Magic Spiral! Storming the Black Wolves' Hideout
Magic Spiral? Magic Spiral! "Hero, you sure we're gonna find them like this?"
"For Liela's sake. Let's push a little harder."
"It's been three weeks with zero leads..."
How the hell are we supposed to push harder? Damn hero. Liela was acting all heroine-like, refusing to give up no matter what. It was pathetic.
For three straight weeks, Yubel had been fed the same adult bullshit line from the hero: "We're almost there." It pissed her off every time, but she swallowed her anger. Gotta play nice if she wanted him to let his guard down.
Anyway, for those three weeks, she'd scoured the fantasy staples—taverns and eateries—for intel. But taverns were just taverns, and eateries were just eateries. The hero had given her this look like he couldn't comprehend why she'd suggested them.
Don't they always find clues in places like that in anime?
"Aigoo! Thank you again, Hero! My back's been killing me lately... can't even move the goods."
"Gotta help out where you can. Well, we'll be off then."
"Yes! Take care out there!"
The hero did these random acts of service for the elves now and then. Thanks to that, the elf folk had a pretty high opinion of his party. What a faker. Sure, some people loved volunteering, but she couldn't picture this ero-game pervert as one of them. He was just hiding his true nature.
"Oh yeah, have you seen Liela today?"
"No clue. Don't think so?"
They'd sometimes go check on Liela together. She'd always apologize with an awkward smile. So damn out of character. Yubel hated hanging with the hero, but of course she'd tag along to chase leads. How could she abandon Liela when she looked that sorry?
Am I too nice or what?
Clomp clomp.
"Hm? Where'd that guy go?"
While wandering aimlessly with no clues, Yubel spotted the hero ducking into a shady shop in the distance.
Isn't that a brothel?
"Hey! Why the hell are you going in there!"
"No... I heard some commotion..."
What else would you hear from a brothel but moans? Couldn't even hold out and hit up a whorehouse—never let your guard down around this psycho hero.
"Kyaa!!! That bastard's running!! Somebody grab him!!"
Huh? The brothel door flew open, and some guy bolted out.
"Kuhaha! Farewell, you whores! Eh?"
What a low-rent line. But damn, he was fast—no catching that. Bye-bye.
As they watched the guy flee, suddenly his clothes started coming off! They peeled away like a musical actor changing mid-scene.
"Ah, fuck! Why's my pants slipping down!"
Oh my, how indecent. Exhibitionist much?
"I'll get him!"
Whoosh! The hero lunged and nabbed the fleeing guy. The man's arm twisted with a snap, and he kissed the dirt.
"Urk! Get off! Damn it, who the hell messed with my pants like this!!"
Yeah, who would do that... Oh right. Come to think of it, wasn't this the hero's skill?
Yubel racked her game memories. The hero had a skill tree for all sorts of abilities. He could unlock whatever he wanted, and yeah, there was definitely an Undress skill. Or maybe something she didn't know about.
Either way, if that skill popped up, it meant he'd either jacked up a heroine's lewdness level or spent the night with her. Only one suspect: Liela.
"Haa..."
Yubel let out a deep sigh. If only Liela didn't like the hero! And if you're gonna do it, at least show me something.
Truth was, Yubel's own lewdness had gone up from her dirty fantasies about Liela. Slut.
Meanwhile, Baek Seon was baffled. What kind of skill was this? Undress people? What was a hero supposed to do with that? Fun, sure. But if used right... it could be handy?
"Aigoo! Thank you! That jerk used our place and tried to bolt without paying—we almost lost him. Gotta give you a reward... wanna give it a try?"
"Ah, no, that's—"
"No, no! We don't need that stuff!"
Yubel cut in. Phew, quick rejection—hopefully no pushy invites now.
"Oh, you got a girlfriend! Makes sense; it'd be weirder if you didn't."
Good, the madam dropped it. Wait—who's the girlfriend?
"You know anything about the Black Wolves? We're looking for them."
The hero asked the madam about the Black Wolves. Like this old lady would know—
"Oh, that kinda talk? Happy to share! We handle info on the side too."
—or not. Can't judge a book by its cover, huh.
"This way then."
Clomp clomp. They followed the brothel madam to a quiet back room. It was stacked with documents, info-broker style. But why brothel and intel? Swap love and secrets?
"The Black Wolves—you mean the ones who invaded Edelia recently?"
"Yeah, gotta catch 'em."
As Yubel scoped the room, the hero chatted with the madam.
"We spotted traces lately and were investigating, but the army suddenly halted, so we backed off too."
