The Lust Lord Librarian

Penelope’s awakening wasn’t anything like Juliette’s. There wasn’t a grand spectacle, where her body started glowing. It was not a beautiful thing, that earned her the attention of all the elderly in a library.

Instead, it was like a contract made with a higher being.

She did not intend for this contract to lead to her awakening. All she had done was make a statement in her mind to The Mother, that she was willing to do whatever was necessary to clear her conscience about her past. Whatever was needed for this guilt to be removed, and her wrongdoings to be forgiven, she was willing.

When spreading that message to the young prostitute in the alleyway, Penelope awakened.

Pain shot through her body. Constant pain, as though she was being bathed in thorns and needles. It was not unbearable pain, but rather a severe irritation that would never end.

Penelope’s first reaction was a wince. However, when the strange words telling her what class she had awakened appeared in her mind, she immediately accepted her fate and smiled.

"The Penitent."

The woman’s voice was soft.

Adal looked at her strangely. The woman’s reaction had not told him that she had awakened, so from his perspective, it was just as though she had jolted slightly, then returned to normal.

The only reason he decided to check her system, was because of the words she had said earlier, and the smile that spread across her face despite having just witnessed death.

[Penelope May]

[Level: 1]

[Class: Penitent]

[Fighter Style: None]

[Class Skills: Redemptive Pain]

[Fighter Skills: None]

[Magical Possessions: None]

...

Adal looked at the woman wide-eyed. In truth, he had a suspicion that she would someday awaken. After all, The Mother was known for giving her believers what they wanted.

However, he hadn’t expected it to happen so soon.

"You have awakened." He pointed out immediately.

Penelope looked at him with surprise.

"H-how did you know?" She asked, before shaking her head free. "Never mind. I should stop underestimating you."

Adal nodded his head in agreement. He wished to talk further with her about it, but not in the presence of the prostitute.

He suggested that they leave, but Penelope looked hesitant at first. She seemed to want to spend more time with the young prostitute and help her change her life.

However, it didn’t take long for the young lady to run away. She wasn’t interested in hearing Penelope’s words and believed that for her, there truly was no road to redemption.

With that, Penelope sighed sadly, and the pair continued their journey towards the city’s dungeons.

On the way, Adal learned more about Penelope’s class through questions, and by using his smartphone.

The Penitent class was exactly what it seemed. In exchange for receiving punishment, the Penitent could become stronger.

Her first skill, Redemptive Pain, was like a switch that could be flipped on or off. Whilst on, the bearer would feel constant pain in exchange for a boost in clarity and intelligence. Their mind would become calmer and sharper, allowing them to make better decisions.

It was not a combat skill, as being only Level 1, Penelope did not yet have access to a fighter style. Adal assumed that once she had, the Penitent could become very strong, though he knew not how risky the punishments could potentially become.

When asking Penelope how she felt about her awakening, the woman seemed calm and ecstatic. Adal guessed that it was because at that moment, she was using her skill, which allowed her mind to be cleared and better feel the gratitude that she had for her awakening.

Her jealousy from before had been wiped away, and in its place was a pure devotion to face what she needed to face, in order to redeem herself.

Adal smiled as he looked at the beautiful green-haired woman at his side.

Penelope, you really have turned your life around.

And although he would not admit it, it was all thanks to him.

~~~

An hour later, they arrived at the city dungeons. It was a tall stone tower near the centre of the city.

Usually, it had a group of the King’s Guards outside, surrounding the perimeter in case prisoners tried to escape. Now, Adal noticed that the guards looked different.

Instead of wearing the steel armour that was common for Fairwhite City guards, these guards were dressed in brown robes with golden shoulder pads and helmets. On the chests of the robes was the symbol of a sun.

Most importantly, their ears were pointed, and their skin was bronze from their time spent in the sun.

The Sun Elves had completely claimed the territory.

Penelope hesitated in her step as they approached, she was calmed down by Adal’s hand on her shoulder.

"Don’t worry. An ally is amongst them."

...

Penelope did not know what he meant, but when they got closer, they noticed there was a woman at the centre of the guards who looked different from the rest.

She was a small, beautiful sun elf woman. She did not wear the same garments as the guards, but rather black assassin’s robes with no metal to protect her body.

Despite being smaller than everyone surrounding her, she carried herself with authority and seemed to be the strongest of the bunch. When she spoke to the guards, they became more timid and stood up taller to show her their fullest attention.

And yet, when the woman turned and laid eyes on Adal, that all changed.

In just a moment, her powerful presence seemed to be stripped from her. The surrounding guards looked at her with confusion as her eyes suddenly softened, and she began to approach the tall, blonde-haired human.

Adal smiled as he met Nimrodel and stood over her. He looked down at her and decided that he would immediately assert himself.

It was a risk, but he knew it would pay off.

"Kiss me." He ordered.

His words made everyone around them freeze.