Chapter 3: Secrets For Leveling Up

The young man had heard whispers of it—the witch who held dominion over all knowledge. A witch rumored to have endured millennia, accumulating wisdom surpassing even that of the gods. Yet, the existence of this witch was nothing more than legend, lacking any tangible proof. For nearly seven centuries, the witch had remained unseen, shrouded in mystery. The passing of time fueled doubts, and there lingered the possibility that the witch had long departed this realm.

"I am not inclined to waste my time pursuing mere legends," declared the young man.

"Oh? You dismiss the witch as a mere legend? Well, it has been seven millennia, indeed. I, too, found it hard to stifle a laugh when I first heard of a witch possessing such profound knowledge. But I assure you, the witch is real."

"Do you expect me to believe such a tale?"

"I understand the skepticism; it is not an easy belief to hold. Yet, she exists. I have encountered her myself."

If this woman had indeed crossed paths with the witch, there might be truth in the legend. Considering her likely centuries-long existence, meeting the witch at some point in her life was not beyond the realm of possibility. If she claimed to have met the creator himself, he might even believe it.

"You mentioned dying during the Second Demon-Human War, which occurred three hundred years ago. How old does that make you then?"

The young man posed the question out of sheer curiosity, not intending any disrespect. Unaware of the societal taboo about inquiring a woman's age, he awaited her response.

The woman shot him a disapproving glare, a silent rebuke implying he should choose his words more carefully. "You ought to mind your tongue, Master. It's not particularly polite to inquire about a woman's age, you know."

"O-Oh, my apologies."

"Whatever. Moving on, this is precisely why I'm asserting that forgoing plans to level up is an unwise decision."

Perplexed, the young man tilted his head, asking, "Why is that?"

"The only potential avenue to learn about your sister's illness might be through the witch. However, reaching her requires embarking on a journey from here to the eastern Katakarina Continent. That undertaking alone would span at least two or three years on foot, and considering your sister's condition limiting travel to the night, it could stretch even longer. Moreover, the eastern part of the Katakarina Continent harbors the most formidable monsters. Given your lack of combat knowledge and your occupation being confined to pleasuring MILFs, survival on this journey is dubious at best. Oh, and let's not overlook the fact that dark elves inhabit the eastern region—they harbor little fondness for humans."

The Katakarina Continent remained within human territory, but its eastern reaches were home to dark elves. These beings harbored a deep disdain for humans, holding them responsible for their gradual disappearance from the world. The impact of human modernization had taken its toll, destroying their habitats and driving them toward extinction. Human actions were the root cause of their dwindling numbers.

Dark elves faced challenges in conceiving, contributing to their relatively small population. However, the encroachment of human influence over the years further diminished their numbers. Despite their dwindling population, dark elves were renowned as one of the most formidable races. Even with a mere hundred of them, they possessed the capability to obliterate a human empire if they so desired.

Entering the forest where the dark elves resided would likely result in the young man being incinerated by their potent magic.

"So, what you're suggesting is that before I embark on the journey to find the witch, I should focus on leveling up. Is that your implication?"

"I'm pleased to see you catch on quickly. That's precisely it. No need for further elaboration."

So, she was essentially stating that if he desired to cure his little sister, he had to engage in intimate acts more frequently. Frankly, he found himself repulsed by this occupation, but he had no alternative but to endure it. It was all for the sake of his little sister, after all.

"Now, to level up, I need to engage in sex two hundred times, correct?"

"Not necessarily," said the succubus, elegantly uncrossing and recrossing her legs. "There are certain women who can provide you with a multitude of essences in a single encounter. For instance, if you were to engage in intimate relations with the nun from the church near your residence, I believe you could receive ten times the amount obtained from normal women."

The young man shook his head, scowling at the succubus. "That's out of the question. There's no way I would engage in such actions with Sister Iris."

"I sense your desire to engage in intimate acts with that nun, Master. I reside within you, privy to your innermost desires." For the first time, the succubus sported a mischievous smirk, her lips curling in an erotically enchanting manner.

"I-I don't believe I've ever felt such inclinations towards her. I mean, it's impossible. I've always regarded her as a sister figure."

"Don't deceive yourself, Master. I am privy to your true feelings. I know you've entertained thoughts of exploring her most intimate recesses."

"Y-Your manner of speaking is rather crude for a woman."

