uardian was clutching the mana core in his hands. His fingers trembled a little from excitement. He was currently holding a thing worth of a small fortune. There was no way he could have gotten his hands on such a prize alone. Working in a team proved to be extremely beneficial, he could take a foe stronger than him. Those mages did a good job to weaken the beast.

“What should I do with this? If I sold it, it would bring quite a bit of wealth, but…” He was speaking with himself out loud.

He looked at the core turning it around in his hands. “If I do not try it I will never know. Let’s risk it.” He put the core inside his mouth and chewed on it. It was still fresh and bloody; it did not have enough time to harden. The juices and spongy material filled his mouth and he swallowed it all.

The core reached his stomach, bit of it replenished his mana. That was not everything it did. He started to feel hot which was unusual. His whole body started to burn. By the time he reached his house, it was quite bad. His blood veins were expanded bulging out of his muscles. His heart was racing and his whole body pulsed in energy. He felt dizzy and wobbly. His vision was blurry and his senses confused.

He went inside the house looking for Aiu.

“Aiu where are you? I am not feeling so good.”

She popped her head from her workshop. “What happened? Are you okay? You are all covered in dirt and blood!”

“Ah, it is not mine. It is from the Herd …” He slumped to the ground.

“Are you okay? Speak with me!” Aiu panicked.

Aiu and the elves carefully dragged him to his bed. This was not an easy task and it took all three of them to do this. Then Aiu rushed to her workshop looking for potent healing salves and anything that could be any help. Meanwhile, Ana brought some water and Ell ran to the city to look for a healer.

Aiu handed the salves to Ana, she wanted to clean his body first. Dirt and dried blood stained his skin. She soaked the cloth and quickly rubbed the muck away. No wounds were revealed, whatever wounds he suffered were closed by now, only thin lines remaining in place of cuts.

“He does not look injured. Maybe poisoned then.” Aiu assumed.

Just to be safe she told Ana to rub his body in healing salve. The girl took out the antidote she brewed before and poured it into the Guardian’s throat. Ana had to lift his head so he does not choke.

“I can barely hold his head. He is so heavy.”

“Almost done.” Said Aiu while pouring the remainder of the antidote for common poisons.

“Will this work?”

“I do not know. If he is poisoned it is tricky. I would need to know what kind of poison it is to prepare a more suitable antidote. Hopefully, the healer will be here shortly to tell us more.”

Aiu touched Guardin’s forehead with hers. It was burning hot.

“He is definitely ill. It is so hot I can barely stand it.”

“It sounds like a fewer. If so, we need to cool him straight away. I will go get some cold water from the stream.”

By the time Ell came back with the healer, the women had Guardian cooled.

“Please, help us. We will pay whatever it costs.” Aiu asked the healer.

“Hmmm, do you have any idea what is wrong with him?”

“NO that is why we called you in the first place! It could be poisoning or some sort of rare illness. He has a high fever.”

“Hmm this will be hard, I have never treated his kind.” The healer touched Guardian’s chest. “Usually, fever is a good thing, as it helps the body to fight the illness. But this is definitely too much. You did well in cooling him.”

“So what should we do next?”

“Let me see. I need to run a few tests.” He took out a thin-bladed dagger. “Do not be alarmed this is necessary”.

The healer stabbed the dagger into Guardian’s arm. He struggled to pierce the skin and had to apply more force than normal. He took some blood directly from the vein and poured it into the strange vial with some sort of substance. He swirled the contents a couple of times and inspected the reaction.

“Hmmm, this is definitely very interesting. There is no poison in his blood but something is happening for sure. What is it, I can not tell. I have never seen such a reaction.”

“So it is not a poison, good. But what is wrong with him?”

“It is hard to tell. Do you know how he felt or looked before all of this happened.”

Aiu told that he was fine in the morning and then he suddenly slumped without a warning after his battle with the monster he was meant to slay.

“That might explain it. Fighting magical monster carry various risks. He might have contracted some sort of disease, got overexerted or… or it could be a magical curse.”

“Magic curse?”

“Yes, but it is very unlikely as such situations are extremely rare. My best advice is to keep him cool and comfortable. Also, if he does not regain his consciousness, give him plenty of water and liquid food. Stamina potions might help as well. Anyways, there is little I can do. Take this recipe, you are a herbalist so you should be able to prepare it yourself, yes?”

Aiu looked at the recipe. It had pictures of plants and a picture instruction she could use to make it. Also, it had numbers, as well as the actual written recipe. The pictures were for the vast majority who could not read.

