Ch 242: You are the compensation.

Shuuko Aikawa sat on a comfortable sofa, her fingers tapping nervously against the soft brown leather.

The room was luxuriously furnished, if one didn't mind the omnipresent bone-themed design, and her current circumstances were the most comfortable she had been since she found herself stranded in this world, but she wasn't in the mood to appreciate it.

Sighing, she opened her communication screen. As an NNT employee, she had a chat function with the staff in her menu interface, but for some reason, she couldn't write anything. The 'send' button was grayed-out.

She had received that ominous message from her colleagues telling them about the situation, warning her about the danger and telling her what she should do. It was that very message that caused her to space out in the middle of sweeping the floor, resulting in her being scolded so badly by those damn NPCs.

Shuuko nervously bit her lower lip as she remembered the reason for her current predicament. Was the Demon Lord a real person, or an NPC she didn't know about? As far as she was aware, there was no such character in Exodia Exodius, and as the creative director, she should have been informed if any employee wanted to add a new character with such an important position! She supposed it was technically possible that some audacious soul had patched that character in without telling her, but…

Shuuko sighed again as she followed the facts to their inevitable conclusion.

It had to be sabotage somehow. Probably targeting her. There was no other explanation for her being able to receive messages but not send any. It had to come from within NNT.

And with the message she had just received, this wasn’t just an attempt to delay her career or steal a promotion. This was an attempt at mass murder.

There was a sadistic intent behind that partially blocked chat. Whoever had done it wanted her to know that there was a sword of Damocles hanging above her head, ready to drop at any time, and that she was powerless to stop it.

…Demon Lord Rin. She probably was the culprit, logging into the game to torment her personally.

When she understood this, Shuuko felt incandescent rage overwhelming her. She wanted to tear her apart, limb by limb.

But she couldn't. Shuuko's character wasn't using a normal player character sheet, and she had no attributes or skills. She couldn't gain levels, and if she rebelled against this Rin, they might really sell at the slave auction. She imagined herself becoming the slave of an orc or minotaur, and felt nauseous.

Her thoughts came to an abrupt crash as the heavy wooden doors opened, and Demon Lord Rin as well as the woman covered in black armor, another character she didn't know about or a real person, entered the room.

"Oh?" smiled Demon Lord Rin. "I see I need to teach you how to greet your Mistress properly, Shuuko Aikawa."

"Stop joking around!" shouted Aikawa, so angry that she instantly forgot about the danger she was in. "I know you're the one behind all this! You're going to slaughter a whole classroom just to get to me, are you even human?"

Sakura didn't smile anymore, but looked at her thoughtfully and nodded.

"I am amazed that you would talk to me with such a tone, when you were cowering downstairs. Such a contrast in behavior is interesting. And it's obvious you know a lot of the answers I seek. As expected, you are a Japanese person."

"And you just outed yourself out, you scum! What did I even do for you to resort to something so extreme? Did you even think about the innocent students who will die with me? Are you perhaps jealous of my last promotion? I worked my butt off for it…"

Shuuko's words trailed off as the Demon Lord removed her crown and veil, her bob of white hair and red eyes turning into longer purple hair and blue eyes. She also removed this lewd armor tightly clinging to her body, instantly replacing it with what seemed to be a school uniform. Following her lead, the woman in black armor also changed into an identical uniform.

"I will stop you right there, Shuuko." said the girl as she sat on the opposite sofa. "You do not mind if I call you Shuuko, right? You are my slave after all. It would be weird to call you Aikawa-san. I am not the one who is responsible for this mess. My real name is Sakura Tohsaka, a student of class 2A, Minamimyoujin High School. It is nice to meet you."

"Here in this VR world, I call myself Anna. Outside, I am Medusa Tohsaka, Sakura's attendant." smiled the taller woman who seemed to be about her age. "We were on a visit to NNT with the classroom, where we were supposed to watch an historical documentary. Instead, we found ourselves in this VR world."

