Things happened quickly. There wasn't much to do for me apart from contemplating the world without a second thought anyway. And if I failed in peeking at the secret of the universe, I at least managed not to peek into something else, or rather, someone else.

  I put all my energy into it and didn't see time pass. It turned out that it was almost time for us to act; the big day had arrived.

  Under the cover of moving out with the slave and goods, Lucas ordered everyone back to base two days ago. This was a convenient excuse since we had to ensure all the thugs would be home before we launched our attack.

  Once everyone was gathered, we would wait for the right moment when no one was prepared and ready to fight. Lucas has strategically planned for most people to be busy away from the women’s cell at the time we would free ourselves. The few

  The few Lucas henchmen in the game with us would be dispatched and secure the hideout’s exits, and we would wait for the right moment to start the assault.

  Well, this is how it should have happened.

  “Hello, my lovely things. Time to wake up!” A man’s voice echoed in the darkness of the place and broke the matinal joviality that filled our prison empty of their guard. Following this, approaching footstep finished the work and replaced the little happiness we had left with resentment and nervousness.

  whisper, “What the f***?”

  whisper “ hide.”

  “Rejoice, I have great news for you today. Soon, you will be defiled and taste the joy of forced pleasure, I mean, you’ll be kindly raised as a diligent slave to be sold like cattle.

  Fear not. it will only be a temporary mesure and our separation will only last a while, or at least, for those willing to join us afterward, rather than be sold to a strangers. By the way, I thank you in advance for your future service; I know some will choose this path.”

  But of course! Since we are in a criminal lair and a story of lousy taste, moreover. We desperately need cliches to improve it, or that wouldn’t be a full course. SHIT, we are three hours off our initial setup, and inevitably, we are alone… The guards were all Lucas’s trusted men and had already left to complete their jobs.

  Bring the person responsible to me, and I'll say a few words to him! It's like I just found a hair in my soup. For god sake! Couldn’t they be satisfied with what they had? It’s not by adding salt that you’ll spice things up. Those idiots had plenty of trained slaves available already, if I’m not mistaken, so why would they choose the only thing that was forbidden to them?!

  There is Lily’s misfortune acting again!

  “To celebrate this moment of happiness and our great goodness, I decided with my friends here to offer you all a special spot. If anyone agrees to stay with us already, we would reluctantly accept and keep you with us without sending you to the slaughterhouse as long as you show us some goodwill. ”

  It's always the same with the bad guys. Why, as soon as the reliable guard leaves, those villains try their luck as if that was all they had to do and only existed for that. Lucas’ men were never here to prevent the captive from escaping in the first place. I knew their main task was to stop the other from sneaking into the merchandise section, but still!

  Can’t you guys just chill and meditate like I’ve been doing?

  “Anyone? Hehe, do not panic. You will have a nice time. We aren’t some brutes.” The man’s word felt so insincere that I almost choked hearing them. Not some brutes? I doubt that.

  Spit “Gross, die!”

  “Too bad we aren't brutal but wicked and love bullies. Today, one of you will be on duty, willingly or not. The lucky one might have a hard time, but compared to what you can expect, I swear our offer is a bargain.

  Plus, you might even become a VIP, who knows. Some girls here live quite comfortably after putting aside their humanity and reluctance. All we ask for is obedience and dedicated work, not some nonsense kink like hardcore SM or bestiality.”

  The bothering man went to open the cell’s door, accompanied by his acolytes, determined to stir up trouble and force us to act early.

  ‘I hope Lucas knows his thing and is quick to react. This man made me want to strangle him and drain him of his blood like a pig. Trash like him doesn't even deserve to live, let alone die in peace.’

  Ready, muscles tightened, I reinforced my grip on the dagger’s handle. Five people… it should be fine. I should be able to take care of them without endangering the girls. All I needed was for them to go into the cell simultaneously.

  “Hero.” The girl who had just spat at their feet looked at me and shook her head negatively. Taking advantage of the noise caused by the guys opening and entering the cell, she whispered to me. “Leave it to me. If you are not a liar and what you told us is true, I am willing to play their game for a while.”

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  Uh? a kind soul? You? I would never have believed it. I misjudged you.

  The girl who had just offered herself to be a sacrifice was one of my previous judges, one of the leading ones, wishing for my death and giving me piercing and chilling gazes. A pretty muscular girl of great stature but with a body that had lost none of its sexiness, she had superb flaming-like hair and certainly stood out from the crowd.

  She was also one of our main sub-combatants and spokesperson for the prisoners with whom we discussed our plan. She was an ex-adventurer, quite skilled in hand fight or with a spear, and she could still manage pretty much any weapon.

