Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Unconscious Flag-Planting
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"Ufufufufufu. How do you like it~?"
The one who snapped me out of my daze over the insane quest details and rewards was the spinning-glasses girl. No, the seal-girl wearing her seal artifact.
I used to think, back when a friend-like guy ranted about glasses being a seal, "What's wrong with glasses...?" But for her, at least, the glasses really were a seal.
The seal-girl grinned creepily.
"You're totally spacing out~."
"Not at all."
I stared holes through the quest window before selecting it.
No.
The quest window vanished pathetically.
As expected.
I didn't want to go after a girl who had a boyfriend just for rewards or levels.
I didn't want to be called a pathetic loser, even if it was true.
If Nila asked what about her... that was a one-time mistake.
Besides, she had seduced me, and I thought her husband was trash.
...Yeah, that's it.
It was all self-justification.
Still, having made one mistake didn't mean I'd repeat the same one.
Humans might repeat the same errors, but I had to at least try not to.
And besides. Even without morals, what would happen if I touched her?
She was the daughter of Apiz Leisia, the branch chief recognized across the entire guild, and famous enough in town to be called a local celebrity. And now a fresh outsider who just arrived lays hands on her?
The fallout terrified me.
Someone might say just keep it secret...
But could I even seduce her in the first place?
With goddess-level looks like hers, how amazing must her boyfriend be?
Don't forget. I'd escaped virginity, but I was still a solo act.
Plus, I'd discovered something unexpected about myself.
I wasn't the type to fall for super pretty faces; I could appreciate them like fine art.
Sure, my heart raced, and I thought she was stunning, but that was it.
Passing up the all-stats reward stung...
But staring at that face any longer might be hazardous to my heart—in a good(?) way—so let's get the glasses back on.
"Put your glasses back on."
"Ah! Ah! Ah!"
She pushed the center of her glasses with her finger, and her arms flailed wildly.
The seal-girl adjusted her glasses... yeah, now she's the seal-girl.
Spinning-glasses girl was a bit harsh, huh?
From now on, I'd call her the seal-girl affectionately.
People are sly; confirming she was drop-dead gorgeous made affection sprout like weeds.
Then the seal-girl puffed her cheeks in dissatisfaction.
"Somehow, this reaction is totally different from what I imagined~."
The seal-girl grumbled that my response was too bland.
I didn't know my expression, but I'd been plenty entranced.
Now I understood why Flat had looked at the seal-girl with longing eyes.
But I said firmly, like a pumpkin.
"Is that so? What about the others?"
If things were going according to plan, we needed to move now.
"They're waiting outside~."
"Got it."
I followed the seal-girl out.
There stood the earth-mage girl and Flat. And a pretty bob-cut girl who hadn't been there before entering the guild.
A face I recognized.
In a sea of beauties, normal prettiness didn't stick, but her fierce, intimidating vibe was memorable.
Looking closer, she wore the same uniform as the seal-girl's group.
Definitely one of the Miak Academy students who'd agreed to help.
Unlike the other delinquents, she didn't seem intimidated by the earth-mage girl El; while the others glared, she stood tall, chin up, staring her down.
Not just strong-willed—she seemed hot-tempered.
Sensing my gaze, she turned her head toward me.
And shot me an appraising look.
Not a friendly one, naturally.
And when her face twisted in distaste... I remembered her.
The girl talking to the seal-girl when Gold and I went to the play.
Gold had called her Sor.
Recalling her name brought more memories.
Blan had mentioned she dominated the school.
Fitting; she had the guts to wield influence across grades.
At the play, she'd given off a weird, alien vibe, but now she seemed fine.
"Ah! Ah! Ah! These are my friends~!"
The seal-girl behind me rushed forward, waving her arms and hugging Sor.
"Asita's here."
"Y-Yes! So happy to see you, Sor! Thanks sooo much for coming to help~!"
.....
Might be my imagination, but Sor's eyes held a hint of hostility toward the seal-girl.
"That guy's the escort for this op?"
The topic suddenly shifted to me.
The seal-girl replied energetically.
"Yes, yes!"
"Heh~."
Eyes screaming "no trust" and a smirk of disdain.
I figured she wouldn't be easy, but yeah, this bitch was confirmed trash.
But while I stood quiet, the seal-girl grumbled.