Shuuko frowned. NNT was doing a promotion of its latest technology lately, and there were classrooms of students coming to the office almost every morning to help general some hype. The uniforms the two were wearing also seemed to support their claims, although that didn't really prove anything.

"Assuming you are telling the truth, why are you here? And why are you calling yourself the Demon Lord, of all things?"

"I am called the Demon Lord because I proclaimed myself as such." smiled Sakura.

"What? Are you a chunnibyou? You should have outgrown those fantasies already! This situation is serious, you know?"

"I know." smiled Sakura. "While it is true that we are indeed students on a visit, like Medusa said, we also are acting on behalf of a third party, whose identity will only be revealed to you after we return to the real life. This third party asked me to become a Demon Lord and stop the other students from conquering this castle. Said third party also tinkered with that VR game, ensuring that we would both appear with high-level characters and near this place. At least I think this is what happened."

Shuuko's mouth opened and closed repeatedly as she thought furiously. Could it be that she had an ally helping from the shadows? Or at least, someone who wanted to oppose the culprit?

"…What do you know about it?" finally asked Shuuko.

"Not much beyond what we told you. We're stuck in this game for the foreseeable future, so I established myself as the temporary ruler of this castle by defeating the four Hellzectors. They aren't very strong, by the way. Are they eating properly?"

Shuuko's lips twitched for a second at Sakura's attempt at humor, but this wasn't really a good time for this.

"They are level 50 to 60. You must be very high level if you really could take on all four of them. Assuming you are telling the truth, did this third party of yours tell you why you need to defend this castle from the Heroes?"

"She didn't. And if you know, we'd love to know why." replied Sakura.

Shuuko nodded and stood again, and then she bowed deeply to the two girls.

"I am Shuko Aikawa, Creative Director of the upcoming game Exodia Exodius, belonging to NNT's game division. On behalf of the company, I wish to offer you our deepest apologies for involving you in this incident. Please be assured that we will do our utmost to free you as soon as possible, and that you will receive compensation for your ordeal."

"So you must know a lot about what is happening. Please raise your head. I have a lot of questions, and time is valuable." nodded Sakura.

"Yes." said Shuuko, sitting back with a sigh.

"The situation is like this. You and your classmates must have watched that introduction featuring a goddess, right?"

"No. We lost consciousness in that demonstration room and woke up in the valley."

"I see… Your classmates must have seen it, then. The video spoke about defeating the Demon King and reaching the gate inside the Infermia Castle."

"The Hell gate in the basement? We saw it earlier."

"But you didn't touch it, right?" asked Shuuko with worry.

"No."

"If a player touches it, it will open, and the game will end. And that is the issue. Currently, the data of your consciousness is inside the NNT servers. If the game ends, it will be sent back toward your bodies before the game is shut down and reset. All consciousness data will be lost…"

Shuuko stared into Sakura's eyes gravely, trying to project as much seriousness as she could. "As someone with a semi-administrator account, I received a message from the technical team, although I cannot send any and tell them what is happening."

"They told me that the bridging program to safely transmit your data's consciousness back into your body is not ready yet. They say it will take them about year before we can safely exit Exodia Exodius. Until then, if we let any player reach the gate, all their data's consciousness will be lost, and our bodies in the real world will remain in a comatose state."

"I forgot to ask, but do you have access to the Adult Mode?" asked Shuuko.

"Adult mode?"

"Yes. Exodia Exodius is a game meant both for a large audience and an adult one. It can be switched to Adult Mode after you verify your age. The largest difference between the two is access to a store where you can pay with real life money."

"I have no bank account linked to this character, since I'm not supposed to have a NNT account in the first place, but…" frowned Sakura, her eyes staring at something Shuuko couldn't see, before her eyebrows shot up. "Wait, I can still open the store, and I have a hundred million Yen balance. And yes, I just confirmed that I can buy things. They are in my inventory now."

"I can access it as well." confirmed Medusa.

