Lihan felt like he was floating; the world around him felt empty. He tried to remember what he had last been doing, but he couldn't recall it. Even when he felt the memory surfacing in his head, about to manifest itself, it would slip through his fingers when he tried to grasp it.
Lihan grimaced when he felt something inside his head bothering him, like a treasure chest stored in the deepest part of his subconscious. He didn't know what it was or why he would remember storing something inside a chest that was in the depths of his memories, but Lihan didn't know what it was, nor how it had gotten there, and something within his soul told him that this chest was super important, that if he didn't try to open it he would regret it for the rest of his miserable life.
Miserable life?
Why was that the first thing that came to mind to describe his life? Lihan didn't remember being so miserable, but something in his soul told him he should be. Of course, his life wasn't made of rose petals, but Lihan wasn't the only one who had suffered. Perhaps there are people in life who have suffered more than him.
Lihan hadn't suffered much beyond the death of his parents. His mother died sick and his father worked hard for his mother, but in his efforts to get money for his mother and for himself, he disappeared one day without a trace. Lihan doesn't know what happened to him, he didn't cry over his death, he was too young to understand it, but he was forced to resort to stealing to help his mother, an action that nearly cost him his life several times. It was only when an old man took pity on Lihan that he was able to work honestly.
Despite that and paying for medicines to treat his mother, it didn't mean it would cure her, that's why he became an adventurer in the first place, but after he became rank C, he learned of his father's death from the old man who hired him. Lihan cried for his mother, despite his effort to find a cure, he couldn't find it in time, and his mother died without him being able to do anything for her, other than delay the day of her death.
He felt powerless, frustration and anger made him very reckless, to the point that he underestimated several missions and almost died many times. It was only thanks to his cunning and his cowardly instincts that he was able to survive situations he shouldn't have survived. Many times he thought he would be just another victim among many.
Thanks to his stupid actions, he managed to reach rank B at an abnormal speed. Then the day he met Ashe and Rei. It was on a dangerous mission for someone like him. For them, being rank S, it was an easy mission. Lihan doesn't know why they decided to recruit him to their party, maybe because they saw him kill the rank B monster while he made a very reckless plan that almost cost him his life. Nothing serious happened to him thanks to Ashe and her healing magic.
Although Lihan is someone shy by nature, he wasn't introverted; he was quite talkative and conversational and boasted about climbing ranks quickly, but he couldn't help getting very nervous when two girls with great attributes approached to talk to him. Lihan remembers that day very well.
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The village of Thornhill had been evacuated three days ago. Civilians reported sightings of a creature lurking at the edges of the nearby forest, attacking anyone who ventured too far from the walls. The guild had classified the mission as rank B, but rumors suggested the beast was more dangerous than expected.
Lihan arrived at the location with his standard equipment: a worn bastard sword, reinforced leather armor, and a backpack full of cheap potions that barely worked. He was seventeen years old and had been a rank B adventurer for six months, an achievement many considered impossible for someone so young. But Lihan knew the truth behind his rapid rise: it wasn't pure talent, but a mixture of desperation, recklessness, and an almost supernatural ability to survive situations that should have killed him.
The mission was simple on paper: eliminate the threat and secure the area. But when Lihan entered the forest, he immediately knew something was wrong.
The tracks were too large. The trees had claw marks that reached up to three meters high. And the silence... that unnatural silence that made every step sound like a war drum.
"Damn," Lihan muttered, gripping the handle of his sword. "This isn't a normal rank B monster."
He spent two hours tracking the creature, following the trail of destruction it left in its wake. Finally, he found it in a clearing: a Berserk Wolf, a lupine beast the size of a war horse, with fur black as night and crimson eyes that glowed with bloodlust. Its mana aura was so dense that Lihan felt it was hard to breathe.
"Rank B... or possibly close to rank A," Lihan whispered, feeling cold sweat run down his back. "Great. Just great."
The wolf detected him before he could retreat. With a roar that made the ground tremble, the beast lunged toward him with blinding speed. Lihan barely had time to roll to the side, feeling the claws graze his armor and tear the leather like it was paper.
"Shit!" Lihan jumped to his feet, dodging another swipe by centimeters. The creature was fast, too fast for his current level. Every movement brought him closer to death.
He blocked a bite with his sword, but the force of the impact threw him against a tree. He heard something crack in his left side and a sharp pain pierced through him. Probably a broken rib.
"Come on, think," he told himself as he rolled to avoid the beast crushing him. "There has to be a way."
That's when he saw them.
Two figures emerged from the forest: an elf with platinum blonde hair that shone under the filtered sunlight, and a woman with black hair with brown highlights who carried a magic rifle. Both radiated an aura of overwhelming power that made even the Berserk Wolf pause momentarily.
Lihan felt the weight of their presence. They were strong. Incredibly strong. Much more than him.
The elf raised her staff, which began to glow with concentrated magical energy. "Let's finish this quickly."
"NO!" Lihan's voice resonated in the clearing with an intensity that surprised even himself. "Don't intervene unless I'm about to die!"
The two women stopped, looking at him with evident surprise. The black-haired one lowered her rifle slightly, arching an eyebrow.
"What?" she said, her tone mixing disbelief and confusion. "That monster is at least rank B. It's going to tear you to pieces, kid."
"It's my mission!" Lihan spat blood, his green eyes shining with fierce determination. "If I can't handle this, I'll never get stronger! Just... just intervene if I'm going to die, okay?!"
The elf exchanged a glance with her companion. There was something in that young man's eyes, a mixture of desperation and absolute determination that was... intriguing.
"It's quite a risky decision," the elf commented with a soft but serious voice, without moving from her position. "Are you sure about this?"
"Yes!" Lihan gritted his teeth, turning his attention back to the wolf that was growling threateningly. "Just... stay there. Please."
The black-haired woman snorted, but crossed her arms and leaned against a tree. "Alright, it's your funeral. But if I see you're going to die, I'm going to intervene whether you like it or not."
"Rei," the elf sighed softly, but nodded. She kept her staff raised, ready to act, but didn't advance. "Very well. We'll do as you ask."
The Berserk Wolf, sensing that the newcomers weren't going to interfere immediately, returned its attention to Lihan with a threatening growl.
Lihan took a deep breath, ignoring the stabbing pain in his side. His mind was working at full speed, analyzing the terrain, the beast's movements, his own limitations. He had an idea, it was completely stupid and would probably kill him, but it was his only chance.
"Alright," he whispered to himself, "let's do this."
He launched forward, not to attack, but to run. The wolf chased him with a furious roar, its jaws snapping centimeters from his back. Lihan ran toward the edge of the clearing, where several old trees stood twisted and weakened by age.
"Come on, a little closer," he murmured, dodging roots and low branches.
The wolf jumped, its claws extended to tear him apart. In the last second, Lihan threw himself to the ground and rolled. The beast flew over him and crashed into one of the old trees with tremendous force. The trunk creaked but didn't break.
"Shit, it wasn't enough!" Lihan got to his feet, staggering. He needed more impact.
"What is he doing?" Rei murmured from her position, narrowing her eyes as she watched the boy's movements.
"He's using the terrain to his advantage," Ashe responded, her interest clearly piqued. "Smart, considering his disadvantage."
Lihan pulled out three flasks from his backpack, cheap explosive potions he had bought for almost nothing because they were low quality. He threw them on the ground around the tree, creating a viscous puddle.
The wolf recovered quickly and charged again. Lihan waited, his heart beating so loud he could hear it in his ears. He waited until the beast was right where he wanted it.
"NOW!"
He channeled all his mana into his sword and drove it into the ground, creating a spark that ignited the potions. The explosion wasn't huge, but it was enough to unbalance the wolf just as it was about to jump.
