Master of Lust

57  Whispering Wetlands [1]

Chapter - 57

The moment Rick stepped out of the airport, bam! He got smacked by this crazy heat and stickiness. It was like the air was hugging him with a wet blanket. He didn't see that coming at all, and it made him sweat bullets right away.

So, Rick looked around, and guess what? There were more people outside the airport than at a rock concert! This place was way more popular than he thought. He adjusted the rabbit's cage and whispered to his furry sidekick.

"Well, Miss Rabbit, we're in for a wild ride. Who knew this place was a tourist magnet, huh?" He chuckled as he strolled toward the exit.

But soon, Rick's initial surprise at the bustling crowd outside the airport quickly turned to annoyance. He hadn't expected this place to be such a tourist hotspot, and the swarm of people seemed to be in a chaotic rush. It felt like everyone and their grandma was elbowing each other just to move an inch forward.

However, to his surprise, there were no taxis waiting in line as he had expected. Instead, there were about a dozen cars neatly lined up, with their drivers patiently waiting

Tempers flared as curses and grumbles filled the air, but it was peculiar that no one dared approach the line of cars parked nearby to hitch a ride.

After standing there like others, Rick was left only with confusion. He had never seen anything like this before. Why weren't people approaching the cars to catch a ride?

The oppressive heat continued to bear down on him, causing sweat to trickle down his face. Taking a step toward one of the cars, he reasoned that it couldn't hurt to ask if someone was available to drive him to his destination. Just as he was about to approach a vehicle, he noticed a group of men approaching from the opposite direction.

They were all dressed in identical black suits, from their suits to their shades, exuding an intimidating presence. Who knew, if they even had the same underwear packing their ding-dongs.

People who had been grumbling and cursing moments ago fell silent, instinctively stepping back to give way to the men in black.

Rick had no desire to invite unnecessary trouble, so he wisely decided to make way as well. As the group of imposing men drew closer, Rick's curiosity got the better of him. In the midst of the encircled men, he saw a girl who immediately caught his attention.

Her beauty was striking, even in the sweltering heat. She had an air of cold detachment about her, as if the weather had no effect on her whatsoever.

The girl was dressed in a sleek and formal black outfit. She wore a black jacket over her attire, which gave her a sophisticated and commanding presence. Her long, dark hair cascaded down her back, contrasting beautifully with the monochromatic ensemble.

Rick couldn't help but be captivated by her beauty, even though her expression remained uninterested and composed. He was intrigued by her presence among these men in black, and he couldn't shake the feeling that this encounter might hold some significance.

As the girl and her bodyguards drew nearer, Rick couldn't help but feel a mixture of awe and curiosity. One day, he will also hire a dozen or so men and walk around throwing people.

Rick watched with a sense of anticipation as the group approached, particularly the girl. now he could see her even better.

Her long, chestnut coloured, obsidian hair flowed gracefully down her back, shimmering with a silky luster that caught the light. Rick had always liked wavy hairs on girls and she had the perfect hair of them all.

Her skin radiated a pale, almost translucent quality, as if the sun had no effect on her. There was an almost supernatural quality to her beauty, like she did not belong with those around her. Her cheekbones were delicately sculpted, giving her face a regal and refined contour. A slender, graceful nose added to her overall symmetry, while her lips were a subtle yet alluring shade of pink.

Behind a pair of sleek, jet-black sunglasses, her eyes remained concealed, adding an air of mystery to her presence.

She wore a black jacket that seemed tailored to perfection, hugging her figure with a tailored precision that hinted at sophistication and grace. The jacket's lines accentuated her slender waist, while its structured shoulders added an air of authority to her ensemble.

In the midst of the stifling heat and the chaotic crowd, this enigmatic beauty remained untouched, her appearance as composed and immaculate as ever. Rick could not see a hint of expression on her face.

Finally they all stopped in front of the cars lined up. Rick couldn't help but surreptitiously steal glances at her. She stood there in front of the car door, engaged in a conversation with one of the men who was the closest to her. Her words seemed measured and composed, and Rick couldn't hear what they were discussing, but it her face didn't give anything away.

