-san-"
"Beryl is fine. I'm not accomplished enough for honorifics from an adamantite."
"Then just Lakyus is fine for me as well."
"You sure?"
"Of course."
'Huh, why am I so relaxed around him?' Lakyus thought.
Evileye shot Gagaran a confused glance, but Gagaran looked equally baffled. Lakyus apparently had some ulterior motive for befriending him. He filed away the possibility that he was being drawn into trouble.
"Well then... may I ask a question straight away?"
"Ask anything."
Depending on her query, I'd need a prepared a good truth. Mentally flipping through the background story I'd concocted with Momonga, I braced himself.
"That skull-motif magic item you're wearing-where did you get it? If it's purchasable, I'd love to know the shop."
Lakyus, it seemed, had mistaken him for a kindred spirit. A fellow devotee of the dark and edgy.
-x-X-x-
"Here it is."
The shop stood off the capital's main thoroughfare, tucked into a side street Lakyus would normally have overlooked.
Accessory Shop SODOM, the sign read. It had come recommended by Beryl of Silver Wings.
She had invited the others, but no one had cared to join her. Some weren't interested. Others dismissed the idea that a shop with an unfamiliar name could possibly carry genuine magic items.
Evileye had been the bluntest of all: "There's no way a place like that sells real magic items. You're wasting your time. "
So Lakyus had come alone.
She paused outside, arms crossed, thinking back. The silver skull chain Beryl had worn-despite its sinister look-had turned out to be a legitimate magic item capable of triggering a low-tier healing spell when activated.
Lakyus herself was a faith-based magic caster, she didn't strictly need such a trinket. But if something merely looked the part, she honestly didn't care whether it had any practical effect.
She already wore ten rings on her fingers, none of them enchanted. They were simply fashionable. Cool. That was reason enough. Decorative accessories with no combat value were perfectly acceptable to her.
Even so, she couldn't help thinking the shop's name was odd.
The building was freshly paved and newly painted, the sign bold. Its position on a back street made it inconspicuous, but it had that bright newness of a recently opened establishment.
Lakyus nodded to herself and pushed open the door. A small bell chimed. No one appeared.
The interior was lined with ornaments. Silver accessories with peculiar engravings like artisan craftwork. Trinkets shaped like bones. Coasters bearing arcane-looking magic circles. Cross-shaped earrings. Lakyus's eyes gleamed before she could stop herself.
'This is good. Very good.
She had always purchased striking accessories-strictly by her own subjective standards-but never had she seen a collection so thoroughly saturated in her particular aesthetic.
As she browsed, a voice reached her.
"Welcome. May I help you find something?"
A clerk had materialized without her noticing-a woman of mature years, so refined that Lakyus could easily have believed she was some manner of noble.
"Ah... yes. I was referred by Beryl. Do you carry magic items like the one he wears?"
The woman smiled. "Of course. For verification, may I have your name?"
Lakyus hesitated briefly. Why would a shop need her name? Then again, if they dealt in precious magic items, a certain caution was only natural.
"I'm Lakyus of Blue Rose."
"Ah, the Lady Lakyus. Forgive me."
"No need to apologize. It's perfectly all right."
Being recognized had its uses. Lakyus let out a quiet breath.
"Then, Lady Lakyus, allow me to show you to the back. This way, if you please."
"Yes, thank you."
'So the goods in the front aren't the true magic items, she reasoned. She followed the clerk deeper into the shop. And then something else occurred to her.
"By the way-what is your name?"
"Oh? Mine?"
"Yes. You're not just an ordinary clerk, are you?"
"I assure you, I am a mere shop assistant. Not even the proprietor."
The smile was flawless, but Lakyus felt a small prickle of unease. Would an ordinary shop assistant conduct herself with such poise? And why had she seen no guards in a store supposedly handling precious artifacts?
She swallowed her doubts and tried again. "Then what should I call you?"
The clerk turned back with elegant composure. "Please call me Lazlo."
There was a quiet confidence in the name, as though it meant something profound.
"That's a lovely name," Lakyus said.
"Oh, is it? Yes, I think so too. My father gave it to me. Isn't it wonderful?"
"Y-yes, I suppose...?"
The clerk's sudden enthusiasm caught Lakyus off guard, but she nodded along. Everyone had their own values, and clearly this Lazlo adored her father.
They descended a staircase at the rear of the shop. Lazlo opened a door and activated some mechanism beside it, flooding the space with light. Wooden crates were stacked throughout.
'A storeroom, Lakyus thought.
"Now then, let me show you a few items."
Lazlo opened several crates and presented their contents.
A ring that completely negated first-tier magic and blunted second-tier spells.
A necklace that could store a first-tier spell and release it at the wielder's discretion.
A paired set of earrings that allowed two wearers to sense each other's location.
These were, by Lakyus's estimation, genuinely rare magic items. Their designs-skulls, demonic motifs, dragons-were undeniably striking. But they leaned so heavily into dark power that she could hardly wear them openly as a faith-based magic caster. They were simply too dark for daily use.
And magic items were expensive. Too expensive to buy on a whim. The effects she'd seen would be convenient, but not so essential that she couldn't live without them.
"Lazlo, the items you've shown me are certainly impressive. But do you have anything more suited to a faith-based magic caster?"
