Journey to the City (2)
Journey to the City (2)
The man flinched momentarily at my thorny gaze.
Perhaps embarrassed at having been intimidated, he soon challenged me more boldly.
"That sword. I wonder if those slender arms can even lift it properly."
"Shall I give you a demonstration then? Though it might get a bit bloody."
I immediately gripped the sword hilt.
Adjusting my stance as if ready to draw it any moment.
The man's face turned flustered, clearly not expecting such a strong reaction.
The tension was broken by someone else.
"Hold on!"
The leader of the merchant group who had first spoken to me.
He stepped between us to mediate.
"I apologize for my nephew's rudeness."
His apology seemed genuine as he even bowed his head respectfully.
Then he continued speaking.
"We're about to depart, and it would be troublesome if anyone got injured. Whether it's you or my nephew."
"Huh? Uncle! Are you saying I might lose?"
The uncle shook his head at his nephew's childish remark.
"Not necessarily. You never know how things might turn out."
"Exactly. You only know who's stronger when you try."
I chimed in agreement.
I couldn't just let this slide.
I extended my hand toward the so-called nephew.
While keeping my gaze fixed on the uncle.
"How about a simple arm wrestling match? If I defeat this rookie, will you accept my company?"
"Hmm. If it's just that..."
"Hah! Hope you won't cry when it hurts."
The cocky young man approached and grasped my hand.
His calloused palms suggested he wasn't a complete novice.
But that was all. I could immediately tell he was amateurish.
"Ah, it's not too late to back out now."
For some reason, the guy's face had turned slightly red.
Maybe he was finally feeling embarrassed about picking a fight with a girl his age.
But I had no reason to go easy now.
I gradually increased the pressure in my grip.
The man belatedly started exerting full strength as he felt the mounting pressure.
Not that it mattered - he was still far inferior to me.
"Gah, GAAAAH! I, I surrender! SURRENDER!"
The guy screamed comically as he twisted his arm.
My anger had already subsided, so I let go willingly.
This should be enough to establish hierarchy.
"...Impressive. I never expected you to be an Aura user."
The uncle approached with noticeably changed attitude.
Aura. The mysterious essence of nature that dwells in bodies trained to their limits.
He must have mistaken my unnatural strength for a woman as Aura.
No need to correct him - this misunderstanding worked in my favor.
"Well? Did I meet your standards?"
"Rather, I'd like to make a request. We'll provide all meals and lodging. Please travel with us."
"Let's get along then."
Having witnessed my overwhelming strength, no one else voiced objections.
Leaving the dejected nameless man behind, I joined the group.
"I'm Seyron."
"Rene."
After brief introductions, we began our journey.
Since I arrived just before departure, preparations were already complete.
Two carriages and five people including me.
Fewer than I expected.
"The road ahead is quite dangerous. Is this enough people?"
"Normally we'd need at least eight able-bodied men for safety. But this time it's fine."
Seyron answered with confident tone.
What did he mean by "this time"?
Tilting my head, I asked him again.
"Do you have some special preparations?"
"A large merchant caravan passed through here yesterday. The monsters nearby should be lying low for a while."
What an ingenious trick.
Aside from monsters, there would only be a few wild animals.
Four armed men should suffice against those.
"Are you also heading to Rivaid?"
"Yes. It's a major city after all."
"Hmm. As an Aura user, you must be a mercenary?"
"Not yet. I plan to get licensed in Rivaid."
Mercenary. One of the few professions allowing legal bloodshed.
Plus it pays well.
I could earn pain points while getting stronger - killing two birds with one stone.
Rivaid, the eastern gateway city where transportation and logistics converge.
There should be enough work there to keep me busy and help me grow quickly.
"Um, miss. I apologize for earlier."
Someone approached from behind.
The same guy who had suffered my wrath before departure.
"Just don't do it again."
"Hehe."
For some reason he was grinning foolishly.
Keeping some distance, I warned him.
"You should be more careful next time. If you pick a fight with someone less forgiving, it won't end as peacefully."
"Tch. Actually I'm not usually like that. Just felt like showing off for once..."
So it was just a whim in front of a girl.
I shook my head at his immature answer.
He'd need a proper beating to learn his lesson.
"I'm Tir."
"Okay."
"Um, and you are...?"
"Don't feel like telling you yet. Still annoyed."
"Eep."
Tir visibly drooped in disappointment.
Despite the bad first impression, he seemed quite innocent.
I continued the journey while occasionally chatting with Tir.
Except for Seyron and one coachman, everyone was walking alongside the carriages.
The carriages were fully loaded with goods, leaving no passenger space.
Not that I would have ridden anyway given the poor road conditions.
The carriages moved slowly enough to easily keep pace on foot.
"Halt! We'll camp here tonight."
Looking around, I noticed signs of human activity.
This seemed to be a frequently used campsite.
"Rest easy. You're our strongest member now."
"Thanks."
The experienced group set up camp efficiently.
Some fetched water from a nearby stream while others prepared cooking pots.
Meanwhile, tents were being pitched to protect against night dew.
Truly professional work.
I had expected simple dried rations and sleeping under blankets.
This level of comfort made camping seem not so bad.
"Miss. I brought you some stew. Please eat."
"Thanks, but I'm fine."
"Huh? You didn't eat lunch either."
"I had a big breakfast."
With my recovery ability, I didn't need meals.
Though I ate once daily to avoid suspicion.
"But won't you get sick? At least have a spoonful."
