The riverbank was alive with the familiar chorus of rushing water, buzzing insects, and the rustle of tall grass swaying in the breeze. It was becoming their "usual spot," the stretch of land where Mitchell and Lovel had made a routine of hunting slimes and small game. Today had been no different—three slimes dispatched, their cores tucked safely into Mitchell's backpack, and two horned rabbits brought down in quick succession.
Mitchell had been crouched over a patch of mud, sword tip poking at the ground as he searched for another slime, when he heard a sharp thwack followed by a squeal. He turned, half-expecting to see trouble, but instead saw Lovel standing calmly in the grass, both rabbits limp in her arms. Her golden eyes were steady, her tail flicking once in satisfaction as she walked back toward him.
"…You've gotta be kidding me," Mitchell muttered, jaw slack. "I look away for, what, five minutes? And you've already bagged dinner—times two?"
Lovel didn't answer immediately. She simply crouched, laying the rabbits on the grass, and set about her work. Taking the bronze sword from Mitchell as she made clean cuts, her hands steady as she peeled back fur and separated meat with practiced ease. Blood darkened her fingers, but she didn't falter, her expression calm, focused.
Mitchell watched her, arms crossed loosely, trying not to look like he was staring. But he couldn't help it. Every day, she seemed to be getting stronger—her steps lighter, her movements more fluid, her voice carrying more life. The hollow sick look that had haunted her when he first carried her out of that cage was fading, replaced by a quiet vitality that made something warm twist in his chest.
The new clothes he'd bought her suited her too, even if they were plain, the beige tunic and dark trousers framed her slender frame, her silver-white hair brushing against her shoulders as her wolf ears twitched at every sound.
"Damn," He murmured under his breath. "She looks… really beautiful like this."
He quickly shook his head, cheeks heating. 'Get a grip, Mitchell. Don't be a creep. She's skinning rabbits. Focus on literally anything else.'
Still, as he watched, he couldn't ignore the way dirt, grime, and now blood smeared across her arms and face. The new clothes were already spattered too, though not as badly as the rags she'd once worn.
"Hey, uh," Mitchell called out, scratching the back of his neck. "Not to be, y'know, Captain Obvious here, but you're kinda… covered in dirt and blood. And, uh, I'm not smelling so great myself either." He tugged at the collar of his sweater, grimacing. "So… I'm thinking it's probably time for another bath."
Lovel paused mid-cut, raising her head to look at him. Her golden eyes blinked slowly, unreadable. "…Again?"
"Yeah, again," Mitchell said, laughing awkwardly. "Baths aren't just a once-in-a-lifetime event, you know. You've gotta do it regularly or else… well, you'll end up smelling worse than the animals we skinned."
Her ears flicked, and for a moment she looked genuinely puzzled. "I did not die the first time without bathing."
"Yeah, but you almost died from being sick and malnourished," Mitchell countered, pointing a finger. "And dirt and germs probably didn't help. Trust me, keeping clean is just as important as eating. It's not optional—it's survival. A healthy body is a healthy mind."
Lovel tilted her head, considering his words. Finally, she nodded once, setting aside the finished rabbit pelt. "…Very well. If you say so, Master."
Mitchell exhaled in relief, smiling faintly. "Good. Then after we wrap up here, we'll hit the river again. And this time, I'll make sure no monsters sneak up on us mid-scrub."
She lowered her gaze back to her work, though her tail gave a small, amused flick.
Mitchell turned back toward the water, adjusting the pack on his shoulders, though his thoughts were still caught somewhere between her recovery, her quiet acceptance, and the undeniable fact that he was going to have to bathe with her again.
"…This world is trying to kill me in more ways than one," he muttered under his breath.
—--------------------------------------------------
The sun dipped low in the sky, bleeding shades of orange and pink across the horizon. The river glistened like liquid gold beneath the dying light, its surface calm save for the occasional ripple from drifting leaves.
Mitchell stood at the bank, fidgeting with the hem of his hoodie, heart pounding against his ribs. 'Okay, Mitchell. Second bath. You survived the first time. You can do this. Just… don't stare. Or at least, don't make it obvious you're staring. Or—oh god, why is this harder than fighting monsters?'
Beside him, Lovel had already tugged at her belt, slipping out of her tunic and trousers without hesitation. Her movements were calm, almost mechanical, as if bathing in the open was as natural as breathing. Her ears twitched at the breeze, her tail swayed loosely behind her, and she looked utterly unbothered by his flustered state.
