{[What you may not know, those that stay trapped inside a jail cell eventually learn to forgive themselves for their actions. Those who have nothing to forgive. They sit with a flame in their hearts, allowing anger to consume them.]}

Ashner wasn't the only victim in all this. The girl was. She had been so drugged up her perception on that night was just the sensation of being violated. The girl was broken, and without all the clues of her night, she pinned that blame on Ashner alone. Or maybe Ensley got to her as well, Ashner didn't have the answers, and it wasn't like he could just go up and ask her.

Soon other’s joined in, and he became the sole aggressor.

Deep down, Ashner never blamed the girl. How could he? Even if he became a pariah and if he was locked away, who truly had it worse?

Ashner shook from his rage. Ensley and the other sergeants were the predators. Even his baby mama was a reflection of their sins. She hated Ashner for his crime, but they never dated. She was just a soldier he slept with on a drunken night and knocked up. The first and only time he got laid. The worst part of that night, he didn't remember any of it. Just the morning after, he woke up in bed with her. But now, Iris made it her mission to make his life hell.

Ashner glanced at his backpack. It was still filled with gold coins.

I can't rely on handouts from pawn shops. How am I supposed to cash in without bringing suspicion?" Ashner’s fingers fiddled with the coins. “I need to start selling it to a proper investor, but no one will even bother humoring the proposal if I don’t have a company… I have the money to start one up, but with my past and the way the city works. I’d need proof… What if that proof could be faked?

Walking into the kitchen, something caught Ashner's attention, the aroma of cooked meat. Curious, Ashner found Alex cooking the meat over the fire stove. Except he wasn't using a pan, he was just using the fire.

“Didn’t you say you know how to cook?”

Alex smiled at him, “I do.”

Ashner sighed, taking out an old pot and filling it with oil. He commenced with teaching Alex how to cook properly. Oddly, the slave was eager to learn.

"I'm curious, how do your powers work?”

"My charm creates an uncontrollable urge for lust. It affects both males and females. "My other power is called ‘Illusion’ with which I create anything I want. If they want to see the ocean, they see the ocean. If they want to see the moon, then they see the moon. I don't have much control over what they see, but it's always what they want.”

“Humm.”

"I'm exceptionally powerful for an Incubus. Tricking a whole city into believing I was a woman isn't an easy feat." Alex gave a confident smile.

You shouldn’t brag about that… Menu, show me requirements to learn charm and illusion.

The menu popped up and spun.

Incubus Power Accepted

Charm – 5000XP

Illusion – 5000XP

Oh, well, that’s just bullshit. Knowing this system, it might ask for more XP to improve on each one. I wonder how strong Alex’s power truly is.

The menu span and gave an option.

Party Status Unlock – 5XP per person.

Buy.

XP:20

Ashner focused on Alex. Around him, his status started popping up, like text messages. From his weight, height, and current mood. To his powers.

Show his powers.

The menu opened up around him.

Combat skills – 0

Powers – Sub-race

Illusion – 10MAX

Charm – 10MAX

Each power had sub-abilities. Ashner focused on his Illusion power.

