6.26.

Under the shade of the hood, Sequencee peeked up into the glorious blue sky. The covered wagon rattled his butt, and the smell unusually salty, there were even traces of iron and ammonia.

Sequencee wanted to peek out, his mother held him down.

She shook her head.

Sequencee nodded.

The beastkin territory wasn’t just a home for demi-humans, but also demon-kind. They co-existed as one, though that also meant that fights broke out frequently thanks to their barbaric nature.

The carriage came to a stop. Sequencee could faintly see the arid ground through the gaps of the cloth.

“Sequencee, you stay here for a little bit.”

“Alright mom.”

Anna pushed past the curtains and went outside. There was some chattering heard amidst which Sequencee couldn’t make out. His still-green spatial magic was picking out vague presences moving outside.

“Alright, we’re set. You can come out now.”

When Anna gave the green light, Sequencee came out of the caravan, rubbing his sore back as he stepped on the dry ground.

It was like a cold wild west, except this was the south.

Plants scarcely seen, a tumbleweed went rolling in the distance. The temperature was cold, the air dry. The buildings were numerous, most were no more than two stories high, though there were some notable ones which towered above that, such being the inn beside him.

The people around him sent furtive glances their way. Sequencee was stunned by the sheer number of beastkins and demons walking in such an open manner.

Majin with their single horns, and wolf-kins whose tail went swinging as they walked.

Almost all beastkins here were wolf-kins, thought Sequencee had heard that other variations exist, like fox-kin and cat-kin. Just, as the territorial species they were, wolf-kins worked in packs, hence why they formed large territories.

In the distance, Sequencee could make out something like a white palace. It created disharmony in the scenery.

“Amazed right?”

“Does this mean I don’t need to hide my horns?”

“Eh, uh well..” Anna held down his hand which he was about to pull down his hood. Her eyes swimming, “It would arouse suspicion if they saw that your horns were incomplete wouldn’t it?”

‘Ah, I think I get it..’

“We don’t want to look like criminals.”

“You catch on quick,” Anna winked.

Sequencee shook his head, “Okay.”

Paying the coachmen-cum-beastkin for the service, Sequencee and Anna headed into the inn. Many parts of the interior here were made of wood. It gave off a wilderness vibe, reminding Sequencee once again that they were truly outside the empire.

“Can I book a room?” Anna asked the staff.

The female beastkin sized up Anna before responding with a frown, “What kind of room?”

‘Looks like we aren’t really welcomed here..’

Settling the procedures, and they headed up to the upper floors to settle their luggage.

“Do beastkins hate humans still?” Sequencee asked.

“Some do, some don’t. Just like humans.”

“Is that so..?”

“Generally though, the populace here isn’t fond of humans. Though, I don’t really mind. What’s there a need for their approval anyways?”

“Wouldn’t it make certain things hard if they keep not liking us? What if they didn’t let us stay, we would be in for a lot of problems wouldn’t we?”

“Then I’ll just up the price, if not find somewhere else. And if that doesn’t work.. I’ll just get my friend’s help.”

‘Right, mom did say she wanted to meet a friend here.’

An S-rank adventurer by the alias of ‘Wolf’.

===

Night crept upon the world, light faded from the streets as illuminations of magic crystals began substituting the sun.

Unlike major cities of the empire, there were no such things known as street lamps or beacons. The places that were alit though– those were either taverns, eateries, or whorehouses.

There wasn’t a properly managed red-light district here. You can find harlots everywhere.

Sequencee followed Anna carefully. His hand tightly clutched around her robe, eyes covered by Anna’s hands. All around, he could hear the sound of panting and howling. Louder in certain areas, softer in others. The weird scent which he had noticed earlier when he arrived was a lot stronger now than ever.

Sequencee kept the questions to himself. He promised his mother that he would only talk about it when they were alone.

The sounds faded, soon replaced by the soothing sounds of singing– a minstrel

– The coming of dawn, a new face of the world.

– In the rapture of light, the darkness recedes.

– Creatures of the dark rise to fight, the light eaten.

Anna finally released her hands. He found himself inside a fancy looking tavern. Many round tables in the small hall, stairs that led to upper floors. The place was dim, yet bright enough that it didn’t impede sight. Small light crystals illuminated each table as if candles, the smell of food, in the absence of any alcohol soothed his nerves.

