Chapter 563: Inner Workings
"Something more eh?" Laz said, barely more than a whisper. He couldn’t blame her, hearing her reasons. And also, she seemed to be telling the truth. He didn’t know what kinds of things she had been through here, but it didn’t sound like anything horrible.
"So they guide you on being an awakened?" Laz asked, leaning back on the soft couch.
"Yes. They... uh... have people who can teach you about both paths, awakened and chosen. And... there is no hate between the two, or at least not that I can see. But then again, I don’t see much I guess seeing as how I am so weak..." Dalia admitted, trying to be as clear as possible.
"I get that. But this... is a temple of lust, is it not?" Laz asked, wanting to get to the point.
"Well... yes. But... it’s not exactly what people make it out to be. There is the regular path and the extreme path.... well... the lustful path is what they call it although it always came off as sounding rather extreme to me. See... when you join up, you can choose either. The regular path means you have to work twice, if not three times as hard. You are given resources depending on your contribution and ability. But if you ever fall behind or fail to make the quota, you won’t be given a thing. Once that happens, it’s easy to fall into a rut you may never get out of. Usually that is when people who were avoiding the lustful path end up on it. On that path, you are given a value based on... well... your strength, beauty, bloodline.... many different factors. And with that value, you are issued the same amount of money. Once that happens though, you are within the grand cage. Your value means that if someone wants you, if they can pay, they can buy you for one hour at your price and you can’t refuse anything they choose to do, short of permanent harm to you. In return, you get the money they put up for you, doubling your value while their value is lowered the same amount. At the same time, that money can be used for a lot of things and is worth a lot in return, like hiring teachers and resources and things like that. In fact, if you gain enough money, you can even choose to become a disciple of the lust god themselves, although as far as I know, no one has ever made that much. There is also other ways to earn money besides being sold. You can also do tasks and missions and completing a jump to the next realm or level is enough to earn you more."
"I see... but then why would anyone want to buy someone else just to have an hour with them..." Laz asked, not understanding that point.
"There are a few different reasons. One reason... is because of lust. Once your on that path, living in the grand cage means you can cultivate yourself faster using the inside method of the lust god... but doing so comes at the cost of driving your lust to insane levels. Needing to unleash it on someone is the only way to release the effects. While you grow quicker with this method than any other, you can see the down side as well. If the lust goes on for too long, it could cause harm to the person. And the only way to release it is to mate with someone who also practices the same method."
"That... sounds like... what’s the phrase? A double edge sword... where something can be both good and bad, depending on how it’s wielded? But wouldn’t people just use the cheapest ones as opposed to losing all their value?" Laz asked, finally able to get some good answers.
"How long do you think the cheapest ones stay the cheapest ones when everyone is willing to buy them? And besides, since no one is rejected, sometimes the cheapest ones are the ones that no one would want anyway. I hate to be the one to say this... but some people are just not a turn on to others.... I mean... unless their lust is just that insanely out of control..."
"Ah.... but then even if they get some more value to them, isn’t it still hard for the less desirable ones to progress?"
"Changing someone’s appearance is probably one of the least costly resources you can buy here. The old woman can be young again, the old man can have the body and sex drive of a teenager... hell even a guy who was cursed with a micro-penis could become the size of a porn star if they wished. Those types of changes are easy for the priests of the lust god," Dalia answered as a matter of fact.
"And not everyone is even willing to get those changes despite not being what most others want because for some people... they have rather specific kinks... that old woman might keep her appearance because there are a few out there who wish to be... pleasured by a grandma type figure. And since it’s super common and easy to have your appearance changed to something beautiful, there are very, very few who will keep the appearance of an old woman. On the other side... perhaps a woman is looking for a slightly larger man? Have you ever heard of the ’chubby chasers?’ Well, if every guy has rock hard abs... finding a soft guy could be a problem..."
"Holy fuck... well.... shit... I never thought of it that way..." Laz said, seriously astounded since he entirely understood what she meant.
