"Officially, you'll be listed as my assistant," Karen said, her voice steady as she leaned against the guild counter, her fiery red hair catching the flickering torchlight.
"Assistant?" I echoed, tilting my head, curious about the term.
Karen nodded, her emerald eyes glinting with purpose. "Adventurers are limited to quests matching their rank. As an F-rank, you're restricted to low-difficulty quests with modest rewards. The standard path is to grind through those, gradually climbing the ranks—that's the adventurer's way."
"Makes sense. So it's a slow climb," I said, processing the system's structure.
"But there's a shortcut," she added, a sly smile tugging at her lips.
"A shortcut?" My interest piqued, I leaned closer.
"If you take on and complete high-difficulty quests from the start, your rank can skyrocket," she explained. "Of course, you need the strength to pull it off."
"But F-ranks can't accept high-difficulty quests, right?" I pointed out, frowning.
"There's one exception," Karen said, her smile widening. "The 'assistant' role. As the assistant to a high-ranking adventurer, even a low-rank like you can join tough quests. There are restrictions, though—you can't engage in unrestricted combat, for instance."
"So, if I become your assistant…" I trailed off, the pieces clicking together.
"Exactly," Karen confirmed, her voice brimming with confidence. "As an S-Class adventurer, I can take on the highest-difficulty quests, and my assistant gets to tag along."
Her smile softened, a hint of admiration in her gaze. "Normally, S-Class quests are too dangerous for lower ranks, and no one would dare sign up as an assistant. But you're different, Kairi. I know you can handle the kind of challenges I face."
"So, if I succeed, it counts toward my record?" I asked, my excitement building.
"Yep. Assistant contributions are weighted less than full-fledged quest participation, but since these are S-Class-level quests, even that's enough to rack up serious achievements for an F-rank like you," she said, her tone encouraging. "It's a fast track to climbing the ranks."
"A shortcut, huh? That does sound like a way to leap ahead," I mused, my mind racing. Karen had already said my skills were S-Class caliber, but this would demand real strength. Still, I felt a surge of confidence—I could do this.
"Let's do it, then," I said, my voice firm with resolve.
"Fufu, looking forward to it, Kairi," Karen replied, her grin infectious.
"Same here," I said, meeting her enthusiasm.
We sealed the agreement with a firm handshake, our partnership solidified. By tomorrow morning, we'd set out for our first joint quest—a familiar monster-slaying mission. The targets: two A-rank monsters and five B-rank ones, a daunting lineup befitting Karen's S-Class status. Tonight, we'd rest to gather our strength for the challenge ahead.
But for now…
----------------
"I've never been to a place like this before. Kinda nervous," I admitted, my voice low as I stood before the ornate doors of the town's brothel, the faint hum of music and laughter spilling out into the night air.
The decision to visit had been impulsive, spurred by curiosity and the lingering thrill of my new adventurer status. The building's exterior was elegant yet inviting, its warm lights and soft perfume hinting at the pleasures within
I paid the fee at the brothel's entrance, the jingle of coins a small price for the promise of the night ahead. A hostess guided me through a velvet-curtained corridor, the soft glow of lanterns casting flickering shadows, the air thick with the scent of jasmine and the distant murmur of laughter. She opened a door to a private chamber, where a woman awaited, her presence filling the room with an effortless, magnetic allure.
"I'm Aleesha, your companion for tonight," she said, her voice smooth and warm, like honey over silk. Her long golden hair spilled over her shoulders, framing a face that radiated mature sensuality. She seemed to be in her early thirties, her every movement exuding a confidence born of experience. Compared to the women I'd been with in this world—mostly shy or inexperienced—Aleesha's worldly charm was a striking contrast, both thrilling and unfamiliar. She wore a sheer, gossamer gown that clung to her curves, revealing the soft swell of her breasts and the delicate shadow of her hips beneath, a sight more provocative than bare skin could ever be. My breath hitched, desire stirring as my eyes traced her form.
"Fufu, new to places like this?" she asked, her lips curling into a teasing smile, her amber eyes glinting with knowing amusement.
"Yeah… I'm actually a reincarnated one," I admitted, rubbing the back of my neck, half-expecting her to laugh it off.
"Oh, truly?" Aleesha's eyes sparkled with intrigue, her smile deepening. "I've entertained another reincarnated one before. He claimed I was 'lovelier than a star from his world,' though I've no idea what he meant by 'star.'"
I chuckled, the term sparking a nostalgic image of my old life. "Probably someone famous from my previous world—performers or idols. You wouldn't find them here."
"Perhaps a divine spirit… or some exotic being, like a demonkin?" she mused, her tone light and playful, her head tilting with curiosity.
"Nah, just ordinary humans," I said with a laugh, though I vaguely recalled some entertainers back home with theatrical flair—devilish costumes or cosmic personas, maybe. I'd never been glued to screens, so the details escaped me. "Well, mostly ordinary."
"Fufu, my apologies for the chatter," Aleesha said, her voice softening, though her eyes danced with mischief. "We shouldn't let the night slip away."
"No, it's nice, really—" I began, enjoying her easy warmth.
"But you're here for more than talk," she purred, stepping closer, her breath brushing my cheek. "I want you to leave with no regrets."
Chu. Her lips met mine, soft and deliberate, their sweetness pulling me under like a warm tide. I sank into the kiss, and she leaned into me, her curves pressing against my chest, her warmth igniting a fire within.
"Tonight, let's lose ourselves," she whispered against my ear, her words a promise that sent my pulse racing, my body already ready for what lay ahead.