Chapter 304
Chapter 304
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 304
Chapter Title: Flower's Lingering Fragrance
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-Thump thump thump thump!!!
In the heart of the dense jungle, an unexpected chase was unfolding.
Kobson and I kept up our pace, running relentlessly. No matter what, if we didn't shake off the dryads pursuing us, some seriously fucked-up shit was going to go down.
-Ssssit.
-Ssssisisi.
-Ssssitsssit.
"Those damn witches!"
"Fucking hell!"
Those goddamn dryad bitches kept mocking us endlessly as they chased after us.
No, "chased" wasn't quite right. They had us surrounded and were just matching our speed, jogging along casually as we moved.
-Ssssit.
Anything else I could ignore, but that fucking mocking hiss was driving me insane. These crazy flower folk, who'd probably only ever lived in jungles, had an unmatched talent for getting under your skin.
"Shit! Which way do we even go?!"
Kobson yelled as we kept running straight.
Truth was, it didn't matter where we went.
The jungle looked the same in every direction.
But running was our only option.
We couldn't just stand still and let them fully encircle us. Giving up mobility meant giving up the fight entirely. Running was our only choice left.
-Sssit.
The dryads slowed when we did, sped up when we pushed harder, and openly showed themselves or taunted us when we headed toward open areas with little cover.
If I tried to suddenly turn and slash at a few, they'd bolt away at insane speeds, leaving us with nothing but this marathon.
They were too fast. Even with kill-or-be-killed resolve to hack through and break out, we couldn't manage it.
And... these bastards.
Their numbers were growing.
They kept calling in more friends from somewhere.
"Urgh...!"
Even though we'd been pacing ourselves, Kobson's speed was dropping. I was still okay, but he was hitting his limit.
"Hey. Slow down a bit more."
"This is fucking exhausting...!"
-Hah! Hah!
His breathing was ragged. I gradually slowed to match him.
"Heh heh, thought you were just a gambling slacker with no training, huh? Figures."
I forced a grin, acting casual. If one of us started cracking here, panic could snowball and really fuck us over.
"Fuck this. If I make it out alive, I'll quit this damn gambling and devote myself to self-improvement!"
"Yeah, but you gotta survive first. Let's take it slow."
"Hoo. Got it. Looks like they're matching our pace anyway."
-Glance.
Kobson glanced left and right, adjusting his rhythm. No doubt the occasional glimpses of naked women spurred him on.
The grueling chase dragged on endlessly.
The jungle had no end, and we couldn't even tell which way we were going anymore. We just barreled through the same scenery, enduring their laughter.
-Ssssisisit!
-Ssssitsssit!
-Ssssit!
"..."
I tested it by slowing to a cautious jog, and the dryads immediately responded with savage cries, tightening their encirclement drastically.
These bitches... no way.
They were pressuring us to 'maintain a reasonable running speed.' They planned to drain every last drop of our stamina.
Fucking horrifying.
We were dancing to their tune.
Didn't these things ever get tired?
Were monsters always this stamina-heavy? Humans, the pinnacle of creation, were supposed to top endurance charts, but I couldn't believe these frail flower bitches packed that kind of power in their scrawny bodies.
Otherworld logic. Whatever.
"Urgh..."
I was starting to tire too. Even as Heavenly Demon Kim Katt, this wasn't the central plains—my power wasn't infinite... damn it all!
-Crunch!
Kobson was drenched in sweat, half-dead already. His once-glossy golden locks, shining even through hardship, now looked like some soggy seaweed mess.
I immediately supported him.
"Go on ahead, barbarian!"
"Shut your crap, you fuck."
Panting, Kobson started babbling nonsense.
"Heh heh, we'll both croak at this rate. As expected from a savage... such stamina...! Hah, hah... wish I'd been born a barbarian."
"Cut the shit, you pockmarked bastard. Save your breath."
"Urk... who's pockmarked?!"
We'd paused briefly, and the dryads roared savagely again, urging us to run.
-Saa!
-Shaaaah!!!
"Shut the fuck up, you goddamn freaks."
They looked like naked beauties, but baring fangs and howling made them nothing but monsters. No matter how much tit they jiggled or skin they flashed, they were beasts.
Terrifying as hell.
I'd always hated stories about monsters in human form as a kid. Why else would a monster take human shape? To eat us easier. Grandpa Mangtae was a prime example.
"We die together, live together."
The Heavenly Demon never abandons a friend.
"Heh heh. Appreciate it. Savages do value brotherhood, huh."
"Where do you pick up that crap? Anyway, let's go."
With dozens closing in and about to rush, we resumed our marathon.
What the hell was their goal?
Just exhaust us?
Or lure us somewhere...?
