I finished leveling up Leaf and also Dorothy, strengthening their strength, their agility, and even that magical spark that shone in each of them. Now both were much more powerful than before, ready to crush any obstacle the world threw in front of us. For my part, I was left with just a few souls, just enough to keep moving forward through this rotten Burg that smelled of misery, dampness, and old sin.
I teleported back to that decadent place, and as soon as my boots touched the ground, I advanced toward the stone stairs that opened up in front of me like a dark throat. I descended them without hurry, alert, feeling the echo of my steps mix with the distant shrieks of creatures that should never have existed.
Upon reaching the lower street, I saw it: a multitude of monsters roamed down there, dragging themselves, laughing with broken voices, touching their faces as if they no longer fully remembered how a body worked.
And suddenly, upon observing them better, I realized something disturbing: they were all women.
But not ordinary women. They were deformed prostitutes, their torn clothing showing what they once wanted to be, what they once sold, what was now trapped between rotten flesh and twisted desire.
I didn't stop.
I killed every one that crossed my path, slashing, dodging, advancing. They emerged from the shadows like a hungry swarm, and I responded with steel. Each blow was dry, each movement an obligatory transit. Those left behind only sank into the cold silence of the Burg.
As I advanced, I came to what seemed to be a shop. The door was locked, firm as if someone inside was trying to keep the misfortune outside at bay. To one side was a small sign that said:
"Match Shop"
Interesting.
I took out one of my master keys, inserted it calmly, and the door yielded with a soft click. I entered.
The interior was dark, warm, and smelled of old wood. Behind the counter was a short woman, who upon seeing me tensed her shoulders like a frightened little animal. She had light brown hair, loose to her shoulders, skin so pale it seemed illuminated from within, and cheeks slightly flushed as if she were always in a deep dream. Her eyes were half-closed, not from tiredness… but as if she lived perpetually in a state between wakefulness and fantasy. She wore a long cape of dark green color, and a beret of the same tone rested on her head, slightly tilted.
—W-Who is…? —she asked in a thread of a voice.
—I'm sorry for entering your shop like this —I replied, taking a step toward her—. I just wanted to see what was inside.
I walked toward the counter. She seemed to have been reading a book before my presence interrupted her; her finger still marked the page, as if the story were a refuge she had just lost.
—Oh… I see —she whispered, lowering her gaze—. I thought one of those women from outside had come in. But since you're a man… it's okay. Right?
Her hands trembled on the counter, like small leaves under the wind.
—Yes, relax. I won't hurt you. Can you tell me your name?
—Ah… my name is Elma. And you… well… I don't think you're coming to talk to Elma, right? Elma only sells matches here. If you need them, buy them… it's okay.
—Thanks. Can I see what's in the shop?
—Y-yes. Go and look with confidence.
Little Elma spoke as if each phrase were a sweet sigh. I moved away and began to observe her shop. Besides matches, she also sold small swords, light armor, and other strange objects, though none caught my attention too much.
As I went to the right corner, I saw a shelf full of books. One of them was sticking out a bit, as if it had just been consulted. I took it without Elma noticing and opened it just a little, curious.
The words inside hit me immediately:
[Aa-aaah… S-stop…! Turtle, demons! Where do you think you're touching…! Ha-ha-ha!]
[What was that just now…? As expected from a hare, you're a quick shot!]
Upon looking just a little more, I heard Elma's small steps approaching. She saw me with the book open in my hand and her face exploded in embarrassment. She began to jump like a spring, running toward me.
—Shoo! Shoo! You can't do that! Don't look without permission! —she pushed me with her little hands while snatching the book and placing it EXACTLY where it had been.
She was clearly angry… or embarrassed… or both.
—I'm sorry, Elma. Well… for the book, I'll buy something from you. A match.
Her eyes immediately shone, as if life had suddenly returned to her face.
—R-really? Thank you very much. It's a thousand souls.
