Chapter 294
Chapter 294
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 294
Chapter Title: Winter Chill
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Even after leaving the Magic Tower, Winia had a ton more stuff to buy, so she dragged me around for some incomprehensible shopping spree. From what I could tell, she was picking up magic supplies from the shops around the tower.
Me? I'm a total outsider when it comes to magic, so I just went along for the ride, gawking at everything while shouldering the ever-growing pile of bags.
"Ah, this looks good."
"What the hell even is that?"
"Magic catalyst. Ice magic requires starting from the basics, so I need a bunch of these."
"Gotcha."
It looked kinda pricey, but Winia whipped out her wallet without a second thought. Looking back, she'd always been a bit of a big spender.
Of course, she made bank to match, so it probably wasn't an issue.
Winia picked out a few catalysts and handed them back to me.
"Ah, fuck, this shit's heavy as hell."
I rearranged the load—backpack stuffed to the brim, boxes on my shoulders. Only then did Winia finally call it quits and say we should head back.
"Winia. Come on, help carry some."
"Nope."
"Goddamn it."
She was grinning ear to ear.
Winia walked beside me, looking happier than I'd seen her in ages. She kept glancing up at me with that shit-eating grin, like she was loving every second of tormenting me.
Damn... this cute little shit!!!
"Blackie. How'd I do back there?"
"Huh?"
"Back there, fuck, I saved your ass."
Winia patted her head while talking to me.
"For real... I was so grateful I nearly teared up."
"Heh heh. Right?"
"Yeah."
I never imagined she'd swoop in and bail me out like that.
My worst-case scenario had been us both getting our asses kicked and limping out half-crippled.
Sure, Winia being a mage meant that probably wouldn't happen, but in the absolute worst case, I could've ended up fucked beyond repair. If I'd gone to the Magic Tower alone, it would've been a hundred percent that outcome.
Even without guilt on my side, Roel's reaction would've forced it—public opinion and all that shit.
"Blackie, just like I saved you today, you gotta think of me always."
"Of course. Ain't a day goes by I don't think of you."
"Hope so."
"No, for real."
"You're always thinking about your sis."
"True, but I think about you a fuckton too, Winia."
"Sigh."
Half my brain space was dedicated to Cloudy stuff anyway, so it was inevitable. Winia probably clocked about the same for herself.
Oh, and Karin too.
Goddamn it.
That's 150% overkill.
"Hey, Winia. You know what a Snowtail is?"
"Snowtail?"
It was the monster name from Lisha's note.
The question popped into my head out of nowhere.
"Heard about it while selling goods last time. Apparently their tails fetch a good price."
"Yeah, makes sense. Pretty rare monster. The tail's used as magic material. Gotta be expensive, though finding one'd be a bitch."
Figures I'd never heard of it—rare monster.
Winia really knew her shit compared to a scrub like me. She had answers for damn near everything I asked.
"Cool. What about Sasquatch?"
"Dunno about that one. I don't move much in winter anyway."
We strolled leisurely, chatting as we went.
Whatever. After that bullshit earlier, she seemed genuinely happy now, so that was a relief. We cut through the park and spotted a bench, so we took a quick break.
"Whew, blew a lot of cash, so time to make some back. Blackie, got any money-makers? Haven't been out info-gathering lately, so I'm out of the loop."
Winia plopped her ass on my lap—claiming the bench was too cold—and asked.
"Money-makers... Merchants are probably around buying Owl Bear pelts. That's what got me into hunting elementals in the first place."
"Oh yeah? Why the merchants?"
"Some nobles are trending it for fashion."
"Ah, nobles..."
Winia went quiet, like she was pondering.
"Whatever, nobles gonna noble."
"Nah. Guess I'll head out after a while. Let's go do that."
She said it like we were just going for a casual walk to hunt Owl Bears.
Class difference hits different. Kobson said three skilled swordsmen could take one down easy, so for Winia, it was probably small fry.
"You make it sound simple. Can you even find them? I couldn't track any down."
"Blackie... Our little Blackie couldn't find an Owl Bear?"
She tilted her head back, looking up at me with a teasing grin. Kobson and Meria had helped search, but no dice.
"What, you gotta find 'em first. How the hell you supposed to?"
"Blackie, who do you think I am? I'm a mage. Don't worry, I can track 'em."
She leaned into me as she said it. A mage like Winia could sniff out monsters no problem.
"Your adventuring resume really outshines mine."
"Heh heh heh. Resume? Oh yeah, speaking of, reminds me of the first time I saw you."
"Ah fuck, why bring that up."
Winia laughed and turned to face me, straddling my lap as she dredged up my dark past. Wait, this position in public...?
"Fuck, back then you and that bitch Lena teamed up and royally screwed me over."
Stealing my daily cut still burned. Pure hate back then, but I'd long since forgiven Winia.
"Aw, sorry, Blackie. Still hung up on that?"
"Nah, you're good... but Lena. What the hell's that slut up to?"
"Beats me. Hmm, we used to run together a lot, but then she just vanished."
"Fucking bitch probably bit the dust somewhere."
"Heh heh."