"Really! Sor! This guy's the one who beat Yulis! Don't underestimate him~!"
"Oh, I heard."
Was Yulis that famous?
But the disdainful gaze didn't change.
"That's reassuring. Anyway, I'm joining this group per the plan. You all head to your positions. Got it?"
Commanding so naturally.
But the delinquents nodded obediently without rebellion.
"Yeah, got it."
"Okay."
Huh. They say "okay" in this world too?
The heavily made-up girls scattered at Sor's order like soldiers.
Girls who'd pick fights if I spoke, moving in perfect sync—Sor was clearly their terror.
She probably saw them as "friends" written, "henchmen" read.
Then the earth-mage girl El approached me.
"So, you took the request?"
Her voice mixed suspicion and anxiety; I nodded.
"Yes."
"Th-Thank you, Yedre! With you, this request feels doable!"
Flat tried to grab my hand, all emotional about it. I stopped him. I have no hobby of holding men’s hands
Then something nagging me surfaced.
"By the way, is the priestess traveling with you off on her own?"
"Ah, Remi's on another mission right now."
Another mission?
Meaning she wasn't joining this op.
Wasn't she a refugee too? What mission?
But I wasn't in a position to pry.
Then the seal-girl Asita bounced over excitedly.
"Outsider! Today, Orc Habitat or Valley of the Gods! Which one~? Pick one~!"
"Uh... huh?"
The name gap was huge...? Orcs and gods?
Maybe "god" meant a monster named Sin?
"What? You don't even know what they are?"
I nodded at Sor's exasperated sigh.
"What's the Valley of the Gods?"
"Just a valley made of stupidly tough rock."
Not all, but most had astonishing hardness.
But just tough stone—no special weapon effects.
"Why call it Valley of the Gods then?"
"Legend says gods descend there sometimes. Recently, someone saw a pillar of light, caused a stir. Obviously a hallucination."
Huh? Pillar of light?
I tilted my head at the unease when a heavy sensation hit my arm.
Turning, the seal-girl was clinging to it.
"Come on! Let's gooo~!"
"Wait, I..."
"Ah! Where to~?"
Decide that first before clinging.
I tried not to tremble, but the peachy fragrance and soft touch made it impossible to hide completely.
"Valley of the Gods..."
My voice shook noticeably.
The seal-girl smirked mischievously and led me.
The earth-mage girl El gave an exasperated look, then grinned and dragged Flat's arm.
I heard Sor mutter, "Loser virgin..." Wanna get slapped?
But Sor eyed Asita unexpectedly. Why?
"......Ah."
One step in, I remembered: one person missing.
"Um, what about Clarit?"
"Oh right~!"
The seal-girl Asita startled.
"Oh right" what? She's a teen clan lady—treat her better...
Noticing my gaze, the seal-girl declared confidently.
"Clarit and I are close, so she'll forgive me~!"
Yeah. That casual attitude is step one to ruining friendships.
No choice; we waited a bit. Minutes later, a beauty in a deep-brimmed hat emerged.
Half her face covered, but innate beauty shone through the vibe.
Outfit shifted from uniform to detective-like, adding fresh charm.
"Let's go."
She said that approaching us; no objections, so we departed.
Surprisingly, uniformed students greeted seal-girl Asita the whole way.
Most were fierce, scary delinquents clashing with her cute nonchalance.
"Asita? Back?"
"It's Asita."
They seemed happy, but awkward.
The seal-girl, lightly holding my arm, greeted each warmly without awkwardness.
"Guys~! Missed you~!"
Guys what...?
We passed dozens before reaching Milf Village gate.
Outside the gates after so long.
The guards who'd grimaced at me before were there again.
What's their shift like to always be here?
Slouching, they spotted me approaching and gasped.
Sweat pouring, they said,
"S-Sorry about that time."
"Never dreamed it was a false rumor..."
Misunderstanding absolves sin...?
Snapping back was easy, but social life. Worth it?
"I get it was unavoidable. No need to apologize."
"B-But..."
"Right~! Outsider's not that petty~!"
I am petty though...?
The interrupting seal-girl prompted the guards' loyalty bows.
They kept apologizing sincerely till the end.
Felt genuine, so my mood lifted.
Good is good.
"Misunderstanding cleared. Just don't do it twice."
I joked with a smile and parted.
Felt them waving till the end.
"Misunderstanding?"
