The same thing happened with gathering firewood. Kaede attempted to organize the pile neatly, but the branches rolled down the slope and scattered.
Aya laughed outright this time, and Kaede's face turned red as she tried to fix it.
Renji stayed out of it mostly, only stepping in when their bickering threatened to turn physical.
By afternoon they two girls had settled in an uneasy peace.
However their uneasy peace was soon broken.
The three of them suddenly felt the forest go silent and heavy with tension.
Renji's hand immediately went to his sword, while Aya and Kaede stayed alert.
Several shadows darted through the woods and then a pack of monsters rushed out from the undergrowth.
These monsters were bigger and faster than the ones they had seen before, and their fangs glowed green.
"Stay sharp guys. Renji said. Let's get rid of them quickly.
Aya stepped forward and used her telekinesis to push two of the beasts back before they could pounce.
Kaede spread her hands, and instantly Renji felt the rush of her enhancement flow through him again. His limbs responded faster and his eyes began to track their movements easier.
One of the wolves lunged and Renji twisted, his blade moved in a triple sword slash that split the creature into four pieces.
Another beast snapped at his side, but he turned quickly and cut it down before its fangs could reach him.
Aya flung a branch with her telekinesis, smashing another beast into a tree.
Kaede raised an illusion and splitted their images into three flickering doubles. The beasts stumbled, confused, which gave Renji the perfect opening. He cut down two more quickly before they could regain themselves
Finally it was the last creature left. It snarled and leapt at Renji but he slashed at it midair and its body collapsed at his feet
The forest became quiet again
The system's voice returned.
< 7 beasts killed. +700 shop points >
Renji wiped his sword clean, panting heavily but he had a smirk on his face. With the new 700 points, he could now get something better.
He pulled up the system inventory. "Time to upgrade," he muttered.
He picked the sword that cost 1200 points.
< Sword upgraded: 1200 shop points spent >
As it upgraded, the sword began to glow The rough iron blade was replaced with a better refined weapon that was silver.
Renji swung it once and the air hissed as it slash through.
Aya stepped closer. "Wow that's so much better than your former sword."
Kaede folded her arms, but her lips twitched. "It suits you. Finally, you look like less of a beggar."
Renji smirked, resting the sword across his shoulders. "Good, then let's keep killing. With this, we'll carve our way through the forest."
xxx
After walking for a while the forest opened into a new clearing
At the center of the clearing was an old shrine. Its roof tiles had faded and plants had grown on top of it.
Renji whistled. "Well, that's not creepy at all. Totally normal to find a shrine in the middle of nowhere."
Aya scanned the area cautiously "It doesn't feel abandoned."
Aya walked up the steps, the wooden doors of the shrine were slightly ajar. She glanced back. "We should look inside."
Renji shrugged and climbed up the steps. He stopped at the doors pushed them open.
The air inside the shrine was cooler, it was dusty and Renji had to hold his breath to stop himself from sneezing.
At the center of the shrine, there were some seals and they glowed. The seals all came together to hold a figure tightly at the center
The figure turned out to be a young woman with hair that was almost as white as wool. Her wrists were bound by the glowing seals and her head was lowered.
She looked fragile but somehow she seemed calmed and composed. She raised slowly to look at the three of them and when she saw them she kept her chin up stubbornly even though her body trembled weakly.
"Are you here to finish what they began?" She asked them.
Renji blinked. "Depends. Who's 'they'?"
Her gaze went to the seals. "A religious cult, they want me gone, so they locked me here until they could kill me properly."
Aya stepped closer, her brows frowned in concern. "You've been trapped here for how long?"
I don't know. The woman replied. She glanced at the seals again. Are you going to free me?
Aya nodded and she continued. The seals are strong but why have a weakness. Strike the center with your blade
Renji glanced at Aya, then at Kaede. "Well, at least she's polite about asking for help." He said sarcastically.
He drew his sword anyway, crouched, and studied the markings.
Then with one sharp swing, he cut across the glowing core.
As he did this, light burst out from the woman and the seals cracked then shattered.
She slumped forward, but Aya caught her. "Easy. You're safe now."
She exhaled slowly "Thank you. My name is Rei. You've saved me from death."
Kaede began to fire off a bunch of questions at him. Why did they want to kill you? How did they catch you?
Renji sighed. "Kaede, maybe don't pester the glowing lady we just rescued."
Rei's lips curved in a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Your friend is blunt. That will serve her well."
