Chapter 150
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 150
Chapter Title: Side Story: The Hero Party's S-Rank Porter (7)
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"Is that so? So you're disappointed in the Hero now?"
"No, I'm just a bit flustered, that's all."
Plena. Despite her appearance, she has a surprisingly fragile personality in many ways.
If I play this right, I could snag Plena easily too.
While Plena sulked in the corner, not wanting to talk anymore, I pulled Ruina and Ruel close beside me.
"Did you find a way?"
"I did. It's perfect."
"How're we doing it? What about her virginity?"
Virginity? Gotta take it. I will take it, but it might deviate a bit from the original plan.
"I was planning to just rape her, but surprisingly, it seems it'll be easy. The method is simple: we go to the dungeon without the Hero."
"What do you mean?"
Exactly what it sounds like. While that dumbass Hero sits on his hands, I'll step up and suggest clearing the dungeon.
Ruina and Ruel will back me up, and Plena won't be able to refuse outright.
"We'll lure Plena into the dungeon by saying it's to help the Hero. Then inside, Ruel, you intentionally put Plena in dangerous spots."
"And you'll swoop in to save her each time?"
"Exactly. Heh heh heh. We'll build up her favor that way. In my male disguise."
No matter how much a woman values personality, she can't help being drawn to looks at first sight.
And for someone like Plena who falls easily, it'll be even simpler.
A few rescues, and she might start developing feelings.
"You think that'll work?"
"That's how it worked on her with the Hero, right?"
"...Can't argue with that."
Look at her now. She's totally smitten like that. Maybe it's a beastkin racial trait, or maybe after only seeing beastkin men, a human caught her eye. Who knows.
Either way, worth a shot.
I decided to lure Plena in.
"So, let's head to the dungeon?"
"Yeah. They say the next one's got a Demon Army executive, the Beast King Ganejja. We'll take him out."
The next dungeon has a Demon Army exec.
Why do all these Demon Army bigshots each get their own dungeon?
Four Heavenly Kings' Beast King Geneja. Called the king of beastkin, but apparently not ruling them—just the strongest among them.
"Are you insane? Can we handle him ourselves?"
"You're the Hero's woman, aren't you? Time to be useful. Or what, you lack confidence?"
Provoked, Plena clenched her fists.
"You... what did you say? You like Ruin after all, huh?"
"Crazy talk. I just wanna catch him quick, climb the ranks, and get back to my village. Hmm, if you're suspicious, I'll change back."
I shifted back to male form.
Plena reacted with shock, just like Ruel had.
Ruina took it in stride, figuring her master could do anything, which was a bit amusing, but Plena's reaction was similar to Ruel's.
"What? That form?"
"I'm a woman who can also be a man. Just say I'm a rare magic-using race."
Plena stared at me blankly, then blinked in exasperation.
"What kind of freakish thing is this?"
"So you against it? Ruel and Ruina already agreed."
I glanced at Ruel and Ruina; they nodded.
With majority consent, it was decided.
"Fine. But if it gets dangerous, we turn back. Got it? And Ruina sits this out—she'd just be a hindrance. Plus... yeah. You suggested porter duty first, so be the meat shield or whatever."
And so we headed to the dungeon together.
Dungeon name: Beastkin Cave. No need for tedious details since we'd crush it quick.
But right as we entered, something ridiculous happened.
Boom!
Invincible Yongyong smashed the dungeon entrance.
Now we had to clear it to escape.
"Th-this... can't... be. The exit... collapsed?"
"What the hell happened?"
Plena, who hadn't seen me wreck the entrance, was horrified.
What happened? The entrance caved in. Sudden event, right?
"Guess we have to clear it no matter what?"
"Kinda expected this from a dungeon like this."
"Seriously. If I die, it's your fault!"
Clearing the dungeon wasn't too hard.
Especially Ruel—she'd half-awakened as a dark sorceress absorbing my magic, shredding the Demon Army's beastkin followers with her gloomy spells.
"What? When'd you get so strong?"
"Just kinda happened?"
"And you, when'd you power up?"
Plena gawked at me and Ruel, tongue-tied.
She's probably the weakest here.
"Never said I was weak."
"Huh?"
"Eh?"
Why the dumb faces? I never claimed to be weak. I just limited my power to subspace stuff.
Her stupidity is kinda cute. Gotta make her mine.
From a third-person view, I'm a no-gear, bare-fisted monster-basher—classic overpowered munchkin.
Anyway, door's shut, and Geneja's minions lurk everywhere, eyes gleaming.
Dog beastkin especially target Ruel and Plena, but I won't let that slide.
"Heh heh heh. Those bitches got prime breeding bodies."
"Yeah. Those hips scream easy birth."
They do have birthing hips. Seeing those mutts drool meaningfully at my future bitches made me drool too.
Doesn't mean I forgive the eye-rape, though.
"Dunno how you got this far, but the way out..."
"Die."
Crunch!
The beastkin turned to mincemeat in seconds.
After that, Plena started sniping beastkin with spirit arrows for real, but this dungeon's difficulty was higher than she thought.
Normally there's a level-up path, but only the Hero powered up with Yongyong Potion. Low-level Plena's struggling.
So, crisis time, naturally.
"How dare you kill my kin, you bitch!"
"Eek!?"
Plena's a young girl too. Obvious how she'd feel with ugly dogfaces charging.