Sor's words; I ignored.
Intuition said talking would sour my mood.
"Hey, ignoring me?"
This bitch?
You ignore me? Hilarious. Her voice grated like that; she smirked.
"Not in the mood to talk."
"Hah, fine?"
Sarcastic to the end.
Her looks weren't maxed, but personality was top-tier trash so far.
Undisputed top was Yulis and some high school bitch from back then.
Runner-up...?
Feeling ignored since I refused talk, Sor snorted openly and overtook me.
Probably insisting you're ignoring me? No, I'm ignoring you.
Then, through her fluttering hair, her nape caught my eye.
Not sexy or a neck fetish.
A tattoo.
Like a mashed monster or magic circle.
The seal-girl noticed my gaze, spotted it, and waa! pounced.
"Sor! Tattoo~? Did it hurt~?"
Sor's face stiffened briefly, then saddened.
"You didn't know? Harsh. Been three years."
"N-No idea~..."
"You only come back to Prynar Academy twice a year; makes sense."
The seal-girl Asita seemed clueless, but thorns in her words.
Or pretending.
Hair covered most; without my special eyesight, I'd miss it.
Increasingly dislike this bitch.
One more provocation, and I'll deck her.
I'm an equal-opportunity hitter.
Anyway, chats split: Sor and seal-girl, El and Clarit. Flat chimed in to lighten moods.
I just walked.
Losers suck at talking...
Bored of just walking, I asked,
"How far is the Valley of the Gods?"
I picked it for adventure vibe, knew nothing.
Info before arrival.
"A bit~?"
The seal-girl turned, answered kindly.
No dangers, per her; half-relieved, half-disappointed.
More questions? But glasses-girl was lost in scenery; hard to interrupt.
She visited twice yearly; felt bad disturbing, so I scenery-watched too.
Then,
Passing big trees, Sor said,
"Dangerous monsters pop up ahead sometimes."
"I see."
"......"
"......"
"?"
"?"
"What?"
"Huh?"
"Go check if it's safe."
"......"
This bitch oversteps?
"What? That face?"
"Don't wanna."
"What?"
I shot back at her twisted face.
"I'm not your errand boy."
"......"
A hint of killing intent froze her expression.
Quiet satisfaction; I snorted past her and headed indicated.
Sor whatever; others were charges.
Spot: fruit trees galore.
Monsters drawn to fruit?
No presence now.
Except one.
"...Why are you here?"
Shockingly, earth-mage girl El followed.
Head turned, twirling smooth gold hair, eyes down.
.....Why?
Worried about monsters?
"Fine. No monsters..."
"I know that much..."
Voiceless.
What really?
She fidgeted fingers, clenched fist, snapped head up.
"Th-There!"
Voice spiked; startled me.
Fists tight, ungh... blushing earth-mage girl El.
Confession vibe.
No way.
"...S-Sorry."
"...?"
Sorry for what?
She'd annoyed me so much; no clue.
"H-Half a year away from home. Useless power. Bad rep... Thought you were bad, no no. Excuses."
El bowed deep.
"I was too sensitive. Sorry."
"......"
"A-And thanks for the request. I'll repay later."
Approached, offered hand.
"N-Not full peace... but."
"......"
I took her shy hand.
Small, like a child's.
She shook vigorously a couple times, grinned heh heh.
Damn frustratingly cute; heart pounded.
"Please take care!"
"Sure."
.....
Maybe a decent girl.
El left; scanned, resumed march.
Sor glared murderously; Clarit and El chattered fiercely; Flat approached.
"E-El was rude to you till now. Sorry."
"No big..."
Right after her apology, boyfriend cover.
Unaware? Planned? No need for teen clan heirs to bother with one outsider; coincidence.
"El's not bad deep down. Like, when Gold got slime'd, she raged; when you went missing, she searched."
"......"
Memory hit.
That time, grumbling "what a loss"... no, earth-mage girl El.
"No connection then?"
Still none now, but then total strangers, no contract.
Why search for me?
"Felt bad for rudeness at first meet. Haha. She broods on mistakes? Cute, right?"
Don't brag girlfriend, asshole.
...Admit it.
Absurd to myself.
Hostility faded to fondness.
Fine, admit.
She's cute.
But whatever. Not my girl.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Just eat her already...] ...?
What was that.
A voice? No presence nearby.