The creature stumbled, its hind legs slipping on the flammable liquid. Lihan took advantage of the moment, ran upward using the wolf's back as momentum and jumped toward the branches of the old tree. He grabbed a thick branch with both hands and, using all the weight of his body plus the strength he had left, hung from it.
The branch creaked.
"Break, damn it!" Lihan shouted, swinging violently.
The wolf roared below him, jumping to reach him. Its jaws closed around Lihan's foot, tearing his boot. The pain was blinding, but Lihan didn't let go of the branch. Instead, he used the momentum from the wolf's bite to give one last desperate pull.
The branch broke with a deafening crack.
Everything happened in slow motion. The branch fell, Lihan fell with it, and the wolf, with its jaw still closed around the boy's foot, couldn't react in time. The heavy branch of ancient wood, reinforced by years of dense growth, fell like a hammer directly onto the beast's skull.
The impact was brutal. The wolf released Lihan's foot with a howl of pain, stunned by the blow. But Lihan wasn't finished.
With his sword still in hand, ignoring the stabbing pain in his injured foot and his broken ribs, he launched forward. He jumped onto the back of the stunned wolf and, with both hands on the handle of his sword, drove it with all his strength into the base of the creature's skull, right where the spinal column connected.
The blade pierced through muscle and bone, penetrating deeply.
The Berserk Wolf gave one last spasm before collapsing to the ground, dead.
Lihan remained on top of the beast's body for a moment, breathing heavily, his vision blurring at the edges. Then, his legs gave out and he fell backwards onto the leaf-covered ground.
"Shit," he gasped, looking at the sky through the canopy of trees. "It worked... it really worked..."
There was silence in the clearing, broken only by Lihan's heavy breathing and the crunch of leaves under approaching footsteps.
"Well," said the black-haired woman's voice, now clearly impressed, "I can't say I've seen something like that every day."
"It was... quite creative," the elf added, kneeling beside him. Her staff began to glow with a soft green light. "Although I must say that approach was extremely dangerous. You were lucky it worked."
Lihan tried to laugh, but only managed to cough. "I know."
The green light of healing magic began to envelop his body, closing the most serious wounds. The relief was immediate, though the pain didn't completely disappear.
"You have two broken ribs, a deep laceration on your left foot, multiple contusions, and probably a mild concussion," the elf diagnosed with a professional but kind voice. "Nothing mortal, fortunately."
"Thank you," Lihan murmured, suddenly feeling embarrassed. These two incredibly powerful women had seen him almost kill himself. "I'm sorry if I worried you."
The black-haired one let out a giggle. "Worry us? Kid, I was about to make bets on whether you'd survive or not." At her companion's slightly disapproving look, she added, "Obviously, I would have bet that you'd survive. After seeing that crazy plan, it became clear you're too stubborn to die."
The elf finished healing his most serious wounds and sat back on her heels. "My name is Ashe," she introduced herself with a courteous smile. "I'm a sorceress, specialized in attack magic and healing."
"Rei," the black-haired one raised a hand in casual greeting. "Hunter. I specialize in ranged combat with a magic rifle, though I'm also good with kicks if things get ugly." She looked at Lihan with curiosity. "And you are?"
"Lihan," he responded, still lying on the ground while Ashe's magic did its work. "Warrior class... rank B."
"Rank B?" Rei whistled, impressed. "Not bad for someone who just killed a monster, almost rank A practically alone."
"How long have you been an adventurer?" Ashe asked, her tone genuinely curious.
Lihan scratched his cheek nervously. "Six months."
There was silence.
"Six months?" Rei repeated, her amber eyes widening with surprise. "Are you telling me you reached rank B in just six months?"
Lihan nodded, feeling uncomfortable with the attention. "Yes... I guess I was lucky."
"That's not luck," Ashe said softly, though there was a flash of amazement in her blue eyes. "That's... quite exceptional, Lihan."
"The rumors about a prodigy in the guild were true then," Rei commented, crossing her arms with a sideways smile. "Though I must say, you're also a bit reckless, aren't you?"
Lihan laughed weakly. "It's not the first time I've been told that."
Ashe helped Lihan sit up slowly. "Can I ask why you didn't want our help? Not that I'm upset, just... curious. Most people would gladly accept help in a situation like that."
Lihan looked toward the body of the dead wolf, his expression becoming more serious. "Because if I always depend on someone stronger to rescue me, I'll never be strong enough to protect what's important to me." His voice softened. "I already lost someone because I wasn't strong enough. I don't want that to happen again."
Another silence fell over the clearing, but this one was different. Heavier. More understanding.
Rei and Ashe exchanged a meaningful look, that kind of silent communication that only comes after years of working together.
"Lihan," Ashe began after a moment, her voice soft but with a tone of seriousness, "can I ask you something?"
"Sure," he responded, looking at her with curiosity.
"Do you currently have a team? Do you work with anyone?"
Lihan blinked, surprised by the question. "No... I work alone. Since I became an adventurer, I've always gone on missions alone."
Rei approached, crouching down to his level. "What would you say if I told you that Ashe and I are looking for a third member for our team?"
Lihan's eyes widened. "What? But... but you are..."
"Rank S," Ashe completed with a soft smile. "We both are."
Lihan felt his brain stop momentarily. Rank S. Two rank S adventurers were asking him to join their team.
"B-but," he stammered, "I'm only rank B. Why would you want someone like me...?"
"Because you're exactly what we're looking for," Rei interrupted, her tone now completely serious. "Ashe and I are good at what we do. She's an incredible mage with mana control that would make most sorcerers cry. I'm good at range and in close combat. But what we lack is a swordsman, someone who can be on the front line."
"And more important than that," Ashe continued, looking directly into his eyes, "we need someone with determination. Someone who doesn't give up, even when the odds are against them." She pointed at the wolf's body. "You just proved you have that in abundance."
"That plan of yours was completely insane," Rei added with a smile. "Using cheap explosive potions, climbing onto the wolf, using the branch as a weapon... any sensible person would have fled or asked for help. But you didn't. You found a way to win, no matter how crazy it was."
"That's potential," Ashe said softly. "Incredible potential. With proper training and the right support, you could go very far, Lihan."
Lihan looked at both of them, his mind still trying to process everything. "But... I'm not as strong as you. I'd slow you down."
"Not yet," Rei corrected. "You're not as strong as us yet. But you will be. I can see it." She extended her hand toward him. "So, what do you say? Do you want to join us?"
Lihan looked at the extended hand, then at both women's faces. Ashe was smiling at him with warmth and sincerity. Rei had that confident smile that said she knew he was going to accept.
After his mother's death, after all the months of solitary and dangerous missions, after feeling completely alone in the world... these two incredible women were offering him something he didn't know he desperately needed.
A team. A family.
Lihan smiled, that optimistic and genuine smile that would become his trademark, and took Rei's hand.
"It would be an honor," he said, his voice full of genuine emotion. "I'll do my best not to disappoint you!"
Rei helped him stand up, and Ashe positioned herself on his other side to support his weight while he was still injured.
"Welcome to the team, Lihan," Ashe said with a warm smile. "Although I must warn you, we're probably going to have to work on that tendency of yours to throw yourself into dangerous situations."
"Speak for yourself," Rei joked. "I say it's entertaining. We just need to make sure he doesn't kill himself in the process."
"Rei..."
"What? It's true."
Lihan couldn't help but laugh as they walked together toward the exit of the forest. His whole body hurt, he was exhausted, and he would probably need several days to fully recover.
But for the first time in a long time, he felt... happy. Truly happy.
"Hey, Lihan," Rei called as they walked. "Just one more thing."
"Yes?"
"Next time you come up with such a crazy plan, at least tell us first so we can prepare to heal you afterwards, okay?"
Ashe sighed. "Rei, you're not helping."
"What? I'm being realistic! We all know he's going to do it again."
"I'm not going to..." Lihan stopped, thinking better of it. "Well, I can't promise anything."
