Chapter 124
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: D-rank Adventurer Kim Katt
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While accepting the quest, I requested they arrange for an F-rank adventurer to serve as a porter. I also passed on the message that I'd be back tomorrow morning, so as long as they arrived by then, it would be fine.
That meant I now had to recruit party members on my own. I already had Claudy with me, so maybe I'd aim for just two or three more. The thought of working with decent D-rank folks already had me buzzing with excitement.
"Claudy, I got the quest. It's a request to exterminate hobgoblins that have taken over an abandoned mining village a bit out of the way."
"Exterminate, huh? I've never seen hobgoblins before, so I'm looking forward to it. They don't seem that strong, but seeing something new is always a good feeling."
"Right? Anyway, first we need to gather some party members..."
"Don't you have friends?"
"Kobson and Meria?"
"Yeah. Were those their names?"
Kobson and Meria... Even though it's a D-rank request, bringing along my E-rank friends might be a stretch. Sure, there's a bit of a skill gap (mostly because I'm ridiculously strong), but wouldn't it be better to go with trustworthy buddies?
Should I just camp out at the guild and pick people myself? Or delegate it to them and ask for two D-ranks? It was my first time dealing with this, so I was torn.
Truth be told, even if I wanted to call Kobson, I had no idea where he lived. The only times I ran into that guy were chance encounters at the guild.
"Claudy. Looks like I'll have to hole up at the guild today and recruit party members. Since they're D-rank caliber, I need to pick proper people to be my comrades."
"Hmm, really? Sounds kinda boring."
Claudy was the active type and didn't like sitting around waiting.
"Sorry. No way around it."
"It's fine. As long as I'm with you. Should I wait over there at that table in the corner?"
She pointed to a table in the guild's corner. Sitting there, sipping drinks, killing time with some people-watching... No.
"Still, I feel bad making you wait too. Want to go shopping? I'll head straight back to the inn once I find people."
"Shopping?"
"Yeah. You like buying stuff, right?"
"W-Well, maybe?"
Color bloomed on Claudy's face.
Seeing her happy made me feel good too.
Even if she always went along with what I wanted, she had her own desires.
"Go on. I'd love to join you, but let's save that for next time. Gotta recruit today."
"Yeah, definitely. Next time together, then?"
"Absolutely."
Grinning happily, Claudy grabbed both my hands and kissed me. Not a lust-fueled peck, but one full of affection... Perfect. After a few kisses, she held my hand and said,
"See you at the inn, Katt. No funny business?"
"What funny business would I get up to?"
"No singing anywhere and everywhere. I'm off, then."
"Can't promise that."
Did she have more to say? She looked at me with a sly smile, then leaned in close. I thought another kiss, but she whispered in my ear.
"...You can look forward to it?"
"L-Look forward to what?"
"Hehe. Secret."
She let go, winked, and turned away.
...She's probably off to buy more of those lewd panties!
Damn! Now I'm excited for tonight!
Anyway, after sending Claudy off, I found a spot and sat down.
Recruiting people was trickier than expected. For an E-rank quest, I'd just grab anyone in decent gear and ask—they'd be E-rank anyway. Ratty clothes? F-rank.
Or approach familiar faces.
Living here, I'd seen plenty of regulars coming and going from the guild. But that worked for E-ranks. Pinpointing D-ranks was tough for a newbie like me.
What to do... Bet on Kobson showing up? Or shout out that I'm looking for D-rank quest partners? Deep in thought, I ordered a beer and took a sip.
Gulp, gulp.
Now I got why Kobson always went straight for beer at the guild. Slouched in my chair, I scanned the adventurers coming and going.
That's when it happened.
"Huh?"
A familiar silhouette entered from the back of the guild.
Familiar meaning someone I'd seen so much it was etched in my brain, or a close acquaintance. Who was it? I took a closer look.
Short stature.
A mage,
holding a staff with a looped end.
Cold sweat started pouring.
I didn't want to describe any further.
Under the wide-brimmed pointed hat, pink hair peeked out.
My gaze dropped lower. Ah, aaaah!! AAAAAA!!!!!!
Even from afar, those overwhelmingly massive, bursting breasts!
"Eek!"
I clamped my mouth shut to stifle the scream. I whipped around and ducked my head... It was Winia! No one else in this world had that height, hair, and chest!
Winia!
Why the hell was that bitch here!
Where's Claudy?!
Stupid me had sent her away myself!
My whole body trembled.
Without Claudy, I was just a kebab stick man.
After that night we'd shared flesh, I'd shaken off a lot of my negative feelings toward Winia. But my heart wasn't fully settled. How could emotions between people just neatly sort themselves out?
I hated her, pitied her. Couldn't forgive her, yet had forgiven her. A jumble I couldn't define.
Memories of her assaulting me flooded back.
Along with her crying that she liked me, the feel of her insides.
Two opposing emotions clashed... Ahh, I was a girl. Kim Katt was a girl! A delicate, sensitive soul, tossing and turning over confusing feelings—Princess Girl Kim Katt!!!!
I felt like I was losing my mind.
No idea what face to make for Winia.