Illusion Sub Powers -

Admiration – Level 5 – XP Required 5 Per Level

Adoration – Level 10 – Maxed Out

Aesthetic Appreciation – Level 0 – XP Required 5 Per Level

Amusement – Level 0 – XP Required 5 Per Level

Anticipation – Level 0 – XP Required 5 Per Level

Anger – Level 0 – XP Required 5 Per Level

Anxiety – Level 0 – XP Required 5 Per Level

Awe – Level 3 – XP Required 5 Per Level

Awkwardness – Level 0 – XP Required 5 Per Level

Boredom – Level 0 – XP Required 5 Per Level

Calmness – Level 2 – XP Required 5 Per Level

Confusion – Level 0 – XP Required 5 Per Level

Craving – Level 0 – XP Required 5 Per Level

Disgust – Level 0 – XP Required 5 Per Level

Empathetic – Level 4 – XP Required 5 Per Level

Envy – Level 0 – XP Required 5 Per Level

Excitement – Level 0 – XP Required 5 Per Level

Horror – Level 0 – XP Required 5 Per Level

Interest – Level 10 – Maxed Out

Joy – Level 0 – XP Required 5 Per Level

Love – Level 6 – XP Required 5 Per Level

Lust – Level 10 – Maxed Out

Nostalgia – Level 0 – XP Required 5 Per Level

Pity – Level 0 – XP Required 5 Per Level

Relief – Level 0 – XP Required 5 Per Level

Romance – Level 2 – XP Required 5 Per Level

Sadness – Level 0 – XP Required 5 Per Level

Shame – Level 0 – XP Required 5 Per Level

Satisfaction – Level 5 – XP Required 5 Per Level

Surprise – Level 0 – XP Required 5 Per Level

Trust – Level 3 – XP Required 5 Per Level

Now, this is interesting. Since he focused entirely on making himself desirable, these stats make sense. But this power focuses on evoking emotions… What really worries me is what would happen if he maxes out fear.

“Alex, you’re pretty amazing.”

Alex gave him a confused eyebrow raise, and his mouth opened a little. "Ashner, your food is burning."

"Oh!" Ashner quickly grabbed it and split it in half. "I need your help since it'll take me way too long to learn your abilities. Instead, I can help you max out yours."

“Master, you cut the meat in half.”

“So what?”

Ashner gave him half and continued talking. “Enough with the master crap.”

"As you wish, Ashner."

“My world has different rules. I'm a felon, so it's harder for me. But if we can improve your Illusion abilities, we might be able to trick the system. We would have to buy land and a building. Even if we're inspected, with your power, they'll only see an efficient and safe company."

"Ashner, may I ask you something." Alex was hesitant, but he started cutting his food.

“Sure.”

“What is your goal?”

“I told you. I want wealth, status, and women… Lots and lots of women.”

“My Charm power lets me see when someone last had sex, about yesterday…”

“Alex, please don’t bring that up… I’m in a good mood right now, don’t sour it.”

Alex nodded.

“But for now, we need to level you up. Slimes are the safest and quickest way to obtain XP, even though they only give out two points.”

“What is XP?”

"Experience points, keep up, Alex. Just like your powers improve as you use them… Still, two gold coins at a time aren't enough."

“Why not destroy the cave’s heart?”

“Come again?”

"Master, your world wasn't inflected with the Dead God's curse." Ashner took a bite. "When my world was created, three God's fought for control of it. One created the humans. The other created the demi's, and the last created the monsters. All three of us can't exist together. So the God's fought, and they wounded each other… In the chaos, the Dead God was murdered, and the two other God's left to create life elsewhere. But the Dead God influences still lives in our world. The cave we were in, it's a nest for monsters. Every nest has a heart. If you destroy the heart, then monsters won't emerge from there."

So it’s basically clearing a dungeon?

“When you destroy the guardian of the heart, it drops piles and piles of Gold.”

“FUCK YES!” Ashner started cutting into his meat.

I might also get some XP.

As they ate, Alex kept his eyes on his food, hesitant to eat, but he kept doing it anyway.

The day was young, Ashner digested that the other world's time was the same time spent in this one. As Ashner dressed himself with his gear, Alex grabbed extra ammo and a backpack.

“Ashner?” He looked at the weapon rack. “I want to serve you properly. The way I am now, I’m just getting in the way.”

He wants to fight?

Ashner gave him an M9. Alex held it awkwardly.

“Watch my back.”

"I don't know how to use one of these. I was expecting a knife or maybe a sword."

"I believe in learning on the job." Ashner grabbed Alex's hands and showed him how to hold the weapon properly. "This is the sight. Once it's lined up, pull the trigger. Don't jerk the trigger. Pull it gently and work with the recoil. And for the love of all that is holy, don't close your eyes when you fire."

The two walked back into the cave. Ashner used the night vision nodes to see, until a single slime rolled towards them.

"Take it down." Alex dropped the riot shields and readied his weapon. He fired and missed.

"Don't jerk the trigger. Pull it softly."

Alex fired again. It missed.

“Aim properly.”

He fired and missed.

Menu, does Alex have a firearms section?

