Kobold Extermination Squad (2)
Kobold Extermination Squad (2)
Tir's face instantly turned as red as a beet.
He clearly hadn't expected me to request sleeping together.
"Huh? Nunim? Wh-what are you saying...!"
"You won't feel cold at night. Is that a no?"
As I spoke, I pulled one of his arms into an embrace.
His arm sank into the softness between my breasts.
I could feel Tir stiffen rigidly.
"I-it's not about whether I can or can't..."
"We could have some warm time together. Don't you want to be with me, Tir?"
I whispered lowly, urging an answer.
His arm remained completely trapped between my cleavage.
Tir had been a virgin until recently.
This kind of stimulation would be unbearable for him.
After much hesitation, Tir finally raised the white flag.
"...Understood. But it'll be cramped and uncomfortable for you."
"That's fine. It just means I can get closer to you."
"Ehk..."
His ears burning red, he finally lowered his head.
I wasn't particularly skilled at acting cute or coquettish.
But seducing an innocent like Tir was child's play for me.
"Thank you, Tir. I'll make sure to repay you."
Expressing my gratitude, I released his trapped arm.
It had been an unexpected situation, but Tir's consideration made it work out well.
Sharing a bed with him would benefit me too.
Beyond just sleeping arrangements, especially from a sexual release perspective.
My body carries Lilith's power.
I need to periodically release the accumulating desires.
With the subjugation lasting over ten days, I'd need to sleep with a man at least two or three times.
Having Tir as my partner would be perfect. It'd also repay him for sharing his tent.
The subjugation force took one break before continuing their forced march.
When we finally reached the targeted mountainside, orders came to halt.
"Set up camp here! Move quickly before nightfall!"
The sky was already turning red.
Darkness falls early in the mountains, so we needed to finish preparations quickly.
Claiming a spot at the edge of camp, Tir and I began setting up our tent.
"Tir. That man giving orders earlier - is he the subjugation captain?"
"Yes. His name is Ashekh."
The force consisted of eight Silver Badges and the remaining Bronze mercenaries.
Being selected as captain meant he was at least stronger than me.
Curious, I continued questioning Tir.
"Being captain means he's the strongest here?"
"Most likely. I've heard he's an Aura Expert close to Gold promotion."
An Expert, the advanced realm of Aura users.
Considering most Silver mercenaries are just Users, his skill level is indeed different.
Chances to observe true masters are rare.
Watching his combat might teach me something by proxy.
"Tir. You finished over there?"
"Yes. What about you, Nunim?"
"Almost done here too."
We completed the tent before full nightfall.
The process involved leveling the ground, setting poles, layering canvas, and securing it with stakes.
Truthfully, Tir did most of the work.
This being my first time pitching a tent, I was terribly clumsy.
Given mercenary work, I'll have more camping opportunities.
Thanks to Tir, I've learned enough to manage alone next time.
After assigning night watch shifts, the camp settled into quiet.
The exhausting march had left everyone fatigued, and we needed to conserve energy for tomorrow's battle.
Tir and I lay side by side inside our tent.
"Tir."
"...Yes!"
The tent interior was dark enough to only see outlines.
But I could easily tell he was tense.
Still this shy after sleeping together twice?
Or was he already anticipating the sticky night ahead?
Unfortunately for Tir, I had no plans for intimacy tonight.
Wearing him out before battle would be disastrous.
"Goodnight."
"Huh? Oh... g-goodnight, Nunim."
Tir wasn't the type to recklessly pounce without permission.
Had he been that impulsive, I wouldn't have gotten close to begin with.
How long had it been since I last slept beside someone?
At least tonight, I might have fewer nightmares.
* * *
Next morning.
Leaving some behind to guard camp, the subjugation force mobilized.
Local hunters had already scouted nearby kobold settlements.
Our task was pure extermination and destruction.
After pushing through mountain paths, we reached a treeless clearing.
The first settlement.
"Halt! Archers to position!"
A crude wooden palisade surrounded the settlement.
Not particularly high, but still a troublesome obstacle.
Beyond it, kobolds brandished makeshift weapons.
"Grrrl..."
Their eyes brimmed with hostility.
Their formation suggested they'd anticipated our arrival.
Well, with our large force invading their mountain and setting up camp, they'd naturally prepare.
"Archers ready! Fire!"
Rear archers loosed flaming arrows.
The fiery barrage arced across the sky before raining down upon the settlement.
Instantly, flames spread rapidly.
Thatched huts and straw shelters made excellent kindling.
Kobolds panicked as their home became an inferno.
Their earlier vigor visibly faltered.
Captain Ashekh issued the next command.
"Charge now! Forward march!"
The fire attack had broken their spirit.
With Aura Users leading, the kobolds would crumble easily.
"Let's slaughter these mutt bastards!"
A burly mercenary at the front swung his mace mightily.
The heavy impact shattered part of the palisade.
