The Proper Duty of a Woman
The room in the quiet, pristine nunnery had been neat and serene. Its atmosphere had changed dramatically. Women dressed in outfits that clung tightly to their figures, revealing every curve, had entered. The distinctive scent of their bodies quickly filled the air. That stimulating aroma kindled a strange heat in his body.
"Ahem, ahem."
Yang Dae quickly averted his glance from the women beside him, fixing it straight ahead. It was utterly embarrassing even to let his eyes wander up or down a little. Their breasts asserted their presence, swelling prominently against the fabric. The dizzying, voluptuous curve of their hips flowing from sleek, narrow waists was no different. Even their faces. Except for Muyeong Bido, they all wore veils, but the subtle gleam in their eyes made it hard to meet their gazes. He already knew. These women were superior in every way. Beauty, ability, figures... whatever the measure. In terms of nature, they were clearly apex females at the top of the food chain. In contrast, Yang Dae himself was, at best, ordinary—no matter how charitably one looked. Perhaps even below average. In nature's terms, a pitiful male scrambling desperately at the bottom just to survive.
Yang Dae knew it well. Women like these would never cross paths with him in his life, not even in dreams. It was utterly impossible. Yet here were four of them, right here—not at some distant remove, but close by. That was why he fidgeted so restlessly.
"Of course you know, but these are my escorts."
Bang So-un spoke up.
"Y-yes, yes."
"They're super peak experts, you know."
"Th-that's right."
Yang Dae's voice sounded even more tense than before. He seemed completely overwhelmed by the auras of these superior women. Bang So-un chuckled at the sight.
Then he continued. "But even super peak experts have their proper duties, don't they? A super peak expert is still a woman with a pussy between her legs. A woman's duty is a super peak expert's duty."
"......Y-yes?"
Yang Dae's face went blank again, as if he couldn't follow. Not just him—anyone would react the same. Bang So-un's theory on the duties of female experts was something unique to him, unheard anywhere else.
"This is frustrating. Seems you've been too steeped in this mundane world."
"S-sorry."
Yang Dae apologized first and asked questions later, not even knowing what for. Bang So-un snorted a laugh.
"Well, you're my guest, so I suppose I should demonstrate kindly with actions. Hey, Butterfly."
"Yes, Branch Lord."
Gal Sahyeon replied politely.
'Butterfly?'
Confusion flickered in Yang Dae's eyes. A person's name was Butterfly? Unlikely... So maybe a pet name the Golden Dragon Branch Lord used privately? Whatever it was, it sounded like a courtesan's professional alias. To think he'd allow his escorts such a thing...?
Chaos filled Yang Dae's mind once more. But he had no idea. Gal Sahyeon's true title was "sow bitch," and "Butterfly" was an incredibly softened version. Of course, that "Butterfly" came from her underworld moniker, the Black Dream Butterfly.
"Pour the guest a drink."
"Yes, Branch Lord."
At Bang So-un's command, Gal Sahyeon approached Yang Dae with the dainty steps of a demure lady. No one watching those movements would think her a martial expert.
"Please, have a drink."
"Uh? Th-that's......"
Caught off guard by the unexpected situation, Yang Dae panicked and glanced urgently at Bang So-un.
"Don't refuse. Take the drink."
"A-alright."
Yang Dae replied as if he had no choice. Refusing such insistence would be rude, he thought. And there was another reason. 'When else will I get a drink poured by a super peak expert?' A strange thrill bubbled up from below, mingling with his tension. Trembling slightly, he lifted the cup with both hands.
At that moment.
"Hey, one hand."
Bang So-un said pityingly.
"P-pardon?"
"One hand for a male guest. Put the other down now."
"Th-that's......"
Yang Dae's face filled with utter bewilderment. What kind of etiquette was this? He was just a mere enthusiast. Meanwhile, the Golden Dragon Branch Lord's escorts were clearly renowned martial artists, whatever their exact identities. Their social standing was worlds apart. And one hand...? An escort wasn't some tavern wench—what was this...?
