**Roku. City of Kahal.**
That same day, at a small banquet hosted by the city governor, we learned that the Rhino Gang had been wreaking havoc here for a long time. However, due to their unpredictability and agility, no one had managed to catch them yet.
"But I think I know someone who can help you," he said thoughtfully. "If she's still in the city, of course," he muttered. "In the nearby provinces, there's a famous mercenary named June. She owns a rare shirshu, which helps her track down people, even if they're miles away. As long as there's a scent, she'll find them."
"I've heard of her," I said. "Quite a few people want to hire her permanently. I even caught a glimpse of her once, but I had other concerns back then."
"You can't buy her with gold," the mayor of Kahal said with a crooked smile, clearly knowing how much June left at the tavern each time. "For one serious job, she can earn almost a year's salary of a mid-level official, or even more. Besides, no matter the value of a person, the main criterion is their loyalty." He continued, "But June takes orders from the Fire Nation too." He shrugged. "Thanks to her ability to control such a rare creature, neither side bothers her much, recognizing her usefulness. Plus, with her reputation, she's never short on jobs, so she gets to choose which ones to take."
The shirshu itself is a unique creature, and there have never been many of them. Taming one is the next challenge—these animals are extremely difficult to train, requiring years of systematic instruction. You can only admire June's perseverance in this difficult task. Now, she's reaping the rewards of her labor, being the only mercenary with a trained shirshu.
"I've already sent people to find out where she is," he said, pouring jasmine tea for us. "You can leave your daughter here," he added quietly, noticing Toph's eyes drooping. It was late, after all. We'd spent several hours at the shelter earlier, and now it was already the twelfth hour.
"No, I'll come with you," Toph declared, shaking off her sleepiness and displaying her "energy," earning skeptical glances from us. "I've never been to a tavern, please?" she pleaded, pressing her palms together.
"Alright," Lao agreed easily. "You'll see everything yourself…" he said mysteriously. I hoped Toph wouldn't be too disappointed. Many people romanticize taverns, giving them an adventurous aura. But in reality, a tavern is just a place where all sorts of riffraff gorge on cheap booze, spending their last coins.
From the information we received, June was at a tavern called "Chasing Fortune," so we quickly gathered and headed there.
The closer we got to the building, the clearer we heard drunken shouts and other noise. Near the entrance, a shirshu was tied to a post, curiously turning its head and sniffing at passersby.
"Gotta pee, or I'll die," sang a man stumbling out of the tavern. His unsteady gait showed just how drunk he was. Unbuttoning his pants on the go, he scanned the area with a blurry gaze, looking for a spot to "mark his territory."
"It happens," I said philosophically, just as the shirshu's tongue shot out, paralyzing the man. Likely, in his state, he hadn't seen the creature and was ready to relieve himself right next to it—a mistake he'd pay for…
"Wow! Cool!" Toph's eyes lit up as we entered the tavern.
Some patrons were already arguing, while others snored sweetly at their tables. The largest crowd had gathered in the center of the hall, where encouraging shouts could be heard:
"You can do it, Lou!"
"I bet on you, don't lose!"
"Miss June, I'm with you!"
"Miss June, please show off your earthbending!" a burly man yelled excitedly. The room fell silent for a moment, and those closest to him cautiously moved away.
"Sorry, it just slipped out," he mumbled, scratching his bald head.
The atmosphere was new to Toph, so she looked around with genuine curiosity until she led us to the center of the action. Behind a heavy wooden table sat two people, facing each other. The first was a muscular guy with tanned skin and bulging muscles—he could easily compete in an earthbending tournament. On the other chair sat our target, June.
Her long black hair, well-applied makeup, and dark clothing gave her a gothic style that suited her well. Her natural beauty and charisma drew attention, and more than half the men were admiring the stunning mercenary rather than the contest itself.
June watched like a predator as her opponent futilely tried to overpower her seemingly fragile earthbending.
"If you don't try harder, all the coins will be mine," she taunted him.
On another table lay a small stack of coins, which some of the drinkers eyed greedily. But they wouldn't dare steal, knowing June's reputation—she'd find the thieves anyway.
"Yes!"
"Poor Lou…" some sighed, pitying June's opponent.
The mercenary, smiling at the corners of her mouth, swept the coins into her bag.
"Mercenary June?" we approached her.
"Yes, what do you want?" she didn't even look at us, continuing her business.
"We have a job for you, paying in gold," I said.
"Not interested. Come back when I've spent all this," she waved her hand dismissively.
Glancing back, I saw Lao and Toph shrug, as if to say, "We don't know, you handle it."
"Then let's make it more interesting," I said, sitting in the losing guy's spot. I tossed a heavy pouch of coins from my belt onto the table. "Better now," I smirked at June, who finally noticed me.
"Oh-ho, it's the champion of justice, Roku," she said with a hint of mockery. "And what are you proposing?" she showed interest.
"I'll double your previous winnings if you win this earthbending duel," I began, rolling up my sleeves. "If I win, you'll work with us. How about it?" I asked, already knowing the answer. After all, it involved her two favorite things: earthbending and gold.
