Chapter 24. The Beaten Woman
Having completed this mission and earned an additional 80 points, Ji-hyuk rocketed from C-rank at 80 points straight to B-rank at 10 points—a monumental achievement. The capital, naturally, erupted in excitement. Never in history had anyone risen so fast. Climbing from D-rank to B-rank in just three missions was utterly unprecedented. And it hadn't even taken two years.
In an era where reaching C-rank within two years earned you praise as a genius among geniuses, he'd shattered every record with his absurd, overwhelming feats. Some folks chattered endlessly that they were living in the same era as a legendary hero destined for the annals of history. By now, everyone in the capital knew the name Kang Ji-hyuk, hero.
Nobles streamed to his mansion daily like pilgrims bearing tribute. Many even offered up their daughters. Some went so far as to say she could be used as a maidservant. Their aim was clear: catch his eye, bear his child, and secure an S-rank son-in-law. Among those tribute-bearers was a delegation from Valkan Duke.
This time, with the prestige of a duke at stake, Ji-hyuk personally received the proxy. The plump-faced envoy was a distant baron relative of the duke. He first lavished congratulations on Ji-hyuk's B-rank promotion as if it were his own triumph, clearly angling for favor. Of course, a hero like Ji-hyuk saw right through it, but he played along politely on the surface, thanking him without dropping decorum.
After some small talk, the envoy broached the real topic with feigned subtlety: the duke's daughter, Elizabeth.
"The lady will hit 70 points upon her return. At longest, two months. …I predict she'll reach C-rank by next year."
"Impressive. Not easy for a woman."
"But who could compare to a hero?"
Flattery flowed effortlessly from the man's lips. Ji-hyuk could see why the duke had sent him.
"…So, to the point."
The roundabout chatter finally reached its destination.
"The duke is now considering the lady's marriage. He wishes to wed her at a suitable age, before whispers of spinsterhood arise."
"I see."
"Of course, he has no intention of marrying her off to just anyone. He dotes on his daughter greatly."
Ji-hyuk merely nodded through the envoy's nonsense. Anyone who mattered knew the Valkan Duke was cold-blooded even to his own children. Daughter's love? It was laughable. If he truly cherished her, he wouldn't be hawking her like merchandise.
…Elizabeth's previous visit must have been at the duke's direct behest.
"Frankly, who could suit House Valkan better than a hero? The duke approves wholeheartedly, which is why he sent me."
It was a tricky dilemma for Ji-hyuk. Blunt rejection might breed resentment from the duke; outright acceptance would let them sink their claws in deep.
…Best to string it along ambiguously until he hit A-rank.
"So, you want me to marry Elizabeth?"
"Precisely."
All that winding travel for this one pitch. Nobles were a real pain—rarely spitting it out straight due to face-saving. Endless pointless preambles…
"I don't think it's wise to decide hastily. We must consider our situations, ensure compatibility—various reasons make rushing a conclusion difficult."
"Naturally. I'm not here expecting an immediate answer. Just to inform you of the duke's intentions."
"Good, then. …Haha, I'm inexperienced in such matters, so I fretted over how to respond. Marriage demands caution, after all. Faces are at stake…"
"Quite right. The hero speaks true."
The talk fizzled out inconclusively. They shared lunch before parting. The envoy left with earnest pleas for consideration; Ji-hyuk sent him off with a reassuring smile.
Once the delegation departed, Ji-hyuk dragged his languid body back to his office. Mind-minding every word and gesture had worn him out mentally. Smashing monsters felt far simpler.
He stepped onto the terrace. Fresh air and blue skies revived him somewhat. Save for the reception hall buzzing with endless nobles and merchants, the mansion was quiet—everyone off on their tasks.
His remaining comrades? Lizardman Kayak, hero Mahushu, and chain-smoking healer Grace. Gid and Bruce, similar in role and temperament, had already become sworn brothers, sweeping every tavern in town. Rumor had it they'd plowed through over fifty whores in a week with their cocks alone. Add kobold Jepopo, and their rampage pierced the heavens.
Yael and Ludvine had returned to the magic academy for research. Yael, hearing of Ji-hyuk's return, flew to him, showering kisses before clinging to his cock all night. Ji-hyuk unleashed until his balls were drained—a rare all-nighter.
Ludvine, obsessed with double casting, vowed to master it and bolted to the academy, devouring every related paper and book. Ji-hyuk welcomed her zeal; her quick success benefited him.
