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Translator: penny
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: The Man Who Almost Became a Slave
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As the Slave Brand was released, an overwhelming sense of liberation washed over me.
Bleurgh... Bleurgh...
It was such an electric surge of pleasure that I ended up ejaculating without even realizing it.
"Ah... Ah..."
I was covering my crotch with Ashy's jacket.
But I'd gone and soaked it completely.
Not with urine, but with semen.
Still, it wasn't like I could just toss it aside right away.
If I removed the jacket and set it down, I'd have to expose my ejaculation to Ashy and all the beastkin around.
It might actually be better to finish on Ashy's clothes.
That's what I thought.
"...Feeling good, Puppy? Enough to cum all over my jacket?"
Ashy looked at me with a mocking sneer.
There was a strange gleam of sadistic pleasure in her eyes.
I couldn't bring myself to answer.
My conscience stung, and I felt utterly pathetic.
I clamped my mouth shut.
"You should say thanks."
"...Pardon...?"
"I released your Slave Brand. Aren't you going to say 'thank you' like before? Or is this not worth thanking me for?"
Bleurgh... Bleurgh.
"No, that's not it. Ugh... Thank you..."
I clenched my fists tight and expressed my gratitude.
I'm truly grateful she saved me.
I mean that from the bottom of my heart.
But holding back the ejaculation right then was impossible.
I shamefully spewed my semen and bowed my head.
"Heh. Yeah, you'll be doing that a lot from now on."
Ashy smiled in satisfaction and stood on tiptoe.
She reached up with all her might to pat my head.
It felt so out of character for Ashy that it was downright alienating.
The Ashy from the novel never did this kind of physical affection.
She killed the female auctioneer and Greg.
That ruthless murder suited her far better.
I flinched at her touch and shot Ashy a glare.
She was looking at me with a completely different expression from the one she'd had when staring down Greg.
At least she doesn't see me as an enemy.
Her eyes were gentle enough to put me at ease.
"Come on, Puppy."
Greg was dead.
The brands on me and the other slaves had been released too.
Ashy turned her back without hesitation, as if her business here was done.
She dragged me along by the hand.
She didn't care who was behind her.
This carefree attitude was pure Ashy.
A rotten hero who ignored the forced responsibilities and duties—her so-called mission—despite being a hero.
"Is this the place?"
The spot Ashy led me to was Greg's room from earlier.
A lavish door, distinct from the others, welcomed us.
Ashy kicked the door open and started rummaging through the room.
She flipped over bookshelves, rifled through drawers, and grabbed whatever was worth taking.
"This is it."
A leather pouch stuffed with money.
She peeked inside, confirmed the contents, and tucked it away contentedly.
"Let's go, Puppy."
"..."
I let Ashy drag me along.
Semen dripping from me as I trailed obediently behind.
The bizarre situation left my mind in a haze.
"...Hero, could I maybe borrow some clothes to wear?"
"Clothes?"
Ashy paused for a moment.
She turned around and scanned me from head to toe.
I was covering my lower half with the jacket, but it was woefully inadequate.
Maybe because it only half-hid me, it actually made me feel more embarrassed.
Ashy rested her chin in her hand, thinking it over briefly.
It was absurd that she even had to consider it, but I had no choice but to wait.
If I pushed my luck, my head would roll.
Ashy was more than capable of that.
Better to grovel and beg for the sake of my mental health.
Who knew?
If I got lucky, I might even survive.
'...Not getting sold to that piglet number 16 is already a win. This much is nothing.'
Right now, I could pull off a gratitude dance or a striptease of joy.
That's how thankful I was.
"Hmm. We have to go outside, so yeah, better wear some clothes."
Ashy reached that conclusion.
Then she dragged me around while searching for clothes.
An oatmeal-colored shirt, leather pants, and sandals that looked about the same.
The leather pants were loose-fitting at the bottom, like activewear.
"Put them on."
"..."
I took the clothes from Ashy.
I'd just lower the jacket covering my lower half and get dressed.
I shot Ashy a glance.
Was she seriously telling me to change right here in front of her?
I had to be careful not to let any curt attitude slip out.
I tried my best not to show it.
Ashy stared at me blankly.
She raised her eyebrows, urging me on.
"What are you waiting for?"
"...Nothing. I'll get dressed."
My shame and feelings weren't worth considering.
I should be grateful she was even letting me wear clothes.
I couldn't bring myself to ask for a wash either.
It was caked in semen, sticky like a wet dream, but there was no helping it.
I ignored the uncomfortable sensation as best I could and put on the clothes.
I undid the jacket sleeves and set it down for a moment.
In that instant, Ashy's eyes flickered wildly.
I could feel her staring straight at my dick.
"Hold on."
I tried to dress quickly.
But Ashy stopped me.
I cupped my hand over my dick and looked at Ashy.
"You need to wash up first."
"..."
Lucky break.
That was my first thought.
"I know where the bathroom is."
"Let's go that way."
My steps felt lighter.
The fact that I could wash up and then get dressed lifted my spirits.
It was pathetic to be this happy over something so basic, but what could I do?
If I kept longing for the everyday conveniences of my past life...
...I'd turn into a wreck in no time.
Since I'd fallen into this fantasy world from the novel, I had to learn to let some things go.
"Wash up and come out."
"...Yes."
Ashy led me into the bathroom.
"You'd better not think about running. If you try to bolt alone and get caught—"
Ashy's eyes flashed menacingly.
It was chilling.
"Then you die, and I die. Got it?"
"...Yes...!"
