If the Faceless Forager truly was able to affect the System somehow, that would spell trouble for Somnu.
That meant the hidden deity’s pawns and followers, including the murderous John Doe, would be able to take the lives of other Sleepers without any consequence.
That is a terrifying thought… Somnu lingered for a moment, his brows furrowed. For now, I have to focus on what I have in front of me.
If Mr. Emberlyn’s information was accurate, it would confirm the scarecrow’s hypothesis regarding Henry and Carmella’s System being temporarily inaccessible.
Unless he was wrong about the deities and there is more out there… Somnu thought, but quickly shook those doubts out of his head. No, at the very least, Henry is planning something. Whether John Doe is behind him or some other power, we have to be prepared for whatever comes next.
Thankfully, confirming that the others likely didn’t have their Systems allowed Somnu to speak freely to Lulu without a need for codes. However, ever since his own visions allowed him to spy on others, he felt a need to be more careful with what he says out loud.
He knew first hand there were other ways to spy on others.
Even so, there was nothing to be gained from being paranoid all the time. The chances that there was someone watching him at all times were very slim.
“I’m still waiting for you to explain the plan here.”
“Oh sorry, let’s head back. I’ll explain on the way.” Somnu got up, and finally filled the bucket with murky waters.
“Well, at least I know who you are now.” Lulu chuckled. “An idiot pervert, who’s also a cheater.”
“Give me a break, how long are you going to call me that?”
Carrying the bucket of water, he walked towards the bunny girl, standing impatiently with arms on her hips.
“You’re still naked for no reason, aren’t you?” She snickered.
“There is a perfectly good reason though!”
“Well then, why don’t you tell me who you are?” Lulu watched as he passed her.
“... Where did that come from now?” He kept his pace in front of her.
“Say it, I don’t think it’s going to work otherwise.”
Being able to sneak a glimpse into Lulu’s System, he could understand where she was coming from. One of her Personal Titles was tailored exactly with that aspect of her character.
The power of self-affirmation, hearing one say the words out loud. They were known to do miraculous work.
Thoughts alone were not enough to convince one’s mind.
Words and action were the first step towards true change.
As stupid as it sounds, maybe this is what I needed all along to push me in the right direction…
“!”
Somnu turned suddenly, startling the bunny girl. Having gotten the pop-up message a while ago, he finally re-equipped Grudgekeeper, allowing the jagged, teeth-covered hood to devour his head whole.
Then, with his wavy, white hair at the top, black sides, the scar over his eyebrow and the piercings in his ears…
There was only one possible answer.
“I’m just a punk scarecrow.” He let out, then immediately regretted those words as his face twisted into both a wince and a grimace. “Don’t make me say that ever again.”
“Hahaha, you were so serious too!”
How could Mr. Emberlyn call me that with a straight face? Now that I think about it… He always saw right through me… Somnu thought, a wave of nostalgia hitting him.
“So, are you feeling better now?” Lulu hopped closer and strolled next to the punk scarecrow. “Can you do it? Whatever it was you were planning.”
“Let’s go. It’s time to show the lady a time she will never forget.”
“Huh?!”
Somnu picked up his pace, ignoring the sudden piercing gaze following him.
See? That’s why I didn’t tell you!
***
Everyone was asleep, or at least, they were supposed to be.
Upon finishing the preparations, Somnu had asked to keep watch in Mathros’ stead, making sure everyone heard him.
Then, as soon as Mathros and Lulu pretended to fall asleep, Carmella got up, gave the watchful Somnu a seductive wink, and slowly strolled over to the hiding spot she had been instructed to go to.
“So, what now?” Lulu slowly got up, her piercing gaze drilled into the scarecrow, demanding the answer she’s been pestering him about.
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
“Now, things get interesting.” With a slight chuckle to accompany his shaking nerves, Somnu closed his eyes and resonated with a clone of his serpent familiar. First, he made sure that Henry and his company were still far enough. “I’ll start now, keep watch over me.”
“Be careful brother…” The lizardman looked down at his compass, still pointing at his friend. “I don’t know what you’re planning, but I too don’t believe that Henry guy will lead us back to the fort at all.”
“The fact that he had more mindless henchmen hidden, and went to bring them is reason enough to take action.” Lulu sat up, keeping a cover wrapped over her upper body.
Even with her thick fur and the lit campfire, an unusual chill was emerging from the dense swamp around them.
“Shhh. I need to focus.” Somnu said, closing his eyes once more.
There was no going back now.