The three laughed as they continued on their way, the sun beginning to set on the horizon.
In that clearing in the forest, over the body of a defeated Berserk Wolf, something special had begun. Three adventurers, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and reasons to fight, had come together.
Although none of them knew it at that moment, this casual encounter would be the beginning of a legend. A legend of three adventurers who would defy the impossible, face the most terrible enemies, and whose bond would be tested in ways none could imagine.
But that... that would come later.
For now, as they walked back toward the village with Lihan limping between them, the three simply enjoyed the moment. The beginning of something new. The beginning of something special.
The beginning of their family.
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Lihan set the memory aside to look at the strange chest, inside his mind. Something told him he was inside his mind, as if he had been in this place before, but at the same time not. Like a feeling of deja vu and discomfort in his body. The chest gave him a chilling sensation throughout his body.
Despite the discomfort, Lihan opens the chest and gasps when he feels several mixed and disordered memories that don't make sense, but as he sorts them out, knots form in his stomach, and he feels like vomiting, but still decides to look at them in more detail.
Afterwards, the void transformed into a hallway of what appeared to be a palace; it was majestic. In the hallway, there were large pillars that supported the ceiling and large windows that let in daylight. Next to the windows were shorter pillars that had on top a statue of a leonine figure, or something similar. Honestly, Lihan didn't know what that statue was, but he found it interesting. But the important thing about the memory wasn't that; the important thing is that in the middle of the hallway were Rei and a version of himself.
Lihan watched this nervously, wondering how he had arrived at this kind of place so grand and glorious. Honestly, it resembled the structure that a castle would have, like those books he half-read to entertain himself. Lihan crossed his arms while gripping his forearms tightly to try to calm his anxiety in this scene.
"That was easy! I'm glad we finished early, but still, this place looks so elegant. I've never met a king before." His double commented as he walked toward the king, with a scroll in his hand.
"If you live long enough, things like this will happen very often. Try to get used to it, if you can." Rei says while interlacing her gloved hands and stretching them, making a satisfied groan when cracks sound from her fingers. "Since we finished early, why don't we take some time just for ourselves?" Rei smiled looking at Lihan with a mischievous smile.
Lihan (or his double) looked at Rei nervously before nodding. "Ashe went to look for a place to spend the night. We need to get some groceries before she returns..." Lihan sighed and was about to continue when someone interrupted their moment.
"Hey you two! The adventurers there! Stop right there! The prince of this glorious nation demands your presence immediately!"
Lihan (the real one), to avoid confusing himself with his clone, will call him by his last name in his mind, which is Thorn. And the reason he doesn't introduce himself with his last name isn't that he's hiding his last name, he simply sees it as unnecessary, but if asked, he'll say it since he's not ashamed of it. And the other reason is because honestly, only nobles introduce themselves with a last name or royalty.
Rei and Thorn turn to see a royal guard behind them.
Rei raises an eyebrow, although you can see from her face that she is annoyed. "Are you talking to us?" she says, somewhat frustrated by the interruption.
"The prince?" Thorn murmurs nervously as he looks around to see if there are any other adventurers besides them, but there is nothing else, just them.
"Yes, please follow me. It is of great importance," said the knight before turning around and starting to walk in the direction he wanted them to follow.
Rei and Thorn looked at each other before sighing, one sigh of irritation and the other a sigh caused by nervousness, along with caution. Before they both began to follow the royal guard, it wasn't as if they could refuse a request from a prince in their own kingdom, plus if it was a mission, they could earn a lot of money.
Lihan watched all this in silence. Even though he wasn't moving, as it was a memory, his body slid from position to position, following Thorn's movements.
The prince appeared and had a smug and arrogant air about him, which slightly annoyed Lihan. He had very formal hair. His gray eyes stared at Rei for a long time in a brazen manner while ignoring Thorn. The prince had a scar on the left side of his face above his eye, just above his eyelid, passing through his eyebrow and reaching his forehead.
The prince was wearing a very elegant black suit, with a vest and a very stylish tie. He also wore a long earring in his left ear, right next to the scar. That outfit would probably cost Lihan two arms and two kidneys. And that was no exaggeration; it looked like it was made of very high-quality fabric.
The memory flickered as if there was a glitch, and Lihan grimaced in pain before the memory returned to normal.
"Give up my status in my guild and work for the king?" Rei asked with annoyance, narrowing her eyes dangerously.
Lihan blinked as he realized he didn't hear the prince's initial words. It seemed strange to miss a part of the fragment. Lihan set aside his curiosity to focus on the memory. He could think in detail about the glitch later.
"Exactly! It's my little hobby collecting strong and beautiful women from around the world."
Lihan looked at the prince with disgust and consternation. It's not like it was the first time he encountered a man wanting to flirt with Rei, before she sent him packing.
A vein bulged on Rei's forehead, but she took a deep breath and sighed disappointedly. "Huh... I'll pretend I didn't hear that, but I suggest you stop bothering me. I won't let it pass next time... Let's go, Lihan. This was an absolute waste of our time." Rei turned to leave along with Thorn, but the prince spoke again.
"What a shame... should I demand a trial by combat? I'm the kind of person who needs to get what he wants. My apologies." The prince narrowed his eyes with malice and cold calculation, before a mocking smile spread across his face as he looked at Thorn. "If you refuse, I may or may not give an order to my men to teach that boy some lessons." Then he shrugged. "But, if you don't care then... what a shame."
Lihan felt nervous about the situation, but gripped his arms tighter while narrowing his eyes to try to analyze the situation calmly, even if he felt like vomiting, he shouldn't feel this way. Lihan knew Rei was very strong; he trusted her, but why was the prince showing such arrogance. Was it arrogance from ignorance or something else?
Lihan looked at his counterpart. Thorn was nervous, sweating profusely, looking at the prince with a nervous grimace and some fear, but Lihan could observe him clenching his fists tightly while trying to calm down and analyze the situation. Almost just like he was doing.
"What did you say?" Rei commented with teeth gritted in rage, her veins bulged on her forehead and neck as she gave him an absolutely dominant look.
Lihan wanted to intervene to calm Rei down and prevent her from doing anything reckless, but he knew he couldn't intervene in this dream, memory or vision. Whatever it was, but he looked at Thorn to see if he did something, but he did nothing more than look nervously at Rei.
Rei smiled coldly, her gaze narrowed. "You know what... Sure, I'll take it. But if you want me to accept, it has to be under the name of the holy father. No matter who you are, you'll be bound to its consequences." Rei extended a hand, and her hand began to glow until a yellow hologram in the shape of a contract materialized in her palm.
Lihan was left open-mouthed by the disrespect (not that he cared, but at least they had to pretend appearances) and the blatant audacity she had to declare a challenge with a contract over the name of the holy father is unbreakable unless one of the two dies (some conditions cannot be broken regardless of whether the other dies). No matter the conditions, once signed, both must fulfill the conditions stated and written in the contract and it can be anything.
Even changing people's personality and wills is possible with a contract of this magnitude. Lihan frowned worriedly while biting his lip hard. He wanted to trust Rei, he really did... but why did this give him a bad feeling.
"I'm aware. And I would love to see you kneeling before me, as a charming part of my dear collection." The prince smiled while summoning a sword in his left hand while looking at Rei with a look of superiority.
"Tch" Rei clicked her tongue annoyed by the prince's arrogance and contempt toward them. "Fine... but, if I win, I demand that you renounce all your status in this country and leave."
Thorn nervously extended a hand to touch Rei's shoulder. "Wait! Rei! You can't be so reckless... besides that's very disrespectful."
Rei gently removed the hand from Lihan's shoulder while looking at the prince with a withering look. "Don't worry, Lihan. I won't let this arrogant imbecile bring me down."
Thorn frowned. "But..."