"Certainly. Then how about this?"
From another box, Lazlo produced-
"A bracelet?"
"Yes. This is a magic item called the Holy Bangle."
The bangle was beautifully wrought, its engravings depicting waves and light, with a cross-shaped motif at its center. Embedded in the cross was a faintly glowing green gemstone. It did, indeed, look exactly like something a faith caster would wear.
"What does it do?" Lakyus asked.
"Allow me to demonstrate."
Lazlo slipped the bangle onto her own wrist. From a slit in her skirt, she withdrew a knife-longer than a simple self-defense blade. The sight only deepened Lakyus's suspicion that this woman was no ordinary clerk. Perhaps a former adventurer of considerable rank.
Lazlo gripped the knife firmly.
"And now..."
She drove it into her own shoulder.
Blood spattered before Lakyus's eyes.
"What are you doing!?"
Lakyus lunged forward, ready to cast healing magic-
"No, no. No need to panic. It's perfectly fine."
The green gem on Lazlo's wrist flared. Instantly, the wound vanished. No scar, no trace of injury.
"Ah...?"
"That is the effect of the Holy Bangle."
Lazlo withdrew the knife and removed the bangle. The gem at its center had gone colorless, like a spent stone.
"The Holy Bangle automatically triggers healing magic when its wearer suffers a fatal wound. As a faith-based magic caster, you of all people should understand its value, Lady Lakyus."
"I... yes. Those who wield healing magic must outlive everyone else. Insurance is always welcome."
"Precisely. Allow me to explain in more detail. The Holy Bangle is integrated with a gemstone that borrows and stores magical power from its wearer. When the wearer sustains life-threatening injuries, the stored power automatically activates a healing spell of roughly third-tier potency. It is a defensive item designed specifically for magic casters."
"How long does it take before it can be used again?"
"The Holy Bangle accumulates surplus mana generated while the owner sleeps. With your magical capacity, Lady Lakyus, it should be ready for reuse in about five days."
Lakyus was astonished. By simply wearing the bangle while sleeping, she would gain a reusable safeguard against fatal wounds. For a swordswoman who also fought on the front lines while serving as a healer, it was an item she desperately wanted.
"It's magnificent... but what does it cost?"
No doubt it would be expensive. If it fell within her personal funds, she could buy it without consulting Blue Rose. If it exceeded them, she would need to persuade the others that improving the team's overall combat strength was worth the expense.
With the Demon Emperor Baal lurking as a potential enemy, upgrading their equipment even slightly was a priority.
Lazlo wrote a figure on a slip of paper, itemizing costs. Lakyus looked at the total.
"Lazlo... this price is far too low."
It was absurdly cheap. As a mundane ornament, it would still command a high sum, but for a magic item of this power, it was practically a bargain. She could easily afford it with her own savings. A relic like this should have cost as much as a house.
"Yes, I was going to explain. This magic item has a small drawback."
"A drawback?"
Lazlo produced another piece of paper.
"The Holy Bangle is cursed."
"Cursed!?"
Lakyus's shock was immediate. And then, a strange thrill followed. A cursed magic item-this was the kind of thing she wrote about in her private diaries, the sort of dark romance she adored. She should have been alarmed. Instead, her pulse quickened.
"It's nothing life-threatening," Lazlo assured her. "Just a minor curse. The prankish sort."
"Oh? How minor?"
"Simply put, if you wear it while sleeping, you may have... an erotic dream."
"An erotic... pardon?"
"Yes. An erotic dream."
Lazlo's expression was perfectly serious.
"It is said that while mana is being replenished during sleep, the item exerts a slight mental influence. That is likely why such dreams occur."
"I... see."
"However, the curse only affects those without sufficient aptitude. A faith-based magic caster of your caliber, Lady Lakyus, would not be affected."
"Is that so?"
"Indeed. A magic caster of my acquaintance was also unaffected. But when the item fell into the hands of an ordinary noblewoman, she did experience the curse."
"Did she suffer any aftereffects?"
"No. In fact, she was rather pleased. She dreamed of being embraced by the man she secretly loved."
"Then it truly isn't dangerous?"
"Correct. Even in the worst case, you would merely have an erotic dream."
Lakyus nodded. Excellent effect, a price she could afford, and a curse that posed no real threat. With the Demon Emperor Baal in the picture, there was no reason to hesitate.
"Lazlo, I'll take this."
"Thank you very much, Lady Lakyus."
Lazlo beamed, eyes narrowing with unmistakable delight...
Lakyus hadn't brought enough coin on her person, so she offered to return the next day. Lazlo, however, had waved the matter aside and handed her the bangle.
"Please, take it today. I'll lend it to you for up to seven days. If you experience any ill effects from the curse, simply return it-no charge."
It was generous, and Lakyus accepted. Given the possibility of erotic dreams, a trial run seemed wise. And no doubt the shop hoped she would help recharge the item's mana while she slept. So long as no one came to harm, there was no reason to refuse.
Back at the inn, she reported the purchase to the other members of Blue Rose. She conspicuously left out the part about the curse.
Evileye had been suspicious at first, but after examining the Holy Bangle closely, she confirmed it was genuine. Lakyus had never doubted it-she'd seen the demonstration with her own eyes-but the others had apparently assumed it was a fake.
