Deserted Island - 2
“∀∃∮∏∈!” “∬∇∮∏∈!”
The moment we arrived at the native village on the Deserted Island, a barrage of incomprehensible shouts rained down on us. I couldn't make out the words, but their fury was crystal clear—their eyes burned with outright hostility.
“The mood's pretty hostile, huh.”
“We interrupted their happy fun time, so yeah, they're pissed.”
The natives—all women—were charging at us with spears, but Scarlet stayed utterly calm. I decided it was time to voice the suspicion I'd been harboring.
“……Master.”
“What?”
“You knew what this island was from the start, didn't you? That's why you 'accidentally' dragged me here.”
From the moment we'd fallen off the ship to now, there hadn't been a single flicker of surprise in Scarlet's eyes. It was the telltale sign she was hiding something. I'd picked up on the odd vibes right away but hadn't pressed her. But with her acting so recklessly out of nowhere, I had no choice but to call her out.
“I was really hoping you'd let it slide all the way.”
“Why did you bring me to a place like this?”
“Maybe focus on what's in front of you right now?”
She snatched a flying stone spear out of the air and snapped it in half. Even with her eyes elsewhere, she instinctively knew where the next attack was coming from. It wasn't something I was used to, but my body reacted on autopilot. The natives weren't much of a threat, so we had plenty of room to chat mid-fight.
“If you're okay, could you tell me why we're in this women-only native village?”
“……You're too kindhearted. You can't help reaching out to anyone in need, even if they're scum.”
Alvin always went all-out against demons, but he'd hold back against humans. Ruthless mercenaries, corrupt lords, pleasure killers—you name it. He'd spare the necks that deserved snapping, lecturing them on their wrongs and showing mercy instead. Scarlet had set up this little stage to drill that naivety out of him.
She'd been through war herself—she'd know better than anyone.
That indiscriminate goodwill could come back as a disaster. I'd had my doubts, but now I finally understood Scarlet completely. She cared for her disciple Alvin more than anyone. The only issue was her extreme methods.
“You mean I shouldn't hold back against villains?”
“Think you can manage it?”
“Tell me what these natives did first.”
Call me a guy, but unless it was some irredeemable bitch, I hesitated to cut down a woman. Pretty ones especially—I'd rather train them up and make them bend to my will than kill them. Made me think twice about wasting them here.
“They're not cannibals, but they produce illegal goods and ship 'em out.”
“Illegal goods?”
“See those crates over there, stuffed with fruit?”
I turned to where Scarlet pointed. Strange fruits I'd never seen before—mango-shaped, but with rainbow skins that killed any appetite. Still, if there was demand, maybe the juice was addictive like opium?
“That fruit's been circulating on the black market in the Empire lately. Eating it causes massive physical changes, like a transformation.”
“Like turning into a demon or monster?”
“Nah. It changes the eater's gender to female.”
“……Pardon?”
I'd been listening seriously until that hit me like a brick to the head. I asked her to repeat it, and Scarlet elaborated.
“Women get forced into heat. Men get forcibly gender-swapped. Side effect: they lose language and start howling like beasts.”
“Temporary?”
“Permanent.”
What a vicious thing. Eat it unknowingly, and you could end up a woman. No wonder it was banned.
“So these women……”
“Half were probably men originally.”
That killed my excitement dead. Even if the shell was female, a male inside was a hard pass. All that NTR trauma had me valuing the inside over the looks—I just couldn't stomach TS.
“How do they keep the population going with no men?”
“They probably trade the fruit to outsiders for men. We've had reports of it popping up a lot in Melern Territory, where disappearances are rampant.”
“Shouldn't the Melern Lord crack down on it?”
“Impossible. He's the one behind the trades.”
I couldn't wrap my head around it. Why was the Melern Lord so obsessed with TS Fruit? Sure, you could ruin rivals with it, but one or two would do. Why go to human trafficking lengths for more?
“You look like you're struggling to accept it.”
“It's got a wild effect, sure, but is it worth sacrificing people for?”
“Reports say the Melern Lord offers to 'help' locals affected by the fruit and brings them to his mansion. Then he throws secret orgies.”
“No way……”
“He turns the victims into playthings for nobles' twisted fun. When they get bored, he ships 'em off to remote islands like this. The castaways end up slaving for the natives, harvesting fruit forever—or assimilating into their culture and turning like them.”
