Chapter 576
Chapter 576
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 576
Chapter Title: Ancient Mystery
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I turned around.
Bruno, Amy, and Mac were all staring at me with looks of shock.
I'd taken out all ten of them in just three minutes by myself. Sure, I'd used a gun, but it was still an absurd speed by any common sense. These weren't kids—they were trained combatants.
"If anyone here is thinking we need to bury the bodies, abandon that idea right now. Alcheri seems bigger than we thought, so these guys aren't the end of it. Linger here, and more will come. Let's move."
"I agree with you there. It's unfortunate they died... but I couldn't just let them kill me."
We started trekking through the jungle again.
Mac seemed a bit scared of me now, while Amy looked at me with curiosity rather than fear.
"Who would've thought I'd see the 'mad monster bastard' nickname confirmed like this. You sure you're human? Not some esper?"
"Human, through and through. Regretting hiring me?"
"Regret? Best decision of my life. With you around, we won't get shot full of holes by those bastards. And..."
Bruno continued in a quieter voice.
"Like I said before, take good care of Amy."
"Even if it means leaving you behind, I'll protect Amy. No worries."
"...Try not to leave me behind if you can help it."
???
After ten days trekking through the jungle, we finally reached our destination.
It was a waterfall cascading down a massive cliff. The drop alone had to be at least 30 meters. Small compared to the world's top three waterfalls, but it still inspired that same awe in anyone who saw it.
"This is a problem."
Bruno scratched his head, looking troubled.
"What's the issue?"
"I'm not good with water. I can go in if I have to... but it's extremely unpleasant. I'd rather avoid it if possible."
"Do we really have to go underwater? Maybe the treasure's buried nearby on land."
"Unlikely. The map points right to the waterfall—why bury it on land nearby? And anyway, what we're after isn't treasure. The map Amy has leads to one of the three keys. Meaning we'll have to do this adventure at least two more times."
"...Can't we just hire people?"
"The fewer people who know, the safer the treasure."
We had to scout the wide waterfall. And we found it—or rather, I knew from the original story, so after pretending to search for three hours, I shouted as if I'd just spotted it.
"Bruno! Found it! There's a space behind the waterfall over there."
"Where...? Yeah, I can see it with the binoculars. Good work, Eugene. But to get in there, we'll have to swim. The boat we prepped blew up with the plane... Damn."
"I'll go."
"No need. I can zip in and grab the key."
"You hate water. And my physical abilities are better than yours."
"...If you're offering, then I'll leave it to you."
Bruno gave me a grateful look.
Of course, I had my own reasons for volunteering.
"I'll go too."
Amy stepped forward.
"You too, Amy?"
"I want to see the key's hiding spot with my own eyes. And two's better than one, right?"
"Having backup in danger is always better. Fine. Mac and I will stand guard here."
Amy and I stripped down to lighten our load. I took off my shirt completely, and she kept just her pants and black tank top. Up close, I could see the faint peaks at the center of her C-cup breasts. Nipples.
'No one else bats an eye. Are they all eunuchs? Is this level of exposure no big deal in this world?'
Amy and I jumped into the river and swam. We'd grabbed essentials like jungle boots, pistol, and rope, of course.
Amy led, and I followed. Watching her legs splash through the water was entertaining enough.
'Firm ass... thick labia too. Clothes clinging wet... yeah, turning me on.'
We paused in front of the waterfall.
"Amy, the current's strong here. Want me to take the lead?"
"This is nothing. But it's dark inside. You'll need to watch my back."
"Don't worry. You saw what I can do recently."
"...Yeah. I trust your skills."
Amy swam ahead. I half-hoped for some 'accidental' closeness, but aside from holding our breath being a bit tough, we reached the space behind the waterfall without issue.
It was too artificial to call a cave.
The floor was flat, and the walls covered in unknown symbols. As Bruno had asked, I pulled out the camera and snapped some half-hearted shots of the walls while sneaking peeks at Amy. Her wet clothes clung to her sexy, toned body.
She stared silently at one wall.
A hole in the wall held what looked like a originally circular stone piece. Nothing else portable around, so it screamed "this is the target." Didn't look much like a key, but what else was there?
Amy approached the wall.
I immediately drew my pistol and fired.
Bang!
"Kieeeek!"
A 1-meter spider lurking silently on the dark ceiling above Amy took the bullet and plummeted.
"What?!"
Amy recoiled in surprise.
"Gotta watch above, not just front and back."
The spider's legs twitched. Even with a bullet lodged in its body, it wasn't dead.