"I'll take this just for your attempt," my pouch of coins vanished from the table. "And if you win, we'll discuss a new price for the job," she said uncompromisingly.
"No problem," I nodded calmly, not worried about the money. After all, my travels through the Earth Kingdom had amassed a fortune rivaling that of old aristocratic families.
"Show this painted lady her place!" Toph yelled excitedly, causing June's face to twitch with irritation.
"And the little one has a long tongue. Maybe it needs shortening," June glared at Toph, who met her gaze firmly and stuck out her tongue.
"Who are you betting on?"
"Roku, of course. It can't be any other way," the crowd began chatter, intrigued by the new spectacle.
"I'll count!" Toph volunteered. "On three: one… two…" she paused briefly. "Two!" I was ready to strain my body, realizing what Toph had said.
"Kick this girl out. Kids don't belong here," June said, her irritation clear. Even my eyelid twitched.
"You should see your faces," Toph laughed. "Just kidding!"
"Please forgive her," Lao pulled Toph close, though he couldn't hide his smile.
The real struggle began. June realized within the first second that she'd met a serious opponent this time. Adjusting her position for better stability, she focused on the match.
"Wow, she's strong," I thought, holding her earthbending in place. "Almost half my strength…" I'd undergone harsh training with Wan Shi Tong and opened several chakras.
"Strange, no chi blocking is being used here," I checked through our hands. It must be her physiological trait.
"Meet us at the city gates tomorrow," I said confidently, gently lowering her earthbending to the table.
"I told you!"
"Finally, a man won!" voices erupted as June stared at our hands in disbelief.
"Fine, you won," she sighed. "So, what's the job?" she quickly regained her composure, her gaze uncertain.
"We're hunting the Rhino Gang. They're somewhere in this province," I explained the mission. "With your trained shirshu, finding them won't be a problem."
"Alright," she said slowly, deep in thought. "Then tomorrow. Bring the same amount of coins, and I'm in."
"Deal!" I extended my hand.
"Deal," she said, gripping my hand firmly and not letting go.
At my raised eyebrow, she finally released her grip. What was that about?
"Deal's done. Let's go," I nodded to Lao and Toph.
"I expected nothing less," Toph punched me happily. I just smiled and patted her head.
"Hey, everyone! Drinks are on me today!" we heard June's voice as we left the tavern.
Near the shirshu lay two paralyzed bodies…
The next morning, we rose with the sun and prepared for the journey. The warriors checked their gear, and sleepy Toph yawned contagiously. Lao brought his personal guard, joined by some of General Zen's soldiers. Speed was crucial today, so everyone rode: Lao, like a king, skillfully handled a hunting eel, while the rest rode ostrich-horses.
"Stay behind me and don't engage in battle," I told the impatient Jet, who had somehow convinced Lun.
Once everyone was ready, we headed to the gates. There, we saw the silhouette of a beast and its rider. June, arms crossed, waited for us.
"Gold," she held out her hand, and a pouch of gold coins landed in it. "Without an object, we can't find the target. We need items."
"We don't have any, but we can visit the sites of their attacks," I suggested, having already located all the villages targeted by the gang.
"Your mounts won't keep up with Nayla," she patted the shirshu. "And I don't want to waste time. Someone ride with me to one site while the others investigate the rest. Bring any items you find. If there's nothing, Nayla and I will visit all the villages." That would indeed be faster.
"You," she pointed at me. "Climb on. You'll show the way."
"Alright," I said after glancing at Lao, who didn't object to the plan.
The saddle was spacious but not designed for two. As soon as I mounted the shirshu, my body pressed tightly against June's, though she didn't seem to mind—or maybe she was just pretending…
"Let's go," she shouted, cracking her whip in the air. Nayla obeyed instantly, picking up considerable speed.
I didn't act like a gentleman, wrapping my arms around her waist. Again, no reaction—instead, she adjusted herself on the saddle, her firm rear pressing against my crotch, occasionally rubbing against it.
Within ten seconds, my body reacted naturally—my member rose. I realized her clothing, though appearing thick and heavy, was actually quite thin, providing extra stimulation.
"What's she trying to achieve?" I wondered. "I know I'm 'irresistible,' but this doesn't fit her character."
As Nayla leaped over a small stream, we briefly left the saddle. But… we landed strangely, as if someone had arranged it. My member was wedged between June's thighs, insistently rubbing against her crotch, as if begging to remove the barriers. Any other man would've been in pain, her entire weight resting on my manhood.
Our breathing grew heavier. June still said nothing, but her actions spoke for themselves. She began to grind against me, accelerating with each thrust.
"Ha," a sweet moan escaped her lips, followed by equally erotic sounds. Within a minute, her body trembled as she reached orgasm. I continued riding with an erection…
"It's all Dria's fault," I thought. "Her divine holes, which literally suck you in, have raised my standards even higher. What's next?" I glanced at June, who acted as if nothing had happened.