The menu span open.

Party Member – Firearms Specialty – Handgun – 20XP

Buy.

Party Member – Handgun – Level 1 – 50XP per level

0:XP

The slime exploded with the bullet.

XP:3

We share XP?

“I hit it?” Alex looked at his body, then at Ashner. “Did you share your XP with me again?”

“Yes,” Ashner raised his eyebrow, "how did you know?"

"My body took a different stance. That wasn't normal." Alex's eyebrows narrowed. "Why give me your power? As your slave, it's my duty to ensure you stay safe. Use your power to improve yourself."

“Don't call yourself a slave… If anything, we're… Partners."

I wouldn’t go as far as saying we’re friends… That’s a luxury I can’t have. After I achieve what I want, I'll set you free.

“As you wish.”

“Where is the heart of the cave?”

“Where most of the monsters are.”

“So it’s at the lake.”

Ashner led the way, scanning for monsters, but they weren’t around.

I don’t know how these monsters reproduce, but judging that we only ran into one on this side, it might be a slow process.

The two crawled through the hole, emerging on the other side, the morning light shined on the lake. Around it rolling around, were a handful of slimes.

Ashner cautiously moved deeper into the cave. Keeping his weapon tight against his shoulder and his sight on the slimes, he fired, killing the remaining monsters.

XP:29

"This is a lot easier than I thought." Ashner bragged, "now, where's the heart?"

Alex stayed silent.

“Hey? Alex?" Ashner turned back, the demi-dog shook, his jaw opened and closed, and tears went down his eyes. "What's wrong?"

Ashner glanced back at the lake. The water rushed upward, into a bubble. Then the same metal bead all slimes have moved inside it. It rolled slowly towards the two, crushing and dissolving the grass at its feet.

It was never a lake.

“Awwwww… FUCK!” Ashner switched his weapon from single to burst. Firing at the metal beat, some of the rounds hit, but it didn’t break.

Alex stood petrified. Ashner didn’t need to study him since he wasn’t engaging their enemy.

“Shoot or run away!”

The monster kept moving forward, absorbing everything, including the dirt underneath it. The bullets bounced off its core. Alex wouldn't move.

He has no fighting skills. What was I thinking bringing him here! Come on, think!

Ashner grabbed Alex, lifting him up with one arm towards the hole.

“Menu, pour all XP into Alex’s Illusion skills, specialization, fear.”

Illusion Fear – Level 4

XP:4

“Fear?” Alex finally spoke.

“Yes,” the two stopped by the exit, the monster was hot on their tail, “use your illusion.”

“If it doesn’t work?”

“Then we die." Ashner smiled. "Come on. You got this."

Alex took a deep breath then focused his eyes on the monster. They glowed red.

The massive slime stopped.

Ashner focused his shots. After three bursts, the core shattered. Immediately the slime turned to smoke and coins, and all the pressure of the battle ended.

Alex fell to his knees, shivering from both the fear and adrenaline.

XP:104

A small mountain of gold coins mixed with white and clear coins piled where the slime died. The backpack they brought wasn’t large enough for it. It would take a few trips to gather all the coins.

Ashner bit his lip.

Nope, this isn’t a dream.

Alex started crying.

For a guy, he's kind of a puss. Whatever he did his job well.

“Master.” Ashner’s gaze came down to his slave. Alex’s face was covered in snot and tears. “We’re alive… I’m so happy.”

He jumped forward, cuddling Ashner's leg, wiping his tears and snot on him.

“WHAT IN SATAN'S ASSHOLE ARE YOU DOING!" Ashner shook his leg, but Alex clung on like a horny dog. "LET GO!"

“You didn’t abandon me…” Alex clung tighter. “Thank you, I was so scared…”

What is he afraid of? Being abandoned? Letting him die only weakens my chances of survival, especially after fighting that large slime. We got lucky… Lucky, I haven’t thought that about myself in a long time.

"I get that you're happy." Alex's tail wagged happily. "But we're here to do a job. Where's the heart of the cave?"

“It should be somewhere near. That slime was this cave’s protector.”