Dark past for me, but Winia dug it up with a gleeful laugh. Bet she enjoyed it back then too—just like now.
Nah, 100% she did.
"So, how about now? Hate me? Or like me?"
"Fucking love you... so let's drop the old stories."
"Even after I tormented you that bad, you like me?"
"Yeah."
"Aww, such a good boy!"
Winia's affection exploded, and she peppered my face with kisses like a maniac. How could I not love this?
Her huge tits squished against my chest too. I glanced around, stroking her back. Luckily, no witnesses to our public makeout sesh.
"And when you showed up sword in hand—that was the best."
"Fuck. You know how scared shitless I was?"
"That's the funny part. You come charging in, then chicken out and run? Makes no sense."
"Ugh."
I was such a green idiot back then.
Couldn't rein in my bravado, rushed in impulsively to challenge her to a duel on sight.
Looking back, it's absurd, but that mess led to us whispering sweet nothings and grinding now. If I could time travel, I'd tell past me to hold out a few years.
We chilled like that, swapping stories, then got moving again.
"Blackie. Been forever since it's just us, huh?"
"Yeah. That's why the nostalgia trip?"
"Yep. Feels so good right now."
"Then grab a box."
"Shut up."
"Unbelievable."
We finally hit the inn around noon. Winter felt nearly over subjectively, but it was still freezing, snow unmelted.
Hurry up and spring already.
Thinking that, I climbed the stairs and opened the door.
"Oh."
First thing I saw was Cloudy.
"You're back?"
"Yeah... what're you up to?"
"Eh, bored, so I was organizing luggage."
Cloudy was rocking a purple bikini.
One we'd bought on that beach trip. The fabric barely covered top and bottom, with a ring in the center of the cups.
She even had some sexy straps tied on her left thigh for extra flair.
"How's it look? Good?"
She spun around, beaming.
"Ku, Cloudy-sama is the absolute best!!!!!!!"
"Ah fuck. Sis is making him lose it again."
I dropped the bags, mesmerized by Cloudy's pose, not knowing what to do.
Purple bikini matching her hair perfectly.
Her long, glossy locks looked like artwork, but that alluring brown skin and those swollen tits? Pure bliss...!
"Th-this is supreme happiness! A gift from the gods!"
"Hee hee, that good?"
I was rock hard, dying to pounce on Cloudy right then.
"Sis, if you keep that up, Blackie won't even glance your way. Ugh, seriously. This pervert bastard."
"Winia, this ain't perversion. It's pure, righteous instinct. Nothing twisted about it."
To me, Cloudy was a concept, a fundamental truth. If you cracked open my skull, it'd probably be purple inside.
"What bullshit. You're acing it. Sigh, how do I monopolize this? Sis, what'll it take to hand him over?"
"Hmm, can't do that."
"Damn."
Winia chuckled shortly.
"Yeah. Kim Katt's public property."
"What a load of horseshit."
I stripped off my gear and hung up my clothes. Winia ditched her outer layer and plopped in a chair.
"Blackie. Sort the luggage first."
"Sure."
I unpacked the backpack, lining up purchases: lab-like tools, magic catalysts, paper, ink, candles mostly.
"Katt, what'd you and Winia do?"
Cloudy sidled up, brushing hair behind her ear—those long ears with three gold hoops dangling.
Sexy as fuck.
"Hit the Magic Tower for supplies. Almost got fucked midway, but Winia saved my ass."
"Trouble?"
I gave her the rundown.
She fiddled with her earring, murmuring.
"Hmm... Would've been better if I'd tagged along?"
"Heh heh heh, Winia crushed it, no need. But Cloudy, you been cooped up too much lately? You good not going out?"
I was a bit worried.
First time seeing her this inactive. Desert dark elf, weak to cold apparently. Sleeping more, lazier too.
"Worried about me?"
"Obviously."
"Hee hee. I'm fine."
Cloudy smiled and continued.
"Well, still..."
"Still?"
"Never imagined winter dragging this long. All that snow was wild enough, but endless winter? First time. Thought it'd end soon."
Her body was feeling it, even if she didn't say.
Maybe take her out for fresh air. Priority: winter gear for her.
"Kinda stuffy, yeah. Lazied longer than expected. Wanna head out after forever?"
Yeah, that's the move.
"Owl Bears are hot right now. Interested?"
"Whoa, new monster to me."
Tomorrow, the three of us hunt Owl Bears. Perfect matchup.
We sorted luggage, washed up routine, then hit the bed.
"Heh heh heh, Cloudy. C'mere. Keep the bikini on."
"Jeez. That into it? Hmm, what should I do for you tonight?"
"No! My turn tonight!"
"Kyaa!"
Pumped, I groped Cloudy's body freely, satisfying my urges.
Slid hands under the clinging bikini, squeezing tits, licking her nape for a taste.
"Haht...!"
Today, my lust was off the charts for some reason.
What... the hell?
This boiling horniness in my chest?
Usually uncontrollable, but seeing Cloudy in that bikini tripled it... fucking perfect.
Winia barged in, and we piled into our usual threesome.