"There's no way a magic item like that is being sold that cheaply! It has to be counterfeit!"
The next day, Evileye and Gagaran planned to visit the shop themselves. But the bangle's authenticity was already assured. If Evileye vouched for it, that was good enough.
Lakyus made a mental note to thank the Silver Wings. A shop with goods that fine wasn't something most people would share. She'd owe them a meal at the very least. She resolved to treat them next time they crossed paths.
...
At Night.
Lakyus changed into her nightgown in her private room at the inn. The Holy Bangle remained on her wrist. Lazlo had said the mana replenishment occurred during sleep. To reactivate the item's power, she would need to wear it for about five nights.
She remembered the warning. 'Those without aptitude may have an erotic dream.'
Lazlo had said someone of her skill wouldn't be affected. Evileye had also said she sensed no harmful magic in the item. So it was fine. It should have been fine.
'I'm overthinking this. Evileye wouldn't have approved it otherwise. It's fine.'
Yet, for a woman with no experience with men, the possibility of an erotic dream was enough to make her heart race. Mostly anxiety-but also, just a little, anticipation. A small curiosity about the unknown.
With that, Lakyus drifted off to sleep.
Or so she thought.
When Lakyus opened her eyes, she was not in her room at the inn.
She lay on an impossibly soft bed-finer than anything even her noble family home could have afforded.
The canopy above was draped in white fabric of unfamiliar make. The chamber was more luxurious than any room in the royal palace.
This was where Lakyus found herself.
'What...? Where am I?'
Confused, she looked down at herself. Gone was the thick nightgown she'd worn at the inn. In its place was a negligee of translucent material. She could see through it clearly-her chest, the tips of her breasts, everything...
"Ah..."
She instinctively covered herself. Her lower half was equally sheer, though seated as she was, it felt less immediately shameful.
A luxurious, unreal room. A sudden shift in situation. Her own exposed state. This couldn't be reality.
She understood then. This was the erotic dream the shop had warned her about.
'But magic casters aren't supposed to dream... this is unexpected.'
She pressed a fingernail into her skin. A faint pain answered.
'This is too vivid to be an ordinary dream. If this is a curse, then the magic behind it must be at least seventh-tier... No, it can't be real. Some kind of illusion?"
She tried to analyze her situation, but found herself frozen in place. Then the door opened.
"Sorry for the wait, Lakyus-chan."
Her breath caught.
A man stepped in. Beryl of Silver Wings, wearing only his undergarments. His lean, muscular frame matched the striking face she'd admired before. She quickly averted her eyes.
"W-why are you..."
"Don't be like that. We're lovers, aren't we?"
He cupped her cheek and tilted her face up.
'What kind of logic is that...? Wait. Lovers? We're lovers! Yes... I suppose we are. That's right. We're lovers.'
Their eyes met, and her thoughts grew hazy.
'Yes... we're lovers. So there's nothing strange about this. No need to hide anything.
Lakyus lowered her hands from her chest. With a dazed expression, she looked up at him, her body on display.
"Good girl."
He praised her and stroked her hair. Warmth flooded her body. His hand slid from her head to her cheek, petting her like a beloved pet. She found she didn't mind at all.
Then his touch drifted lower and came to rest gently on her breast.
"Ah... Beryl, your hand... It's touching my chest."
"And? We're lovers. That's natural, isn't it?"
She hesitated, but then nodded. Of course. Lovers touched each other. This was normal.
"Ah... ah."
His hands moved over her chest-larger than most girls her age-and every brush sent a jolt through her. It felt unbelievably good.
"Ah, wait... nn, you're touching me too much."
She tried to scold him, but her body didn't shy away. Lakyus was a proper lady, but right now her mind was drowning in obscene pleasure.
"Hm? We're going to have sex. Surely I'm allowed to touch your breasts."
"Eh? S-sex...?"
That was definitely going too far-
"Hyaaahn!!!!!"
No, it wasn't wrong. They were lovers. It was natural. Having sex was normal between people who loved each other.
"Ah aah."
*Feeling pleasure from your chest alone, Lakyus? You're adorable."
She shook her head. "You're wrong...! When I touch myself, it never feels like..."
"Yaa aah, nn..."
He twisted her nipple, and a moan escaped her. She was astonished at her own body, so easily aroused by his touch. But she couldn't deny the pleasure. It was so intense that everything else stopped mattering.
His hand trailed down her stomach, past her navel, until his fingertips reached the seam of her sex.
"You're already soaked, Lakyus."
"D-don't say it like that... nn."
A wet sound followed as his fingers stroked her. She flushed with embarrassment.
"Let me have a taste."
He lowered his head between her legs and-
Slurp~! He licked her.
"W-wait... nn that place is dirty... haah."
"There's no part of you that's dirty."
"Ah no... stop, you can't!!"
He traced his tongue from her folds to her mound, then over her clit with a rough, textured stroke. She tried to squirm away.
"Now, now. No running."
He gripped her hips firmly.
"Ah aaah."
Unable to escape, she shuddered. The pleasure was unlike anything she'd ever felt-so intense it bordered on maddening.
"Ah... no... you can't!!"
"S-sucking... stop!!"
The sensation was many times stronger than masturbation. She clamped a hand over her mouth, terrified of the indecent sounds she might make.
