10. Detox (1)
After escaping the basement through the secret passage.
Squeeeek!
Ram immediately pulled a whistle from his bosom and blew it with all his might. The signal to alert Igor's gang that an emergency had broken out within. Without a moment's hesitation, he bolted toward his hideout on the outskirts of the village.
'For now, while those dumb brutes buy me time, I'll staunch the bleeding and watch how things play out...'
If the mercenary who'd sliced off his ear and the dark elf got taken care of by Igor and the gang, he'd head back. Otherwise, he'd flee the village outright. Darting through the alleys, he glanced back now and then to make sure he wasn't leaving a trail of blood.
Finally arriving at his hideout—unknown even to Igor—Ram first stanched the bleeding from his severed ear.
"Ngh—fucking mercenary bastard..."
Cursing the brute who'd lopped off his ear like it was nothing, he finished the job. Just as he reached for the bag of emergency cash he'd stashed for a rainy day...
A faint rustle of air brushed the nape of his neck—something you rarely felt indoors. A beat too late, Ram realized what it meant.
A chilling voice came from right behind him.
"Rat... I'm gonna play with you extra long."
****
Tat-tat-tat-tat!
"Huff! Huff!"
About five minutes of sprinting through the alleys with Selene on my back. Hot breaths poured from my mouth as I raced away from the red-light district toward the inn. My ears rang with the thudding of my heartbeat, but the signals from my body as I pounded forward felt... different.
'Feels easier than usual?'
Sure, eight years as a mercenary had honed my body pretty damn well. But normally, carrying someone and running full tilt like this would've had my legs and back screaming by now. Weirdly, I still had plenty of gas left in the tank.
'Didn't expect the blessing to hit this hard.'
The blessing I'd picked up a few days ago sprang to mind. Just then, the inn came into view, bustling with early-evening crowds grabbing dinner or drinks.
No sooner had I spotted them than I veered toward the back. No way was I parading around with Selene bundled in my cloak—didn't need the attention.
Slipping in through the back door and up to my room.
"Hek-hek—grrr."
Kell, sprawled on the bed, wagged his tail in greeting—then spotted Selene on my back and let out a low growl, hackles up.
"Shh. She's a friend, no need to be on guard, Kell."
"Whiiiine..."
I stroked his head to calm him down, then grabbed my gear and the pup and headed out.
If Igor's goons came sniffing around for me and Selene, sticking at the inn wasn't safe.
From there, I picked quiet paths northwest, away from the busy districts. Keeping watch as I hurried along for about ten minutes. That's when I spotted it: an old church atop a low hill, its cross piercing the darkening sky.
Right then, from the soft mound pressed against my back—right at the center—Selene's nipple stiffened, prodding me.
. . .
Thud-thud-thud!
"Who the hell knocks during dinner without any manners?!"
After pounding on the cracked door a few times, a sharp, raspy voice barked from inside. Despite the irritation, it oddly put me at ease. The door flew open, revealing the nun I'd met two days ago—brows furrowed in annoyance.
"Huh? What? Here to dump another kid...? Nah, the one's on your back is way too big for that. We don't take adults. Barely scraping by feeding the kids as it is—take 'em back."
"It's not that. I just need a safe place to crash for one night."
"What the hell's that supposed to mean? That the lord's mistress or something on your back? Lovers on the run?"
"No. Let me explain—just let us in first?"
"Hmph... Fine. Come in."
Maybe because we'd met before, she stepped aside grudgingly. I scanned the surroundings one last time before entering.
Her earlier bitching about dinner checked out—rich, hearty stew smells wafted over, warm and savory if not fancy. Around the corner, orange lamplight flickered, and a few kids peeked out curiously.
The nun shut the door and led me to a storeroom-like side chamber.
"Spill it. Who's the one on your back, and why do you need a safe spot?"
Her annoyed scowl faded into a serious demeanor as she grilled me. I could sense that steely cleric resolve. So I laid it out plain: running into the dark elf Lumentar by chance, rescuing his sister Selene from Igor's clutches, and hauling her here.
Fury and pity flashed across her face, but once I'd finished, she asked gravely about one detail.
"Portrin Flower poisoning, huh? Then..."
"Yeah. Awakening's kicking in—we gotta finish the detox before the effects wear off. So, I'm asking for the most secluded, soundproof room you've got."
"Lady Iliana preserve us..."
She clocked what I meant—handing over a church room for sex. Calling on her goddess, she sighed. Conflict warred on her face, but soon enough, she relented.
"Set your stuff down and follow me."
The urgency of saving a life had outweighed her duty as the church's keeper.
. . .
The corridor was cracked in places but well-kept. Deep into the church, we reached a tidy room.
"Normally for guests, but tonight... I'll take the pup."
Trailing off with unease, she took Kell and headed out.
"Save her, no matter what."
Her sincere plea hung as she shut the door, footsteps fading.
Now it was just me and Selene in the small room, lit by a few candles. The silence drove home the reality: time to fuck her.
"Hnnngh... haaah... haaah..."
Selene, who'd been limp on my back, shivered briefly. A thicker, stickier breath escaped her lips.
Her arousal—on the verge of full onset—had me laying her on the bed fast. Now I could finally take her in properly; things had been too chaotic at Igor's.
A bit dusty here and there, but her hair still gleamed, her skin vibrant and smooth.
Petite, exquisite features on a fist-sized face. Even wrapped in Lumentar's cloak, her curves screamed volume. My eyes devoured her one after another.
"Gulp..."
My throat bobbed naturally, heat flushing my face.
Moonlight spilling through the window added a mystical allure. Then her cheeks deepened to crimson.
"Haaaah..."
A sticky moan slipped from her parted pink lips as she writhed. The cloak slipped loose.
Gaps widened, baring her dazzling flesh once more.
Slim waist without an ounce of fat, sleek belly. Full, ripe breasts—one pressed teasingly by her arm. Wide hips and thick, firm thighs barely guarding her crotch.
Perfection, like a goddess sculpted it. Flickering candle- and moonlight made it dizzying.
Eight years in Rondia, plenty of women under my belt—and still, my breath caught.
Lower belly heavy, gut churning with excitement, head spinning.
"Ngh..."
Steadying my wobble. The cloak fell fully away, tiny spasms rippling her body.
"Ha-ut!"
Lusty moan as she ground her thighs together. A musky, instinct-stirring scent wafted. Snapping to, I stripped bare.
Her awakening wasn't just near—it had started. No time to waste; dive into detox now.
Next instant, naked and resolute, I climbed onto the bed. Lust, thrill, and duty to save her all burning at once.