Journey to the City (1)About an hour had passed since leaving the city.
My body kept jostling in the rickety carriage.
Not even empty compliments could describe this ride quality.
Partly due to the shoddy wagon, but mostly because the road was in terrible condition.
For a place supposedly under a marquis's jurisdiction, they only properly maintained areas near the city while neglecting the outskirts.
As I absentmindedly watched the scenery, my gaze suddenly dropped downward.
The legs of the middle-aged man sitting across from me came into view.
I knew our knees were touching because the interior was cramped.
But if it felt like he was deliberately rubbing against me since earlier, was that just my imagination?
I closed my eyes and let time pass.
It wasn't just my mood.
I could physically feel the man's knee becoming increasingly blatant.
What should I do?
Should I get angry or just let it be?
It was just knee-to-knee contact, so I didn't feel particularly uncomfortable.
Plus, I was wearing pants, not a skirt.
In the end, I chose silence.
There was no need to make a fuss over such a trivial matter.
It wasn't worth wasting energy on something so insignificant.
The sun had reached its zenith, and the carriage continued rattling.
The shocks transmitted through the wagon were worse than before—clearly an especially bad stretch of road.
I braced myself against the crate I was sitting on to steady my swaying body.
Then, at some point, an impact incomparable to anything before violently shook the carriage interior.
The cargo all bounced up simultaneously, and I lost my balance, tilting sideways.
At the same moment, the man's body collapsed onto me.
"Whoa there!"
His fully outstretched hands slid toward my upper body.
The force wrinkled my tunic shirt as his palms buried themselves against my breasts.
Through the fabric, I could feel his rough knuckles and scorching body heat.
The shock subsided.
The man hastily withdrew his hands and began making excuses.
"My, my deepest apologies. The carriage just happened to bounce violently. I'm utterly ashamed."
That's when I realized.
He'd been waiting for this exact opportunity the whole time.
All those suspicious knee movements were just reconnaissance for this moment.
"I sincerely apologize."
His exaggeratedly remorseful attitude only made him seem more shameless.
I might have believed him if he hadn't groped me three times in that brief moment.
I couldn't overlook this anymore.
Just as I opened my mouth to give him a piece of my mind—
I sensed something strange.
The man had stopped apologizing and was staring intensely at one part of me.
Following his gaze downward, I saw—
A distinct protrusion pushing out from the curve of my body covered by the tunic.
Something conspicuously erect at the center of my breast.
The moment I recognized what it was, I reflexively covered my chest with my arm.
"Oh...!"
An unwelcome exclamation escaped the man.
I'd suddenly become the kind of woman who gets erect nipples from just a little touching.
What treatment I'd receive next was obvious without even looking.
A warning wouldn't be enough. I needed to show him what's what.
Clenching my fist, I punched the man's face with full force.
"Guhack!"
His lips split, spraying blood and saliva everywhere.
Cradling his swollen cheek, he looked at me with flustered eyes.
His expression showed disbelief at what had just happened to him.
"My apologies. The carriage was shaking. You understand, right?"
Resting my hand on the sword scabbard beside me, I glared at him.
After alternating glances between the weapon and me, he quietly averted his eyes.
Then he hunched his knees tightly to avoid further contact.
A clear gesture of submission.
This is what violence is.
In the past, I wouldn't have been able to resist such harassment.
I would've just awkwardly smiled, desperately trying to hide my embarrassment.
But now, I don't have to do that anymore.
As I quietly regulated my breathing, the protruding tunic fabric settled back down.
I sighed.
I wasn't born with this kind of constitution.
This body that reacts instantly to the slightest stimulation—what people call being easily aroused.
My changes began after unlocking this ability in the past.
[ Lilith's Scent (Lv.1) ]
Releases the alluring pheromones of the Lust Demon King Lilith.
Characters within the pheromone's range will feel attraction and lust toward you.
Increases bodily sensitivity and enhances sexual desire.
The ability I unlocked by paying 10,000 points of Lust—Lilith's Scent.
Alluring pheromones or whatever—it was utterly useless in daily life.
While making others feel attracted was fine, having that attraction turn into lust ultimately made it meaningless.
Just like that farce with the man earlier—it only increased incidents of harassment and teasing.
This sensitive body and heightened libido might as well be curses.
Had I known, I would never have unlocked it.
After sacrificing a full 10,000 points of Sin, I thought I'd at least get a decent ability.
The result was nothing like that.
But I suppose it's my fault for trusting a demon.
After several rest stops and passing through small villages, the carriage continued toward its destination.
The man I punched got off the carriage midway as if fleeing.
Thanks to that, I could stretch my legs comfortably for the remaining time.
As sunset colored the land,
We arrived at a village beneath the mountains called Grundt.
"Thanks for the ride. Are there any inns here?"