But he didn't stop. If anything, his tongue grew more insistent.
"N-no... wait, wait."
She was already at her limit. Waves of pleasure crashed over her, and the slightest lapse in focus would send her over the edge.
"I'm... going to come... I'm coming..."
He grinned. "Then come, Lakyus."
He lowered his mouth to her swollen clit and-
"Squirt... squish..."
She came instantly. Her hips bucked, her legs twitched. A pleasure unlike any she'd known surged through her, lifting her back off the bed. Her body tried to flee the sensation, but there was no escape.
All she could do was spasm like a broken toy.
"That was quite the climax, Lakyus."
"Y-you wouldn't stop... so cruel."
"Cruel? I only wanted to make you feel good."
He stroked her hair again. She stared up at him, cheeks flushed.
Lakyus was not used to being treated gently by men. As a noble daughter, she'd been forced into stiff formality. Outside her home, men had looked at her with leering eyes. After becoming an adventurer, she'd silenced such gazes with her strength, until she reached adamantite rank and men began to fear her instead.
So being cherished like this-as just a woman-was something she had no resistance against.
His face drew closer. Before she realized it, she was puckering her lips. They met in a soft kiss.
"Hmnnn."
She closed her eyes.
"Nn... nn."
His tongue slipped into her mouth, tangling with hers.
"Nn... haaah."
Her mind went blank with pleasure. 'It feels good. I love it.' Her hips twitched restlessly, and her pussy clenched around nothing, aching for more.
Beryl smiled and said, "Shall we move on?"
"Eh...?"
In front of her, he removed his undergarments. A thick, long cock sprang free.
'That's a man's... and it's so bigggggg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stunned, she glanced down at her own lap and shook her head.
"N-no! If we go that far, I might get pregnant... I still have things I need to do..."
"It's fine. I'll use contraceptive magic. No baby."
"l-is that so? Then... maybe it's all right?"
She hesitated. 'Contraceptive magic?' She'd never heard of such a thing. It sounded dubious. And yet, she found herself nodding. Her mind said she shouldn't, but her body was crying out for it.
"Come on, Lakyus. It's not about making a child. It's about chasing pleasure together. You want that, don't you?"
He leaned close to her ear, his hand warm on her shoulder.
Her thoughts spun. Ethics and lust, pleasure and self-restraint, all swirling together-until finally, one answer rose to the surface.
"I... want it."
She gave her consent. The man's eyes narrowed with satisfaction.
-x-X-x-
Lakyus lay naked on her back, her hips lifted by my hands, the thick base of my cock pressed against her slick folds.
'Is something that large really going to enter me...?'
She remembered Gagaran's words. The first time hurt like death, but once a woman grew used to it, it felt good. Even that towering warrior had called it excruciating. So what would this monstrous thing do to her?
I spoke gently to her trembling body.
"Don't be afraid, Lakyus. I'll go slow and be gentle."
"Y-yes... please."
Then, slowly-
"Ah."
Parting her pussy lips-
The tip pressed into her entrance.
"Ah nghh...."
She felt something tear. Her hymen gave way, the shock of first penetration rippling through her.
'It hurt. Yes, it hurt.'
But the pleasure obliterated the pain.
'What is this? What is this? It feels good?'
Lakyus was drowning in pleasure. Her first time, and she was already lost. Bleeding, yet it felt incredible.
Just the penetration alone felt incredible.
This was abnormal. Even as she thought that, her mind had already gone slack with bliss.
"Ah ua."
Then, with a soft SQUISH, my cock was buried to the hilt, and Lakyus's inner walls convulsed. Her body no longer seemed her own; the muscles inside rippled and squeezed, molding themselves around the invading shape.
"Now then. I'm going to move, Lakyus."
"Nn wait... just a little-"
"Ahhn."
A moan spilled from her lips-not the restrained sounds of before, but a voice thick with lust. Embarrassed by her own cries, she turned her face away.
I chuckled. "You moan so sweetly, Lakyus."
"Ah, is it strange...?"
"Not at all. It's arousing."
I seized her hips, hands began to move, and with them, her body-her pussy holding me snugly.
"Ah nn."
With each stroke, my cock and her own wetness mingled with blood, lewd sounds echoing in the room.
She was a faith-based magic caster, yet she moaned like a woman lost to depravity. She knew how obscene she must look, but she surrendered to the pleasure.
"Nn nnnh."
She tried to muffle her voice, but the sounds escaped anyway.
"Lakyus, you don't have to hold back."
"B-but-"
"-aaah."
Her inner walls clamped down so hard it felt as if they might turn inside out. Seeing her gasp without complaint, I gradually increased the intensity.
"Ahhn aah."
My hands slid from her hips up to her breasts.
"Nn that's good."
"Ah, feels... good."
Her breasts kneaded while her pussy was ravaged; Lakyus's whole body seized with the stimulation.
Then I let go of her chest and caught her wrists.
"You're responding beautifully."
"Nn r-really?"
"Yes. I'm about to lose control."
"Eh...?"
Before she could process the words-
"Ah... aa."
My cock slammed deep, thudding against the mouth of her womb.
"S-so deep."
Pleasure surged from her core, not yet an orgasm but something profound.
And then-
"I intended to be gentle for your first time, but... I can't hold back any longer."
