I walked deeper into the forest. The trees were thick, and the shadows made everything feel darker. Suddenly, a large black spider dropped from a tree and slowly moved toward me, its legs clicking on the ground.
I grabbed my sword and held it up. "Alright… let's see what you've got," I muttered.
I started with acid, shooting it at the spider. It hit, sizzling a little, but didn't do much damage. The spider hissed and moved faster. It lunged at me, so I stepped back, keeping my sword ready.
It spit poison at me. I jumped to the side just in time, feeling the spray hit the ground instead. I swung my sword and cut one of its arms. But before I could celebrate, the arm slowly healed itself.
The spider tried to hit me again. I dodged its legs, rolled away from another poisonous spit, and waited for a chance to strike. It was fast and strong, but I had grown stronger from absorbing all the monster cores.
Finally, I saw a small opening. I stepped forward and stabbed straight at its head. The spider screeched, its legs flailing, but I didn't stop. I struck again and again, and finally its head fell off.
I stood there, breathing heavily, watching the spider's body twitch for a few seconds before it went still. A green core appeared where its head had been. I reached down and picked it up, knowing this one would make me even stronger once I absorbed it.
I picked up the green core and held it in my hands. Slowly, I absorbed it. At first, it felt warm, spreading through my body like a gentle fire. My muscles relaxed and grew a little stronger, my senses felt sharper, and a strange, lingering power from the spider's poison settled in me.
"If I can use the poison too… that could be a good addition to my skills," I said to myself, feeling a small thrill.
After that, I looked around and saw the goblins and kobolds I had hunted earlier. I had collected a lot today. "Alright, it's time to head back," I said, adjusting the magic bag on my side. It felt light and secure, holding all the monster cores I had gathered.
Inside the adventurers guild, Cera counted the cores with a smile.
"31… 32 goblin cores, and 5 kobold cores. You hunted a lot again today," she said.
"Oh, by the way," she added, "since you're improving so fast, you'll be promoted. Can you give me your adventurer's card?"
"R-really?" I asked, amazed. I reached into my magic bag, took out the card, and handed it to her.
She placed it on a small glowing crystal. The card shimmered and changed color.
"Here, congratulations on your level up. You're now a D-rank adventurer," she said.
I couldn't hide my smile as I took the card back. "Thank you, Ms. Cera," I said, holding it proudly.
She then placed the coins on the counter. "32 silver coins for the goblins, and 10 silver coins for the kobolds."
I picked up the coins one by one, thanking her again, and headed toward my room.
Once inside, I closed the door, set my sword and magic bag on the table, and sat on the small chair.
"I finally reached D-rank," I said to myself, feeling happy, still holding the adventurer's card in my hands.
The candle was down to its last bit, the flame so small it barely lit the room. Shadows covered most of the walls. I sat on the bed with my knees pulled up, arms wrapped around myself.
The air got heavy all at once. Sweet. Too sweet. Like spilled sugar mixed with something dark and thick. Then the voice spoke from nowhere, calm and pleased.
"Congratulations, Renji."
I jumped hard. My heart hit my ribs like a fist. I looked everywhere—left, right, behind the bed—nothing. Just dark corners.
Then he stepped out from the shadows like he'd been waiting there. Tall and wide, shoulders thick, arms strong. He bowed a little, big smile on his face, teeth showing.
"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Fenvarn, Gluttony of the Seven Sins."
I stood frozen. Legs locked. Mouth open but no words came out.
He smirked wider. "Are you ready?"
"R-ready?" I asked. My voice was small. I already knew what he meant.
He laughed low in his throat. "Aww, come on." He walked closer—slow steps, boots soft on the floor.
He stopped right in front of me. Took my hands in his big ones and placed them on his abs. Hard muscle. Warm skin. I could feel every ridge under my fingers. "How's that? Do you like it?" he asked, voice deep and slow.
I didn't answer. Couldn't. My hands just stayed there, shaking a little.
He leaned down. Face close. Breath warm on my skin. His lips touched my neck—soft at first, almost gentle. Then he kissed harder. Open mouth. Wet. Tongue licked up the side of my throat, slow and hot. I shivered all over. Goosebumps rose fast.
"W-wait," I said. I pushed at his chest weakly.
He didn't listen. Kept kissing. Sucked the skin right under my jaw. Teeth grazed. It stung. I gasped. His tongue swirled over the same spot, tasting me again and again.
Then he moved my hands lower. Pressed them flat against his cock through his pants. It was already hard—thick, hot, pushing up against my palms. He rolled his hips slow, rubbing himself against my hands while his mouth stayed glued to my neck—sucking harder, leaving red marks.
"Urgh… wait," I said. My voice cracked. My legs felt shaky.
He pulled back just a bit. Looked right at my face. His eyes dropped to my lips. Then he kissed me—deep and rough. No warning. One arm wrapped around my back, hugging me tight to his chest. His other hand went into my hair, fingers gripping hard, holding my head so I couldn't turn away. His tongue pushed in deep, filling my mouth. I couldn't breathe right. Couldn't make any real sound. His hard cock kept grinding slow against me through the clothes. My knees went weak. I grabbed his shoulders tight just to stay standing.
He kissed me longer—wet, messy, hungry. Tongue everywhere. When he finally pulled back, we were both breathing fast. My lips felt swollen. He looked at me like I was the only thing he wanted.