He explained to me that scyllos and lartos were basically horses of different categories: combat, pack, and endurance. Other than that, the animals were just wild, period.

(So ​​it seems that… There is no such thing as livestock farming in this world.)

The cities and the few towns that exist are surrounded by large walls to keep out a world teeming with wildlife, from giant pigs to beasts with supernatural abilities. These creatures with abnormal abilities are called “monsters.”

Hunters and adventurers are the ones who supply the cities with meat, furs, and other goods. Therefore, becoming a hunter is a common dream among children, as it is one of the few ways to prosper in this world.

■— So, all the meat eaten here is game. —

—Selene— Exactly. —

(If animal breeding does not exist in this world, the ecosystem in which they live must have adapted to it.)

Selene told me that in ancient times there were cities where certain animals were raised for their production without being slaughtered. Fir trees, for example, were enormous birds that laid giant eggs, and their breeding was common. There were also some sheep whose wool was harvested, but they were never seen as food.

Near every city, there are areas with high concentrations of monsters and other places with more controlled wildlife. It’s the job of adventurers and explorers to maintain this balance. In this world, survival is tied to hunting and exploration. Meat is not a guaranteed resource, but a prize for those who dare to obtain it.

Selene went on to explain that nowadays, dungeons are the primary source of meat and other resources. The creatures that appear in them don’t stay confined; they often emerge and eventually populate the surrounding area.

■— So, the adventurers regulate the dungeons, the hunters keep the wildlife at bay, and the guard defends the city. —

—Selene— Exactly. If any of the three fails, the entire city suffers the consequences. —

Adventurers act as dungeon regulators. The Adventurers’ Guild controls raids, hunts powerful monsters, and prevents them from accumulating too much. The Hunters’ Guild, on the other hand, doesn’t focus on dungeons, but rather on maintaining the balance of the wild ecosystem. They ensure the supply of meat, fur, and other resources.

■— And the guard? —

—Selene— They’re the last line of defense. They don’t venture out like hunters or adventurers, but if a group of monsters manages to break through the checkpoints and reach the city, the guard confronts them.

■— So, basically, they’re like the police, right? —

Selene frowned.

—Selene— “Police”?—

(Oh, right. They don’t have that concept here.)

■—They are like… those in charge of enforcing the laws and maintaining peace within the city. —

—Selene— I guess that’s one way to look at it. But they don’t just maintain order; they also protect the nobility and ensure that the rules imposed by the city’s lords are followed.

(So ​​they are not just defenders, but also the hand of the nobles… Interesting.)

…

When we finished dinner, I waited for the right moment and discreetly called over to a waiter who was passing by.

■— Excuse me, where do I pay the bill? —

The man discreetly bowed his head slightly.

—Waiter— Everything is paid for in the lobby, sir. —

I nodded, grateful for the information, and stood up. Selene also stood, with her usual elegance. We left the dining room together and headed for the foyer. All the guests’ clothes were in the dressing room, and before Selene could do anything, I had already grabbed her coat. It wasn’t a particularly complicated gesture, but I did it without thinking too much about it.

■— Allow me. —

I handed her the garment, and she looked at me with a slightly raised eyebrow before giving me a faint smile. She didn’t say anything, but her gaze spoke volumes. She casually adjusted her clothing and gave me a small nod.

As I was paying the bill, I felt Selene approaching, her presence as confident as ever. She leaned slightly toward me, her voice low, almost a whisper.

—Selene— I’d like to continue discussing strategies with you, Hunt… but I think this place isn’t the right one anymore.—

He let his words hang in the air for a second before adding, with a subtle smile:

—Selene— Don’t you think it would be more comfortable in a private place? —

(Fuck... I didn’t expect that. When did this happen? Selene wasn’t just smart, but also super attractive. If you had told me a week ago that a woman like her would propose something like that to me, I would have laughed in your face. But she didn’t seem to be joking. With someone like her... I wouldn’t have imagined it for a second.)

