Demon Genevy
“This fuuucking hellish shithole of a place—!!”
That was Gid's assessment after trudging through the Monster Plains for three straight days. And everyone else nodded in agreement. To put it bluntly, it really was a shithole. They were all feeling bone-deep why heroes avoided this place like the plague.
But that wasn't the end of it. Stretching out before them was something even worse than the vast grasslands—a sprawling swamp. Now they had to wade through water that came up to their calves. The depth was too inconsistent for building log rafts, so there was no choice but to slog through on foot.
Thick water plants grew everywhere, constantly snagging at their ankles, forcing them to watch their steps carefully. A foul stench hung in the air. Even Kayak, who usually kept quiet, couldn't hold back.
“...This place really fucking stinks.”
Walking was already exhausting. Fuck this, fuck this—. Gid, who hadn't stopped cursing, asked Grendal how much farther they had to go.
“At least two days. Brace yourselves.”
“This fucking... shit...”
The pitch-black night, combined with icy water soaking their feet, sent chills creeping up their spines. In this eerie, secluded space, their shivering bodies amplified the fear twofold. The splash-splash of water echoed ominously through the swamp.
It wasn't just about crossing the water. With water everywhere, there were no decent spots to rest. For a quick break, they could perch on protruding tree roots, but lying down was out of the question. To sleep, they'd have to lean against a tree trunk, tie themselves in place with rope to avoid slipping into the water.
...No helping it—they had to sleep sometime. But there were more problems. The swamp was a mosquito paradise. They'd prepared by grinding mosquito-repelling incense into powder. Before bed, they'd dissolve it in water, smear it on, and that cut bites from three or four to just one. Even with full preparation, this mosquito hell made their teeth chatter. And when monsters attacked on top of that? It was enough to drive anyone mad.
Gid, who tumbled into the water once, looked like he was about to die. ...Honestly, none of them wanted to come back here ever again.
After two days of pure hell, the group finally crossed the swamp. Everyone was utterly drained. Considering his team's ordeal, Ji-hyuk called for a full day of rest.
Of course, monsters showed up at night to harass the sleeping camp a few times. The group beat them down in a rage. Now, a mountain thick with trees loomed in Ji-hyuk's view. Their destination was right nearby.
...Seeing it, Ji-hyuk couldn't help but admire how the demon cultists knew exactly where demons loved to lurk. He wondered how they always found these spots. Those bastards needed a good thrashing.... He planned to nip them in the bud before they caused more headaches.
But the team was still too small to take them on. The demon cult was the largest among the heretics, so Ji-hyuk needed to prepare thoroughly before striking.
Anyway. After a full day of recovery, Ji-hyuk's team set off again toward the towering mountain. They crested a few hills, high and low, and spotted a babbling stream in the distance. They hurried to the water's edge, refilled their nearly empty waterskins, and washed up thoroughly.
The team camped there another day before crossing the stream and approaching the mountain. The densely packed trees made it look like a demonic forest at first glance. As they arrived, Grace's face paled dramatically. The fact they'd made it here without incident showed just how hard she'd pushed herself.
Ji-hyuk ordered a rest and pulled Grace aside, away from the group.
“Grace, you've been amazing holding out this far. I'm really grateful. Just a little more—hang in there. You know this is the most critical part of the expedition, right? The Demon Genevy's Labyrinth is just ahead. Almost there. Let's push a bit harder.”
“...Got it. I'll endure. I'll do my best. ...I think I can. I'm way better than before.”
“Good. ...Anything you want from me? Name it.”
“No, I have to do this alone. ...It's a fight with myself, after all.”
Ji-hyuk grinned. Grace steeled her gaze. She'd grown mentally through their time together. He was satisfied.
“Alright. ...But if you can't take it, tell me.”
“Yes.”
They rejoined the team. True to form, Grace lit a cigarette right away. Despite her words, she was visibly anxious. But what could they do? This was her battle to win alone.... The comrades offered silent encouragement with their eyes. Grace tried to steel herself. Her heart pounded, breath quickened, but she could still manage.
Ji-hyuk scanned the familiar place he'd returned to after so long and let out a deep sigh. Demon Genevy's Labyrinth. He'd visited once in the 13th loop. Back then, hungry for S-rank hero status, he'd grabbed a high-contribution quest without thinking and suffered for it. Twenty-some years ago by calendar—memories were fuzzy, but the hardship stuck in fragments.
“Grendal.”
“Yes, Boss.”
“Remember the way?”
“...Roughly, yeah.”
“Lead on, then.”
Ji-hyuk signaled departure. Orc Grendal took point, the team forming up behind. As they entered the forest, the demonic energy thickened. The darkness made navigation tricky, but they didn't get lost. They traversed the sloping terrain diagonally. Low-stamina Yael and Grace were already panting.
Crunch-crunch—rotted leaves, piled for ages, squished underfoot. The demonic energy grew denser. Yael, breathless and head throbbing from it, pressed her temple. She winced, clearly suffering.