I straightened up instinctively.
I had to answer like that or I couldn't bear the invisible pressure.
"Hurry up and wash. I'll take a quick look around."
Ashy turned her back.
She hurried off somewhere.
I stood there dazed for a moment, then turned on the shower.
A magic circle using magitech design generated and sprayed water, making the shower possible.
I didn't know the exact principle.
The author had added that setting.
If I nitpicked the realism, I wouldn't survive in this fantasy world...
I scrubbed my body vigorously.
Focusing on washing away the ejaculation residue.
I rinsed off quickly and dried myself.
It was a slave bathroom, so there was a pile of towels up front.
"Hoo..."
The quiet changing room.
It felt strange.
I could probably escape if I wanted to.
'Let's bolt.'
As long as I don't get caught.
I couldn't miss this golden opportunity.
I shoved my legs into the pants and pulled them up to my waist.
Only after fully buttoning the shirt did my back and shoulders straighten.
It made me feel somewhat dignified again.
I spotted the haphazardly discarded Academy jacket.
It reeked, soaked in semen.
A musky, nocturnal flower stench.
My face scrunched up involuntarily.
'I'm running anyway, so whatever.'
Ashy would handle it.
If she wanted to wear it, she'd wash it; if not, she'd burn it.
I crept quietly out of the bathroom.
"What are you doing? Trying to run?"
In the hallway, I came face-to-face with Ashy, arms crossed under her ample breasts.
I reacted casually.
"Oh, you're back."
"..."
"Uh, I'll wash the jacket and return it to you."
I subtly turned my back and retreated into the bathroom.
I picked up the discarded jacket and took it with me.
"Hey. Were you trying to run?"
"...Ah, no. I wasn't trying to run."
"Then why sneak out like that? It looked exactly like you were trying to escape."
"...No, really."
I lied with every ounce of conviction I had.
I didn't know what would happen if she saw through me.
In the worst case, I'd experience the fascinating sensation of my head separating from my body.
Ashy stared at me intently.
She was trying to read my true intentions from my face, expression, and eyes.
I struggled to avoid her gaze.
Even I could tell my face was trembling too much.
It was hard to believe she'd buy it.
"...If you run, you're dead. I'm not joking. I'll really kill you, so don't even think about it."
Ashy snatched her jacket away from me.
She grabbed it so fast I couldn't react.
"I'll wash it and give it back."
"Forget it."
"...It's dirty and smells. Let me at least..."
"It's fine. It wasn't on purpose or anything."
So cool-headed.
I could sense her magnanimous mindset, choosing not to call out my mistake.
Was this really that bitchy heroine Ashy Grayfield I knew?
Doubt crept in.
'She's been off since earlier.'
Suspicious from her very first appearance.
In the story's progression, a hero wasn't supposed to show up here.
I couldn't help but find it strange.
Amid the relief of survival, I'd ignored the truth staring me in the face.
I needed to figure it out.
Without provoking Ashy's anger, of course.
'Even so, this is embarrassing.'
I hadn't jerked off since arriving in this world, so some buildup was inevitable.
But I'd gone and cum on an Academy jacket.
The Academy jacket was covered in semen.
Looking at the mess, it wouldn't be easy to clean.
And Ashy herself said she'd handle it.
From my position, it was mortifying and humiliating.
"Let's go for now. No point staying here; you won't get proper rest."
"...Yes."
Even though the Slave Brand was gone, I followed Ashy.
I didn't think about running.
I couldn't even consider escape as an option.
Brutal violence, handcuffs and shackles, the Slave Brand.
All that was child's play.
None of it mattered in the face of a blade.
Ashy led me out of the auction house.
I trailed closely behind as she wandered the city.
'Not exactly a metropolis.'
It felt a bit more rundown than the novel's descriptions.
Not a rural village, though.
Mid-sized city, something like that.
Ashy found her way.
She led the way into a dingy back alley.
An ominous feeling stirred.
Was following her like this the right call?
My mind was a mess.
Whatever I chose, I'd probably regret it.
All because I lacked strength.
If I had overwhelming power, I wouldn't need to agonize like this.
We stopped in front of a building.
A shabby sign hung there.
[Roughly Made Inn]
"...This is...?"
"Let's go in."
A cheap inn tucked in the back alley.
Its exterior looked far from ordinary.
Ashy opened the inn door and went in.
She passed the front desk and headed familiarly to the second floor.
Seemed like she'd already checked in.
[205]
She inserted the key into the door.
Click. She opened it and we entered the room.
A fairly spacious room welcomed us.
One bed and a table.
A clothes rack and a bathroom.
Unlike the exterior that looked ready to collapse any second, the inside was surprisingly solid.
'Is this my room?'
Had Ashy prepared it for me?
Earlier, she'd mentioned having somewhere to stop by.
While I was washing, she'd probably come to the inn ahead of time.
Touching.
Not content with just saving me, she'd even secured a place for me to crash temporarily.
It made me rethink Hero Ashy.
The novel exaggerated a bit; actually experiencing her, she was a kind hero after all.
Of course, she still casually committed murder.
Her irresponsible and vicious tendencies hadn't gone anywhere.
But still—
"Take off your pants."
"Pardon?"
"I said take off your pants."
Out of nowhere, she tells me to strip my pants.
Is she insane?
'Yeah, she's insane.'
From the novel to reality.
She'd never been normal.
If she were, she wouldn't have killed innocent citizens.
"Before I rip them off by force, take them off."
"..."
I had no choice.
Nothing but slowly untying the waist cord I'd just fastened...