Chapter 174
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 174
Chapter Title: Dancing with Orcs
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Winia, who'd been laid up until yesterday, had made a full recovery. Honestly, if it hadn't been for the 3P, she would've bounced back ages ago. What a pair of lewd sex maniacs.
"You're still hard?"
"Stop touching it."
Claudia, pressed up against my back with her chin on my shoulder, fiddling with my dick, had also regained her strength ages ago. She'd slept like a log and vented her desires, so her mana was pretty much restored. And thanks to that, her cold had cleared up naturally too.
How was a half-dark-elf body with mana so damn durable? I was just jealous.
"Sis... cut it out and let go already?"
Winia shot us a dissatisfied look. At that, Claudia lifted her chin off my shoulder and glanced back.
"Want to take over?"
"...Yeah."
With that, the two swapped places.
I felt the soft press of breasts against my back. Winia, taking Claudia's spot, grabbed the shaft of my cock like it was the most natural thing in the world and started slowly stroking up and down.
I worried she might suddenly twist it, but her touch was surprisingly gentle. The slow, squeezing motion drew a groan from me.
"Ngh...!"
"Hee hee. Like it, blackie?"
Excited, Winia picked up the pace.
Slap-slap-slap-slap. The kind of sound you'd normally make solo echoed through the room.
I couldn't take it anymore.
"My dick isn't a toy!"
"Kyaa!"
Fuming, I shot to my feet.
I'm a person, not a dildo.
"We've rested too long. Time to get back to work. When people get lazy, they dive into their desires to fill that void. We need to restrain our urges. Only then can we become Buddhas."
When the end times come, only those who transcend humanity to become Buddhas will survive. Mortals should always keep that in mind and strive for self-cultivation.
The best way to cultivate is, of course, labor.
Work and earn money.
We'd rested too much. Living expenses and rent keep piling up—if I lounged around in comfort, I'd end up a beggar in no time. Now was the time to work. My sword and muscles were crying out... along with the soul of a warrior!
"What the hell kinda nonsense is that all of a sudden? Sis, translate for me."
"It's just regular Katt, isn't it? He's saying we should go to work."
"Work already? Blackie, let's just chill today. Starting tomorrow's fine, right? I love your hardworking side and all, but I'm beat today. Cold's gone, but still tired."
"We're on the same page. Katt, let's just rest today?"
See?
The two mares blocking my path to Buddhahood.
They whispered sweet temptations, sabotaging my cultivation. Temptation always sounds appealing. Mara Papiyas—the demon of delusion who tormented Siddhartha's enlightenment.
I cleaved through the delusion.
"Still tired?"
"Yeah. So let's finish what blackie was doing. C'mere."
"No way in hell!"
I grabbed my clothes and got dressed on the spot.
Let Winia rest, and I'd scout some work. I'd swing by the guild. If nothing, I'd come back empty-handed. If something, start tomorrow or the day after.
"Winia, rest up. I'll head to the guild real quick."
"Blackie, what I want isn't resting alone—it's resting with you. You still don't get that?"
Her blunt way of expressing herself was adorable, but like I said, Mara Papiyas is the demon who stirs endless delusions.
"Can't become a Buddha like that."
"What's this Buddha crap making you spout bullshit?"
"A being who transcends humanity."
"Sis, please. Translate blackie for me. Am I still sick? I can't understand him at all today."
Winia clung to Claudia.
"Dunno about this one either."
Claudia stroked her shoulder naturally as she said it.
She must be getting used to it, since she didn't complain.
"I'll be back in a flash. You two rest. Gotta grab food anyway."
"Mmm. Hold on. Lemme get dressed too. We'll go together."
Then it'd been a while since it'd just be me and Claudia strolling the streets.
"It's been ages since it's just us two?"
"Yeah. How long?"
Claudia, in her undies, headed for her clothes, but Winia blocked her.
"You think I'd let you two stick together? No way. Sis, over here."
"Oh? Jealous?"
"Looks like it. Blackie, go alone if you're going. No way I'm allowing you two together."
She wasn't trying to come along—just pry Claudia off me. Guess she really was tired. Fine, I'd go solo as planned. I geared up fully and grabbed the doorknob.
"Rest up then. Claudia, don't do anything Winia really hates."
"She likes it."
"She doesn't. And sis, I'll allow boobs, so grope those. If you try fingering today, I'll really get mad."
"Such a good little sis. Finally opening up to your big sis?"
"You bitch... Whatever, blackie, hurry back. Before this sis wrecks the place."
"Got it. Be right back."
"Katt, have fun. Pick something exciting."
Work exciting? Yeah right.
I waved it off and headed out. Their relationship seemed to be improving lately—positive stuff. Bodies get close, hearts follow naturally.
