Chapter 7
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Lizard Subjugation (1)
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"Companions?"
"Having a party opens up more quests you can take. It'll be good experience for you too."
Companions... Adventurers weren't exactly the most trustworthy bunch. Usually, when someone formed a party and came back alone, it was because they'd gotten stabbed in the back. They claimed it was monsters, but that was hard to believe.
"Won't Bori be enough? Gray wolves have sharp night vision, after all."
"...That's true."
"Considering Bori's growth and your party size, I've got the perfect quest for you."
The receptionist peeled a paper from the quest board and handed it over.
"Lizard subjugation?"
"C-rank monster. They've been showing up frequently around the upper Hare River lately. The guards say they sometimes come down to the lower reaches."
"Lizard... Yeah. I've heard they use spears. That right?"
"Yep. They're pretty agile, so be careful. They usually roam alone, but sometimes they form packs."
Hmm... This was a tough one.
I glanced at Bori, who snorted as if to say, Why even hesitate over something like that?
"...Alright! Bori's just as agile anyway."
The decision came quick.
Lizard. Intelligent monsters wielding crude spears and sharp tails. Think of them as an upgraded goblin.
"Bori. Excited?"
Bori wagged his tail, brimming with anticipation. I rubbed my flushed face against his nose. That hazy feeling washing over me wasn't my imagination. Tonight... we'd be going at it hard again, no doubt.
As I hugged him, savoring a bit of that orgasmic bliss, the stares around us turned weird. I squinted and looked around. Most eyed me like I was some cute girl, but those close enough to hear his breathing clammed up, sensing something off.
"Ahem... Bori. You like it too, right?"
Me too, honestly.
Just slipped out unconsciously.
Still flushed with excitement, I asked,
"How many for the party?"
"Oh, uh! Three should do it. Not strictly three, and you could go solo, but try to fill it out if you can. I don't wanna hear about some adventurer I got close to dying..."
That last bit was personal. Seeing her lay her feelings bare like that, she must really like me.
Three, though... That might be too many.
I didn't prefer crowds, and I wanted to handle this quest solo, but I lacked experience. Plus, getting surrounded by a pack of lizards alone would be a disaster.
"...Three's a bit much. Make it two."
Bori looked displeased, but going with someone who had at least a little quest experience seemed smart. Minimize variables.
Nothing spawned more variables than people, but hey, I had Bori. Worst case, bite 'em dead or ditch 'em.
"If that's how you want it, fine. I'll log the quest acceptance. Grab companions at the outdoor bulletin over there!"
"Thanks."
I bowed my head and called Bori.
"Kyeng."
"Listen to me. People are watching—no, ahem... People are watching. Okay?"
Bori whined with a cocky look. Seeing that carefree face made polite speech slip out naturally, but I was over caring now—just ignore it.
Once I applied for the lizard subjugation, a short memo went up on the recruitment board. A tamer seeking party members for lizard subjugation.
Lots of interest.
The cute girl with the gray wolf, or the cocky newbie going solo. Plenty called my name, but the looks weren't friendly. Not like I'd done anything wrong—just the usual prejudice against tamers.
Not many tamers could actually control their beasts well.
Especially those calling themselves 'tamers' and 'adventurers.'
Adventurers had a rep as dumb brutes to the public. Guys who had nothing better to do and charged the front lines on raw muscle... Mostly true.
And tamer-adventurers? Absolute majority were party deadweight idiots.
Regular adventurers weren't much better.
Those fucking bastards didn't know shit about manners.
"Fucked a dog yet? Pick me over that mutt—my dick's no slouch. Heh."
"Don't want your nape ripped out? Piss off."
"Fuck off then. Ptui."
My feet were pooled with spit from those mustachioed freaks—orc? Goblin? Who knew.
Half wanted to fuck me, the other half were obvious bandits hiding nothing on their faces.
Some even blatantly pickpocketed. Vanished after Bori chomped their hands clean off.
"Haa... Fucking assholes."
Modern folk call people uncivilized 'cause they never take an axe to the head, but these shitheads act the same knowing full well.
Maybe just go solo.
That thought bubbled up fully when—
"Raon?"
A polite question, un-adventurer-like.
I turned in disbelief. There stood a woman in priestess robes, head taller than me, average build.
Red hair cascading to her hips, huge tits. The robes clung oddly, outlining her curves sharply. Most striking: the big golden cross embroidered near her chest.
"Who?"
"Keseok. I can use healing magic—"
"You're hired."
"...Pardon?"
Finally, someone with a brain instead of a dick in their skull. And from the Church! That golden cross marked her as Church personnel. Courteous, plus healing magic? Instant hire.
"Let's go. Long way ahead."
"Heard it's the upper Hare River. Right?"
Right as I was about to stamp the receptionist sis's face one last time, the priestess introducing herself as Keseok stopped me.
