Artemis (10) - Song of the Broken Sword

It felt like I'd been dreaming for a long time. The light woke me.

"Ugh..."

What was that? My lungs and stomach were filled with a disgusting liquid, making me retch.

"Cough, cough... Where...?"

Once I spat it all out, my blurry vision gradually cleared.

"Are you coming to? Sia Seong."

I lifted my heavy eyelids, and there he was in my view. Dr. Lee Hyun-seong.

"Not red eyes, I see."

Seeing his sleazy appearance brought my memories flooding back. I'd infiltrated this place to rescue the kidnapped Yumi, only to get ambushed and captured.

Wait, that means... I lost to this guy? Impossible. This had to be some kind of trap.

I decided to play it cool and pry some information out of him first.

"Didn't I tell you I'd kill you if you crossed my path again?"

"Maybe worry about your own situation before making threats?"

My body wouldn't move. My entire body was bound in cold metal restraints. Some device was clamped over my head, with mechanical tentacles wrapped around me.

I snorted derisively.

"You think this scrap metal can hold me?"

I circulated mana through my body.

My body is one with the sword.

Krreeeech—!

The metal tore with a deafening screech. Crack—the shackles ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠binding me shattered.

I yanked out the disgusting things that had invaded even my pussy and asshole with my hands, tossing them to the floor, and stood up.

"Hoo..."

I shook my neck side to side and stretched, loosening my stiff muscles. I was naked, but showing my body to this guy meant nothing. I'd kill him soon anyway.

He held a tablet PC, scribbling something while looking up at me with interest.

"Definitely much more stable than the previous data. The rebellious temperament matches the old version too."

"Test? If you don't tell me what you did to Sia right now..."

"Sit back down first?"

Even though I'd just stood, I sat again. Not because he told me to—it just felt like I should.... Instead, I crossed my legs and asked,

"Fine, let's hear it calmly then?"

"Hm... Before I answer your questions, state your name."

"Out of nowhere. Can't you see? Sia Seong."

"Body measurements. Height and weight?"

"Didn't they teach you it's rude to ask a woman that? 177cm, 57kg."

"Most of it went to your udders and ass.... Next, three sizes?"

"You measured me yourself, so you should know better. Weird to ask again. You want me to memorize that crap...?"

"Three sizes. Answer."

"38-25-39. So what did you do to Sia...?"

"We'll remeasure today.... Spread your legs and masturbate like a slut."

"Masturbate? Are you insane? Ridiculous. Answer my questions already, you loser?"

I spread my legs, rubbing my clit with my left hand and fingering my entrance with my right.

"Hngh...!"

What? Just masturbating, but why so sensitive? I was panting in no time.

"Sensitivity's good too.... What was your question?"

"Haa.... So...?"

"Never mind. Recite the Oath of Submission."

"What's that...? Ngh!"

I needed to focus on masturbating—don't talk to me.... But my lips moved on their own anyway.

"I, Sia Seong, am a bitch who obeys Master's commands. Upon becoming an adult, I naturally surrendered my sexual autonomy and bodily freedom to Master."

What the hell was I saying so vulgarly? That sounded like something 'Sia' would say....

"A bitch can do anything Master wants.... Absolute obedience.... My pussy should always drip for Master, never drying up...."

Squelch, squelch—my juices flooded out like a torrent.

"Enough, stop there."

"You've been ordering me around like Sia from the start.... You're really dead."

"Yeah? Well then, Sia Seong. Aren't you curious what happened to your precious hunter Jeong Yumi?"

His words made my heart sink.

"Yumi...! Where's Yumi! If you laid a finger on her...!"

"Aren't you focusing too much on masturbating over Yumi's life?"

"N-no, I just wanted to...!"

"I see. Then stop masturbating."

"Hah... hah..."

Regrettable.... I was so close to squirting like a slut.... Regrettable? Why? This guy deserved my blade through the neck, yet I felt regret for stopping shameful masturbation?

"Stand up."

I shot to my feet.

"Wait... something's off."

"Raise both hands high. Spread your legs—don't cover that dripping pussy."

"Who do you think—? You think I'll... do that?!"

I struck a surrender pose, exposing my privates.

"Shouldn't you realize something's wrong by now?"

"Shut up and tell me where Yumi is."

"Calm down. She's still alive—for now. Cooperate nicely, and who knows."

"Nicely? Isn't this your twisted hobby clinic, some human modification lab?"

"Correct. And you were a test subject too."

"I wasn't."

He snapped his fingers.

"Suit yourself. You're free to move now."

Phew... control of my body returned.

"From that smug look, it seems you pulled some trick on me too. You'll regret it."

"Regret? With your fatal weakness in my hands?"

"My weakness? I have none."

He turned the tablet PC toward me. On the screen, unconscious Yumi floated in green nutrient fluid.