"If everything you said is true... then what is this?" Laz said, indicating everything around him. This seemed an awful lot like the situation that Dalia was talking about in the cage.
"It’s kind of like a trial run for the regular people who aren’t on the lustful path yet to get a feeling for it. These guests don’t practice the lust god’s method and neither do the disciples, so there is no danger to either of them. Instead, this is all about gaining a little outside money for the lust god by grabbing some life force from the guests that can then be converted. As for the money they have to pay for us, it’s pretty much worthless to both sides. Hence why both the guests and the disciples need to be in agreement before they couple. And if one doesn’t wish to, they don’t have to. But they have to be present to witness it. As for myself, while I am doing good, I will fall further behind those who are giving it their all tonight... Well, unless they end up like that one we just saw. Not only did he not gain anything, but instead he lost some of his own life force in the process due to being overwhelmed. But I’m sure you can see that it is a rare thing..." Dalia said, trailing off.
"Ah. Yeah... I see that... well... as I’m sure you might have guessed, I came here at the request of your sister to help free you. But from the sounds of it, you don’t wish to be freed... So I guess all I can do is to give you these that I collected and hope they will help you not fall too far behind," Laz said, reaching into the vest of his suit and taking out the lust bucks he had gotten.
"But I... can’t just..."
"No. She can’t. They have lost the lust god’s seal so therefore they won’t be accepted..." said a woman’s voice from behind Laz. With the people all around them going at it, he hadn’t noticed her hidden presence until she had spoken to him.
Laz turned his head to see the strange escort who had shown him the way earlier standing behind him with several of the red robed guards behind her. They quickly circled the area around the couches and ’moved’ anyone who was in their way.
"Oh? Roma? You decided you couldn’t live without me and figured you would come spend some more time with me? I’m honored, but it seems I have already chosen a companion for this fine evening. Still though, I am a generous man so as long as you sit on my lap and call me daddy, I shall make room for you too," Laz said, patting his lap as he sat back.
None of the guards made a sound and even Dalia looked like she was about to faint as her face turned a pale white. As for Mistress Chrome, she stood there enraged, her face a color of red that seemed unnatural on someone who hadn’t been dipped in red paint.
"You.... YOU..."
"Yes. Me. Anyway, the money still has it’s original value, even if your god’s mark has been erased since it wasn’t the mark that gave it value so don’t lie to me about that. And since I’m not a member of the temple, I can’t use it. If I was a member of the temple that stole it, I couldn’t use it. But since I am not a member who is giving it to another member, I highly doubt you have a single rule that says that she can’t use it, do you?" Laz said with a smirk.
Mistress Chrome was both furious and also shocked since she had no idea how Laz had figured out something like that. Sure, there was no rule against that since no one had ever considered it would happen. Why would they spend time making rules for every illogical possibility that came up?
"Anyway. I doubt you came here just to try to rob a poor guy of his money. So what can I do for you little Roma?"
She was growling as she tried taking a few deep breaths before responding.
"Since you are here uninvited, there are a few people who want to talk to you. I do hope you would be so kind as to not make this difficult on yourself?" Roma said, containing herself.
"Wow.... It took you all that long to figure this out, huh? Alright. I’m game. I’m bringing my new friend with me here though. Don’t want to ruin the fine mood we have between us, would you?" Laz asked, standing up to look down at the woman who’s eyes were swirling with color.
"Of course not. As a disciple of the temple, she is welcome to join us," Roma responded.
"Excellent. Although if I might mention something?"
"And that would be?"
"If you were trying to intimidate me... you should have brought a lot more guards. If I wanted to walk out of this place right now, there wouldn’t be a thing any of you could do to stop me... unless your god intervened themselves again..." Laz said, drinking down the rest of his drink before setting the glass down on a side table.
No one was able to speak at the words Laz had just said, but there was clearly a change in their attitudes after hearing it. While it was brief, Laz’s vision didn’t miss it.
They all, even if for a moment, felt very afraid.
