Defiance in the Dungeon Cell
As the ceaseless panting of human women and the filthy grunts of beasts that had echoed nonstop for the past three days finally began to fade, Lenaris—finally catching some proper sleep after so long—perked up her ears. Sensing something off in an instant, she opened her eyes.
Clang—
“...”
The iron shackles still binding her limbs. Her body wasn't in any shape to move anyway, so she leaned back against the wall, figuring she'd rest up and store whatever strength she could. But just then, someone entered her cell.
'That figure... not the vicious bitch. Wait, in a place like this, anyone built like that...'
“Ugh...”
“Aw, you've had it rough, real rough.”
Sure enough, an orc. This green-skinned one was the one the occasional silver orcs wandering these halls called “Father.” He had to be the boss.
Lenaris tensed her limp body and kept her eyes locked on the orc without blinking.
Were orcs always this grotesque? Before she'd fallen into this state, back during the war, she'd seen so many orc corpses piled from her assassinations that she could've made a mountain of them. But this orc was different. For one, he was way bigger than the others, his massive, barrel-like frame covered in horrendous scars—slashes from bladed weapons, claw marks from beasts. They were proof of a life defined by endless struggle. Hell, even after she'd sliced off his hand just days ago, here he was, casually reattaching it to his wrist like it was nothing.
He looked like a greedy, evil orc on the outside, but he was no one to let her guard down around.
Whether Lenaris was sharply analyzing him or not, the orc scratched at his crotch without a care, gave her a once-over, and suddenly blurted out,
“Alright, I'm in a good mood right now, so I'll let you talk a bit.”
'Eugh!'
Not only did he remove her gag, but he reached for her with the same hand he'd just been scratching his balls with! She wanted to scream.
And as the gag came off her mouth—
“Ptoo! You filthy orc!”
“...”
She glared daggers at the orc for daring to touch her with his dirty hand, spitting viciously in case any of it had gotten in her mouth.
Then, in that instant, Lenaris felt a pang of regret. Boldly spitting at the orc was one thing, but she was shackled and couldn't move an inch!
She tensed up slightly.
“You can't just see an orc and start cursing right away, y'know?”
But contrary to her worries, the orc didn't lash out. Instead, he played it cool, like he was used to it, even chiding her(?) in that arrogant way. Curious about his personality, Lenaris decided to test him.
“Hmph. Then why don't you at least unlock these shackles?”
“Nah, can't do that. You'd run, right? So, your name...?”
'A normal orc would've roughed up a prisoner talking back like this.'
This guy was weird. Despite his looks, he seemed to actually want to chat. Now he was peering intently at the nameplate on her obedience collar, trying to figure out her name.
That creepy, disgusting gaze felt like snakes crawling over her skin.
'Go ahead, stare at my nameplate all you want. No matter how smart you pretend to be, you're still just an orc. Like you could even read it.'
“Lenaris.”
“Don't call my name so casually!”
“Quiet.”
She'd been about to yell in shock, but with that word from the orc, her mouth snapped shut against her will.
'Damn this collar.'
More than that, this orc wasn't illiterate. What the hell—how much more would he shatter her common sense?
“So this is the Obedience Collar, huh.”
But despite showing this unexpected side, the way he leered at her body with greedy eyes, licking his chops—it was pure orc.
“I haven't done a thing. Keep acting all rebellious like this, and I might just get pissed.”
Did her glare rub him the wrong way? Coaxing and sweet-talking hadn't worked, so now he was showing his true colors?
With her mouth finally free again, Lenaris decided to poke at his temper some more.
“Hmph. I can tell what kind of scum you are just from how that vicious human bitch fawns over you!”
“What'd she do?”
“You asking like you don't know?!”
“Huh.”
The orc took her words so nonchalantly. She'd meant to probe him, but it felt like she was the one spilling her guts.
“Ah, so what'd that bitch do to you?!”
“Don't play dumb! She forced me to say out loud the humiliating things she did to me, just to watch me tremble in shame!”
'Yeah! I read about it in those sleazy human porn books and novels! The orc captures the prisoner, rapes her senseless till she's a brainless slut spilling all kinds of dirty talk!'
Lenaris's sharp rebuke, based on her(?) vast experience—
“You know your stuff.”
“...”
She'd hoped for another unexpected reaction like before. But no—the orc grinned like he approved, reaching out with those filthy hands to toy with her body.
'N-no!'