"Yumi...!"

Her body was hooked up to countless sensors and tubes. More accurately, tentacles were raping her from neck to crotch.

"What the hell did you do!"

He ignored me, manipulating the tablet. Inside Yumi's pod, machinery whirred, pistoning in and out of her pussy.

"Ngh..."

Bubble bubble—

"Ugh... u..."

Yumi's body twitched faintly as if awakening, letting out pained groans. Thank god—she's alive.

"Press this button, and the sensors in that bitch's body deliver very pleasant electric shocks."

"Dressed up fancy—it's just torture."

His finger hovered over another button.

"Yes, torture. But if you resist me... who knows. Raising the torture level step by step could be fun. What do you think?"

"How about testing why I'm the Sword Saint?"

"Threaten me, and Jeong Yumi dies. You okay with that?"

"Don't worry. I only cut what I want."

"Overwriting direct memories makes the speech match pretty well."

Overwriting memories?

"Sia Seong. Listen well. That pod is linked to her life support. Threaten me... and it stops too."

"..."

"So obey me completely. Or else..."

Obey? Whatever. That tablet's the issue. My body moving on its own is ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠some mental manipulation. And I don't have to buy the life support story.

His eyes gleamed cold as a snake's.

"Choose, Sia Seong. Resist, or submit for your friend's life."

I glanced between Yumi convulsing in pain in the pod and the doctor smirking down at me.

"Calling that a threat?"

I can't yield to such cowardly blackmail. Cut him down, save Yumi.

I swiftly pulled an artifact sword forged from a divine beast's heart from my inventory.

"Griffon!"

A holy relic sword that protects the mind from external interference just by holding it. Grants immunity to all status ailments.

No more interference.

I scanned the room. No people in the liquid-filled machines. Just our presences.

Then... end it before he pulls another trick.

Hah—lowly hunters fix stances. True masters strike unexpected gaps.

He's full of openings now. Physically human, but don't get careless.

This train of thought—all in 10 seconds.

Fwoosh—!

I kicked off the ground with all my might.

"Wha—"

I read his lip shape. Probably ordering me like Sia.

"Sto—"

Too slow...! I can cut now.

A red message window blocked my vision.

My blade stopped before touching him. Then excruciating electric shocks wracked my body.

Immense pain... but I can endure. More importantly, pain like this means something's up. Can't harm him directly, huh...?

But not helpless. Everyone has weaknesses. Mock me and regret it! I'm no softie like Sia.

"Stooo...p."

I smirked at his dumbfounded face—he couldn't even react to my speed—and switched targets.

Aimed at the tablet in his hand and slashed.

Shwick—definite severing sensation. Good!

Now endless ways to harm indirectly. One: Collapse the ceiling, bury him in concrete. Two: Hole in the floor, drop or trap him. Three: Bind with items or blow up machines.

Brute force but sure... smash the machines themselves.

Fwaaah—!

The moment the thought hit, my nerves fired—I spun behind him swiftly.

I unleashed slashes at devices that could hit him.

"Stop!"

Stop... I froze mid-swing with sword raised.

But the slashes had already flown.

Woooong, whoooosh—scorching heat like burning flesh hit my skin first. Then explosions boomed.

Boom—! Boom—!

Machines detonated. Shockwave flung his upper body back, heels lifted, face skin quivering.

Just before the blast engulfed him...

Tch! Body moved on its own.

Lightning reflexes—I jumped, snagged his waist. Hugged him tight, escaping the direct flame radius.

Shielded him behind me, raised Griffon to block debris. Used wind blessing to barrier harmful gases.

Once my chaos settled, I turned.

"Hoo..."

Not just the medicine—you knew it'd end like this?

"I told you—if I see you once more, prepare to die."

Weeeen weeeen—the fire alarm blared. Ceiling sprinklers sprayed, water droplets sliding down his glasses lenses.

Late wind carried alcohol, oil, and sweet scents. Green fluid from tubes poured across the floor.

"Fuck, thought I was dead. There's a limit to recklessness..."

"Quit grinning."

"Even mimicking the real thing, breaking command systems and actually wrecking the place..."

Every sword swing shocked my body, but I endured.

"Artificial or not, that's an S-rank hunter's power...?"

"S-rank? Don't lump me with those scrubs."

"...?"

"I'm the strongest."

"The strongest..."

"If you hadn't wasted Sia's time..."

He brushed back his bangs, bursting into laughter.

"Hahaha, kekeke. Right. My mistake this time. Should've woken you outside. I was too complacent."

"Tablet's smashed—you can't do shit now."

"Still haven't figured it out."

The doctor clicked his tongue, pressing something in his pocket.

Fwop—a new screen lit up.

"Gahk...! Aaaah!"