I squeezed the trigger repeatedly. The pistol barked, slide cycling as casings ejected.
"A monster spider like this. You knew, Amy?"
"...Bruno mentioned it. Lots of undiscovered creatures in this world. Didn't expect a giant spider, though. No more?"
"Nope."
She pulled the stone piece from the wall. Instantly, water began surging up from the floor.
"What the—?!"
"Don't just stand there. Trap, obviously. Let's go."
I casually wrapped an arm around her waist and dove in. Her body felt great against mine. Amy flailed briefly at first but grabbed onto me in the panic and we swam out.
"I could've swum out alone without your help."
"We got out, that's what matters."
We'd secured the first key successfully. But the road ahead was long—just one of three.
???
Next stop after the waterfall: a mountain in China. No Alcheri interference, so I figured it'd be smooth, but something not in the original happened. On the way up, we ran into three bears—a mother and cubs.
The protective mother charged us. I was ready to kill them, but Bruno and Amy stopped me, so we fled instead.
In the chaos, Amy and I got separated from Bruno. Mac hadn't climbed the mountain.
"Amy, how's the ankle?"
"Not serious. I can walk if I push it."
"Meaning it hurts. Hop on."
"Best to stay put and call for rescue when lost in mountains."
"Animals'll see us as easy prey sitting still. Terrain here's no good for waiting anyway. Let's move first."
"...Fine."
I piggybacked her. Hands under her ass and thighs—firm and smooth, felt great.
After a while carrying her, we rested in a decent spot. We chatted along the way, getting closer. Now she even chuckles at my lame jokes.
"Eugene! Amy! You okay?! I was worried!"
"We're fine."
"Yeah, fine. Just a sprained ankle."
"You two seem closer somehow. Anyway, I got the second key. Stuck in a massive tree root at the summit. Problem is the third key's location from decoding the map... we'll need a meeting. Rescue chopper first."
We couldn't go straight for the third key.
Alcheri had set up camp there. Rush in, and we'd get caught and tortured.
While Bruno scouted the third site, I bodyguarded Amy. Let us bond a lot.
Once I figured we were close enough, I confessed to Amy.
"Amy, I like you. Want to date. Not interested in your money at all. I like you purely. We can even sign a contract if you want."
"...What do you like about me?"
"Your pretty face and cool personality."
"...Okay. Let's date. But just dating. No marriage plans."
"Amy, that's fine by me."
I pulled her into a hug and gently lifted her chin for a kiss. She closed her eyes and gripped my forearms tight. Our tongues intertwined.
A kiss wasn't enough for me.
My hands moved to her breasts and ass. Squeezing the soft, full handfuls, my hand sliding toward her thick pussy lips over her clothes—then she shoved me away.
"Permission's only up to kissing. Breasts are okay to touch. But no sex."
"...Why? We're dating."
"You're not the guy I'll marry."
"Saving yourself for marriage?"
"Not that rigid. You're not marriage material, so not sex material either. Break up if you don't like it."
"..."
Her bold words left me speechless.
Amy smirked at my stunned face, pecked my lips, and left.
"See you tomorrow."
"...Yeah, Amy. Tomorrow."
I wasn't disappointed. Instead of moping, I pondered how to bed her.
'Answer's skinship. Ramp it up to build her lust. Good thing she allows kisses and breast touches. Funny girl, though—breasts yes, pussy no.'
???
The third key was on a small island in America.
Problem: Alcheri had taken control first.
"Alcheri knew about the keys too. They know gathering all three opens the true path to the mystery. They let us get the second in China because they figured we'd come here for the third."
"Can't we take it easy? Hire people... or ask a government for help."
"Nothing less trustworthy than governments when Alcheri's involved. And our goal's the keys, not fighting Alcheri. No need. Good news: I turned one of their members. Got the exact key spot and a secret base entrance."
"Feels ominous. What's the plan?"
"Eugene, need your help. You make a ruckus on the island to draw their eyes while we slip in and snag the third key."
Amy slammed the table and shot up at Bruno's words.
"Hold on, Bruno. That's using Eugene as bait!"
My girlfriend was furious on my behalf.
"It's the best option. Traitor says Alcheri already knows all about us. They're prepped to kill. We grab the treasure, then call in the government to wipe them out. With our connections, it's doable."
Can't tip off the government first—they'd seize the treasure. Get it first, then leverage them.
"..."
"Amy, Eugene can handle it."
"He's right, Amy. Your real goal's the hidden treasure, right? Third key's essential. I got this."
"..."
Amy sighed deeply and sank back into her chair.