I handed her the souls, and she almost melted with happiness. She laughed softly, a sweet and shy sound.
—Having a lot of sleep is wonderful, isn't it? —she murmured with a soft giggle.
—Hey, Elma… and your parents? Why are you so alone here?
She lowered her head. A strand of hair fell over her cheek.
—Mother works at night… then she comes back. But father and mother fought… and father left. Elma really liked father's stories about trade. He must be looking for a treasure somewhere now. It would be good if he found it and could come home… and tell me stories again…
Her words floated like a sad breeze in the room.
—I'm sorry for asking you that, Elma…
—It's okay —she said with a small smile—. Elma doesn't mind.
It seemed she just wanted to talk to someone.
—Thanks, Elma. Now I have to go. I hope to talk to you again.
I said goodbye with a slight bow and left the shop. The air of the Burg tasted more bitter after hearing that little one's story.
I continued walking to the left, climbed a narrow path, advanced a bit more, and continued until I reached a huge mansion that rose like a proud shadow amid the rot of the place. It was an imposing building, older than everything I had seen in this site, as if its luxury had resisted the passage of time through sheer pain.
Upon entering, I found myself in a wide reception hall. In the center rose gigantic stairs that led up to a monumental door. On both sides were hallways that lost themselves in darkness. I chose one of them, but at the end I only found a locked door that wouldn't yield. I returned then to the reception hall, climbed the stairs, and headed toward the central door. I opened it.
What I saw inside stabbed like a dagger in my head.
Several maids were lying on the floor, dead, torn apart… raped until unrecognizable.
The scene was a hell enclosed in a room.
And in the midst of all that, a gigantic beast was brutally raping one of the maids who was still alive. She screamed with a torn voice, begging it to let her go.
—A-Aa… it hurts… uuu… aaah… p-please… forgive me… anything else and… you'll break me in half…! Gyaaaaa!
The beast growled as if her sufferings were part of the show. Suddenly it grabbed her by the torso and threw her into a corner like garbage.
—How annoying… —it growled with contempt—. Do all women become useless so quickly?
The monster turned toward me. It was gigantic, imposing, with a huge club in its right hand. Its body seemed covered by broken fragments of magical armor.
—Who the hell are you? Only a fool would enter my room without being called. Your stupidity deserves death. And on top of that, you're a man! I, the Iron King, will crush you!
It roared and lunged at me, striking the ground with its weapon and making the whole room tremble.
—My armor, invisible to fools! My splendid impenetrable fortress! Protected by it, I have no equal! I am invincible! Kneel before despair! I am the absolute ruler!
I drew my sword.
The battle had begun.
I used my magic to summon Leaf.
—Leave it to me, I'll help you~ —she said as she appeared, but upon seeing the monster she was left open-mouthed—. Eh? Why is this weird bug naked? Ahahah! Look, look! It's naked! No shame! Tee-hee~
The monster shuddered.
—W-what are you saying…? I'm in my great impregnable armor!
—Hihihi… the king is naked… laaame.
—!!INCORRECT!! The great I… I… aaaAAAAAA!
In that instant, small broken magical crystals began to detach from it: its illusory armor had disappeared.
I advanced and slashed. Its skin was like that of a human, without any protection. My sword sank in easily. Leaf harassed it with jokes and attacks, keeping it distracted.
The battle intensified.
Each attack it launched made the ground tremble, but its movements became slow, heavy, desperate. Leaf invoked her Soul Glow, thousands of shining arrows pierced the monster's skin. It roared, bleeding more and more.
Until one of the arrows pierced its right arm, making it drop its club. I seized that instant: I jumped, raised my sword, and plunged it into its head.
The monster fell dead instantly.
I searched the room.
The women… no longer breathed. Their bodies were still, cold, defeated by horror.
At the back was a single door. On the floor, next to it, I found a strange key. I took it, tried it, but it didn't work. Then I used one of my master keys: this one did open.
Inside the room there was only one thing.
A woman.