First Empathy (4)
Riding Baetegi—no, better call it mounting. Anyway, the ride felt exactly like a roller coaster.
It wasn't just fast; it bounded over mountains, hills, and cliffs without pause, making it impossible to keep my back straight.
I ended up throwing my whole body flat against her belly, just like hurling myself onto the ground.
Baetegi was as smart as any human, so no directions were needed, and with her keen sense of smell, she kept running even after sunset without a break.
I asked if she didn't need to rest after going so hard, but she just kept on as if it was fine.
It wasn't until deep into the night that Baetegi finally stopped.
"Ugh... huh? What? We there already?"
I'd dozed off without realizing it. How the hell did I manage to sleep through that wild gallop?
I'd nodded off while walking before, but dozing on a wolf's back? Who knew.
It was a short nap, but refreshing. Just to be sure, I pulled up my Status Window.
Status Window
MP: 50% (Slightly recovered)
Mana had ticked up a bit—about half full.
Good for roughly one minute of use.
Climbing down from Baetegi, I scanned the surroundings. Far off, an abandoned outpost came into view.
Kerry had mentioned these outposts dotted around. The enemy unit seemed to use them as bases for resting and relocating.
Smart for avoiding monsters and beasts, or preparing for ambushes.
That said, now that we're here, it'd be nice if Baetegi could help a little more...
"Grrrm..." I grumbled, stroking her tail.
"Something scary over there?"
She tilted her head. Ambiguous, huh?
Wolves might have their own rules, or maybe something she didn't want to approach. Could be a foul smell like mosquito repellent, or some fantastical barrier—reasons I couldn't guess.
Anyway, Baetegi clearly wanted to back off quick.
Fair enough. Pushing her further would be too much.
She's a mother raising pups. Can't drag danger back home, and if something happened to her, the kids would suffer.
"Can't be helped. Thanks for bringing me this far. Heading home now?"
She nodded.
I gave her one last hug and pat. No words, but it felt like she was whispering for me to be careful.
"Thanks. Next time, I'll come with feed."
Baetegi glanced back wistfully, then vanished into the distant woods at full speed.
I watched her go, then slipped into the underbrush and shadows, creeping toward the abandoned outpost.
I'd thought goblins and orcs had great night vision, but apparently not—my prejudice. Otherwise, watch fires would burn at every outpost.
Those torches gave it away from afar: enemies inside.
Makes sense—the ambushers have to be more at home in the dark than the defenders. They'd lurk or wait in shadows.
Right now, I'm the one more comfortable in the dark than them.
Inside, rowdy movement—patrols or just partying, hard to tell.
Occasional shouts of "Mine!" or "I won!" suggested gambling over spoils. No different from Prosek soldiers.
Like a delivery bike roaring at night, their yells carried loud and clear.
Sigh. Rough count: at least dozens, maybe over a hundred holed up there.
Handling them all in one minute of stopped time? Tough. Magic sword's in bad shape, spear alone won't cut it.
Even sprinting breathlessly, stabbing away—impossible.
No bullet time? Then stealth action it is. Rescue Orio with minimal kills.
Stashed my pack nearby, grabbed sword, spear, and dagger for self-defense—just in case.
Entry roads flanked by spaced torches. Cross between 'em, and the watchtower spots you instantly.
Primitive laser grid vibes.
Pointless against me, of course.
Two main buildings: barracks for troops, and command post/armory/office. Military HQ equivalent.
Not big, simple design. Circular grounds: barracks one end, two-story HQ opposite.
Hostage obviously in the HQ. Guards only at the warehouse behind it.
Explains the noise: most sprawled on the ground, no tents, sleeping or goofing off.
Small outpost for 30-40 crammed with extras. Feels like a forward grenade itch.
Warehouse orc guard dozed by the door, barely blocking it.
Hostage can't escape, huh? Makes sense—not a warrior, just an frail old woman.
I hunkered in dark bushes overlooking the warehouse. Proper outpost? Cleared sightlines. Abandoned? Hiding spots galore.
Over an hour prone—no one spotted me.
Checked for hidden eyes, confirmed Orio inside, no shifts.
"Sniff sniff! Ya smell human? Sniff... Makin' me pissed. Grr."
"Kah, that human bitch piss herself again? Toss her in water tomorrow mornin'."
"Tomorrow, strip her bare an' tie in the bucket."
"Yeah grr, an' split her clothes. Fancy stuff."
"Kyaa, gotta keep clothes on for spoils. Strip her, who's to say noble or beggar?"
"Grr, true?"
When orcs and goblins nearby yapped about human scent, my gut shrank.
Lucky—no detection. Their glances at warehouse confirmed spot-on. No shifts either.
Long march to Demon King's lands tires them. No booze or meat for all-nighter party.
As time passed, they dropped off one by one. Most asleep except sentries.
Time to start the rescue?
Crept warehouse-close, triggered Happy Moment. Sleeping orc at door first.
Muzzled his mouth, pinned body, drove dagger into lungs. Resumed time.
"Gurk!? Hack! Hack!! Guuaaargh!!!!"
Bit of struggle, but he choked out sitting up, no scream.
Used about a third of remaining mana.
No reactions yet.
Propped corpse upright, quietly unlatched, grabbed nearby torch, entered warehouse.
Torchlight revealed Orio in corner.
Gagged, limbs bound, dumped like luggage. Asleep or passed out—silent.
No need for guards, yeah.
Beside her: large travel-bag-sized chest.
Huh, new chest. Looks valuable inside.
Gamer instinct kicked in—ignored Orio, opened chest first.
Tension aside, grabbing loot before escort quest? International rule.
Who knows? Powerful magic weapon maybe...
Clunk.
A head.
Demon head.
Katona's. Ugly mug after so long.
Valuable spoil—this mess started over it. Keep it.
Whoa!? What!?
Grabbing Katona's head triggered "Under Surveillance" in my Status Window—buff or debuff?
Under Surveillance
(Unknown origin — Active)
Spotted!?
Let go—vanished. Listened: no outside reaction.
Creepy. Better drop Katona's head.
"Mmmph..."
Orio stirred at light and presence.
Right—rescue the hostage. Forgot the point.
"!?"
Orio startled seeing me.
Fair. Rescuer's the guy who stole her glory, insulted her openly before her daughter.
Hard to trust that man showing up.
Katona's head? Guilt galore.
Hence the fear-mixed shock, wriggling to corner like cornered rat.
Mouth moved, but gag muffled.
I spoke softly.
"Lady Orio, I'm here to rescue you. Follow my instructions quietly."
Removed gag, drew sword to cut ropes.
"Eek!! It's you! You bastard!! Your trap all along!!"
Huh? Didn't I just say rescue?
"No knights from Darania, no Prosek soldiers—just you here?
You ambushed me with these monsters!!"
Fuck. Sounds plausible.
Can't explain solo arrival myself.
"Vile traitor!
Your presence here proves it!!"
"Lady..."
"Keep those filthy hands off!!
You lech after my precious daughter, now me too?! Revenge for humiliation?!
Kill me!! Right now!!"
"..."
Absurdity froze my brain.
How to fix this?
"Why! Plot exposed, cat got your tongue?
Suspicious! Others might buy your bullshit, but you catching Katona...?"
BAM!!!! BAM!!! BAM!!!
"Kyaaa!!! Intruder!!! Warehouse breach!!"
"Alert!! Alert!!"
"Graaa!! Weapons up!!!"
Fuck...
Her full-throttle brain-fanfic surround-sound distracted me completely from surroundings.
I'm gonna lose it.