On the way up to the ground level, the guildmaster explained how ranks worked. Ranks went up from E to A. E-ranks could normally only do things like kobold hunting, the weakest monsters, or resource gathering quests. D ranks could take on goblins in parties, and C ranks could fight things like horned wolves. Higher ranks could take on Trolls and other monsters, but there hadn’t been a B-rank in the guild for decades. The + marking on a rank meant an adventurer was eligible for special requests from the guild. They had special skills that made them useful.

In our case, no one wanted to fight horned wolves. They were far away, in a terrible, sandy location with bad footing, and the risk of getting killed was too high.

The pups were okay, but the adult ones cooked up sandstorms with their wind magic and were impossible to fight normally.

“Just do what you did before and bring us more horns,” he said, patting our backs as a token of good faith as we were exiting his office. We even got issued official IDs with our names and a hand-drawn portrait by a hired artist who drew life-like faces.

After becoming ranked adventurers, the guildmaster made a special exception and bought all our horns from us. We sold all nine for 225 copper.

We were rich.

Okay, not rich-rich. But definitely village-rich.

I jiggled the huge sack of coins with a smile on his face. “Things are finally starting to look up for me.”

Elfindor shyly raised a finger. “Shouldn’t we give some to the Big Tree people? They helped out a lot.”

I shook my head. “By running away? The deal was to give them half of the meat only. They’re lucky to be getting anything at all.”

We decided to tour the town and look for stuff to buy with all this money before leaving. We wound up at a street marketplace that so packed with people, we had to be on guard to not bump into anyone. A jewelry stall with fine green linen drapes caught Elfindor’s eye.

Rubies, emeralds, opals, and other gemstones were on display. Large ones. Also silver and gold rings and necklaces. These didn’t look like the cheap mass-produced stuff sold in malls. These looked like an artisan had spent hours laboriously crafting each one. So naturally, we weren’t surprised looking at the prices on display.

Some rings went for as much as fifty copper, like a gold ring with round diamonds like a wedding band. Other stuff, like silver opal earrings, sold at a modest two copper. Elfindor bought a pair for his wife.

“Women love that stuff,” he explained. “I’m getting lucky tonight.”

“What would you know about girls, nerd?”

Cheeks reddening, he said, “Shut up. I know a lot. In fact, I got the number of one in my business class.”

I chuckled. “Let me guess. Group project?”

His cheeks practically tomatoes now, he didn’t respond.

I waved a hand. “Well, this reincarnation thing treated you right, at least. I still need to find a babe.”

His face let up, as if remembering something. “You know,” Elfindor whispered. “Last time I came with Trent, I saw an interesting place. We went inside for a bit and there were… um… pretty girls… dancing.”

My eyes shot up. I knew exactly what kind of place he was talking about. I told him to take us there immediately.

* * *

Past the street we were on, through a maze-like path around houses, we arrived at a shoddy neighborhood. Most of the action was happening at the curbside, but that amounted to just carts and wagons getting lost and turning around. The neighborhood seemed to be almost abandoned. Dirty, torn clothes hung from the laundry lines. Buckets and other household items lay around. It was no wonder the drivers were turning around.

But not us. Elfindor whipped the horses and we marched forward.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“Through there,” Elfindor pointed to a random two-story house that looked bigger than the rest. We tied the horses to a street pole next to the house and got closer.

“How did you know where to go? This doesn’t look like a path to the lord’s estate.”

“Actually, it was Trent’s idea to come here the first time.”

My old man? Seems there’s more to him than meets the eye if he knows about places like this.

The closer we got to the house, the more we found subtle signs of something else going on. The only people coming in and out were men with a gaze like they were on drugs. One had the classic bloodshot eyes and loopy grin that one has when smoking weed, although the familiar smell was missing. There was a door to the side with a wooden sign above it reading Appointment Only.

Can I buy drugs here?

Glass balls that had been painted to look like boobs hung next to the main door. I got curious and knocked on the side door. Maybe a hot girl would answer.

We waited for a few minutes, and my impatience was growing.

“What gives?” I grumbled.

Elfindor said, “Maybe they—"

The door swung open. A large man with a yellow bandana around his head covering one eye emerged. “Code?”