You dirty orc bastard! Pretending to be refined and sensible, but you're just an orc after all!
For her final test, Lenaris went for his pride.
“I've heard orcs value honor above all.”
“?”
“If you're a true orc, unchain me. Face me in fair combat. If you're a real male orc, you won't run from my challenge.”
It was the height of arrogance—a weak, chained prisoner daring the mighty orc to fight. Any prideful male would snap and accept.
But—
“Nah, don't wanna.”
“What?”
“Why the hell would I fight you?”
His gaze looked down at her as if it was the most obvious thing, like she was the weird one. Hiding her shock, Lenaris pressed on coolly.
“Didn't you hear me? If you're a true warrior—”
“You talk a big game about honor and fairness, but you don't actually plan to fight me fair and square.”
She flinched. Had he seen right through her?!
His green eyes gleamed deeply.
“From the start, you're yapping about warrior honor when you chopped off my hand the second we met. Why should I trust you?”
“Th-that was—!”
“And above all—”
A chill ran through her.
“Hngh?!”
The orc's massive hand groped her roughly. She had to stay composed, but instinctual fear made her kick at him to get away. Futile.
'N-no! Don't touch me!'
After three days of torment, even a breeze might set her off. The orc buried his nose in her breast valley, sniffing deeply.
'C-calm down! Stay calm!'
Showing fear here would play into his hands! He was trying to break her with terror. To survive and escape, she couldn't lose her cool!
Lenaris desperately averted her eyes from the orc sniffing her scent. Act like nothing's happening. Like his tongue isn't licking you. That's what she'd tell herself.
His hand, groping her chest, slid to her shoulder, arm, belly—brushing lightly, like he was searching for something.
And then—
“Never thought I'd see the day an assassin lectures about fairness.”
H-how?! How did he know?!
Did that bitch tell him?!
“Ugh, you still haven't learned your lesson, huh? Spouting bald-faced lies like this.”
“Hmph, busted. Fine, I'll say it straight—if you value your life, unchain me now! I'll at least spare you.”
Her mind churned with clashing emotions and thoughts, her stomach twisting, but as a dark elf assassin first and foremost, she'd never bow to an orc. She bluffed ridiculously, even to herself.
And just like she thought, this orc was too sharp—almost human-like. He never gave up his advantages, never put himself at a disadvantage. Of course, this was the orc who'd casually gone “Oh, got cut” when she'd severed his wrist at their first meeting, so her getting played like this was par for the course.
“You still haven't grasped the situation, have you?”
“What?”
Unease gripped her.
“Tell me, Lenaris. What did Silveryia do to you?”
“Wh-what?!”
'Th-that shameful, humiliating stuff?!'
She wanted to bury the memory in a time capsule and dig a hole to the earth's core—let alone tell this orc!
“No way! I won't say, aaahhhh?!”
Bzzzzt!
As Lenaris showed defiance and aggression toward the orc, the Obedience Collar around her neck automatically punished her to protect its master. Live as a slave worse than a dog forever, it seemed to whisper, like the hated white Albs' voices echoing in her ears.
“Hahk, kgh... ugh, ahhh...”
“Damn, this Obedience Collar is top-notch.”
“You... cowardly... scum...”
“So, you gonna talk now?”
“Fuck... (bzzzzt) Eeeeek?!”
Once more—the orc glanced at her collar, and another massive shock wracked her body. She felt every drop of moisture in her evaporating.
At this rate, she'd really die.
“Should I zap you for like five minutes straight?”
“N-no! D-don't! Stop, stooop!! Kyaaahhh!!”
Normally, she'd grit through this with mental fortitude, but her weakened state left her collapsing in convulsions.
It hurt so much. So agonizing.
“Don't wanna talk? Then spill it! I'm not asking for secret base locations or anything—how hard can it be?!”
She couldn't say it. She didn't want to. She'd die before saying it.
But Lenaris knew—if this kept up, she'd actually die. Her consciousness was already fading.
If she blacked out like this, it was over. But she couldn't die—not before avenging herself on those loathsome white Albs.
Clinging to her fraying awareness, she thought desperately.
I want to live! I will live! No matter what!
“Hiiiik?! I-I'll talk! I'll tell you! Stop, pleeease!!”
Lenaris abandoned her pride and surrendered to the orc.
“So, what did Silveryia do to you?”
“Sh-she... haah... haah... that bitch, that bitch... did to me...”
Thud.
“Ah, fuck!!!”
Lenaris passed out again.