"Eh...?"
"Ahh, that's no."
I began a long, slow drag, tormenting her insides, teaching her body that the gentle fucking was over.
"Ahh."
A single thrust dragged stimulation from her shallowest folds to her deepest reaches.
"Ah nnha."
The force of my movements rocked her body, her breasts and hair swaying wildly.
'So this is why everyone gets addicted. I'm becoming addicted too. No, I love it, love it, love love love. I love sex!!!!!!!!!'
Before she knew it, her tongue was twining with his, lost in the lewd act of getting dicked.
"Nnnh nn."
My cock pounded into her sopping cunt, over and over.
"Ahhn aah."
Pleasure flooded her without pause, until-
"I'm going to come inside you, Lakyus."
"Eh annn inside-"
"Aaah."
My thrusts grew harder, faster.
"Aaa coming... I'm coming."
Their sweat-slick skin slapped together. Her mind was nothing but pleasure now, surrendered entirely to the brutal push and pull of his cock.
Then, inside her, his massive dick swelled-
Splurt.
"Ahh cumming nnnnn-."
Semen flooded her depths, and Lakyus climaxed at the same moment. The heat spreading inside her, the euphoria-it scrambled her thoughts. Her body convulsed without end, her womb greedily drinking down his thick semen.
"Ah ama... zing."
Exhaustion and overwhelming pleasure blurred her consciousness. I stroked her hair.
"Good girl, Lakyus! Until tomorrow."
Her eyelids grew heavy. Just before she closed her eyes, she caught his smile.
When she opened her eyes again, Lakyus was on the bed in her inn room.
Sunlight streamed through the window, marking the end of the dream.
She pressed her face into the pillow.
'What was that? That dream... Why was Beryl there... lovers? I don't understand..'
Confusion. Embarrassment. Yet her body still burned with the lingering heat of the dream.
She inspected herself. Same nightclothes, no abnormality. It had felt disturbingly real, but it had definitely been a dream-surely the curse of the magic item, the Holy Bangle.
'But why was I affected? A magic caster of my level should have resisted such a curse.'
She looked at the bangle on her wrist. The shopkeeper had mentioned "erotic dreams," and that had certainly been intense-intense enough to overwrite her perception of sex.
Her hand drifted to her groin, fingers finding her wet lips.
"Nn."
Beneath her nightgown, beneath her underwear, her pussy was already soaking. She touched herself.
"Nn ah..."
Her fingers slipped into her slick, wet, dripping pussy, the walls clinging tightly.
"Ahn nn."
She masturbated, trying to cool her heated body-
"Leader, can I-oh-"
"Eh?"
Startled, she looked up. Tia stood in the doorway. Lakyus had been too absorbed to notice her.
Tia had seen her masturbating. Face burning with shame and rage, Lakyus snatched the blanket to cover herself.
"Knock first!"
"I did. You didn't hear."
Lakyus pulled the blanket tighter. Tia, deadpan, offered, "Want me to help? I could..."
"No, thank you!"
Lakyus hurled a pillow with all her might. She knew Tia wasn't teasing-she was genuinely offering-and that only made it worse.
-x-X-x-
Later, the entire Blue Rose team, in their casual clothes, visited the magic item shop. Lazlo was working as a clerk again, and she showed them the underground inventory.
Gagaran grumbled over whether to buy something. Evileye appraised items with interest. Tia and Tina pestered Lazlo about adult goods. Lakyus sighed and moved to a corner of the room.
"Lady Lakyus, may I have a word?"
Lazlo approached while the others were engrossed.
"Ah, yes. What is it?"
"Regarding the Holy Bangle-have you experienced any issues while wearing it?"
Lakyus's eyes narrowed slightly. 'Issues, yes.' Last night she'd had the erotic dream the clerk had warned about-a dream in which Beryl was her lover, and they'd had sex.
But-
"N-no. No problems at all."
She should have told the truth. She should have taken it off and returned it. But she didn't.
The Holy Bangle's curse showed her erotic dreams, true, but the item itself was still useful. It was worth keeping despite the drawback. That was what she told herself.
"Oh, I'm relieved to hear it. If you ever wish to return it, please do so within four days."
"Yes, thank you."
Clutching the bangle on her wrist, Lakyus pretended not to notice the heat rising between her thighs.
The dream came again that night.
And the next.
-x-X-x-
Every night, in a room too opulent to be real, she had sex with Beryl. Tonight I held her in my arms, her back against my chest, her legs spread as she sat on on lap-my cock buried inside her creamy pussy.
"Ah, wait, I just came-"
I didn't stop. Her freshly climaxed pussy was tormented without mercy.
"Coming again, coming cumming, coming."
Pssshii. Squirt.
She squirted, convulsing, her slick arousal splashing. I crushed her breasts against my chest, arms locked around her, grinding the thick cock into her cunt. Even as she came, I didn't ease.
"Wait, I'm coming. I'm still coming, still coming."
She couldn't escape. Even if I hadn't been holding her so tightly, she wouldn't have run.
"P-please wait, I'm coming com-"
Pssshii.
Lakyus's body convulsed again, spraying her pussy juices as she clung to me.
'Feels so good, I love it, feels good, I love it!!'
Lakyus was addicted. Being loved by him filled her heart, and her body was sated. She depended on the pleasure and euphoria like a drug.