“We’re going up.”

“The food here looks not bad.”

“I’ve never tried it myself. I hear it’s top notch,” Anna grinned.

As they ascended, Sequence looked down at the beastkin customers enjoying their time. The way they ate was in no way refined, but it had a grace to it.

There was this weird lovey-dovey atmosphere to it, Sequencee saw a seat where one male beastkin was seated around a group of five females fawning over him. Actually, most other seats were the same, the difference only being gender and number.

The exception was demons. They either ate alone, or were accompanied by one other person.

Most of the waiters here were young beastkin, some even younger than Sequencee himself.

“What would you like to order..?” the waiter child asked with her puerile voice. Ears twitched, head tilted, blinking her big cute eyes.

Sequencee didn’t think they’d exist such a cute kid in this world, ever.

“Could you get me..”

Anna got the signature fish n chips. Sequencee opted for a sandwich set.

As Sequencee kept his observations keen, a din occurred at the burst of the door. The room fell silent immediately, a woman walked into the restaurant.

Lustrous black hair, wearing a tight black dress. Standing behind her were two beastkins, one male one female, both dressed in suits.

Anna waved nonchalantly from above, she glanced up.

With a regal smile on her lips, she climbed the stairs. Her every step sounded like thunder claps in this pin silent space. Upon reaching the table where Anna sat, she crudely circled her arm around her.

“It’s been so long. I happen to miss you a lot,” the woman said with a grin.

Looking closer, Sequencee found numerous scars on her face and body, many of which looked life threatening. Her eyes were a shade of toxic purple, her canines were sharp and pointy, so much so that Sequencee almost thought she was a vampire.

“It’s been a while–”

“Shh.. and who is this?” the woman covered Anna’s mouth and glanced in Sequencee’s direction.

“Uh, hello, I’m Sequencee..” Sequencee greeted, trying to be polite.

“He’s my son.”

“Ah? You had a son?”

“I’m married already.”

“No.. way.. since when?!” the woman staggered backwards in disbelief. “Must be a very strong man I reckon.”

“Very,” Anna responded with a dead serious face.

With a proud grin, the woman took a rough seat beside Anna.

“Nice to meet you Sequencee. I don’t know why this brat gave you such a cute name, but you can call me Wolf.”

‘Wolf.’

Sequencee gulped.

‘So she’s the legendary mercenary.’

“N-Nice to meet you.”

“This place is rather tense. Loid, Rea, get everyone out of here except for the staff. I’m booking the whole space. Go.”

“”Yes Madam.””

The place was cleared out almost immediately. The owner of the bar had personally come out to serve this ‘Wolf’.

Though the way she worded her sentences were crude and brazen, it wasn’t impolite. Sequencee found the dichotomy odd– and somewhat interesting.

“Little demon, how old are you?”

“Me? I’m eleven.”

“Eleven huh? How strong are you?”

“He still has a long way. Don’t rush it,” Anna grabbed Wolf’s by the ears.

“Oi?!”

“It’s soft and fluffy, just as I remembered it.”

“Stop touching it, I’m sensitive there ngh.. don’t you..”

Despite saying such, it didn’t seem like she disliked it. Anna kept playing with her fluffy ears while Rea and Loid stared in envy. Sequencee knew that his mother was weird, but this broke his comprehension a little.

Just how strong was his mother? To be able to treat someone with such high authority like this?

Sequence didn’t know particularly who this Wolf was, but from how she was able to clear the entire restaurant with but a single command, she must have a great influence in this region.

Alcohol, which Sequencee abhorred, was served in big buckets. A grimace spread on his face.

“Anna, your son doesn’t drink?” Wolf asked with furrowed brows.

“I tried to teach him. He just doesn’t like it.”

“Wow, that’s so like you, to give a child alcohol.”

“He’ll be an adult some day. Besides, his body should be sturdy enough to take this much. He has my husband’s traits in him after all.”

“Little demon, toast,” Wolf pushed him a small shot glass and raised her own.

“Uh..”

‘It’s only a little.. I think I can do it..?’

Sequencee, after much internal debate, picked up the shot glass and clinked glasses. Wolf grinned and down the thing in one go. Sequencee took a sip.

He spat it out immediately.

“Gahahahahahaha!” Wolf cackled like no tomorrow.

“Ai, that’s really expensive stuff you know,” Anna clicked her tongue, her face now a little ruddy.

