Chapter 35 - Corporal Punishment!
How much time had passed while I was out? When I opened my eyes, I saw adventurers still charging at Erebos. Since my position hadn't changed much, it seemed like I'd only been unconscious for a moment. Lizbet...? Spotting the three who'd been fleeing, I found them huddled not far from where I'd last seen them. Als seemed slumped against a tree—probably hit by one of those black orbs flying at us right before I blacked out.
"Hoo..."
I naturally pushed off the ground with my hands and stood up. I could feel the state of my body right now. In my vision were two thick, rugged hands covered in dark brownish skin. Below them, two legs ending in hooves. Somehow, I could tell my face was still in full horse form. Humanization Skill. Not perfect, but it was exactly what I'd been craving. My body had transformed into a bipedal form with two arms like a human's. Power surged through me. A bit different from what I'd imagined, but who cares? This body would let me move way more freely than in my full horse shape.
I wrapped the cloth that had been draped over my body around my waist. Then I turned to glare at Erebos, with adventurers swarming it.
"So this guy's just a baby, huh..."
Recalling the Goddess's memories etched into my mind, I confirmed it: this Erebos was a newborn, barely out of the egg. And a defective one at that—unable to properly steal heroes' power. Still, having absorbed a few heroes' bugs meant it could tap into infinite energy just like the rest. Plus, its stamina had to outclass any hero's.
"But I don't think I'd lose in that department either."
I took a deep breath, feeling the power thrumming in my new body. Yeah... this was doable. Another black orb materialized around Erebos. The moment I saw it, I bolted toward Lizbet's group.
"Wha—huh!? Se-Sema!?"
Lizbet, sweating bullets next to tree-leaning Als as she stared at the orb, spotted me first and gaped in shock. Then the orb split and one hurtled straight toward Lizbet, Als, and Klea.
"Hraaah!"
I smashed my fist right into it. The black orb burst like a bubble and vanished. Turning to Lizbet, I asked, "Liz. How's Als?"
"Uh, wha? Oh, Als shielded us from that black ball... Wait, no, but Sema...? Is that you...?"
"Talk later. Let's take down that kitten first."
With that, I charged through the dust cloud from the dispersing orb and launched a hoof dropkick straight into one of Erebos's heads.
"Kyaaang!?"
The struck head snapped back like it was broken. Landing smoothly, I grabbed both heads with my fists in a pincer grip and hammered away.
"One hit for this bastard! Nah, make it two! Screw it, three!"
Fighting had never been my thing back on Earth. Hell, I didn't even know proper punching form. So I just unleashed the overflowing power in nonstop barrages.
"Kyaak! Kyahaak! Kieeeng!"
Somehow, my reckless flailing was working. Each hit made its twelve eyes flutter, and it let out scream-like yowls from its throats.
"Kiaaaang!"
Mid-beatdown, Erebos swung a forepaw at me. But I wasn't the horse-bodied me who couldn't even defend anymore. I braced my arms and legs, blocking the paw cold.
"This kitten's getting tired too, huh!"
The adventurers' assaults had definitely worn it down. The paw's weight felt way lighter than before. Gripping one head in each hand, I shoved it back into a corner.
"Mages! Blast its side with some spells!"
As I pinned and pummeled, the mages unleashed their magic. Arrows and daggers flew in between—looks like the rear-liners had grouped up on their own to attack. They had to be exhausted, but a quick glance showed them squeezing out their last reserves.
"Fire Shot!"
Lizbet's voice rang out midway. She'd heard me and come to support. A small fireball arced from her spell and slammed into its flank.
"Kyaaaak! Kick, kieeek!"
Every punch and spell made black smoke billow thicker from Erebos's body. No visible wounds, but it was definitely hurting...!
"This is what happens to anyone who messes with me! Right hoof! Left hand! That's just how it goes!"
Channeling some fresh-milk line from a show, I kept pounding relentlessly until it collapsed. I leaped up, channeling all my strength into a hoof-stomp on one head. It exploded into black smoke and vanished.
"Hoo... hoo..."
Then, starting from the burst head, its massive body crumbled entirely into smoke... and soon, the whole thing was gone.
"......Got it."
Got it. The harbinger of doom born from the Goddess's grudge. In other words... I'd delayed this world's apocalypse!
With Erebos gone, cheers erupted from the surrounding adventurers. Exhausted faces lit up with triumphant grins.
"Sema!!!"
Lizbet's voice cut through the roar as she ran to me. So that was her voice I'd heard earlier. I wanted to scoop her up right then.
"Sema! What happened to your body!? Your broken leg!?"
"Eh~ Woke up like this. Oh yeah, my leg's all healed too."
Lizbet beamed with joy. Damn, she's too cute. Screw Als—I wanted to hug her now.
"Oh, right—how's Als?"
"I'm fine."
Als walked over, clutching his arm, with Klea beside him. Sweat beaded his face, but he seemed mobile enough.
"Klea, can't you use recovery skills? You were casting something on the hero."
"I used up all my remaining Esser... but it only fixed his broken ribs and leg a bit... I'm sorry..."
Damn. He looked fine, but the injuries were worse than I thought.
"Fine for me, but you're safe—that's what matters... I was worried there..."
Als sighed in relief. But first things first.
"Klea."
"Yes?"
I called her over, then hoisted her up onto my shoulder. She was maybe 170cm, but my build dwarfed hers.
"Kyaa, kyaak!? Wh-what...!?"
I sat on the ground and laid her across my lap, back up. Her massive tits pressed against my knee with insane bounce, but that wasn't the point right now.
"Um, Sema...?"
Klea peeked at me with half-closed eyes. I hiked up her skirt, exposing her pantyhose-clad ass. The split skirt's buttons popped free, drawing surprised gasps from around us.
Then... SMACK!