The thickest tentacle slowly burrowed into Yumi's tight pussy entrance.

Squelch- squelch-

"Kahak...! Ah, ahn...!"

Yumi's body arched like a bow, eyes snapping open. Realizing the horror inside her, she screamed in terror.

"Stop! Stop it! What did Yumi ever do to deserve this!"

I could only watch helplessly as my friend was raped by machines beyond the glass.

"How's that, Sia Seong? One more resistance, and your friend goes to hell."

He fiddled with controls.

"Choose. Keep your worthless pride and resist, or grovel at my feet begging mercy for her."

Choose, choose! What the hell.

Yumi's still being ravaged by those tentacles. Damn, because of me.... Nothing I can do like this. Can't harm him directly, right? My resistance just triggers more pain for her.

"Gahk..."

Bloody foam bubbled from Yumi's mouth.

"Got it. Stop! Please stop!"

"See that next to it?"

A hospital-like vital signs graph showed on the side screen.

"Jeong Yumi the hunter's vitals. See them fluctuating wildly?"

Definitely ominous—vitals trembling dangerously.

"Yumi!"

I screamed. Right before my eyes, because of me, the one who trusted me was dying.

I didn't want to lose Yumi, who was like family to an orphan like me. I'd be alone again.

Since when did Yumi mean that much...? When did she become family...?

Doesn't matter. Focus on saving her now.

S-rank hunter, Sword Saint, Sword Princess... Titles mean nothing.

Like this, I'd just be powerless, failing to protect someone precious again.

Can't repeat the past.

"Stop..."

I looked up at the doctor with empty eyes.

"...What... what do I have to do?"

My voice was that of defeat.

The doctor smiled in satisfaction.

"Good, now you're making sense."

He stopped the electric stimulation on Yumi.

Approaching, he gripped my chin, forcing my head up.

"Sheathe the sword."

"Got it."

I released power; the swirling blue sword aura vanished like a lie. Shelved my will to resist for now.

"Kneel."

I dropped to my knees without hesitation.

"Now, crawl on all fours to my feet and kneel. Lick my shoes until I say stop."

I clenched my fists. Nail pain in my palms—I hoped it'd drown the humiliation.

But I had no choice but to obey. For Yumi...

Slowly, I crawled on all fours to his feet. Stuck out my tongue, licking his shoe tip.

Lap lap—bitter taste and floor dust filled my mouth.

Eyes closed, I mechanically moved my tongue. Tears welled from humiliation, but I didn't stop.

If I endure this, at least Yumi's safe.

"Kuhahaha, S-rank hunter? Heir to the Sword Saint's Blessing? The strongest? Licking my shoes like a dog!"

"Ngh..."

"The strongest woman, Sia Seong, licking like a mutt... Kuhaha! Tasty?"

"Tasty... so tasty..."

"Yeah? Hahaha."

He shook his shoe, forcing me to chase like a dog.

Lap lap lap.

Moments later, he pressed my head down with his foot.

"Know how much those cost when you smashed them?"

"Sorry..."

He lifted his foot.

"Enough. Beg. To save Yumi. Sincerely."

Begging now—what's the big deal? Play along.

"Stop. I was wrong, so let Yumi go."

"Isn't begging politely with honorifics standard?"

"Please... stop."

"That's it?"

"I... I was wrong. I'll do anything you say. Please... ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠don't touch Yumi... just spare Yumi. Save her."

I pressed my forehead to the cold floor, begging over and over. Pride didn't matter anymore.

Only saving my little sister from that hell.

"Good, now we communicate."

He pressed a tablet button; all tentacles tormenting Yumi on screen halted, retracting.

Yumi slumped in the pod, passed out from pain.

"Now, your task."

He grabbed my chin, forcing my gaze up.

"You're going to Artemis with me."

"Artemis...?"

Heard that somewhere... Get auctioned at highest bid in Artemis...

"Hunters' brothel. And you'll be today's star auction item."

Auction... item.

The words stabbed my ears like daggers.

"You want me to be a whore selling my body...?"

"Yes."

"Obey nicely, your friend walks free with memories wiped. Refuse... she'll spend life as Artemis's public meat toilet instead."

Public meat toilet.... No choice.

Pretend to obey for now...

"Got it. I'll go. To Artemis or whatever."

"Honorifics."

"Understood.... I'll go."

****

I had no choice but to sit meekly in the passenger seat.

To save Yumi, obey commands...? Weirdly, no clever ideas came as time passed. Mind fogged like mist—nothing surfaced.

Like a sturdy dam blocking a river, thoughts stagnated.

"Where are we going? This is toward the Hunter Management Bureau... isn't it?"

"The brothel's in its basement."

"What? A brothel there?"

"The sleaziest, dirtiest spot on Earth. You'll love it."