19. Archer Warrior
My memory as the Archer Warrior cut out for a moment.
When I came to, the orc chief was captured and vanishing in a burst of light, while Jun-sik was holding Ji-young and patting her back.
Why the hell am I lying here? My whole body hurts.
"Oppa, you okay? Hold my hand."
A snow-white hand appeared in front of me. As I grabbed it, a floating sensation washed over my body, helping me stand.
"First time I've seen an archer swinging a bow like that."
"...Huh?"
My mind was slowly clearing. It was Ye-na.
"You suddenly yelled and charged at the orc, swinging your bow to hit him. Should we call that the Archer Warrior?"
"I... did?"
"Yeah. You still out of it? You okay where you got hit? The orc chief punched you like it was the dumbest thing ever, and you flew super far."
That's right... Memories were trickling back now. I'd charged in like an idiot without thinking of shooting arrows, just swinging my bow. Archer Warrior for sure.
What about Ji-young?
"Where's Ji-young?"
"Checking on your wife first, as expected. Such a sweet guy. Sis was pretty shaken up too—Jun-sik's comforting her while she sobs."
"Haa... yeah..."
"C'mon. I gotta go reassure sis again too. I only came over 'cause you weren't waking up."
"Thanks, Ye-na... Let's go."
Pain feedback was dialed down, or I wouldn't even be walking. At 100%, I'd be crawling.
As I took a step, Ye-na—who was a couple paces ahead—turned back with a charming smile.
"But still, an archer swinging his bow to protect his wife... Dumb, but cool. Real man, huh?"
Ye-na's pretty smile left me staring blankly, too stunned to reply.
Jun-sik was patting Ji-young's back by her side. As I approached, she threw herself into my arms.
"Honey... sniff..."
"It's okay. It's okay. Our Ji-young got really scared, huh?"
I held her close, patting her back. After a bit, she seemed calmer.
Jun-sik and Ye-na stepped aside, watching us.
A brief silence. Ji-young, nestled deeper in my arms, spoke up.
"Honey... I feel weird... I don't get it..."
"What part?"
"When that orc chief grabbed me... My heart was pounding like crazy for some reason..."
"'Cause he was hot?"
"Maybe...? I dunno. Then he touched my chest, and it didn't feel bad—it was exciting. I don't get it. Why'd I react like that?"
Probably her hidden trait kicking in... But as Alarm Master, only I know. She'd have no clue. Had to bullshit my way through.
This kinda shit would happen a lot from now on. The mods we picked were all geared that way.
Female-oriented, male-oriented monsters would sexually appeal nonstop, and touching like that could happen anytime.
Had to ease her mind and reduce her anxiety about future stuff. Otherwise, it'd scar her bad.
"Maybe 'cause it's a game? Not some real rapist assaulting you—just a hot in-game monster caressing you gently."
"..."
"I got pissed seeing you get touched, so I charged the orc chief."
"Yeah... You were awesome, honey. Thanks."
"As your husband, it's natural to rage when another guy's touching my wife. I was furious. But—and this might sound contradictory—since it's a game, if you're okay with it, we can be a bit more open sexually."
"What do you mean?"
"C'mon, no lies—let's be honest. When you first flashed your tits at Jun-sik, how'd it feel? You were turned on, right?"
"Yeah... I was..."
"I was mad and worried at first, but since it was Jun-sik, I said it was fine. And at night, hearing the couple next door fucking—us too, we got worked up, right?"
"...Yeah."
"We even made noise louder on purpose so they'd hear. And earlier with the hot orc chief groping you—turned on, right?"
"Scared at first... but later... yeah."
"Let's admit it. We love each other, but since it's a game, we can enjoy being more sexually open. That's it."
"What about you? You were so mad you forgot to shoot arrows and charged in swinging your bow."
"Seeing you exposed and touched by another guy pisses me off. Furious... but seeing you aroused turns me on too."
"...What? Why would watching me get turned on arouse you? It's not like you're getting off through me."
"'Cause I love you that much?"
"Love makes you horny?"
"I love you so damn much, can't live without you. That's why seeing you excited gets me excited. You're my everything."
"....... Pfft. Good talker."
Ji-young nestled in my arms, seeming to mull it over.
"Okay, I get what you're saying. Whew... It's all so complicated."
"Don't overthink—just enjoy the game happily."
"Yeah, got it. But... even if I stretch it, Jun-sik oppa's okay maybe, but monsters? Even hot ones—no way."
"Monsters are just data bundles in the game, so no regrets after enjoying, right? Jun-sik's real; delete these and poof."
"Like that? Still, first sight and groping—no thanks."
Yeah... Guys might fuck a stranger girl, but women rarely give it up to a strange dude. Instinctual for her—hard to change.
"Fine. Weird as it sounds, Jun-sik's approved."
"...You're so weird, honey. Oh yeah—Jun-sik oppa got mad at the orc chief earlier too. Yelling why he touched my tits first before him. That guy's seriously off. Why's he acting like my tits are his?"
Psycho for sure.
"And Ji-young, good to know: monster touching feels a bit different from Jun-sik's."
"Really? How?"
"Monsters can't harm humans by design. That orc chief touched you gently as possible."
"Yeah... seemed like it."
"Yep. No one can penetrate without your okay—human or monster. They can caress without consent, but monsters, being programmed, won't get rough without orders."
"Right. Even you, my husband, ask permission before... putting it in. The orc was super gentle too..."
"Exactly. Permission required for everyone. No rape from monsters ever. So no need to fear. Think of it as erotic roleplay."
"So even if I get grabbed like before, no big worry...?"
"Right. Gentle caressing at most—no bullying or force."
"Got it... I feel calmer now."
Scary as a woman getting suddenly groped. Glad this didn't traumatize her. No guarantee no more monsters—hell, guaranteed more.
Seemed she'd sorted her feelings, so I took her hand and headed to Jun-sik and Ye-na, a bit apart.
"Sis! Better now? You were so shocked!"
"Yeah, I'm good now. Thanks, Ye-na."
Ye-na hugged Ji-young too.
Oh shit, my pants are soaked. Fuck... Cumming from watching my wife get groped by an orc. Self-loathing hit hard... but that scene kept replaying, dick wouldn't go down.
Shitty emotions.
As I thought about heading back to the village, I noticed something weird.
Orc Village Subjugation
📍 Status: In Progress
Quest completion hadn't activated. We caught the chief, though? Weird, so I told Jun-sik.
"Why isn't the quest completing?"
"Quest?"
"Yeah. Our Orc Village Subjugation one."
"Oh right, we had that quest."
This guy's IQ dropped after the orc punch? Nah, Jun-sik-mon. Time for a body slam later.
Jun-sik thought for a sec, then said,
"More orcs inside maybe?"
"Nice guess. Not just chief—clear the village. Guess some left. Stay here; you scout a lap."
"Why me again?"
Ye-na, overhearing us, chimed in.
"Honey? You gotta go, right?"
"Ah. Yeah, me."
Jun-sik trudged off, his back looking small.
Sucker, asshole.