"Really?" asked Shuuko, astonished. What kind of third party would give this girl a hundred million Yen? There must be hacking involved. But she wouldn't complain if this fake money helped them save everyone's lives.

"That is good news. There are some items in there that can be useful." sighed Shuuko.

"Now that I think about it, I have gained a skill called Hell and Heaven. What can you tell me about it?" asked Sakura.

"You have this thing?" asked Shuuko, astonished. She was starting to feel numb. "This is the personal skill of Demon King Hell Shaft in Adult Mode. It will temporarily rewrite the surroundings around the target to create a random erotic scene."

Shuuko observed their reactions for a few seconds, but Sakura and Medusa only nodded, as if it was no big deal. Surely, they were in shock and would need time to process it properly.

"Once again, I am deeply sorry, and we will compensate you properly once we are out of the woods."

"It is fine." shrugged Sakura. "All we have to do is stop them from reaching the gate. We've been in worse situations. And I get a feeling our backer will make sure it lasts less than a year."

Then she suddenly grinned.

"As for the compensation, you do not need to worry. We already have an adequate compensation in mind."

"A compensation?" asked Shuuko with trepidation. She didn't like the gleam in Sakura's eyes as she looked at her. It looked almost… predatory.

"You are the compensation, Shuuko."

"W-What?"

"You see, Medusa here is my closest friend and partner, and I would entrust my life into her hands without hesitation. She is also my sex slave. In real life, I am both submissive to another person, and dominant to several who call me their Master with pride. And you will be one of them, Shuuko. I didn't lie earlier when I said I was interested in you."

"…Huh… I am flattered, but there is no way I'll accept being a sex slave. And I'm straight, so…" said Shuuko as she shook her head.

Sakura ignored her and turned to Medusa.

"It has been a while, and you said earlier that my Demon Lord outfit turned you on. Are you up for some fun, Medusa?"

"Of course, Master." smiled Medusa.

"Good. I will use some of the items from that adult store. Get up, and I will undress you."

Shuuko was inching toward the door, wanting to leave them some privacy and find a quiet corner, but her luck ran out.

"And you, slave Shuuko, will watch. It will give you a glimpse of what your future will be."

"A-Are you sure? No matter how you look at it, this is not proper!"

"Do not make me repeat myself, slave, of I will bind you and make you watch with a vibrator churning inside you." said Sakura with a hint of steel in her voice.

Shuuko shuddered and reluctantly sat against the wall near the bed, where Sakura pointed.

She helplessly watched as Sakura slowly undressed Medusa, kissing her or rubbing her hands on Medusa's skin in sensual gestures and made the tall woman moan lustfully.

There was something about them that Shuuko found fascinating, in the affection on their faces as their gazes met, and after a few moments, Shuuko blinked and realized that she was getting turned on by what they were doing!

That girl was a real demon! But she found herself unable to look away as Sakura took various items from her inventory and applied them on both herself and Medusa. Before long, both of those girls wore black latex opera gloves and stockings, Medusa's arms were bound above her head and to a bone of the headboard, a black leather collar encircled her neck, and a red ball gag filled her mouth.

Medusa was moaning into her gag and squiring while Sakura was lapping around her sex.

Medusa's groans and moans slowly grew louder and more frequent, and she suddenly convulsed. Sakura had her head buried against Medusa's crotch and was plunging her tongue deep to give her more pleasure.

"Your turn, my slave." smiled Sakura when she was done, wiping Medusa's love juices from her face as she ungagged Medusa, moved to straddle Medusa's head, and the bound girl eagerly returned the favor.

…

Shuuko wondered just how much stamina those two girls possessed as Medusa, her arms bound behind her back inside a leather armbinder this time, was pounded from behind by Sakura wearing a strap-on with a double-ended, semi-translucent red phallus. She held a leash linked to the back of Medusa's collar and was playfully pulling on it to choke her. Medusa trembled as she grunted like an animal in heat and experienced another orgasm, again.

