Rubia (1)It had been a worthless life.
A hand-to-mouth existence, barely scraping by day after day.
So when the truck veered off the road and came barreling toward me, I felt relief rather than fear.
This wretched life is finally ending.
But I didn't know.
That beyond death lay not rest, but a new life.
"Look at this bitch. Can't you squeeze any tighter?"
And I never could have imagined that this new life would be even more miserable than the last.
"Ghk, ghhk...!"
A large man's hand brutally tightened around my throat.
My thoughts scattered under the suffocating pain.
Reflexively, I arched my back and clenched my pelvic muscles.
"That's right. Gotta use force to make you listen."
"Hahk, hhk... Sorry, I'm sorry."
The grip on my neck loosened slightly.
I gasped for air in that brief respite, groveling with apologies.
Tears had blurred my vision without me noticing.
"If you're gonna be a whore, at least give proper service for the money."
I bit my lip, swallowing my rage.
Resisting would only make things worse.
I'd just get beaten more.
His hips pistoned relentlessly between my spread thighs, thrusting in and out.
Moans spilled naturally from my lips in rhythm with his movements.
The man's hand roughly groped my breast, fingers pinching and twisting my nipple.
"Ahh, ngh...!"
It hurt. Every inch of my body ached.
But the true agony wasn't the pain or humiliation.
Self-loathing.
Disgust welled up at the realization that I was deriving pleasure from this violence.
"Here, take it all!"
A pulsing sensation accompanied the hot release flooding my insides.
The man's seed sprayed wildly, painting my walls white.
Reckless creampie.
Most women wouldn't notice, but my sensitive body could detect even the slightest ejaculation inside me.
"Let's finish up the usual way."
The man stood and yanked me up by the arm.
Helpless, my face collided with his still-dripping cock.
The semen-smeared flesh rubbed repeatedly across my features.
"Ngh...!"
I only winced slightly without resisting.
This was mild compared to some clients' perversions.
Living as a bottom-tier whore meant enduring far worse regularly.
When he finally stopped, I immediately took him into my mouth.
Small and soft now.
The thing that had threatened to split me apart moments ago now fit easily between my lips.
I rolled it gently with my tongue, applying just enough pressure as I moved my mouth back and forth.
This was the most comfortable part.
The only time the slum's rough customers became docile.
No need to fear being struck during this.
A final shudder sent warm remnants swirling in my mouth.
The taste was unpleasantly bitter.
The man's pungent musk lingered in my nose.
"Hah, good girl."
The spent man patted my head like a dog.
I ignored the condescension and politely withdrew.
He adjusted his pants and left whistling.
"..."
I turned my gaze.
Through the small window, the red sun was sinking behind the city walls.
The long day had reached its end.
"Ptooey!"
I spat his semen-soaked pubic hair out the window.
That distinctive slum stench never got easier to tolerate.
Fixing my disheveled hair, I pulled on the tattered dress.
The fabric hid my pale skin and ample breasts, dimming their radiance.
Such shabby clothing for my beautiful body.
But it didn't matter. No one in these slums was worth impressing.
Except for one person - my Rubyia.
Leaving the room, I walked down the hallway.
The old madam counting coins glanced up at me.
Owner of this rundown brothel.
"Is Rubyia finished for the day?"
"Ah, Rene. We're closing soon, so rest for now."
"Maybe I will."
Leaning against the wall, I stared toward the entrance.
A radiant beauty was seeing off departing customers.
Cascading golden hair and ruby-like pink eyes.
When she waved with a bright smile, the leaving patrons cheerfully responded.
Rubyia - a woman impossible not to love.
In this slum's only brothel, we were called the two flowers.
Rubyia was the flower atop the cliff.
A picturesque bloom too beautiful to ever be plucked.
While I was the unbroken flower.
A stubborn wildflower that kept rising no matter how many times trampled.
Though I didn't know who came up with such childish nicknames, they were oddly accurate.
Rubyia only entertained, never selling her body.
I, Rene, provided only sex without the drinking service.
This tavern-brothel hybrid required both hospitality and prostitution.
Whores served drinks while seducing customers, spreading their legs when chosen.
No woman here could choose just one role.
Except Rubyia and me.
We possessed beauty too extraordinary for this gutter.
"Rene!"
"Rubyia."
The beaming Rubyia ran and embraced me.
Her petite frame fit perfectly in my arms.
I stroked her hair gently, savoring her warmth.
A smile came unbidden to my lips.
Rubyia's exemption was my condition.
I'd promised the madam to handle extra clients to compensate.
I even let her skim extra from my earnings.
But it was fine.
I'd do anything to protect my one and only Rubyia.
Spreading my legs for slum dwellers or losing a few coins meant nothing.
"Stop clinging and help close up."
At the madam's words, we reluctantly separated.
Sweeping and tidying, I noticed the sky had darkened completely.
Days ended early in the slums.
Without resources for candles or lamps, businesses closed early as people took to bed.
Rubyia and I lay down in our corner room.
A straw mat with some cloth was still better than sleeping rough.
"Hey Rene, you know that guy with the forehead scar? Well today he..."
Holding hands face-to-face, we chattered as usual.
Mostly silly jokes and meaningless gossip.
But it didn't matter.
This was our undisturbed time together.
The accumulated stress melted away like snow.
Sometimes we'd playfully tease each other's secret places.
The happiest moments, when I wished time could stop.
