A Soul Put to the Test
If she absorbed a man's essence, she would be able to lift her shield once more.
Even if she couldn't fully reclaim her former strength, gaining just a fraction of it might allow her to slip past Kyle's watchful eyes and escape to the High Temple in the Capital.
Hope was finally within reach. It was the sole key to breaking out of this living hell.
Yet, the price was agonizingly steep. The reality of having to submit to another man loomed before her like an insurmountable wall.
A man's essence... In the end, it just means I have to spread my legs again.
Just the thought of it brought last night's memories rushing back—including the wretched sight of herself writhing in pleasure, arching her hips in Kyle's embrace.
"Ugh..."
Along with the memory, a sharp, tingling heat flared in her lower abdomen, warming her entire body. She couldn't tell if it was the lingering effects of the aphrodisiac or if her body had already succumbed to corruption.
"No! I'm a man! I can't do that again!" she cried out, clutching her head.
To gain strength, she had to sell her body. But if she didn't, she would remain Kyle's plaything forever. It was a cruel, inescapable catch-22.
Right then, a sound broke the silence. Knock... knock... knock. Her heart leaped into her throat.
"W-who is it?" her voice squeaked, taut with tension. Had Kyle returned already?
"I've brought your clothes and food, guest."
Fortunately, the voice from behind the door belonged to an unfamiliar young man.
It seemed to be the innkeeper's servant Ella had mentioned. Along with a wave of relief, a fierce hunger hit her, making her stomach growl loudly.
She cautiously opened the door.
"Leave it here. Thank you..."
Standing there was a young, fresh-faced male servant holding a tray of food and a bundle of clothes. But the moment the door opened, the boy froze, his jaw dropping.
"..."
"Excuse me? Didn't you bring the food and clothes?"
When she prompted him again, the servant snapped out of his daze, stammering frantically.
"Ah, yes! Yes, yes! That's right! Here they are!"
Yet, his eyes were glued to somewhere far below her face. Feeling his sticky, blatant gaze, she instinctively looked down at herself.
"Ah...!"
Her face instantly flushed crimson.
She wasn't wearing any underwear, clad only in a paper-thin dress. To make matters worse, her sleep-disheveled collar had slipped, exposing a deep, tantalizing cleavage, while the fluttering hem of the dress left her smooth, bare legs completely bare. Bathed in the morning sunlight, the sheer fabric of the dress was practically translucent, hinting at the soft flesh beneath.
It was a sight that would drive any red-blooded man wild.
Dammit, what a disaster!
She hurriedly crossed her arms to cover her chest and shrank back. But immediately after, a wave of intense self-loathing washed over her.
What the hell am I doing? Am I seriously feeling shy just because some guy is staring at me? I'm a man! A real man wouldn't get flustered by...
Even amidst her chaotic blend of shame and self-deprecation, the servant's eyes continued to greedily trace her body—from her chest to her waist, and down to the junction of her thighs.
"Hey! What are you staring at!" she snapped, snatching the tray and clothes from his hands.
"Ah, I-I'm sorry! You're just so beautiful, I lost track of myself..." The servant apologized, though he licked his lips with lingering regret.
"Is there anything else you need? Just say the word, and I can bring it straight to your room..." He trailed off, peering past her into the room. It was an utterly pathetic display.
"I don't need anything! Leave!" she barked in irritation, attempting to slam the door. But just then, her eyes happened to drift down to his waist.
"..."
Her breath hitched. The front of the servant's trousers was bulging so tightly it looked ready to burst.
No way... Did he get hard just from looking at me?
It was shocking. But what terrified her even more was her own body's reaction. By all accounts, witnessing such a vulgar display should have filled her with disgust, but instead, her womb began to throb, heating up with a fierce, pulsing warmth.
Then, a voice echoed in her mind like an auditory hallucination.
Absorb...
Absorb the essence of man...
The voice whispered, slick and sticky like a serpent.
If you gain strength, you can escape Kyle.