For Winia, that kinda communication worked better than normal talk.
Claudia was thrilled to go from solo forever to having a little-sis type after Kim Katt. Winia couldn't resist Claudia's no-limits approach and ended up like that.
Anyway, off to the guild.
New gear on, strutting the streets—I brimmed with confidence. I wasn't that scrawny Kim Katt anymore. At this rate, the path to Buddha (Butcher) was close.
Weekend crowds filled the streets. Other worlds have weekends too. Just meaningless for freelance adventurers. Still, plenty took the day off.
I glanced around.
Sword-and-shield guy, woman with a massive axe. Lightly dressed male mage... Pure fantasy city vibes. Guess I was becoming a local.
"Hm?"
I spotted a woman in martial artist robes and froze.
Almost kicked her, thinking she was that psycho bitch who'd ruined my promotion match. But her hair color was off. Close call on assaulting an innocent.
That time, I seriously thought I'd lose it.
The devilish mage who'd tormented good ol' Kim Katt, the insane martial artist, and the evil priest. Unless my memory failed, those three caused total chaos, nearly wiping our party. Midway through fighting monsters, the martial artist and mage attacked me. Blocking them had me sweating bullets. If I hadn't awakened as the Flame Magic Swordsman right there, I'd be dead.
Lost in those thoughts, I flung open the guild's swing doors.
—Swing.
"...Huh."
First thing I saw: familiar blond hair.
That perfect sheen.
Like fairy silk flowing, it stole my gaze.
Maybe a tyrant's legendary golden vault transplanted. Or golden wheat swaying in harvest winds.
Its owner turned to me.
"Hm? Hey, barbarian shit. Long time no see."
It was Kobson.
"You Kobson fuck. Been forever. What've you been up to?"
"Scraped by earning decently. You... your gear's pitch black now? Heart went dark, now gear too? Really heading full savage?"
"Heh heh heh, fix that shovel jaw before spouting crap, asshole."
"What's wrong with my jaw!"
His underbite was seriously bad.
Proof double jaw surgery is 'treatment,' not cosmetic.
"Anyway, barbarian shit. Wanna team up since it's been a while? Just snagged a good gig."
Kobson grinned raggedly, excited, and launched into it. Turned out to be the routed orc stragglers the blacksmith mentioned.
He finished and gauged my interest.
"Kobson."
"W-what? That serious face doesn't suit you—knock it off!"
I answered gravely.
"Kobson. Sounds brutal, but I'm too big a deal now to play with you. Teaming up's outta the question."
True—I'd outgrown Kobson fun. Huge gap between D and E ranks. Frogs don't remember tadpole days.
No need to.
Frogs shed shitty tails, grow limbs, longer tongue. Tadpoles? Just pathetic worms. Evolution means forgetting.
"Wha—no fucking way! You barbarian shit! What the hell...! You tossing our brotherhood like trash?!"
Kobson freaked.
This racist prick saying that...
"Kidding, asshole. We're soul bros already."
"N-nearly gave me a heart attack. Don't toy with people like that."
"You were scared shitless."
"Was not!"
Relieved, Kobson bellowed.
Such a reed-thin guy.
"Anyway. Bounty on orcs, right?"
"Yup. Never fought 'em, but lotsa adventurers are. piqued my interest."
Orcs weren't pushovers.
Considering Bulbver's weakened strength, normal orcs probably overpowered adult men with raw power. Dumb adventurers wouldn't care.
"Per head?"
"1 silver per orc head. Guild job, so it boosts rep too."
Tempting sum. 1 silver was generous. Recall: ogre subjugation base pay was 1 silver. How big was this orc rout?
And orc strength level?
Unknowns everywhere.
Better ask Winia.
"How many stragglers?"
"Estimated over a hundred. Scattered between Isvant and Dodens Barony, wandering."
Hundred-plus.
1 silver each: 1 gold to clear a company-sized orc force. Decent cash, but not bank-breaking for rulers.
World where adventurers flock for 1 silver riskin' lives. Cheaper than mobilizing troops—guild outsourcing.
Adventurers' true value.
"I'll think it over positively. Interested. Cool if I confirm by tomorrow? Can't wait, see ya."
"Day's fine."
Blacksmith wanted orc weapons too. Never fought orcs—Claudia might like it.
And me? Curious too.
Orcs.
Wanna test 'em.
"Meet tomorrow morning then... Got plans now?"
"Nah. Why? Booze?"
"Day drinking already, you fuck?"
"Obviously?"
"Sweet! Let's pound some!"
"Ooh! True savage! Wild!"
Our vibe skyrocketed—we arm-in-armed to the tavern.
Sorry Claudia. And Winia.
Just a quick drink, then home.