"Rubyia. Just hold on a little longer. We've almost saved enough."
"...Really? I'm sorry, Rene. You've suffered so much for me."
"Suffered? It's nothing. Between us, what's there to say?"
The savings referred to Rubyia's debt.
The reason such a radiant woman remained trapped here.
What once seemed impossibly distant was now within reach.
"...I can't wait. Right, Rene?"
"Yeah. Me too."
Clasping hands, we painted our future together.
What we'd do first after leaving.
What foods we'd gorge on when we had money.
What color dresses we'd buy...
We planned every little detail.
Her chattering voice sounded brighter than anything.
Eventually, Rubyia's grip slackened.
Steady breathing followed.
She'd fallen asleep.
Withdrawing my hand, I leaned over to kiss her cheek.
Though only her outline was visible in darkness, it was still lovely.
"Goodnight, Rubyia."
Now came my rare alone time.
Focusing, a translucent holographic window appeared.
[ Seven Deadly Sins Equivalent Exchange ]
Commit acts related to sin's seven roots to receive equivalent rewards.
- Lust (8823pt)
- Pain (61pt)
- Greed (locked)
- Wrath (sealed)
- Deceit (sealed)
- Sloth (sealed)
- Gluttony (sealed)
After dying beneath that truck, I was reborn.
Reincarnation - more precisely, 'possession.'
From an overworked 20-something man to a young girl barely ten.
But one problem remained.
This was an unscientific, lawless world where monsters ran rampant.
A brutal place for a parentless girl to survive.
No time for despair.
To fill an empty stomach, I did whatever necessary.
Theft, pickpocketing, scams, fraud.
Too many experiences to recount, but I'll skip those tales.
The past is past, and self-pity isn't my style.
After many trials, I've grown into a woman.
Surviving this long was thanks to the 'Seven Deadly Sins Equivalent Exchange.'
Though I wasn't much into novels or anime in my past life, this was likely a reincarnation perk.
Getting a new life was miracle enough - one more ability wasn't surprising.
Touching the 'Lust' and 'Pain' options brought up descriptions.
Spread wide and take it hard. No need to worry about stretching out.
- Spend Lust points to restore body to original state
This had helped most.
My second life as 'Rene' began with nothing.
But as I grew, my inherited beauty blossomed.
A slender frame with perfect curves, breasts too large for one hand, shapely hips, black eyes and hair contrasting pale skin.
Remarkable development for slum starvation.
Though mirrors were rare, reactions suggested my face was quite lovely too.
Once matured, spreading legs became more profitable than pickpocketing.
Lewd acts earned Lust points.
Spending them automatically healed and cleansed me.
More precisely, restored my body to a specific past state.
That's why I'd let today's final customer finish inside without concern.
Restoration eliminated any foreign substances.
Same reason choking and exhaustion didn't matter.
A few points returned my body to normal.
However it worked, this power was incredibly convenient for a whore.
With this occupation, points were never lacking.
Of course, discretion was necessary around witnesses.
Getting caught could mean being burned as a witch.
Surviving this long only to be executed would be unacceptable.
This ability had saved my life countless times.
This world was brutally harsh for a beautiful woman.
Even with a modern man's knowledge inside, that didn't change.
Remember - pain that doesn't kill only makes you stronger.
- Spend Pain points to permanently increase strength, stamina, speed
The second sin, 'Pain,' granted points for inflicting suffering on living things.
Since it permanently enhanced physical abilities, I'd worked hard at it.
But unlike Lust, points were difficult to obtain.
Self-harm barely worked, and I was too weak to harm others.
Despite efforts, I only became slightly healthier than average.
Still, I planned to grow stronger gradually.
Though accustomed to spreading my legs for coins, I couldn't continue forever.
Protecting Rubyia required becoming far stronger and wealthier.
My goal was an honest job and a home with her.
She was my princess and lifeline.
The only reason I hadn't ended this filthy, dark life was to rescue her from the muck.
Anticipation of leaving the slums made my heart race.
Calming myself, I too closed my eyes and slept.
* * *
A sudden commotion woke me.
Still dark outside - dawn hadn't broken.
In the pitch black, I listened carefully.
Shouts and screams.
Ominous clashing of metal, flickering lights outside.
"...!"
Those were lanterns.
Dozens moving about - something never seen in the slums.
I knew without looking - danger.
A weak woman's body could do nothing.
But I had someone to protect no matter what.
Rubyia, the only person I'd ever loved in both lives, slept deeply.
Luckily, she was a heavy sleeper.
Please let her wake to a peaceful morning.
Carefully rising, I opened the door.
Others had woken too - several people were already in the main room observing outside.
The old madam stood near the entrance.
Having survived the slums this long, she could handle anything.
As I moved to close the side room door and approach her—
"Kyaa, aaaah!"
"B-blood...!"
A sudden blade pierced the madam's body.
Steel thrust through her hunched back glistened sickly with blood.
An unreal sight.
"This a brothel?"
"Seems so. Packed with women."
As the sword withdrew, two men entered.
Not mercenaries or gangsters.
But armored soldiers - this territory's regular troops.
Why would they...
Terror made my body shake uncontrollably.
Only biting my lip bloody brought me back to my senses.
Quietly, I dragged a chair to barricade Rubyia's door.
Then prayed to every god I knew.
Let the suffering be mine alone.
Please. Don't let them touch her.
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