Her gaze locked onto the servant's bulging crotch of its own accord. She swallowed hard. A fierce tug-of-war began between her reason screaming to shut the door, her instinct demanding power, and the raw lust dominating her body.
She barely managed to cling to her sanity. Yet, the words that slipped past her lips were entirely different.
"Um..."
"Yes? Please, tell me, guest!" The servant's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"When I'm done eating in a bit... come back to collect the dishes."
With that, she shut the door in his face.
"Haa... haa... Crazy... What the hell did I just say...?"
She slid down against the door, panting heavily. Telling him to come back after she finished eating—what on earth was she planning to do?
"No, I'll just hand him the dishes. It doesn't mean anything."
Trying to soothe her racing heart, she examined the clothes he had brought.
It was a frilly, laced women's dress, accompanied by sheer, see-through lingerie—unmistakably sent by Kyle.
"That son of a bitch, Kyle..."
Tossing the clothes aside, she began to eat, driven by her hunger.
She shoved the food into her mouth frantically, but she couldn't taste a thing. Her mind was entirely consumed by thoughts of the servant who would return shortly.
Once she finished eating, anxiety took over.
Why did I tell him to come back? Right, when he gets here, I'll just hand him the dishes. Nothing is going to happen.
In her unease, she began to blame the innocent servant.
The last time I stayed here, it was definitely a female clerk. Why does it have to be a guy today of all days?
Her thoughts spun in endless, dizzying circles. Just then:
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Guest? I'm here to collect the dishes."
Well, that was fast...
A sigh escaped her lips. But there was nowhere left to run. Taking a deep breath, she steeled her resolve and opened the door.
The door swung open to reveal the servant's face, his eyes gleaming with eager anticipation.
"The... the dishes are on the table inside. Would you like to come in?"
She tried to sound as casual as possible, but her voice trembled slightly at the end. As if he had been waiting for those exact words, the servant nodded vigorously.
"Yes! Yes! I'll come in! Excuse me!"
He practically scrambled into the room.
Biting her lip, she quietly closed the door behind him.
Click.
The sound of the lock turning felt deafeningly loud.
Now, only the two of them remained in the sealed space.
Though he had boldly stepped inside, the servant suddenly looked lost, fidgeting nervously.
His eyes darted around, unsure whether to pick up the dishes or look at her. Ria was no different. She had spent her entire life holding nothing but a sword and shield—an utterly clueless adventurer when it came to romance.
With zero dating experience, she was suddenly expected to play the temptress to a man.
In a situation like this... what the hell am I supposed to do?
The silence grew heavier, suffocating them both. She had to say something.
"Um..."
"Y-yes!" the servant barked like a raw recruit.
Not knowing what else to say, she cleared her throat and blurted out the first thing that came to mind.
"Doesn't this inn usually have a female clerk? I'm quite sure a woman was working here the last time I visited."
At this, the servant's face lit up. He seemed thrilled just to have a conversation going.
"Ah! Yes, that's right! She's my younger sister, but she tumbled down the stairs while cleaning this morning and hurt her leg. So I had to cover for her! Hahaha!"
He scratched the back of his head, laughing brightly.
...What is wrong with this guy?
She clicked her tongue internally. His sister was injured, and he was grinning like an idiot? Was he seriously happy about his sister's accident just because it meant he got to meet her?
To think I have to sleep with such a pathetic loser...
A wave of despair washed over her.
For a fleeting second, she wondered if a piece of trash like Kyle—who at least had looks and competence—was better. But she quickly reminded herself that beggars couldn't be choosers when it came to regaining her strength.
"I... see. I hope your sister recovers quickly."
"Ah, yes! Thank you! You have such a kind heart, guest!"
The servant took a step closer, looking deeply moved.
Yet, his eyes continued to slime over her cleavage and thighs.
The raw lust hidden behind his naive face was so transparent it was almost sickening.
Fine, this is actually better. He's just a tool to drain of essence and discard anyway.
She steeled her heart. This boy was nothing but an instrument. A means to escape.
"Um... what is your name?"
"It's Tom! Please call me Tom!"
