The Wavering Sword

The morning sunlight filtered through the cracks in the window, casting a soft glow across the room.

Hayeon tossed and turned, opening her eyes as the sharp rays pricked at her face.

The horrific humiliation of being violated by Luo's tentacles, and the primal, depraved tryst between Serena and Gold Sun she had peeped at through the crack in the door...

All of it tangled together, throwing her mind into utter chaos.

I'm so dirty... disgusting... It hasn't even been that long since Luo violated me, and here I am, comforting myself while spying on another couple's lovemaking. How pathetic. What on earth... what kind of person am I becoming?

She found her own body—and the fact that her mind had grown aroused by that sight—unbearably shameful.

If she stayed like this, she felt she would drown in a swamp of horrific memories and newly awakened, lewd desires.

"No...!"

Hayeon bolted upright in bed.

She had to shake off this sense of humiliation.

She refused to remain a miserable creature who was helplessly violated or who comforted herself by peeping on others' lust.

She had work to do right now.

Griping her sword, she headed out to the inn's courtyard.

The cool morning air chilled her burning cheeks.

As if trying to banish her stray thoughts, she took the basic stance Ksenia had taught her and began to swing her sword.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Though her movements were still clumsy, the tip of her blade carried desperation, anger, and a pure, burning desire to grow stronger.

Beads of sweat rolled down her chin and dripped onto the dirt ground.

As if trying to wash away every trace of last night's lust with her sweat, she swung her sword without pause.

Leaning against the second-floor railing of the lodging, Gold Sun watched her with an intrigued gaze. He admired her for a moment before smirking and making his way down.

He, too, held a wooden training sword in his hand.

"Quite diligent so early in the morning, little rabbit."

At his sly voice, Hayeon's shoulders flinched mid-swing. The memory of him from last night through the crack in the door flashed in her mind, making her face burn hot.

She did her best to ignore him and kept swinging her sword.

"Looks like you need a partner. What do you say? I'll personally spar with you. Consider it an honor."

Without even waiting for her answer, Gold Sun lightly twirled his sword and stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

Hayeon was flustered by last night's memories, but she bit her lip and faced him.

Right... I need to learn whatever I can from this man, too! He might teach me something practical, different from what Ksenia-eonni taught me. Anything to get stronger!

With a sharp yell, she lunged at him.

But her attack was far too straightforward.

Gold Sun effortlessly parried her blade, circling around her as ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠if performing a dance.

"You shouldn't be distracted when holding a sword, sweetheart. Your eyes are wandering all over the place. Are you thinking about me right now?"

The moment he spoke playfully, his sword lightly tapped Hayeon's, knocking it off course.

As Hayeon stumbled forward, Gold Sun slipped behind her back in the blink of an eye. Then, his large palm gave her butt a light, playful slap.

"Kyaah!"

At the unexpected touch, Hayeon shrieked and jumped.

Her face turned so red it looked ready to burst.

"Y-You pervert...! What do you think you're doing?!"

No way...! Did he catch me peeping last night? Is that why he's teasing me now?

Consumed by anger and embarrassment, she swung her sword wildly, but Gold Sun only chuckled and easily dodged her strikes.

Her attacks couldn't touch him at all.

"Your attacks are too honest. You won't even be able to take down a single skeleton soldier like that. Don't look at their eyes; read the movement of their shoulders and feet. If you only focus on the tip of the blade, you'll easily fall for a feint."

He offered advice while casually deflecting her strikes.

Hayeon realized he was holding back to match her level.

It was frustrating, but not a single word he said was wrong.

She panted heavily, trying to steady her ragged breathing. She recalled the words Ksenia had once told her.

Don't let your emotions sway you. A sword is swung with cold reason.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

When she opened them again, the look in her eyes had changed. The anger and embarrassment were gone, replaced only by a cold, sharp focus directed at her opponent.

"Oh...?"

Gold Sun's eyes gleamed with interest. Hayeon lunged once more. This time, it was different. Her movements were far more controlled, her strikes concise and sharp. Gold Sun stopped smiling.

His expression turned serious as he began to parry her blade.

Clack! Clack-clack! Clack!

The sharp clacking of wooden swords filled the courtyard.

After a lengthy sparring session, Hayeon collapsed to the ground, completely exhausted.

Drenched in sweat, her thin clothes clung tightly to her body, her pert breasts rising and falling heavily with every ragged breath.

