Little Devil and Wild Horse (3)
Little Devil and Wild Horse (3)
The unexpected person who challenged me to a spar.
It turned out to be none other than Daygan.
"Daygan?"
"Been sitting at the desk too long—my bones are itching. Need to stretch these old limbs occasionally."
I studied him briefly.
A head taller than me with well-developed muscular build and the tanned skin of a seasoned warrior.
By appearance alone, Daygan looked like a formidable fighter.
"Should I hold back? I remember our first meeting."
Despite his rugged exterior, he'd lost to me in arm wrestling before.
My raw strength clearly surpassed his.
That gap remained unchanged no matter how many times we tested it.
"Haha! Don't worry. I can't match you in brute strength, but I've got other skills."
He swung the wooden sword through the air a couple times.
The blade cutting wind produced a clean swishing sound.
The difference was palpable.
Unlike how mercenaries or I swung swords.
Trained, refined swordsmanship.
Even the simple arc of his blade showed restraint rather than roughness.
Indeed, the Mercenary Guild's manager wasn't a position for mere desk jockeys.
Only a veteran mercenary could rise to such a high position.
"I'm looking forward to this. How strong are you, Daygan?"
"Well, if I had to say, probably low Silver Badge level. Lost most of my Aura with age, but the experience remains."
A Silver Badge despite being past middle age.
Meaning he'd been far stronger than my current self in his prime.
This would be my first proper match against a human opponent of this caliber.
Facing a worthy adversary ignited my competitive spirit.
"Nervous? Shouldn't be for someone who's slain Dire Wolves."
"You're the one sweating, Daygan."
"Blame my constitution, not nerves."
Our eyes met.
The casual banter ended there.
Instead of answering, I shot forward like lightning and thrust at his chest.
A fierce stab aimed straight for the heart.
He deflected it effortlessly and countered with an overhead strike.
I leaned back to dodge and pressed another furious assault.
A relentless exchange where neither gave an inch—swords clashing too fast to count.
This was leagues above the Bronze Badge mercenaries—a proper spar.
"Rene! Show that old man what you've got!"
"Hey Daygan! Don't tell me you're losing to a girl as the guild manager!"
A crowd had gathered to watch.
They cheered loudly for their respective favorites.
The excitement was contagious enough to affect even me.
The match remained evenly matched.
Me overwhelming with strength and speed, Daygan redirecting with technique.
His occasional sharp counters made the hairs on my neck stand.
"My body's not what it used to be."
"Tired already?"
A brief pause.
Daygan used it to steady his ragged breathing.
He'd held up well, but humans have limits.
Just swinging a heavy wooden sword dozens of times would exhaust anyone.
Let alone during actual combat rather than practice.
"Your stamina's no joke. Youth really is something."
"You're doing amazingly for your age."
I meant it sincerely.
Without my Recovery ability, our positions would be reversed.
His skill bridging the physical gap was impressive.
"No need to spare my pride. Let's finish this."
"I was just thinking the same."
I'd given him enough time to recover.
Charging forward again, I poured strength into my grip.
Neither of us had allowed a single hit so far.
Standard swordplay wouldn't decide this.
To break the stalemate required calculated recklessness.
I slashed diagonally with full force.
Daygan deftly parried and thrust toward my left side.
A perfect counter that forced retreat to defend.
A textbook blind spot attack.
But I didn't retreat.
As his thrust neared my left arm—
My sword's tip stopped at his throat.
Arm versus throat.
The winner was obvious.
"Hah! I yield. That's some aggressive swordsmanship."
"An arm's worth less than a life."
"Agreed. That ruthlessness is how you survive long in this business."
Mercenaries whistled and applauded the conclusion.
Some exchanged money—likely from wagers.
I approached Daygan wiping sweat away from the noisy crowd.
"Daygan. That was impressive. Could I learn swordsmanship from you?"
"Afraid I can't spare the time. As you know, I'm quite busy."
As expected, but worth asking.
The guild manager's position left little free time.
I'd often seen him working late into the night.
"Don't worry. It was a long shot."
"Hmm. If you're serious, why not try the Swordsmanship Guild?"
Rivaid's Swordsmanship Guild.
Established for citizens, it taught sword techniques as the name suggested.
"Not top-tier, but decent enough. Their swordsmen could handle me easily."
"I considered that. Problem is, I'm not a citizen."
Only official city citizens could join.
Understandable since it operated on tax funding.
As an outsider, I couldn't even enter.
"You're a freeman, no? Citizenship shouldn't take long."
"That 'not long' is at least a year though."
Citizenship wasn't easily obtained.
Required one year of residency plus council approval.
"I can't wait that long."
I had no intention of sitting idle here for over a year.
Revenge might be a dish best served cold, but sooner remained preferable.
"Then private lessons are your only option. If you're serious, I can ask around."
I looked up from my thoughts.
For a moment, Daygan seemed haloed by light.
"Really? Isn't that too much trouble..."
"It's fine. Like adding a drop to a lake. Minor compared to my workload."
I bowed deeply at his kindness.
I owed him too many favors and advice already.
I wouldn't rest easy until repaying them.
"I'll repay you, Daygan."
"No need. Show me results instead. Hobgoblins, Dire Wolves... wonder what's next."
"Maybe an Ogre's head?"
"Haha! Now that I'd like to see."
