Chapter 9. Back Alley. Four Days Later.
Four days later.
The merchant caravan ran into a few more monsters even after the skirmish with the demons, but thankfully they escaped the gorge without any major incidents. They rejoiced as if they'd clawed their way out of hell itself.
"Fuckin' hell, I'm so glad to see you my dick's shaking," Gid said, sprawling out on the fresh green grass of the plains and planting kisses on the ground.
Of course, they still had a ways to go. After exiting the gorge, the group marched a full day more before finally arriving at the great city of Palahino. Just like in Parisia, countless merchant caravans were stuck here, unable to move forward or back.
"You've all worked so hard," the middle-aged caravan leader said personally to the three mercenary captains, expressing his gratitude as he paid the remaining fees in full. Now it was time for everyone to go their separate ways.
Ji-hyuk clasped hands with the orc captain and the beastkin captain, pumping them up and down a few times in farewell before parting ways. Ji-hyuk headed to a high-end inn with his waiting comrades. Word had spread that the Sylph caravan had safely crossed the gorge, so the other caravans staying at the inn had cleared out. Thanks to that, they avoided the hassle of no vacancies.
They filled their starving bellies first. No one gave a damn about manners—they just shoved food into their mouths like animals. Even Yael had long shed her shy virgin act.
After the meal, Ji-hyuk stood in the hallway and addressed the group. "Rest up till tomorrow. Take some free time too. But if you're heading out, report to me first."
"Got it, boss."
This time, Ji-hyuk and Yael shared a room again. The thought of being alone with the captain made her body heat up instantly. She remembered that incident all too well. The ecstasy had been so overwhelming she wouldn't have minded dying in it—how could she forget? She'd screamed in countless orgasms as his fingers plunged into her pussy.
...She knew it had been unavoidable circumstances, but it was still embarrassing as hell.
Ever since, she'd become oddly attuned to his every action and word. Of course, she tried her damnedest to act like nothing had happened. The captain seemed to be deliberately avoiding the topic too. She felt relieved, but a part of her was disappointed too. It was a contradictory mess of emotions.
She even wondered if she held zero appeal to him sexually. And she was dying to know what kind of woman the captain liked.
"How's your body feeling?"
"Much better."
After that incident, she'd been bedridden for two whole days. She still wasn't at full strength—more recovery was needed.
"Good, rest up. You pushed too hard back then. Stamina's key for a mage."
"...Yeah."
They piled their laundry basket high by the bedside and slipped under the covers. Her heart pounded strangely. That scene wouldn't leave her mind. If she could feel that pleasure again—
Of course, she knew she shouldn't fantasize about the captain like that. But her instincts, having tasted such mind-blowing ecstasy, crushed her reason effortlessly. No pleasure she'd known before could compare. It was beyond human willpower to resist.
Yael's throat went dry. Her body writhed on its own. Her crotch grew hot and slick.
...It hit her too late: she had a massive problem now.
...Am I seriously gonna have to fight this urge every damn day? That's insane. A chill ran down her spine. This can't happen. You'll break for real. Wanna ruin your life? You really going all-in like that?
"Yael."
Ji-hyuk suddenly called her name, startling her like she'd been caught red-handed.
"Y-Yes?!"
"How much of the drug's left?"
Talking about the drug brought it all rushing back. Her body burned uncontrollably. She felt like she might lose it and jump him. But Yael feigned calm. She was a promising TA on track to become a theory department professor. She couldn't afford to seem sexually loose. She had to be a role model for the academy students. At least, she didn't want the captain seeing this slutty side of her. The mere thought made her dizzy.
"The drug... about one dose left."
In truth, it was barely half that—just a taste. But she rounded up.
"That so? You'll need more then."
"It's not that urgent."
"Even if it's not, stock up here. You won't find it anywhere else. Cheaper here too."
"Oh... right..."
She couldn't say she didn't need it. The horror of running out was unimaginable. She'd rationed it partly for the comfort of knowing she had some—like an emergency fund. Zero would make her too anxious.
"But... is the money okay? It's gotta be pricey..."
She knew how expensive it was. They were already sharing a room to save every coin—blowing their funds on drugs seemed risky.
"Pricey or not, we need it."
Yael had no retort. He was right—it was essential. She couldn't tell him to skimp.
She had to admit she was a pathetic junkie now. And on top of that, a horny one.
...Bit by bit, something's breaking in me. Before, she'd toed the line of normalcy. Now she was clearly off the deep end. No longer ordinary. In the worst way.
I should... repay him somehow. If she'd performed perfectly as a mage, she wouldn't think this. But she still had too many shortcomings. She couldn't pop drugs before every fight either.
...The situation screamed for it. Vowing to try harder wouldn't fully ease the awkwardness.
Raised in a comfortable home, top of her class at the magic academy, even a TA—she was the type who felt compelled to repay any favor. She'd ignored it, but she knew men visited brothels to vent their lust. Gid's late night last time was probably that.