"Do you intend to make me, Golden Dragon Branch Lord Bang So-un, lose face in hosting my guest?!"
Bang So-un's expression hardened for the first time. Startled, Yang Dae flinched. This was a side he'd never imagined. A man so earnest about this? From a guest's perspective, it was almost admirable.
......Even if the etiquette felt bizarre. Still, he had no choice but to follow. The atmosphere demanded it, and he couldn't risk offending the Golden Dragon Branch Lord.
"I-I didn't know and was rude. I'll correct it."
He bowed his head and lowered one hand. It felt arrogant and showy, but there was nothing for it.
"There, that's better."
Bang So-un nodded and signaled Gal Sahyeon with his eyes.
"Then I'll pour."
Gal Sahyeon knelt gracefully.
'Kn-kneeling?!'
Yang Dae's eyes nearly bulged out. No matter what, he hadn't expected this.
......He wasn't being attended by some courtesan—what in the world was happening? Shock and embarrassment numbed his mind. No one would believe it. That he'd received a drink on her knees from a super peak expert.
His hand shook from the tension and fluster.
"Your hand is trembling."
Gal Sahyeon said, holding the bottle. Her voice was soft and gentle. Yang Dae's cheeks flushed unwittingly. He had no clue, of course. That this owner of the silky voice was the merciless lone wolf of the vagrant world, the Solitary Demon Wolf. That countless people feared and shunned that name. If he'd known, he might have lost his mind from the shock.
"S-sorry. I-I'm just a bit nervous......"
"No, no. I just didn't want to spill on you."
......A super peak expert with such consideration? Yang Dae was nearly moved to tears. Good thing he didn't know her identity.
"R-right. I'll calm down soon."
Yang Dae took deep breaths, trying to steady himself. The trembling eased a little.
"It's better now."
"Yes, I'll pour."
She poured with dainty steps. Not a hint of waver in her motion. A true martial expert. The liquor filled the cup precisely—not too much, not too little.
"Th-thank you."
"No need. It's merely my duty."
Duty. The word finally slipped from a super peak expert's lips. As if waiting, Bang So-un spoke.
"Perfect timing. Explain your duty to the guest."
"Yes, Branch Lord."
Gal Sahyeon bowed her head and continued. "Pouring a drink for the Branch Lord's guest as a woman is only proper. Before being a martial artist or escort, I am a woman. Fulfilling a woman's duty is only natural."
"......"
Yang Dae looked stunned, speechless. An obedient woman was every man's dream. But dreams were just dreams. Such women were rarer than one in ten. A delicate lady untouched by hardship might qualify, but in this harsh world, after enduring fierce struggles, even the "obedient" in "obedient" felt laughable. No one could live in that mindset. It was a temperament perfect for being used and discarded by vile men. Especially for women of the martial world? Absurd. The martial world was where you lost your nose even with eyes wide open if you didn't stay sharp.
......Yet a martial world's super peak expert was this obedient? A ghost would wail in envy. What sorcery had he wrought?
As if reading his thoughts, Bang So-un smiled slyly. "I mentioned masculinity earlier, right?"
"Y-yes, you did."
Yang Dae blinked rapidly in reply. He was dying of curiosity about this situation. And honestly, insanely jealous. Any man would feel the same.
"A man with strong, upright masculinity naturally makes the women around him utterly devoted."
"I-is that so?"
Normally, he'd dismiss it as nonsense. But after this atmosphere and treatment, the Golden Dragon Branch Lord's words rang with utter credibility. Like the truth of the world itself.
"Of course. Why do mediocre men get nagged by their wives? Because their masculinity is trash."
"Hah, y-you're right."
Yang Dae was completely sold. It felt so true. And rightly so—the statement wasn't wrong to begin with. A man overflowing with masculinity wouldn't get nagged by his wife under normal circumstances. Come to think of it, his first point held water too. Women weaken before a man of strong masculinity.
"Now do you get it? Why mediocre men are a scourge on the world. They make women delusional."
Bang So-un tilted his chin up and continued. "And why men like me are so vital to the world."