Rei looked into Thorn's eyes, and they softened. "I'll teach him a lesson. I won't take too long. Just give me a few minutes so we can spend time together afterwards, Lihan."
Thorn sighed with exasperation and worry. "Fine..." he had to trust his sister, after all she had never lost against anyone. And she was good both in hand-to-hand combat and at range.
Lihan expected a combat in which Rei would win easily or that perhaps it would be a bit close, but that in the end Rei would win. After all she was a rank S adventurer. Few people could stand up to those ranks. But what he didn't expect is that the prince would defeat Rei easily in less than three minutes.
"What...?" Lihan exclaimed with disbelief, unable to believe that his sister Rei was totally humiliated in such an easy way. He looked at the prince with eyes wide open due to the overwhelming strength he had demonstrated. How was he so strong? Nothing in his aura emanated strength.
But the prince's strength wasn't the issue; it was that Rei had lost under a Holy Father contract. And as the loser of the duel contract. She was the only one who had to fulfill the conditions imposed by the prince.
"Undress and kneel before me and serve your king." The prince ordered Rei.
Rei frowned before grimacing, and a light flickered throughout her body. The look of contempt and fear faded. Now, instead, Rei looked at the prince with a look of absolute adoration and devotion. A look full of love and warmth, to which Lihan was not accustomed. And it felt wrong. Very wrong.
Lihan felt sick, but at the same time, he felt furious. Lihan looked at Thorn to see if he had done something. But he only saw Thorn looking at Rei with disbelief and absolute shock. He was totally in shock at Rei's defeat.
Rei began to undress, removing garment by garment while looking at the prince with love. A smile spread across her face. And once she was completely naked, except for the collar on her neck. Lihan stared open-mouthed at his sister Rei, completely naked.
Her breasts were beautiful and of considerable size, and he was sure they wouldn't fit in his entire hand. Her nipples began to harden from excitement. Her abdomen was muscular, but still with a feminine figure. And what stood out most were her absolutely majestic legs. They were creamy and muscular, her thighs were the definition of a woman with muscles without losing feminine grace. Her buttocks were a perfect round that didn't stand out too much, nor were they too little, and even her now barefoot feet were also a good sight.
Lihan despite all the beauty instead of feeling aroused, felt overwhelming fury. He had never felt so furious and outraged. He considered himself a calm person, he had even seen death and murders. He had also seen the ugly side of humans and although sometimes he felt annoyed. He had never felt furious to the point that murder seemed sensible.
How dare he?! Does that damn bastard think he can have Rei as a sexual toy with which he can do whatever he wants?!
Lihan gritted his teeth so hard he thought they would shatter. This is ABSOLUTELY UNFORGIVABLE. It didn't matter if they had a contract or not. He couldn't allow this damn piece of shit to do something to his sister. Not after she had protected him several times.
Lihan didn't know when he moved, but one moment he was standing while watching with curiosity and anxiety, and the next he was in front of the prince, throwing a punch with all his strength and with intent to kill.
The fist went through him, but not as Lihan expected. He staggered and stumbled when he went through the prince without doing any damage. He looked at his hand with disbelief before realizing that this was a memory and that he couldn't interfere. Feeling powerless, he continued watching with the hope that his other self would stop this absolute madness and nightmare.
"This can't be real..." Thorn was still in shock; he only came out of it when Rei started to undress, making him blush, but then shake his head, his hand went to his hip, but he realized he wasn't carrying the sword with him, after all. His old sword had broken on the last mission.
Even so, Thorn materialized a dagger and ran toward the prince with the objective of cutting his throat, but before he could move two steps. Thorn felt a large blade in the shape of a scythe at his throat. Thorn was paralyzed with disbelief as he looked at the person who had positioned herself behind him. Without even realizing it.
Lihan looked at this also with disbelief. She was an absolutely beautiful woman. She carried a strange weapon similar to an axe/scythe-type weapon of a white color, and the sharp tip of the edge was placed right at Thorn's throat. She has beautiful breasts that can compete with Rei's and wears a tight red suit that leaves much to Lihan's imagination and barely covers her nipples; she also has bunny-type stockings that hug her legs and hips. Her buttocks were round and looked perfectly smooth. Her thighs were thick. And she wore high heels in black color.
The girl's face was pale, and her silver eyes looked at Thorn with a withering frown as if the movement he had made was a high-grade sacrilege that was paid with death. Her brown hair was long, and the tips were naturally dyed red, which matched her clothing.
But despite how absolutely beautiful the woman was. Lihan could only concentrate on the aura the woman emanated. She was strong, very strong. He could even say she was stronger than Rei. Lihan's expression darkened as he realized the situation.
"One more step, insolent scum. I won't allow you to harm his majesty." The silver-eyed girl brought the blade of the weapon closer to his counterpart's throat, drawing a trail of blood from him. Making Thorn freeze in fear and drop the dagger. Falling to the floor with a dull thud.
The prince smiled mockingly and gave her a dismissive gesture. "Don't do anything to that boy, Summer. After all, I have to thank him for the gift he just gave me."
Summer smiled with adoration, before her expression hardened. "As you command, your highness." Summer removed the blade of the weapon from Thorn's throat, but began to walk with her heels echoing in the hallway and stood in front of Thorn and extended the scythe to block his way. "I wouldn't move from where you are, boy... if you don't want to die."
Thorn gritted his teeth, but said nothing. Feeling powerless, he could only watch as his sister Rei began to kneel in a dogeza position with her forehead on the ground and her rear slightly elevated.
"I o-offer my most sincere apologies for challenging your noble dignity as prince, your highness... My lord... please forgive my insolence..." Rei felt a foot on her head, but she didn't care, instead she got excited. "I solemnly swear that, as a piece of your collection, I will renounce all my status and submit my body and soul to serve your best interests until my last breath."
Lihan just shook his head in disbelief. His counterpart imitated his gesture. Lihan and Thorn felt their eyes water, but while Lihan forced himself not to cry. Thorn began to cry, feeling pathetic.
Lihan doesn't know if this is an absolute nightmare, but he felt like a failure for not being able to defend Rei. It was obvious that his counterpart wasn't going to be able to do anything even if he wanted to. The logical thing would be to close his eyes and not look and wait to be dispatched from the castle to train to death and return when he was strong enough as fast as he could.
Lihan doesn't know if this is a premonitory vision, but if it was. Then he would do everything possible to become strong, no matter what... and if that moment arrived. Lihan would face the prince and the girl (who Lihan is sure is someone enslaved by the king) to the death. He wouldn't let this happen even if he had to drag the prince to hell with him.
Lihan wanted to turn and close his eyes, but decided to see the consequences of his weakness, even knowing that this would definitely give him nightmares in his dreams and possible trauma. Lihan felt his arms tremble, along with his body as he looked at the prince with a deep hatred he never imagined possible in someone like him.
What followed was nothing pleasant and Lihan didn't want to describe it in his mind, but basically it was the prince sexually abusing Rei's vaginal virginity, while mocking Thorn telling him that he won the duel fairly and how it was a contract with the holy father. Now he could do anything with her because, since Rei now belonged to him legitimately.
Fortunately, no one reached climax because that's when Ashe decided to interrupt, but Lihan instead of feeling relieved only felt fear for his beloved Ashe.
"I received an emergency call from Rei... What is happening here?" Ashe looked with disbelief at Rei in front of her while looking at the prince with disgust, anger, and nervousness. She raised a hand while a spell began to materialize to attack the prince.
"You must be the sorceress of their group. Pleased to meet you, elf." The prince said with a mocking smile while running a hand through his hair and unhooking his member from Rei's lower part. "Speaking of that, I don't have any high elves in my collection, at least that I know of."
Ashe growled with disbelief. "Don't you dare lay a finger on her! If you do I..." Ashe was surprised when a hand was on her head, the prince moved too fast for her to detect him. "... WHAT?!"
