Dawn broke over the city walls like a warning Rem chose to ignore, her Travel Combat Set feeling heavier than it should despite being designed for mobility. The black bodysuit clung to her skin under the fitted breastplate while leather wrapped her torso for protection against strikes she hoped wouldn't come. Leaving the shed behind felt anticlimactic—no ceremony, no goodbye to the place that had been home for barely a week. Just walking away toward whatever fresh hell Aria had planned for this journey.
The south gate loomed ahead with its weathered stone, early morning guards yawning at their posts. A large covered wagon sat waiting with a single horse already hitched, supplies loaded under canvas that looked sturdy enough to survive whatever the road threw at them. Elise stood beside it wearing traveling clothes that somehow screamed cute and sexy while still remaining diligent despite the practical additions of light armor.
But the man standing next to her made Rem's brain stall mid-step.
"What the actual fuck!!"
She'd written Marcus as an old guy, barely mentioned in her drafts except as "Elise's elderly attendant who was just a tagalong with the two lovebirds, killed by a 3 core monster." Background decoration with a healer's bag. Someone to fill space without taking spotlight.
This guy couldn't have been older than mid-twenties.
Long dark hair fell across sharp features that would've been called handsome if Rem wasn't already annoyed by how many attractive people kept appearing in her life. Athletic build visible even through his travel gear, a healer's satchel slung across his chest like he actually knew how to use it, he didnt. He turned when her footsteps approached, studying her with curious intensity that felt too aware for comfort.
"You must be Rem?" His voice was smooth without being oily, professional without the stuffiness she'd expect from noble servants. "Lady Elise speaks highly of your skills."
A bow followed his greeting, nothing like the doddering old man her memory insisted should be standing there instead. He was a total hottie.
"Marcus" Elise supplied unnecessarily, her tone carrying hints of fondness Rem hadn't written into their relationship. "He'll be steering us through White Ash Forest."
Rem's mouth opened to respond but nothing came out except a vague noise of acknowledgment, her brain still stuck on the disconnect between expectation versus reality. Did the story change itself? Or had she just forgotten what she'd actually written because Marcus was so minor he barely registered during creation?
"I heard about the lady in white silk." Marcus's lips quirked into something between a smile and a smirk, too knowing for her comfort. "Quite the reputation you've built in such a short time, though i wouldn't dare judge a lady's wardrobe ofcourse"
Heat flooded her face before she could stop it, this was happening more and more as the days went by. "That was one day. One stupid day that no one should remember!!"
"Memorable though." he muttered through barely contained laughter
"Shut up!"
His laugh suggested he'd enjoy making this joke repeatedly throughout the journey, which was just perfect. Absolutely fucking perfect.
Kaisen's arrival interrupted whatever response Rem was failing to formulate, the protagonist jogging up to their group with that insufferable energy of someone excited to leave this dusty old place, not a care in the world, just happy for freedom. The bastard should be happy, travelling around with two beautiful girls such as Elise and Rem. His grin could've powered the sun, Fucker...
"Ready!?" He looked at each of them in turn, enthusiasm radiating from every pore. "Finally getting out of this boring city!"
Marcus and Elise exchanged glances that suggested they'd dealt with his energy before, comfortable familiarity between them that spoke to years of association. Rem filed that away—their relationship went deeper than simple servant-noble dynamics, which made sense if he'd been with her family long enough to earn genuine trust.
"Travel arrangements!" Elise announced while gesturing toward the wagon. "Marcus here knows the route well so he'll steer the wagon, I'll ride inside with a map and compass just in case. Kaisen, you'll scout ahead on foot for any threats looming on our route and Rem..."
She paused, clearly having not considered where exactly Rem fit into this formation, That's because she didnt was the answer.
"There's room on top" Marcus pointed to the wagon's flat covering. " Its a Ggood vantage point for long range scouting if you don't mind heights~"
Better than being crammed inside with Elise or walking beside kaisen the entire journey. "Fine...."
"Settled then" Elise climbed into the wagon with that same dammed grace. "We leave immediately."
A notification blazed across Rem's vision before anyone could move, red text instead of the usual blue making her stomach drop even as she read the requirements.