I slammed my palm into her huge, plump ass.
"Kyaak! What are you doing!?"
SMACK! SMACK!
"Kyak! Hic! It hurts! Stop hitting me!"
I put real force into it, and the springy slaps echoed loudly. Lizbet and Als's eyes widened; nearby adventurers looked shocked too. I yelled at Klea.
"We talked about this beforehand, and you still rush into danger!? What were you thinking!?"
SMACK! SLAP! SMACK!
"Kyak! Hnng! Ah, ouch!"
"You almost got us all killed because of you! The adventurers shielding us just made it worse! Do you even think!?"
SMACK! SLAP! SLAP! SMACK!
"Ah-hic, ouch, aaak...!"
"My leg snapped too! Huh!? If I hadn't timed the humanization right, I'd be dead! Right!?"
SLAP! SMACK!
"Kuhic, ah, it hurts... st-stop...!"
SMACK!
"Did you do wrong or not!? Huh!? Say it!"
SMACK!
"Kyak! Ugh... I-I'm sorry..."
"Louder!"
SMACK!
"Kyaak! I-I'm sorry! Please don't hit me...!"
"You did wrong, right!? One more for good measure!"
SMACK!
"Kyaak! Hnng... hic..."
Tears welled in Klea's closed eyes, her face beet red. Her translucent brown pantyhose tore in spots over her ass, revealing panties and reddened skin beneath. Men turned away embarrassed or stood with backs turned; women flushed as they watched.
I lowered her ruined skirt, stood, and asked, "Do you get why I was mad?"
"Hic... u-hic... B-because I acted on my own... and put everyone in danger..."
"Right. And one more thing."
I placed a hand on her shoulder, gazing into her tearful face.
"I was mad because you threw yourself into danger without thinking. Don't ever do it again. Got it?"
She sniffled, wiped her tears, and mumbled, "Y-yes... I'm sorry... hic..."
"Good. That's all... Als. Done."
Turning, I saw Lizbet blushing in a daze, and Als facing away with red ears. He turned back, clearing his throat awkwardly.
"A-hem... S-Sema, hands make you bold, huh."
"Ah~ Having hands is just too damn good? I'm over the moon."
A refreshing high enveloped me. Who knew hands could bring this much joy? I felt like I could do anything.
The awkward post-spanking vibe faded as adventurers sorted gear, tended the badly wounded, and started heading out. Everyone seemed proud of their part, steps light despite the fatigue.
"But Sema... your muscles are insane now that you're humanoid... Your horse form was impressive, but seeing it next to humans really drives it home."
"...Yeah?"
Half-naked with just cloth around my lower half, I glanced down—yeah, even I had to admit the muscles were ridiculous. Nearby female adventurers kept stealing glances...
"...Still got a horse face, though. Anything change up top?"
I touched my face and asked Lizbet.
"Not much... but your head and neck shrank to fit your build."
"I see..."
Feeling a twinge of regret as I groped my face, the guy who'd seemed to be taking photos earlier approached.
"Wow, Divine Beast sir. I'm in awe. You showed true divine valor."
"Oh, the photo guy. Nice to meet ya."
He greeted back, revealing he wasn't an adventurer but a Lord's Castle official handling records and photography. No wonder he was so chill.
"That punch on the Hero Eater... so heroic. Mind if I use a few shots?"
I agreed readily and asked about the boxy thing around his neck. He showed it off.
"Yes. Officially called a Magic Photo Printer. Uses Esser to imprint images from the crystal orb onto paper. Like this."
He showed sample adventurer photos. Polaroid vibes. No digital cams here, apparently.
Flipping through, I hit the spanking shots... Klea's bare ass in full view. I eyed the official; he sweated.
"Ah, th-that... N-no ulterior motives, I swear...!"
"Yeah, sure. But I've got motives. I'll handle these."
I pocketed the four ass pics after checking for more. Polaroid or not, if they had cameras... oh, the uses.
Pondering camera ideas as we neared the dungeon exit, all adventurers emerged. The portal faded after confirmation, and we headed back. Feeling cocky, I focused my mind.
Shoooooo...
"Wha—...? Sema, that's...?"
"Oh... as expected..."
My body smoked and reverted to horse form. Form change unlocked!
"Whoa. Hoped it'd work. Felt like it would."
"First time seeing it... but yeah, Divine Beasts can revert, I think."
Als and Lizbet gawked. Awesome—horse mobility plus! Joy doubled.
I crouched for Als and Lizbet, then told Klea, "Hop on. Room for one more."
"Y-yes......"
Post-spanking, fidgety Klea hesitated but mounted. Her skirt's burst seams flashed pantyhose-clad legs lewdly with every shift.
"Kyaak...! Eek..."
Sore ass? She winced on contact, stood briefly, then settled gingerly. Perfect. Satisfaction maxed.
Feeling adventurers' stares of wonder, I answered their questions en route. Soon, Radia appeared.
"Grr~ Finally... I can live in the city as a humanoid...!"
Shifting back, I raised my arms, overwhelmed by the sights. No more window-shopping buildings, no more stinky warehouse—real lodging awaited. The city felt reborn.
"You're still kinda monster-ish... You that hyped?"
Lizbet smirked. Post-Erebos, her distance was gone. Joy tripled...!
As adventurers split—church for wounded, guild office for others—I secretly called to church-bound Klea.
"Hey, Klea."
"Y-yes? What?"
She flinched and turned. Not escaping that easy.
"Nearly died saving you. Not sorry?"
"Y-yes... I'm sorry..."
"Sorry ain't just words, you know?"
She pondered, rummaging pockets like for her wallet. I stopped her, dangling bait for my evil return plan.
"Make it up with drinks later. Wanna hit a bar now that I can."
The real punishment's just starting, bitch.