Chapter 398
Chapter 398
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 398
Chapter Title: Harpy Lady
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I woke up at dawn and quietly began preparing to head out.
The key was to move stealthily so as not to wake the girls who were still sleeping. I crawled out of bed and headed straight to the shower. This was how Kim Katt's day began.
"Katt... you heading out?"
Of course, Cloudy woke up.
You couldn't fool a half-elf's sharp senses.
"Yeah. Time to go."
"Have a safe trip... It's something simple, right?"
"No big deal. I'll be back soon. Sleep well, Cloudy."
"Okay."
With that farewell, I stepped outside.
The sun was about to rise. Picking up the pace a bit, the Adventurer's Guild building soon came into view. As I entered, I saw a few diligent adventurers who had already arrived, chatting in small groups.
"Palchion? You here?"
I called out to Palchion, the party leader for this quest. At the mention of his name, a trio sitting at a table turned to look at me.
"You're Katt?"
It was two men and one woman. A brown-haired man who looked a bit weathered stood up and spoke.
"And you're Palchion, then?"
"That's me. Palchion. Whoa, you're one big warrior. Tall, too. Nomad origins?"
"As you can see."
He looked weathered, but his forearms were those of a seasoned veteran.
His weapon was a poleaxe modified with a shortened haft so it could be wielded one-handed, strapped to his waist. Over his Quilted Armor, he wore partial hard leather guards.
A proper D-rank adventurer.
His gear inspired confidence.
"You look reliable. Anyway, introductions. This is Jenis, and that's Anna."
Grinning, he introduced the others. A man with dark green long hair tied back in a ponytail and a woman with short blue hair stood and greeted me.
"Pleased to meet you. Jenis, D-rank."
"Anna. Looking forward to working with you."
Both were adventurers with solid gear.
"Yeah. I'm Katt. Nice to meet you all."
"Alright, let's head out. I reserved a carriage yesterday. Straight there."
After brief greetings, we followed Palchion's lead outside.
They were all polite overall—true D-rank adventurers. Proven diligence meant solid character.
And their eyes screamed veterans.
No worries about combat prowess. With four of us in formation, even a pack of wolf cubs charging at once would get smashed.
Promotion exam nightmares were just bad dreams from my E-rank days.
"You've heard the quest details, right, Katt?"
"Giant Wolf extermination?"
"Good. It'll take a bit to reach the village, so we'll arrive at night, rest a day, then hunt. Sound good?"
"Perfect choice. That's the way to do it."
There were plenty of mountains near Isvant, but also tons of villages. Mostly farmers lived there.
"Straight to the point—I like it. Anything you need to buy before we go? We're all set."
"I'm good. Ready to roll."
Farmers tilled the lord's land and paid taxes.
They handled monster raids with militias or, if that failed, pooled money for guild requests.
The lord doesn't protect them?
The army doesn't move for small stuff.
Orcs? Sure, army dispatches. Wolves? Nah.
Taxes plus self-funded defense made farming tough, but farmers lived better than most adventurers.
Adventurers were basically vagrant thugs. Farmers with steady crops had it better. Obvious.
That's why they hired guilds.
"Hop in the carriage, then. It's 40 copper due to distance. 10 each."
We silently handed Palchion 10 copper each. C-rank quests covered travel; D-rank didn't. Paid up, and the carriage rolled out.
"Simple job. Reach village, sleep, dawn pursuit of the pack. Four of us? Smash on sight."
Palchion clapped for attention as we started. Nothing special, just routine.
"Of course. Three D-ranks handle it easy."
"Agreed."
Jenis and Anna chimed in.
"Just killing pups. No sweat."
I echoed—no worries.
Naturally, no one fretted. All D-ranks, years of grinding quests and monsters.
"Exactly. Quest pay plus hides? Five silver each, easy. Keep 'em intact."
We chatted lightly about backgrounds while munching rations.
They were curious about my Mirkeshan roots; I spun the usual yarn. Worked fine—they wouldn't know.
Years of reliable BS.
D-ranks knew each other vaguely—frequent encounters built trust.
After an hour of talk, we dozed off one by one. I closed my eyes too.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Woke to find us at the village.
Met the chief, talked to the hunter who'd spotted them first, then to our assigned lodging—a empty barn.
Dusty, but clean enough.
"Dawn start tomorrow. Sleep well."
Slept the whole ride, but floor made me drowsy again. No washing; three guys, one girl—naturally claimed spots, cloaks on, back to sleep.
Sleep when you can: adventurer basics.
Knock knock.
Eyes snapped open at the knock.
Creeeak.
"Still sleeping?"
"Huh... oh, hunter."
The hunter from yesterday entered to guide us. Dawn, roughly.
We rose quick and headed out.
"I'll track. You follow; smash on sight."
Rubbing sleepy eyes, we listened.
"Heh, got it. No worries. Track good, we tear wolves apart easy."
"...Reliable. Thanks."
Quick well wash, rations. Thirty minutes prep, then followed him out.
Veterans—all moves crisp.
He plunged into woods, gesturing us on. Machete out; adventurer material.
"Into the forest?"
Anna asked, sword drawn.
"Yeah. They're hiding somewhere. Big pack—might raid village. Strike first."
"Today if possible."
Jenis scanned, saber ready. I strode, sword out.
Spot wolves quick? Back tonight. Save time.
Crunch, crunch.
Thud, thud.
We trailed steadily deeper. Bland woods—birds chirping, bugs buzzing.
"Hm... fine blade. What metal?"
Palchion beside me eyed my sword.
"Black iron, I think. Got it by chance—no details."
"I see."
"That poleaxe work well?"
