Chapter 3
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Gray Wolf
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(1) Gray Wolf
The world flipped upside down. When I looked down, the ground was in the sky, and the sky was on the ground. And if I looked a little further down... there was nothing.
Bori, whom I'd been riding, and the leash I'd tied him with... both gone.
"Ah, ah?"
Gravity pulled at my body.
The moment I registered that horrifying acceleration, terror washed over me.
"Gyaaaaaa―!?!!"
I'm falling. I'm going to die. It was a simple conclusion. And if this kept up, I'd smash into the ground and splatter like a crushed tomato, spilling my guts everywhere.
"Boriiiiiiiii!!!"
Tears welled up as I searched desperately for Bori.
- Shwaak!
That's when someone grabbed me by the scruff of my neck. I let out a choked yelp, sticking out my tongue limply, flailing helplessly as I was dragged along.
"Ah, khek, hek..."
Of course, it was Bori who had snatched me up.
Bori bit down on my scruff again, tossing me into the air so I could land in a natural riding position.
"Ugyaaak...!"
The world spun round and round. Followed by a thud. When I came to, I was astride Bori again.
My crotch hurt. His fur was so soft it didn't hurt much, but the nausea that hit right after scrambled my brain.
"Bo, Bori. Please... land, plea...se."
I clutched my scruff with a deathly pale face.
I couldn't puke on Bori, so I fought it back desperately.
- Thud.
"Grweeeek...!"
After landing, I immediately hurled up my guts. The world was spinning. Even after vomiting once, the dizziness wouldn't quit, so I stuck out my tongue and panted heavily.
Just like a dog. On all fours, strength drained from my limbs, ass sticking out.
- Sniff sniff.
"...Uh, huh?"
In that moment, Bori shoved his face in. He came up behind me as I struggled with the dizziness and buried his nose in my butt crack. I felt a strange embarrassment and staggered to my feet.
"G-get away. Bleh."
I wiped the cold sweat from my brow and approached Bori, who had backed away.
>Did riding him bother him? Or was he worried I'd get hurt? Either way, Bori had cleanly wiped out the remaining goblin pack. He even smashed their colony. He could've just set me down nearby...
"This was expensive, you know..."
I picked up the severed leash and muttered timidly. It was really sturdy rope. My hands had blistered tying it...
"Sigh. What's the point talking to a doggo. Anyway, should we wash up? You stink too."
I had enough money now to enjoy the perks of fantasy civilization, but not Bori.
No inns allowed him, so we'd have to find some water outside and rinse off. Winter was a worry with that in mind, but I'd think about it later.
'There might be people by the river... Guess I'll head to my usual spot.'
I hopped off Bori and headed into the forest. At the forest entrance was my secret spot. Guarded like a fortress by boars lurking in the treacherous terrain few humans could navigate—a pristine lakeside untouched for years.
"Phew~ The air's so nice."
The sunlight was perfect, nicely cool. The grassy scent was so refreshing it felt healing just being here.
- Whoosh.
I stripped off my clothes. No one around, so no hesitation. This place was pure wilderness, no entrance or exit... If I sensed anything, it'd be the local boars.
Peeling off the blood-soaked sackcloth revealed my pale skin. Perky breasts and a tightly shut pussy, never used. Even knowing it was me, seeing my reflection in the lake made me flinch.
I hadn't roughed up my body just because I became a woman. Sure, childish curiosity flared sometimes, but life was too harsh for idle nonsense.
Bori ate a ton, after all.
>Maintaining a super-giant gray wolf's chow bill took serious coin. After two silver per meal got too pricey, we hunted, but I couldn't skimp on care entirely.
Still.
If not for you, I'd be dead long ago.
I led Bori slowly forward. Splash, splash. My feet hit the lakeside, shoulders twitching. I shivered and waded in.
"Haa......"
So cool... Incredibly refreshing. Some muscle aches eased as I relaxed thoughtlessly.
More importantly, I killed a bunch of goblins. Wonder if I leveled up a bit.
▶ Loyalty can no longer be increased.
'Not even a single point up?'
I must've killed at least twenty... Maybe goblins are too low-level. But I didn't want to hunt dangerous monsters. Scary, sure, but more than that, I hated Bori getting hurt. Live long and thin—that's my goal.