"Well, I am a succubus, the Queen of Succubus, in fact. My mind is steeped in lascivious thoughts. A person with such impure thoughts tends to articulate them. Oh, and while we're on the topic, I should inform you that deflowering a woman yields twice the essence compared to a regular encounter. For instance, with that nun who bestows ten essences per encounter, deflowering her would grant you twenty instead."

"As I've mentioned, there's no way I'd engage in such actions with Sister Iris. Do you comprehend her unwavering devotion to Saintess Aldera?"

"Ugh. That Saintess has become an object of worship? Truly?"

"It seems you are acquainted with the saintess..."

"Well, she proved to be quite the adversary in my past. But that's not our primary concern, is it? Let's not digress too much."

The succubus gracefully rose from her seat and approached the young man. "My point is, leveling up is straightforward. Engaging with older women may be all well and good, but that's merely child's play. Challenge yourself with something more formidable. The greater the difficulty, the more satisfying the triumph, you know."

"I don't know. I have an ominous feeling about all you're telling me. What is your true intent here, truly?"

The succubus leaned in, pointing at him, her finger making contact with his chest. "I have none, considering I am but your servant. However, one thing remains certain, Leon. Wherever you venture, I shall undoubtedly follow. After all, I, the Queen of Succubus, Eve Lilliamos, am at your service."

With that, everything in the young man's field of vision blurred, as if a colossal tsunami had splashed across his face with his eyes wide open. The blurriness gradually dimmed until darkness consumed his entire vision.

***

Leon opened his eyes and gazed at the underside of the bed for a moment.

"What a peculiar dream... Or... Was that truly a dream? I can't discern. My head aches so much it feels like I'm still trapped in a dream."

As he contemplated this, he gradually became aware of the pressure on both of his arms. Glancing to either side, he saw two women utilizing his arms as makeshift pillows.

The previous night, he had provided these two women with an unparalleled experience, an evening that would likely remain etched in their memories. Last night, they experienced the penetration of his manhood into the very depths of their beings, a sensation they had never encountered before and would likely never experience with another man. For these women, it was an unprecedented encounter, resulting in an intensity that would be difficult to replicate. Their moans of pleasure, if overheard by anyone in the vicinity, would surely have conveyed the remarkable skill of the young man. The room resonated with their pleasure-filled cries, creating an atmosphere of undeniable passion.

Suddenly, both women moaned and opened their eyes.

"Oh? Have the three of you finally awakened?" inquired a woman seated in a plush chair near the window.

"Oh, Lien, I have never woken up this satisfied before. I can't believe it."

"That was truly magical. This young man certainly knows how to please a lady."

The two women were practically drooling, their thoughts evidently consumed by the events of the previous night. It seemed that the encounter had left an indelible mark on their minds, one that would likely persist until the end of their days.

"As much as I would love to indulge further, the brothel is now closing. The two of you, get dressed. We need to return home before our husbands grow suspicious."

With a hint of dejection, the two women rose from the bed and began to don their clothes. Lady Lien approached the young man and presented him with payment for his services.

"Pleasure doing business with you, Lady Lien."

"I hope to see more of you next time, young man," Lady Lien remarked.

After a while, the three women exited the room. Leon returned to lying in bed and gazed at the underside of the bunk. He examined the money Lady Lien had given him.

"A gold coin, huh?" he mused. A gold coin was sufficient to sustain a person for an entire month without labor, with plenty left over. However, it wasn't enough. More money was needed. To cure his little sister and find a way to restore her to the sunlight, he required additional funds. In other words, he needed to engage in intimate encounters once more.

"Oh, yeah... That dream." Placing the gold coin on the bedside table, he glanced at his palm. The number zero adorned it, with the number two in the upper left corner. "Seems like that wasn't a typical dream..."

The woman he encountered in his dream, claiming to be the Queen of Succubus, had spoken of a witch who possessed all knowledge. To unveil his sister's ailment, he needed to reach this witch, and to do that, he had to level up. The journey posed such peril that he doubted he'd survive. Traveling alone was one thing, but with his sister, it was an entirely different challenge. They wouldn't make it unless he grew strong enough to protect both himself and his sister.

"Do I really need to tail that dubious woman? For all I know, she might be leading me straight into a dangerous situation."

There was undeniable suspicion surrounding the woman. Trusting someone from the demon race, especially one in a leadership position, seemed like a risky move. However, her proposal appeared to be the most plausible path to finding a cure for his sister.