Night had fallen, and people were starting to enter the brothel. Laughter echoed everywhere as the girls ran back and forth, preparing for the night's festivities. Some wore outfits that could barely be called clothing, while others preferred tight fabrics that emphasized their curves. Each had her own style to lure in clients.
Though they had already been paid in advance, some could shorten their contracts if they maintained a steady stream of wealthy customers. After all, better clients meant better pay—and that meant less time trapped in a system of servitude dressed up as "work." That's why competition for rich and easygoing patrons was fierce.
Evelin was tightly fastening a corset around Urano, trying to make his figure appear more feminine. Though his face was delicate, he was still a man, and needed to look like an attractive woman. Not that it gave him any pleasure. Still, given that anime characters often leaned androgynous, it didn't look all that bad.
—"What the hell are you doing?! You're going to break my ribs!" Urano yelled.
—"Hold still... AAAAAAH!" he screamed in pain.
—"Come on, we should've left thirty minutes ago and you're still whining. Also... how the hell do you have almost as much chest as I do?"
—"What the hell are you saying?! Are you mocking me, you psycho?!" Urano shouted.
—"Aaaah... Why are you laughing, Evelin?"
—"Shhh, keep your voice down. Remember… you're mute, right?" Evelin said with a teasing smile, clearly enjoying the playful tension between them.
Without realizing it, they had slipped into a casual rhythm, almost like old friends. At least, that's how it looked to Nora, who was watching from a corner, her chest burning with bitter envy.
She had served her master all her life, crafting every relationship around him so that he would depend solely on her. She had meticulously built a world where she was the only constant. Seeing him now, so close to another woman, filled her with unease.
She was afraid of being replaced.
She had given everything for him. Worked tirelessly just to be his assistant, his desire, his love—his everything.
It comforted her, at least, that it didn't seem romantic. Not with all the shouting and insults. Though... seeing her master dressed like a woman stirred something unexpected in her—a strange mix of curiosity and pleasure.
Without knowing it, Nora had just discovered a new fetish. She crept closer—and grabbed his ass.
—"Hey! Watch where you're touching!" Urano snapped at the surprise attack.
Evelin only smiled mysteriously. How could she pass up a chance to enjoy her young master?
—"Don't worry. I just want to help... I'll be more careful," Nora said softly, but her eyes gleamed with desire.
A short while later, they were all ready.
Urano wore an oriental-style dress with a high slit and cascading floral embroidery. His chest was partially exposed, his blue eyes now a sharp yellow. A black wig flowed down his back. The contrast with his pale skin gave him a sensual and exotic look—like an ancient, wild elf, his lean muscles subtly showing beneath the fabric.
—"Do I really have to wear this?" Urano asked, tugging at the tight dress.
—"Absolutely," Evelin replied without hesitation.
—"You look beautiful, master," Nora said in a calm, confident tone.
At that moment, Nora and Evelin shared a knowing glance and smiled. It might've been the start of an unexpected alliance.
—"It's time to go, master," Nora said.
—"Don't call me 'master'. Here, I'm Lily, got it?" Urano said with a strained smile.
—"Whatever you say, Ma— I mean, Lily," Nora corrected, blushing.
As ridiculous as the situation was, Urano couldn't help but feel nervous, surrounded by two beautiful women. Nora wore a traditional outfit that looked like lingerie made of animal hide—leopard print, with a light cloak that barely covered anything. It reminded him of R-rated cosplay.
Evelin, meanwhile, had chosen a more modest dress—though not as conservative as she'd wanted. She ended up in a tight, peach-colored outfit with a provocative cut. She silently cursed the editors who always suggested female leads dress more provocatively to attract readers.
She never thought she would end up having to wear one.
The night rolled on, and each of them was assigned a role.
Nora moved with grace, serving drinks with surprising skill. Urano, used to social events thanks to his past life as an editor, smiled and nodded with ease, recommending girls with practiced charm. Evelin, however, was out of her element. Though friendly with people she knew, this kind of environment was alien to her.
She was clumsy. She broke glasses. She became the target of jokes.
She had been an artist her whole life—this? This was humiliating.
The atmosphere buzzed with noise, smoke, and live music from a group called The Water Girl. Smoke from pipes and drugs thickened the air. Urano grew anxious. The plan was to use smoke bombs to create the illusion of a fire, but with the room already clouded in haze, he feared the effect would be lost.
As he wiped a table, he spotted a burly man with a scar on his lip and a thick beard. Beside him sat a muscular, green-scaled lizard woman. They looked like a couple straight out of a pulp novel.
—"Don't leave so fast. Sit with us a while," the man said, grabbing Urano's wrist and pulling him close.
Urano tensed. He tried to stay calm, but he couldn't forget—he was still a man in disguise.
The lizard woman watched him with thinly veiled hostility.
—"Where're you from? You don't look like one of the regular girls here," the man asked.