The girl's demeanor, an intriguing blend of icy aloofness and poised authority, fascinated Rick. Rick had never encountered someone so enigmatic before, and the allure of the unknown stirred his curiosity. The closest would be Megan, his teacher who was about a quarter  of this girl.

Eventually, the girl gracefully entered the car, and the door was closed behind her. Rick, realizing he had to tear his gaze away from her, reluctantly turned his attention elsewhere. However, as he glanced around, he locked eyes with one of the imposing bodyguards. It was a menacing look, accompanied by a subtle but unmistakable gesture—a twisted motion of the hand as if snapping a neck. The unspoken threat hung heavy in the air, reminding Rick that these were not individuals to be trifled with.

Rick couldn't help but smirk in response to the bodyguard's menacing gesture. While they exuded an air of danger, Rick found the situation strangely amusing. The encounter had only added to the intrigue of the girl in black and her muscular bodyguards.

Once the girl's group had departed, Rick hailed a taxi, eager to put some distance between himself and the unnerving encounter.

"Hey, man," As he entered the taxi, Rick said addressing the taxi driver. "Could you take me to a good hotel around here? Somewhere with a comfortable bed and maybe a bar."

The driver nodded, acknowledging Rick's request. "Sure thing, buddy. I know just the place. You're in for a treat."

With that, the taxi sped off, weaving through the bustling streets of the city. Rick took a moment to check his phone, finding messages from Amanda and the others inquiring about his whereabouts. He quickly made up some vague excuses and assured them he'd be in touch soon.

Then leaning back in his seat, Rick sighed. The long flight and the unexpected encounter with the girl in black had left him weary. He couldn't shake the feeling that the girl was not ordinary and  that he was going to meet her again. Because he was no longer ordinary as well.

~  ~  ~  ~  ~

The moment Rick dropped his bag and took in the breathtaking sight before him, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and trepidation. Gone was the dense forest he had anticipated; instead, towering mountains loomed in every direction, creating a dramatic and awe-inspiring landscape.

The place where Rick found himself was seriously amazing. Huge mountains surrounded him, and they looked like they reached all the way up to the sky. They went on as far as you could see, making a big wall around the strange Whispering Wetlands. The land here was really rough and tough, with rocky cliffs and steep hills that even the most experienced adventurers would struggle with.

Above him, up in the sky, it was nice and sunny, giving everything a warm, golden glow. But when Rick looked past the mountains, things got kinda weird. The mountains were really tall and had a spooky mist around their tops. Dark, scary clouds hung over the land just behind the big peaks. It felt like there was this eerie line dividing the world into two parts—one all sunny and the other in darkness like something bad was about to happen.

So, from what Rick had heard from people and what little he knew, the Whispering Wetlands were surrounded by big mountains on most sides. There were only two ways to get into this mysterious forest. The way through the mountains in front of him. This was the safest way one could get inside the forest.

The other option was through the ocean leading to a delta on the other side. This delta was where the huge Apsaraloka Ocean met the Whispering Wetlands, making a special and delicate place for animals and plants.

But here's the catch everybody knew that trying to sneak into the Whispering Wetlands through this passage was like asking for a date with disaster. This place was infamous for being a real dangerous, with rough terrain and weather that could give even weathermen nightmares.

But that was not all. Rumor had it that if you tried to pass through the delta, you might run into these Mistral Spirits. These ghostly figures materialize from the mist, and do a quick change into beautiful ladies. Then, they try to lead swimmers deeper into the delta. These mistral spirits can also throw spells your way that make you forget which way is up or pull you down into the water. And that's how the ocean got its fancy name, Apsaraloka, "Realm of the Beauties."

Rick knew that not everything he heard was true, but there were definitely some dangers in the Whispering Wetlands that could turn him into swamp stew. He was here on a mission to fetch some herbs for his demanding rabbit, and because the system threw a quest his way, he was sure it wasn't a waste of time. So, he had to be smart and not do anything dumb.

While Rick was busy brainstorming his grand forest-entry plan, his restless rabbit hopped around like it had springs in its paws, basically yelling, "Let's go, buddy!"

"Chill out, Miss Jumpy Boots," Rick said as he gave the rabbit's head some love and ear scratches. "We gotta do a little shopping first."

With that, Rick just plopped down on the ground and opened up the system. It was time for a shopping spree like no other.

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