Atop a low ridge, something appeared in the distance under faint moonlight. An artificial structure, unmistakably. A city—small, but with walls. The team members seeing it for the first time looked shocked. No one expected a city here. Instinct told them demons lurked within. Grace began trembling violently—the worst reaction since the Monster Plains. Her anxiety was flaring badly.
“We'll camp here tonight. Unpack and rest.”
Ji-hyuk quickly said it and scooped Grace into his arms to soothe her.
“Grace, Grace—look at me. Come on, come on—!”
Her shaking eyes slowly focused on him. He just gazed at her steadily, saying nothing. Ah, aaah.... The suffocating anxiety ebbed away. She nestled into his embrace unconsciously. He held her warmly, patting her back.
“That's right—fight it alone. You can do it. Good girl.”
Grace clenched her teeth, fists balled tight. Anxiety ignited into vengeful fury. She trembled, unable to contain the rage.
“Fuck, fuuuck—that bastard, I'll kill him, that demon fucker—I'll slaughter him, kill him, kill him, fucking kill him....”
“Yeah, let's kill it. Together. We'll slaughter the bastard. Easy now, easy....”
Too much could trigger a full seizure, so he calmed her just enough. She finally returned to normal.
Ah—. Grace realized her outburst too late. Shame burned at facing her comrades. No one wanted to show such a horrific side, especially not a refined noble like her. Wordlessly, she flopped onto her mat and pulled the blanket over her head.
The boss headed to the campfire. He roasted dried meat to fill his stomach. Once everyone ate, they lay down. Lying in a place thick with sinister killing intent sent chills down their spines.
First watch was Yael and the boss. They sat across the crackling fire. Yael stole glances at him. Ji-hyuk lifted his gaze from the flames.
Ah—. She quickly looked down. His eyes met the druggie whose face glowed red in the firelight.
“How you holding up lately? ...Haven't been able to check on you much.”
She looked up eagerly. What woman wouldn't love attention from the man she adored? Her lips curved into a smile.
“No, I'm fine.”
“The drugs? You haven't had any in a while.”
“...Still manageable.”
“Tell me if you can't hold out. Don't push too hard, or it'll blow up big.”
“...Yes.”
How could she burden him when he was already suffering? But hearing the offer suddenly made her body ache fiercely—like Grace's anxiety.
No. No. Can't worry him too. He's got enough....
But saliva kept pooling despite herself. She craved cock desperately. If he weren't around, maybe, but enduring with him right there was torture. ...It'd been half a month since she'd even seen one. No drugs since leaving the city made the urges worse.
...Finally, she spoke cautiously.
“Um..., Boss.”
“Yeah.”
“Actually....”
She swallowed the rest. But the sharp boss caught on. Embarrassed yet expectant, she peeked at him. Ji-hyuk watched the squirming addict. Better to handle it now than have it erupt at a critical moment tomorrow's demon bloodbath. Satisfy the urges a bit.
He scanned the sleeping team. Deep slumber—no easy wake-ups. No leaving post, so right here it was.
“Then come suck it.”
—!
Ji-hyuk reclined at an angle. Yael reflexively checked the team. All out cold. She rose quietly, slipped between his legs, and lowered herself. His long-awaited cock sprang free. She caught the hero's musky scent.
Ah—. Her heart pounded wildly. She checked her comrades again. Taboo thrill hammered her chest. Never imagined sucking the boss off beside them. Circumstances left no choice, but tension prickled her fingertips.
“Don't worry—just do it.”
“...Yes.”
The mage tucked stray hair behind her ear and slowly took the cock in her mouth. She sucked quietly, cheeks hollowing with slurp-slurp sounds. This demure act vanished as she suddenly deepthroated to the root. Her tongue slipped out between lower lip and shaft, teasing the ballsack side to side before pulling off with a pop. Seamless, like one fluid motion.
She devoured anything from the cock eagerly. She licked the glans underside clean like polishing, not forgetting to probe the slit. She loved that salty tang.... No, anything from the boss was heaven.
After thorough cleaning, she bobbed her head up and down. Pursed lips molded to the shaft's curves. When slick precum dripped down, she'd pull off, slurp it clean with lips and tongue—even pubes. A true cock custodian.
Ji-hyuk felt Yael's obsessive devotion. How desperate must she be for such fervor? The haughty mage turned sluttier than a whore when cocksucking. Too good to keep secret. As a man with a dick, the electric pleasure was irresistible. Conquering a woman's depths felt triumphantly good every time.
But Ji-hyuk restrained his lust. He avoided stirring the vicious, sadistic magma boiling below his chest. He could turn vile and cruel if he let it—like his old alley thug days.
...No, he couldn't.
Squelch-squish-squelch. Yael bobbed roughly, tears and snot streaming. He didn't hold back orgasm.
—!
Thick white spurted down her throat. She gulped it greedily, no hesitation. Then licked and sucked clean. She slurped upward slowly withdrawing, kissing the tip lovingly with wet eyes full of regret. Her lingering tongue teased the slit one last time before parting.
“...Thank you, Boss....”
“Yeah.”
He cut her lingering sharply, pulling up his pants. She returned to her spot. Her red tongue lewdly licked her lips.
...Her body still burned. She was going mad wanting that cock inside her.