Urano clutched the pendant around his neck. It was his weapon transformation trigger. But to the man, he just looked like a nervous girl holding onto a charm for comfort.
—"I'm not like those savages," the mercenary scoffed, gesturing to other guests. "Interesting... You're strong for someone this skittish. First time? Want me to teach you how to enjoy this place?"
His hand slid down Urano's shoulder, creeping dangerously toward his chest.
Before Urano could break his wrist, the lizard woman spoke:
—"Ignore him. Her name's Lily. She's new. Mute. Probably some unwanted stray," she said, bored.
The man laughed. Urano tried to pull away—but then, the mercenary said something that chilled his blood.
—"Don't worry. I'll pay your debt. We'll leave together. Everything's ready. My men, and Aurelio's, are about to rewrite history."
Aurelio.
Urano went pale.
That was the original protagonist of the story.
And the man beside him… was Ruan, the mercenary leader.
He was sitting right next to the enemy.
Elsewhere in the brothel, Evelin stumbled as a girl shoved a tray at her. She nearly fell. When she saw how well Urano was blending in, she shot him a glare of pure frustration.
Why the hell was he getting more attention than her?
He's a guy!
She didn't want to be popular in a brothel, but being ignored still hurt.
Her mind drifted to her past. Before becoming a mangaka, Evelin had trained to be a soldier. Raised by an ex-marine father, she'd never known a mother's softness. She got along well with other women, but men found her too intense, too blunt… too masculine.
The situation left a bitter taste in her mouth.
Lost in thought, someone grabbed her arm.
It was Nora.
—"The master needs help," she said coldly.
That tone caught Evelin off guard. She thought things had improved between them—but apparently, that only applied when Urano was around.
—"Tell him he's got fifteen minutes before everything goes to hell. See you at the rendezvous."
Nora nodded and left. Evelin had her part to play: activate the smoke bombs. That was the deal—one kills, the other sets the scene.
But she hated that Urano had to be the one doing it.
Her father used to say: "Killing someone changes you." And even if Urano had adapted well to this world, he was still just a regular guy. She didn't want him to lose that.
But now wasn't the time to hesitate.
She sprinted through the building. The brothel had two main entrances. It resembled a luxury apartment—tables, a central stage, sofas, a bar… and three exits: the kitchen (with a vent), the main entrance (guarded), and the hallway to the rooms.
The mix of tobacco and drug smoke would help sell the idea of a slow-burning fire. But Evelin needed to make it believable.
Near the bar, a girl shoved another tray into her hands. That gave Evelin an idea. She took it without protest and approached a table—a fat man with a cigar was hugging two fairies. They looked like little girls, though they were technically adults thanks to magic.
The scene made her stomach turn.
She served the drinks. When she reached the man, she "accidentally" spilled a drink on him.
—"You little brat! Do you know who I am?!" he roared, slapping her across the face.
Perfect.
Evelin poured the rest of the bottle onto the floor, creating a flammable trail, and walked toward the kitchen. The guards didn't stop her. Everything was going according to plan.
Meanwhile, Urano had to poison the mercenary. From a distance, Nora watched. The countdown had begun.
The man's hand slid down his side, to his thigh.
—"Why don't you become my lover?" he whispered, running his hand up Urano's leg.
Urano nearly cursed, but Nora appeared just in time, glaring daggers at the man.
—"You into the mute one?" he teased. "She may be small, but she's got a fierce look, huh?"
As they locked eyes, Urano slipped a few drops of poison into the cup. Just in case, he added some to his own, too.
The man slammed the table. Urano handed him the poisoned cup silently. He drank without hesitation.
—"Is that girl your friend?"
Urano nodded.
—"They're both my type. I could pay their debts, too. Make them my lovers."
The lizard woman, annoyed, snatched the cup. Urano tried to stop her.
—"Stealing my man and now my drink, mute bitch?"
Too late.
She drank.
Urano spoke.
—"NO, STOP!"
Silence.
The woman froze. The mercenary turned pale.
—"Son of a bitch… you're a man!"
Before anyone could react, the mercenary began convulsing, foam spilling from his mouth—then collapsed.
Silence.
And then...
BOOM.
An explosion rocked the kitchen. Smoke and fire spread across the room. A fat man on the far side caught fire. Panic exploded. Clients ran. Girls screamed. Guards shouted orders.
Nora and Urano ran for the exit.
Evelin was already waiting.
—"Wasn't this supposed to be a fake fire?" Urano growled.
—"I had to improvise," Evelin replied.
—"Don't worry, master. We can leave her behind if you want," Nora added coldly.
Silence.
Urano didn't respond, but he gently patted Nora's head to calm her.
—"It's not over yet," he said.
They rushed back to their room, changed clothes, and grabbed their escape gear.
Far away, voices shouted:
—"Put out the fire! Don't let the girls escape! A gold coin for every answer!"
Footsteps thundered down the hall as guards captured anyone trying to flee.
And then…
The door to Urano and Evelin's room began to creak open.
Slowly.