As dawn broke, Stunk and the others emerged, having enjoyed a night of indulgence. However, their expressions told a different story. The three looked visibly drained, with Kanchal swaying as he walked, almost as if he might collapse any moment.
"Wow, it looks like you all had quite a night," August remarked with a smirk.
August had already finished breakfast and taken a leisurely stroll around town. For someone like him, sleep and rest seemed almost trivial.
Last night, August had taken full advantage of the Mia tribe's snake-women, a unique experience quite different from the usual encounters. While Lucini, though also a monster girl, was merely a little larger than a human, the Mia tribe's snake-women offered a completely different kind of pleasure. August found himself quite fond of it.
Moreover, this experience had sparked his curiosity about other monster girl races. In this world, succubus shops showcasing various races were ubiquitous.
"August, you're something else. Truly, you're like a battle machine among men. I'm impressed," Stunk said, taking a seat and admiring August, his envy evident.
While the Mia tribe's snake-women were undeniably thrilling, they had their downsides. Their prowess could be overwhelming, and once things got started, there was no easy way to end them. The multi-meter-long serpentine tails were no mere decoration—they could be quite torturous.
No wonder the place was not bustling with customers; it was an intense experience.
Zel and Stunk had previously encountered similar situations at the beastkin establishment, so they were not too surprised.
However, Kanchal's experience was different. As someone who was physically weaker, last night's escapades had nearly been too much for him.
The night passed uneventfully. The next morning, Stunk and the others, who had enjoyed a night of indulgence, finally emerged. Their faces, however, told a different story. Stunk looked exhausted, but it was Kanchal who was in the worst shape, swaying unsteadily as if he might collapse at any moment, which was quite concerning.
"Wow, it seems like you all had quite an intense night," August remarked, having already finished breakfast and explored a bit. For someone like him, resting and sleeping held little meaning.
August had spent the previous night sampling the unique experience of the Mia tribe's snake girls—a sensation starkly different from any other. While Lucini, though a demon, was only marginally different from humans, the snake girls offered an entirely new kind of enjoyment, one that August found rather appealing.
Stunk, sitting down and looking enviously at August, said, "August, you never change. You're a true powerhouse among men. I'm in awe."
The experience with the Mia tribe's snake girls had its own set of challenges. Their formidable strength meant that once things started, there was no easy end. The multi-meter-long snake tails were no mere decoration; they were a source of considerable discomfort. It was no wonder the place had few patrons—it was undeniably grueling.
Zel and Stunk, having experienced similar ordeals at the dairy ranch, weren't as surprised. But Kanchal, who was physically weaker and had overindulged, nearly couldn't make it through the night.
August looked as if nothing had happened, which was a testament to his strength.
"Eat something. I've ordered breakfast for you all. Make sure to have a good meal," August said, noting how the trio looked as though they were on the brink of being completely drained.
Soon, breakfast arrived, and the three of them devoured the food with the hunger of famished men. They ate and drank heartily, resembling laborers who had just come off a hard day's work.
After satisfying their appetites, they slept through the morning and only woke up around noon, finally recovering.
August, unfazed by their condition, used the time to purchase some local books. Being new to this world, he figured it was wise to learn a bit more. He also bought various local specialties and still had twenty maid demons in his small world.
"Kanchal, if you ever bring us to such a place again, you'll be in serious trouble," Stunk, having somewhat recovered, expressed his frustration. "You get the kickbacks, and we suffer the consequences."
This time, August had been the one to foot the bill. Going to the Meow Kingdom would have been far better and cheaper, saving them several thousand gold coins. Not only was this place distant, but they had also encountered unforeseen issues, making it a significant loss.
"I understand. I promise it won't happen again. I'll cover the cost of the meal this time," Kanchal conceded, aware of his missteps. However, the kickbacks he received were meager, barely even covering the cost of one person.
August, on the other hand, felt he had opened a new avenue and made a promising deal.
"So, what's next? Shall we head back?" August asked, as it was already noon, and returning would mean reaching home by the afternoon.
The trio looked at each other and nodded in agreement. If possible, they wanted to explore the town a bit more to find other appealing demon stores, but their funds were running low. They needed to complete some tasks to earn more money before indulging further. Given the exhaustion from the previous night, it was best to postpone for now.
Ultimately, with everyone's agreement, the four set off on their journey home.
Barely having left, they encountered trouble.
Roar!
A massive white tiger, its body faintly infused with wind magic, appeared from the underbrush.
"Is that... a Gale White Tiger? What is it doing here?"
Zel was taken aback. This was a powerful wind-attribute beast, and its presence around the town was highly unusual.
Stunk and Kanchal stood ready, though they were still reeling from the previous night's exertions. The toll on their stamina was significant and not something that could be quickly recovered.
Pff~
As the three prepared for combat, a shadow suddenly flashed by.
In the next instant, the menacing Gale White Tiger froze, and a bloody wound appeared on its forehead, with blood pouring out. Finally, the beast was cleaved from head to tail in one clean slice.
Stunk, Zel, and Kanchal stared in stunned silence.
Turning to look at August, they saw a pitch-black shadow extending from his feet and solidifying into a blade of shadows.
"Th-this..."
Stunk stuttered, unable to process what he was seeing.
"This," August explained nonchalantly, "is my magic. I can manipulate my shadows at will. Pretty impressive, isn't it?"
With that, he demonstrated by splitting the shadow blade into two, then into four, and eventually into twelve separate shadow blades.
The trio watched in disbelief as the air was filled with black blades.
No wonder August seemed so nonchalant in the wilderness; his power was overwhelming. A single shadow blade had effortlessly dispatched the Gale White Tiger, and with a dozen blades, he could easily handle a pack of beasts, potentially even annihilating them all.
Indeed, a traveler capable of traversing the world could not possibly be weak.
However, this was far from August's limit. At the seventh rank, he could command twelve shadow blades; now that he had reached the eighth rank and ascended to the Demon King throne, integrating the Dragon's Shadow, the power and number of his shadow blades had increased dramatically.
August had tested this before; not only could he easily create twelve blades, but he could also generate twenty-four or even thirty-six if needed. Yet, more was not always better—sometimes the optimal number and power were the most effective.
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