...Had the captain gone too? Before she knew it, Yael was even thinking of offering her body to save on drug costs.
Whoa— She jolted at her own lewd thought. Unthinkable before. Are you nuts?! Straight-up whore thinking.
Still, she believed she had enough reason left to know better.
...She wanted to believe that.
"Get some sleep. And don't stress too much."
"Yeah... Goodnight, Captain."
"You too."
Yael heard his long exhale—that was his pre-sleep habit. Even breaths soon followed. The captain was out.
But she, burdened with worries, lay awake late into the night.
· · ·
The exhausted team was still lazing in bed, nowhere to be seen. So Ji-hyuk ate a late breakfast alone and left the inn.
The weather was clear. The main streets buzzed as long-stuck caravans finally departed. Mercenary bands and guilds trailed them. With so many gone at once, the roads felt as empty as Gid's bald head.
Ji-hyuk strolled the wide streets unhindered. Midway, he slipped into a quiet alley from memory.
Every city had its lawless back-alley underworld. That's where banned drugs like Aitrophthalate were sold. Luckily, it was popular with underground fight pit fighters, so any decent dealer knew where to get it. Of course, only insiders knew—nice girls like Yael would overpay street hustlers. That's why it was sometimes called "rich boy bait," perfect for fleecing naive wealthy types.
Anyway, Palahino's back alleys were familiar to Ji-hyuk. Back in loop 11, during his villain phase, he'd clashed with the alley boss here.
Man... who knew even that would become a fond memory.
It had been a brutal turf war. Ji-hyuk won, claiming everything the alley boss owned. He'd been stunned by the treasure hoard—piles of gold and jewels. That's when he realized the rumors weren't bullshit.
Lost in old memories, Ji-hyuk ventured deep into the alleys. As foot traffic thinned, prying eyes watched him. The alley boss's turf, no doubt. But no one approached yet.
As he neared the drug shop entrance, two thugs—rough-looking orcs—finally stirred.
"Hey, kid, beat it."
Arms crossed, they menaced him. Not scary at all.
"Got business."
"Piss off."
"Here for drugs."
Ji-hyuk pulled a leather pouch from his bosom, flashing the gold coins inside. The orcs shut up and stepped aside.
"Shoulda led with that."
Ji-hyuk pushed open the wooden door and entered. More gang members inside, but they didn't block him. Just scanned him head to toe with cold eyes.
He descended the stairs to the basement. Sunlight faded into eerie darkness stretching long. A foul stench hung heavy. At the bottom, a vast underground space opened up.
This was the drug den. Not just drugs—they sold booze, male and female whores too. Right there, fleecing junkies high on fresh doses.
Moans echoed nonstop from everywhere. The air reeked of sex, ventilation be damned—it was soaked in.
Bulky orcs stood guard throughout. The dealer favored orcs—loyal and steadfast once bought.
A guide appeared: a pretty woman with sharp, feisty eyes. Surprisingly polite.
"What brings you?"
"Drugs."
"This way."
Ji-hyuk followed, eyeing her swaying hips. He entered a room with a sleazy-looking young merchant and an orc guard.
The youth handled sales.
"Welcome, sir."
The merchant smiled invitingly and gestured to a seat. Ji-hyuk sat across the table.
Wall-mounted candelabras kept it lit decently.
"How much you want...?"
"One pouch."
A pouch was usually five doses. Yael took less, so maybe ten for her. Wholesale here was cheaper than retail, sold by pouch. Around thirty to forty gold per pouch, give or take.
"One hundred gold."
Ji-hyuk thought he'd misheard. Double plus what he expected.
"...What? A hundred?"
"Yes."
Unbelievable. Even scamming had limits. Weren't they supposed to sell bad shit honestly?
"Thought it'd be around forty gold."
"Ah, it was, before."
"Before?"
The clerk explained calmly. "You know the city's been jammed up lately. Caravans demanding this stuff spiked. Price shot up."
Ah— Ji-hyuk hadn't considered that. Stuck caravans meant demand boom. They were leaving now, but prices wouldn't crash overnight.
One hundred gold was way too steep for one pouch. He couldn't swing it.
What to do? But no buy here meant trouble later.
He regretted dragging a junkie mage along a bit. No returns yet to justify the investment. But too late—he'd have to train her his way, make her worth it. Junkie mages had bright futures; not a total waste.
Anyway, no purchase today. Ji-hyuk stood.
"Too pricey. Maybe next time."
"Understood. ...That'll be ten gold separate. Referral fee."
Even that? He paid anyway. No sense burning bridges with the gang.
Ji-hyuk emerged empty-handed, ten gold lighter. The wooden door slammed behind him.
He walked the shadowy alley, mind racing. Need money... fast. For the drugs.
...Ways to get it weren't impossible.