Probably Hardrien pulling the troops so the hero could rack up feats and get Liela pardoned easier. Acts all tsundere with his daughter.
"Mind sharing intel? I'm the hero, y'know—been tracking those Black Wolves myself."
"Hero...? Oh! You are him! Then I can trust you with this?"
Trust this guy? Madam's having a rough day.
And so Seon and Yubel headed to the spot the brothel madam pointed out.
'Last trace of the Black Wolves cut off near an uninhabited forest in the western district. They're probably hiding in there somewhere.'
They advanced cautiously through the deserted woods, crunching cool earth and fresh leaves. No rushing—Black Wolves might be lying in wait.
"Urghhh... my back's gonna give out..."
"You okay? Wanna rest?"
"Nah... let's just hurry."
After trudging low for ages, Yubel's back was killing her. Seon, trailing behind, worried. They were up against mercenaries—might have to fight people.
"Yubel. You really okay? Scared of fighting humans? You struggled hard against those goblins."
Even monsters wore her out; killing people might traumatize her. He checked on her.
"Huh? Worried now?? That was just once—I adapted right away. Didn't you see me blast those goblins?"
She shadowboxed the air, brimming with confidence. Showboating, but zero muscle.
"Got it... Just stick close to me then."
To Seon, Yubel was special. His first true comrade in this world. Sweet-hearted, always helping folks in a bind despite the hassle. Stunning looks, bold and spirited. Who wouldn't like her? Sure, sharp-tongued, but being around this clingy Yubel put him at ease without knowing why.
"What, stick close..."
She averted her eyes, blushing. Shy type? Seon felt a tickle in his chest.
But not Yubel. Oh, poop over there. Do elves even poop? She'd just spotted some dung and looked away.
Time passed, the forest darkened, and night fell. Pushing through dark woods at night was suicide—not just humans out here.
Judging they wouldn't find the Black Wolves today, the hero party reluctantly set up camp.
"Oh? Two sleeping bags?"
Seon had ached from ground-sleeping before; the wagon ride nearly killed him. No repeats—he'd grabbed two this time.
Flop. They lay side by side, admiring the starry sky you rarely saw on Earth.
Yubel was awestruck. So freaking pretty. Just wanna lie here worry-free.
"Daughter... hm, daughter..."
Mumbling from beside her. What's this creep jerking off to? Horny now? Gross.
"Yubel."
"Yeah?"
"Any way to get Hardrien and Liela closer? Their father-daughter thing feels awkward."
Seon wanted Yubel's take. She was floored. Dude. That's their business—why butt in? Sad to watch, sure.
"Yeah. I don't know much about family, but more talk time should fix it, right?"
"Talk time..."
Seon mulled it over, then turned to her.
"?"
His serious face made Yubel swallow nervously.
"Yubel. Once this is over, maybe you and I could—"
"Ahh, gotta piss! Why no toilet here!"
A gravelly voice from behind distant trees. They approached: some burly drunk with pants down, taking a leak.
Patter—
"Phew. Almost pissed my pants. Got a hideout but no damn toilet! Huh?"
It didn't last. Seon snuck up, knife to the guy's throat.
Saw this in a ninja game. Slice? Showtime?
"Don't move. Black Wolf?"
"Y-y-yes! B-but that knife, p-please move it... Eek! N-nothing!"
Seon's blade pressed closer.
"Where's your group? Three seconds. One, two..."
"R-right there! S-straight ahead, 'bout 50 meters! Hideout in the trees! Gack!"
Thwack! Thud. Seon chopped the guy's neck, knocking him out. Sloppy knifehand, but monster-hunting brute strength made it work.
Yubel's eyes sparkled unwittingly.
"Gotta move now."
Yubel nodded. If this guy vanished suddenly, they might bolt.
"Yeah. Wanted to sleep, but no choice. Let's go."
They reached a rundown shack. Eye contact, nod, approach the door.
"Hey, what's the password?"
"Crap."
Gruff voice from inside. This was it. Password?
That bastard hid it on purpose!
"..."
"..."
What to say? No clue there was one.
"Th-three... t-two..."
Screw it.
"Ma... ma..."
"Who?"
"MAGIC SPIRAL!!!!"
BOOM!!!!
"Grahk!! In-intruders..."
She blasted the door to splinters with a Magic Spiral. Not dead, right? Criminals—eh, no guilt.
"What happened!"
"Yubel! Stay behind me!"
Seon drew his longsword and charged the Black Wolves. He said stay back—guess I'll chill here.