Kai stood at the edge of the camp, his pack slung over one shoulder, Eliza and Sera waiting a respectful distance behind. The loop had finally broken; he could feel it in his bones, in the way the air didn’t taste like déjà vu anymore.

Vesper stood before him in her performer’s outfit, the red leather catching the early light. Her eyes were slightly red, though she forced a brave smile.

"Come with me," Kai said, his voice rougher than he intended.

"To Thornwatch. I can protect you."

’Fuck, that sounded weak. I sound like I’m begging.’

Vesper shook her head gently, stepping closer. She reached up and touched his face, her palm warm against his stubbled cheek.

"I still have unfinished business here. There are other half-bloods hidden in this circus. Curse remnants to deal with. Young performers who need protection."

"Vesper—"

"If I follow you now, I’ll only become another burden while you’re being hunted." Her eyes glistened.

"I need to become stronger. For you when you need me."

Kai felt something crack inside his chest.

’Another person I have to leave behind. Another face I might never see again. How many times do I have to do this?’

"I’ve died so many times in this loop," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Every time I woke up, I wondered if this would be the one where I finally broke through. And now that I have..."

He swallowed hard. "I don’t want to lose you, too."

Vesper’s tears finally fell, tracing silver lines down her bronze cheeks.

"You brought me hope across countless deaths, Kai. You showed me that a man could look at a succubus and see something worth loving, not just something worth using."

She leaned in and kissed him.

It wasn’t gentle. It was desperate, full of everything they couldn’t say. Her tongue slid against his, and he tasted salt and something sweet, honey, maybe, from the tea she drank every morning, her hands fisted in his shirt, pulling him closer.

When they finally broke apart, she was breathing hard.

A tearful laugh escaped her lips.

"I can still taste your cum from last night," she whispered, her voice husky.

"I’m going to keep that taste with me. Keep it as motivation until I see you again."

’Fucking hell.’

Kai pressed his forehead against hers. "Find me when you’re ready."

"Survive until then, Kai. That’s an order."

He kissed her one last time, memorizing the feel of her lips, then turned and walked away. Each step felt like tearing himself in half.

Behind him, Vesper stood watching until their shapes disappeared into the forest road. She whispered to the empty morning air:

"Come back to me."

Then she turned back toward the circus, her spine straightening with renewed determination.

---

The forest path to Thornwatch was quiet, dappled with sunlight filtering through the canopy.

Lots of birds were flying overhead.

Kai walked in silence, his mind churning.

’I have to clear the bosses and level up fast.’

"Kai," Eliza’s voice cut through his spiral.

She walked beside him, her ice-blue eyes analytical.

"You’ve been brooding for three hours. Talk."

"I’m fine."

"You’re lying." Sera trotted up on his other side, her bow slung across her back.

"You’ve got that look. The one you get right before you do something stupid."

’They know me too well. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?’*

Before Kai could respond, a flash of red light exploded in his vision.

[SYSTEM ALERT: HIGH PRESSURE DETECTED]

[MAJOR GAME NARRATIVE HAS BEEN ALTERED]

[HIDDEN EVENT TRIGGERED: "MERIEL’S JOURNEY" HAS BEGUN]

[THE ORIGINAL PROTAGONIST HAS ENTERED THE MAIN STORYLINE]

[YOUR ACTIONS HAVE ACCELERATED THE REVENGE ROUTE]

Kai froze mid-step. His face drained of color.

"What the fuck...?"

Eliza grabbed his arm, "Kai? What’s wrong?"

’Why is he moving? Does that mean despite stopping the army, his parents still died?’

Eliza’s grip tightened. "Talk, Kai, what is happening?"

Kai took a shaky breath.

"If he’s really moving but in a different way than the original story, what’s his objective now?"

---

The Iron Boar Tavern sat at the edge of a frontier town called Dustfall, a day’s ride from Thornwatch.

Meriel pushed open the door.

The noise inside died instantly upon his arrival. Conversations stuttered. Mugs paused halfway to lips.

Every eye in the room turned to the tall figure in the doorway, broad-shouldered, long black hair tied back, a massive enchanted longsword strapped across his back.

He was handsome in a way that made even men shudder. His eyes held no warmth, only the simmering rage of a man who had lost everything and was looking for someone to blame.

"That’s him. That’s the one who wiped out the Black Fang bandits alone. Don’t stare too long."

"He killed a noble’s son last week for looking at him wrong.’

Meriel ignored the whispers.

He walked straight to the counter, his boots creaking on the floor.

Behind the counter stood Madame Thorne.

She was in her mid-forties, with a body that had seen better days but still commanded attention, voluptuous curves barely contained by a leather corset, wide hips, thick thighs.

Short auburn hair framed a face marked by a single scar across her cheek. She had the look of a retired warrior, someone who had put down her sword but not her pride.

"We don’t serve your kind here, boy," she said, arms crossed under her chest.

Meriel didn’t react.

He reached into his pouch and placed a single gold coin on the counter.

"I’m looking for someone," he said, his voice low and cold.

"A wanderer. Goes by the name Kai. Travels with a woman, I heard."

Madame Thorne’s eyes flickered.

"Never heard of him."

"You’re lying."

Her jaw tightened, "Get out before I—"

Meriel moved.

In one fluid motion, he stepped around the counter, his body pressing against hers.

His large hand slid under her leather skirt from behind, shoving her panties aside. Two fingers plunged into her pussy without warning.

Thorne gasped, her hands flying to his wrist. But she didn’t scream.

The counter hid everything from the patrons.

"You’re going to tell me what I want to know," Meriel whispered, his lips brushing her ear.

"Or I’m going to finger this neglected cunt until you forget your own name."

’Fuck I clearly hate this, then why is my body reacting differently?’

Thorne’s breath came in ragged gasps.

"You bastard... remove your hand or I’ll—"

Meriel curled his fingers inside her, finding her G-spot with practiced precision.

"You’ll what? Scream? Your pussy is dripping down my wrist already. How long has it been since a real man fucked this greedy hole?"

"Fuck... you... ah..." Thorne’s legs trembled.

"I don’t sell... haa... information..."

Meriel added a third finger, pumping faster. The wet sounds of her arousal filled the space between them.

"Greedy MILF cunt. Squeezing so tight. You act tough, but your pussy is honest."

’She’s going to break.’

"Tell me what you know about him," Meriel said, his voice dropping more dangerously.

"Tell me, and I’ll make you cum instead of breaking your mind."

Thorne’s resolve crumbled. Between ragged moans, she gasped out:

"I... don’t know. News spread about a wanderer killing a vampire general and heading... to Thornwatch."

Meriel smiled.

It was not a pleasant expression.

"Good girl."

He pulled his fingers out, slick and glistening and wiped them on her apron, then turned and walked out of the tavern without another word.

Madame Thorne slumped against the counter, her thighs shaking, her pussy aching and empty.

She had just betrayed a man she’d never met to a monster she couldn’t forget. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Outside, Meriel looked up at the sky.

"Thornwatch," he murmured.

He adjusted his sword and began walking east.