Healer Brant, recruited last time, returned to his guild—guild laws bound even heroes. Same as orc healer Gorsh before.
This mission reaffirmed his need for a buff mage. He'd endured Sloth's demon on willpower alone, but Pain's demon, Agdallir, demanded buffs. Unless a powerhouse mage one-shot it—unlikely with his current mid-tier pair. Yael and Ludvine wouldn't transform overnight, so a buff mage was essential. Otherwise, dodge mental-attack demons next time.
Back at his desk from the terrace, work piled endlessly. He briefly fantasized ditching it all for Crescent Lake, cooing with master Eizel.
…But knowing that bliss was time-limited, even there he'd lack peace.
…Tough to visit this time. Too much ahead. As the guild grew, free time for the lake seemed doubtful. Sending for her? Eizel's temperament guaranteed refusal.
No choice. Delay the reunion. Guild growth phase meant no month-long absences.
Work and reflection consumed the day; sunset arrived. He checked Mahushu's training in the back yard, ate lightly, and returned to the office.
As Ji-hyuk savored tea, watching the dying glow, a visitor arrived: Grace.
He set down his cup gently. Closed the terrace door.
Grace approached the table cautiously. Ji-hyuk drew near the demurely standing noblewoman. Faint tobacco scent—not Earth's acrid stink. In thin nightclothes, her face held aroused tension.
As he neared, she produced a thumb-thick wooden rod from behind her back, offering it lightly.
Ji-hyuk took it. She turned, gripped her skirt hem, and slowly hiked it. Slender white legs gleamed temptingly. Plump, flawless ass begged kneading. Her panties screamed seduction, barely veiling the shameful cleft.
She tucked the skirt at her waist, bent over the table. The pose accentuated her pretty rear.
Ji-hyuk teased her ass with the rod.
Euht…! The cool wood against warm skin made it quiver.
He stroked downward toward her cheeks, teacherly.
"How many?"
Her voice trembled faintly.
"Ten… strokes…."
"Ten? That enough?"
"Yesss…."
He rubbed the strike spot softly. Grace clenched her skirt-grip, holding breath.
Smack! Crisp impact echoed.
Hahp—. The smoker's body jolted. Her asshole clenched tight, then relaxed.
"One…."
Smack.
"Twooo…."
Smack.
"Threeee…."
Smack.
Nehup…!
Smack.
"Five…, tahup."
Grace squeezed thighs, ass clenching-releasing rhythmically. Ji-hyuk set the rod aside, kneading red welts with both hands.
Aheung…!
"Hurts?"
His deep, smooth voice resonated, shaking her core. That heavy timbre drove her mad.
"…I'm, fine…."
"Stop if it hurts."
"No, hurry… please."
Only this eased her. …And drew the chief's attention. His gentle caresses—she craved them. Pain transmuted to pleasure, a perverse thrill. Her broken mind registered the burn as ecstasy.
Ji-hyuk resumed with the rod. Cool wood met searing flesh.
Eut….
She awaited the sharp heat, fear and anticipation swirling strangely.
Smack.
"Seven…."
Smack.
"Eight… oh…."
Smack.
"Nine…! Heup…!"
Ass clenched-released.
Smack—! Harder this time. Rear bucked wildly. Grace's head snapped up, down; body writhed.
"Ah, fuuuck it huuuurts…!"
Huek, huek, huek. Breaths hissed through gritted teeth.
Ji-hyuk struck again.
Yeuuuuk….
Ten done. He set the rod on a chair, caressed the beaten cheeks tenderly.
"Sore?"
Her crotch dripped sticky. Beating aroused her. Panting softly, she lowered a hand, tugged the crotch fabric aside. Tight asshole and soaked pussy exposed.
"Chief… now here too…."
Grace, thought chaste in sex, proved surprisingly bold.
…No surprise—a woman pleasuring from pain wasn't chaste.
"…This okay ongoing?"
Ji-hyuk asked. Grace bit her lower lip, spoke slowly.
"Just… think of it as managing a teammate… I have issues…."
Managing. Cold word for scorching man-woman heat.
…Trauma-spawned defense mechanism.
Ji-hyuk had no urge to refute. She wants cock? Give it—as duty to "manage" team. Like with Yael.
He shed pants casually.
Ah—. Grace parted legs slightly. Massive weapon brushed her rod-stung ass. Watching her asshole pucker at contact was amusing. Cock swelled, reared.
Time to enter home.