Abusing TS Fruit for sex toys and entertainment, then enslaving them. Imagining families shattered by the Melern Lord filled me with rage.
“Why hasn't the Empire investigated him?”
“He's the nephew of Finance Minister Pamuho.”
I grimaced. That family's DNA was rotten to the core. Needed to wipe the Finance Minister's bloodline out entirely.
“So? How's it feel facing the dirty underbelly of the Empire you wanted to protect?”
“Makes me glad I decided to defect. Didn't expect you to show me its ugly side, though.”
“Corruption's gotta be beaten out, even if it kills us. But the Empire's current state? Not easy.”
“So the 'protest leave' without approval was that vibe.”
“Kinda, but the real reason? It's been too long since I saw my disciple's face!”
Her innocent grin at those cheesy words heated my cheeks. Nice to know someone besides Luna cared about Alvin. Just wished I'd made her a comrade.
“We'll talk more later. Let's split up and move.”
“Got it.”
“See ya!”
Scarlet spun right and vanished. Her eyes had been dull right up to the end. She wasn't showing all her cards yet. There was more to her island visit, but she wouldn't spill now.
I'll dig into it later.
I am curious about her motives, but there's no rush. It'll come out before we leave. Besides, I had bigger priorities than Master's secrets.
The TS Fruit rolling around the natives' corpses. I smashed every last one except a single intact fruit—which I pocketed after checking Scarlet was gone. A brilliant idea had hit me.
Master's off on her own agenda, so maybe I'll enjoy a little detour myself!
By a quiet lakeside in the forest, the black-haired man sat sighing deeply. Memories of losing his lover right before his eyes gnawed at him with regret. Staring at his reflection, he glared at himself.
“If only I'd overcome my fear and fought to the end back then……!”
Regret changed nothing. His lover was gone, and even his secret admirer had fallen to Geum Taeyang. Seeing his face in this all-lost state, he could only feel disgust. He even thought of drowning himself right there.
“Got some worries?”
“Y-you……”
“Someone steal something precious from you?”
“……”
His lips twitched, but he stayed silent. Couldn't spill it easily—but I'd already pieced together his story. The NTR wound hurt too deep to heal.
“Guess you can't talk about it. How about a pet to soothe your heart?”
“Sorry, not in the mood for games……”
“First up: the bitch who betrayed her lover and spread her legs for another stud!”
“Pardon?”
I yanked one of the ropes in my hand. Out crawled his former lover on all fours from behind a tree, drooling fluids from both mouths, panting desperately. She was in heat, dying to suck or get fucked.
“What the hell……!”
“Not to your taste? Then how about the bitch who sold out her friend to Geum Taeyang just because she couldn't have him?”
Another tug, and the woman who'd crushed on him crawled out too. Her crime came out under my grilling: jealousy-driven, she'd lured her friend into Geum Taeyang's rape. Heavy sin— so I whipped the rope, leaving welts on her skin. But the fruit's heat turned pain to pleasure.
“Wh-what have you done……!”
“This bitch ain't it either, huh? Try this one then. She's not tamed like the others—pretty feral—but she'll satisfy you.”
I pulled the last rope. This one resisted hard, not dragged easily. But she couldn't match my strength: out came a healthy brown-skinned blonde woman, brimming with wild allure.
“Her?”
“The culprit who stole your lover. Some reason turned her into a bitch now, though. Thoughts?”
“∠∏⌒∃!”
The blonde bitch glared ferociously, eyes blazing. No words—language gone—but she growled, baring aggression. Howling like she demanded release and reversal.
“That guy's a woman now?”
“Yup, as you see.”
His pupils shook. The source of his agony, now female—he reeled in confusion. As he hesitated, unsure, I loosened the rope.
“Uwak!”
“Easy. She's feisty, but not that dangerous.”
Realizing she couldn't beat me, the blonde lunged at him. But the swap had weakened her—she couldn't topple him. Seeing his terror now frail, the black-haired man bit his lip, face twisting as he pointed.
“I'll take this bitch!”
“Excellent choice. But why not take 'em all? Tie the rejects to posts, train the blonde at your leisure—pure bliss.”
“Thank you!”
I handed him the ropes. He'd have balked before, but now he took them firm. Striding tall toward the bitches' old hut, his once-pathetic back was gone.
“Have a good time.”