Ch 6.2

“This is my first time setting foot in this city,” Ben snapped. “I don’t know what debt you’re talking about. You must’ve mistaken us for someone else.”

The old lady frowned as if insulted by his ignorance.

“Do you know how many guests the Tranquil Pavilion entertains?”

Ben blinked. “Uh… I do not. Just answ—”

“Around one hundred and twenty customers,” she continued sharply. “Daily. They come from distant lands, brimming with mana and virility. They have money, power, and political influence. Our duty is to entertain them. To cool their lust so they don’t go berserk and ravage the civilians. It is not glamorous, but it is essential to the balance of this damned city.”

Ben stared at her, bewildered.

“And what does that have to do with me?”

The old woman pointed her pipe at him like a judge condemning a criminal.

“You, boy, have wrecked my temple, shattered my balcony. Injured my girls. I had to cancel clients who booked weeks in advance. Do you know how much gold I lose from your little shenanigans?”

Ben glared.

“Do you think I give a shit?! You tricked us and dragged us here against our will! I fought back because you attacked first! So take your lecture and shove it, hag! Now let us go!”

The old woman’s brow twitched. She tapped her pipe.

Instantly, the runes on Ben’s shackles flared.

Kraven sighed, leaning back on his hands like he was watching a street performance.

“Grit your teeth.”

A violent surge of electricity shot through the chains.

“—AAAGH!”

Ben’s whole body arched, muscles convulsing, breath ripped from his lungs as he hit the floor. Sparks danced along the metal, the scent of burnt fabric rising.

The old woman tapped her pipe again, dispelling the current.

Ben gasped for breath—then forced himself upright.

“I swear when I get out of these chains, I’ll wring your soppy little throat for that!”

The hag actually blinked, mildly impressed.

“Well, you certainly didn’t learn a thing.”

She tapped the pipe again.

Ben convulsed and collapsed as another shock ripped through him—then another—then another.

Yet every time, he dragged himself back up.

“F—fuck you, hag!”

Zap.

“IS THAT ALL YOU GOT?!”

Zap.

“I’VE BEEN SLAPPED HARDER BY INFANTS!”

Zap.

Even the catwoman, normally stoic as a statue, raised an eyebrow.

The old woman was sweating now. Exhausted.

“You wretched human… your hide is thicker than a bogscale’s. Enough. I’m tired of your shrieking.”

She exhaled sharply.

“I wonder if that girl of yours is half as stubborn. Perhaps I should ask her instead.”

Ben’s expression snapped into fury.

“You hag—keep her out of this!”

The old woman scowled.

“Then pay what you owe, and I’ll release you all immediately.”

Ben breathed hard.

“So it's money you want? Fine. I’ll pay for my damages. Just give me time to fetch the gold.”

The hag scoffed.

“You owe us five hundred eighty-three gold for the ruined balcony and medical fees for the girls you assaulted. Plus—” she inhaled—

“—the bill for our top girls, Riasmel, Shania, and Mesphine. Plus, the luxury suite for seven full days. In total, twelve thousand gold. Before taxes.”

Ben’s mouth dropped open.

“What—? Lady, we just got here! How is any of that our—?!”

“It’s what he owes,” she said, pointing her pipe at Kraven. “And I assure you, it was him. We’re still cleaning fur and… bodily fluids… out of the suite. The three girls he entertained cannot even stand on their hind legs. And he insisted that his adventurer comrades would be delighted to cover his tab.”

Ben stared at Kraven in horror.

Tell me she’s insane. Tell me this is a joke.

Kraven yawned.

“Nope. She’s right. I thought only two days passed, but seven, huh? These establishments know their craft. Worth every coin. Shame I had none.”

A nerve throbbed violently on Ben’s forehead.

“I am not paying for your sleazy romantic adventures! Our relationship is strictly professional! I will NOT bear your tab!”

The old woman huffed.

“That’s not what he told us. But since you’re here, I’ll get my money one way or another. Whether you three pay with coin, with labour, or with your bodies—I do not care. If you cause trouble again, I’ll involve the BRAVE guild. This city is under their jurisdiction, and they will hunt you to the ends of the continent.”

Kraven nodded casually.

“Yeah. Those bastards are annoying. Do what you want, hag.”

Ben rattled the bars violently.

“I’m not paying a single copper for his stupidity! I just met the man! Why should I be enslaved because he can’t keep it in his pants?!”

Kraven smiled warmly.

“Come now. We’re comrades. We help each other out.”

Ben exploded.

“I WILL NOT PAY FOR YOUR WEEK-LONG WHOREHOUSE HOLIDAY!”

The old lady turned away, tail swaying.

“I’ll call a runemaster. The three of you will be enslaved to the Pavilion until the debt is repaid. The runemaster fee will be added to your tab—another hundred gold. Sleep well.”

“I AM NOT PAYING SHIT, YOU DAMN HAG! LET ME OUT!” Ben roared, voice shaking the cellar.

But the old woman and the catwoman were already walking away.

The iron door slammed shut behind them.