Chapter 7 - New Prey
Tom lay unconscious for a long while, only managing to open his eyes as the sun began to sink below the horizon.
"Ugh... my back..."
He staggered to his feet, his face instantly flushing crimson when he saw Leon, still completely naked, leaning back against the headboard of the bed.
"L-Lia...!"
Leon crossed her legs elegantly, smiling as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
"Are you awake, Tom? You were... truly amazing. I've never experienced anything so intense before."
To keep using him, it was crucial to stroke his fragile male ego. Just as Leon expected, Tom was so deeply moved by her single compliment that his eyes welled with tears.
"L-Lia... to think I could be with someone like you... it feels like a dream."
Tom was utterly intoxicated by the fact that he had shared a bed with this peerless beauty. In his simple mind, Leon had already become his woman.
"Don't you worry! I'll take responsibility for you! I will make sure you're happy, Lia!" Tom declared, clenching his fists.
How the hell are you going to take responsibility for me?
Leon scoffed inwardly, but outwardly, she gave a shy, delicate nod.
"Thank you, Tom. I'm putting all my trust in you."
She offered a gentle, practiced smile. He was nothing more than a pawn to be discarded the moment she secured a carriage and left. Humoring him for now was the easiest path.
"But... it sounds like someone is looking for you outside. Shouldn't you go check?"
Just as Leon said, a woman's sharp, screeching voice echoed from the hallway outside.
"Hey! Tom! Where the hell are you hiding?! Get your ass out here right now!"
Tom's face drained of all color.
"C-Crap! Mom?!"
He scrambled to pull up his trousers, wearing a look of sheer panic.
"D-Damn it... of all times... Lia, I'll be right back."
"Yes, hurry along. It would be terrible if we were caught."
"I'll bring you dinner later! And... I'll find out about the carriage by then!"
Reluctantly, Tom kissed the back of Leon's hand. His legs were still weak and trembling from their encounter as he staggered out of the room.
Smack! Thwack!
"Ow! Aaagh! Mom! I'm sorry!"
"You lazy bastard! Your sister is bedridden and groaning in pain, and you, her older brother, are off sleeping somewhere?! There's a mountain of work to do!"
"N-No! I was just resting for a second! Ow!"
The sounds of Tom getting thrashed and his pathetic wails carried clearly through the thin walls.
Listening to the commotion, Leon let out a heavy sigh.
Sigh... To think I have to rely on a pathetic loser like that. What a miserable fate.
Relying solely on Tom to secure a carriage was too risky. With Kyle and his party liable to show up at any moment, she couldn't afford to just sit around and wait.
If I go out now... I could probably seduce another man...
She looked down at the darkening streets through the window. If she just grabbed any of the sturdy, well-built men walking by and spent a single night with them, she would absorb far more essence than she ever could from a weakling like Tom.
But she quickly shook her head.
No. Wandering around too much might ruin my plans. And if I leave too many clues...
Kyle's face flashed in her mind. He was like a bloodhound.
Back when they adventured together, Kyle had once pursued a thief who stole from the party's funds for a month and a half straight until he caught him.
At the time, she had admired his relentless drive, thinking of it as a necessary trait for an adventurer. But now that they were enemies, there was no one more terrifying or spine-chilling.
If I go around throwing my body at everyone, rumors will spread. Once Kyle returns, tracking me down will be child's play. I have to build my strength as quietly and discreetly as possible.
Just imagining Kyle's obsessive gaze made her shudder. For now, she decided to trust Tom and focus on mapping out her route to the Capital.
She spent some time studying the map, plotting her escape route.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Lia? I've brought your dinner."
Dinner time had arrived, and Tom returned carrying a tray. His face was swollen, likely from his mother's beating, but the moment he saw Leon, his face lit up with a goofy grin.
"Thank you, Tom."
Leon took the tray and asked the most crucial question.
"So... what about the carriage?"
Tom's expression turned troubled.
"Ah, well... I have a friend who owns a carriage. I went to see him earlier, but he wasn't there... He said he'd stop by this inn tonight since I work here."
"Tonight?"
"Yes! As soon as he gets here, I'll secure the carriage and get everything ready!"
"I understand. I'll be waiting."
Leon hid her disappointment behind a sweet smile.
Energized by her encouragement, Tom pumped his fist and left the room.
She sat by the window again, chewing on a piece of bread to satisfy her hunger. The dry, stale bread felt like it was getting stuck in her throat.
What if Tom can't get the carriage?
Anxiety began to creep in.
Will I really have to go outside? Will I have to use this body to sell myself to any random man on the street? Will I have to crawl into some filthy tavern, sit on the laps of drunkards, and sell my smiles?
The mere thought was repulsive, but to regain her strength, she might have to do things far worse.
Resting her chin on her hand, she stared out the window with a deep sigh.
Leon eventually drifted off to sleep. It was her only escape from this nightmarish reality, but even that peace was short-lived.
Her eyes snapped open at the sound of a loud commotion out in the hallway.
"Hey! Jack! That's not what we agreed on!"
It was a familiar voice. Tom.
Leon slipped out of bed and crept toward the door. Cracking it open slightly, she peeked outside to see Tom arguing with someone.
The other man was quite burly, presumably Tom's friend. Clad in leather armor with a worn dagger at his waist, he looked like a low-ranking adventurer or a mercenary. Leon held her breath and listened closely.