Her breasts fondled, kissed, licked. Penetrated, moaning, then kissed again.
The unimaginable pleasure had shattered her chastity.
"I'm about to come inside you, Lakyus."
"Yes, do it, fill me with your semen."
My thrusts quickened at her coaxing.
Bang. Bang...
"Oh aah."
She loved this rough fucking most of all. It felt as if it smashed every inhibition and overwrote them with pleasure.
"Ahh nnnnn."
Again I emptied my balls inside her womb, and she came with a deep, full-body climax.
Splurt!! Spluurt!!
"Aaah, oh, coming."
I held her tight, refusing to let her escape as I pumped her full. Her vision flickered. Her breath came in ragged gasps.
Then Lakyus lost consciousness...
-x-X-x-
She woke again in the inn. Morning. Her panties were soaked.
"Haaah, haaah."
Breathing hard, she touched herself.
"Nn nn."
A single round of sex was no longer enough. She masturbated daily, driven by the lust that now consumed her.
"More."
She fingered herself while recalling the dream of Beryl's cock splitting her cunt open. It wasn't as good as the real thing, but it was better than masturbating to nothing.
"Nn haaah... fuu."
She brought herself to satisfaction, then cleaned up and dressed. Clear-headed, she made her way down to the tavern.
Today she had no particular plans-just standby duty in case the Demon Emperor Baal appeared in the capital.
She scanned the tavern.
"No one's here."
Her usual table was empty. The inn was sparse; most adventurers who could afford it were out working.
Only the third princess's patronage let Blue Rose idle here.
She spotted a familiar figure at the counter. A man she hadn't seen in days-yet had seen every night.
"Good morning... or rather, good afternoon? Beryl."
"Hm? Ah, Lakyus. Afternoon."
He sat alone, drinking fruit water.
"Mind if I join you?"
"Of course not."
Lakyus ordered a fruit water of her own, keeping her outward demeanor casual even as her heart hammered.
"Your companion, Claire, isn't with you today?"
"She's out on another job. I'm holding down the fort."
"I see."
She nodded. It wasn't unusual for an adventurer team to split up. Gagaran sometimes trained the capital's knights; Claire likely had similar work.
Lakyus touched the bangle on her wrist.
"By the way, that magic item shop you mentioned-it was wonderful. I found something good. I'd like to thank you."
"No thanks needed. It's run by a relative. Your purchase was profit enough."
"Oh? So that's why you recommended it?"
"You were the one who asked."
"I'm joking. But truly, I do want to thank you, apart from the shop."
She smiled, her pulse racing, acutely aware of seeing him as a man.
Then she asked what she'd been longing to.
"Beryl... may I ask you something?"
"Sure, if I can answer."
"Are you and Claire... together? Romantically?"
"No, I don't think that's the right word."
"I see."
Relief flooded her. Then there was still a chance.
Under the counter, her toes curled, and she let a small smile slip.
"If you're free, would you like to spar?"
"Spar? Why?"
"Silver Wings just reached orichalcum, yes? Depending on your skill, I could speak to the Guild about a promotion."
She had an ulterior motive: showing him her strength might catch his interest.
"That's a tempting offer. Where?"
"There's a clearing behind the inn. We could cross blades there."
"Right now?"
"Yes... or later, if that's better."
"Now is fine. I have plans tonight."
Pleased by his enthusiasm, she mentally pumped her fist.
"I'll go put on my armor. Meet you there?"
"I'll wait."
Unlike her, he didn't seem to need preparation-no armor, it seemed.
Not wanting to keep him waiting, Lakyus hurried to her room and moved to don her full plate armor, Virgin Snow. But the moment she tried to secure it-
"Eh? Huh?"
The buckles slipped loose, and the armor clattered to the floor. Frowning, she tried again. Again it fell.
'What's going on? A curse preventing equip? No, that can't be... unless...'
Virgin Snow was the symbol of a pure maiden, engraved with unicorns. It was enchanted armor that could only be worn by a virgin-a woman untouched by man.
Lakyus felt the color drain from her face.
-x-X-x-
I had now slept with Lakyus every night for three days.
Our initial meeting had been unexpected, but once I'd guided her to the magic item shop where Lazlo worked, everything changed. Lazlo was selling junk gacha items from Nazarick's warehouse to earn foreign currency, and she'd devised a scheme.
She would give Lakyus an item that supposedly inflicted "Erotic Dreams" as a curse. Then, each night, while Lakyus slept, I, would teleport her to Nazarick's Ninth Floor, charm her, and fuck her-while Lazlo took Lakyus's place in the inn, disguised and feigning sleep.
At first the plan had sounded absurd and unnecessary, but I really wish to see how it would fare.
Thus, Lakyus believed she was having erotic dreams. In truth, she was being taken by me in reality. Mid-tier potions erased the physical evidence-fatigue and the like-so she never suspected a thing.
The charm-related skills lowered her reasoning, but even so, she'd been astonishingly easy to deceive.
I was almost betting to myself that she'd someday buy a tacky dragon sword accessory from a con artist.
Anyway. I had been fucking Lakyus every night. Night after night, slow and thorough.
But last night, Clementine had stormed the bedroom.
