After the first gate, Ren and Lucia were directed to another checkpoint inside the walls. A metal barrier blocked the path while guards collected weapons from newcomers.
"Second inspection!" one shouted. "Leave your weapons here. You'll get them back when you leave the city."
Ren stepped forward and dropped his weapons on the counter.
CLANG
CLINK
His short sword and knives.
The guard raised an eyebrow. "…You came well prepared."
Ren shrugged. "Something like that."
Another guard tossed a small pouch onto the counter.
CLINK
"Three hundred coins," he said. "That's the remaining value after the entry fee."
Ren opened it and saw gold coins inside with a skull symbol carved on them.
Lucia leaned closer. "…So this is their currency."
Ren tied the pouch to his belt. "Looks like it."
The guard waved them forward.
"Alright. You're cleared."
"Welcome to Black Lust City."
---
They walked past the checkpoint and immediately stopped.
The city was huge. Rows of old wooden buildings stretched along the streets, their curved roofs and carved balconies glowing under countless neon lanterns. Bright red signs, music, laughter, and teasing voices echoed through the crowded roads, giving the whole place the feeling of a lively pleasure district from ancient times.
Ren's eyes suddenly sparkled.
"Woah…"
"This looks like one of those districts I read about in Xianxia[1] and manhua[2] once!"
He blinked slowly, eyes sparkling.
"Woah… what the hell… this is actually so cool."
Lucia looked up at the sky. "…Ren."
"…Why is it night here?"
Ren frowned. "…Wasn't it daytime outside?"
"Hey boy."
A raspy voice came from beside them.
They turned to see an old man leaning on a cane. He wore an expensive silk coat, gold rings on nearly every finger, slick white hair, and a thin grey beard. His sharp eyes studied them carefully.
He chuckled.
"Don't you know? After the apocalypse some people awakened abilities."
He tapped his cane on the ground.
"One of them serves the Snake Empress."
He pointed at the dark sky.
"She controls the city's light system… keeps it night whenever she wants."
A crooked smile appeared.
"After all…"
"…night is more suitable for certain activities."
"Hehehe…"
The old man studied them again, then pulled out a black card and handed it to Ren.
"My intuition says you'll become a good customer."
On the card it read:
Throne's Slave & Beauty
"The finest slave and beauty company in the city."
"If you ever need companions… or rare beauties…"
He tapped the card with a grin.
"You know where to find me."
Then he walked away into the crowd.
"See you around… boy."
Ren thought, Just who was that guy…?
But he quickly shook the thought away. …Whatever. That can wait.
Ren stretched his arms and glanced around the lively streets.
"First things first…"
"Let's check this place out before doing anything."
Lucia looked around at the crowded pleasure district, still a little uneasy.
"…Alright."
She nodded.
The two of them began walking deeper into the city streets.
Lantern lights glowed from wooden balconies, music drifting from open doors while countersen[3] leaned over railings, calling out to passing customers.
Men laughed loudly, coins clinked, and the smell of food, alcohol, and perfume filled the air.
Ren whistled quietly.
"…This place is something else.".
He said, "Let's book a room first."
The two of them entered a hotel near the street.
Ren walked to the counter.
"Hey, I need a room for two."
The man behind the desk glanced at Lucia, then leaned closer to Ren with a smug face.
He whispered into Ren's ear.
"So… should I book the deluxe couples room, or something more… special?" He smirked. "You know… if you have any kinks."
For a moment, wild thoughts ran through Ren's mind.
But he somehow held himself back from drooling.
Lucia looked at him.
"Did you book it?"
Ren cleared his throat. "Almost done."
Lucia crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes.
"Just don't book a single bed."
"Because I know exactly what you're thinking."
Ren immediately raised his hands.
"How could you think I would ever do something like that?"
Inside his head, Ren clicked his tongue.
What the hell… after what we did last night, you still don't trust me?
…Whatever.
A slow evil grin appeared on his face.
I've got other plans anyway.
Ren turned back to the man.
"No. Just a two-bed room."
"…For one month."
The man looked at him with pity.
"That's very unfortunate for you, sir."
Ren's eyebrow twitched.
Don't look at me with pity, you bastard… he thought with an irritated face.
The man handed over the key after Ren paid the coins.
"Room 7," he said casually.