As the massive brown dog-like beastkin lunged at Plena, I bare-handedly smacked it away.
Kaboom!
"Gah! Fine! I'll kill you first!"
The brown mutt rolled across the dungeon floor, slobbering and glaring.
It's three times my male form's size.
But I'm Invincible Yongyong.
Grabbed its fist, then pulverized its solar plexus with my other hand.
Splat!
Solar plexus pierced clean through—instant death.
Yes! That's it. Punching beastkin feels amazing.
"Hmph. Tryna touch my comrade? You're way off! You okay?"
After rampaging, I checked Plena—she stared blankly.
"Uh, y-yeah. I'm fine. Back off a bit."
"If I really liked the Hero, I wouldn't throw myself in if you were in danger, right?"
"N-no, that's... um. Yeah. Got it. Just back off."
Heh heh. Handsomer face than the Hero, braver actions— even a girl with someone won't stay immune.
Especially if I get "injured" saving her.
I'd prepped a pig blood pack in my sleeve and burst it now.
Fist bloodied up, looked seriously hurt.
"Y-you okay? That hand?"
"Yeah. It'll heal quick. That's my race. See?"
Plena touched my fist, frowning.
She winced briefly, then her eyes widened.
"It really healed. Still, something like this..."
"I wanted to protect you, Plena."
Flashed pearly whites in a grin; Plena flinched, tears welling.
Foundation laid. Now, outshine the Hero repeatedly.
Make her see I'm better.
She'll waver eventually.
Can't ignore beastkin elitism either.
She's beastkin elite—deserves top stud. That vibe.
"Why?"
"Just? Protecting comrades needs no reason. I stand by my words. Even if I die, you're safe."
"Still, this is too much."
"I'm fine. Really."
Geneja's lair was cave-like, mazey, descending deeper.
We fought hordes of charging beastkin.
I kept "getting" bruises and bleeding.
All staged, of course. Bruises from Ruel's pre-burnt ash over fire.
I looked more exhausted as we went.
Right before boss room, I collapsed "from fatigue."
She'd stacked favor already; she supported me.
"What the hell is this?"
Frustrated at the absurdity, Plena glared resentfully at the dead beastkin.
I nodded at Ruel.
She smirked and sidled up to Plena.
"Ooh, getting jealous? New prince for Plena?"
"You saying that now?"
Plena coldly glared at Ruel.
"Honestly, not bad, right? Where else ya find a guy like that? Think he'd save you just for camaraderie? Humans aren't that noble. Even comrades have limits."
"What're you getting at?"
"People risk life for love. He's got weird powers, sure. But those wounds should've killed him ages ago?"
"......"
"You know it, don't you?"
Plena averted eyes guiltily.
Can't even maintain a proper poker face.
She seems to buy I'm into her, no suspicion.
I played oblivious and stood.
"Don't talk nonsense. Boss is all that's left."
"What now?"
"Fight the boss."
Cracked my neck.
Plena eyed me worriedly.
"This is dangerous. Go back to Ruin."
"Think, Plena. Would the Hero come? Nah. Needs Yongyong Potion power."
"No way he'd..."
Still defends Ruin. But her eyes doubt him.
"He would. That's why I came. I made him weak—my responsibility."
Panted "wearily."
Made it my fault, self-imposed guilt trip.
Ruel backed me.
"Can't say it's not partly you, but Hero's nature did it. Woulda happened anyway."
"Ruel!"
Perfect timing jab.
Plena's doubts grew.
Is he really Hero material? Husband material?
"I'm right, Plena. Wake up. Hero lost quals ages ago. Even if righteous, entrance sealed. My mana’s dry too. Fail boss, we're trapped."
"Don't worry. I'll win."
"What?"
"Yongyong Potion holds my clan's trait mana. Gave it for money and Hero slaying Demon King hopes."
Shook head—like wrong choice.
Not a lie. Who knew Hero'd be such a wimp?
Holy Sword Hero acting like that? Done.
Plena cautiously spoke.
"Not giving Hero now 'cause it uses life force?"
"If we're dying anyway, yeah."
"Why bring it up?"
"Gotta win sure."
Beamed innocently.
"No. Don't die!"
"I'll try. But might need to risk life to escape."
"Still."
"Wanna protect who I love."
Warm confession smile; Plena blushed, lips shut.
Good, she's falling easy. Too easy. Boring easy.
Well, months together, they warmed to me some.
Plus time in dungeon.
Away from fiancé with another guy. Ruel pops in occasionally; I'm constant protector beside her.
This setup? Sex inevitable soon.
"Let's go in. One-shot him."
Don't want Plena butting in emotionally.
"Possible?"
"Burn soul with Yongyong Potion, yes. End him now while he underestimates us."
I sometimes wonder.
Games: burst DPS skips phases. Why novels make cheat chars slog full phases? Plot padding, fights. But then cheats don't make sense.
So I full-power smash from start.
'Cept when enemy's eyeing my heroines.
This is just acting, of course.
One real hit on Geneja? Splat.
"Really going? Dangerous."
Ruel full-method acted gravely.
"I'm good. Said it: wanna protect you. Fell for you traveling together."
"He lacks that devotion. Go get 'em. Who knows? Might reward ya."
"Nah. Enter after."
Plena opened mouth, but I ignored and entered boss room.
A massive beast greeted me.