“Code? We just wanted to know—” I started. The door slammed in our faces.

Jerks.

We went to the front and knocked on that door. This time a hot, curvaceous, black-haired girl in her early twenties wearing nothing but a two-piece answered.

“First time?”

We nodded.

“Follow me, gentlemen.”

Inside, there wasn’t much lighting except a few lanterns and various candles around. What we saw was almost like a college party. A thick cloud of smoke hung in the air. Men with drinks on hand or cigars chatting up girls in tight outfits in various locations—some on leather couches, others at tables. And two were taking their chances with the female bartender. If they’d had a DJ and house music, I would willingly hang out here. There were also full tables for playing cards and poker chips in use.

The girl showing us around introduced herself as Hilie.

“Drinks and chats will cost you 5 copper an hour,” she said. “Strip dancing happens at the start of the hour. You can pick from any girl you like who’s not busy, or we can select one for you. Other services cost more.”

“Other services?”

She grinned and walked behind me, giving me a hug with her chest pressed against me.

“For the right price.”

D cups. Nice.

I laughed. “What can we get for a hundred copper?”

She squeezed harder, then whistled. “Big roller in the house!”

People looked up.

“Ah, who cares? Are you getting us a round?” a man wheezed through a smoked set of vocal chords.

Before long, girls who didn’t have a chatting partner swarmed us like bees. Some started playing with my hair or fondling my chest. I stopped being able to see Elfindor. There was just too much booty in the way.

“Hey, handsome. Can I be your muse?”

Thick blondes. Thin blondes. Tall, skinny redheads. Voluptuous brunettes. This place was paradise. I was surrounded by so many assets I started getting flashbacks. I decided to get a little bold.

“Ladies, please. There’s enough of me to go around,” I said. “Hey, Hilie. Do you rent private rooms?”

“Only for our more generous patrons,” she winked.

That was all the confirmation I needed. I put on my biggest voice. “Who will join me for one hundred copper? Let’s have a good time!”

The girls around me cheered. Ten followed me to a private room. Hilie went to the counter to grab a set of keys and followed us upstairs. The ladies giggled and pointed to one of the rooms and Hilie unlocked the door.

“Have fun, Mr. money bags.”

I started laughing and chatting up the ladies. Hilie brought drinks upstairs and we played a game of truth or dare, and I made a lot of dares while getting the girls tipsy. Not five minutes in, I was staring at a boundless sea of clad women. They joined me on the bed, and that’s all I remembered.

* * *

I woke up after a long nap with a throbbing headache. Next to me, ten women were passed out. The room smelled like sex. It took me a few seconds to remember what had happened.

That’s right.

I took in a deep breath.

I am a king. And this is my kingdom.

I then slapped the bum of the one closest to me and gave it a tight squeeze. Though I didn’t know any of their names, these girls were precious to me. The girl I’d touched woke up and started making out with me.

After about a minute, a loud knock came on the door. “Mr. money bags. Your time’s up.”

I sighed. “Damn.”

Like clockwork, the girls opened their eyes, yawning and putting their clothes on.

“Did you have a good time, Mr. Alster?” one of the sevens said. Ranked by order, the redhead next to me was the only eight. Three sevens, and four six’s.

“I did. You girls are phenomenal.”

Giggling ensued.

“Stop by again sometime, okay? You’re a lot of fun.”

“Oh, believe me,” I said, narrowing my eyes like a hawk. “I will.”

I put my clothes back on and went outside to talk to Hilie for a little bit. I told her Elfindor had our money.

“Don’t worry. He already paid for both of you.”

“Both of us? Did he…?”

She grinned warmly. “Mr. Callum also rented a private room.”

Well, well! I wasn’t expecting this.

Wait, he’s married…. Technically.

Hilie knocked on the door to another room and we found Elfindor napping. The girls he rented had already ditched him. I walked in and shook him a bit and he woke up.

“Hey, nerd. Just how much did you spend on this room?”

“A-a hundred copper. Like you,” he said, still a little out of it. “My head is killing me. I think I drank too much.”

A big hit to our wallets, but I nodded understandingly. “The call of booty is just too great. We’ll need to make more money if we want to come back here. Let’s go plan our upcoming battles.”

Elfindor groaned.