How to Steal the Hero's Woman - 329: Yggdrasil (3-38)
I checked the compass a few times before turning back to the party members and speaking.
"Let's head this way for now."
The direction I pointed to was different from where the compass indicated.
Of course, the compass was pointing toward the central village.
We had already figured out early on that the villages formed a triangular layout.
Which meant...
"If we veer 60 degrees to the right from the first village as our baseline, we'll arrive."
There was no need for pinpoint accuracy.
As we got closer to a village, signs of human habitation would start appearing.
Trees and bushes would vary in height, and well-trodden paths would become visible.
Above all, even if we got lost, the compass ensured we could always return to a visited village.
"If we'd known, we should've gone left this time."
Park Seon-hee was right; that would've been far more efficient.
If we'd gone to the left village, we could've used the trio's compass on their way back from the right village.
"It's all experience. We build it from these little things to avoid big mistakes later."
Minor slip-ups were the best lessons life offered.
"Alright, everyone got everything so we don't leave anything behind?"
At Min Hayeon's words, they all checked their inventories, then nodded at her moments later.
"Then let's move out."
..
..
"Whoa... this is seriously nice."
"Yeah, no place like this back in Korea."
"Even if there was, we couldn't go."
The initial tension from stepping into the forest melted away quickly.
With each footprint we left, the trio completely shook off any regrets about coming to the forest instead of the sewer dungeon.
The dungeon's musty stench and claustrophobic views were incomparable to this.
The forest greeted us with pristine air that felt like it could wash away all the junk in our lungs, under a clear blue sky.
It was in a league of its own.
This place preserved nature in a way impossible to find in Korea, or even on Earth.
Separate from any unease, just being here made us feel one with nature.
All but one person...
"... "
Han Yeoreum wasn't just scanning around; she was on full alert, like guarding all four directions.
'She must be anxious.'
The only one here who'd suffered at the hands of a Red Summoner.
Having endured massive humiliation in her previous regression loop, she was probably shaking with neurosis-level trauma.
We'd met Boris smoothly this time, but that was it.
Because I'd intervened midway, not only had she failed to get what she wanted, but she'd likely factored in the risk of becoming a target for the Red Crescent again.
'Still, better than her yapping. Her trembling vigilance makes things easier.'
Thanks to Han Yeoreum's hyper-alertness, we progressed toward the village without issue.
Unlike the first day, where we'd moved cautiously while taking in the sights, on the second day everyone agreed speed was key and picked up the pace.
Safe zones dotted the path occasionally, but the nagging fear of who—or what—might pop out never fully vanished.
Wanting to reach the village ASAP, we hurried on.
And the result?
"That's the village, right!?"
"Yeah, looks like it. Let's hurry!"
We'd covered what should've taken three days in just two.
Not the vanished sun, but faint lights in the distance guided us to the village.
That was when it happened, as we headed there.
Sasasak! Sasasak!!
"Kyaaack!"
The unidentified rustling from the darkness sent everyone into a panic, whipping around.
But we saw...
"What was that? Rocks rolling?"
Nothing.
"Hmm... We're near the village now, so let's scan around and proceed slowly."
They nodded at my words, halting their run to creep forward.
The trio and Han Bom held lanterns, eyes darting warily, while Min Hayeon and I nocked arrows, covering the flanks.
Contrary to our worries, nothing showed up until we reached the village.
"...? What? A resting monster?"
"Lucky. I was worried it'd be a Red Summoner."
By the time we arrived, the sun had fully set.
"Good thing there were village lights, or we'd have missed it."
"At that dim twilight, yeah, easy to pass by."
Relieved, they headed straight for the inn.
But en route, something struck me as odd.
"Lots of people out?"
What we called NPCs were milling about even at night.
"And they look... unique."
Unlike the right village's ordinary humans, these left village folk gave off a different racial vibe.
"Don't stare too hard. Might start trouble."
"Got it."
Gazes lingered until we found the inn, but no real hassle ensued.
And crucially, the innkeeper was a normal human.
"Oh, customers? Been ages."
"Got any rooms?"
"Plenty—too many, even."
We got shown to our rooms and started probing directly.
"Know how to get the tokens here?"
"You know about tokens, so you've been to other villages. Can't help you, then."
We hadn't expected much, knowing the pattern.
The innkeeper stuck to basics.
"Used to be summoners selling tokens, but now you gotta get 'em yourself."
"Takes long?"
"Hmm... Some stayed over a month, I reckon?"
A month? Everyone gawked at him.
But he waved it off with a laugh.
"That's for the long-haulers who just settle in 'cause it's comfy. Good for my business, so they stick in memory."
"Ah..."
"Ancient history now."
"One more thing? The villagers seem weird. Why?"
Min Hayeon asked, and the innkeeper chuckled, shaking his head.
"Not weird—from your view, night folk are Yggdrasil residents too."
"Night... folk?"
"Can't say details, but think of this village as active at night."
Simple: night and day swapped.
Even at night, they bustled like daytime.