"Versatile. Just comfy."
Idle chat. Adventurers varied wildly in arms. Martial artists still baffled me.
Noon hit.
Quick meal, move on.
"Halt."
Spotted the Giant Wolf pack right then.
"There, that way. See? That's them..."
"Giant Wolves."
Hidden in brush, observing.
Awoooo.
Over a dozen, as described.
Some sprawled sleeping, others standing watch. Sizes varied; some injured.
Lost territory fight?
Unsure habits.
"Can you take 'em?"
Hunter asked; low laughs rose.
"We kill monsters for pay. Just mutts."
"Pocket change pups."
Palchion and Anna joked.
Jenis aimed saber, fired up. Four D-ranks? Most monsters pulverized.
"Formation charge simultaneous?"
I asked; nods all around. Ready. Hunter bolted aside.
Palchion raised arm.
Whoosh!
Slammed down—we surged.
Speeds varied, synced flanks fast. Wall of men charging. Perfect sync bred camaraderie.
Awo?
Awooooo!
Awooo!!
Wolves spotted us, lunged howling. Pure monster instinct.
"Kieeeek!!!"
I screamed bloody murder, sword high. Triggered them—trio roared weapons ready.
"Raaagh!!!"
"Hah!"
"Uooo!!"
Human and wolf cries clashed.
Awoooo!!!
Awooo!!
Awoooo!!!!
Collided with maw-open wolves. Casual swing split lead skull.
Ayip?!
Sprayed blood lit the frenzy.
"You bastards!"
"Raaaagh!!!"
Slashed one, pivoted to gut another. Gaps? Flankers covered. Seasoned pros—strong.
Onrushing wolves cleaved, spilled, smashed down. No match.
Slash!
Anna swept; Jenis's saber pierced flanker's brow. I unleashed Flowing Sword Style, butchering front.
"Kiyooob!!!"
Thwack!
Palchion's poleaxe crushed heads clean.
Total wipeout—quick. Veteran quartet's work.
Maimed Giant Wolf corpses everywhere.
"Whew! Easy! Brothers-in-arms! Skins off!"
Palchion beamed.
All-out charge, no runners—clean sweep. Hated us deep.
Still just dogs.
A breeze.
D-rank class?
"Heh, too easy."
Laugh escaped—E-rank ghosts long gone. Skilled, geared? Unstoppable.
"Kuku, yeah. Katt, you're go—huh?"
"Yeah?"
Palchion nudged corpse, froze skyward.
"Wha—what?!"
Screamed suddenly.
Something wrong—I tensed defensively.
Flap!
Then.
Flap!
Wingbeats boomed—no bird. Huge.
Whoosh!!
Wind gust whipped overhead.
...Overhead?
Not just.
Shadows.
Shadows blanketed, things soared past. Massive flyers above...!
What the fuck!
"H-Harpies! Harpies!!"
Palchion shrieked.
Harpies?
"Run! Everyone ruuun!!"
"Kyaaaaah!!!"
Screams erupted. Anna bolted shrieking; Palchion fled like a toddler.
I sprinted instinctively after.
"Fuck my life!!!"
What the hell!
Flying monsters here?! Shadows wheeled, wings beat. Sword up, eyes sky.
Flap!
"Huh?"
A person flew.
No—not human.
"Keeheeheet!"
Cackling witch—stunning beauty. Naked. Lithe curves, long legs, perky breasts—man-magnet.
"Kyahaha!"
But not all.
No clothes—feathers instead. Wings on arms; talons savage, raptor-like. Winged arms, bird claws/hands on bombshell body.
Harpies.
Beautiful? Not my taste.
Not hotter than my wives.
But fuck—Dryads, Alraune, now this? Why all female monsters?
Wings/claws aside, cute girls.
Anyway—they flew. Stunned briefly, but knew: escape with team!
Don't fight unknowns!
"Kwaaaah!!!"
Another scream.
"No fuck! Jenis!"
"Save meeee!!!"
Jenis under harpy assault!
Assault? Kidnapping!
Two harpies gripped shoulders with talons, flapping. Jenis lifted.
Not kill—abduct!
"Save meeee!!!"
"Irresistible urge—!!"
No think! Party death hits me! Roared, dashed, Supremacy of the Heavenly Demon—leapt locust-like, swung.
Swoosh!
First-timers, but flesh and blood bleeds. Heavenly Demon's blade fells all!
Too late to flee.
Fight!
"Dieeee!!!"
Ignored beauty—severed legs!
Clang!
"Kiyaaaak!!"
Blade spared Jenis, sliced talon. Blood gushed; monster wailed.
Killable!
No fear!
"Th-thanks!"
Harpies dropped Jenis.
Rescue success!
"Up!"
"Got it!!"
Ran again.
"K-Katt, above!"
"Fuck!"
Instant—Palchion yelled; swung skyward. One harpy down, non-fatal.
"Keeheehee!"
"Fuck off, you bi—urk!"
Shoulders seized. Ground fell away. Lifting me!
"Let go, bitch!!"
Too fast—tricky! Knife out, stabbed talons ruthless.
"Keeek!!!"
Dropped. Quick drop—another snatched shoulders.
"Wha—what, you fucks!!!"
Stabbed that too—shrieked. Escape attempt—doomed.
Pack diving me!
"F-Fuck! Palchion! Jenis! Anna! Where aaaare yooou!!!"
"Keeheeheehit!!"
Laughter echoed.
Knife-stabbed escapes; replacements gripped, flapped.
Buwing.
One slip—higher than trees. Altitude climbing. Realized: ditched knife, sheathed sword, clutched talons tight.
"If this slips, splat fuuuuck!!!"