Chapter 69
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Ogre Raid
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The next day, Cloudy and I joined the ogre subjugation party.
"Aren't you going with that guy?"
"Kobson? He'll show up on his own."
The participant list for the subjugation party had gone up the night before. We left through the city gates early in the morning. The guild's explanation was that everyone would head to the assembly point on their own, gather there, and then check the roster.
It would be faster if we all marched out in formation together, but controlling free-spirited adventurers was practically impossible. No one expected that in the first place.
"Fuck, there are a ton of people."
Dozens of other adventurers besides us were heading toward the assembly point, each in their own way. With thugs armed to the teeth everywhere moving as a group, the atmosphere naturally charged up.
Just like soldiers before battle.
Humans were strange creatures—the more the merrier when it came to fighting spirit. A group brawl was a human right, an essential value that made people human.
"With this many people, failure's impossible, right? Honestly, half this number would be plenty."
"You think? I feel safer with more people, myself."
This many, we could take it.
No matter how insanely strong the ogre was, it couldn't handle this horde. The ogre's death was a done deal. It would pay for butchering twenty people.
"They say the one who lands the killing blow on the ogre gets a gold coin bounty, right? So fewer people would be better."
"Your infinite confidence is the only scary thing here. And even if all these guys teamed up, they couldn't touch you."
"You're overestimating me."
Well, everyone probably thought similarly. The difference was Cloudy believed fewer people meant a better shot at the finisher, while most adventurers were eyeing the chance to swoop in amid the swarm of colleagues.
The procession snaked up the mountain. The ogre was hiding in the green woods, ambushing merchants and travelers to other cities. That's why the city's logistics were stalled. The urgency had jacked up the reward. The group's pace was brisk because of it.
"Hey, Cloudy. There's this swordsman guild in the city called Paralldog..."
I chatted idly with Cloudy as we walked. I'd never noticed alone, but talking like this made it fun—no fatigue, and we moved faster too.
That's when it happened.
"Hm? Who are those guys?"
Some adventurers approached us.
I figured our paths just overlapped and ignored them, but the three male adventurers were clearly heading straight for us. Their smirking faces rubbed me the wrong way.
Robbers? I rested my hand on my sword hilt.
With all these adventurers around? Ballsy. That much guts meant they'd stab first, no questions.
Tension spiked. An old habit from way back. Strangers approaching? Assume the worst.
Since arriving in this world, sane people approaching me had been rare as hell. If I couldn't strike first, at least brace for their opener. That's how the habit formed.
"Hey, miss?"
One of the approaching bastards spoke up. Miss? Calling Cloudy? I sized up the trio quick.
— A sleazy-looking guy with tanned skin and blond hair.
— A buff squinty-eyed bald dude.
— And just a fatso.
That combo rang a bell. What was it? First time seeing them, but familiar somehow. Who...? I dug through old memories, pulling buried info to the surface. H... The letter H popped into my head.
Then it hit me.
"Oh."
—Flash, I remembered.
These fuckers were the NTR trio from Hitomi!!!
"You're so cute. You heading to take down the ogre too, miss? Wanna team up with me? I'm pretty skilled. I'll protect you. Come on."
The blond tanned guy grabbed Cloudy's hand as he said it.
Caught off guard, I panicked. Then grasped it.
What the fuck, grabbing my girl's hand?!
Cloudy's face soured instantly. Same reaction as when Morris hit on her... No, NTR guys!!!
That's when rage whited out my brain!!
"Can't you see the guy standing right next to her, you fuck?!?!"
I roared and grabbed the blond tanned guy's nape. Pure spinal reflex, no brain involved. No middleman meant landslide speed. I crushed my grip like ripping it off.
"Guh, guk?! Kek! W-What the fuck are you?!"
"You see the dude right there and still hit on her? That's calling me a pussy! Why? 'Cause my head's black?!"
Reason gone, I gauntlet-punched him. Three on one—knock one out fast.
—Puk!
"Kuhek!"
The blond tanned guy screamed, rolling on the ground from the direct hit.
