Chapter 30: Body and Soul Are Swaying Eels

Stared at by the two women, Rita felt like a lamb eyed by wolves, about to be devoured in a way too scandalous for TV.

“Come, come, this way.” One woman stepped forward, gesturing for Rita to follow.

Don’t worry, Rita! You came for this, didn’t you? You’ll starve if you don’t eat!

Gritting her teeth, Rita steeled herself and followed.

The black market wasn’t large. In minutes, they neared the city’s edge, where a curtained door appeared.

As the curtain lifted, two more striking women emerged.

“What’s this? We don’t need more girls.” One frowned.

“Don’t be silly. This is a big client. Tonight, we’ll all serve this lady.” The woman flashed Rita’s gold coin.

“Oh, sorry, my mistake. How silly!” The other beamed at the coin.

Big client? Lady? You’re just seeing me as a fat sheep!

Rita’s urge to flee grew.

Veterans of the black market, they read her expression instantly.

The four women surrounded her, two in front, two behind. As Rita wondered if they planned to rob or harm her, one pinched her butt, making her yelp.

“Why so shy?”

“Yeah, you’re here—come in, sit!” Another patted Rita’s lower back, nudging her toward the door.

“Worried we won’t satisfy you? Relax, no girl leaves here standing straight.” One tugged her shirt, revealing a grand chest, nearly pressing Rita’s face into it. Rita dodged just in time.

“Right! Our stamina and skills are legendary. Each has a signature move, and our secret weapons? Endless surprises.” The last one opened her coat, pulling out a mosaic of things like hidden weapons.

Swaying eels, king oyster mushrooms.

Rita’s eyes swirled, her brain’s auto-censor working overtime to render the terrifying objects as cute as possible.

No! This is too much for little Rita, who just saw another girl’s body days ago.

Brothels! So scary!

Rita shook off a hand, shoved past the blockers, and bolted.

“Sister, she’s running!”

“Chase her! One job like this feeds us for ages!”

Stop it! Don’t pollute my pure heart with weird stuff! My brain’ll fry!

Rounding a corner, Rita saw a gang of burly men charging toward her, led by the stall owner with the fake succubus tail.

Spotting her, he pointed and shouted, “It’s her! That girl! She ruined my deal!”

Buddy, your face is swollen—stop talking tough!

Wait, they’re actually settling scores?

Rita turned to run back, only to face the women chasing her, waving things wildly, their massive chests and waist-bound swaying eels bouncing with their steps.

“Little sister! Changed your mind? We’ve got QQ space, this, that, even [bleep] to satisfy you! Guaranteed comfort!”

Swaying eels!

Physical damage on one side, mental damage on the other—Rita wanted neither!

Someone save me!

But her fists couldn’t match their numbers—forty hands at least. After a chase, she was cornered.

Rita once thought, as a former seven-foot man, she’d never cry like a little girl.

But after running, angry, scared, and exhausted, her nose stung, and her voice trembled.

“What do you want!”

“Want?” The stall owner cracked his knuckles. “You ruined my deal and got me beat! How do I stay here now?”

The women rubbed their hands. “Little sister, didn’t we agree to have fun? We’ve been waiting!”

“Beat her!”

“Take her!”

Wahh, this place is terrifying! I want to go home!

Push me further, and I’ll take you all down!

Rita clenched her fists under her cloak. The first to lunge would get their head twisted like a hellhound’s.

“What’s going on!”

A booming shout came from behind the crowd. Everyone froze, turning toward the alley’s entrance.

A muscular giant stood shirtless, his pillar-like frame blocking most of the light.

Rita knew him—Johnson, ranked just below her.

Seeing him, the crowd backed off.

Bullying a clueless rookie was fine; they wouldn’t know who to report to.

But this giant looked like trouble.

“Nothing, nothing!”

“All good!”

The packed alley cleared like scattering beasts, leaving Rita against the wall.

Johnson approached, keeping his distance to avoid scaring her. “You okay?”

“I’m fine, fine.” Rita stood, patting her chest. “Scared me to death… really scared me!”

Now Johnson saw her face under the cloak. Black market folks wouldn’t know Rita, but among candidates, her face was famous.

“Rita?” He frowned. “What’re you doing here?”

He hadn’t recognized her when helping, and Rita liked the big guy, so she pulled off her hood, giving an awkward smile.

“Would you believe I got lost?”

Johnson thought, then said earnestly, “Anyone else, maybe not. You? I believe.”

Hey, what’s that mean? You all think I’m a clumsy idiot?!

If you hadn’t helped, I’d sock you twice.

“Forget it.” Johnson stepped back, waving. “Follow me, I’ll get you out.”