Mitchell swallowed hard, quickly turning to fuss with his pack. "Right, clothes… off… don't look like a creep…" He muttered under his breath as he stripped down to his underwear and then hesitated. The heat in his cheeks burned hotter than the sunset itself. 'She's not embarrassed. Why am I the only one losing it here?'
When he finally glanced over, Lovel was already stepping into the river, the water lapping at her pale legs as she waded waist-deep. She turned slightly, her golden eyes flicking toward him. "Are you coming, Master?"
Mitchell's brain short-circuited for half a second. "…Y-Yeah! Right behind you!"
He splashed in after her, the coolness of the water biting at first before settling into something refreshing. The current tugged gently at his waist as the river embraced them both, carrying away the grime, sweat, and blood of their hunt.
Mitchell dipped his hands into the water and splashed it across his face, sighing in relief. "Man… I really needed this."
Lovel mirrored him, cupping water in her hands and running it across her arms and neck. Her silver-white hair clung to her shoulders, shimmering under the golden light. Unlike Mitchell, there was no sign of embarrassment in her expression—only quiet focus.
"You missed a spot," Mitchell said before he could stop himself, gesturing vaguely at her cheek where a streak of rabbit's blood lingered.
Lovel tilted her head, swiping at her face with the back of her hand. "Here?"
He shook his head. "Other side. Wait—lemme…" He stepped closer, heart hammering. With a trembling hand, he brushed water gently against her skin, wiping away the crimson mark.
She blinked at him, unflinching. "Thank you."
Mitchell coughed, retreating a step, trying to hide the red creeping up his neck. "N-No problem. Teamwork, right?"
They stood there waist-deep, the river's glow soft around them. Lovel began to rub her arms and shoulders, working the dirt away, while Mitchell scrubbed at his own hair and face, trying desperately not to glance too long at her.
Every now and then, though, his eyes betrayed him—catching the curve of her tail swishing lazily in the water, the quiet strength returning to her form, the serene way she moved as though the river belonged to her.
'She's recovering so fast…' He thought, guilt and admiration tangling in his chest. 'She was dying when I found her, and now she's gotten so beautiful.'
Mitchell splashed more water over himself, shaking the thought off. "So what do you think about being able to bathe by yourself?" He said aloud, forcing some cheer into his voice.
Lovel's ears twitched at his words, and she gave the faintest hint of a smile. "It is… peaceful."
Mitchell chuckled softly. "Yeah. For once."
Lovell then got into deep thought as she was thinking of something serious.
"Is everything okay?" Mitchell quickly asked as he noticed that Lovel got serious. But Lovel then gave herself a determined nod and soon swam closer to Mitchell, making him nervous as he couldn't ignore her bare breasts.
"You've got some dirt here, Master, let me help you," Lovel murmured, her voice a soft purr as she reached out to wipe imaginary dirt from his cheek. Her fingers were gentle, yet firm, and Mitchell felt a shiver run down his spine and then began to go down. "If I have dirt anywhere I forgot to take off, Master, can you do it for me please?"
Mitchell, hearing her words, blushed and quickly returned the favor, his hands lingering a moment longer than necessary on her shoulders. Lovel's breath hitched slightly, her eyes meeting his before she then began to touch Mitchell further.
As they continued to clean each other, their touches were starting to become more intimate. As a heated haze started to come off of the two. Mitchell's hands trailed down Lovel's back, feeling the smooth, cool skin of her body. Lovel's fingers danced along his chest, tracing the lines of his growing muscles.
The air between them grew thick with unspoken desire, their breaths coming in short, shallow gasps. They were both oblivious to their growing feelings, yet they couldn't resist the pull any longer. Their hands began to explore more sensitive areas, their bodies pressing closer together in the water.
"Master." Lovel whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of the river. Mitchell looked into her eyes, seeing the same longing reflected back at him. He leaned in, their lips meeting in a soft, tentative kiss. The world around them faded away, leaving only the two of them.
Mitchell's hands, now slick with water, found their way to Lovel's breasts, cupping them gently at first, then with growing boldness. He felt her nipples harden against his palms, and she couldn't help but groan softly.
Lovel's breath hitched, her eyes fluttering closed as she leaned into his touch. Mitchell's lips found hers again, this time with more urgency, his tongue teasing her mouth open. Their bodies pressed closer, the water swirling around them as their hands continued to explore each other's bodies.