"You just tried to cast a spell, didn't you? I'd say this is in self-defense, don't you agree?" A minute passed before the prince released Ashe's head and put a hand on her lip, gently opening Ashe's mouth. Ashe who before looked with hostility at the prince now looked with love and absolute devotion at the prince, her cheeks blushed strongly when she felt her master's touch.
"Huh?... ugh?... Oh yeah?! You called me because you needed a hand to masturbate!" Ashe's pupils turned heart-shaped as she gave the prince a look of a girl in love, and at the same time pulled down her clothes to show her enormous and perfectly smooth breasts, while her nipples were fully erect.
Lihan felt like he was going to vomit, and although he admits he always imagined Ashe's naked breasts sometimes, this wasn't the way he wanted to see them. Lihan turned away, not wanting to see what followed. He didn't have the willpower to see his beloved being fucked by another person who wasn't him. And it wasn't that she chose another that pissed him off, but the way it happened. If it had been a decent man, he would have wished her the best, but this damn disgusting being who deserved to be murdered was not decent at all.
What did he do to Ashe? He only touched her head, and his sister Ashe went from being on guard to being completely crazy about him. Some type of absolute mental control that worked by touch? If so then why didn't he do it with Rei? Did it mean that a contract is better than his power? It must be that because otherwise he wouldn't use it with Rei? After all, although Lihan hated to admit it, the piece of shit was stronger than Rei.
Lihan squeezed his face hard trying to ignore the sounds with pure willpower, his teeth creaked from the force he subjected them to, he even looked at his counterpart with pity. Who continued crying helplessly unable to do anything but watch as they abused his sisters.
Damn piece of shit. I'll kill you. Lihan promised himself to become strong enough to prevent this from happening, he was going to kill the prince and find a way not only to save Rei and Ashe from such an atrocious fate, but he was also going to free all the women the prince has under his control.
Lihan felt pain in his face from the force with which he pressed his fingers into his face. He grimaced when the memory abruptly changed to move to another.
Lihan looked around to see many people watching something. He looked to observe what people were watching and could only look with disbelief at Rei and Ashe, with dresses very similar to the other woman's, equally red in color. There was also the silver-eyed woman... Summer if he remembered correctly, along with other women he didn't recognize. All wearing similar uniforms. Very lascivious and erotic. While they were all in a line while looking at the prince with absolute adoration and in military postures.
Lihan looked at Thorn with a somber and angry look. Thorn's look was an empty look and had tears of sadness on his face, it seemed he had lost the will to fight.
Lihan wanted to yell at him and demand from his counterpart what he was doing crying looking absolutely pathetic, he should be training to get stronger as fast as possible, but he couldn't. He didn't know the context of what had led him to that state. Maybe the prince did something to him too. Lihan honestly didn't know, so the only thing he could feel for his counterpart was pity and sadness.
Lihan grimaced hard and staggered when he felt a pain in his head, the memory flickered hard before disappearing. Lihan looked at the void around him with an empty look devoid of his happiness. The void flickered again before beginning to forcefully form a new memory.
"Wow... I had heard about this place, but I didn't know it was so advanced! Look at all those skyscrapers, I've never seen anything like it!" His counterpart looked at the futuristic city with amazement seeing a bunch of huge buildings and various billboards. There were even bridges to cross certain areas and in the distance you could see escalators.
Ashe looked around with an excited smile looking with delight at the technology this city has. "I had also heard stories, but seeing them with my own eyes, the impressions are very different..." She looked at Thorn with an ecstatic smile.
It seemed that Ashe and Thorn looked at the place with amazement, while Rei followed them looking around in an impressed manner, but said nothing. Rei clapped before stopping. "I have to take a look around, see you at the inn." Rei said carelessly before making a gesture to say goodbye.
Thorn and Ashe looked at each other briefly. Ashe shrugged helplessly. And Thorn sighed, exasperated. He knew he couldn't stop Rei, even if he wanted to. "Oh... Okay, but be careful, Rei... don't do anything reckless." Thorn threw a worried look at his sister Rei. He could only hope she wouldn't spend part of their money on silly nonsense.
Lihan felt confusion at this scene. Setting aside the impressive futuristic city that he would have admired with amazement, like his counterpart. He wasn't in the mood to do so, but that wasn't what unsettled him. Why was he seeing this now? Honestly, it made no sense.
Was this before what happened with the prince? Lihan frowned, trying to figure out the context of the scene, but seeing an evident lack of information. All he could do was watch the scene, hoping it wasn't another cruel joke.
Lihan saw Rei separate from Ashe and his counterpart. He lost sight of Rei once she turned a corner. He tried to follow her, but only found himself moving in the direction his counterpart was going. So Lihan sighed, still not seeing the point of all this.
The scene flickered and changed scenes. With each scene change, Lihan was getting more accustomed to the headache it caused him.
Lihan looked at Thorn and Ashe, who had a serious and somber countenance. Both seemed very worried. Lihan bit the inside of his cheek to calm his nerves.
"We're almost there, it's just one more block after this corner, our last witness said she was last seen betting at that casino down the street." Thorn frowned as he continued walking with his hand placed on the handle of his sword while Ashe followed him with a frustrated look.
Ashe sighed, irritated. "Really... How could she disappear for weeks? Even without telling us! This isn't good at all, I suppose she and I need to have a long conversation about this..." Ashe shook her head; her ears moved slightly.
Lihan was surprised by this event. Rei... disappeared for weeks? Without telling anyone or notifying anyone? If he hadn't seen the previous memory. Maybe he would be upset, worried, yes, but upset. But after what happened with the prince. Now he knew that even though Rei was strong, there were still bigger fish than her.
Did someone kidnap her? Did they drug her? Did they defeat her or another form of mental control? Thousands of dark thoughts passed through Lihan's mind, his legs began to tremble from his nervousness and worry bordering on anguish. He clenched his fists several times to try to calm down, but no matter how much he tried he couldn't get rid of that bad feeling he had before seeing the prince's memory.
Thorn pinched the bridge of his nose with his free hand and sighed heavily with worry. "I mean... It's Rei, you know how she is, whenever she finds something interesting, she gets obsessed with it, so..." Thorn didn't finish the comment, but by his look you could tell he was annoyed.
Ashe looked around and blushed furiously while looking at prostitutes and men fucking in the middle of the street. How could they do something like that in public without being dragged away? Ashe thinks the customs of this city are disgusting.
"Disgusting..." Ashe looked at a particular prostitute who was fucking while sucking on her knees the member of an unknown man. The familiarity of her gave her a chill throughout her body. "This place gives me the creeps... such a repulsive place," Ashe said, looking with disgust and repugnance at the actions of these indecent people.
Lihan looked toward where Ashe was looking. The person who was kneeling was familiar. A knot formed in his stomach again, but before he could approach to observe the woman, the scene changed, causing him to feel slightly dizzy.
The disgusting streets of prostitution changed to a scene of the interior of a building. Lihan blushed seeing several beautiful women in bunny suits. He couldn't help but look at the figures of several women; he even swallowed to try to calm himself. This wasn't the moment to think about lascivious things. Lihan noticed something about the women.
Their eyes were abnormal. A bright and inhuman blue, he noticed they had no pupils. Not to mention the abnormal lines that could be seen on their forearms, shoulders, and hips and even on the cheeks of the same bright bluish color as their eyes.
Lihan frowned. Automata? He had heard briefly about them, but thought they were just rumors that perverted people used to have fantasies, but apparently they were real... He honestly thought they were human. He could barely notice the differences, which were minimal.
Honestly, Lihan thought the automata would be more robotic. Like the automata prostitutes that were on the streets. He didn't think... they would be so realistic. Even with the eroticism they added by making them wear those suits.
Lihan looked at his counterpart and Ashe, apparently they were in what looked like a casino, he frowned thoughtfully. What were they doing in a place like that? He only wondered briefly before opening his eyes with disbelief seeing Rei serving a stranger with a kind and tender smile.