[MAJOR QUEST: Survive the Journey]
[Objective: Reach the capital alive (All party members)]
[Duration: 3 weeks]
[Performance-Based Rewards:]
[Monsters eliminated: +10 LP each]
[Companions protected from harm: +5 stat points total]
[Secrets discovered: Special item rewards]
[Perfect completion (zero deaths): ??? Unknown reward]
[Failure condition: DEATH]
"Oh that's just great." Rem's voice came out flat while she dismissed the interface. "No pressure at all."
Kaisen shot her a curious look but she waved him off, not about to explain quest mechanics he couldn't see. The protagonist would survive through sheer plot armor anyway—it was everyone else she needed to worry about keeping alive if she wanted those performance bonuses.
Guards opened the south gate without ceremony, morning sun spilling through onto the road beyond. She could see Elena wave from her distant bakery window with a sad smile Rem pretended not to see, her last connection to civilization fading as the wagon rolled forward. No turning back now, no running away from the story she'd written that was rapidly becoming more complicated than her drafts had ever suggested.
Kaisen ranged ahead maybe fifty feet, already scanning the surrounding trees and the path ahead for threats with hyper-awareness. Marcus settled into the driver's seat with lazed ease, reins held loosely while he guided the horse onto the deteriorating path. Rem climbed onto the wagon top through sheer stubbornness when no one offered help, finding her balance on the flat canvas surface that gave an excellent view of everything around them. She sat crossed leg, scouting for any possible danger that could approach them.
It was a netter vantage point than she'd expected actually. She could see Kaisen ahead, watch the tree line for movement, keep an eye on their surroundings without being stuck in conversation she didn't want to have or be restricted by the wagon, she could respond to any and all threats immediately.
The city shrank behind them with each minute that passed, walls becoming distant memories while wilderness spread out in every direction. Other travelers heading back toward safety passed their wagon, merchants with empty carts who'd successfully completed whatever trade brought them out here. A few shot curious glances at their small party—a noble looking woman, a young man with a healer pouch, a sword-wielding scout grinning ear to ear, and a warrior woman sitting aloofly on the roof. Not exactly standard travel configurations.
White Ash Forest appeared on the horizon after maybe two hours of steady progress, distinctive even from a distance. Thick white-barked trees rose like bone pillars against the sky, their canopy dense enough to block most sunlight from reaching the ground below. Grey ash covered everything underneath according to her memories of writing this location, the forest floor a carpet of residue from whatever ancient fires had burned here.
"Monsters born from flame and lightning," Rem muttered while studying the approaching tree line. "Common ones look like big animals having one core. Uncommon have elemental abilities and 2 to even 4 cores. Rare are pure elementals that no one's seen in years 5 or higher, threat level flee on sight."
Marcus called up from his seat without turning around. "You know about White Ash Forest?"
"Read about it" she lied smoothly. "Pays to research where you're going."
"Smart." Approval colored his tone. "Most guards Elise hires don't bother learning the territory."
"Most guards she hires are probably idiots."
His laugh agreed with her assessment, warm sound that suggested he appreciated blunt honesty over false politeness. "True enough."
They entered the forest as midday sun reached its peak, white trees rising around the wagon like skeletal fingers pointing accusingly at the sky. the temperature increased noticeably despite the shade, heat radiating from the ash-covered ground beneath them. Kaisen slowed his pace ahead, sword drawn now that visibility had dropped to maybe thirty feet in any direction.
Rem's position on the wagon top let her see over most of the undergrowth, scanning for movement between bone-white trunks while ash muffled every sound. Unsettling didn't begin to cover it—this place felt wrong in ways her descriptions hadn't captured, hostile awareness pressing against her senses like the forest itself was watching their intrusion.
"How's the view from up there?" Marcus's voice broke the oppressive quiet.
"Creepy as hell. Everything's white except the ash and even that is dull gray."
"Stay alert then." His shoulders tensed slightly, reins held tighter now. "Monsters here don't follow normal patterns."
Great. Just great. She's fucked.
