Side Story – First Experience

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“Ugh….”

I stretch lightly, basking in the sunlight streaming through the window.

“…Ugh.”

A throbbing sensation surges from my lower back and below.

“Why does it still feel so tender down there?”

My body should be fully recovered. Is it lingering mental fatigue?

‘Well, we did go at it twice as hard as usual.’

Perhaps I provoked Theo a little too effectively during training, fueled by some resentment. This sex was more intense than any night in recent months.

I even acted ruthlessly, driven by the near-defeat in our initial bet.

Of course, I never intended to win the bet in the first place.

‘Still, it’s no fun just being on the receiving end every time.’

Hehe, it was quite amusing to see Theo flustered by my unexpected attacks.

In the beginning, I tried not to completely succumb to pleasure.

Sex was merely a useful tool to erase unwanted memories. I, the ‘Hero,’ believed I wouldn’t be swayed by mere sexual pleasure.

‘Well, it didn’t take long for that to crumble.’

But even after enjoying sex, I didn’t change my attitude.

‘Because I know it brings even greater pleasure.’

Men are creatures aroused by women who ignite their will and make them want to break them down even more.

I was once a man myself, so I understand their desires.

As I try to get out of bed, Theo, still sound asleep beside me, catches my eye.

-Rustle.

I gently stroke Theo’s black hair.

“He looks like a baby when he’s like this.”

At night, he’s a beast who relentlessly devours me, but when he’s asleep, he retains a hint of the innocent boy I remember.

‘He used to have a cute side.’

Of course… I’m mostly responsible for how he turned out.

The absurd incident where the former Hero was kidnapped by a back-alley organization. After that, Theo transformed into a completely savage man.

I naturally expected our relationship to change drastically.

The problem was, it far exceeded my expectations of ‘at most, something akin to lovers.’

‘I don’t think I left the house for the first week or so.’

His actions were excessive, but knowing it was my fault, I indulged Theo’s demands as much as possible. And that became a catalyst, causing Theo to unleash all the desires he had accumulated upon me.

-P-Please, let me rest a little. At least lunch, or even just water…

-Still not satisfied, I see. I’ll make sure you’re not hungry anymore.

-Don’t talk nonsense— Ugh!

Hmm… It’s fair to say we were both out of our minds.

Honestly, if we had stopped right after leaving the brothel, there might have been hope of returning to normal.

But now that our relationship has become like this, there’s no turning back.

The Hero. The one who saved countless people and nations, and finally succeeded in killing the Demon King.

Now, she’s being taken by her disciple every night, uttering the title ‘Master.’

“Haha….”

A hollow laugh escapes me at the strange feeling that suddenly washes over me.

‘What would people who know me think if they saw me now?’

Becoming a woman out of nowhere is shocking enough, but if they saw what I’ve done in this body, they might faint.

If the Demon King wanted this when he self-destructed, I’d say it was a resounding success.

“Hoo… Alright. Let’s get ready.”

I need to put aside these stray thoughts and get to work.

Sadly, it’s time for a temporary farewell to Theo. Life has meetings and partings.

I carefully get out of bed, trying not to wake Theo.

-Click.

“Lena.”

“…You were awake?”

“I had a feeling… you really are leaving.”

“You knew?”

As expected, Theo had noticed. He must have seen me packing my bags yesterday and guessed.

“You were packing in a hurry. And you’ve been going out a lot lately.”

“That’s right. I’ve finally found some important clues. So I have to leave right away.”

“You’ve been saying for months that you might have to leave soon. But I didn’t expect it to be so sudden….”

Theo looks like his mind is suddenly in turmoil.

‘…I’m sorry.’

Guilt washes over me about the current situation.

I didn’t want to leave so abruptly either.

But I couldn’t let go of the hard-won clues.

‘I should have explained everything last night after packing.’

But then Theo suddenly came to my room and demanded that.

In the end, I chose to spend the night with him as he wished, rather than disrupt the flow.

“I’m sorry. But it’s something I’ve been talking about for a while.”

“I was curious about what it was, but I didn’t ask. I thought you’d tell me when the time came. Can’t you tell me now?”

“I’m sorry I can’t explain it in detail. It’s… about the peace of the world.”

In truth, this plan is driven more by my personal desires.

But the peace of the world will be at the end of it, so it’s not wrong to say that.

“The peace of the world…?”

Theo frowns, as if he doesn’t understand what I’m saying.

“The peace of the world. Okay. But why does Lena have to do such a huge thing? The Demon King is dead by the Hero’s Power, and the Demons have already retreated to the Demon World.”

“It’s something I’m deeply involved in. And it’s something I have to finish.”

Well… maybe not anymore. Now that I’ve lost the Hero’s Power, I might not have any obligations.

“Haa….”

A silence falls between Theo and me as he sighs, frustrated by my attitude.

“Then I’ll come with you, Lena.”

“No.”

“…Haa.”

Theo looks slightly angry at my immediate refusal.

“Why? Am I too weak?”

“Yes. You’ll die if you come.”

If it were just traveling, hunting Monsters, or exploring Dungeons, I would have taken Theo with me without hesitation.

But it involves ‘Demons.’ Anything related to them is dangerous, no matter how strong you are.

I couldn’t risk Theo’s life while carrying out a plan that even I couldn’t guarantee success for.

Of course… the biggest problem was that Theo’s presence would derail the plan from the start.

“…You’re so cold.”

Theo gets up and starts walking towards me.

“I knew you’d leave someday. I also know that I’m not good enough to keep you by my side forever.”

-Click.

He stops just one step away from me.

“Lena, you’re the most lewd woman I’ve ever met. You come with just a touch of my finger, and even when you try to be proud, you quickly crumble when sex starts.”