"I'm on a diet."
"Huh? Where exactly do you need to lose... Never mind."
Tir scratched his head and retreated.
He made me promise to call him if I got hungry later.
Despite being humiliated in front of everyone, he showed no resentment.
His thoughtful care gradually melted away my remaining irritation.
After dinner, night fell as usual.
Everyone except the night watch retired to sleep.
I lay down on a mat inside my personal tent.
They didn't need to go this far, but they'd prepared special accommodations.
Having received such generous treatment, I'd have to protect them with full effort if needed.
I decided to sleep first since my watch shift was later.
They initially tried to exempt me until I volunteered.
After receiving so much, I couldn't skip my share of duties.
Besides, my body didn't need much sleep anyway.
I woke from a brief nap.
Only cricket sounds broke the silence outside.
The watch should be awake but wasn't visible through the tent entrance.
Now was the perfect time.
I carefully pushed aside the blanket covering me.
A slight chill didn't matter - I'd soon be burning up again.
Slowly lifting my tunic to avoid noise.
Soon my breasts emerged in the darkness.
Though barely visible, their perky silhouettes looked enticing.
I reached up to fondle them.
Soft yet firm to the touch.
The smooth, elastic skin.
Addictive.
No wonder men couldn't keep their hands off once they touched.
I kneaded both breasts freely.
Feeling my nipples hardening against my palms.
Rubbing the erect pink nubs with my fingers.
Then twisting them like screws, alternating directions.
Still unsatisfied, I even gave them light flicks.
"Ngh."
I barely suppressed a moan.
My lower half was already soaked.
As pleasure built, sudden self-loathing washed over me.
To think I'd end up masturbating like this.
Damn Lilith's scent.
This power had completely altered my physiology.
Humans can't resist hunger, sleep, or excretion.
Biological imperatives for living creatures.
But my recovery ability freed me from these three needs.
Though called "recovery," this power actually reverts my body to a specific past state.
Returning to a well-nourished state eliminates hunger.
Any hunger pangs are just phantom sensations.
Sleep affects the brain, making it harder to control.
But I could manage with less than half the normal sleep requirement.
Excretion is slightly embarrassing, but defining an "empty" state as normal worked.
Recovery could maintain this emptied condition indefinitely.
An incredibly convenient ability surpassing biological limits.
But nothing comes without cost.
There was a price.
Liberated from three needs, I became shackled to another.
Lust.
Governed directly by brain hormones.
This was the true curse that recovery couldn't alleviate.
What normal people could suppress, I couldn't.
My body housed Lilith's power.
Simple willpower couldn't restrain it.
"Hahh..."
Only two days without sex.
Yet already this unbearable.
Walking the mountain path, the itch between my legs nearly drove me mad.
Being surrounded by men made me more conscious - just the friction of walking made me wet.
In the slums, this wasn't an issue.
Men willing to stick it between my legs were everywhere.
But now I couldn't just spread for anyone.
It would damage my dignity and social standing.
I'm no longer Rene the slum whore.
To them, I'm an Aura user and skilled swordswoman.
Foreplay complete.
I quietly pulled down my pants to continue.
First lightly tracing my slit with a finger.
Copious thin, sticky fluid coated it.
I brought it to my nose.
The unmistakable scent of a horny female.
A small electric thrill shot through my head.
Even harder to resist now.
Parting my lips with one hand.
My exposed pussy twitched happily.
Not time for penetration yet.
Rubbing my swollen clit in circles while applying slight pressure.
Pleasure rocked my brain, making my head loll and hips tremble.
Simultaneously teasing my hardened nipple with the other hand.
Simple caresses weren't enough.
Grabbing the entire areola, I roughly pulled upward.
"......!"
Biting my lip to stifle the moan threatening to escape.
Regaining composure, I exhaled hot breath.
The main course remained.
Moving the hand from my breast downward.
After smearing my juices as lubricant, I plunged fingers inside without hesitation.
Wet and hot.
My slender fingers were pitifully thin compared to a man's thickness.
But I controlled the movements.
Exploring every pleasurable spot only I knew.
Thrusting and stirring as I surrendered to ecstasy.
Legs clamping and spreading, hips bucking and settling.
My entire body undulated like tides under waves of pleasure.
Suddenly I wanted to see myself in a mirror.
How depraved must this sweat-drenched, panting body look?
Like a beast in heat, no doubt.
"Hnngh!"
After several climaxes, I collapsed weakly.
The mat's coolness soothed my heated skin.
My first time masturbating, but not as bad as expected.
Not bad, but not satisfying either.
Like eating a bread crust after two days starving.
My stomach could take more.
Even gorging myself wouldn't be enough now.
Yet I had to stop at this meager relief.
In frustration, I pushed one breast upward toward my face.
Lifting my head to suckle the nipple like a baby.
The ridiculous position only heightened the perverse thrill.
As I reached inside for a few more thrusts, I abruptly withdrew.
Someone was approaching.
Quickly covering myself with the blanket as quietly as possible.
Had my final sounds been audible outside?
Unlikely, but paranoia blossomed nonetheless.
What if they discovered me pleasuring myself?
Would they make sexual demands using that as pretext?
An absurd thought, but such lewd fantasies kept surfacing.
My mind must be thoroughly corrupted by unspent lust.
The footsteps now reached right outside my tent.
For some reason, my pussy clenched and heart pounded.
The tent flap slowly opened, a shadow gradually approaching through darkness.
Now within arm's reach.
"Miss."