Hallucination?
I focused on scouting to shake the fuzzy El feelings.
Unlike "a bit," took an hour.
Pre-upgrade, I'd tire; stats made endless stamina.
Others too; most peppier than me.
Sor looked beat, but your fatigue my problem?
"Ah... Feet hurt like hell."
Sor grumbled.
...Fuck it, be nice.
"Everyone tired? Short break?"
"Hah."
"?"
Sor snorted at my words; she smirked.
"Could've said after arriving."
"......"
Bitch even when considerate.
But eye contact avoided post-tantrum; her patheticness let me endure.
Remember.
I beat women real good. "That time," many.
Push more, I'll beat till she begs mercy.
Anyway, break time.
Check stat/skill allocation, new gains.
Hand to sword hilt; seal-girl peeked over shoulder.
Sweet peach scent.
Don't.
Men misread that.
"What?"
"Polishing weapon~?"
"No. Status window."
No reply. Glanced; lips inches, blinking.
Thump.
Heart jumped.
Stop, heart. She has a boyfriend.
El too, weird distance.
"...What?"
"Status window~."
"Yeah."
"Once activated, just call it~."
.....
......?
"Status window."
Pop!
Fuck!
Status bloomed before eyes; couldn't help cursing.
What the fuck. All this time, idiot moves?
Dazed at seal-girl; she smug.
"Ahem! Ask lots~!"
Chest out, emphasizing peaks.
I averted eyes, meek.
"Y-Yeah... got it..."
Swallowing shame, checked today's perk skills.
⚡ SKILL LIST ⚡ [Ahe. Cum Just from Touching!]
[Active][Passive] [SP 10]
[Touching target post-activation grants supreme pleasure. Active: focus one body part. Passive: weaker but whole-body. Active may rarely hear thoughts.]
[Ahh... Is your white stuff infinite...?]
[Passive] [SP 10]
[Vitality rises with levels.]
[Sensitivity 100x!]
[Active] [SP 10]
[Boosts sex partner's sensitivity. Pleasure only from you. Not true 100x, but effort might...]
[Into mind control or hypnosis? Heh.]
[Active] [SP 10]
[Unlocks basic mental skills. Light hypnosis/brainwash. Weak now; use wisely or get slapped.]
[Endless Bodies for Variety!]
[Active] [SP 10]
[Transform into any creature. Size limit by level.]
Yeah. Used to it now.
Shit, but bearable.
Skill descs.
[Ahe. Cum Just from Touching!]
Not total trash?
Supreme pleasure—if combat-level? Worth testing.
Passive with active mode...?
Constant active would wreck daily life.
Thought-reading useful, but "rarely"; combat?
Needs contact; hard on strangers/foes.
Next.
[Ahh... Is your white stuff infinite...?]
Vitality up with levels.
...Infinite fap...?
No TP shortage. Next.
[Sensitivity 100x!]
Partner bliss-only from me. Not literal 100x; effort-dependent.
100x kills, fuck. Pleasure death.
Happy end for sudden death?
500x existed; higher skill?
Max this for upgrade maybe.
[Into mind control or hypnosis? Heh.]
Basic mental open. Weak now; target carefully.
Thanks for warning.
Not my style.
Next.
[Endless Bodies for Variety!]
Any creature; size/level limit.
...Ooh!
Useful? Dragon fire-breath!
Roman fantasies flashed.
...Sex skill ultimately?
Monster form, monster sex... mood...
......Hot?
Sounds fun...?
Beep.
Closed status.
Sor stretched neck, crunching.
Everything annoying now.
Alone as Sor distanced, eyed humming seal-girl.
Broad knowledge; traveling together, win-win.
Resumed march.
Soon, Valley of the Gods; jaw dropped.
"This the Valley?"
"Looks plain, but~ no flight magic here. Rocks super tough~."
Her words faded mid.
This place... first step in this world.
That damned cliff where I met Loveheart, tried climbing!
Valley of the Gods?
Loveheart not random?
That instant.
Shhh.
Presences around.
Shing.
Drew sword; humming seal-girl whoa! cutely backed.
"D-Did I noise too much~? Hehe. Sorry~."
"No. Enemies."
Figures emerged everywhere, as if hearing.
Outfits... classic bandits.
"Hmm."
What now.
They bit the bait they shouldn't have.