She'd been neglected for three days and was furious. And so, right beside the sleeping Lakyus, round two had begun. Jealousy, perhaps. Clementine was adorable.
Carried away, I and Clementine had gone at it all night. By morning, Clementine was in critical condition-eyes rolled back, drenched in semen, convulsing like a dead frog. She was currently recovering.
Lazlo had scolded me: "Are you trying to kill Mother?!"
I truly was a sex monster-a tragic ero-monster who destroyed everything he touched.
Since Clementine was indisposed, I'd come to check on Lakyus. That was how this strange situation had started.
She'd called me out back, claiming she wanted to assess my skill. For a moment I was thinking she'd discovered the nightly hypnosis.
Anyway.
Now I waited in the open space behind the inn.
"She's late."
Lakyus had gone upstairs to put on armor but hadn't returned.
Women took too long.
After a while longer, she emerged-not in armor, still in the same clothes.
"Lakyus? What's wrong? Weren't you getting ready?"
"I-l... that's..."
She held a cloth sack. Inside was a full plate armor that looked forged from silver and gold.
"Can't put it on?"
"I... I can't wear it anymore..."
Flushed scarlet, she stammered:
"This Virgin Snow can only be worn by a maiden..."
"A maiden?"
"Y-yes... someone who hasn't... been with a man. A virgin."
"Ah... virgin... wait."
An armor that could only be worn by a virgin, suddenly unwearable-meaning she was no longer a virgin. Because I'd been fucking her restlessly every night.
'It had this kind of function too?'
Before I could speak, she shook her head.
"No, that's not what I mean! I haven't done anything like that!"
She was making excuses. 'Hmm, she doesn't suspect me.'
"Lakyus..."
"Believe me. I'm not that kind of woman."
'Ah, yes. I know.' It was my doing entirely.
"First, we need to fix this. That magic item shop you frequent might have a solution. Let's go."
"Y-yes... will you come with me?"
"Of course."
...
At the magic item shop Accessory Shop SODOM, Lazlo listened to their explanation. Every time Lakyus spoke, Lazlo shot me a look; I nodded at every glance.
In the end, I retrieved an "Item That Rewrites An Item's Flavor Text" from my personal inventory in Nazarick and used it to remove the "Virgin Only" restriction from Virgin Snow.
It had been a gacha prize item and I can always use it later after 5 days of cooldown.
Lazlo smoothed things over with Lakyus: "Since the issue arose from an item we sold you, there will be no additional charge."
Still, the silver lining was that she hadn't figured out I was the cause or maybe not.
Though... when Lazlo asked if she wanted to return the Holy Bangle, Lakyus had refused. She said it gave her erotic dreams, yet she wouldn't let it go. Did she understand what that meant?
Well, never mind.
I'd have to report to Momonga what happened here and discuss preventive measures...against the history text of the items.
That said, I thought... 'I think I'll try doing it with Lakyus in the doggy style position tonight. Yep.'
I worked as an orichalcum-ranked adventurer while secretly carrying out Nazarick's business on the side. It was effectively two part-time jobs.
As for Lakyus, she had let the Holy Bangle's return deadline pass and simply purchased it. The mana had been fully charged, and she no longer needed to wear it while sleeping-yet she kept it on at all times.
In other words, she was willingly choosing to have erotic dreams. A closet pervert.
So I had gradually reduced the frequency. Once every three days was optimal. Thus, I alternated between the two women to vent my lust.
Yet even that wasn't enough-an unexpected development, but I had no choice but to endure. If I kept going until I was fully satisfied, someone would die.
Then, a few days ago, while investigating and testing skills with Momonga.
Momonga was enthusiastic-the man was an otaku who loved investigating the activation conditions of obscure skills.
So I went looking for a woman I could kill. The skill's full effects were unknown; in the worst case, the subject would need to be disposed of. Momonga had mentioned that too much memory manipulation caused mental breakdowns in humans, and Sex Slave Creation carried the risk of destroying the target's personality.
After sounding out Demiurge and sifting through his metaknowledge, he found one. A woman who could die.
Tonight, he would act.
Left alone, she would eventually have her innards eaten alive by insects. She was destined to become Nazarick's servant either way; becoming a sex slave was better than being hollowed out. With that thought, I pressed my seal to the documents before me.
-x-X-x-
The Royal Capital of the Re-Estize Kingdom. Deep night.
A large mansion stood in the capital's shadowed streets. It did not belong to a noble. It was the residence of Hilma Cygnaeus, head of the drug division of Eight Fingers-the criminal syndicate that ruled the kingdom's underworld.
Slavery, assassination, smuggling, theft, narcotics, security, finance, gambling; Eight Fingers controlled virtually all crime in the kingdom, its eight divisions ensnaring every underworld organization and corrupt noble alike.
In a second-floor bedroom, Hilma lay naked atop a king-sized bed. Pale skin, full breasts, a slender waist-and a serpent tattoo coiling from her right hand to her shoulder. Once a high-class prostitute, she had not lost her beauty.
She stirred awake, thirsty. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she reached for the water pitcher, tilted it to her lips. A trickle escaped, running down her throat and between her breasts. She frowned at the chill and set the pitcher aside.
Then she noticed.
No sound.
The silence was absolute.