What?! Lihan thought with disbelief and even stepped back in a state of shock. What was happening?! Why was Rei dressed so provocatively?!
Thorn looked at Rei with disbelief and blushed strongly. "!!!... What, Rei?! Hey, Rei! What are you doing here?! Why didn't you call us?!" Thorn looked at his friend confused and grabbed her arm annoyed. "And what is that outfit? Why are you wearing it? What are you doing in a place like this?"
Rei turns to look at Thorn. Lihan feels a lump in his throat when he sees unnatural blue eyes, instead of the yellowish gold he was accustomed to. Same eyes that all the girls around the casino had. Lihan staggered feeling sick at such implications.
"Oh... are you a new customer? I see..." Rei bowed before Thorn, making her large breasts stand out brazenly, her blue eyes looked at Thorn with curiosity, but without a hint of recognition.
"W-what? Rei... What are you doing?" Thorn nervously took two steps back surprised while blushing furiously. The boy despite the surprise felt aroused seeing his companion suggesting herself in that way.
"You were looking for our special service, weren't you?" Rei bent down while touching one of her breasts, the fabric fell showing her nipples. "In our casino, we serve our customers with 'special services' I can suck you for 200 chips or squeeze you with my tits for 300 chips." Rei tilted her head while continuing to touch one breast, while with her free hand, she made an obscene gesture of sucking it while sticking out her tongue.
"Uh... Huh?... WHAT?!" Thorn staggered backwards, surprised. Now noticing that something was definitely wrong with Rei, the previous surprise arousal faded to give way to uncertainty. Ashe watched behind Thorn in a state of shock and confusion in equal parts, her cheeks blushed furiously seeing her companion doing things she didn't believe possible from her.
"Or let you use our private room for our VIPs, all the way of course, creampies are allowed for 2 full hours if you can pay 700 chips. What would you like?" 'Rei' didn't notice the state of her customers, even if she did. She wouldn't care because all she has to do is fulfill her job, after all that's what she was created for.
Lihan was open-mouthed, unable to believe what was happening. But above all he was super confused. Did this happen before the prince? Had he failed once again to protect Rei? Lihan honestly didn't understand, but now he was frustrated and angry. Despite how beautiful his sister looked in that bunny suit. Lihan couldn't find himself aroused in any way.
Lihan grimaced gritting his teeth while trying to wrap his head around all these absurd situations he was seeing.
What followed in the memory was Lihan and Ashe confronting the staff, both furious and confused by the situation. Where the owner apparently of the place, or at least the manager. Explains to both of them that Rei came here a few weeks ago betting money and that she could leave at any time. Since she went into the red and was in debt, so to pay the debt they took a part of her body and mechanized her arm.
At that moment, she could have left, but she kept betting to the point that now she only serves the people on the street until she pays her debt and that the 'Rei' in the bunny suit wasn't Rei, but a clone of her, made with the biology and parts of the original Rei.
Lihan felt disgusted. Are the guards of this city as corrupt as these people? How is it that no one has dismantled this place? Did people really not notice the missing women, or was everything swept under the rug? Lihan wouldn't be surprised if the city authority turned a blind eye, after all the cloning technology was unheard of and the mechanical arms they provided were super incredible
He didn't like it, but there wasn't much he could do other than bet himself and get Rei, and then continue betting so that Rei could recover her virginity. Maybe if he were very strong. He would destroy the place, but being as weak as he is. He would probably be killed before having the chance. The logical thing for Lihan would be that he bet himself being a man and that Ashe protect Rei's body, being she is the strongest in a place where she could see both of them.
Lihan made a logical plan, but unfortunately, the logical plan. It wasn't something his counterpart and Ashe did. Apparently, the course of action followed in the memory was that Ashe let herself be convinced by the owner that they gave free chips to women since they held them in 'high esteem'. So Ashe convinced him that Lihan should wait outside and protect the real Rei's body, while they followed the casino rules and she bet until recovering Rei's 'skin'.
Lihan could only watch helplessly as Thorn left the casino to look for Rei while Ashe entered the casino to bet and recover Rei's 'skin'. Lihan wanted to follow Ashe, confront her, and change the plan, but he couldn't interfere with the memory or vision, although Lihan was beginning to believe he had been cursed by a God and now was showing him different nightmares with different outcomes.
Lihan could only look at his counterpart with disappointment. Despite the fact that he was protecting Rei's true body. After hours had passed and Ashe still hadn't appeared, he was still 'taking care' of Rei's body so that no stranger would continue profaning her mouth. Since there was no lower part to profane when everything was mechanized.
Lihan kept waiting for his counterpart to do something... he kept waiting and kept waiting... until he stepped back in a state of shock at what his counterpart did with Rei.
"What...?" Lihan looked with disbelief as his counterpart spent money to fuck Rei's mouth. He was left open-mouthed and his cheeks blushed at the obscene gestures that Rei made, but despite everything, Lihan felt another emotion about himself, or rather about his other self.
Disgust. He was disgusted with himself for being so pathetic. Why was he spending money to fuck Rei instead of using it to recover her and find out what happened to Ashe? Lihan understood why Thorn would be aroused, especially when Rei was hitting on him all the time. He only hoped it was another reckless act on his part and that after ejaculation, his counterpart would calm his libido and begin to think rationally.
It wasn't so.
Thorn paid once more and again and again. Until an unknown man arrived. This man was bald with a large beard; he wasn't muscular, nor obese. The guy was in an intermediate state, not to mention he wears strange glasses. He appears to be some kind of mechanic.
And he carried Ashe as if she were an exhibition directly toward Thorn. Lihan's pupils contracted as he watched Ashe enslaved and mechanized by sick people. His fists clenched with a strength he hadn't shown before. Lihan was still affected by what happened with the prince and how he had failed to protect his sisters, but he told himself that he couldn't have done anything at that moment given his current strength, just so he wouldn't hate himself.
But after seeing this. Seeing himself reduced to a pervert who didn't even try to find a way to save his sisters, but instead reveled in the depravity of these sick people. At least with the prince he sought logic about why he didn't become stronger to destroy the kingdom. Maybe the prince manipulated him and rewrote his memories, but now seeing this counterpart he wondered if he was just a coward and a pathetic person who gave up.
Lihan stopped watching the vision since he didn't want to see himself buying Ashe's and Rei's bodies to have them as sex toys. Lihan looked toward the sky feeling lost for the second time in his life. The first was when his mother died without him being by her side.
An unpleasant fury devoured red-hot inside his stomach. Lihan felt a disgusting heaviness in his body and his heart beat strongly. His eyes became blurry as he began to breathe with difficulty.
Lihan stumbled and fell to his knees feeling weak. An uncontrollable fury pounded strongly inside his body while he felt disgust and revulsion toward himself. He tried to breathe normally, but couldn't.
Lihan felt sick.
To calm himself, Lihan tried to remember the words of the old man who had cared for his sick mother and didn't know what to do. The words that drove him forward.
"I was a coward all my life, Lihan. I always had excuses not to act, not to take risks. And now... now I can only watch as the people who matter to me leave one by one while I remain here, safe and useless. If you're going to live, truly live. Don't end up like me, full of 'I should have' and 'if only'." The old man told Lihan sadly almost a year ago. "Do what you have to do, boy. I'll support you in whatever you decide."
There was no need to lament something that hasn't happened yet. Lihan doesn't know if this is a warning or a sick joke, but it has opened his eyes, just like the bad feeling he had with Trent before... the feeling he had with him was similar to the one he had just experienced. A sickening and disgusting déjà vu.
That meant Trent was a piece of shit, and his sisters were about to get hurt by him. HE WASN'T GOING TO ALLOW IT.
