Chapter 296

Natalie felt nothing as she transitioned from the proper City of Eros into their instanced assignment. There had been a conversation behind her from two delvers idling in the Arena reception area, and their voices abruptly cut off. The heavy iron gate blocking the path shuddered, then lifted, disappearing into the stone ceiling.

They strode into the Arena. It was a circular space with firmly packed, tough dirt. Rocks and debris crunched underfoot as they walked. Above, the twilight sky of the dungeon floor sparkled. Despite teleporting into some ‘custom instance’ of the Arena, it still seemed like they were in the middle of the City of Eros. She could see tall buildings peeking over the walls of the Arena.

There were no features of interest. No stands of spectators as might normally be found in an arena. Just walls and a dirt floor, along with the arched doorways that led in and out. On the opposite side was another gate where presumably their opponents would enter. The gates behind them shuddered and closed, sealing them in.

Ahead, three stone pillars rose out of the ground. Natalie eyed them warily, having summoned her weapon in preparation for a fight. Atop each squat pillar was a tablet of lighter-colored stone with text carved onto each. And not just text, but images too. Lewd images. Much like the Tokens of Eros.

Their three choices of stakes.

With some concern—and, admittedly, interest—she approached the pillars to peer at the tablets.

The first held an engraved image of a nude woman, a minimalist illustration completed in as few lines as possible. Beneath the image read the text: Nudity. Both participants will remove all clothing and present their bodies to one another.

“That’s it?” Vanetta blurted out. “Just get naked?”

Natalie was similarly surprised, but after a second’s thought, it made sense.

“This one has a single heart,” she said, pointing to the bottom of the tablet, where said symbol was engraved. “It’s one of the easiest stakes possible.” Ones that even reserved people would consider with how incredible the rewards were. Her eyes flicked to the other tablets. They had two and three hearts, respectively. “The others won’t be as ... uh, simple.” Simple might not be the right word, but she hadn’t wanted to say ‘perverted.’

To plenty of people, even getting naked was objectionable, perhaps enough so they would refuse. And the City was structured to accommodate all sorts.

The second stone tablet held an illustration of a pair of lips. Kisses, the stake read. Both participants will strip naked and share a passionate kiss. Additionally, each must place a kiss between their partner’s legs.

Natalie flushed. It was hardly the lewdest thing that had been asked of her in the dungeon, but with Vanetta? Kissing her between the legs? That would be ... uh, interesting.

The dark-haired rogue had twice the reaction, at least by the color of her face. Her expression, though, she kept perfectly composed, even if her cheeks belied how flustered she’d grown.

“I see,” Vanetta said, her voice level. She offered no further commentary.

Natalie herself wasn’t sure what she thought of it. Honestly, it wasn’t that bad, even if done strictly out of a utilitarian purpose. The ‘passionate kiss’ would just be a kiss; even Vanetta would probably cede that to earn Empowered Tokens. The one lower down broke propriety far more, but even then ... a quick kiss? The tablet made no requirements for any length of contact, or amount of passion. And sure, even placing a quick kiss on Vanetta’s pussy—or receiving one—had her stomach squirming. But by the standards of what Natalie had expected going in? Hardly the craziest task.

Her eyes turned to the third of the tablets. Completing the pattern, this one was a three-heart rating, the lewdness increasing from left to right.

This one had an image of two somethings that took her a second to recognize. A cylindrical, hollow object—a pocket pussy—along with its counterpart, a dildo.

Use Toy. One participant will pleasure the other to completion using a provided aid.

Natalie couldn’t help it. She snorted. ‘A provided aid’? The descriptions were so circumspect. Not that she’d have preferred if it were overly crude, like one participant will fuck the other with a toy until they cum, but that would’ve been honest at least. Though she’d probably have laughed at that too. It was all just so absurd.

Vanetta, by her expression, didn’t find it amusing. But at least she didn’t seem to find it objectionable. There wasn’t disgust on her face. Clearly she was struggling to come to terms with the situation, though. She wasn’t an old-hand to the ridiculousness that came with Natalie’s class.

Natalie sobered up. “Well?” she asked Vanetta. “Those are our choices. What do you think?”