Now we had a proper breach.
Exchanging glances with Tir, I followed the vanguard.
Time for close combatants like us to act.
"Press forward! Cut them all down!"
Entering the settlement, kobolds swarmed to attack.
Two came at me.
I dodged one's spear thrust and parried another's axe swing with my sword.
Though similarly sized, their strength surpassed goblins.
Still nowhere near my level.
I overpowered the axe with brute force.
The kobold trembled resisting, but it was futile.
As its stance broke, I unleashed rapid slashes.
Flesh tore messily, blood spraying up.
One down.
"Grrr...!"
I twisted away from a flanking stone spear.
The sharp point only stabbed empty air.
Grabbing the shaft, I yanked hard.
My overwhelming strength destabilized the kobold.
I immediately stabbed my sword into its exposed belly.
Two down.
I'd gauged their level.
Better than goblins, but weaker than average Bronze mercenaries.
At this rate, numbers wouldn't even scratch me.
Time to properly bully the weak.
I systematically cut down every kobold in my path.
Mangled flesh flew everywhere, hot blood splattering my face.
Three breaths. Never more than three to take a life.
My slashes, thrusts and swings mowed them down effortlessly.
These kobolds had pillaged and murdered nearby villagers.
I had zero reason for mercy.
"Keep at it! Few remain!"
"Kill them! Slaughter them all!"
With their warriors annihilated, it became one-sided slaughter.
Mercenaries trampled and demolished huts, reducing the settlement to ruins.
Our mission was extermination and destruction. I preferred the former.
After chasing down fleeing stragglers, the battle had ended when I returned.
"Hey, loot that area yet?"
"Checked already. Nothing worth shit."
"These mutt fuckers are poorer than village beggars. Not even a damn carrot."
Mercenaries scavenged for spoils.
Their efforts seemed fruitless.
Most returned empty-handed, grumbling.
Kobolds don't hoard valuables.
But the near absence of livestock or crops was odd.
Chicken coops, pig pens, tilled fields - but no actual food.
I wasn't the only one suspicious.
Veterans like the captain appeared thoughtful.
This clearly wasn't normal.
"All present? Return to camp!"
Before leaving, I surveyed the smashed, burned ruins.
A minor thing.
Yet an uneasy feeling lingered.
Maybe after clearing more settlements, I'd understand this dissonance.
For now, no way to know.
Evening fell as we returned to camp.
Mercenaries broke out alcohol to celebrate our first victory.
Most had brought skins of liquor, but one stood out.
He'd transported an entire beer barrel.
"Bwahaha! Damn good brew!"
The giant mercenary who'd smashed the palisade with his mace.
He scooped a full mug from the barrel and downed it in one go.
A drinking style as bold as his battlefield presence.
Fascinated, I watched until we made eye contact.
His face brightened as he waved me over enthusiastically.
"Hey, girl! Luna, was it? Saw you carving through them earlier!"
I wasn't keen on joining this sweaty drinking session.
But etiquette demanded I respond when addressed.
"It's Rene, not Luna. Your mace work was impressive too."
"Right right, Rene it was. Name's Waldo. Have a drink!"
He grabbed a mug and filled it to the brim before handing it over.
The rich color suggested quality craft beer.
"Fine brew."
"Damn straight! My family's own recipe! None of that cheap tavern swill! Drink up!"
At his urging, I clinked mugs and sipped.
The intense flavor flooded my mouth.
The unique taste made my eyes widen.
"Interesting. Starts crisp, floral mid-palate, then spicy finish. Mint and cinnamon?"
"Ho! Spot on! You know your drinks! Here, another!"
Waldo's enthusiasm made me accept a second round.
I didn't mind - this was good beer.
Would've cost decent coin at a tavern.
"Looking forward to tomorrow's action! Never seen a woman fight so brutally! Bwahaha!"
After my second mug, Waldo finally released me.
Unplanned drinking, but the pleasant buzz improved my mood.
With lightened steps, I returned to our tent.
Tir had already prepared for bed inside.
"Tir. Turning in already?"
"Yes. Have you been drinking, Nunim?"
"Mhm. Can you smell it?"
Tir silently glanced at me.
His avoidance answered that question.
"...Hmph."
He could've lied to be polite.
Annoyed, I climbed onto his stomach.
"Nu-nunim?"
"Too early for bed."
I pressed down with my hips, squishing his lower body.
Something gradually rising pushed against my buttocks.
Leaning forward, my black hair cascaded over Tir's face.
I heard him gulp.
Slowly lowering my head, our eyes met.
Though resisting, lust swirled violently in Tir's brown eyes.
I wasn't the only one aroused - the man beneath me wanted me too.
That knowledge filled me with satisfaction, dampening my thighs.
"Tir."
My patience had run out.
Lowering further, I brought my lips near his ear.
Then whispered lewdly:
"...Do whatever you want with me."