Lovel's fingers traced the line of Mitchell's jaw, then down his neck, lingering on the pulse point before moving lower. She felt the fatness of his chest, the round skin of his stomach, and the growing bulge below. Mitchell's hands moved from her breasts to her hips, pulling her closer, their bodies grinding together in the water. The sensation was electric, sending shivers down their spines and making their hearts race.
Mitchell's mouth left hers, trailing kisses down her neck, his teeth nipping gently at her collarbone. Lovel's head fell back, a soft moan escaping her lips. Mitchell's hands moved lower, cupping her ass, pulling her even closer. He could feel her heat through the cold water, and it drove him wild. He wanted more, needed more.
Lovel's eyes widened as she felt him, her breath catching in her throat. She reached out, her fingers wrapping around him, stroking gently. Mitchell groaned, his head falling back, his eyes closing. The sensation was overwhelming, and he struggled to maintain control. He pulled away, his hands moving. Lovel's breath hitched as he touched her, his fingers finding her pleasure spot, stroking her gently.
Mitchell's mouth found hers again, their tongues dancing together as their hands continued to explore each other's bodies. He lifted her with the water of the river making it easier for him, as Lovel wrapped her legs around his waist, feeling her heat against him. He guided himself to her entrance, feeling her tightness around him. He paused, looking into her eyes, seeking her permission. Lovel nodded, her breath coming in short gasps.
Mitchell pushed into her, slowly, allowing her to adjust to his size. Lovel's nails dug into his shoulders, her body tensing as he filled her with her tail moving in happiness. Mitchell held still, giving her a moment to get used to him.
Then, with a gentle thrust, he began to move, their bodies moving in sync with the rhythm of the river. The water sloshed around them, the sound of their bodies coming together echoing through the night.
Their lovemaking was slow and passionate, each touch, each kiss, each thrust filled with a depth of emotion that went beyond the physical.
But as Mitchell's thrusts became more urgent, Lovel's body tensed, her breath coming in short gasps. She could feel the pleasure building, her body on the edge of release. Mitchell's mouth found hers again, his tongue mimicking the movement of his body, driving her closer to the edge. With a final thrust, she cried out, her body convulsing as waves of pleasure washed over her. Mitchell followed soon after, his body shuddering as he found his own release.
They stayed like that for a moment, their bodies still joined, their hearts pounding in their chests. Then, slowly, Mitchell pulled away, lowering Lovell back into the water.
They looked at each other, their eyes filled with a mixture of love, desire, and fear. They knew what they were doing would change the dynamic of their relationship, that it could lead to consequences they weren't ready to face. But at that moment, they didn't care. They had each other, and that was enough.
—------------------------------
The riverbank was quiet now, save for the steady whisper of water against the stones. Mitchell sat on a smooth rock, tugging his hoodie and shirt back over his damp skin, his hands trembling slightly as he fumbled with the sleeves. His face was flushed scarlet, hotter than any bonfire, and his mind was spinning so hard he could barely think straight.
'Oh my god. I actually… we actually…' His thoughts tangled, the words impossible to finish without his stomach doing somersaults. 'I should be happy, right? My first time. Finally gone. But why do I feel like crawling into a hole and never coming out?'
He risked a glance sideways.
Lovel stood only a few paces away, already dressed again in her tunic and dark trousers. Her silver-white hair clung damply to her shoulders, and her tail swayed in its usual calm rhythm as she adjusted her belt. Her golden eyes were steady, her expression unreadable, as though what had just happened between them was as ordinary as washing rabbits in the river.
Mitchell nearly choked on air. 'How is she so calm?' He buried his face in his hands. 'Meanwhile I'm over here looking like a tomato about to explode.'
At last, Lovel broke the silence. Her voice carried evenly through the cooling air. "Master."
Mitchell jerked upright, heart skipping a beat. "Y-Yeah?!"
Her ears twitched, her head tilting slightly. "Did it… not please you?"
His mind short-circuited. "Wh-what?! Of course it did! I-I mean—yeah, it felt really, really nice. More than nice. Amazing, actually. Like, ten-out-of-ten would—uh—" He waved his hands wildly, stumbling over his words. "You were amazing. Really. I just… uh… why do you ask?"
Lovel blinked once, golden eyes never leaving his. "Because it was my way of thanking you. After everything you have done for me. I wished to show my gratitude the only way I know."
Mitchell's jaw went slack. He stared at her, mouth opening and closing like a fish. "Th-Thanking me?! That's—That's not—You don't have to—! That's not how—!" His face burned hotter as he flailed helplessly. "I told you, I didn't help you expecting… expecting that in return!"