“Yes, I can read this. Looks easy to make and I have all the ingredients already.”

“Good, you won’t need to purchase it from an apothecary. This will save you money and time.”

“Thank you for this.”

“No problem. It is a common recipe to strengthen the ill body. However, no guarantees it will work on his kind. Give him 4 portions in the evening and in the morning. No, make it 5 as he is a big person. As for my pay, that will be 1 gold. If the situation gets worse do not hesitate to contact me again.”

“Of course.”

Ell escorted the healer back to the city while Aiu rushed to make the concoction.

…

The guardian stayed unconscious for the next day. Aiu followed the instructions and tried to keep his body temperature normal. This proved to be quite a challenge as he was literally steaming up. His skin was unpleasantly hot. She would pour cold water on his chest and after a while it would turn to visible vapour and dry off.

Aiu and Ana took turns to cool him and by the night his temperature seemed to stabilise. Aiu laid to sleep on his chests hoping that she will be awoken if he gets worse again.

Eventually, the morning came and the Guardian opened his eyes.

“Aiu what are you doing on top of me?” He said while nudging her.

She raised her head and rubbed her eyes in disbelief. Still thinking that she is dreaming.

“I am not a bed you know. Get to your spot and sleep there. I will go get some food. I am starving.”

The tears started to stream from Aiu’s eyes.

“What is this? I merely told you to get off me. I need to stand.” He said somewhat confused.

“You are okay. I am so happy.”

“What? Why?”

“You were terribly sick! I thought you were dying.”

“Hmmm…”

“Then you came back you passed out and were unconscious for the whole day.”

“I do not remember what happened after I came home. You must be right. I do not know what happened but, I feel fine now. Just terribly hungry.”

“Do not stand yet, you might be still sick.”

He raised Aiu and put her on the side.

“I am fine.” He ignored her protest and went outside to loot the smokehouse for a quick fix of food.

He quickly ate his fill and once he sated his hunger he thought about how he feels and what might have happened. Aiu was bothering him the entire time he ate.

“For the tenth time, I do not feel sick. This might be something like a food poisoning. I ate a monster core on the way back home.”

“I doubt it was because of it. We had a healer inspecting you for a poison and he could not find any.”

“Calling the healer was completely unnecessary. I feel perfectly normal. No, now I feel even better than usual.”

“This might be because of the medicine, and our efforts, you know!”

He somehow doubted that. He believed that the culprit of his previous debilitating condition was indeed a monster core. Whatever it did, it made his body to adapt to it, which is why he might have had that reaction. Currently, he felt stronger than before and his mana reserves definitely improved.

“You might be right Aiu. Thank you. I am all healthy now, believe me.” He gave up on arguing.

After thinking some more he decided that Aiu was wrong and had little to do with his recovery. His body probably tried to absorb the steam magic skill from the monster. This was not the first time he had obtained magic skills from eating monster cores. However, his body clearly rejected that particular skill as he was incompatible with it. Shooting steam clouds from his body were not possible, he would need to grow body parts for that. Something currently impossible. His body tried regardless, burned itself up and failed in the process. That is why he was getting excessively hot.

He must have gotten something from the core anyway. He just did not know what yet. The guardian decided to head into the city and try to research more about the Herd Eater he slew, this might give some insight.

He went to the small building, it was an archive and the library. It was a small building and had a limited amount of knowledge. Also, it was not free to use and he would not be able to take any books home.

He paid a hefty 12 silver browsing fee and started his search. The whole thing turned out to be extremely disappointing. Firstly, many of the bookshelves were packed to close to each other for him to fit in. He had to pay a librarian’s assistant to help in his search. Secondly, the whole archive-cum-library was poorly organised, even the librarian did not have the complete list and location of the books. Assistant had to look pretty much blindly.

Later he found out that the most precious books and scrolls were locked in the basement and without the direct permission from the nobility he has no access to it.

He could not find what he was looking for. Instead, he went to look for Lucas, the man seemed to know his monsters.

He found him in the city hall office and Lucas agreed to help him in the evening when he finishes his work, provided that he will take him to a tavern and pay for his drinks and a meal.

In order not to waste time, Guardian walked around town visiting various craftsmen and guilds; gathering information. The prospect of getting stronger by slaying powerful monsters appealed to him. Normally he would get his mana replenished and a small boost from small mana cores he has got his hands on. This was the first time he ate such a big core and he craved for more.

