Ch 5.2

Chloe Worth was a young orphan raised by the sisters of the Church. Her life had been simple—pray, thank the Lord, sing hymns, and help whoever needed it. Happiness, to her, was found in repetition of verses and small deeds of kindness. Her righteousness was steady and infectious, untouched by prejudice or doubt.

But that innocence didn’t prepare her for this.

“What—what kind of place is this?!” she cried, face flushing scarlet as she tried to shield her eyes, peeking helplessly through her fingers.

The red‑light district of Barville was a world apart from her prayers. The streets reeked of perfume, sweat, and alcohol. Beastwomen lounged at doorways in silk and lace, calling out to passersby with sultry smiles. Some waved from windows, coy and deliberate. They came in every shape imaginable—from petite rabbit girls with twitching ears to broad, curvy women of the hippo tribes.

Men filled the road, their eyes glossy with lust—some haggling with pleasure brokers, others adjusting their belts and stumbling home spent and broke.

The sight made Chloe cling desperately to Ben’s sleeve, pressing against his arm as if proximity might protect her from the surrounding sin. To a sister sworn to purity, this felt like a descent into hell itself.

“Oh dear Lord, forgive their souls,” she muttered, eyes squeezed shut. “Cleanse their minds and bodies, keep desire at bay, and lead them away from this pit of depravity…” Her voice sank into soft, frantic prayer.

Ben, meanwhile, kept his head down, pushing through the crowd. The mingled scents of sweat, cheap perfume, and smoke burned his nose. Beastwomen threw him passing winks; he answered with an awkward grimace.

“Could you stop your sermons? I’m already annoyed enough,” he muttered under his breath.

Chloe gasped as if struck. “Oh, merciful Lord, forgive this poor lad. His heart has been tainted by temptation—he knows not what he does!” she whispered, tugging closer and chanting even faster.

Ben exhaled a long, tired sigh, temples throbbing.

Where the hell is that horndog? He thought, scanning the glittering chaos of Barville’s red‑light quarter.

Perfume, smoke, and laughter spilt through the narrow streets. Then, by the corner of an inn, he spotted a lone deer woman in a short silk dress.

“Excuse me, miss,” Ben began.

She turned with a practised smile. “Oh my, a handsome human too. Welcome, come in!” Before he could react, she seized his arm and tugged him toward the door.

“Uh, no—wait! I just need some directions,” Ben protested, bracing himself.

The deer girl pouted. “No need to be shy. Whoever you’re looking for, I can make you forget her~.”

She tightened her grip.

“Hold it!”

A small figure darted between them. Chloe planted herself in front of Ben, eyes blazing. “I won’t let this poor boy be dragged into your depravity! Release him at once!”

She pummeled the woman’s wrist with a flurry of punches that were so soft they barely ruffled fur.

The deer woman blinked, amusement flashing in her eyes. “Oh, this is adorable. Are you his girlfriend? What kind of kink is this?”

Ben’s brow twitched. Pulling free, he said tightly, “That’s enough. I’m not here for your services. I’m looking for someone—a wolfman with a scar across his chest.”

The deer woman tapped a finger against her lips, pretending to think. “Hmm… I might’ve seen him walking by.”

Ben perked up. “Where? When?”

She lingered on the thought, then sighed. “Hard to jog my memory.” Her eyes gleamed. “You know, I’m starving—and short on coin. Maybe you could… satisfy one of those problems, and it’ll come back to me.”

Ben’s jaw clenched. This woman…

“Fine.” He dug out a handful of coins and shoved them into her palm.
The faster she talks, the faster I get out of this place.

She smiled, tucking the payment neatly between her breasts. “Oh, right, yes. He passed through here last night, heading toward the Tranquil Pavilion. If luck’s on your side, he’s still there.”

“Tranquil Pavilion? Where’s that?”

“Down this street, near the fountain circle. The high‑end girls work there, so if your wolf has money to burn, that’s where he’ll be.”

“I see. Thanks.” Ben turned to go. “Come on, Chloe—”

“Wait!” Chloe rummaged through her small satchel, pulled out two bread buns, and held them out. “Here. You said you were hungry.”

The deer woman blinked, then snorted before breaking into uncontrollable laughter.

Ben nearly tripped over his own feet.

Chloe looked genuinely confused. “What’s so funny?”

“That’s not what she meant,” Ben muttered under his breath.

“Huh? But she did say she was starving,” Chloe replied, frowning.

The deer woman wiped tears from her eyes and patted Chloe gently on the head. “Don’t worry about it, dear. Keep that innocence as long as you can. But thank you—this will do just fine.”

Chloe beamed. “You’re welcome!”

And with that small, baffling act of kindness behind them, Ben and Chloe set off toward the Tranquil Pavilion.