...Did I even need to look? Just pretend not to notice and let her pass? Turning around terrified me. But why was she here anyway?
'See you later, blackie.'
She'd said that when we parted.
I figured it was just parting words before leaving forever, but was she serious?
I swallowed hard and glanced back. Had to time it to hide or slip out. Head down like this, odds of being spotted were low.
"...Whew."
Slightly.
I turned my head just a peek.
"Blackie."
"Kyaaak!"
Her voice in my ear startled me; I sprang up like a spring. Winia was right behind me. Pink hair, short, huge breasts— that vicious girl.
She looked down at me sprawled on the floor from the shock.
"..."
"..."
We locked eyes in that state for a while. Her expression was unreadable. Mine probably too. In the long silence, I dusted myself off and stood.
"...Winia."
I murmured her name softly.
"Long time no see, blackie?"
She smiled as she said it. A familiar smile, familiar face, but today it felt different. Not the venomous grin from when she abused me, but... what was it...
"...Yeah. Long time."
I replied.
Looking up at me, her massive cleavage was blatantly visible; awkward where to look. Cleavage-baring robe design... breast abuser... No, moving on.
She stared into my eyes intently before speaking.
"I've been looking for you these past few days."
"Looking for me?"
"Yeah. Looking to see my blackie again. Took time sorting out dorm life to come here. Finally wrapped it up recently, so I've been coming to the guild every morning since."
That explained why our timings had been off lately with all my stuff. She'd been searching for days... Not coincidence, then.
"I missed you, blackie. Did you miss me?"
"..."
"No answer?"
Suddenly, Winia hooked her staff's loop around my neck and yanked.
Damn, this bitch hasn't changed!
"Hey, neck! Neck! Hurts, hurts, you punk!"
I choked out in pain, and surprisingly, she let go right away.
"...Sorry. Reflex."
"You're apologizing?"
"Problem?"
"No..."
Did she eat something weird?
I rubbed my neck.
Awkward.
This situation was beyond awkward.
Considering we'd spent a night together, it was like an ex showing up.
No clue what to say; my heart was a mess.
"Blackie. Got time?"
"...Trying to recruit a party right now."
"Is that something you do today?"
"No, recruiting today, heading out tomorrow-ish..."
"So you have time. Come with me."
She stated it like an order and headed for the door.
...I followed for now.
Outside the guild, it was just us walking.
Should I ask something? Say something? The dilemma deepened, but neither of us spoke first.
We arrived at a plaza with a fountain.
"Blackie, nothing to say to me?"
The surroundings were quiet.
Morning, maybe? Few people around. White stone paving made for a beautiful plaza. The serene vibe felt peaceful.
"Something to say..."
What to say to Winia.
I'd make something up if nothing came, but she giggled first.
"I missed you, blackie."
It felt genuine.
I wanted to avoid her gaze but couldn't.
Winia stepped closer, two paces.
"Can you just hug me once?"
She spread her arms.
Her expression was still hard to read. Anxious, impatient, angry, longing. So unfamiliar, couldn't pin it down, but at least...
I could tell Winia wanted me.
"...No."
As she approached, I stepped back two paces.
"No?"
"I have a lover I cherish... I know how you feel, but I can't anymore. It's the law; no choice."
I said.
I had Claudy. Honestly, that time Claudy that crazy sis sent me to Winia still pissed me off a bit.
But that was a mishap from differing values, resolved by educating Claudy.
So meeting Winia alone like this was a betrayal to Claudy. I rejected her advance.
"N-No...?"
Winia's face crumbled.
"After doing... that... with me... now you say no? Are you crazy, blackie? Out of your mind? Fuck, are you serious right now? In front of me?"
Enraged, Winia trembled with clenched fists.
Her muttering trailed off,
"...You were my first."
"What...?"
"You were my first, blackie! Treating me so roughly, and now, now...!"
Winia wailed.
Tears welled in her eyes.
"Now you're rejecting me?"
No, you seduced me first...
I dropped it.
As I said, I wasn't a herbivore; I was a full-on carnivore macho.
If a woman thought that after sex, it'd be right to go along. Some might disagree, but that's manhood. Can't be harsh to a woman you've bedded.
Macho-Man-Kim Katt (Trinity) never runs or dodges woman problems. Owns them fully.
—That was the true macho path.
Even if I'd been beaten like a dog.
Even if abused unbelievably.
Even if fleeced for money.
As long as Winia's warmth and soft breasts lingered in my memory.
Man Kim Katt could overlook that much.
So I decided.
"Hic...! Sniff! Do you know how much I've thought of you since? Huh? No! I even cleared out my dorm just to find you! But! But hugging me once is that hard?"
Winia whimpered.
Like a child's tantrum.
Past memories were useless now.
—A woman's tears could kill a macho.
"Like... like that... Ah."
As she demanded, I lowered myself and hugged her. Her trembling sobs transmitted through. Simultaneously, her balloon-like swollen breasts squished against my breastplate.
I felt Winia's arms wrap around my back.
"That enough?"
"...Yeah."
She murmured softly, burying her face in my shoulder.
Was she always this gentle?