"Sorry, Tom. Even if I wanted to sell it to you, another buyer showed up. They're offering more money."
"What? Hey! Jack! You promised to give it to me! Is this how you treat a friend?"
"Friend? Don't make me laugh. There are no friends when money is involved. If you don't like it, bring more cash. Otherwise, beat it."
The man named Jack sneered and turned to leave. Leon's brow furrowed.
What the hell? If he doesn't get that carriage, what happens to me?
If they couldn't get a carriage now, she might have to steal one herself. Anxiety washed over her. Trying to escape on foot with her current lack of strength was practically suicide.
"Hey! Stop right there, you backstabbing bastard!"
Seething with rage, Tom grabbed Jack by the collar. But the difference in their physical builds was too great.
"Let go of me! You're not listening!"
Jack shoved Tom away with an annoyed grunt.
"Aaargh!"
Crash!
Tom fell backward helplessly, landing hard on his rear. His face flushed red with humiliation as he panted in anger, but he didn't dare to charge again.
Leon clicked her tongue.
Tom's legs were still shaking from having his essence drained, while Jack was quite solidly built. Tom stood no chance, whether in a physical brawl or a battle of words.
If I leave things like this, the carriage is as good as gone.
Leon's eyes narrowed. To secure the carriage and ensure her escape, she needed to wrap this arrogant Jack around her finger. Besides, she couldn't afford to be picky when it came to gathering essence discreetly.
He looked far sturdier than Tom. Perhaps she could squeeze even more essence out of him, and for longer.
Right. What do I have to fear at this point? I need to survive.
Leon adjusted her clothes. She was still wearing nothing but a loose, thin dress, completely bare underneath.
This... should be provocative enough, right?
She pulled her collar down slightly to expose her deep cleavage and hitched up her hemline to reveal more of her thighs. This was the best way to bypass a man's simple brain.
Steeling her resolve, Leon flung the door wide open.
"Excuse me! What's going on out here?"
Jack spun around at the sound of the clear, melodious voice echoing down the hallway. His jaw dropped instantly.
"Huh...?"
Mystical silver-blue hair, delicate brows knitted in worry, a pale shoulder peeking through the loose dress, and breasts so full they looked ready to burst out of the fabric.
"Ah..."
Jack forgot how to breathe, utterly captivated by Leon's ethereal beauty.
The woman standing before him was, without a doubt, the most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes on in this backwater town. His mind went completely blank, leaving him speechless.
"L-Lia...!"
Meanwhile, Tom's face turned pale. He had just shown his beloved woman his most pathetic side, shoved to the floor by his friend.
"Please go back inside, Lia! I-It's nothing!"
Tom scrambled to stand, but his weak legs made him stumble. Seeing this, it was Jack who felt a sudden surge of burning jealousy.
Tom, you bastard... how do you know a beauty like her? A loser like you?
Jack's eyes gleamed with raw greed. A primal desire to possess this woman welled up inside him.
He instantly changed his expression. His thuggish demeanor vanished, replaced by the mask of the friendliest, most good-natured man in the world.
"Oh, Tom! Are you alright? I guess I pushed you a bit too hard!"
Jack quickly rushed over to help Tom up. He brushed the dust off Tom's clothes and slung an arm around his shoulders.
"Hahaha! Don't worry, miss! We were just fooling around. You know how guys get when they talk—things can get a bit rough. Right, Tom?"
Jack pinched Tom's side, forcing a smile. Tom shuddered at Jack's shamelessness, but unable to curse in front of Leon, he could only nod reluctantly.
"Y-Yeah. Right. Just... a joke."
Leon sneered inwardly at their transparent little play.
Simpletons. This Jack guy doesn't seem any different from Tom.
Jack's eyes were glued to Leon's cleavage. She could practically hear him gulping down his saliva.
Leon sensed her opportunity.
Seducing Jack, the actual owner of the carriage, would be a much faster and more reliable way to get what she wanted than relying on Tom. She might not even need Tom as a middleman anymore.
Leon patted her chest as if relieved, leaning forward slightly to emphasize her breasts. Jack's eyes looked ready to pop out of his skull at the sight of her swaying cleavage.
"Oh, what a relief. I was so startled, I thought you two were actually fighting."
His face flushed bright red as he stared down her dress, puffing out his chest in a show of bravado.
"Haha, of course not. We're best friends. I always look out for Tom here."
"Then... as an apology for my misunderstanding, would you like to join me for a cup of tea? It's chilly outside, so why don't we chat in my room?"
"Your room?!"
Jack and Tom blurted out in unison. Tom's voice cracked with anxiety, while Jack's trembled with anticipation.
"I have something to discuss regarding the carriage. Please, come in."
Leon gave Jack a suggestive wink and stepped back inside. Even her retreat, with her hips swaying seductively, was incredibly alluring.
Jack gripped Tom's shoulder tightly and whispered.
"Hey, Tom. Who is that beauty? Huh? How the hell do you know a woman like that?"
"None of your business!"
"Don't tell me the carriage was... pfft. Was it for her? She's way out of your league, buddy."
Jack sneered, shoving Tom aside as he strode confidently toward Leon's room.
Tom's eyes shook with anxiety. A sense of crisis gripped him at the thought of his woman being stolen, and knowing his friend's vile nature, his worry only deepened.
Jack pushed the door open and stepped inside, and Tom had no choice but to follow him into the room.