Wolf and Pheromones
The splash of water from the basket washes away the traces of battle scattered here and there. Instinctively, I want to shake my body dry, but that would be rude to Daphne behind me.
"Thanks, Daphne."
"Hehe. Now you do me, Tier."
"Turn around."
Unlike usual, her unbound golden hair glistens beautifully, soaked with water. Daphne's hair is always so pretty.
"Ah, that tickles, Tier."
"S-sorry."
After a little commotion with Daphne, we sink into the bath. The tension from our first climb and the fatigue from battle melt away in an instant, and the corners of my mouth relax.
"Tier."
"Yeah?"
"How was today?"
"What do you mean?"
"The party members. We have to climb together from now on, so I was wondering what you thought."
"Hmm..."
I mull over the party members we synced with today. Excluding Daphne, the new ones are Leon and Berg.
"Le... on's kinda meh..."
"R-really?"
"Yeah. They say mages in the village are all strong, but I was disappointed."
He mumbled some incantation and all he did was kill three or four goblins. After that, he was all wobbly like a dog that shat itself...
"What about Mr. Berg?"
At Daphne's words, my nose twitches instinctively. We've only just met, so why does thinking of him make me naturally seek out his scent?
Berg, introduced by the receptionist, faced me with a smile lighting up his face. Anyone would nod that he was handsome. But that was it. For me, a party member's skills and personality mattered more.
My friend Daphne is so innocent, so I had to check thoroughly, right?
So, steeling myself, I decided to assess him as usual. Starting with his scent.
Scent is key information about a person's nature. For men, you can tell if they visit brothels, their favorite foods, hygiene. For women, diseases from relations, vanity from perfume, even menstrual cycles.
I'm exceptional at this compared to my peers, so I trust it implicitly. Never been wrong once, right?
Taking a deep breath like always—my mind blanked.
A languid aroma melted away all tension in an instant. Before I could snap out of it, my nose twitched unconsciously again.
I'd never slipped up in front of anyone, but that day I did. Even now, alone, my tail bristles sometimes.
"Tier?"
"Wh-what?! I'm listening."
"What do you think of Mr. Berg?"
My nose twitches again. I feel cold sweat breaking out without knowing why.
What's wrong with me? This is bad. Really bad.
"H-he seems good."
"Hee... Well, he looked super skilled, and reliable?"
After that little chat with Daphne while washing up, we left the bath and hurried to the inn. A short walk down the darkening street, and we were there. Settling our things and taking our beds.
I smile back at Daphne's goodnight and lie down. My nose twitches again.
Berg's scent from the next room. Whenever I have time, I catch myself chasing it.
Experiencing this for the first time, I'm flustered, but I close my eyes quickly. It doesn't feel bad, somehow.
It reminds me of the night as a child, teased by peers, crying myself to sleep, only for my gentle father to stroke my head.
"Whoa... So many curiosities."
After conquering the first floor, we got personal maintenance time. Since the party's still low-level, conditioning is essential, right? It doesn't faze me, so it naturally turned into sightseeing this fantasy world...
The alchemy guild's stall displays all sorts of drugs. Effects that seem utterly incomprehensible.
Magic development makes it this way?
Using a test ampule, the potion's instant effect amazes me. Overwhelming compared to real-world ones. True fantasy world, huh?
"30 low-grade potions and 10 mid-grade ones, please."
"4 gold 50 silver."
"Here."
"Thank you."
Handing over the gold coins, the guild member's face beams—probably thrilled at selling in bulk after so long.
"Come again!"
Her service-packed voice follows me out. I chuckle and hit the street.
The medieval hustle with hawkers everywhere feels like a movie set—steps light. As an adventurer city, non-humans outnumber humans, adding charm.
Ended up here from Jeong Jae-kyung's potion scam, but I'm satisfied.
Especially the quality of potions and gear.
Thinking of the potions now in my inventory warms my gut. Give some to Park Jisu for emergencies, ship to the Demonic Cult—super useful.
Hm?
A light footstep behind me spikes tension, but it's just first-rate level—nothing. Can't even manifest sword aura, mob tier. Iron Man ability handles it.
Wonder what bullshit they're pulling?
As a hunter, getting openly provoked like this is a surprise party. In reality, I could smash civilians with justification.
Heh heh. Fucked now, you bastard.
Heart pounding, I slow my pace. The hesitating guy taps my shoulder.
What the?
Turning, I see her.
"Oh? Tier?"
"Ah, hi? Berg."
Her pure white tail sways as she fidgets. She's literally a dog.
"What's up? Shopping?"
"Uh... Looking for armor!"
Her eyes darting, overreacting—super suspicious. First impression was a bold warrior woman, but more I see, more she's a puppy.
"Yeah? Let's go together. I was gonna browse gear too."
"O-okay!"
Her tail wags furiously at my words.
"Ah!"
She grabs it, ears red, hurrying ahead.
"Hurry up."
She glances back, urging me.
"Right."
Reminds me of walking a big dog—I chuckle and follow.
"How's this?"
The bikini armor in my hand gleams.
"...Will it defend?"
"It'll distract eyes, right?"
"Ah... Yeah, maybe."
She nods, eyeing the bikini armor seriously now. More innocent than I thought. The blacksmith in the corner sneaks a thumbs-up. I return it discreetly.
Can't help it if she's packing.
She mumbles about trying it but sighs, putting it back. No way.
"No space for my tail..."
She glares at the blacksmith with fierce eyes, but he's pale—didn't think of it.
Useless fuck...
Ignoring our exchanged glances, she finishes by buying simple greaves.
I tagged along to eye materials over gear, so empty-handed, but more contact with Tier is enough.
"Got everything?"
"Yeah. Time to head back."
She hugs the cloth-wrapped greaves, nodding. Her exposed abs and shoulders worry me.
Sensing my vibe and gaze, she gives a wry smile.
"Dual-wielding swords leaves no choice... Pauldrons and breastplate are too bulky."
Recalling her style, I nod. Needs free arms for swings. Defense covered by dual swords. As a beastkin with sharp senses, probably fine.
"Sorry."
"Huh?"
I'm nodding lost in thought when she apologizes.
"No, for showing an unsightly sight..."
She covers her belly. Through her fingers gleams a statue-like outline, overwhelming presence.
They don't see that as beauty here?
Her self-conscious twist, limp tail, flushed ears show it clear.
"I'm fine with it."
"Eh?"
Among women's abs I've seen, it's top-tier, but inevitable, right? Beastkin develop muscle naturally, and academy life means spotting washboards on female cadets often.
Anyway, highlighting what I ignored makes me awkward.
"R-really?"
"Yeah."
Reading sincerity in my voice, her hands relax, lines softly revealed. Steel-twisted obliques and externals. Untouchable perfection—stirs lust, even hardens me.
Heh. Strong woman.
Finally easing suspicion at my intense gaze, she walks casually—but whole body flushed, waddling like a nutcracker, hands and feet synced.
Glancing at my crotch, nose twitching.
F-fuck... She noticed the boner?
Cold sweat pours down my back.