“Uh… ahem….”

In short, I’m a woman obsessed with sex….

Even so, it’s a little embarrassing to hear it so bluntly.

“But I know you don’t have any feelings like love for me. You only grant my requests because of ‘guilt’ or ‘pity’ for a pitiful child. Of course, you whisper sweet nothings when I ask you at night, but it’s meaningless.”

“…”

I haven’t been able to argue with anything he’s said so far. Because Theo is right.

“Still, I hoped that if I gained your physical love, the emotional part would naturally follow. But I see now that it was a vain hope.”

“I really can’t help it. I’m not capable of having a proper ‘love’ with anyone.”

I knew how Theo felt about me. That’s why I couldn’t accept him.

It might sound funny coming from me, a woman who has had countless encounters with men, but I have never felt any romantic or loving feelings for a man.

But I can’t reveal that I used to be a man.

I might have told him before our relationship became like this. But now that we’ve gone beyond a simple physical relationship and done things I can’t tell anyone else…

‘…I can never tell him.’

I can’t even imagine what his reaction would be.

“Haa… I won’t bother asking why. You must have some unspeakable past.”

I wait quietly for Theo to speak, as he rubs his forehead and falls into deep thought.

“…Will you come back here when it’s over?”

“Yes. But I can’t promise. I don’t know how long it will take, and I can’t guarantee how this will end.”

If everything goes according to plan, there won’t be any major problems, but things have rarely gone perfectly according to plan in my life.

I can only hope for a good ending.

“Well, okay. It’s okay if you don’t come back.”

“It’s… okay?”

I understood him not trying to stop me, but saying it’s okay if I don’t come back? This is an unexpected statement.

Does he mean he wants to cut ties completely…?

“Lena.”

“Eep?!”

My face is pulled towards Theo by his sudden touch. And Theo grabs my cheeks and looks me in the eye.

Theo’s black eyes stare at me for a long time.

“I have a simple solution. I’ll become someone worthy of you and come find you.”

“Theo, I’m sorry, but I told you, it’s really dangerous— Mmph!”

This time, Theo’s palm covers my mouth.

“You just need to do your job according to plan. I’ll come find you myself. The kingdom, the battlefield, the Demon World. It doesn’t matter where in this world.”

“…”

…This is a little scary.

The fact that he’ll find me no matter where I am is touching, but the obsession within it is strangely chilling.

I even worry that Theo’s feelings might be twisted in the wrong direction.

“Actually, I might not even know my own feelings. I don’t know if I really love you, or if I just like the pleasure your body gives me. But… I still want to be with you.”

“Theo. Just as there is a moment of meeting, there will inevitably be a moment of parting.”

Theo is a good disciple, no, an amazing man beyond expectations. But I can’t be tied to Theo for the rest of my life. I still have things I need to do.

Besides, my sexual preferences are completely ruined.

I’ve discovered a new happiness, and I’m already addicted to it. I’m destined to keep pursuing fresh and different pleasures.

“Disciple-master relationship, protector, or sex partner. All of those are possible. But… you’ll only be disappointed if you expect anything more.”

“We’ll have to see about that.”

“…Alright. If that’s what you want, I won’t stop you anymore.”

If that’s how Theo feels, there’s no point in trying to stop him.

The only thing I can do is—

-Embrace.

“Theo.”

I hug Theo tightly. Enough to feel each other’s warmth.

“…Lena.”

“Yeah.”

“Thank you for everything.”

“Me too. Let’s stay like this for a little— Mmph?!”

A soft sensation on my lips.

It doesn’t end there, as a soft tongue invades my mouth.

“Mmph… Uumm….”

Gratitude. Admiration. Love.

The many emotions Theo is feeling travel through his tongue and pierce my heart.

I can’t accept them. That would be deceitful.

But I don’t push him away.

I wrap my arms around Theo’s neck.

“Haa… Mmph….”

Our tongues meet and intertwine. A strange sweetness, different from usual, is felt.

And so, we savor each other for a long time. So that we can remember this feeling forever.

**

A house where two people used to live together.

Once filled with the sounds of laughter and chatter.

But.

After one of them left, the house was eerily silent.

-Tap. Tap. Tap.

Theo was drumming on the table, staring blankly at the firmly closed front door.

Even though he knew that no one would open the door and come in anymore.

“…I’m alone again.”

Theo ran his hands over his face.

It’s been a long time since he’s felt this emptiness and loneliness. Enough to bring back memories of parting with his parents.

He resents fate, just like he used to. Why does he have to go through this again—

-Slap.

Theo slapped both of his cheeks hard.

“Get a grip.”

He couldn’t just be sad and frustrated here. He made a promise.

-Sling.

He drew the dagger from his waist and ran his hand along the blade.

“I have to become strong.”

It’s not enough to just become strong.

Theo had to become the strongest in the kingdom he belonged to. At least in City Raven.

Of course, Theo knew that it wouldn’t be easy.

‘Maybe it’s impossible.’

Lena had assessed that his talent was only at the level of a gifted person. It was only thanks to Lena, a transcendent teacher, that he was able to develop skills beyond that.

But there was another way.

“It’s impossible alone… then I just have to not be alone.”

If he could create an organization that could rival a powerful individual and wield it.

At least he would be able to stand by Lena’s side.

-Thump.

Having finished his thoughts, Theo left the house without hesitation.

‘Let’s start with something small.’

He couldn’t be too hasty. He had to take it step by step.

And there happened to be a suitable place to plant Seeds in this city.

-Thud, thud.

His unwavering footsteps were headed towards the dark back alleys of the city.

Side Story – First Experience End