The Secret of the B-Rank Duo
Mari, the magic swordsman, and Heidi, the spiritist.
The party I had joined was a pair consisting of these two women, and what they demanded of me was to carry their luggage and handle all the various chores required for their travels.
And the moment I followed them to their lodging for that very purpose, a loud thud echoed through the air.
"There, that's the luggage you need to carry."
The duffel bag, which boasted an absurd size and weight at a mere glance, looked far too burdensome for anyone who just knew how to use a little strength.
"Am I... supposed to carry this around?"
"What, are you thinking of saying you can't do it now?"
"No, it's just... I thought the amount of luggage was a bit much for just the two of you."
"Haa, this is why beginners are... Once you reach B-Rank, the requests you perform are diverse and even dangerous, so it's only natural to pack plenty of gear to respond to every situation."
Ah, yes. I'm sure there's a perfectly plausible reason for it.
Just as I, a beginner, was about to comply without a word, Heidi, who had been smiling bitterly beside me, added an explanation to Mari's words.
"On top of that, the two of us are currently aiming for an A-Rank promotion. So lately, we've been primarily taking on high-difficulty missions, which is why the luggage has inevitably grown this large."
"Ah, I see. Since A-Rank is called the highest among adventurers, it's only natural to prepare for all sorts of contingencies."
"That may be true, but it's ultimately our own circumstances. If it feels too burdensome for you to carry, Chad, please let me know. I'll discuss it with Mari and try to adjust the load."
"No, you don't need to worry about that."
Having experienced all sorts of labor since coming to this world, the greatest advantage of the body I possessed was none other than immense strength and near-infinite stamina.
To prove it, I strapped the heavy duffel bag to my back and jumped lightly in place. Heidi's eyes widened as she watched.
"That's amazing. Most people find it hard to even lift it, yet you're jumping around."
"Haha, I'm quite strong, you see. How about it? Am I useful enough as a porter?"
I cast a glance toward Mari, seeking her approval.
Even so, she just clicked her tongue and turned her gaze away as if she didn't care.
"Yeah, your strength is worth a look. You'll have to carry even heavier things than that in the future, so don't you dare collapse on me."
Does this damn bitch get thorns in her mouth if she says even one nice thing? Just you wait. If I get the chance, I'll make sure to settle this score by fucking you into submission.
Anyway, the contract was signed, and it was confirmed that I could carry the load. With that, I followed the two of them to a quest site near the city, and soon we encountered a massive lump of rock wandering at the foot of a hill.
To be precise, it was an artificial construct with limbs like a human, roaming about.
The first thing that came to mind when I saw it was a "Golem," commonly found in fantasy, and Heidi's explanation perfectly matched that expectation.
"It's a Golem created when discarded magic stones, illegally dumped by alchemists years ago, underwent a certain reaction and fused with the surrounding environment. Usually, Golems operate on a set algorithm, but the one over there is in a state where it's impossible to control because the algorithm formed naturally rather than being set by a caster."
"It just looks like it's wandering around stupidly. Is it really that dangerous?"
"It's slow, but it attacks if you get close. And since its range of movement isn't fixed, there's a risk it might invade the thoroughfare or even the city if we're not careful, so we have to deal with it beforehand."
"Sure, whatever. We just need to get paid."
It was over 4 meters tall. It was truly fitting to call it house-sized. Mari approached it nonchalantly, preparing to draw her sword.
"Isn't it dangerous? The difference in size alone is overwhelming..."
"Fufu, it's fine. Just watch from behind for now, Chad. Fighting is our job."
Saying that, Heidi also descended the hill and took a position behind Mari. As if sensing their presence, the Golem turned its body and began to raise its massive, heavy hand high into the air.
-Vvvvvvvvvv
It let out a harsh, crying sound as if some mechanism was activating. When the fist swung down and collided with the ground with a BANG!, everything in the vicinity was shattered into pieces, scattering dust in all directions.
"Strong. A direct hit would be the end of me."
-Crackle!
Lightning began to bloom where her fingers swept across the blade. And then, a blue current formed, coalescing around it.
"Of course, in the end, all you have is strength."
What was truly worthy of the name "Magic Sword" began to swing toward the Golem's lower body, moving with her body like an afterimage.
-CRACK!
The Golem's leg split in half with a sound.
-Vvvvvvv...!