"Haa... haa... Thank you. For sparring with me..."

Hayeon wiped her sweat and spoke sincerely. This man might be a sly pervert, but his skills were the real deal.

"Well, ask anytime. Seeing you sweat like this is quite a sight, after all."

Gold Sun said, his eyes blatantly ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠scanning down the cleavage of Hayeon's sweat-soaked shirt, which had turned semi-translucent. His gaze made Hayeon's face flush red once more.

"Then again, I've already seen you completely naked, so a little sweat-soaked clothing is nothing to get worked up about, right?"

At his lewd joke, Hayeon flared up and yelled.

"E-Erase that memory from your head this instant! You... you pervert!"

She glared at him, but Gold Sun only burst into a hearty laugh, finding her reaction adorable.

"Hahaha! Alright, alright. Come on, let's stop here and go wash up."

Gold Sun casually wrapped his arm around her shoulders, trying to guide her back inside the lodging. As his firm arm pressed against her, his masculine scent and reliable warmth made her heart flutter once again.

No, no! This guy is a total 'Gold Sun' straight out of a manga! He's dangerous! I can't betray Ksenia-eonni!

Steeling her chaotic thoughts, she slipped out of his embrace.

"I...! I still haven't trained enough! I'm going to practice some more before going in!"

She hurriedly pushed him away and began swinging her sword again, though her movements were now awkward and disorganized.

Gold Sun smirked at her display, pulled something from his pocket, and set it on the table beside her. It was a small, round copper plate.

"I reported that errand quest you completed last time to the Guild, and they gave me this. You were supposed to pick it up yourself, but I grabbed it for you. Well, I'm off to wash up first."

He turned and took a few steps, then paused and looked back over his shoulder.

"Ah, and don't worry. I won't tell Ksenia about that monster."

Hayeon's eyes widened at his words. A sudden wave of gratitude washed over her at his consideration in keeping her secret.

"...Thank you."

She murmured softly.

Gold Sun gave her a wink and headed inside. Only after stealing a glance to make sure he was gone did Hayeon carefully pick up the copper plate.

Its heavy weight pressed into her palm. This was the first proof of recognition she had earned through her own strength.

A new system window popped up before her eyes.

Hayeon cradled the copper plate tightly against her chest. Though she had been humiliated by Luo and aided by Gold Sun, in the end, this was a result she had earned ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠through her own hard work on the mission.

Along with a sense of pride, a small bud of confidence that she could survive in this harsh world began to sprout.

From the second-floor window of the lodging, Gold Sun quietly watched Hayeon.

Seeing her overwhelmed with emotion as she clutched the copper plate, he smiled with satisfaction, then quietly drew the curtains and stepped back inside.

After thoroughly washing the sweat and dirt from her body, Hayeon changed into fresh, soft clothes and headed down to the first-floor dining room.

The pleasant fatigue from her training, combined with the small sense of achievement from becoming a Copper Plate Adventurer through her own strength, lightened her heart.

"Oh, Hayeon. Are you finished with your training? I was just brewing some warm tea. Would you like a cup?"

Serena, who was tidying up one side of the dining room, spotted her and greeted her with her usual gentle smile.

She naturally lifted the teapot, poured some fragrant herbal tea into a cup, and handed it to Hayeon.

The moment she saw that smile, the scene she had peeped at through the crack in the door last night flashed through Hayeon's mind like an electric shock.

Serena writhing in pleasure and letting out sweet moans beneath Gold Sun... Her tongue lewdly licking up Gold Sun's cock...

As every single detail vividly rushed back, Hayeon's face instantly burned as if set ablaze.

"T-Thank you...!"

Stammering despite herself, she hurriedly took the teacup. She couldn't bring herself to look Serena in the eye.

"My, why is your face so red? Has your fever not gone down yet?"

Serena reached out, worriedly trying to feel her forehead, but Hayeon jumped back and waved her hands frantically.

"N-No, it's not that! I'm fine! I'm just... hot from training!"

"Is that so? Well, that's a relief... I'll have your meal ready soon, so please wait just a moment."

Though Serena tilted her head in confusion, she soon returned to her work.

Hayeon let out a sigh of relief and blew on her hot tea before taking a sip.

The warmth of the tea seemed to soothe her chaotic mind, if only a little.