Hilma's mansion was both her residence and the headquarters of Eight Fingers' drug division. Dozens of subordinates were always on standby-guarding, working, entertaining the nobles she had ensnared with alcohol, women, and drugs.
That cunning was her strength. Rising from a common prostitute to the top of the underworld had taken more than beauty; it required judgment and decisive action. Move when necessary, flee when necessary, devour when necessary. Timing was everything, and Hilma's instincts for it had carried her to this position.
She slipped into a heavy robe and slid her feet into slippers. Her mind churned.
Had someone infiltrated the mansion? The third princess, Renner, was openly hostile to Eight Fingers and had sent her pet adventurers before. But few people knew Hilma led the drug division; even fewer knew this mansion served as its headquarters.
Still, she always assumed the worst. Paranoia was better than being caught off guard. Should she call for guards? No. The mansion was far too quiet. The guards might already be neutralized. Raising her voice would only reveal her location.
The hidden room, then. It was stocked with supplies and had a concealed passage to another safehouse.
Hilma reached for the bedroom door and slowly turned the knob.
It didn't move.
Not stuck-utterly immobile, as if fixed in place.
"What... Who's there-?"
A shadow shifted behind her, blotting out the moonlight from the window. She spun around.
There stood a demon.
A beast-like head, horns, bat wings, a massive frame-and a tail like a leech. Hilma had done deeds that made men call her a monster, but she had never seen a true demon. She stumbled backward, pressing herself against the door.
"Good evening, Hilma Cygnaeus. Forgive the late intrusion."
The voice that emerged was startlingly composed. The terror that had seized her eased, just a fraction.
"Ah... g-good evening," she managed, keeping her voice soft and unthreatening.
Her mind raced. A demon in the capital. A demon that had attacked the third princess. Then-
"Y-you are... Lord Baal? The Demon Emperor?"
"Oh? Yes. Baal. That's right."
Her guess had been correct.
Hilma's breath caught. She knew the rumors. He had infiltrated the heavily guarded royal palace, abducted and murdered nobles, and violated the princess. Her legs nearly buckled. But she did not break. She had faced crises before. If she wanted to survive this, she couldn't afford to freeze.
"What business... do you have with me tonight?" she asked, her voice even.
"Business, is it?"
"Yes. This mansion has beautiful women and fine wine. If you desire human flesh, I can prepare it immediately-"
This was what she had always done. Offer up whatever she controlled, buy her life, solidify her position.
"No need to cower. Though with this form, I suppose fear is natural."
"N-not at all. You have a... commanding presence."
"Spare me the flattery. I know how I look."
In an instant, the demon's body dissolved into mist, and in its place stood a man. Black hair, piercing crimson eyes, pale skin, a lean and muscular build. He wore a black jacket and leather trousers, but it was obvious his body was flawless, almost sculpted.
"Is this easier to talk to?"
"Y-yes... thank you for your consideration."
Hilma's terror only deepened. Shape-changing magic, effortless transformation-this being's power was beyond comprehension.
"Now, let me explain why you can't leave this room, and why your mansion is so quiet," the man said, seating himself on the bed. He clasped his hands over his knee and looked up at her where she pressed against the wall.
"It's simple magic. One spell prevents anyone from entering or leaving this room. Another blocks perception inside and outside. Even if you scream, no one will come. No one will notice. No matter what happens."
Ice shot down Hilma's spine. She understood the implication. Whatever was about to happen, no help would arrive.
"Are you... going to kill me?"
"Hmm. That depends on how things go."
He didn't deny it.
Hilma let the robe slide from her shoulders-partly from terror, partly from calculation. Her pale, smooth body was a weapon she had honed for years. A body that had bewitched countless men and commanded exorbitant prices. She could still use it.
"Lord Baal... if you wish, please enjoy my body."
The demon looked at her, eyes narrowing faintly.
"Fine. I'll accept. My other business can wait."
Her blood ran cold. 'His other business can wait'-meaning death would come after she had served him. No matter how well she performed, the outcome was already decided. All she could buy was a little time.
Her life flashed behind her eyes. The men she had bedded as a prostitute. The humiliations she had swallowed to reach this position. The pride trampled again and again. And still, she had survived. Those who didn't move when the time came were food for those who did.
Slowly, she approached the bed.
She had one hidden weapon. Beneath the serpent tattoo on her right arm lay the Tattoo of Viper, a magic item that could manifest a pseudo-real venomous snake. Its neurotoxin killed instantly.
"I, Hilma, shall now serve-"
She triggered it.
The tattoo writhed, and a serpent lunged at the man.
He caught it in one hand and crushed it without changing expression.
"I see. A foolish move."
Hilma's heart plummeted. Her trump card had been obliterated as if it were nothing.
"Ah-"
She tried to retreat, but a hand closed around her wrist.
"No lies, Hilma."
"I-I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Please, have mercy!" The words tumbled from her, her body shaking uncontrollably.
"Then I'll give you one more chance."
He pulled her onto the bed. Then he undressed.
His cock rose-thick, long, and hard.
"If you can satisfy me, I'll grant you amnesty. If not... well, perhaps insects will eat you from the inside."
His voice carried no hint of deception. If she failed, a gruesome death awaited. Hilma dropped to her hands on the mattress.
"Thank you! I will serve you with everything I have!"
And so began her desperate service.
-x-X-x-