Hours crawled by in tense silence, the wagon moving steadily deeper into forest that seemed to grow thicker with each rotation of the wheels. Kaisen remained hyper-vigilant ahead, occasionally pausing to examine claw marks on trees or disturbed ash that suggested something large had passed recently. Elise stayed hidden in the wagon, presumably studying the map though Rem could hear occasional sounds of ice magic being practiced—small crackling noises that meant the noblewoman was preparing for inevitable combat.
The attack came without warning around what Rem guessed was late afternoon, though tracking time under the dense canopy proved difficult.
A beast crashed through undergrowth from the wagon's left side, massive body covered in ash-grey fur while ember-bright eyes locked onto the horse with predatory focus. It looked like a wolf if wolves grew to the size of bears, teeth bared in a snarl that promised violence.
"Contact!" Kaisen's shout preceded his charge back toward them, blade already glowing with that Mutilate ability she'd seen yesterday.
Marcus hauled on the reins to stop the horse from panicking while Rem rolled off the wagon top, landing in a crouch with her sword drawn. The beast's attention shifted to her movement, massive head swinging around to assess this new threat while saliva dripped from jaws that could bite her in half.
Elise emerged from the wagon in a swirl of frost, ice already forming around her hands as she positioned herself near Marcus. "Its a one core beast!"
This was one of the common flame-born creatures Rem had written to populate the forest. It dangerous enough to kill unprepared travelers but manageable for anyone with actual combat experience.
Her improved stats made a difference immediately when the beast lunged. She dodged left instead of backward, using the speed from her DEX to get inside its guard while her blade slashed across its flank. Blood sprayed dark against white trees, the creature howling pain before spinning to retaliate with claws that would've gutted her if she hadn't already rolled away.
Kaisen engaged from the opposite side with that terrifying agility, his sword cutting through the beast's hide in three places at once even though he only swung once. Elise froze one of its legs solid, ice spreading up its muscle to limit mobility. Marcus stayed near the wagon protecting their escape route, it was not like he was useful for anything else.
The fight lasted maybe two minutes before the beast collapsed, bleeding out into ash that absorbed its blood like a hungry leach. Rem's breathing came hard from adrenaline more than exertion.
"Everyone alright?" Marcus moved among them checking for injuries, finding only minor scrapes that he sealed within seconds.
Kaisen was grinning like an idiot, practically vibrating with excitement. "That was great! Did you see how coordinated we were?"
"It was one beast." Rem couldn't help the sarcasm bleeding through. "Let's not celebrate until we've crossed the forest."
Elise nodded in agreement though satisfaction showed in her expression—her ice magic had worked exactly as needed during real combat, confirmation that her training was paying off, damn prodigies. "We should move. The blood will attract more of them."
They continued deeper, everyone now understanding that the forest held teeth beyond their expectation. Rem reclaimed her position on the wagon top, watching shadows between trees for movement that would herald another attack.
By the time Marcus called halt for evening camp, exhaustion had settled into everyone's bones despite only fighting once. The mental strain of constant vigilance took more toll than physical activity, anticipation wearing them down more effectively than any monster could.
Marcus chose a clearing slightly off the main path, positioning the wagon to serve as partial shelter while he built a small fire. Sleeping arrangements got discussed with minimal awkwardness—Elise and Rem would share the wagon's interior, Marcus and Kaisen taking turns on watch outside.
Dinner passed in tired conversation, Marcus proving surprisingly capable at cooking trail rations into something almost edible. Stories got shared around the fire, Elise dominating most of it with tales about her land and her political victories. They laughed at a joke she made, genuine sound that seemed to surprise rem as much as anyone else. She stayed mostly quiet after that, content to observe their dynamics while processing the day's events.
Marcus approached her position after the others had settled in for sleep, sitting close enough to be almost touching. "You fight well. Military background?"
"Self-taught mostly." Same lie as before, easier than explaining if she was being honest.
"Right." His smile said he didn't believe her but wouldn't push. "I respect secrets." what secrets bastard? it really was self taught.
Silence stretched comfortable between them while fire crackled low, Kaisen's breathing already evening out into sleep from his bedroll. Elise had retreated into the wagon maybe fifteen minutes ago, lamplight visible through gaps in the canvas covering.
"Can I ask you something?" Rem kept her voice low to avoid waking Kaisen
"Depends on the question."