At that moment, as if it couldn't overlook its precarious balance, the Golem bent its knee, and Mari, having moved behind it, began to climb its spine to seize the high ground.
"Head first!"
-WHOOSH!
Fire surged up from her sword. And then, an explosion occurred at the point of impact.
-BOOM!
The explosion was powerful enough to blow away the Golem's hard head, but even so, the Golem's body didn't stop; it rotated, trying to shake Mari off.
Since it wasn't human, was the head not a vital point either?
"There must be a core. Heidi! I'll draw its attention, please analyze its weak point!"
"Got it!"
Along with Mari's shout, the Golem's hand swung violently. Seeing that the movement was more intense than before, it seemed to have entered a berserk state, sensing a crisis from the damage inflicted on its body.
Yeah, this is a very dangerous situation. For someone like me who isn't used to this, I couldn't even muster the courage to step into that scene.
"Oh, Spirit of the Earth. Permeate the body of the giant born from the soil and project its form!"
Even so, Heidi began to unleash her spell without hesitation to support Mari. Immediately after, a certain light traveled along the ground and seeped into the Golem's body, and soon cracks began to appear all over it, revealing its interior.
"Mari! I asked the spirits to temporarily disperse the Golem's body! The weak point is the core in its chest!"
"Well done, Heidi! Leave the finishing blow to me!"
Mari leaped high into the air, creating a fierce gust of wind around her sword. The Golem's hand reached out, unable to ignore the blade of intense wind, but the sword strike that followed ground through the Golem's thick arm and reached the glowing part of its chest.
And -KRA-KRA-KRA-BANG! Mari punched a hole right through the Golem's chest and landed on the other side.
As if that were the finishing blow, the Golem's body collapsed with a thud, and the two women, confident in their victory, approached each other and attempted a familiar high-five.
"Good work, Heidi."
"It was nothing. You did everything, Mari."
"No, if it weren't for you, the war of attrition would have lasted quite a while. As expected, subjugation is easier when I'm with you~"
Mari shared a friendly conversation with Heidi, a clear smile on her lips. Looking only at that, she didn't seem like such a bad person, but the gaze she turned toward me afterward was filled with the same venomous malice I had encountered before.
"Hey, porter! What are you just watching for? Come here right now and collect the loot."
"Uh, loot?"
"Haa, this is why beginners are... It's a Golem born from resources discarded by alchemists, so obviously, if a giant body like that is moving, there must be an energy source worth money, right?"
The damn bitch berated me in return, as if asking why I was asking such an obvious question. Feeling my nerves being scraped, I reluctantly headed toward the Golem, and Heidi approached my side to help me rummage through the collapsed remains.
"I'll help you."
"Ah, yes. Thank you, Heidi."
"It's nothing. Chad, you're still a beginner. As your senior, shouldn't I help you in various ways?"
Saying that, Heidi began to use the spell she had cast earlier once again. The light that started from her body seeped into the ground and mingled among the Golem's fragments, and soon, pieces emitting a brilliant light were discovered in the cleared area.
"Is this worth money?"
"It's a magic stone created by the concentration of high-density mana. Usually, alchemists choose to discard them, saying that creating them intentionally is inefficient, but sometimes waste in places like this naturally intertwines and turns into the form of a refined magic stone."
"Hoho, I see. A treasure born of coincidence..."
So, you can make money by harvesting resources from the subjugated target like this. As I made a mental note that this would be necessary knowledge when I go hunting myself later, Heidi's gaze, which had been rummaging through the fragments, turned toward Mari, who was keeping watch from a distance.
"...I'm sorry."
And suddenly, an apology escaped her lips.
"Uh, why all of a sudden?"
"I felt like I should apologize on Mari's behalf. It's not a very good attitude for an outsider to see."
Was she at least aware that her partner had a problem with her personality? But for some reason, a bitter look was visible in her eyes as she stared at Mari.
As if there was a reason she couldn't help it.
"Is there some sort of situation?"
"She had a bad experience with people in the past. I'll tell you about it later when we're in a more trusting relationship."
So it was too much to know right now. Well, that's a problem I can figure out over time. As I packed all the magic stones into the duffel bag, Mari approached as if she had been waiting and spoke bluntly.
"You finished packing? Then let's move to the next location."
"Uh, aren't we going back to the guild to report?"
"Haa, this is why beginners are..."
