I wait about an hour for Pico to gather her few belongings and feed Zank one final time. Then I lift her and the pup onto my horse with ease. Pico settles in front of me, her soft, furry body pressing warmly against my chest. Her swollen breasts rest heavily against my forearm as I reach around to hold the reins. The faint scent of milk and warm fur fills my nose. I swing up behind her, wrap one arm firmly around her waist, and nudge the horse forward. Then we ride out of the village together.

Pico stays quiet at first, clutching Zank tightly to her chest while her tail curls around my thigh. As we reach the fenced border, her ears perk straight up and her eyes widen with pure wonder. She twists slightly to stare at the towering metal barricades and the open road stretching ahead.

"Master..." she breathes, her voice filled with awe. "This is the first time I’ve ever gone this far. All my life, I’ve only known the village and the nearby ones."

I smile against her furry ear. "This is nothing compared to the actual city, Pico. Just wait."

She lets out a soft, stunned gasp that sends a pleasant shiver through me. We ride through the tall barricade. Two security guards step forward and study us suspiciously, especially Pico.

"Is this woman being trafficked?" one demands, his hand resting on his weapon, a simple test from the border guards to see if I would panic.

Pico shakes her head quickly. "No, sir. I’m fine. He is my benefactor. He is an Adventurer who saved our village."

The instant they hear I am an Adventurer, their posture eases. They wave us through without another question. I feel Pico relax against me, her body melting into mine with trust.

After crossing the border, a new problem hits me. I brought my car for this mission and only bought this horse inside one of the villages. There is no way the horse will fit inside my car. Then my eyes light up. I can simply post a delivery mission at the Adventurer Guild. They handle all kinds of requests. I guide the horse toward where I parked Erin’s car, dismount, and carefully help Pico and Zen down. I open the passenger door for them.

"Get inside and wait with Zen," I tell her. "I need to handle a few things quickly. Stay here."

Pico nods obediently, her tail swishing softly. "Yes, Master. I won’t leave."

I watch her settle into the cool leather seat with Zen curled in her lap before I switch on the air conditioner. Her eyes widen again at the sudden rush of cool air. I close the door and head toward the nearby Adventurer Guild.

Inside the guild, I quickly post a simple delivery mission for the horse and hand the reins over to the receptionist. Fifty silver coins as a reward should attract someone quickly. I collect the paperwork and leave.

Next, I head to the tavern from yesterday. The moment I push open the door, the familiar noisy atmosphere crashes into me. I scan the crowded room until my eyes settle on a bulky, dangerous-looking wolfman sitting alone in the corner. Scars cover his arms, and a massive axe rests beside him. My instincts scream that this one would do anything for the right price. I slip on a simple nose mask, walk over, and sit directly across from him.

The wolfman instinctively grips his axe. Before he can speak, I slide two gleaming gold coins across the table. His eyes nearly bulge from their sockets.

But before he can reach for them, I place my palm over the coins and lean closer, lowering my voice. "Kill the tavern owner right now and this money is yours."

His greedy gaze flicks between me and the gold. I slide one coin toward him. "Half now. The rest when the job is done."

Greed ignites in his eyes like wildfire. He snatches the coin, grabs his axe, and rises to his feet. Across the room, the boar-man tavern owner is busy scolding the young Lamia attendant, his voice loud and cruel. The wolfman stalks over without hesitation and swings his axe in one brutal arc.

Thwack.!

The boar-man’s head flies off in a spray of blood. The heavy body collapses behind the counter. Panic erupts instantly. Screams tear through the tavern as people scramble for the exits. The young Lamia slithers away in terror, but I dart forward and catch her arm. She whips around, eyes wide with fear until she recognizes me from yesterday.

"You... mister," she whispers.

"You’re free now," I say, pressing one gold coin into her palm. "Run."

Gratitude floods her face. She nods rapidly and slithers out the door as fast as she can. Within seconds, the tavern empties. Only the grinning, blood-covered wolfman and I remain, standing over the headless corpse.

Before he can even turn around, I draw my sword and dash forward. I drive the blade straight through his back with all my strength. The wolfman stiffens, then slowly turns his head toward me. Horror fills his eyes as blood spills from the corner of his mouth.

"You... bastard..." he chokes.

I lean close and mutter coldly, "You’re the same scum as the tavern owner. Part of the gang that kidnaps and enslaves young girls. Die knowing that."

His body goes limp and crashes onto the floor. Blood pools around both corpses. I wipe my sword clean on his cloak and sheath it.

Perfect. No loose ends. If anyone ever questions me, I can simply say I took down the murderer who killed the tavern owner. I erased the evidence cleanly.

I take one final look around the silent, blood-soaked tavern, then step outside. The sun is already beginning to set. I walk back toward my car, where Pico waits obediently with Zen.

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