"Two of 'em. This one's got better rooms, that one's got good booze and food."
I memorized the directions the coachman pointed out.
After exchanging brief farewells, we parted ways.
Though described as a mountain village, I'd imagined some backward remote area.
Contrary to expectations, Grundt was quite prosperous.
There were several shops and a decent flow of people.
Most seemed to be travelers like myself.
Well-dressed merchants and heavily armed mercenaries also roamed about.
If I didn't hurry, I might not get a room.
Walking briskly, I entered one of the inns.
The one supposedly with better accommodations.
"Any available rooms? Preferably a single."
"Nope. All full."
Too late, as expected.
As I turned to leave with disappointment,
A sudden hand grabbed my wrist.
The innkeeper.
"Miss, it's not completely impossible..."
A slimy gaze crawled over me.
Those lecherous eyes scanning me from head to toe weren't even surprising anymore.
"I'll try elsewhere."
Shaking off his hand, I turned away decisively.
There was no need to hear more.
The remaining option was the place known for good alcohol.
A slightly shorter but more spacious building.
Inside, a boisterous atmosphere greeted me, with people clinking glasses everywhere.
Most tables were packed, but fortunately some counter seats remained open.
Sitting at a bar-style single seat, I called the owner.
I immediately asked about lodging but didn't get the answer I hoped for.
"No rooms left. You came too late, miss."
"Anywhere to stay dry? Just need walls and a roof."
"Hmm. We do rent out the first floor."
Given the village's nature, outsiders sometimes flooded in.
This was such a time, and they temporarily let people spend nights on the first floor.
"Can't really recommend it. Best you'll do is curling up or sleeping face-down on a table."
"Better than spending the night outside."
"Umm..."
The owner stroked his mustache pensively.
His eyes lingered on the sword at my waist.
"You sure about this? Not that I'm looking down on you, but..."
I knew exactly what he was worried about.
A woman alone at night—even indoors.
Had our positions been reversed, I'd have advised against it too.
"If anything happens, the establishment won't be responsible."
"Yes. It's fine."
What kind of "anything"—
At minimum theft, at worst rape, I suppose.
Doesn't matter.
I'm carrying all my belongings, and I won't just take it anymore if anyone approaches.
They'd need to be ready to lose two or three lives at least.
"Alright then. If you insist."
"Thanks for trusting me."
After paying a pittance, I got permission to stay on the first floor overnight.
Since there was still time before closing, I ordered a beer too.
Sipping lightly, I observed my surroundings.
Various figures laughed, argued, and enjoyed themselves freely.
Unbothered by anyone.
That I was sharing space with them—
It really hit me then.
Just how long I'd been trapped under oppressive weight.
I've grown accustomed to this female body.
Truthfully, my memories as a man have faded too.
After experiencing so much, everything just became indistinct.
Prostitution was the same.
The first time a man pinned me down, I wanted to bite my tongue off.
But now, worn down, I just accept it and surrender to the pleasure.
Some kill for pocket change—spreading my legs is nothing compared to that.
Though I still detest feminine affectations or kissing men.
As I lost myself in thought, night deepened and the inn's bustle faded.
The last lights extinguished, bringing complete silence.
Time to prepare for sleep.
I sat with my back against a corner wall.
Keeping my sword hugged close, ready to draw anytime.
Brandishing it openly should deter most pests.
Moonlight through the window cast a faint glow.
The first floor held quite a few other guests besides me.
I felt peering eyes but ignored them and closed mine.
Even with my Recovery ability, I still need 3-4 hours of sleep daily.
While I can regenerate limbs at will, the brain has its limits.
After suffering nightmares last night, I'd managed about an hour of fitful sleep when—
The sound of cautious footsteps made me open my eyes.
I subtly drew my sword slightly, revealing the blade.
"...Who's there?"
"Ah, no one. Couldn't see anyone in the dark. Sorry for waking you."
The startled shadow hurried away.
A lame excuse.
Similar disturbances happened several more times throughout the night.
Thanks to that, I greeted morning with bleary eyes, having barely slept.
When daylight became sufficient, I stepped outside.
Looking toward the mountain path, I spotted gathered wagons and people.
Approaching who appeared to be their leader:
"Hello. You're crossing the mountain?"
"Hmm? That's right."
"Mind if I join? I won't be baggage."
Pulling back my robe, I showed the sword at my waist.
He looked thoughtful, weighing his options.
"What's a woman doing with a sword?"
A cocky young man swaggered over from behind.
The very picture of a third-rate thug.
"Damn. Nowadays anyone carries a sword around."
Normally I'd ignore such childish provocation.
But after yesterday's harassment and sleep deprivation, my patience was wearing thin.
"...Anyone?"
The weak, vulnerable me no longer exists.
Tilting my head slightly, I fixed the man with an icy stare.
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