'And... loyalty's the same too.'
Started at 50.
50 was ambiguous as hell. Close enough to fool you into thinking he'd kill you if you slipped up, yet so far. Felt distant.
90 wasn't much different. His temperament softened a tad, but otherwise same as ever. A gray wolf's nature shone when slaughtering goblins.
So sometimes I got anxious. I'd carry this unease until I saw 100.
"What're you dissatisfied with anyway......"
...Haa. Fine. It's just a number.
I hugged Bori and swam around. He seemed pleased too, shaking his fur with a splash now and then. I'd giggle and dive in.
Grabbing his front leg, I swam backward slowly. The lake was pool-sized, perfect for killing time.
"...Hm?"
Then, something brushed between my kicking legs.
"...Ah, ah. Ahem. You too, huh."
Realizing what it was, embarrassment flooded me.
>Its size meant even the default was huge.
Glad I picked up a male. Not in a weird way. Males had no heat cycles, less hassle. Hm. Dogs and wolves different? Not sure about wolves. My knowledge was dog-only.
>Didn't know if this world's gray wolves matched Earth's doggos, but basics seemed similar. And this embarrassing stuff was common bathing together, so no biggie.
>Just... the sheer size threw me. Peeking through wet, shrunken fur... that wasn't a "genital" size. No clue where to look.
>Well. Gotta be in the monster encyclopedia for a reason.
>After the cold bath, I averted my eyes deliberately. Wet body could mean a cold, so I had to snuggle up, though.
>Canines ran hotter than humans, super warm. Paws smelled funky but cozy like a pocket warmer.
"Haa... Let's eat when we get back. My treat this time. Saved up some money, ugh, kyaa?!"
Then Bori stuck out his tongue. Wiping me off? Or just happy? He lapped eagerly at my smooth skin.
"Ah, yeah..."
>His big tongue licked everywhere. Around my scruff, brushing pinkish nipples now and then. Face burning, I trembled.
"H-hey! F-face off... Hn. Hng."
>My face went slack, expression lewd for a moment.
"Ah, uh. Smack. Stop, stop. Puppy."
Snapping out of it, I swallowed hard. Forced his face away. Bori whined pitifully.
"Sigh... Now I gotta wash again. You dry your fur there. I'll go in alone."
>I dove back into the chilly lake. Alone this time. Eyes barely above water, cheeks puffed sulkily, I blew bubbles. Pop pop.
'Typical male.'
>Bori did this sometimes. I'd brush it off as dog things, but these cute pranks occasionally sparked weird thoughts.
Because I'm a woman now?
>No reason or leisure to relieve urges... but I'm human, heat boils sometimes.
Grinding my butt on corners like a kid for mini-orgasms—that was it. Never gone further. Riding Bori wore me out; I'd crash after jobs.
'No way a dog has impure thoughts about me.'
>Above all, we're friends.
'Don't blame innocent Bori.'
Guess I need to masturbate.
Weird thoughts keep popping up.
*
A few more days passed, but Bori's loyalty stayed put.
▶ Loyalty can no longer be increased.
'Am I doing something wrong?'
>That message suggests conditions to raise it, but no clue. Not an expert on otherworld animals.
'......Maybe missing something.'
Handy book for times like this.
'Monster Encyclopedia.'
Gray wolves: D-rank solo, C-rank pack. High-risk pack hunter common in forests, rare animal classed as 'monster' due to danger.
I headed straight to the Adventurer's Guild.
"Hey, little one. What brings you? Bori again?"
"Not little...... Hm. Anyway. Hello. Got a Monster Encyclopedia?"
I bowed to the guild receptionist and asked. 'Little one' irked me, but I let it slide. My height screamed kid, and she always called me that.
"Monster Encyclopedia?"
"Wanna check something about Bori."
"Such a diligent tamer. Alright. Ten coppers to borrow, one silver to buy. Which?"
>Steady quests built trust? She handed over the pricey tome easily. Looks helped. Adventurers were so barbaric.
"No notes in the book. Got it?"
"Yes ma'am."
Bowed again and found a quiet spot.
>No buildings allowed Bori, so I'd read on a flat surface.
Stump nearby—perfect.
"Lemme see, where's Gray Wolf..."