Ken stared at the bucket in the corner like it had personally insulted him.
The basement room was exactly as promised: dim, musty, one lumpy bed that looked like it had seen better centuries, a wobbly chair, and that bucket. Which, yeah, probably was the toilet. Fantasy world plumbing at its finest.
Alis had immediately claimed the bed the second her feet touched the floor. She curled up like a cat in sunlight, hugging his discarded shirt to her face, murmuring "Ken smell..." before dozing off again. Her tail flicked lazily, thumping the mattress in contentment.
Ken rubbed his temples. "At least one of us is happy."
The System pinged like it was laughing.
[Companion Happiness: 85%. Your suffering fuels her peace. Balance achieved.]
"Fuck off."
Mira's voice echoed down the stairs. "Boy! Chores don't do themselves!"
Ken groaned, dragged himself up the narrow steps, and emerged into the main house. It was bigger than it looked from outside—cozy kitchen, small living area, a few rented rooms upstairs. Mira stood by the back door, arms crossed, tapping her foot.
"List," she said, shoving a crumpled parchment at him. "Do them in order. Don't slack. Don't break anything. And if your little biter wakes up and chews on my furniture, you're paying for it in blood."
Ken scanned the list:
1. Sweep the front stoop and street in front.
2. Scrub the kitchen pots (all of them).
3. Haul firewood from the shed to the stack.
4. Clean the outhouse (yes, the one out back—use the brush, not your hands).
5. Wash the windows (inside and out).
6. Feed the chickens (don't let them escape again).
Bonus: If you finish early, polish the door knocker. It brings luck.
He looked up. "This is... a lot."
Mira smirked. "Welcome to rent, fresh meat. Get moving."
Ken sighed the sigh of a man who'd accepted his fate and shuffled outside.
The sun was brutal now, midday heat making everything sticky. He started with the stoop—broom in hand, sweeping dust like his life depended on it. Which, rent-wise, it kind of did.
Halfway through, he felt eyes on him.
Two women stood across the narrow street, leaning against a lamppost like they owned the shade. Both in tight, low-cut dresses that screamed "not for church." One had fiery red hair cascading down her back, curves that could stop traffic, lips painted crimson. The other was darker-haired, lithe, with a sly fox smile and eyes that promised trouble.
They were staring. At him.
Ken paused mid-sweep. "Uh... hi?"
Redhead giggled, elbowing her friend. "Told you. Fresh arrival. Look at those shoulders. He's been carrying that girl all morning like she's nothing."
Dark-hair licked her lips. "And that stamina... mmm. Bet he lasts."
Ken blinked. "I'm... just sweeping?"
They crossed the street like predators who'd spotted easy prey. Redhead got there first, hips swaying, stopping close enough that Ken could smell jasmine and something muskier.
"I'm Lila," she purred, finger tracing the broom handle like it was something else. "This is Sera. We're from the Blue Rose Brothel. Down the lane, big rose sign—you can't miss it."
Sera leaned in, eyes dropping blatantly to Ken's crotch. "We saw you trudging in with that sleepy thing on your back. New blood in town always gets our attention. Especially when they look... equipped."
Ken's brain short-circuited. "Wait. This is... sex moment?"
Lila laughed, throaty and delighted. "Oh honey, if you want it to be."
Sera reached out, bold as brass, and palmed him through his pants. Ken jolted—half shock, half instant hardness because, yeah, degenerate system perks.
Her eyes widened. Then wider.
"Holy—Lila, feel this."
Lila's hand joined in, both of them groping like they were appraising a prize stallion.
Sera rubbed her belly absently, cheeks flushing. "If this goes in... it'll destroy my womb." She giggled, high and breathy. "Rip me apart and I'd thank it."
Lila squeezed harder, voice dropping. "Bigger than that cocky adventurer we had two days ago. By a landslide. That guy talked big, but this..." She whistled low. "This is a monster."
Ken's face burned. His dick throbbed traitorously under their hands. "Ladies—I'm in the middle of chores. Mira will—"
Sera cut him off with a finger to his lips. "We'll wait. Finish your little list. Then come find us. Or we'll come find you." She winked. "We pay well for quality meat."
They sauntered off, hips rolling, leaving Ken standing there with a broom, a boner, and zero dignity.
The System chimed happily.
[New Side Quest: Blue Rose Special].
Reward: +50 silver, +2 Charisma (Seduction), potential harem addition.
Penalty for refusal: Eternal teasing from brothel girls.]
Ken muttered, "I hate you."
He attacked the rest of the chores like a man possessed. Pots scrubbed until they shone. Firewood hauled in record time—arms burning, sweat pouring. Outhouse cleaned (gagging the whole way). Windows sparkled. Chickens fed without a single escapee.
By late afternoon, he was done. Exhausted, filthy, but victorious.
He trudged back inside to report.
Mira inspected the work, nodded once. "Not bad, boy. Rest of the week's paid. Don't get cocky."
Ken collapsed onto the basement stairs. Alis was still asleep on the bed, snoring softly.
Then came the knock.
Soft. Insistent.
Ken opened the door a crack.
Lila and Sera stood there, smiling like cats with cream.
"Chores done?" Lila asked sweetly.
Ken swallowed. "Yeah."
Sera pushed the door wider, stepping in. "Good. Now it's our turn."
They crowded him back, hands already roaming.
Alis stirred on the bed, eyes cracking open. She saw the two women, tilted her head... then yawned and went back to sleep.
Like it was normal.
Ken made a strangled noise.
The System pinged one last time.
[Quest Accepted. Enjoy your reward, degenerate.]
Lila dropped to her knees first.
And just like that, the basement got a whole lot less musty.