Chapter 21: Julie's real nature [R18]

"For whatever reasons you have, don't think I'll forget what happened," I said, my voice flat but with an edge of warning. "You bewitched me into that mansion."

Julie just smiled, her expression infuriatingly calm. "It's fine. I rescued you because, honestly, it would've been a pity to let that man have his way with you," she said, her voice dripping with mockery and something unsettlingly sultry. "You know what I mean."

I ignored the implication and cut straight to the point. "What's your level? And give me info on this tower."

She tilted her head, her smirk growing wider as she leaned closer. "How about this? Sleep with me, and I'll tell you everything you want to know... and maybe even things you didn't know you needed," she purred, her tone dripping with innuendo.

I gave her a cold, lifeless stare. "Pass," I said flatly, turning away without hesitation.

I needed answers, sure, but not through something like that...

Wandering away from her, I scanned the area with a sharp eye. Understanding my surroundings right now is far more critical than indulging in whatever game Julie was planning on playing. I don't plan on wake up inside the belly of a monster—or worse— Just because I let my guard down.

Julie chased after me, her footsteps quick and frantic. "Okay, okay! I'll tell you, I'll tell you! Just... don't leave me all alone!" she pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation.

I didn't stop walking, but I slowed enough for her to catch up.

True to her word, she began to ramble—a mix of useful information and useless tidbits that I filtered through as she talked.

She mentioned she was currently at level 13, like me. Apparently, this place housed those below level 20, and once you reached level 20, you couldn't level up anymore here.

"But , what's even worse is," she said, her tone dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "is that no one who has ever gone to the next floor has ever returned. People say it's one of two things—either they died there, or the level restrictions stopped them from coming back."

Her words hung in the air for a moment as I processed the implications.

Julie continued, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I want to go up the tower. And you... you look like you want to climb it too."

I stopped walking and turned to face her. Her expression was serious now, devoid of her usual smirks and teasing tone.

After a moment, I made up my mind. "Let's climb together then," I said, my voice steady. "As long as you don't use any of your techniques on me, I'll guide you. I'll carry you through the tower."

Her eyes widened in surprise, and for once, she was speechless. But I could see something flicker in her gaze—maybe hope, determination, or maybe just relief.

Whatever it was, hopefully she won't get in my way. I have a god to bring down I thought to myself, trying to forget about the near dead experience I just had.

"Lira, are you one of them?" Julie's voice broke the silence.

I glanced at her, my expression blank. "Who's 'them'?"

She hesitated for a moment, as if weighing her words. "God's blessed individuals. They're the ones who are given gifts when sent into the tower. They say there are rewards waiting at the end of the climb, but very few words of them are spread around."

Her words hung in the air, and I mulled them over. What should I tell her? If things had been different—if I hadn't been toyed with—I might have regarded Kailus, the one who gave me this gift, as my benefactor. But now? Now, he was just another obstacle in my way. I couldn't regard myself as blessed.

I shook my head. "Nope, I'm not one of them."

Julie tilted her head, studying me for a moment before nodding. She didn't press the issue. Instead, she shifted her gaze to the ground, fiddling with her fingers, before finally looking back up at me with an oddly serious expression.

"Lira," she began, her voice softer now, "By the way, I'm a succubus. Please... be understanding."

Her words didn't sink in right away. I frowned, unsure what she meant, but then realization came soon enough.

We soon began a long and uneventful journey, the kind that left too much room for wandering thoughts. Julie, as usual, filled the silence with her incessant rambling—half of it useless musings, the other half vaguely informative. I tuned most of it out, nodding on occasion to keep her from pestering me directly.

Eventually, we stumbled upon a small town nestled in the shadow of the hills. It was a far cry from the bustling city we'd just left behind, with its towering skyscrapers and endless noise. Here, the buildings were modest, a patchwork of wood and stone that looked like they'd been built with more practicality than care for aesthetics.

The streets were quiet, with only a handful of people moving about. A few glanced at us, but none lingered. It was the kind of place where strangers drew mild curiosity but no real suspicion.

"This will do," I muttered, scanning the area.

Julie trailed behind me, her eyes lighting up when she spotted an inn at the edge of the main street. "Lodging secured! Let's go!" she chirped, grabbing my wrist and dragging me toward it.

Inside, the inn was simple but clean. The innkeeper, an older woman with kind eyes but a shrewd demeanor, handed us a single key after Julie slid her a few coins.

In order to cut back on cost I had her booked only one room. Julie didn't complain about sharing a room, but the look on her face made me second-guess my decision for a moment.

The room itself was small, with a single bed and a worn table pushed against the wall. I tossed my bag onto the chair and turned to Julie. "Stay here," I said flatly.

"Where are you going?" she asked, already flopping onto the bed with exaggerated ease.

"Out. I need information."

Julie pouted but didn't protest. "Don't be too long. I'll keep the bed warm," she teased, but I ignored her, shutting the door behind me before she could say anything else.

Outside, the air was cool, and the streets were still relatively empty. I moved through the town, observing the locals and their routines, listening for any stray conversations that might hold useful tidbits. It wasn't much, but it was a start.

***

Later in the evening , I stepped into the dimly lit bedroom, my mood instantly went sour. The room was filled with the sounds of moans and the rhythmic slapping of skin against skin. Julie was laid out on the bed, her naked body glistening with sweat as two men, one dark-haired and one blonde, fucked her mercilessly from either end.

Julie's eyes met mine, her face contorted in a mix of pleasure and pain. "Lira," she gasped out between moans, "come... come join us." Her voice was thick with lust and desperation.

The dark-haired man, fucking Julie's mouth, glanced over at Lira. He smirked, his hips never pausing their his hips never pausing their brutal pace. "Yeah, come here, we'll make sure you're satisfied," he growled.

I stood motionless, my eyes flicking between the three writhing bodies. The blonde man's ass clenched and relaxed, driving his thick cock deeper into Julie's dripping cunt. Julie's back arched, her tits bouncing as she was fucked hard and fast.

The blonde man immersed with Julie, his face flushed and sweaty. "Fuck, she's so tight," he grunted.

I remained still, my hands clasped in front of me, watching the debauchery unfold before me. I wonder why I'm still watching, was it because I never knew about this thing? I'm kinda curious.