Finally, in the evening he met up with Lucas and they headed to the tavern. The two had a friendly conversation lasting for a good half an hour.

“Well, I told you everything I know. If you want to know more you should head to the Coast Town, they have a mages guild here. You could try bribing the mage to disclose more.”

Lucas told about his knowledge of various monster who terrorised the town and nearby villages but his knowledge was limited. He did not know where to look for the bigger monsters as he would just defend from one once it attacked the people. Guardian was able to get some knowledge and insight about local big threats. If he wanted to know more, how to hunt and prepare to kill one, he had to go to Coastal Town. They have underestimated the Herd Eater and he did not want to repeat the same mistake. He also needed the location of territories where such monsters had been seen.

“Thank you, Lucas. I know what I must do.” He left a small sum of coin for the drinks on the table and stood to leave.

“So will you become some sort of Monster Hunter?”

“I am thinking of something like that.”

“You are an odd person. I know you will do a good job. The mages did not hesitate to praise your skill in the last hunt. But who will look after your shop then?”

“I will leave it to my apprentice.”

“That little girl? A kid?” Lucas said in disbelief.

“She is more capable than you think. Also, she is a woman, just short in stature.” Apparently, It was not just him who was unable to judge the age correctly. And he thought humans could do that, at least when it was about their own kind.

“You know what you are doing.”

The guardian nodded and left Lucas in the tavern to enjoy his third round of drinks.

It was late and Guardian headed back home thinking about the tomorrow. He will have a busy day, he needs to prepare for the long journey.

Once at home he was met by Aiu.

“Any luck in finding what you have been looking for?”

“Yes and no.”

“…” Aiu waited for him to continue.

“To get what I want I will have to travel to the Coastal City.”

“When are we leaving?”

“Tomorrow and I will be travelling alone. I need you here.”

“This is so sudden!”

“You will be all right. Ell and Ana will help you.”

“It is not about that. I will miss you.” Aiu hugged him and did not want to let him go.

He proceeded to walk to the bedroom while Aiu was dangling on a side of his body, refusing to let go.

“Still not letting me go?” He said whilst laying down in his bed.

“Never!”

“Why is that?”

“It is because I … I love you. Here I said it.”

She has never said these words to him even though she felt like that for quite a while. She felt relieved by expressing her feelings

“I am unsure what it means, but thank you, Aiu!”

He was leaving her. Aiu willed herself to be brave so that she has no regrets later.

Spoiler: Spoiler

“I will show you what it means.” She climbed on top of his chest and pressed her lips to his.

This took him by surprise and as soon as the mischievous girl moved her head away he spoke.

“Was that a kiss?”

“Yes. A very special kiss. This was my first kiss.” Aiu was beginning to blush.

“I have never kissed before either.” For him it felt weird. He did not understand the purpose of it, but it did not feel unpleasant. He was curious felt about it. “Did you like it? The kiss?”

“Yes. It was amazing, I still feel excited and my heart is beating.” She put her hand to her chest.

“I see.” He could not say he felt the same. However, if the young woman liked it he could use it as a motivation for the next time. It was fairly easy and low-effort reward he could use to make her work even harder.

Aiu was gazing at his eyes and lips longingly. He did not say a thing just watched the young woman. She leaned closer and kissed him again and again. Her small lips unable to cower his.

“I want to do something before you leave.”

“What is it?” he has already guessed that she will want to do something indecent and he was ready to comply. He knew that he has to keep her pleased, and loyal to his cause, while he will be away.

Instead of replying Aiu took off her robe. She had nothing under it. He looked at Aiu from top to bottom unsure if she wanted to show him something.

“I do not have much. I don’t even know if you like it. But this will have to do.”

He wanted to ask what she was talking about but decided against it, letting it unravel naturally.

Aiu pressed her whole body against his chest and slowly descended while making small kisses as she went down. He could not feel them as they were too gentle. Aiu’s hands brushed past his chest, her fingers groped his muscles.

The woman pushed herself lower and lower. Guardian was observing where this is going patiently. he looked and her actions in slight confusion; this was all new to him. Due to his efforts to pay careful attention to what she was doing, Aiu noticed his attentive gaze. Her cheeks were coloured in pink and she slid down brushing her modest chest down his body. Her tiny nipples were erect.

She slid in between his massive thighs. Her hands hovered above the side clip of his loincloth, the only piece of clothing he would ever wear.

“It seems this was not enough. I need to try harder.” Aiu said quietly as if talking with herself.