"You're younger than I expected for someone in your position." True enough without revealing how specifically she'd written him. "How'd you end up working for Elise's family?"
His expression shifted into something distant, memories playing behind his eyes that looked painful even in firelight. "I used to be an adventurer, i Had a party, explored dungeons, the whole stupid heroic dream, i even had a beautiful wife who was my childhood friend turned my lover."
"What happened?" The fuck!! Wife!!!??
"We fucked up." He was blunt, honesty replaced his usual professional tone. "Took a contract beyond our capabilities. Everyone died except me because and I was too busy running away to save them." his fist clenched until his knuckles whitened.
Rem stayed quiet, letting him decide whether to continue. she didn't want to push but her curiosity was killing her.
"Elise's family found me after. Gave me a purpose when I thought I didn't deserve one." His jaw tightened. "I owe them everything, which is why I'll die before I let anything happen to her....."
That explained the protective vibe between them, the way he watched Elise with devotion that went beyond servant loyalty. He'd failed his first family—wouldn't fail this one no matter what it cost. almost poetic.
"So you're not retired." Rem met his gaze directly. "You're hiding."
"Perceptive." His smile turned sharp. "What are you hiding from, Rem?"
Everything. Absolutely everything about her situation. "We all have our reasons to be here...."
"Fair enough." He accepted her deflection with grace. "Just... watch yourself. This forest has teeth, the Crimson Wastes will be worse."
"Im planning on it."
Marcus took first watch after their conversation ended, leaving Rem to claim her spot in the wagon beside Elise who'd already arranged blankets into makeshift beds. Cramped quarters but better than sleeping on ash-covered.
Rem lay on her back pretending sleep came easily, listening to camp sounds outside—fire crackling, horse shifting occasionally, Marcus's quiet movements as he circled their perimeter. Her mind refused to settle, processing too much information from a single day. Marcus's changed character, the major quest requirements, what was Aria planning?
That last thought made her stomach twist uncomfortably for reasons she refused to examine too closely.
Time crawled past midnight according to her internal clock when soft rustling from outside caught her attention. Footsteps approaching the wagon, too light to be Marcus. Rem's eyes stayed closed but her breathing shifted to mimic deep sleep, every sense focused on identifying the sound's source.
"Can't sleep?" Kaisen's whisper, barely audible.
Movement from Elise's side of the wagon—sitting up maybe, blankets shifting as she responded just as quietly. "The forest is... unsettling."
"You want company?"
Silence stretched long enough that Rem thought maybe Elise would refuse, send him back to his bedroll like a person should... shouldn't they?. Then canvas rustled as the wagon's back opening parted, Kaisen climbing inside with movements that tried for stealth but failed in the cramped space.
Rem's face burned even though her eyes stayed firmly shut, heart suddenly racing for reasons. She shouldn't eavesdrop, should make some noise to let them know she was awake, but moving now would make everything infinitely more awkward than just pretending unconsciousness.
"Better?" Kaisen's voice came from maybe three feet away, close enough that Rem could hear his breathing.
"A little." Elise sounded vulnerable in ways her usual tsundere mask never allowed. "Thank you for today. Your fighting was..."
"Just doing my job." Warmth colored his tone, that charm radiating even through whispers. "You were incredible too.... That ice magic of yours is getting stronger every day."
More silence, but the quality changed—charged with something that made Rem's stomach clench. Then soft sounds that could only be kissing, sound of their intense breathing, muffled moans, quiet gasps that meant hands were exploring places they shouldn't in a wagon where someone else was supposedly sleeping three feet away!!.
"Kaisen...ugh" Elise's voice came breathy, wanting. "We should—"
"I know." More kissing sounds, fabric shifting that suggested clothes were being adjusted. "Just a little while..... its hot"
Rem wanted to die. She wanted to disappear into the ash outside, wanted to unhear everything as her stupid protagonist made his move with his women. This was exactly the kind of scene she'd drafted a hundred times—intimate moments between the protagonist and a harem member, stolen kisses that would escalate into more as their relationship deepened.
