In the Undead Lair, a young Japanese woman got ready to leave the cave. Her katana was at her hip, but her mind was far away.
Aiko saw everything.
Yes, everything. She saw what happened between John and Lyra a couple hours ago.
Her heartbeat pounded in her ears as she watched the scene unfold. It was so embarrassing, but her own body protested and tears of shame formed at her eyelids. It was only when they were done that Aiko ran away.
John and Lyra laid naked in the large bed in the boss room. They were both sore, but in a good way, after three rounds of passion.
Lyra blinked her eyes open, her mind still fuddled from the sex, but a real smile formed on her lips when she saw John laying next to her.
"Darling, did you know someone was watching us?"
John turned his head to the side and looked at her. "I was so enraptured with you that my senses were dulled for a moment."
Lyra smiled even wider at that, because the thought of him thinking about her made her heart flutter in her chest.
But then his eyes narrowed.
"If it was a man I would have torn out his eyes for watching me and my woman," he said darkly. "But no man would watch me and my woman... unless he had a knife between his ribs."
Lyra’s cheeks burned crimson at his words.
"John... I’m wet again."
He looked her in her eyes and let out a small smile. "Well... we can do something about that."
After another round of passionate sex, John exited the Undead Lair. Airi and her four silent puppets were already waiting for him when he exited but Aiko wasn’t there yet.
Airi’s eyes locked on John’s as she said what she wanted to say. "Do you know that Aiko loves you?"
John gave a small smile. "I know that she loves me, but she needs to confess herself. And I already have Lyra."
Airi raised an eyebrow and gave a sultry smile.
"You’re quite the heartthrob, you know that? Do you know how many women would kill to have you take them as your lover?"
John matched her gaze with one of his own, and Airi’s cheeks burned red all the way to her ears.
"Stop it John," she muttered, looking away from him.
"Oh, sorry for being a charming guy," he replied with a grin.
This man was such a menace to society. If he ever got loose in a place like Japan, he would have milfs and gilfs waiting for him at his doorstep.
John’s expression suddenly became serious. "Do you still think that you want to walk this path of revenge with us?".
Airi wasn’t exactly a front-liner. As a Puppeteer, she had to rely on her puppets to fight for her and she didn’t like to control people without them knowing. Her heart was as pure as the white lily that blossomed in the springtime.
"I do," she said.
"I’ve already made up my mind. I would follow you guys all the way to the end. I may not be strong with my own two hands, but I won’t let you guys down."
She paused and looked at him straight in the eye.
"I think that this revenge business isn’t the only reason why we all are getting close to each other.
It’s the fact that we all bond together like a family that comforts me."
John looked at her for a long time.
She was so pure-hearted that he almost thought she was one of the Seven Heavenly Virtues. He actually remembered the legend from the ancient scriptures back when he used to work under the higher-ups in the capital.
Back then he had read of the Seven Deadly Sins and their holy counterparts who lived and fought with them. But then one fateful day, the Seven Heavenly Virtues were all eradicated and the Seven Deadly Sins were sealed away by the Goddess of Alderia.
The old books spoke of a war that tore the kingdom apart, and the eradication of the entire holy order.
But then he shook his head. Thinking about the higher-ups only made his blood boil in his veins. He smiled lightly at Airi.
They talked a while longer. Airi told him about her life back in Japan. How she used to live in a small apartment with her little sister, how they always went to the convenience store at night, how she had dreamt of becoming a fashion designer one day.
John also told her about the people that had died in the Glenwood Cavern. His support-class comrades, who had laughed and shared their rations of bread with him until the higher-ups decided to sell them out. He even laughed a bit at some of the things he had said.
John gave a smile. "It’s a good thing we have allies."
They all stood as Aiko and Lyra exited the cave.
Airi felt happiness bloom within her chest, but she also knew it would not last for long. She pushed those feelings away.
Let’s just enjoy the moment being happy for now.
When they returned to the Frostveil Guild, things seemed to be the same as before, if not a bit busier. But Nyxara, the wraith spirit inside of John’s shadow, warned him.
’Master, be careful of the receptionist at the counter. She seems dangerous.’
John paid heed to her warning.
When the receptionist, a young and beautiful woman named Elsa, noticed John, she gave him a bright and cute smile. But Lyra immediately frowned.
"I don’t like that woman and her smile at my man."
They sat at the same table as before, and after a while, Airi’s cheerfulness returned. "I wonder if that little girl is still here."
She had taken care of the little girl the last time they came here. But her hopes were dashed when a mature-looking woman carrying eight jugs of ale came to their table.
Her eyes were bloodshot and the smile on her lips was fake, probably because of the large amounts of alcohol she had to drink to deal with her daily life. Her dark brown hair was tied up in a messy bun and her hands shook slightly as she placed the drinks before them.
John was about to speak, but Airi beat him to it. "The little girl... where is she? Is she around?"
That woman’s smile immediately morphed into a scowl. "I have nothing to say to you adventurers. By the way, the ales are on the house."
She left immediately and John felt a sense of unease in his gut. He did not question it, because he had already had enough unpleasant surprises for the day.
Nearby, a few adventurers were chatting loudly enough for John to hear.
The man with the longbow on his back leaned forward and said, "Did you guys hear? The owner’s daughter died because of an adventurer the other day. The matter was covered up, but apparently she was torn apart by wolves."
Airi’s body tensed.
The man with the thick brown beard and a scar across his cheek took a long sip before speaking up. "Yup, I heard that the adventurer that caused it was an S-rank. But what the hell are we supposed to do about him? He’s just gonna get away with it."
The last one scoffed. "It’s just a little girl. A small sacrifice."
Something within Airi snapped.
She had already lost her little sister in that hospital bed on Earth, praying that her soul would return one day. But then even that hope was shattered now.
Aiko immediately grabbed hold of Airi’s hand to stop her from doing anything rash.
They didn’t have to worry about her, because the one who would make a real scene was none other than John.
He stood up and his allies followed suit, but he gave them a look that said to stay put. John sauntered up to the receptionist counter and gave a polite smile.
"Where can I find this S-rank adventurer?"
Elsa gave him a charming smile. "He can currently be found at the first village in the Frostveil... John Graves the Necromancer. You have my interest, Sir."
John did not reply, but when he turned around, his face was as black as the void itself.
He did not know the man’s name yet, but no one made his allies cry.
And the one who was going to get his revenge on that S-rank adventurer was not easily thwarted.