Ashner shrugged Alex off and walked towards where the lake was. In its center was a pillar, something the slime can't absorb.

Alex joined him as he got to it. Crystals grew from the ground in luxurious blue and purple colors. Merging together like tree branches, in its center, a beating heart pulsed.

“I didn’t think you were literal about it being the heart of the cave.” Alex took a step back and brought his hands to his mouth. “Should I destroy it?”

“Yes. Once you do, the Dead God’s affliction should fade away from here.”

“Alright," Ashner pulled his side-arm and shot through the crystal. The heart squirted blood then disappeared in black smoke.

XP:1104

A thousand XP for destroying a haven? As amazing as that is, I won't make a habit of it. Unless I can find reliable comrades, Alex has his uses, but I shouldn't bring him to the front-lines. He’s only going to be a liability. No one in my world will help me…

“Maybe I should buy another slave.”

Alex's mouth opened widely. "Master! Are you upset with me?"

“No, but you’re not built to be a soldier. You’re better suited for my world.” Ashner touched his lip. “Can I buy warrior slaves?”

“You can, but they're rare since only a few tribes are fighting the empire. They're also the most expensive."

“Why is that?”

Alex took a few seconds to answer. “Breaking a slave into obedience is something buyers treasure.”

“That's weird, either way. We need help. So after we take all the coins into the white room, come with me and let's buy one… Maybe a girl. A hot girl."

“Master, you should know something, if you’re trying to make a harem-”

“A harem is any man's fantasy." Ashner interrupted with a light of cheer in his eyes. "Sure, some of us want just one girl. But waking up to two or even three naked girls… Not that you would have any problem with that since you have a bad-ass power."

Alex submitted. “As you wish, Ashner.”

*******

The two took a few trips back and forth, filling the white room with gold coins. As they were gathering the coins, they separated the gold coins from the white and see-through ones. Alex was ecstatic with those and suggested they use them to buy someone and exchange them for the cheaper gold coins.

Afterward, the two traveled to the city. Each with a duffle bag, he had about a hundred mythril coins and about three hundred platinum coins from what Ashner counted. As soon as they entered the city, Ashner removed his helmet and clipped it to his chest.

All eyes locked on to Alex.

“You’re still pretending to be a girl?”

“Yes. It's for appearances. Beautiful slaves show everyone your status."

He's right. That rule applies to my world as well. If you have a beautiful woman by your side, everyone wonders what makes you so different.

Alex led the way through the town. Dozens of eyes ogled him.

Eyes lusting for a professional catfisher.

“We've arrived," Alex whispered.

The buildings were similar to Ashner’s world. Minus basic utilities. The building they gazed at was large and well kept. Around it slaves cared for the grounds.

Ashner stepped in.

“Good afternoon, sir."

Ashner tuned in to a female's voice. She was a beautiful slave, wearing something similar to a maid outfit.

The woman bowed her head. "Are you here for a slave?"

“Yes." Ashner's voice faltered for a second when he remembered what he was buying. But the girl in front of him was a beauty. So his downstairs brain took the reins. "I'm looking for a warrior, preferably a woman."

“They’re expensive.”

Ashner dropped the bag with the mythril coins on the table. Some scattered on the counter.

Her eyes widened, and her composure broke. Inhaling slowly, she took long strides away from Ashner. "I'll grab my master." As soon as she turned the corner, the clicking of her heels accelerated.

“Regardless of the world, money is money."

“Ashner.” Alex’s arms were crossed. “I need to tell you something about these girls.”

“Please don’t tell me they’re all guys.”

“Well, no, but these girls-"

A door opened, quickly grabbing Ashner's attention. Out came a man adorned in fine jewels and purple silk.

He took in Ashner's armor then glanced at the counter with the coins. Immediately he put on a fake smile. "Welcome, customer. What are you looking for today?"

“I’m looking for a warrior, preferably a woman.”

“We have one female warrior. She was taken in as a slave after the neko tribe attacked our caravan."

Neko, as in cat? Oh… A part of me really wants that to be true.

The maid stayed this time as the slaver walked into the backroom. Alex kept his eyes on the maid with a glare of content.