Her tail flicked once, sharper this time, and for the first time her calm voice carried a faint edge of frustration. "I know. But I always wanted to. You just don't see it, Master, plus you never do anything. You always hesitate and always hold back. I grew… frustrated."
The words hit him like a punch to the chest. Mitchell froze, his mouth dry, embarrassment crawling up his spine until it squeezed the air from his lungs.
'Frustrated? At me? For not…? Oh, god.'
"I…" He stammered, running both hands through his damp hair, completely lost. "I was just—trying to be respectful! I didn't want to—y'know—push you, or… or take advantage, or… oh, hell, this is so awkward!"
Lovel's ears flicked again. She stepped closer, her golden gaze unwavering. "You are my master. Yet you act as though touching me would break me. I am not glass, Mitchell."
He gulped hard, every nerve in his body on fire.
Her words weren't cruel, but firm. Honest. She stood in front of him, hair still dripping water, the faint scent of grass and leather clinging to her. He wanted to look away, to escape the heat crawling up his neck, but her eyes held him in place like chains.
Mitchell's chest rose and fell quickly, his voice cracking as he muttered, "I-I just didn't want to hurt you. Or make you think you had to… do that, just 'cause of some debt."
Lovel's lips curved—barely, the faintest ghost of a smile. "Then know this. It was not debt. It was a choice. My choice."
Mitchell swallowed the lump in his throat making it hard to speak. "…You're gonna kill me, you know that?"
Her tail flicked again, gentler this time. "And yet, you live and are still here, Master."
For a long moment, the two simply stood there—Mitchell flustered and fidgeting, Lovel calm and composed, though the faintest warmth glimmered in her golden eyes.
—-----------------------------
Mitchell and Lovel can be seen walking back toward Varnhelm, the cobbles of the road cooling underfoot. Mitchell kept one hand in his pocket, and the other was the one Lovel reached for. She slid her fingers into his and the simple contact set his heart skittering all over again. He let out a nervous, sheepish chuckle that sounded too loud.
"You okay?" Lovel asked, her voice quiet. Her tail could still be seen moving back and forth as if to show that she was happy.
"Yeah," Mitchell lied, smiling with the kind of brittle bravado that felt wrong even to him. "Just… tired. It was a big day with a lot of adventures." He squeezed her hand back, more to reassure himself than her just to feel the warmth of her palm, the steady rhythm of her steps.
For a while the forest surrounding them looked ordinary as if nothing strange would happen. But then the paper appeared.
It didn't flutter down from a tree or fall from an unseen messenger's hand. One moment the air was just cool and ordinary, the next a pale scrap of paper slipped between Mitchell's fingers like it had always been waiting there. He felt it brush his palm and freeze as if tiny electric jolts were suddenly sent his way.
Mitchell's stomach went cold. He looked at the note like it might explode. Lovel glanced down, puzzled, as the scrap unfolded in his hand. He read the words the way you read a mouthful of suddenly bitter tea — slowly, as if speed might spare him the aftertaste.
Sup Loser, it's been awhile.
You may have thought I had forgotten about you but unfortunately I have just been too busy to bother with you. So I randomly just decided to check up on you and noticed that you have been having it too easy. Bet you feel so good at losing that virgin status. But I am here to remind you that you're just a monkey meant to dance for my amusement. So do survive and keep dancing. —XOXO, Your Goddess ;)
The handwriting looped into a winking smiley that felt like a knife.
Once the message had finished imprinting itself in his head, Mitchell didn't have to think. Fear is a short, sharp animal — it doesn't ask permission. He grabbed Lovel's wrist with sudden force and yanked her toward the city as if a gust of wind had blown in and they had to run before it hit. The cobbles blurred beneath their feet.
"W-what—" Lovel started, stumbling to keep up. Her hand remained in his; her golden eyes widened, then narrowed. "Master, why are we suddenly running?"
Mitchell didn't answer right away. His mind was a frantic carousel. The Goddess had never been a benevolent, comforting presence for him. Her notes were jokes with razor edges; her interventions were announcements wrapped in humiliation. 'Why now? Why here? Is she watching? Is she testing me? Is she—'
"Master, speak to me. What is wrong?" Lovel's words tore through his panic like the edge of a blade. She was keeping pace, surprising him with the steadiness in her voice.
"We need to get to the city gates." He said at last, his voice thin and fast. "We have to be anywhere but here. She—" He swallowed, the word lodged. "That letter came from a cruel Goddess, one that likes to toy with me and make me suffer, Lovel. Every time she sends a message it suddenly means that I will be in mortal danger. I don't— I don't want her throwing one of her… things out here."