He took it as a joke, but I was serious.
Nearly a month since coming to this city.
The slum sex worker had become a Silver Badge mercenary.
Someday I'd face even high-tier monsters like Ogres.
Though that day remained distant.
The Seven Deadly Sins' equivalent exchange accelerated my growth, but the world held many stronger foes.
Premature arrogance was dangerous.
"Thanks for the match. Have a beer on me."
I tossed silver coins to the mercenaries I'd sparred.
Couldn't just beat them up without compensation.
After bidding Daygan farewell, I left the guild.
Cold night air cooled my heated body.
Time to transition from mercenary back to prostitute. Another night selling spring.
I'd never been lazy, but needed to work harder now.
Saved money would fund armor, and sword instructors cost at least gold coins.
Only constant customers could offset such expenses.
Returning quickly to Grace of the Rose, I changed and entered the hallway to see a familiar face.
"Rene!"
"Anethsa?"
She used to stay in her room—had she waited to meet me?
Too presumptuous to assume.
"Been waiting forever for you!"
"For me?"
"Who else? Only our Rene!"
She hugged my arm, rubbing her face against it.
Wait—was she serious?
My face wasn't particularly attractive despite being pretty.
Somehow I'd really caught her fancy.
"Rene. Wanna hear something funny from today? So there was this..."
Pressed against me, Anethsa chattered like a songbird.
Her innocent demeanor briefly overlapped with Rubyia's image.
"......"
My surroundings blurred.
In the fading world, only her pink eyes shone brightly.
Those peach-colored eyes so like Rubyia's...
Staring blankly, I suddenly snapped back.
"Rene? You listening?"
"...Ah. Sorry. Spaced out briefly."
"Tired? Should rest when needed."
She worried about me instead of getting upset.
Her kindness also reminded me of Rubyia—I stopped that thought.
Such projections weren't healthy.
I covered my face with both hands for a dry wash.
Anethsa was Anethsa.
Comparing her to Rubyia disrespected them both.
"No. Just sleepy. Stayed up late..."
"Want me to tuck you in? I sing great lullabies."
Tempting offer.
Would surely lead to sweet, comfortable sleep.
But work couldn't wait.
"Tempting, but no. Customers will wake me up."
"No no. I'll wake you properly."
Anethsa suddenly grinned mischievously.
What outrageous prank had her so excited?
Before I could ask, she whistled sharply.
Wheee-!
A bright, smooth sound like birdsong.
Some sharp-eared customers downstairs looked up.
What could draw their attention so?
My confusion soon turned to shock.
"Ta-da!"
Anethsa flipped up her negligee.
Her pale thighs, surprisingly wide hips, and completely bare groin were exposed.
Lush pubic hair contrasting her cute appearance.
Curly pink strands covered most of her crotch.
Not an inch of actual genitalia showed through the thicket.
"Can't see anything through the bush anyway~"
She stuck her tongue out playfully at the customers below.
A high-class courtesan flashing her privates—what greater thrill for men?
Customers who caught the show whistled back enthusiastically.
Others looked up too late as she'd already lowered her dress.
"Well Rene? Awake now?"
"...Very much."
Such brazen exhibitionism.
Now I understood her "Little Devil" nickname.
Outrageous, mischievous behavior.
Something I'd never dare imitate.
This must be the "individuality" Madam emphasized.
No wonder she was a third-floor girl.
"Bit hairy, right? My regulars love it though."
"Surprising. Expected neatly trimmed."
Most sex workers kept their pubic hair tidy.
Unkempt looked messy and posed hygiene issues.
"Sometimes I wanna shave it all. So annoying when cum and spit stick to it."
"You still maintain it well though. Didn't look unkempt."
Like a garden with weeds but still pruned.
"You noticed that quick. Sharp eyes."
Anethsa giggled, poking my shoulder.
Her cheerful expression suddenly turned serious.
"Speaking of which, heard you've got a really clean, pretty pussy."
I blinked in shock.
Such vulgarity from this cute girl?
But remembering her earlier act, perhaps not so surprising.
"From Madam?"
"Here and there. Anyway Rene, I've got a request."
"...Don't tell me you want to see it."
She averted her eyes, caught red-handed.
After fidgeting, she continued nonchalantly.
"But I'm curious! Madam said she was shocked too? Can't even imagine it."
"Same as yours. Just hairless, unblemished, and closed from plumpness."
"Eh? Mine's hairy, discolored, and spread open with flappy lips!"
"......"
Her pouting left me speechless.
Her thick bush had hidden everything—did she have a complex about it?
"Not forcing you. Would be unfair. Though I'd show Rene everything, even inside! But guess it's impossible!"
Her clever, teasing words made me sigh.
Since I didn't seem overly reluctant, she kept pushing.
Truthfully, I had no reason to refuse.
While showing genitals wasn't normal, courtesans often checked each other's hygiene.
Though this was more for fun than hygiene.
"...Fine. Just this once."
"Yes!"
No way I'd flash a crowd like she did.
Taking her hand, I led her to my room.
Alone in the quiet, the mood felt strange.
Committed now, but actually showing her felt embarrassing.
"Heh. Rene's precious place. Can't wait."
Anethsa waited with teasing eyes and tone.
Couldn't hesitate forever.
I took a steadying breath.
Resolved, I slowly lifted my negligee.