  Likewise, she was the queen of a harem of girls over here, unbeknownst to her. Seemingly worshiped by most for her character and her resistance to oppression. I mean, that might not be a true harem, but she was actually in a relationship with one, and during the week spent facing their cell, I could see that the target of her attention was envied by more than one.

  “So, who will be our big winner?”

  “I will!” The girls did as she had said and came forward, offering herself. She seemed determined to take upon herself everything those bastards would throw at us. She would probably agree to serve them until they felt satisfied and leave, just so as not to compromise our plant.

  “Oh… what about it? What do we have there? Our spitter? You have not changed for the better, have you? You were already all bark and fangs, but now you seem committed to your loss. Why do you want the spot if you are to make things difficult for us? Don't tell me you changed your mind because you were afraid someone would touch one of your protégés?”

  At the back of the room, I could see her little secret lover shake and cry silently. Poor thing… They both seemed to have found themselves a treasure. I hope they won’t let each other apart after everything ends.

  I really think they deserved to be happy. They were also the biggest obstacle to my hope of scoring one of the others, especially after this act of bravery. If their relationship intensified, it would only be better for my business.

  “Leave those pitiful girls alone. Their destiny might be hellish, and their time’s likely running out, but I intend to make it last as long as possible. You can keep your favor. I don’t need them. Just do your business until we depart. If my fate is so, let’s not dwell on it anymore.”

  “What a great speech, madam, if this is your choice… But it irritates me! Who are you, bitch to command us? I preferred the way you were: Arrogant, but at least you stayed in your shoes. Should we just give a little showdown to your miserable friends here? STRIP!”

  I will kill this man! Painfully…

  It took me all my perseverance and willpower to withhold from jumping at his throat this instant. Chill, she asked for it. She must be able to endure it… Still...

  “... As you wish…” The girl, following the order, made herself bare skin, which didn’t require that much effort, considering they were already lightly dressed. Unforgivable! Me, let it happen? Right before me? Never! Let them try. I’ll kill them soon after.

  Behind me, Lily, who could see my fists clench until they bleed, embraced me to cool down my rage. She seemed evenly affected since she was slightly trembling at that moment, but for once, she was aware of the danger and kept her mind calm, while I almost risked screwing everything.

  “Hey, Ricky, let's stop there. We’re lucky the guards are busy; that's why we decided to cross the line with you, but if we do it here, there is a risk of getting caught, and it is not said that this will remain unpunished. I don’t want to bet my wages on it. All the more so if it is to satisfy your sadism.”

  “Tch! Alright, You, come with us. I’ll make you scream and moan so high they will hear everything, but not there.“

  You, who I don’t know the name of, I’ll make you regret your action. Enjoy your last moment before I send you to hell myself.

  For the first time since I called Lily a burden, and she turned our assailant into mere heaps of meat out of anger, I wished someone had received the same inhuman treatment. I could almost see myself doing it without giving Lily the chance to demonstrate her talents.

  I felt remorse about my inaction as I watched them come out of the cell.

  I blamed Lily and this girl for stopping me before reconsidering. Nay… It was entirely my fault. Lily shouldn’t be able to stop me, and I was solely responsible for my heartless decision.

  “Wait, since there are several of us, one may not be enough if we don’t want to break it. Let’s take another one just in case…”

  Oh God, keep me from the bloodlust that comes to me. You just wait.

  “You, come here!” He scanned the room for a moment, looking for his prey, before stopping right on us, pointing his finger at us. He had made his choice, Lily!

  “Come for! Don’t be shy. Why are you hiding in the shadows?” While speaking, the man who had been called Ricky came toward us.

  Ten steps

  “I don’t remember seeing you before. Are you the hero’s girl by chance?”

  Five.

  “I’ve heard of you. They’d say you were a shorty with good assets and a nice figure, but this is an understatement. You are beautiful, and furthermore, to my liking.”

  Three.

  “Let us help mourn your dead husband. Hehe.” He stopped right in front of me, his attention still fixed on Lily

  God guided me. He gave me his approval by giving me a second chance. Now, I had the right to murder this piece of sh*t. How could you lust after what’s mine?!! Why did you stop? Continue, please! If you dare! You're welcome!

  Two steps.

  “You will forget him quite easily. We know what we're doing. It's not the first time.” He stretched his arms toward Lily, who was trembling behind me.

  My own limbs were ready to act; it pains me to have to kill him swiftly without torture, but I would deal with it. The simple fact that he wouldn’t understand what was happening would satisfy my frustration. One more, one more step, and he was dead meat.

  Poke. He came forward again, and contact was made.

  Uh? …

  Something felt wrong… Terribly wrong… It was as if terrible magic was at work, something that prevented me from killing him even though I was dying to do it.