[326] Lady

Looking at the group of four before him, August sighed.

"Thanks for not crashing my moment earlier."

"No problem! But if you really feel indebted, how about treating us tonight?" Stunk chimed in.

"Get lost, Stunk! You're just trying to take advantage of me."

He had done some research on the mermaid charm shops, and the prices were steep. The starting cost for a visit was over three thousand gold coins, with better establishments charging four to five thousand for just one person. With five of them in the group, that would amount to a small fortune.

While August could afford it, the look on Stunk's face—eager to benefit at his expense—made him decline outright. The experience with the snake woman from the Mia tribe still stung; he had spent over three thousand on one outing, only for them to pay a measly four thousand total for this trip.

The four friends settled down, excited after earning a hefty profit from their last adventure.

"August, Stunk and I have scoped out a great place—a mermaid charm shop called 'Deep Sea Paradise,'" Kanchal announced. "It features various sea folk beauties, though mermaids are somewhat scarce."

"'Deep Sea Paradise'? That's an intriguing name, sounds like a water park," August remarked.

"You'd be surprised; it's literally built underwater, with glass walls in the rooms. Lying in bed feels like being at the bottom of the sea," Zel added.

"Wait, have you been there?" August asked.

"Not yet, but I've checked it out," Zel replied, earning August's respect for being more reliable than Kanchal.

Stunk and Kanchal were practically giddy with excitement at the prospect of spending time with mermaids. Just the thought of it would certainly make for some impressive stories back home.

"However, there's something I need to tell you in advance," Zel interjected, his tone becoming serious.

"Hmm? What is it?" Kanchal inquired, sensing the shift in atmosphere.

"At Deep Sea Paradise, the rates are generally acceptable, but if you want to spend time with a mermaid, it'll set you back 5,000 gold coins—for just one hour," Zel revealed.

The announcement left everyone stunned, including August.

"Are you serious? Five thousand gold coins for one hour? That's outrageous!" August exclaimed.

"It's true. Apparently, there are so few mermaids available that the prices have skyrocketed," Zel confirmed.

"Let's forget it, then. Mermaids are just too expensive," Kanchal said first, shaking his head. He didn't have enough money for this trip; even with quest rewards, he barely had four thousand coins.

The others—Stunk, Zel, and even the orc Gyor—quickly abandoned the idea. It wasn't that they didn't want to, but they simply couldn't afford it. At five thousand coins for just an hour, they would need to complete multiple quests to break even.

"How about this? My shop is buying magical beast carcasses. Why not take this opportunity to hunt some beasts around here, or even some sea monsters? I'll pay you directly for the spoils," August suggested.

He avoided saying he would treat them; after all, hospitality had its limits. If he treated them too generously, they might see him as a soft touch.

"Really?" Kanchal asked, his eyes widening.

"Of course. Why would I lie to you?" August replied.

"Alright, it's settled! We'll manage tonight and then get to work tomorrow!" Kanchal said enthusiastically.

"Sounds good!"

"Agreed!"

"Absolutely!"

With that, the excitement surged within the group. They were ready to face any challenge for the chance to meet the beautiful mermaids.

August gazed out at the vast ocean, contemplating the differences between land-based magical beasts and their oceanic counterparts. The sea creatures were not only larger but also more formidable.

Especially in the deep sea, countless monstrous beings lurked, hidden from sight.

"So, what are we doing tonight?" Kanchal asked, breaking the silence.

"Tonight, we're heading to 'Octopus Paradise,'" August replied.

"Octopus Paradise?" Kanchal echoed, intrigued.

"Yeah, it's not far from here, and I checked it out—seems promising," August confirmed.

"What's the cost?" Stunk chimed in.

"It's 3,000 gold coins for the night, and you can stay until tomorrow morning," August explained.

At the mention of the price, the group nodded in agreement. It wasn't cheap, but it wasn't exorbitant either. For 3,000 gold coins for a night, they could certainly indulge. August had no objections; he wasn't picky, after all.

After finishing their drinks, the five of them made their way to the 'Octopus Paradise' that Stunk had mentioned.

Upon entering, they were greeted by a striking octopus lady, her numerous tentacles adorned with various items.

"Welcome! May I ask if you have a favorite lady among us?" she inquired.

"No, this is our first time here," August replied.

"In that case, feel free to choose one that catches your eye," she encouraged, clapping her hands.

At her signal, several more octopus ladies emerged from behind the curtain.

"Wow, this is something else! No pictures, just the real deal," Stunk exclaimed.

"I'll take this one~" one of the group members declared.

"I'll go with this one," another added.

"I want the 'big' one!" yet another exclaimed.

"I'll pick this one," August chimed in, quickly selecting a blue-haired octopus lady.

After paying, they all entered their respective rooms.

Without wasting any time, August's chosen companion began to disrobe the moment they stepped inside. As she pressed against him, he felt an immediate, mixed sensation due to her eight tentacles. Having watched numerous "tentacle-themed" shows before his journey, he was familiar with the concept but still found it somewhat uncomfortable.

"Could you not press your tentacles against me? I'm not a fan," he said.

"Oh, but guest, it feels wonderful," she replied with a sultry tone.

"I really don't like it," August insisted.

"Alright, if that's what you prefer," she conceded, lifting her tentacles away from him. The suction cups on her limbs had been quite snug against his skin.

Once that was settled, the octopus lady began to cater to August. Her body, soft and pliable like that of a mollusk, was adorned with a slick, oily substance that made it glisten in the dim light.

Before long, both of them were fully engaged in the moment. August had a particular affinity for magical creatures, and he felt a rush of excitement in this new experience with the octopus lady.

Their chemistry ignited, and things quickly escalated.

Meanwhile, similar scenes unfolded in other rooms. The only notable difference was with Kanchal. As a halfling, his smaller stature left him at the mercy of the octopus lady's grasp, turning what should have been a pleasurable encounter into one of torment.

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