Guard

"Right, just like that. Perfect."

"Is the pressure to your liking, sir?"

"Very good."

"Would you like some fruit, sir~"

In the succubus parlor, Ye Chuan lounged comfortably on a reclining chair, flanked by two half-naked succubi with ample bosoms, their hands skillfully kneading his muscles—sometimes working his shoulders, other times pressing their soft curves against his arms.

Ye Chuan kept his eyes closed.

He was starting to get addicted to this. Every cell in his body seemed to hum with pleasure.

"Sir~ are you satisfied with the thirty-silver-coin package?" A smaller succubus giggled beside him, surprised to see this familiar face return so soon.

Just yesterday, he hadn’t seemed to have any money.

But in their line of business, they didn’t pry into where customers got their coins.

"Very satisfied." Ye Chuan’s eyelids grew heavy, and soon, the rhythmic motions lulled him to sleep.

Indulging in a little relaxation before taking on a commission wasn’t so bad.

Hah…

When he opened his eyes again, night had fallen.

Someone had thoughtfully draped a soft blanket over him to keep the chill away.

"Nice." Ye Chuan stretched and rose from the chair. The little succubus hurried over as soon as she noticed he was awake. "Sir~ you’re awake! You were sleeping so soundly, we didn’t want to disturb you."

"No worries."

She reminded him, "Sir, you haven’t experienced your custom dream yet."

"Save it for next time. I’ve got a commission to handle." Ye Chuan yawned and patted her head. "I’ll be back."

"Thank you for your patronage, sir~"

Stepping out of the alleyway behind the succubus parlor, Ye Chuan yawned again. "Their technique really is too good—knocked me right out."

It wasn’t that he had a particular fondness for succubi. It was just that this world’s biodiversity was so rich, he couldn’t help but want to study it.

That’s why he’d started his research with succubi.

Besides, watching those hardworking succubi struggle to make ends meet—earning just ten silver coins for over an hour of massage work—made him sympathetic.

"Ah, I’m too soft-hearted," Ye Chuan muttered. Even in another world, he couldn’t stand seeing people go hungry.

With a flicker of spatial teleportation, his figure blinked through the darkness before materializing in front of the Adventurer’s Guild. The building was brightly lit, the sounds of rowdy adventurers drinking and shouting spilling out.

Clink. Pushing open the oak door, Ye Chuan scanned the room and quickly spotted Torres at a table.

"Sir Xi Xi." Torres stood immediately upon seeing him. "The young lady has been waiting for you. We can depart whenever you’re ready. Have you finished your preparations?"

"Yeah, all rubbed down."

"Rubbed…?"

"Never mind. Let’s go. Where’s Miss Isabella?"

"She’s resting in one of the guild’s guest rooms. Just a moment." Torres turned and headed up the wooden staircase to the second floor. Soon after, a familiar figure in a long dress appeared—a silver-haired girl with her hood drawn up.

"Good evening, Sir Xi Xi."

"Good evening, Miss Isabella."

Though the title seemed to catch her off guard, she didn’t comment. "Please follow me."

Once outside, Ye Chuan noticed three carriages waiting by the roadside.

The horses weren’t ordinary either—they were scaled, their hides shimmering with a metallic sheen under the streetlamps.

After Isabella boarded, Ye Chuan took a seat beside Torres in the driver’s position—an ideal spot for guarding the carriage’s occupant.

Torres flicked the reins, and the carriage rolled forward.

The rhythmic clatter of wheels against cobblestone echoed through the quiet night as Ye Chuan idly watched the scenery pass by. Before long, they had left the town behind.

They weren’t traveling alone. Two other carriages followed, carrying a handful of guards—likely Silver-rank adventurers, around Tier 3 in strength.

Was this much security really necessary for a trip to another territory?

"Torres, was it?"

"Yes, Sir Xi Xi? Do you have a question?"

"I was wondering—is the route you’re taking particularly dangerous?"

Torres hesitated briefly before answering. "It’s relatively safe, but we must be wary of bandits and monster packs."

"Ah, I see." Ye Chuan let the matter drop.

The carriage pressed onward, the dim glow of lanterns hanging from its sides barely illuminating the darkened road.

Hiring guards for safety, yet choosing to travel at night.

Strange, but not his concern.

As long as he got paid and completed the commission, the rest didn’t matter.

Hours passed, the uneven nighttime terrain slowing their progress. Eventually, the first complication arose.

"Monsters ahead!" Torres suddenly shouted, his sharp eyes catching movement in the shadows.

"Everyone, prepare for battle!"

Ye Chuan released his spiritual sense and immediately detected the approaching creatures. They appeared to be wolf-like demons, not particularly strong—the leader was only at the second tier. Just a random encounter with a pack of monsters.

"Awooo~" The alpha wolf suddenly let out a long howl, and the demon wolves began charging forward rapidly.

"Lighting Magic!" Among the guards was a mage, who cast a spell, summoning a glowing orb that instantly illuminated the surrounding area.

"Demon wolves!"

The other guards recognized the creatures and swiftly sprang into action. Though the demon wolves were massive, they stood no chance against third-tier adventurers, quickly subdued within a few strikes. The remaining stragglers turned tail and fled.

"Phew, seems like it's nothing serious." Torres inhaled the scent of blood in the air and glanced at the demon wolf corpses scattered on the ground, quietly relieved. "Just low-tier monsters. Good, at least it's not..."

"It's not just monsters," Ye Chuan said coolly, his gaze fixed on a shadowy corner.

Before Torres could respond, dozens of arrows whistled through the air from the darkness!

Seeing the ambush, Torres immediately pulled out a massive shield, positioning himself to protect the carriage where the young lady was seated.

"Gravity Field." With a flick of his hand, Ye Chuan activated his magic.

The incoming arrows suddenly slowed as if trapped in thick mud, forced down mid-flight before clattering onto the grass.

"Take out that mage first!" A voice barked from the shadows.

More arrows shot toward Ye Chuan's direction, raining down from the darkness.

"Stand behind me, Sir Xi!" Torres stepped forward, raising his great shield.

"No need."