Ren took the key, glanced at it for a second, then handed it to Lucia.
"You go first," he said. "I've got something to take care of."
Lucia tilted her head slightly.
"…Alright."
Without asking further, she took the key and walked toward the stairs.
A moment later, she disappeared down the hallway, heading to the room.
---
Ren stepped out of the hotel and rolled his shoulders, stretching his arms after the long day.
"Ahh…"
He cracked his neck lightly and looked around the lively streets again.
"So…"
"Where was I?"
For a moment he stood there thinking, then a slow evil grin crept onto his face.
"Ah, right."
"…Back to my original goal."
Ren wandered through the streets again, hands in his pockets.
"Let's see how this place works again…"
The deeper he went, the louder the city became.
Gambling dens packed with shouting men.
Courtesans leaning from wooden balconies, calling out to customers.
Slave traders loudly advertising their "goods."
The smell of liquor and smoke filled the air.
Ren looked around slowly.
Just… fuck.
This place is the same as always.
His lips curled slightly.
Actually… even better after the apocalypse.
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Hmm…
That old man said some people awakened powers…
So he was probably talking about skills.
But getting skills probably isn't the same for everyone.
Lucia and I got ours the same way… but maybe others awaken differently.
…Whatever.
Just then—
THUMP
A small figure bumped into him.
Ren looked down.
A little boy stood there,clothes were torn.
Scratches covered his arms.
His face was dirty like he had been running for a long time.
"S-Sorry, mister," he said quickly.
Ren waved his hand lazily.
"Don't worry, kiddo."
It's pretty unusual to see a kid in a place like this…
Maybe he's one of the children born here.
The boy quickly turned around to leave.
But—
Ren's hand suddenly grabbed his shoulder.
His lips curled into a cold grin.
"Hey…"
"…Where do you think you're going?"
The boy froze.
Ren leaned slightly closer.
"First…"
"…how about you give my money back?"
The boy stiffened.
"I—I don't know what you're talking about, mister," he said nervously.
Ren's face went blank.
"…Oh?"
"So that's how it is then."
Without warning, Ren grabbed the boy's head tightly.
The boy panicked, trying to pull away.
But Ren's other hand calmly slipped behind the boy's pocket.
A second later—
He pulled out a small pouch.
CLINK
Coins.
Ren held it up in front of the boy's face.
"So…"
"…what was that again, little brat?"
The boy's eyes widened.
"J-Just let me go, you motherfu—"
Ren stared at him with a deadpan expression.
What a vulgar brat.
One second it's "sorry mister"…
Next second he's cursing.
Ren suddenly threw the brat aside.
THUD!
The boy rolled across the ground.
Ren dusted his hands lazily.
"Whatever."
"I don't feel like dealing with a little kid."
He shrugged and began walking away.
"Oh, and if you really want money…"
"…go send your mommy next time."
Ren scratched the back of his head as he walked.
What a bother.
Even the kids in this place are little pests.
But suddenly—
A large figure stepped directly in front of him, blocking the path.
Ren stopped.
The man was huge, with thick arms and an ugly scar across his face.
"Where do you think you're going?" the man said coldly.
"You dare damage my property…"
"…you should pay."
Ren raised an eyebrow slightly.
Then his gaze shifted toward the brat on the ground.
I see…
So he's a slave.
Ren smiled lightly.
"Well, if he's yours…"
"…isn't it your responsibility to take care of him?"
He waved the coin pouch slightly.
"This little brat already caused me enough trouble."
"So let's call it even."
Ren stepped to the side, walking past him.
"Bye."
I don't have time to deal with these little thugs.
Ren had barely taken a few steps—
A heavy hand suddenly landed on his shoulder.
The grip was rough and forceful.
"Just where do you think you're going, you little runt?" the man growled from behind him.
Ren slowly stopped.
His eyes drifted down toward the large hand gripping his shoulder.
Then he tilted his head slightly, his expression turning cold.
"…You know," Ren said calmly,
"I really don't like people touching me."
THWACK
[1] Chinese fantasy stories about cultivators, martial sects, immortals, and supernatural powers. Mainly set in another world or old times.
[2] Basically Chinese manhwa
[3] entertainer found in pleasure districts who serves wealthy clients with music, conversation, and companionship in sexual act and stuff, basically very high class prostitutes.