Lovel's pace didn't falter. "What is this 'Goddess'?" she asked, earnest and practical. "Is she dangerous? Is she one of the major gods?"
Mitchell's feet ate the space between the ground. They really didn't have time for Mitchell to explain everything as at any moment they could be in serious danger.
"She's… complicated," he panted, finally. "I don't really know much about her, just that she always makes my life difficult. As she considers my suffering entertainment."
"Why would she do that?" Lovel asked, confused while still moving fast.
"I don't know. But we have to get out of here quickly!" Mitchell continued to run while pulling Lovel.
Unfortunately as they kept running a roar so deep it rattled Mitchell's teeth in his skull suddenly appeared. The sound poured out of the forest like a wave of living thunder, shaking the leaves from their branches and sending birds scattering into the twilight sky. His legs didn't stop moving—couldn't stop—but Lovel's sudden glance backward rooted a chill in his gut.
"Don't look—just keep—!" He gasped, but the words died when the ground itself trembled beneath them.
From the treeline came a shadow, then a body so grotesquely massive it made the serpent they had slain days ago seem like a worm. It was an ape, but twisted beyond nature—its matted fur broken by ridges of pale bone that jutted like jagged spikes from its shoulders and spine. Its arms, thick as tree trunks, each bore a single grotesque spike that javelined outward from the forearm, gleaming under the night sky. It landed with an earth-shaking BOOM, dirt exploding beneath its fists.
The moment the monster noticed Mitchell and Lovel continued running from the battle. It suddenly released another massive roar.
When the two heard it, Lovel's breath was caught and Mitchell's legs faltered. For a heartbeat too long, the two of them stood frozen, not by choice but by some unseen force, an unnatural pressure that crushed down on their lungs and stiffened their muscles.
'Wh-what is this?! My body won't—move!' Mitchell screamed inside his head, panic clawing through his chest. His heart thundered, but his limbs were stone. He could see Lovel at the corner of his vision, her golden eyes wide, her lips parted in a silent snarl, but she too was locked in place.
The ape drew itself taller, bone-spikes casting cruel shadows across its broad chest. Its jaws opened, rows of jagged teeth bared, and it let out another roar that washed over them like a storm. Mitchell's ears rang, his knees nearly buckled. The world shrank to a haze of sound and dread.
'No. No, not like this.'
Mitchell felt the small spark of his adventurer's instincts flare. He clenched the only thing he still had control over—his will. His fingers, clammy but still wrapped around Lovel's hand, twitched. With the smallest shred of focus, he forced his lips to move.
"C…Cure!"
The word burst from him, shaky but clear. A soft, faint glow spread from his palm, slipping across his arm like warm water. The air seemed to shimmer, and in that instant, the invisible chains shattered. His lungs sucked in air like he was drowning and finally broke the surface.
At his side, Lovel gasped sharply, her body jolting back to life as the spell's warmth coursed into her through his grip. She stumbled, then she quickly regained her balance, golden eyes blazing with renewed clarity.
Mitchell panted, sweat dripping down his temple. "It was… a status effect. Some kind of petrification… or fear." He swallowed hard using his game knowledge to make sense of what happened, the taste of bile rising in his throat. "Goddammit. If I hadn't—"
Lovel squeezed his hand back, steady and firm. "But you did and we are free."
But even with motion returned to them, Mitchell knew instantly that escape wasn't possible. The ape stood behind them and he doesn't know just how fast this creature is. Its spiked arms dug furrows into the earth as it leaned forward, snarling with hot breath that reeked of rot and blood.
Mitchell's stomach twisted. Every nerve screamed at him to run, to find any path back to the city, but the beast's posture told him the truth—turning their backs now would be suicide.
He lifted the bronze sword with trembling hands, planting his feet even as they itched to flee. His voice cracked but forced itself into words anyway. "Lovel… I think we're out of options."
Her tail bristled behind her, ears flat against her head, but her gaze never wavered. She dropped into a low stance, one quill already between her fingers, her other hand tightening on his. "Then we will have to fight."
Mitchell's chest heaved. His mind screamed that this wasn't a battle for rookies. But Lovel was there. Her hand was warm in his, her golden eyes calm despite the monster's looming presence. That was enough to steady his shaking legs.
Mitchell swallowed his fear and raised the sword higher. "Alright then," He muttered, trying to keep his voice from cracking.
The ape's roar thundered again, and the battle was about to begin.