“.. What even.. is this?”

“Distilled alcohol, or what we like to call it around here, spirit.”

“Spirit..?”

“I don’t know why it’s called that. It’s a recipe handed down by the late hero Rika.”

‘Okay.. so even the hero drinks..’

Sequencee stared down at the small glass. He wanted to try again.. but he gave up. The taste was horrible.

“Weak,” Wolf rolled her hands in the air.

Sequencee lowered his head.

The two drank until they passed out.

Sequencee applied his detoxification magic on everyone here– Wolf’s followers included– so they’d not wake up with a hangover tomorrow morning.

It was getting late, but it wasn’t like Sequencee could just leave carrying his mother with him either. He didn’t know the way back to the inn.

As such, he could only wait in the mess of this table.

‘How many did they even drink..’

Sequencee counted at least a hundred. What were their stomachs made of anyways?

“I expected as much.”

“Hm?”

Wolf got up and faced Sequencee.

“You did this huh?”

“Did.. what..?”

“My head feels light. You did this with magic, right?”

“Yeah..”

“Seriously, the hell did this brat raise her son,” Wolf laughed. “While she’s asleep, let me accompany you..”

“E-Excuse me.”

Feeling uncomfortable, Sequencee went to the washroom. The place was separated by gender, so no harm done.

As he came out after washing his hands, his body was forced towards the wall with a slam. The impact wracked his mind, his chin was tilted upwards, a pair of toxic purple eyes reflected in his own.

“You know, I’ve always wanted a demon in my collection,” she licked her lips, her breath smelled like alcohol.

“W-What are you doing..”

‘She’s still drunk again..?’

Sequencee reached and touched her wrist. Again, he channeled detoxification magic through her.

“So this is what it feels like.. quite pleasant. If you were with me, I can drink all I want without any problems at all,” her eyes narrowed, a smile curled up her lips.

‘She’s.. not drunk..’

In a position where Sequencee was the receiver of a ‘kabedon’, the ‘Wolf’ closed in.

Sequencee tensed up, a soft sensation was felt on his cheeks.

“There, I’ve marked you. Come back when you’ve grown up, and prove that you’re stronger than me and I’ll.. admit to being your omega.”

“W-W-What do you mean..?”

‘She kissed me? She.. this.. means what? No, it can’t be. It’s too soon, I already like Schwii–’

“If you come back too soon though..” a deceptive grin on her face, “I’ll be your alpha instead.”

She released him and walked away, Sequencee remained standing in befuddlement for a long while.

===

“Isn’t it nice to be back?” Anna said and jumped right into bed.

“Yeah..”

It was the next morning. Having just woken up from her sleep at the restaurant, she apologized vehemently and quickly brought Sequencee back to their inn.

She rolled around in the sheets before turning to him. He was blankly standing at the entrance.

“What’s wrong? You’ve been acting weird since a while ago. Is it because of me?”

“No. Not that..”

“Then? Since there’s no one else here now, I don’t mind answering any questions you have. It’s probably a lot to take in, but I’m sure you will learn a lot after digesting it all– though, maybe you should sleep first. You didn’t sleep all night yesterday didn’t you?”

“No. I didn’t..”

“Then you can sleep first then ask later. We have the rest of tomorrow free.”

Sequencee nodded.

Taking off his coat, he dropped onto his bed.

Anna came beside him and caressed his hair.

“Sorry.. I didn’t mean to take so long,” she whispered.

“It’s alright..”

“Close your eyes. I’ll protect you this time, thank you for yesterday.”

“Mom, I have a question.”

“What is it?”

“That.. friend of yours.. she..” Sequencee wanted to say kiss, but the words just couldn't seem to find its way out of his mouth. His face turned progressively redder.

“A-Are you okay? Do you feel weird anywhere?” Anna panicked.

“N-No.. just.. your friend said something about alpha and omega yesterday night.. when you were asleep um.. she said that if I’m stronger than her then she will be my omega? And if I’m not.. she’ll be my alpha.. what does that mean?”

Anna’s eyes sharpened, “she said that..?”

“Yeah..”

“Don’t worry. Next time we come here, you’re definitely going to be stronger than her.”

“What does it mean to be an omega though..?”

“I’ll tell you when you wake up. You’re safe with me, so don’t worry about that just yet.”