Ugh, this fucking bitch is acting up again.
"Since we're already out of the village, isn't it a waste of time to go in and out every single time? That's why we're focusing on requests in the nearby area and solving them sequentially to save time."
"Ah, I see. You're performing multiple requests."
"A guy who wants to be an adventurer needs to be told even simple things like this. Ha, my future is bleak, truly bleak."
Mari walked away with long strides, speaking bluntly. As I watched her, I felt my murderous intent boiling over again, and Heidi apologized to me once more with a guilty face.
"I'll apologize again on Mari's behalf."
"Ah, no, it's fine. It can't be helped if there's a situation."
Fucking bitch. If only she were a little weaker, I'd have tackled her right then and there, but looking at the battle just now, I didn't even dare to try.
As I thought, Mari and Heidi possessed potential that I couldn't dare to challenge. While my only boast was the strength enhanced by cheats, they performed tasks that couldn't be solved by strength alone using mana and spirit arts. Whether it was subjugating large monsters like Golems, pushing through swarms like Kobold groups, or even clearing paths blocked by landslides, they finished everything in about 10 minutes, so it was only natural that I, whose only job was carrying luggage, didn't even dare to intervene.
I guess since it's a fantasy world, there's a limit to physical ability alone. It would be nice if I could learn how to handle mana later. If I enhance my growth experience and skill acquisition ability with cheats, I could use it usefully once I learn it.
"Is this the 5th request completed?"
Half a day had passed since I followed the two of them while thinking such things. Having finished five requests, the two stopped their march and prepared to set up camp under a tree in the shade.
"The sun is setting, so I think it's better to stop here for today and camp."
"That sounds good. Hey, porter, set up the tent and make some food."
"Yes, I understand."
"What's with that lifeless voice? Are you that unhappy about making a laborer do labor?"
It's because your attitude is fucking shitty, that's why. Haa, I hope I can grow strong enough to fuck all the bitches I want to fuck someday.
"The meal was great, Chad. I was surprised because you're better at cooking than I thought."
"Haha, I started learning recently, so I'm glad you enjoyed it."
"Fufu, you carry the luggage well, you're good with your hands, and it would be perfect if I could work with someone like you for a long time."
Haa~ She's pretty and has a good personality. Just being with this sister is healing and great. If that damn bitch with the rotten personality was even half like Heidi, it would be great.
"Heidi, come into the tent now. We have to wake up early tomorrow."
"Ah, yes. Then good night, Chad. You don't have to worry about the night watch since I've already told the spirits."
"Yes, then I'll head into my tent."
Whatever the case, today's eventful daily routine has come to an end. I entered my tent to sleep, but after some time, I couldn't help but feel my eyes opening on their own.
Haa, come to think of it, I didn't even have a chance to jerk off today because I was working all day.
Especially Mari, that girl—even if I don't care about Heidi, who's bundled up tight—her tits bounce without self-awareness every time she fights, and since she's wearing a miniskirt, her panties are clearly visible every time she jumps.
"Haa, fucking bitch. You'll probably curse me like crazy if you get fucked by me."
Fucking a bitch with a rotten personality is a delicacy, after all. But because of how strong they are, I don't even dare to attempt to fuck them, risking my life. Still, thinking that at least using them for masturbation material would be allowed, I left the tent and headed toward the tent where the two would be sleeping, just in case.
They must be sleeping. Probably in their pajamas... If they show such a defenseless appearance, using that as material would surely be quite a turn-on.
But that was only for a moment.
"Haa, haa, Heidi..."
"Wait, Mari."
The voices of the two came from inside the tent. Realizing they were still awake, I didn't peek into the tent right away, but instead listened to their words while gauging the atmosphere.
"It's troublesome, Mari. In the middle of the night like this."
"What's the matter? We're us. Let's do a little more. Yeah?"
"...Okay, just a little."
Let's do a little more. Just hearing the lines, it feels strangely erotic... No, that can't be. There's no way they'd do such things in an all-ages world.
-Rustle, rustle.
But the noise that followed stimulated my imagination, and unable to endure it, I ended up slightly opening the tent where the two were staying to check the inside.
And finally, I encountered it.
The erotic scene of the two, naked, kissing with their eyes closed.
"Mmm, mmm... I love you, Heidi."
"I love you too, Mari...♥"
Fucking hell.
What the hell am I looking at right now?