Even If I Fall, My Sword Does Not (2)
"I finally got them all in." Only a circular ring remained between Lee Yu-na's legs after she swallowed the one-meter bead into her bladder. Her legs, like pillars of white jade, trembled pitifully. Kang Geon hooked his fingers through the ring. Lee Yu-na squeezed her eyes shut and drew a deep breath. Kang Geon pretended to pull but only shook it. Lee Yu-na flinched in surprise. Toying with her was entertaining.
Chaaaaak! Kang Geon yanked the beads out in one swift motion.
"Kyaaaaaaaah!" It felt as if fire had ignited inside her urethra. Lee Yu-na collapsed forward, sobbing uncontrollably. Urine trickled from her stretched opening.
"You should have behaved yourself. You'll work harder next time, won't you?"
"Yes... I'll try my best..."
"Don't get arrogant just because you're popular. Understand?"
"Yes..."
Kang Geon shoved his middle finger into Lee Yu-na's urethra and wiggled it. She twisted her hips, desperate to ease the pain. Unable to remove the invading finger, all she could do was grind against it. Kang Geon chuckled at the sight.
He withdrew his finger, hiked up Isabel's dress, and took her from behind. When a woman was still clothed, doggy style was always the most fitting. After using each of the three women once, Kang Geon ordered delivery for dinner. None of them had any talent or inclination for cooking.
While they ate, Isabel explained the arena.
"You want to set me up as the final opponent?"
"Yes. Once you become the arena champion, I'll grant you the right to challenge Master. And if you defeat him, you'll receive either one hundred billion Laria or dominion rights. That should draw plenty of challengers."
"You don't even consider the possibility that I'll lose?"
"No one in the empire is stronger than Master."
"Sounds amusing. Do it."
"Thank you, Master."
"Hey, cock sleeve." Kang Geon called out to Lee Yu-na.
"Yes, Master."
"You're entering as a contestant too. Night matches would suit you perfectly. You've been dying to spill blood lately anyway."
"I'll do it."
Lee Yu-na's body grew hot at the thought of tearing limbs, spraying blood, and killing.
"Master, should I participate as well?"
"You'd just burn everything to ash. No fun. The arena needs blood to be exciting."
"Then it wouldn't suit me." Seong Hwayeon leaned in and sucked hard on Kang Geon's nipple.
"Master, will you keep attending university?"
"Of course."
"Don't you find studying tedious?"
"A place with money is endlessly entertaining. And this semester will be even better."
"Why?"
"I spent some Laria. Brought in a few new toys worth playing with."
The request had been vague, so the results would be limited, but it was better than nothing. Besides, Han Sang-mi's younger sister would definitely enroll at Sung Han University, guaranteeing at least one semester of amusement.
"After tasting twenty-year-old pussy for a while, you'll realize a mature one like mine is superior."
"Then let's have a taste."
"Yes!" Seong Hwayeon climbed onto Kang Geon's thigh and impaled herself on his cock. She immediately began riding him with frantic passion, moaning loudly.
The master and his three slaves continued their depraved coupling until dawn.
Isabel's arena grew stronger every day after opening. Before long, the main events held twice daily—afternoon and night—sold out every week. Systematic development of the tourist district and the massive rewards for defeating Kang Geon drove the success. With proper planning, anyone with money could stay safely regardless of status. In the shopping streets, visitors focused on souvenirs instead of fearing pickpockets.
Kang Geon's influence was immense. The promise of one hundred billion Laria or dominion rights tempted every gladiator. Famous fighters entered, crowds gathered, ambitious newcomers arrived seeking fame, and the cycle repeated. The streets of Eben bustled with twice as many people, and the teleporter operated even at dawn.
"Teleport fee is ten thousand Laria."
Stella paid twenty thousand Laria through her Status for herself and her attendant. The clerk asked for their names and purpose.
"Stella. I'm here to compete in the arena."
"Please remove your mask. I need to record your features."
Stella lifted her mask to the side.
"Gasp!"
Starlight eyes, an impossibly refined nose, and lips that, though firmly pressed, perfectly complemented her beauty. The clerk stared, stunned by her flawless appearance.
"I-I'm sorry. You may keep your mask on if you prefer. This is a place the Count watches closely, so security is excellent."
"I'll decide that myself."
Stella replaced the mask. The clerk looked disappointed.
"My name is Emil. I'm her attendant."
"Welcome to the arena. Go outside, turn left, and follow the main road. You'll see it. Good luck."
The clerk stamped their visitor passes. The streets were crowded but orderly. Soldiers stood watch with stern expressions.
"It's changed quite a bit."
"You mentioned you've been to Eben before?"
"I trained here a year ago. I helped Count Vicander hunt monsters in the Demon Realm."
Land warped by mana was called the Demon Realm. Such places often became monster nests, undead-haunted graveyards, or zones of raging flame storms and eternal ice.
"You said Count Vicander is dead?"
"Yes. He was tortured until he surrendered his dominion and is now imprisoned as a madman."
"What about his wife and daughter?"
"They were turned into sex slaves. Even beggars in the city could use them."
Stella frowned. Even that expression was beautiful; the watching soldiers could not look away.
"Will you restore order? As a Knight Templar?"
"I'll establish order here and become an official knight."
"You'll be the fastest trainee to earn your knighthood."
Stella had been a trainee knight of the Knight Templar. Trainees traveled regions accumulating merits before becoming full knights. Her plan was to punish Isabel for her crimes against the former ruler and earn her title. Normally such a task exceeded a trainee's authority, and the Knight Templar lacked the personnel to issue formal orders here. But Stella was exceptional—the daughter of the Grand Master Knight, master of an S-class skill at a young age, and wielder of the ancestral holy sword. She could have been appointed Master Knight immediately, yet she followed the order's tradition of training.
Hearing of the upheaval after the count's change, she judged Eben the perfect training ground and came.
"That's not what matters."
"For Lady Stella, who will become the greatest Knight Templar, perhaps it isn't."
"Enough flattery. Let's reach the arena already."
Stella walked ahead with a sulky expression. Emil followed, stealing admiring glances from behind. People claimed Stella's strength came from her noble birth, but Emil knew better. She was relentless. When others swung their swords a thousand times and rested, Stella swung three or four thousand without pause. It was both to honor her mother, the Grand Master Knight, and her pure passion for the blade. Though quiet and reserved due to limited social contact, she was deeply kind. During their entire journey she yielded the best portions to Emil and helped the unfortunate without hesitation. How could anyone not love someone so pure, gentle, and beautiful? Yet because she was an unreachable flower, Emil could only watch in silent admiration.
At the arena, Stella registered as a contestant. Her target was Kang Geon. Killing the man behind Isabel and claiming one hundred billion Laria from her would serve as fitting punishment and more than enough merit for knighthood.
"How do I fight Kei?"
"Win ten individual matches or claim victory in a league or tournament to earn a challenge right."
With more contestants, match formats had diversified.
"What's the fastest method?"
"Ten individual wins. Unlike scheduled leagues or tournaments, you can arrange matches freely."
"Schedule the individual matches as quickly as possible."
"Then you'll also need to enter Night Death Matches."
In the lawless Night Death Matches, defeat meant death. For female gladiators, rape was an additional consequence.
"Doesn't matter."
Rumble. The gate to the arena floor opened. Stella stepped into the center. Cheers for the female gladiator erupted. Her opponent emerged from the opposite side. Instead of the holy sword entrusted to Emil, Stella gripped a blade purchased from the blacksmith. Her journey to confront Kang Geon had begun.