This time, Selene had taken the initiative without me seeing the move coming. I held her gaze for a moment. There was no hesitation in her words or her expression. I paused for a moment to consider responding with the same elegance… but decided against it. She had played her card, and played it well.

■— Interesting proposal. —

That was all I said before turning back to the counter. The manager, a middle-aged man with a well-groomed beard and a fine wool vest, looked up from a ledger and calmly surveyed us.

—The manager— Do you need anything else? —

I took a quick look around the place. This wasn’t a place for just anyone. Surely only important merchants and nobles passing through stayed here.

■— A room. — I slid some coins onto the counter.

■— The best available. —

The man took the coins calmly, examining them with a quick glance. Clearly, the authenticity of the gold always came first.

—The manager— Of course. —He said professionally. He took a key from a wooden rack and placed it on the table.

—The manager— Upper floor, last door at the back.

I calmly took the key and, with a natural gesture, offered my arm to Selene. Without hesitation, she slid her hand into the crook of my elbow, intertwining her arm with mine with an elegance that seemed innate. Without a word, I calmly guided her toward the stairs.

…

#■— I’m not going home today, I’m staying over with a friend. —#

#●— Don’t do anything that would force me to be an uncle so young… and be a gentleman. —#

#■— I’m not a savage, idiot. —#

…

The room darkened as the minutes passed. The candles that had illuminated the scene of our encounter gradually melted, leaving a faint echo of what had been a striking beginning, turning into slow shadows on the walls. Selene’s breathing was labored; it seemed she was holding her breath. With every sound, every movement, it seemed she was just inhaling air and not letting it out. When she couldn’t hold it anymore, she hid under the sheets to muffle her voice.

■—“Why are you holding back so much?” I whispered into his shoulder.

Selene tensed slightly, her gaze shifting toward the door.

—Selene— I don’t want you to hear me. —

I didn’t understand why; his response bothered me quite a bit. However, all his worries had a solution. The night before, I asked Neo to create a magical device or artifact capable of creating a soundproof barrier.

I got out of bed, leaving the heat of the moment behind to find my clothes. In one of the pockets, I opened a small portal to the subdimension and took out Neo’s artifact. I returned to Selene, who was looking at me in surprise.

■—This creates a soundproof field. —

■—All sound within its range does not escape to the outside. —

I demonstrated that nothing could be heard within about two meters of the glass. She stood near the door, and I jumped with the device from the bed to the floor. Apart from the vibrations transmitted through the floor, the sound didn’t leave the barrier.

Selene raised an eyebrow and delicately took the stone. Surely her mind quickly grasped the artifact’s importance: secret information, private meetings, negotiations without prying eyes...

Then, with a thoughtful expression, she slowly slid her hand down my chest, tracing the line of my collarbones with her fingertips. Her cold hand contrasted with the warmth of my body, leaving a trail of sensations in its wake. She looked up at me for a second and, with feline speed, pounced on me.

—Selene— So you’re saying we can do whatever we want, without anyone listening…—

After that, he pushed me back onto the bed with naughty intentions.

…

A slight movement beside me and a mocking voice broke the tranquility of the room.

—Selene— Sleepyhead, it’s already daylight. There’s too much light to stay in bed… and too much business to attend to.

■—Are you not going to call me by my name anymore? —

Selene paused for a second before answering with a mischievous smile.

—Selene— I said it so many times last night that I almost lost my voice.

— Selene — After last night, I think I need a good rest to regain my energy. —

I stretched calmly, letting out a soft sigh.

■— Looks like someone has more energy than me this morning. —

—Selene— Not all of us can afford to take the day off. —

Selene stood gracefully and calmly gathered her clothes. As she finished adjusting her cloak, she gave me a sidelong glance.

— Selene — I have some matters to attend to before heading to the guild. But I’ll see you there later. By the way, I’m keeping this magic stone of yours. If you want it back, come to the guild and pick it up. —

He didn’t wait for a reply. He walked toward the door with his confident stride, leaving behind a faint scent of subtle perfume. I lay in bed for a moment, staring into space.

(So ​​this is my first official day in town…?)