Lihan stood up tremblingly as he watched the memory finally end and change again to another scene. Lihan didn't even grimace this time, too tired to do so.
Lihan looked around cautiously and suspiciously, narrowing his eyes as he analyzed the situation again. The bad feeling returned to his stomach, so he deduced this was another scene where he had failed to save his sisters, and now he would have to see the consequences.
Despite the trauma, he now knew what to do to avoid these shitty situations. But he would probably become paranoid now. Lihan grimaced. Honestly, he didn't want to be paranoid, but now he couldn't help it. He liked being positive in every situation, but after seeing this, his dark and depraved mind, he couldn't help but wonder what sexual situation he would have to observe now.
"We're here," Rei says with a candy cigarette in her mouth while holding her weapon. "This should be an easy task. Today you're in charge. This will be good practice. Ready?" Rei looked at Ashe and Rei.
"Y-yes!" Thorn commented while gripping his sword tightly.
Lihan watched as the three ventured through the Egyptian dungeon. He followed them silently as he watched them dispatch some common monsters, which even his counterpart could defeat easily. He was observing for a good while until they found a secret part of the dungeon that it seemed no one had accessed, which was quite suspicious.
Lihan, as well as the others, came to the conclusion that it was the dungeon boss's room. Although it being hidden was strange, Ashe and Rei didn't pay it much attention, so Thorn, seeing his sisters' confidence, decided to continue.
"Who dares enter my kingdom!?" exclaimed what appeared to be a scrawny and malnourished man. He wore a strange Egyptian mask and was seated on an Egyptian throne while holding some type of strange weapon in his hand that Lihan didn't recognize.
"How dare women not bow before my power?! SHAZAM!" shouted the ugly man, unleashing some kind of spell.
Lihan was left open-mouthed again and was surprised by what happened. When the man said Shazam, Rei's and Ashe's attire changed to a very lascivious Egyptian slave outfit. Both Rei and Ashe were now dressed in a sexy and very revealing costume that didn't cover any of their beautiful skin. Their nipples were covered by a star or whatever that was, and their vulva was covered by a black heart.
Lihan shook his head with exasperation. More annoyed than surprised. At least the monster seemed like a weakling that even he could kill. He just had to kill him while he was distracted, perverting his beloved sisters so the spell or whatever it was would break.
"Eh?!" Ashe screamed as she looked at herself wearing a very revealing and sexual outfit. Her cheeks blushed to the point that her ears also turned red.
"What?!" Rei wasn't exempt from the embarrassment of wearing such a revealing outfit either.
"What the hell is this perverted attire?" Ashe commented.
"Huh? What? Why am I...? What is this? I can't move my body," Rei commented incredulously, trying to move—her body trembled, but she couldn't move at all.
"What the hell have you done to us, pervert?!" Ashe shouted, trying to move as well, but failing.
The disgusting being stuck out his tongue to lick his lips while looking with perverted intentions at the two beautiful women in front of him. "Show some respect, woman, after all you're in my absolute domain. I have control over all those people who identify as 'woman', regardless of the subject's status or strength; they also cannot harm the emperor, and his command will have absolute priority over them."
"I see..." Lihan looked at the monster with malicious intentions; he was sure that the bloodlust he was emanating would drive away the people around him. Once he returned, he was going to take care of that monster himself. And depending on what he did to Rei and Ashe, he would torture him or not.
"I can't move," Ashe commented as she bowed to the monster they were planning to kill; she put her arms above her head while presenting her breasts to him.
"Shit..." Rei did the same as Ashe. She put her arms above her head while also presenting her breasts.
"Yes... Yes, now dance! Make me feel proud with that hot body you have!" The Egyptian monster moved with anticipation, completely forgetting the third member of the group.
Ashe and Rei obeyed and began to dance sensually against their will. Despite their attempts to stop it, their bodies obeyed the emperor's command.
"What the fuck are you doing with my sisters?!" Thorn jumped toward the Egyptian monster while he was distracted, raised his sword, and was about to kill him.
"Oh my!" The surprised monster turned toward where Thorn was while raising his arms to cover himself, expecting his death, but...
Suddenly, Thorn's body stopped and fell to his knees when he felt weak.
"Huh? Why do I feel so weak?" Thorn blinked tiredly, looking in disbelief at his body that suddenly weakened.
"What...?" Lihan was once again surprised by that unexpected twist. Only to then click his tongue feeling annoyed... and now what the fuck happened?
"You... you are?" The monster looked at him with disbelief and tremendous relief. "You, the short-haired girl, hit the shitty brat."
"No... Lihan!" Rei tried to ignore the order with all her strength, but she couldn't—her body moved quickly and hit Thorn with enough force to kill him. Thorn spat blood and screamed in pain as he was sent flying and crashed against one of the pillars of the dungeon temple.
Lihan grimaced; he wouldn't be surprised if his counterpart was dead or unconscious.
"Lihan!" Ashe screamed with concern, feeling helpless at the events—she could only stand there doing nothing.
"HAHAHA. How does it feel to be hit by your older sister? Tie him up and hang him there!" The monster laughed, ecstatic at the events and the strength of the tomboyish woman.
"I'm sorry! I'm really sorry! This isn't me!" Rei felt tears of frustration as her body again obeyed to tie up Thorn and hang him.
Thorn made a groan of pain as his gaze tried to see Rei, but it was blurry and he felt liquid dripping from his head, not to mention he felt great pain in his arm from trying to protect his body at the last moment. "Ugh... sister..."
Lihan looked at his counterpart with surprise. He could withstand a very powerful blow from Rei; he supposed the training he had was giving results.
While Rei tied up Thorn, Ashe sat on the lap while her legs wrapped around the Egyptian monster's hips.
"It's very rare to meet someone who has never felt like a man. Not even these sluts see you as one! What a pathetic life you've been living, boy!" The Egyptian man mocked Thorn while smiling perversely and removing the piece of cloth that covered Ashe's nipples. Making her nipples completely visible and Ashe feeling a shiver throughout her entire body.
Ashe's mind felt disgust, but her body felt anticipation and pleasure. A disconcerting contradiction. Despite that, Ashe only felt fear for what the monster was about to do to her and now she couldn't even say something to call him repulsive.
Lihan just watched the scene in front of him bewildered. Not understanding absolutely anything. The Egyptian man's words resonated in his mind, but even then he still couldn't understand the result. Lihan understood the essence. Apparently this dungeon wasn't a normal dungeon, but a dungeon with absolute rules.
And the spell wasn't a spell. It was just an activation method or maybe it was just to change the women's outfit and leave them without any armor or weapons... Lihan wasn't sure of that reason. But he was going to assume it could be both things. Because if it were only the latter, Rei and Ashe would have entered a trance once they stepped on the dungeon entrance.
Lihan felt like he was going to get a headache, besides... what the fuck was that last part about him not considering himself a man? Because he was very sure of his sexuality and had never questioned it at any moment. It simply didn't make any sense; besides, he said that only people who considered themselves 'women' couldn't attack him, but he was sure his counterpart didn't consider himself one.
Unless doubting your sexuality was another requirement. Something like a programming flaw, but that raises another question... what the fuck made him doubt his sexuality? If only Lihan could have had much more context, he wouldn't be asking himself these stupid questions that, being honest, he never thought he'd have to ask himself.
Lihan didn't even bother to watch the next fragment; instead, he closed his eyes and began to count to calm his anger, which kept growing with each failure and scene.
"One, two, three..." Lihan murmured with clenched teeth, clicking forcefully. Trying to calm that dark pit that was gestating inside him.
Honestly, despite trying to ignore it as best he could, Lihan still heard flesh hitting flesh. Lihan reassured himself saying that what he was going to do to that piece of shit, to the Egyptian monster, was nothing compared to the quick death he was going to give him at the beginning of this scene when he thought the monster was easy to kill.