She slowly got up.. Who are you guys?
We're travelers. Renji replied.
So you don't have a place to stay?
Aya shook her head. No
Rei thought for a while. My shrine is nearby, I can lead you there. It has food and shelter."
Aya, Remji and Kaede exchanged glance. Renji shrugged. Sure, why not.
He knew it was a little dangerous to spend the night at the place of someone who they didn't know but he felt confident with his new abilities and his succubi, he could handle himself. So he agreed to her proposition.
They followed Rei along the forest path until they finally reached a smaller shrine hidden between two ridges. It was simple but neater and newer looking than the previous one.
Here's my humble home. Rei said.
They entered and Renji looked around. There were mats laid on the floor and various wooden sculptures at different corners.
She led them an empty room with a single bed. Sorry about the sleeping arrangement. She said. I wasn't expecting guests.
Oh nah it's actually perfect. Renji replied with a smirk
Rei frowned as she tried to understand why he would think such an inconvenience was perfect.
She left and came back with food and a small jug of water. She placed them down carefully. "Thank you. Without you, I would still be sealed."
Aya portioned it carefully, Kaede took hers with little acknowledgment, and Renji ate quickly, eyes still flicking around the shrine as if expecting a trap.
Aya and Kaede at slowly, Kaede was not too enthusiastic about it. What if she poisons us? She asked.
I don't think she would do that. Aya replied. She doesn't give me killer vibes.
Yeah, Aya is right, I side with Aya. Renji said as he wolfed down the food, making his plate half empty in no time.
You're just a glutton. Kaede replied with a disgusted face.
Renji at the last morsels and belched. Then he turned to Kaede. Are you going to finish that.
Unbelievable. Kaede said as she passed him her plate.
Meanwhile, Rei had slipped away through another doorway. Beyond it was a smaller private chamber with a single altar.
She knelt there, clasped her hands and prayed in silence.
Renji finally finished eating and pushed the empty plate aside
He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and belched.
He then leaned back and smirked at Aya and Kaede. "Alright girls, dinner's done, come join me on the bed, we have things to do."
Aya's cheeks turned pink, her eyes dropped to her laps and she began to play with her sleeves.
Kaede crossed her arms and scoffed. "What do you mean by that?
Renji grinned and stood up. He headed to the bed in the corner, kicked off his boots and flopped down on it
"Relax, we've got this room all to ourselves, we might as well put it to use. Come on, you know what I mean."
Kaede's scrunched her nose. "I'm not doing that here, I don't even trust this place "
Renji propped himself on an elbow, his tone turning slightly serious. "Look, we all need each other to get stronger, that's how this works. And don't pretend, you're my succubi, I know you're attracted to me."
Aya bit her lip and glanced at Kaede, who remained sitting, arms still crossed.
They remained like that for a while until Kaede finally huffed and uncrossed her arms. "Fine." She muttered.
Aya stood too and they both walked over to Renji.
They climbed onto the bed, settling on either side of him. Kaede poked his shoulder. "Alright, we're here. What now?"
His eyes were closer and his chest rose and fell softly. Then he began to snore
It took a while for them to process it, he had slept.
Kaede stared, mouth dropping open. "He... he fell asleep? After all that?"
Aya covered her mouth and giggled. "I guess he was more tired than he let on."
xxx
Meanwhile Rei was in her room on her knees.
From the moment she had set eyes on the man named Renji, her body had began to behave in a way she had never behaved before.
If she closed her eyes, she could remember the way he smirked, the way his clothes hung on his slim frame, the confident way he walked, and his bright eyes.
She whispered quietly, praying for restraint and control over this temptation that had come into her life now.
xxx
The next morning, they all gathered in the central room of the church.
Renji leaned against the wall and asked, "Who were the people that captured you?"
Rei replied, "it was a rival faith. They don't like the influence our church has been gaining in towns, so they wanted to weaken us and possibly kill me."
Aya glanced between them. "You know, Renji could fight them."
Rei shook her head. "They're too powerful for one man."
Aya smirked. "He's more powerful than you think."
Rei thought to herself. Is he just a man, or something more?
Renji leaned back, crossing his arms. "I'm not sure I want to fight for you. I have no reason to."
Rei pressed her lips together. "I could pay you."
Renji shook his head. "I don't need money, you should join my army instead."
Rei froze for a moment, and heat rushed through her body. But she kept her tone calm. "You mean your… harem?"