No clue.
-Thump thump thump.
Lost in a delirious haze, just running frantically—that's when it happened.
-Whoosh!
We burst into a wide, open space.
Not crammed with massive trees and plants, but a genuine clearing smack in the jungle's middle.
"This place...?"
"What is it?"
It felt cut off from the jungle proper.
Clearing bordered by jungle, trees growing like a wall along the edge.
Looked artificially made... a garden like this here? The grass underfoot was cropped short to calf height, surrounded by vibrant flowers and mystical vines.
Not brutal jungle—a paradise.
"The dryads?"
The ones hounding us had vanished, scattered somewhere. No more vile laughter or rustling bushes.
"...They stopped chasing? Let's catch our breath."
"Yeah."
-Hoo! Ha! Hoo! Ha!
We gulped air like mad, calming our pounding hearts. We chugged from canteens and chewed jerky for energy.
Took about five minutes, but no dryads showed.
"Hmm, weird... but good weird. They chased so hard, now nothing?"
"Right? Maybe they can't enter here?"
"Could be taboo for them... they seem intelligent enough for customs like that."
Taboo, huh.
Too pretty for that.
Nature monsters like dryads would love it, not hate it. The blooming flowers everywhere made it feel like some noblewoman's garden.
In the center stood a mysterious, massive vine pillar—about 4 meters tall—covered in strange leaves.
Pale green vines twisted into an altar-like shape... suspicious. A structure in the middle of this random garden?
Gave me chills.
"Hey, barbarian. That thing..."
"Yeah... I see it."
Bolt now?
But leaving might restart the chase.
"Better stay away."
"Agreed, fuck."
Never approach sketchy shit like that. Honestly wanted out of this creepy garden too... but compromise.
We sat in a grassy spot without dangerous flowers to recover our battered stamina.
"Phew, rest makes me feel alive... good it's still day. Night would be game over."
"Yeah. Gotta figure something before dark..."
Worst case, use fire paper and oil from my pouch to start a blaze and burn a path.
But that'd endanger us too. Jungle fire? Uncontrollable.
Arson as last resort.
Maybe threaten them with it.
If dryads understood fire.
We bantered about death while resting. Mind set to 'fuck it, rest,' tension eased.
Already fucked—how much worse?
Dryads had brains; they'd fear fire.
Though we'd roast too.
"Heh heh, so I beat 'em all bloody."
"Those martial artists that weak?"
"Nah, I'm just strong, asshole."
"Thought about joining a martial guild... but your stories kill it. Heh heh heh."
With booze, it'd be a proper feast. Kobson shared old tales, adding lessons to boost his morale.
Recalling past wins for a confidence buff. Fun stories lightened my mood too.
That's when it happened.
-Rustle.
"Hm? Sound..."
-Swish.
The sudden noise had us jumping up, backs together in formation. "What was that?" "Hold on." We scanned around.
Source: the giant central vine.
Its massive leaves were slowly parting, causing the sound.
"Leaves... moving on their own?"
"Barbarian. Run? This is fucking ominous."
As we debated bolting, the leaves fully opened, revealing the secret inside. An altar, as first glance suggested.
-Rustle.
Something human-like stepped out.
"Wha—?"
"...A beauty?"
From within, slowly extending long legs, descending vine steps... Kobson was right. A beauty.
Dryad?
...No.
Skin was human flesh tone, not green... a person? Forest witch maybe?
Her crimson hair, like melted rose, trailed gorgeously to the ground. Full breasts didn't surpass Winia's but her skimpy plant clothes exposed everything but nipples.
-Tall.
Nearly my 180cm height plus a head more—close to 2 meters... she finally touched the garden floor.
-Rustle.
Flowers bloomed where she stepped.
This bitch some deer goddess...?
-...?
She approached slowly, then stopped upon spotting us.
Not quite Claudette level, but lethally beautiful.
Exuding sensuality, in long green boots and gloves—plant-made?—lower body fully exposed.
Nipples covered... but no panties? With long boots and gloves? Maniac outfit screamed non-human.
"...Barbarian. Heard a rumor?"
Kobson muttered, staring like drunk. Thought he was charmed, nearly smacked him—but no scent yet, so held off.
"Important?"
"Fuck right now? Nothing more vital."
-Tremble.
No.
He was shaking.
Not charmed—terrified.
"Deep in the forest... lives a monster called the Flower Queen."
"..."
"Takes form of a deadly beauty not of this world. Long red hair... tall, body to captivate men."
Cheap bard tale.
"Her name's Alraune."
"Al... raune?"
"My take—"
Kobson started explaining.
-Human children.
-Come closer.
A warm voice like spring breeze echoed.
Alraune's voice.