"Summoners have been coming long enough it's old hat. Treat 'em like normal villagers."
"Ah..."
"Dinner incoming. Order more if needed."
"Sure."
Relieved by his words, we ate the meal he brought before he left.
Implying more food for more Q&A.
We got right to it after.
"Hunting it is."
Min Hayeon nailed our best—and only—option.
"Yeah. It'll drop hints eventually."
They nodded, scarfed dinner, and crashed for tomorrow.
..
..
I spoke as the sun dipped low.
"Call it here for today."
They just stared glumly, no real reply.
We'd slaughtered hordes.
Min Hayeon and I went all-out, intent on wiping them clean.
Yet no sign of the item we wanted.
A bit deflated, we reached the village.
They immediately gawked at the streets in wonder.
"Whoa... for real. Dead quiet by day, now swarming at night."
Park Seon-hee was spot-on: lunch-hour ghost town turned evening market frenzy, stalls popping up everywhere.
Streets filled with residents shopping for grub.
Amazed stares turned back to our goal.
"No unique monsters—just repeats."
"Yeah... We cleared 'em all. Nothing special like last time."
No oddballs like the bird monster from before.
Pushing without hints shook their confidence again.
"Other dungeons nearby?"
"Gathering this time?"
"Far off?"
Ideas flew as they brainstormed.
Han Bom had the most solid one.
"Split up and scout? Other summoners might linger."
"Yeah, like Bom says. Fan out."
"Okay."
They grouped: trio as usual, me and the other three together.
One caught my eye.
'...That bitch is pointless.'
Han Yeoreum contributed zilch in combat, even today.
I'd told her to fight solo at first; she just obstructed my view, hindering hunts.
Intentional? Trash. Accidental? Idiot.
Plus, no gains today, and she'd smirked happily.
Now tailing me felt more like spying on my interactions with Min Hayeon or Han Bom than following orders.
'Han Yeoreum wants to catch me in the act.'
[Doesn't seem like it...]
'Heh heh heh...'
[...]
I turned to Han Yeoreum and Han Bom.
"Split up. Mostly stalls here, not shops—more efficient solo."
"Sure."
"... "
Han Bom crisp; Han Yeoreum scowled distrustfully.
I sidled to her, whispering.
"Hey, no bullshit. Quietly tail Han Bom, got it?"
"What? Why me..."
"Shut it."
"... "
"Little sis wandering at night—protect quietly. You can manage that, right? Our Yeoreum."
"Grrrr!"
Teeth grinding. Careful, bitch.
Hearing my commanding whisper, Han Yeoreum's pride shattered like shotgun buckshot; she meekly followed Han Bom.
Her glare stayed on me, though.
Or rather, on me with Min Hayeon.
Conveniently, Min Hayeon beside me chatted with a stall vendor.
"Know how to get tokens?"
"...Can't tell, even for points. No authority to meddle."
"Sigh..."
Squish.
"...!"
"Huh? Something catch your eye?"
"N-no... J-just... browsing."
"Fine... Don't manhandle and devalue my wares."
"Y-yes... Hnng..."
I ignored her flustered glance, kneading her ass out of the vendor's sight.
'...Eureka.'
[Totally unrelated word.]
'Ruining the mood...'
I kept massaging Min Hayeon's ass, glancing back.
Demon face.
Han Yeoreum's expression was straight out of a horror flick.
As I groped Min Hayeon's firm cheeks, Gekkosu cracked up in chat.
"Showing Han Yeoreum."
"Scum? Look at my mercy."
"Can't show sex, but this groping's proxy satisfaction. Like mukbang."
Despite Gekkosu's barbs, I grinned.
Han Yeoreum's humiliated mug as dessert, I enjoyed Min Hayeon's ass.
Lately, trio time and ascent focus meant no sex, barely skinship.
Min Hayeon couldn't shake my hand easily either.
She fretted more about getting caught publicly than the touch—ex-celeb guilt over indecency.
And her worry crept toward reality.
Unlike right village, left buzzed at night; some residents whispered, eyeing us.
(Oh my god...)
(Summoners these days, no manners...)
(Not even daytime, doing that at night... What about kids seeing?)
Daytime okay?
Weird line, but ignored.
My eyes fixed on Han Yeoreum's demonic glare and Min Hayeon's shame.
I slipped a hand between Min Hayeon's jeans-clad thighs.
"W-wait... Sh-she's... watching..."
"Just a bit more."
As I pressed, fingering toward her crotch...
Pak!
"Gah!"
My intruding fingers yanked back by massive force, failing.
My wrist, under crushing pressure, flopped pathetically toward her ass from afar.
'Fuck, Han Yeoreum?'
Only one person I'd peg for that right now.
Turning to confront my interrupter, intent on payback...
Glowy pale skin, slender fingers, thin arm... and...
'...Eureka.'
[Fits the word this time.]
Pointy, elongated ears poking out.
"I've watched your actions from behind. Touching a woman's private parts so crudely—know shame."
A real... elf appeared.