"I see. Tom."
Taking a deep breath, she slowly sat on the edge of the bed.
The loose hem of her dress rode up, exposing her pale thighs even more provocatively.
Tom's eyes locked onto her legs as if glued. The sound of him swallowing hard echoed loudly in the quiet room.
"Tom, you can clean up the dishes later..."
Trying her absolute best to look seductive, she crossed and uncrossed her legs.
"Why don't you come over here for a moment?"
At her invitation, Tom's face flushed so red it looked ready to burst. He stumbled forward as if possessed.
"Y-yes... did you call for me?"
Up close, his breathing was ragged, and the bulge in his trousers had grown far larger and harder than before, straining against the fabric menacingly.
"Um... may I ask your name?"
Tom inquired timidly. She hesitated, almost blunting out 'Leon'. Selling her body under her true name was a fate worse than death.
"Ria... My name is Ria."
"Ah, Lady Ria... What a beautiful name."
"Tom, could you... help me?"
Putting on a tearful expression, she gently tugged at his sleeve. Startled, Tom nodded frantically.
"O-of course! Just say the word! Anything I can do, I will...!"
She glanced around the room anxiously and lowered her voice.
"Actually... I was kidnapped."
"What? K-kidnapped?"
Tom's eyes went wide. She pressed a finger to her lips to quiet him.
"Shh, quiet. That man... that horrible adventurer left for a quest, and I'm only telling you now while he's away. I felt like if I didn't speak up now, I'd never get another chance..."
The lies flowed effortlessly. She leaned gently against Tom's chest as she continued.
"I used to live a normal life in the Capital. But he dragged me here by force... and turned me into his plaything. Every night, he torments me... I tried to run away, but his watch is too tight..."
As she feigned sobbing, her shoulders trembling, Tom clenched his fists.
"What an absolute piece of trash...! I already hated him when he started hitting on my sister! With a pretty-boy face like that, I knew he was up to no good!"
Tom spat curses at Kyle.
Well, I can agree with that.
She cheered inwardly.
"If you help me... I'll do anything for you. Please..."
"Anything... you say?"
Tom's voice shook. Nodding, she slowly slid the strap of her dress off her shoulder.
The dress slipped down, pooling on the floor to reveal her pale, naked body.
"Ah...!"
Tom gasped, his jaw slackening at the sight of Ria's peerless beauty. Grabbing her hand with trembling fingers, he spoke in a breathless, emotional voice.
"L-Lady Ria! Do not worry! I will save you! Once this is over, I'll prepare a carriage!"
"A carriage?"
"Yes! Honestly, a talent like me shouldn't be wasting away running a countryside inn. I plan to make it big and become rich in the Capital! That's why I've been secretly saving money and even secured a carriage!"
Tom's eyes shone with grand dreams and hope.
"So... come to the Capital with me! I'll take responsibility for you and make you happy, Lady Ria! We can start anew, just the two of us!"
...What kind of nonsense is this?
She struggled to hide her sheer dumbfoundedness. She had asked for help, not a lifetime commitment.
Yet, a sudden spark of hope crossed her mind. Wait, could escaping actually be easier than I thought? If he had a carriage, she might not even need to fully recover her strength to make her escape.
No, that won't work.
She analyzed the situation coldly. Relying on this naive fool carried far too much risk. Kyle was relentless and terrifying. If they were caught fleeing, this boy would be killed, and she would face an even more horrific fate.
I must absorb as much essence as possible. It's only safe to move once I've recovered enough strength to protect myself.
In the end, she had to stick to the plan.
"Thank you so much, Tom. I'm putting all my trust in you."
"Lady Ria...!"
Shaking with excitement, Tom hastily stripped off his clothes. Panting heavily, he reached out and squeezed her full breasts.
"Ah!"
As his rough, sweaty palms kneaded her flesh, a wave of disgust washed over her, but at the same time, a tingling heat flared up in her lower abdomen.
"Ah... Tom... more..."
You'd better be useful to me. The moment you aren't, I'm throwing you away.