“I always say you need to work harder.” He said it as a matter of fact.

Aiu took that as a word of encouragement. She grabbed at the clip and uncoupled it, taking the loincloth off.

“Why? Do you want to see it?”

“I do. It is so big!” She touched his member with her palm.

“What are you trying to do Aiu? I am confused.” He expressed his cluelessness.

“I want to make you feel good. I have seen it done but… the proportions were different.” She remembered the elves and some dirty stories she has heard. The inexperience was making Aiu lose her confidence.

“I feel good when I see your hard efforts.”

“I want to make you feel good like a lover would. I want to massage it, it is fine, is it not?” She did not intend to ask for permission, but her hesitation got her.

“I guess.”

She grasped his limp member in her hands and started to move her hands up and down. Even then it was limp she had to use both of her palms to fully grasp it. She pushed herself closer to it and pressed his manhood onto her chest while she rubbed the rest of it with her hands.

“This is kind of rough, Aiu.”

“Ah, you are right. Sorry!” She planned to put it in her mouth like Ana did to Ell but seeing his thing up close she knew that she had no chance in fitting it in. No chance at all.

She quickly scampered to her discarded tunic and took a flask of herbal oil. She poured it on her chest and hands. The faint aroma of forest filled the room. Aiu pushed her knees in between his legs and tried rubbing his shlong again. It slid a lot easier, but it still did not get erect. She tried to work it harder moving her whole body, she pressed it on her flat chest.

“It is better, is it not? How big does it actually get?”

“Is it what you are trying to do?”

“Obviously. I want you to come. Like I do then you are massaging me in-between my legs.”

“You are naughty! I am not sure I am comfortable with that.” He did not even masturbate let alone had anyone see him aroused. He couldn’t actually remember being aroused at all.

“I am not giving up. You have to come. Tell me what to do.” She was too invested. Also, she was already too horny, hot blood clouded her mind.

There was no good reason to protest. He knew that the young woman would not let it go. Sometimes she was too hard working, this was the first time it backfired. The guardian tried to relax and give himself into the sensation of a warm body and slick hands touching him.

It took some time but it worked. Blood flowed into his nether regions and his private started to swell in size. It got bigger and longer, hard veins crawled across it like wines. The whole thing seemed to pulse with energy with each throb of his heart.

This has surprised Aiu. It was longer and much harder than she initially thought. She did not understand how such a soft thing could turn so hard. Also, the size was beyond anything a human or a beastman would have.

“I did it!” She praised herself in glee literally hugging his hard staff.

She kept rubbing her chest against his shaft. It was quite exhausting and she was getting tired, the exercise was taking quite a while. She did not want to give in and kept going, her only regret was that she did not take some stamina potions beforehand.

She rubbed herself against it rhythmically, already as fast as she could. His penis tensed even more and seemed to throb in anticipation and then he came.

“Ahhh…” Aiu screamed in surprise as he shot his load directly to her face.

When it slammed into her face Aiu’s head recoiled back from the impact. Yet it was not over and another two squirts followed, cowering her chest and stomach in quick succession. The amount of blue thick liquid was ungodly. Aiu’s eyes, nose and mouth were all covered in it. She spat some of it out as she tried to breathe.

“Ehhh… help me!” She cried out trying to get it off her eyes. “It tastes so odd and bitter.”

He stood and found a cloth to clean her face.

“It is blue!?”

“Yes. Is it unusual?”

“I don’t know. I think it is usually white.” She scooped his cum from her chest and inspected it more closely.

“So thick.” She put some of it in her mouth tasting it again.

“Aiu you are strange.”

“I know. Did you like my massage?”

“It felt good” he was not lying, he never felt such sensation before. He somewhat understood why Aiu kept asking him for the naughty massages.

“Excellent. I liked it too. You can go to sleep, I will join you once I clean myself.”

She ran off to her workshop where she had some clean water. However getting the body clean was not her main priority as her mind felt extremely dirty. She was aroused and wanted to finish herself alone. Alone, because she wanted to try something. She took some of his thick liquid and tried to push it inside her hole whilst stimulating herself.

She did not know exactly what was needed to get pregnant but she had a rough idea. She also knew that no children are born in between different races yet she still tried. One could only hope.

It took mere minutes for her to straighten her curled thoughts and she joined him in his bed for the rest of the night. She hugged his thick arm not wanting to let it go. Aiu was unhappy that he won’t be able to stay by his side while he was adventuring.