Except she'd never considered what it would feel like to be present for it, trapped in uncomfortable voyeurism while her chest did complicated things she refused to name. her hand slipping inside her shorts to rub her pussy..... just a little wont hurt
Fifteen minutes that felt like fifteen hours passed before Kaisen finally exited the wagon, clothes definitely more disheveled than when he'd entered. Through slitted eyelids Rem watched him glance at her supposedly sleeping form, a small smirk playing across his lips that suggested he knew exactly what he'd just done and didn't care who knew. Her own breathing was a little harsh, she did not want to speak the condition of her wet hand, or how it came to be so.... and she definitely did not want to glance at the disheveled form of Elise who was still recovering from their activities.
Soon though, Elise settled back into her blankets with a satisfied sigh that made Rem want to scream into her hands. Instead she lay perfectly still, breathing measured to maintain her unconscious facade, she was too embarrassed to register what she had done so she just let exhaustion dragher into actual sleep.
Morning arrived too early with grey light filtering through canvas, Rem's body aching from sleeping on hard wagon floor. Elise was already awake and dressed, looking refreshed in ways that made Rem's teeth grind together with irrational frustration. Outside the wagon Marcus was preparing travel rations while Kaisen did stretches that showed off muscles Rem definitely wasn't noticing.
"Sleep well?" Elise asked with false innocence.
"Like the dead." Rem's voice came flat. "You?"
"Quite well actually." That small smile suggested she knew something, Rem didnt want to know, the though of Elise knowing brought even more heat to her pussy, but she controller herself.
Fantastic. Absolutely fantastic.
They broke camp efficiently, everyone falling into yesterday's routine—Kaisen scouting ahead, Marcus steering, Elise inside, Rem on the wagon top watching for threats. The forest felt different in morning light, less oppressive though no less dangerous. White trees cast strange shadows through gaps in the canopy while ash stirred with each wheel rotation.
Hours passed in tense vigilance, spotting movement occasionally that turned out to be smaller creatures fleeing their approach rather than threats worth engaging. The monotony of travel started wearing on Rem's nerves more effectively than combat would, boredom mixing with lingering awkwardness from last night's unwilling voyeurism.
Marcus called up to her around midday. "How are you doing up there?"
"Bored mostly." True enough without mentioning other discomforts.
"Want to hear about the time I fought a dragon?"
"You fought a dragon?"
"No, but I've got your attention now." His laugh made her smile despite herself. "How about the truth instead? Why someone with your skills is working as a guard for coin."
"Seemed like the best option available." Also true, just missing the corruption system and goddess torture parts.
"You're lying, but I'll allow it." Comfortable acceptance in his tone. "Everyone's running from something. Question is whether you're running toward something too."
Survival. Power. Maybe eventually freedom from Aria's games if such a thing was even possible. "Aren't we all?"
"Philosophical today." He shifted the reins, guiding the horse around a fallen tree blocking their path. "I like you, Rem. You're honest about being dishonest if that makes sense."
"It doesn't.... you sound stupid"
"Then we understand each other perfectly."
Their banter continued sporadically throughout the afternoon, easy rhythm developing between them that reminded Rem of actual friendship rather than forced companionship. Marcus had a dark sense of humor that matched her cynicism, both of them comfortable with silence when conversation didn't feel necessary.
The sun was starting its descent toward evening when a notification blazed across Rem's vision without warning, different format than she'd ever seen before.
[CORRUPTION MILESTONE DETECTED!]
[LST: 11 → 15]
[Threshold increase due to...]
Her heart stopped. Shit, was it because she... no fucking way!—
[ERROR: Premature advancement identified]
[Cause: Unknown]
[System recalibrating...]
Cold dread flooded through her veins while she stared at text that made no sense.
A third notification appeared, this one in deep crimson that seemed to pulse with malicious intent.
[NEW QUEST UNLOCKED: Aria's Attention]
[The Goddess has noticed your progress]
[She wants to... play]
[Accept quest? Y/N]
[WARNING: Refusal will result in...]
The message cut off, penalty unstated but implied to be severe enough that refusal wasn't actually an option. Rem's hands trembled where they gripped the wagon's edge, reading and rereading text that promised fresh torment from a goddess who'd already made her life hell.
"Fuck."