Out with my girl, and dudes hit on her right beside me? Unforgivable as a man, dead or alive. Ignoring me to steal her? My rage was justified.
"You crazy fuck! Sheldon, you okay?!"
"Sheldon!"
The squinty guy and fatso yelled in panic, supporting the tanned Sheldon. He spat twin nosebleeds and screamed.
"K-Kill him! Kill that fucker!"
"What? Kill? This fucker just threatened to murder me? Holy shit! Hitting on my girl wasn't enough, now killing too? So unfair!!!"
Hearing "kill" meant no more talk. I drew my sword, enraged. These barbaric isekai bastards always jumped to murder. Best to kill them all.
"Listen up, you worms! Move and I'll stab! Stay still!"
Fools didn't assume combat stance right away—instead knelt to help their fallen buddy. Not a master could switch from that quick.
My threat froze them in place. Brief silence, then I asked the tanned guy.
"Hey, mister. Fuck, why hit on my girl with me right here? Think I'm a pussy?"
How much did he underestimate me to flirt with her beside me? Basic manners. Hitting on a girl arm-in-arm with her boyfriend was begging for a fight.
Head exploding with rage, but killing here gained nothing—I suppressed the urge. Hard as hell.
"...Fuck!"
"What? Fuck?"
"What the hell are you doing?! Kill that fucker!"
"This guy... Spouting murder so easy? Serial killer confirmed! Time for justice!"
He cursed suddenly, hand to his waist, rising. Drawing weapon.
Things this far? Only fight left. No talking it out, rage maxed—no stopping.
As declared, I raised my sword high. Move and die—so kill if they did. All three rushing? I'd be dead in ten seconds, chopped like dinner meat.
—Whish!
Decided to kill one first, swung. Blade cut air. Kill kneeling squinty next, then tanned—fatso seemed harmless.
"Die!"
Blade about to hit squinty's head.
"Katt, wait."
Cloudy said.
—Simultaneously, she caught my full-power swing barehanded.
"Wha...!"
I flinched, thinking I'd sliced her hand, blood surging. She eyed me reassuringly.
"Hey, your hand!"
Terror-struck, checked her hand—no blood. Blood flowed normal again.
...Caught my full slash barehanded?
Insane barehand blade grab.
Razor edge gripped, no drop spilled.
"Hehehe... Katt, thanks. You stepped up for me, right?"
Cloudy asked, looking at me.
"Uh... Yeah. You're my girl. Couldn't let him touch you in front of me."
A bit embarrassed, but honest. She made an enigmatic face, exhaled excitedly. Face flushed.
"Really... For real..."
What? What's with her?
"Heh, hahat!"
Then burst laughing. I got uneasy. Started stifled, grew hysterical. Does she take meds regularly? Still mysteries about my girlfriend.
Took a bit for her laughter to stop.
"You lot! I'm in a good mood, so I'll let you live! Get lost now!"
Cloudy yelled at the trio.
They'd drawn weapons, standing.
"Bullshit!"
Squinty yelled. Then.
—Crunch!
Instantly, all three weapons shattered. Blades in five pieces each, handles dropped.
Cloudy had drawn her curved sword unnoticed.
"I said go down. Didn't hear? Last warning."
Time froze. We all gawked at the fragments in disbelief. Cloudy's voice after that feat: ice cold.
"U-Uwaaaah!!"
Silence broken by fatso. He bolted downhill, no look back. Dropped hilt long ago. Squinty followed, then tanned. Over quick.
Dazed, I looked at Cloudy.
She spread arms.
"Come here."
I approached. She hugged me smiling brightly. Pure smile—impossible to link to her deadly voice.
"What a manly boy."
"...Manly boy again."
"Hehe."
Hot breath in my ear. I twitched slightly. Not surprising, no gain knowing, but ears were my weakness.
"Worried about me? Punching out of nowhere."
"..."
"It's fine. No need to worry."
She stroked my head.
"I'm yours."
Whispered that. Hug lingered.
Face red, I climbed the mountain.