Deviant: No Longer Human

Twenty minutes ago....

Lian found herself on the second floor of Hrímþurs Bar, approaching a woman leaning against the balcony.

With long, flowing black hair and an air of quiet authority, she was smoking contemplatively. This was Linda, the owner of the bar.

"Linda, I've given your room to a client for tonight. You can use mine," Lian said, joining her at the balcony.

Linda took a drag from her cigarette, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon. "Someone wealthy, I presume? Haha, looks like you're in for a profitable night. How about a drink to celebrate?" Her voice held a mix of amusement and business-like detachment.

"Drinks on me, then," Lian agreed with a nod. "And I've asked Aisha to accompany him."

Linda's eyes narrowed slightly. "Aisha? The first-year girl looking to make some extra cash?"

"That's the one," Lian confirmed.

Linda shook her head, exhaling a stream of smoke. "Her parents would turn this place upside down if they found out. Not that it matters to her, apparently."

"We're not here to judge family matters," Lian remarked dismissively. "That's their internal issue."

Linda seemed to accept this, but then her expression shifted, a new thought dawning. "You sent him to my room, didn't you?"

Lian nodded, a hint of skepticism in her eyes.

Linda's expression suddenly changed, a frown creasing her forehead. "Did you check the room first?"

Lian's expression was one of confusion. "Why would I need to check inside?" she asked, her brows knitting together in perplexity.

Linda's frustration was palpable as she slapped her forehead in exasperation. "Come with me, now!" she demanded, grabbing Lian's hand and pulling her toward the staircase.

As they hurried upstairs, a young woman with brunette hair, dressed in a flowing red dress, called out, "Madam Lian!"

Lian and Linda paused, turning to see Aisha approaching. Lian's frown deepened. "Aisha, you're already here? Good, come with us." Without waiting for a response, she resumed her brisk pace, Aisha trailing behind them.

Curiosity and concern laced Lian's whisper as she nudged Linda. "What's got you so worked up?"

Linda's response was a mix of worry and disbelief. "This morning, I met a girl carrying a basket of beautiful flowers. She asked for a place to stay just for the day, and in exchange for some of her flowers, I let her use my room. She said she'd leave by tomorrow. But now, if you've given my room to someone else..." Her voice trailed off, the implications hanging heavily in the air.

Lian's face paled as the realization dawned on her. "You mean she might still be in your room..." The thought sent a jolt of panic through her.

The consequences of such an oversight could be disastrous, both for their reputation and for the safety and privacy of their guests.

The trio finally reached outside of Linda's room, and halted thier steps.

Bam!

Linda's knocks reverberated through the hallway, each one a sharp punctuation in the tense silence.

Aisha, standing a step behind, felt her heart race with a mixture of fear and excitement. 'This is my first time... What will happen?' she thought, the anticipation sending a nervous shiver down her spine.

Click!

The door swung open, revealing a man with long black hair and a barely-there cloth around his waist.

His expression was one of annoyance as he faced the trio. "What's going on?" he directed the question at Lian, his tone laced with irritation.

Aisha's mind went blank as her eyes fixed on Wang Xiao. The sight of him, so unexpectedly unveiled, sent a shock through her system, and she felt a warm trickle from her nose.

Meanwhile, Linda, assuming a position of authority, stepped forward to handle the situation.

"I'm Linda, the owner of this establishment. Was there a girl in here with you?" Her voice was firm, cutting through the confusion.

Wang Xiao's gaze shifted to the authoritative woman before him. "Yes, there—" He paused, turning to indicate the room behind him, but the space was empty. Puzzlement flickered across his face.

"Step aside," Linda commanded, her tone leaving no room for argument. She strode into the room, her eyes scanning every inch for any sign of the mysterious girl. Lian followed closely behind, her own curiosity piqued.

Aisha, her mind still reeling and misunderstanding the situation, bit her lip nervously and stepped into the room after the others.

Her eyes darted around, partly in search of the girl they were speaking of and partly out of a confused fascination with the man who had greeted them at the door.

Wang Xiao's gaze drifted to the open window as the chilly night breeze wafted in, ruffling the curtains. "So she escaped, huh..." he mused, half to himself, his back against the cool wall. His eyes narrowed slightly at the window. 'Did she jump from here?'

A wry chuckle escaped him as he entertained the thought. 'Was I so monstrous that she felt the need to leap from the third floor to get away?' His eyes dropped briefly to the slight bulge beneath his waistcloth. "Maybe I am," he joked lightly, a hint of pride in his tone.

Meanwhile, Linda's search became increasingly frantic. "Where is the girl?" she demanded, her eyes darting around the room. The sheets were in disarray, and a small stain of blood on the fabric caught her attention, deepening her concern.

She spun around to face Wang Xiao, her expression one of urgency and accusation. "Where did the girl go?" Her voice was sharp, demanding an explanation.

Wang Xiao simply shook his head, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the three women in the room. "If it weren't for you guys barging in, maybe she wouldn't have run away," he replied coolly.

As he spoke, the cloth wrapped around his waist began to loosen. Without any sense of urgency or embarrassment, it slipped to the floor, leaving him exposed.

!!

The sudden revelation sparked a myriad of reactions among the women, but Wang Xiao, with an air of nonchalance, strode toward them. "Since she has escaped because of your actions, each of you shall bear the consequences! " he declared firmly.

Linda's mind echoed in shock. "What!?" she exclaimed, disbelief and anger intertwining in her voice. "What nonsense is this! I am the owner—ah!"

Her protest was cut short as Wang Xiao, with a swift motion, tossed her onto the bed.

Lian's face registered a mix of resignation and dismay, yet she silently accepted her fate. Aisha, on the other hand, remained utterly impassive, not showing the slightest inclination to resist.

Throughout the night, the bed groaned and creaked under their movements, echoing through the quiet room.

Finally, as dawn approached, Wang Xiao lay back, a satisfied smile on his face, having experienced the most unforgettable night in this foreign land.