Maybe she gets special privileges? But it’s not like I'm mistreating him.

After a few minutes, the slaver returned, hand in hand with Ashner's request.

The girl was well dressed, unlike the slaves he can buy outside from cheaper vendors. The first thing that captivated Ashner was her face. Any way he looked at her, she looked Asian. Her face reminded him of pop stars.

Her ears and tail were similar to a cat. Even her eyes were somewhere between human and feline.

Her body was small, very small. She was a head and a half shorter than Ashner, and her chest wasn't very large. But checking her body out was easy. The green dress she wore was designed with that in mind. Her ass and chest fit perfectly with her slim waist. With black hair that went down to just above her ass. Her ears and tail were the same color. But her eyes… She had deep lime-green eyes.

“She’s a warrior? But she’s so tiny.”

“The neko clan women are all tiny. This one is actually tall compared to the rest of her kin. But she’s worth more since she's still a virgin. From what the captors said, with a sword in her hand, she's a force to be reckoned with. Her worth is eighty mythril."

“That's yet to be tested." Ashner grabbed his water canteen and pulled out his combat knife. "Would you mind if I tested her?"

“That’s very unusual…” The slaver’s eyes went back to the coins on the table. “But I can make an exception.”

Ashner walked up to the girl. The closer he got to her, the more he found his heart racing. Someone he could do anything he wanted with. Not to mention her ears and tail. Was it possible to start a harem with her? He held out the combat knife. The girl gave him a confused eyebrow raise, but she grasped it.

Ashner took a step back and casually tossed the canteen. The girl slashed once, cutting straight through the plastic, water spilled on the floor.

“Now that’s what I’m talking about.” Ashner looked at the girl. “Do you want to be mine?”

The girl looked up at him. His armor and smile were intriguing to her. "If you were to buy me… I vow to give you every part of me… If you want a warrior, I'll obey… If you want a maid, I'll obey." She leaned in and whispered. "If you want a sex slave, I'll obey you… and only you."

“Sold!” Ashner smiled and took a step back.

Alex palmed his head.

Ashner forked over most of the high-value coins. Then his finger was plucked for a drop of blood. The slaver unbuttoned the slave's shirt, and the blood was rubbed on her chest. Once more, a star on her chest lit up and spun.

The girl walked next to Ashner's side, holding a proud gaze. She had finally been bought. Before they left, they made a deal with the slaver.

Trading in all their platinum and mythril coins for gold.

As they left, all eyes stayed on Ashner. The city had eavesdropped and even spread rumors about him. But now that he had bought another high-end slave. They were curious, but they kept their distance.

Once they got out of the city and walked through the forest, Alex spoke up.

“Do you even know her name?”

I don’t…

Ashner turned to the girl. “What’s your name?”

“Any name you want to give me will do.”

“No, I want to know your real name.”

“… Risa.”

“Nice to meet you, Risa." Ashner smiled, once again the muscles on his face felt strained, but Alex caught it. Instead of pushing his opinions, he kept silent.

The two walked into the white room. Risa gazed at the room, confused, just how Alex did in the past. Even if their world has magic, this was something surreal to them.

Ashner removed his gear and dropped the coins next to a tough box they had filled with gold.

Risa kept her gaze on the bed.

Accepting her role.

Ashner wasn’t a fool. Her body was the biggest reason he bought her. The girl looked at Ashner’s eyes and leaned in. “I am yours. Do whatever you want with me.”

Ashner’s legs wiggled with joy. “Alex, can you go ahead of us?” Alex looked at both of them, then obeyed.

Ashner didn't wear his military uniform under his gear. He wore worn-out clothes with cargo pants.

Before Ashner said anything, Risa removed her green dress. She wore no underwear underneath. Her nipples were bright pink, and her chest was perky. Risa’s tail and ears slanted down and complimented her petite body. She shook and covered her chest with her arm after Ashner stared for a few seconds.

Conflicted with Ashner's reaction, she wrapped her arms around his chest and walked back, falling back-first onto the bed. Ashner was still dressed. This was almost unreal.