He was determined to cheat.
***
“I kept you waiting.”
“...!” Carmella turned around, casting her gaze on the one she had been expecting. Her beaming eyes were quickly strained into a forced pout. “A little…”
The straw bed she had found stretched below her alluring figure. She shifted her body a little, leaving her elbows to support her weight.
“Well, let me make it up to you then.”
In a slow, almost practiced gesture, Carmella followed his movements as he lowered his knees to the edge of the bed and grabbed the sides, letting his body hang over hers.
“How will you do that exactly?” She asked, wetting her lips slowly.
Following his lead, she stretched her legs further down, untangling them.
“Let me show-”
KLANG!
“...?!”
In an instant, Carmella had reached under her and swung the hidden dagger straight at his neck. Whether she expected it or not, she watched as her weapon was easily deflected without a hint of surprise on his face.
“That wasn’t very nice of you.”
“...” Squinting her eyes for a moment, she finally pushed herself up, leaning close to his face before whispering in a soft, almost soothing voice. “Maybe I need to be punished.”
“Hmmm.”
She heard him let out a groan of affirmation, leaning in, pushing her body on its back again.
“...”
The heat rushed across her veins, her rapidly beating heart almost keeping up. Her vision blurred, reinforcing the tender touch softly tracing her skin.
She felt her fur-covered short cloak get untied, then her neck being caressed like a brush masterfully stroking a canvas.
Slowly, his bare body leaned closer, all the while the pressure over her neck was ever-increasing, encompassing it whole.
Her eyes were fluttering uncontrollably, her lips naturally growing apart.
And then…
A kiss.
A touch.
A scent.
A voice.
A feeling.
A vision.
And then…
A kiss, a touch, a scent, a voice, a feeling.
A vision.
Next…
More kisses, more pressure, more scents, more voices, more feelings.
More visions.
Repeating, constantly, without stop.
An endless cycle of complete bliss.
Her lips, her entire body, her nose, her ears, her eyes, her heart, her…
The more it went on, the less she could think.
Until she surrendered herself to it entirely, body and soul.
To pleasure, to ecstasy.
Boundless euphoria.
And then…
“What the hell are you doing?”
“...!”
A sudden interruption.
“Henry…?”
One that couldn’t have been possible.
Not unless…
“?!”
“I asked you, what are you doing?!”
SLAAPPP!
“I… I-I was…”
“Stop stuttering and answer my question! You had one job!”
“Heh… Hehehe!”
“!”
Henry’s face suddenly twisted into a frown. The four henchmen behind him stood with their weapons at the ready.
“Why the hell are you laughing?!” He shouted, hauling the woman up by her dress.
“Hehehe… He’s good, he’s very good…” Carmella’s tears ran down her cheeks, the uncontainable laughter overcoming her.
“Who? What are you talking about?!” He bellowed in her face, drawing his weapon with the other hand.
“You still can’t see it, he’s already won. Hehehe!” The woman continued giggling, not even flinching at the great sword aimed for her heart. “He made you think he was weak, and dumb, and you, with your overconfidence, fell for it.”
“...” Henry narrowed his eyes. “A load of crap. You finally lost your mind for good, coming here, pleasuring yourself alone.”
“Hehehehe, alone?” Carmella wrapped her arms around her torso, the heat rushing to her cheeks. “Right. Alone. Like a dream. How tantalizing. How terrifying… Yes, a terrifying nightmare.”
“You’ve outlived your usefulness, Carmella.” Henry tightened the grip on his weapon, a scoff escaping his nose. “The countdown is about to end, so this is perfect.”
“How terrifying it is to not know when you’ve already lost to your worst nightmare.”
“Enough of this. Farewell.”
“Hehehe…”
THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD!
“?!”
“Put down your weapon, or you can join them.”
“You… who are you?!” Henry’s pupils constricted, noticing all four of his henchmen laying headless on the ground behind him.
And in the middle, a single man walked in, clad in a deep plum color and leather straps all around.
His head was covered with a weird toothy hood, two hollowing purple lights escaping through the deep darkness within.
From up high, the emerald moonlight shined down, giving the two bloody sickles in his hands a green hue that lit up his path.
An oversized crow landed on his left shoulder, while a long, elongated serpent slithered up to his right side. Both familiars glowing with purple runes etched throughout their forms.
“Who am I? Didn’t the lady tell you already?” The punk scarecrow’s chilling, monstrous presence distorted the scenery around him. “I’m your worst nightmare.”