She was pretty sure that it was the sixth one for Medusa, and Sakura seemed to be determined to keep going until she got another, that would make it her fourth.

She was glad that the two girls appeared to have forgotten about her, as the show had definitely been too stimulating for her, and after a while, she hadn't been able to keep her hands still. She really hoped they hadn't noticed her fondle her breasts or slip a hand under the clothes covering her crotch.

Sakura's pace accelerated even further, and with a sweet grunt, she also orgasmed. The two girls then hugged on the fluid-stained bed, hugging each other as they recovered.

Shuuko was wondering if she should try to leave quietly when Sakura turned her head to her and smirked.

"So much for being straight. That didn't stop you from masturbating like a monkey as you watched."

That smirk caused Shuuko's cheeks to heat up, but now that she felt confident that they wouldn't truly send her to the auction block even if she made them angry, she also felt incensed, and she summoned all the authority and intimidation she could muster with her years of office work at a black company.

For years, she had faced intense pressure from merciless bosses who didn't know the meaning of paid overtime or work/personal life boundaries, and she had learned to pass the bucket down!

"Now listen, you perverted girls. No matter what may have happened, I am still your senior! I do not want to hear any more of this slave business, aside from the strict minimum necessary to maintain appearances with the Hellzectors! Behave yourselves, and I won't go to the police later or tell anyone about your… practices."

"…How cute, this gap between the stern office lady who thinks she's in charge, and her real self." smiled Sakura, slowly standing from the bed and stepping toward Shuuko, who stepped back.

"What are you doing? You should be kneeling on the floor right now and apologi… mmph!?"

Before she could finish her words, Sakura had seized the steel ring dangling from her slave harness, used it to pull her close, and kissed her, inserting her tongue deep into her mouth.

Shuuko froze in shock and horror. This was her first kiss, and it had been stolen by a perverted girl who had been providing oral service on another not long before!

She started fighting back, and Sakura broke the kiss, looking at her with a satisfied and possessive expression.

"What did you just…. mmpho."

She was kissed again.

"Stop doing that… mmphoon!"

Kissed again.

"Damn it! …mmph!"

And again.

After the fourth kiss, she glared but didn't speak, breathless, and Sakura nodded.

"Good, you're learning. Your reluctance is so cute, Shuuko. I think I will want you to play hard to get even after you resign yourself to your fate. But make no mistake. By the time we leave this world and return to the real life, I will have long completed your training as my sex slave, and you will love being mine. Now go get a bath ready. We all need it. And then you will tell us more about this world, and what you think happened to cause this situation."

Never before did Shuuko want to retort so much, but she didn't dare for fear of being kissed again, and she fled to the bathroom, regretting the absence of a lock on the door. As she watched the hot water slowly fill a bathtub large enough for six people to soak in, she sighed.

"I won't be able to get married anymore." muttered Shuuko, hiding her blushing face in her hands.

The kisses had felt… nice, actually.

…

Back in the city of Calvart, Asuka returned to the adventurer's guild and entered a private room. She was a few minutes late.

"Welcome back, Asuka. You didn't find anyone, right?" asked Ririko, giving her a cup filled with water.

"I didn't. I circled around the city while killing a bunch of monsters. Thanks, Ririko." sighed Asuka as she accepted the cup and sat on a bench near one of the tables.

All eleven of her fellow classmates were already there, six girls and five boys.

Izumi Arisugawa, nicknamed Alice by everyone, was the boy with delicate features who would easily be mistaken for a girl if he dressed like one. Even his voice would add to the illusion. And he didn't seem to dislike being misgendered. His class was Holy Warrior, a hybrid warrior class with some healing and smiting capability.

Akira Ichinomiya, the tallest of the boys present, possessed the Hero class, and had a very hero-like personality. He was kind and brave and serious, but also somewhat bland in Asuka's opinion.

Megu Busujima, the girl with blonde dyed hair, also was a Holy Warrior. Asuka considered her far too concerned about appearances and fashion and brands, but she wasn't the delinquent type, and she didn't mind having her around.