Ashner hadn't had sex in such a long time. And finally, a woman who was willing. He wanted to touch every inch of her. He wanted to rush even though she was a virgin.

A beauty without measure.

He stopped.

“I am yours, and yours alone, master." Risa's voice shifted. Ashner took a pause. His lust started fading. "Please do whatever you want with me."

Two large tears ran down her face, sobbing between her words. She did nothing to hide her naked body. Instead, she brought her palms up to her face. Trying to cover her tears, her body, and her innocence. She had nothing to claim as her own anymore.

“Risa…”

“It's okay, master. These are tears of happiness." An obvious lie. "I am yours… Only yours… Please… Let me fuck you… Let me care for you… Don't abandon me…"

“If I touch you…" Her body shook furiously from the fear of having something precious stolen from her. "I'll shatter you…"

Ashner stood up, away from her. Her tears ran down her face wildly. She was about to lose a part of herself.

Nothing changed. I'm still the same loser I was before… Women from here, or women from that world. It doesn’t matter. I’m not what they want… I’m never what anyone wants. That’s the worst part of being alone. I should’ve known better… I’m truly a loser.

*******

Basic Requirements for Risa to Enter New World – 600XP

XP:504

Ashner stepped out of the room. As soon as he did, her wailing became louder.

Alex stood in the hallway, with a Beretta 92 in his hand. He wasn't shaking like the first day he held a combat knife. His eyes were sharp, and he wore his emotions on his sleeve. Alex was pissed.

“I’m assuming you were going to use that on me.”

He shook his head. “It’s for me… Had you forced yourself on her, I would’ve taken my own life.”

“Why!”

“Because you're different!" Now Alex's hand started shaking. "Up until now, your race has only shown me hate, lust, and abuse… But you… you fed and clothed me, without me having to beg. You gave me permission to act out on my own feelings! For crying out loud, you risked your own life for my sake! You didn't just give me a new life. You gave me a purpose!"

Ashner took a step back.

“You woke up my soul from an empty and cold place! Even if you bring yourself down. You gave me everything! You even called me your partner… So I refuse to let you go down the path every human in my world went down… I'd rather die than let the only human I respect turn into a monster."

“Alex, I am a monster… I only wanted to use you for your powers, and I only wanted to use Risa for her body… I’m a loser.”

“My people have a saying.” He put the gun on the table. “Only through comfort are the heart’s colors truly revealed… You have all authority over me… Over her… And yet you chose to be kind to me. You chose to be kind to her, even after she told you everything you wanted to hear! You chose to push away your lust to keep her from losing herself.”

“You knew she was faking? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because you were hellbent on her. I am a slave, and she is one too. The only way proper masters buy us is if we pretend to be everything they want. Our emotions are invalid. As long as we find someone willing to feed us and clothe us, we don't care."

“I made her cry…”

“If you want a harem, then you create it properly. You don't force others into it. Win her heart over with kindness."

“Kindness doesn't win a girl's heart… Women in my world have so many options, and most of them toss someone like me aside. Especially with my past, who would accept me? Why did you think I chose a slave instead of focusing on improving myself here? Who the FUCK WOULD EVER LOVE ME!"

“Your world… Not mine… In my world, kindness is a luxury… Even among slaves…"

Ashner leaned against the door. “What now? She’s not an idiot. She’ll never respect me after today.”

“No,” Alex shook his head, “you refused to take her, even if she was more than willing, you saw past that and pushed away your own desire for her… If anything, that’s what makes you a great master.”

“I should just release her.”

“You can't." Alex crossed his arms. "Abandoning a slave means you break their contract, so their body will lock away, and they'll starve to death, trapped inside their own bodies. You chose her, so take responsibility."

I can’t change the hate people have towards me, nor my past. And I sure as hell can’t force someone to love me… The only thing I can really change is myself… Not just my looks… But my heart… I can’t believe I'm depressed even with all this power at my fingertips… I’m such a fucking idiot…

Ashner took a deep breath.

Is it alright to live my life, to be selfish at the cost of others?”

His mind recalled the night he failed to stop Ensley and his chest imploded.

"No! Unlike them, I actually want the girl to want me back… I want to be loved.