This time, he was going to show the disgusting being what a real man was. And how men solved things among men. Damn lucky mummy piece of shit. Lihan was beginning to think he was cursed by the absurd scenes he was encountering. First with the shit prince, then with the casino that Lihan was going to burn to the ground when he had the chance. And now with the perverted Egyptian monster whose days were numbered.
In each and every one of his counterparts, they lost Rei and Ashe. And each and every one was through some kind of mind control. The contract, some type of mental manipulation activated through touch, mental manipulation with biology, and now an absolute dungeon that controlled women. Honestly, it was a miracle that no one tried to mentally control him.
Not to be arrogant, but these filthy beings who despised them hadn't seen all his potential. Lihan could bet his right ball that these vile repugnant beings didn't know of his achievements. They didn't know how he became a B-rank adventurer in just 6 months, and the reason he hasn't been able to rise to A-rank is because of his sisters' overprotection. And because he was very complacent with them, but...
If these are the results of my laziness, Lihan thought somberly, sighing with relief when the scene ended with his death or his counterpart's.
Lihan blinked at that, not knowing what to feel about his possible death. At least in the other scenes he was alive, but if he was honest, he preferred to die and give it his all—at least he would die knowing he tried, that he did everything possible, even if he couldn't achieve it... than to live and not even try.
Lihan grimaced when the scene transformed into another scene. Lihan frowned; honestly, he was very tired and just wanted this nightmare to end. Lihan no longer wanted to keep watching how his sisters were constantly sexually abused and turned into something they weren't.
"Whatever, I hope this ends fairly quickly," Lihan sighed.
The scene changed to the guild. Lihan blinked in surprise. He never expected one of these scenes would take place in the safest place they could be, so Lihan straightened up to try to see what the threat was now. If someone was attacking the guild then...
Lihan looked with disbelief at the person who was next to Rei and Ashe. It was Trent. The suspicions about him were confirmed. Lihan clenched his fists tightly again while glaring at Trent. A damn S-rank.
Lihan exhaled forcefully. It was no longer just the threat of the prince who was possibly S-rank or higher, but there was also that woman, Summer, who must also be at least S-rank, and now there was Trent as S-rank.
He wondered how the hell Trent entered the guild. That's why Lihan gave him the benefit of the doubt, but if the other scenes were about mind control, Lihan didn't doubt this guy had something similar to it. But it wasn't absolute like the Egyptian monster or something complex like the casino. Nor was it by contact; he watched Trent's attempt to put a hand on Ashe's shoulder, only for her to slap it away before he could do it.
"We need this reward for you, Lihan. We'll be back soon!" Ashe told Thorn with a friendly smile; the previous annoyance at Trent's act disappeared when she looked Thorn in the eyes.
"It'll take us a few weeks at most, so don't do anything stupid while we're gone," Rei commented seriously while looking Thorn in the eyes, knowing that Thorn has his moments of recklessness.
Thorn sighed while frowning, looking at Trent with suspicion.
"Well... Take care... Sisters," Thorn said weakly with a clenched fist, feeling weak.
Lihan only half paid attention to the rest after all this, since it was recent. Lihan began to bite his thumb with some force due to nervousness and anxiety. Lihan grimaced when the scene changed once it ended when Ashe, Rei, and Trent left.
The scene now changes with Ashe, Rei, and Trent almost in the same position as before. Except now Rei and Ashe wore vulgar outfits and let Trent touch them. With one hand he touched Rei's shoulder and with the other he shamelessly touched Rei's breast.
"Sorry, Lihan, we think we'll have to be with him for the next mission too," Ashe said, feigning a sigh of disappointment while looking tenderly at Trent; her cheeks blushed, feeling excited by Trent's caresses on her shoulder.
"It's just that these missions are too hard for a kid like you, so please understand. We'll support this warrior in your place where it's safe, okay?" Rei commented with a sarcastic smile, while blushing from the shameless groping, but not stopping it.
Trent laughed mockingly, giving Thorn an arrogant smile, which Lihan wanted to punch with all his strength. "You heard her, you better stay quiet and masturbate alone in your bed or something. Hahaha!"
Lihan's eye twitched. From what he saw in this scene, he never contacted Brugo. He simply anxiously waited for his sisters' return, trusting that they could protect themselves, but apparently that wasn't the case.
Lihan looked up, grimacing when the scene changed. In a scene where his counterpart was masturbating with a handkerchief. Lihan looked at his counterpart with empty, emotionless eyes before covering his face with his hand and covering his eyes. To avoid seeing such a pathetic and degrading scene about himself, even if it's a counterpart of his.
He could only pray to the Holy Father that the change he made was enough. That Leo and Brugo, in addition to the other members of Brugo's group, could save his sisters. Rei and Ashe. He only hoped that Leo and the healer girl wouldn't be collateral damage from all this mess; he prayed that Brugo and his armored friend would be enough to stop Trent from what he could do to Rei and Ashe.
The following scenes Lihan wasn't going to describe them, but he was basically being a 'cuckold'—quotation marks emphasized, since he wasn't in a romantic relationship or anything with his sisters. Of course, he was in love with Ashe, but there was no relationship between them beyond their friendship. Honestly, Rei's and Ashe's behavior in these scenes seemed strange to him. Lihan never imagined a moment where Ashe would insult him. He's done so many silly things, but she's always been so kind and patient.
That this change in her behavior was so extreme made his suspicions about some type of manipulation or mind control stronger. Lihan pinched the bridge of his nose. How is it that the other people in the guild didn't notice the change in Rei and Ashe, or if they did and completely ignored it, or Trent has something to do with everyone ignoring how Rei and Ashe abandoned Thorn in such a brutal and merciless way, going to the point of threatening to kill him.
That made Lihan wonder who in the guild had been corrupted by Trent. Probably only women; for some strange reason, all these imbeciles from all these scenes were obsessed with sex and the domination and submission of women to men.
The scene changes to Thorn looking for a mission with a depressed appearance until he finds a B-rank mission and grabs it to give it to the guild girl. Now dressed in a different and somewhat lascivious way.
Lihan blinked at that before frowning. Apparently, the bastard Trent wasn't satisfied with adventurers and went after civilians too. Surely it was because of the relationship Lihan had with her. Trent seemed like a sadist who sought to degrade him and question his sexuality as a man. And apparently his counterpart had given up and now seemed like someone pathetic without the will he had before.
Lihan heard the conversation Thorn had with the guild girl, but it seems they didn't say anything good between them. Thorn left with an annoyed look from the guild before continuing; Lihan, even if he didn't want to follow him since it was a memory or a nightmare vision, automatically slid to follow him, as if he were a product in a factory.
Lihan kept watching his counterpart in silence as he arrived at a dungeon and entered alone. Lihan saw Thorn fighting against strange monsters he had never seen, but they looked like some kind of goblin with wings.
Thorn kept fighting without caring in the slightest about his safety and taking damage he could have avoided if he had paid more attention and didn't get easily distracted in his thoughts.
Something fell on top of Thorn from the ceiling, and Lihan was surprised; moreover, he couldn't completely see who the person or monster was that attacked his counterpart, because the memory completely disappeared and moved too quickly. The memory must have been lost when his counterpart was probably knocked out. But Lihan swears he saw a red-haired woman with bat or dragon wings.
Lihan bit his lip before sighing. Honestly, Lihan just wanted to rest and stop thinking about all the shit he had just seen, and honestly, he no longer wanted to keep seeing other scenes of this type. So Lihan was surprised when, apparently, his prayers were heard when the entire place began to shake and fragments appeared everywhere as if it were about to fall to pieces.
"Thank the Holy Father it's over," Lihan sighed, feeling like he was losing consciousness or rather, feeling like consciousness was being returned to him in the real world.
Lihan blinked tiredly and closed his eyes. Only to...
Open them again, now completely awake, and the first thing he saw was an unfamiliar ceiling.