"Haah..."
Hugo wiped his brow with the back of his hand, calves burning from squatting too long. The midday sun beat down mercilessly as he polished Ion's sword—a task he'd taken upon himself, unprompted.
Four days had passed since he'd joined the hero's party. Though grateful for Ion's mercy, Hugo's incompetence gnawed at him.
He was dead weight.
Yesterday's blunder—a reckless attempt to "help" that halted their progress for half a day—still haunted him. The goddesses' silent disapproval was worse than any scolding.
At least let me be useful.
He inspected the gleaming blade. How much would the Demon King pay for this?
"What am I thinking?!"
He shook his head violently.
"Strange... It was definitely this way."
The forest blurred into sameness. Hugo clutched the sheathed sword, panic rising. Becoming that guy—the one who got lost in his own camp—would be the final humiliation.
Then—the sound of water.
A lake. Ion had mentioned it: "The goddesses bathe there."
His steps faltered. Visions flashed—glistening skin, water sluicing off curves, laughter ringing like silver—
"No."
He turned sharply—
And froze.
A black qipao hung from a branch.
Thanatos' dress.
Silk whispered under his fingers, softer than clouds. He lifted it to his face—
Her scent.
Floral. Spiced. Divine.
His pants tightened. Memories surged:
Thanatos' lazy smiles.
The way her qipao slit teased glimpses of thigh.
That look—like he was something stuck to her shoe.
A thud. Black lace pooled at his feet.
Her panties.
Warm. Damp.
He pressed them to his nose—
Heaven.
His belt clattered. Fingers wrapped around his cock, stroking furiously.
This was worship.
Precum smeared the lace. Hips bucked.
"Haah...! Hngh...!"
Ejaculate splattered silk.
"Enjoying yourself?"
A voice like chilled wine.
Hugo whirled.
Thanatos stood there, water beading on bare skin, arms crossed.
Naked.
And livid.