Sitting near Megu was her friend Ageha Miyakoshi, nicknamed The Imp for her devilish temperament. A tall beauty with long lilac hair whose face always displayed a teasing smile. She was the kind of girl who would always insert barbs into her words in the hope of making other people blush and bluster in embarrassment. Still, she ranked pretty low on Asuka's 'bitch scale', and she could tolerate her easily.

Facing Izumi was Naru Hinazawa, the third and last Holy Warrior of the group. The petite girl, who could almost be called a legal loli, had long red hair styled in twin tails and seemed to have a fascination for magical girls, judging from her white outfit. She was both serious during crises, and a bubbly extravert during breaks at school.

In a corner of the room near Ririko was Uiko Yuuki, a Warrior, staring at the cup in her hands. The girl with neck-length black hair was by far the most shy of the whole classroom, and Asuka resolved to befriend her later, once she would be more used to their circumstances.

Leonhard Yushima, the Germany Weeb who had gotten a Sorcerer class, was discussing something with Yamada Yoshimune, a quiet guy Asuka knew little about at this point, aside from his class, another Warrior.

The last boy, Tahuya Ougiya, a Warrior, was both reckless, brash and arrogant. Asuka disliked him, in part because he reminded her of her old self, before she ever became involved in the Gods' Great Game. At least back then, she had the skills to back up her arrogance. Most of the time. Tahuya was just… average.

Aside from Ririko, the last girl was Ichinon with her Sorcerer class, sitting some distance away from the others and observing everyone quietly, her expression not giving a hint of her thoughts.

Among the classmates, there were only three who didn't have a Warrior, Holy Warrior or Sorcerer Class. Akira was a Hero, Ririko a Swordswoman, and Asuka herself a Spearwoman.

"We started before you returned, Asuka, sorry about that." nodded Akira. "We were speaking about creating a guild to get some of the advantages guild members get when selling monster materials, and to reinforce our bonds. We need to stand together more than ever, with everyone else missing."

"I approve." nodded Asuka. "How are we calling it?"

"The 2A guild." smiled Ririko, referring to the name of their class in the real world. "Let's keep it simple, and if our reputation spreads, our missing classmates will know it is us and will try to reach us."

Asuka nodded again before she spoke. As she was grinding earlier, she had already spent some time thinking about forming groups to gain level and earn the others' trust.

"Since the others seem to be some distance away, we should prioritize getting stronger. Strong enough to expand our search, and to travel between cities without trouble. We have three Holy Warriors to provide healing in case of emergencies, three sorcerers for ranged firepower, and six melee classes among the rest of us, so we should make three groups of four to farm monsters and gain levels. It won't necessarily be the most efficient way to go about it, but until we really know what we are doing and have some solid fighting experience and teamwork, we should prioritize polyvalence and caution."

Most of the classmates nodded, as her opinion made sense.

"Should we start heading East? I want to return home as quickly as possible. I'm going to miss several sales if I'm stuck in this dump." complained Megu.

"That's a long way away, and we don't know how strong we need to be before we start fighting the Demon King's army." frowned Yamada. "We should avoid attracting their attention until we're ready to face them. We should ask the NPCs to scout them or send spies, without being directly involved for now."

"How about we ask the adventurer's guild to create a quest for other adventurers, then? Collect information on the demon King and his troops?" suggested Naru.

"If we ask them to create the quest, we'll be responsible for providing the reward, and we do not have much of anything at this point." said Akira. "Like Asuka suggested, I think we should focus on gaining levels and upgrading our equipment, and deal with the Demon King later. I want to go home just as much has everyone else, but this a case of taking the time to sharpen the axe making felling the forest faster."

The others agreed, happy to let someone else take responsibility for getting them out of this mess, and the farming groups were quickly determined. Asuka would form a party with Uiko, Megu and Ageha to hunt monsters starting from tomorrow.