Upper Hare River was right, but... why ask? Not into lizard subjugation? Then solo launch. No more dealing with these brain-dead fucks.
"Why ask?"
Sharp tone. Maybe neurosis from all the rude pricks, came out snappy.
I flinched after saying it, but she didn't mind. She straightened her robes and continued calmly.
"Poor briefing on my part. I'm from the Church."
"Saw it on your robes."
"...You know the Church?"
"Seen fake ones get their heads smashed. Know you're undead-hunting maniacs."
I covered my mouth primly, and Keseok coughed awkwardly. Kinda green. I lacked experience too, but she screamed newbie.
And... ulterior motives, maybe.
"So, why ask about the upper Hare River?"
She cleared her throat at my question.
"...Ahem. Actually, undead sightings up the Hare River. Must purify the tainted land urgently."
"Whoa! Truly nefarious. Hope it's resolved swiftly."
No undead reports for upper Hare River.
"And after we arrive?"
I eyed her suspiciously, and she smiled mildly, expression unchanged.
"Once you've escorted me there, I'll help with the lizard subjugation as a bonus."
...Hmm.
Suspicious.
Eh, Church folk probably won't backstab. As I didn't pry more, Keseok glanced at Bori and spoke.
"By the way, I heard from the sisters your tamed wolf rivals two horses in speed. Possible to ride double?"
Guessed she wanted to borrow Bori's paws. Heard rumors of me zipping through quests fast? Seemed more interested in Bori than me.
"...Ask Bori."
I glared at Bori off to the side. He looked indifferent.
"Kyeng."
...Woman's fine?
This horny mutt.
"...He says yeah."
I nodded vaguely in agreement.
"Follow me then. Lots to buy."
"...Not leaving now?"
Keseok tilted her head at my words. Face screaming Why not depart immediately?
I shot back incredulously.
"Gotta stock food and water. Priests don't eat while wandering?"
Perk of dealing with brain-dead adventurers: you could mouth off to high-status folk and they'd let it slide.
"R-right. Understood."
Definitely a sheltered miss unused to this. Fine, she'd know healing magic—plenty useful.
I could heal Bori with [Tender Care], but once a day, and it doubled as a buff—not for spamming.
"Let's go, m—uh. Bori."
"Kyeng."
Almost said master. Brainwashed or what, words slipping out weird.
First, the general store. Swept dried meat from the signboard into my pouch. Keseok following stared oddly.
"...Why so much jerky?"
"Bori food. I snack sometimes. Priestess wanna try? Might shatter your teeth."
"N-no thanks."
I'm a regular at dry goods shops. Bulk-buying jerky by the silver coin each visit? Bound to be known.
'Quest pay all going to jerky again.'
That's why I live on jerky sometimes. Decent with water, but still teeth-grinding tough.
Tiny body straining, I hauled the jerky. Stuffed four leather pouches full, extras tossed to Bori.
"Kyeng."
Crunch, munch. He chews that rock-hard meat like candy. Staring too long risked [Heat Cycle], so I ignored and tied the pouches.
Secured to Bori's waist. Tougher cord this time—last snapped on one jump.
Sigh.
Nothing left.
Grow more and earn cash, please.
"So, priestess. What's the real reason for upper Hare River?"
"Pardon? As I said, undead extermin—"
I made a fed-up face.
"Priestess can't lie. It's all over your face."
"...Is it?"
"If you're going upriver, hire guards or take a carriage—why me? Undead would've triggered a guild quest. Spill it. Why there? Sneaking in?"
People who can't lie do exist. How miss that blatant tell?
Keseok went grave, lips trembling before steadying.
"Truth is, tracking a fugitive. Fled upriver... Carriage too slow."
"So borrow Bori?"
"Regrettably, yes. Gray wolf ignores terrain, moves fast. Upriver's horse-inaccessible anyway..."
She'd been heading back to the Church when she spotted me. Normally, reorganize search party post-return for long pursuit... But a tamer handy?
Something like that.
Didn't seem like a lie.
"Catching a bad guy? Righteous to help. Don't sweat it, priestess."
"H-how pious you are, sister. Heaven, spirits, and God of Light shall remember this grace."
"Ehehe. No biggie."
"Mm, thanks mean nothing without action. Meager, but I'll cover the jerky."
Gasp.
For real?
She casually offered a silver coin; I snatched it pocket-fast, then deflected with chatter.
"Ahem. Don't know where to put myself with the praise. So, why's he a fugitive?"
Keseok's face twisted in utter disgust, voice low with genuine loathing.
"Church member who fucked beasts. Madman."
"......"
"End times. Commits such depravity unscathed... Devil's minion for sure. Deserves Church punishment ASAP."
Cold sweat as I asked,
"Uh, punishment meaning...?"
Keseok narrowed her eyes, murmuring,
"Remove the source of wicked, corrupt thoughts."
"...Source?"
"Smash his head. Punishment done."
What the fuck.