Chapter 30
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: 7. Canyon. (4)
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Once it came to light that there was a widespread curse, the group—which had been starting to relax a bit since nothing had happened so far—erupted into total pandemonium. The curse they'd brushed off as mere rumor had turned out to be all too real.
Especially once word got out that holy water worked against it, people threw a massive fuss trying to get their hands on some. Of course, those who'd come prepared with holy water just kept their mouths shut and played dumb. Who cared about money or anything else when your own life was on the line?
And Allen the Mercenary Leader's name was on everyone's lips, the man who'd so clearly exposed the curse. That sparked rumors that maybe the Allen Mercenary Corps had a curse specialist mage on staff. How else could they know so much about curses? Mages from different schools were treated like they were in completely different professions.
Anyway, now that the black mage's curse had been confirmed, the group started preparing in earnest for ambushes. They had no idea when a black mage—corrupted by borrowing demonic mana—might suddenly unleash a horde of demonic beasts on them.
Allen, in particular, was dead certain the black mage wouldn't let them off easy. He'd already confirmed this was an event tied to the black mage, so the bastard's frenzy was inevitable. It just wasn't time yet.
...A curse was just a debuff in the end. No matter how insane the guy was, he'd still have some wits about him. He'd whittle away at their stamina and mental strength to the max before striking.
The curse's effects were already starting to show on people bit by bit. Nightmares were the most obvious sign. Especially the members with the [Sensitive] trait—they'd been plagued by horrific nightmares from day one. On top of that, their bodies felt heavier than usual...
In fact, Allen had confirmed just two days after entering the canyon that his mercenaries had temporarily gained the [Weakened] trait. Even without the curse doll, he would've been sure it was the curse sorcerer's doing.
The black mage might even be in the midst of turning into a demonic beast themselves by now. ...And if by some chance they'd already fully transformed, they'd have to brace for a brutal fight.
And on the fourth night.
Most people started suffering intense nightmares. Some even progressed to hallucinations and auditory delusions. Even ordinary Allen wasn't immune.
"Fuck...!"
No matter how bold you were, it wasn't easy enduring the same terrifying, gruesome nightmares on repeat. On top of that, he kept seeing things that weren't there. His heart would pound like it was about to burst, his nerves on edge. And that led straight to drained mental strength and stamina... This must be what withering away slowly felt like.
The mercenaries' tempers were fraying too. Their usual banter had vanished clean away. They started snapping over the smallest things and picking fights.
That's when Allen stepped in calmly. No one else could rein them in. ...Truth be told, he was on the verge of exploding from this endless bullshit himself, but he forced himself to hold it together, over and over. If he snapped now, everything he'd built would crumble.
The red-haired mage finally broke out the holy water, unable to take it anymore. To at least ease the symptoms for his comrades who seemed badly overtaken by the curse.
Allen, ever the prepared one, had brought some too. He'd planned to save it for the absolute last resort, but seeing everyone's state, holding back any longer would've been disastrous.
All told, there were five vials of holy water. Barely a sip's worth in each, so no point in rationing.
Allen opened his Status Window and picked out the five worst off, handing them the holy water. Kallisman offered some to his weakened leader, but Allen declined. A curse just applied harsh debuffs—you didn't die from it. Better to give it to frontline fighters who could still battle.
...And so early evening on the fifth day arrived.
Allen, tormented by severe nightmares, hadn't slept properly in two days and felt like death warmed over. He was starting to regret passing on the holy water.
"Fucking hell, huu, shit... "
He was seeing way too many illusions now. Even someone as gutsy as him couldn't help jolting back when a ghostly figure lunged right in his face. And now the auditory hallucinations were creeping in too... Filthy curses and vulgar taunts. Some even egging him on to rape her. ...Especially targeting the red-haired mage.
Red-tits mage, red-tits, mage, red-tits, red-tits, fuck...
Allen grabbed her plump breasts. The warm body heat and soft give radiating through his palms were insanely good. The kind you wanted to fondle forever.
He felt the thick nipple jutting up in the center of his palm, shifted his hand, and circled it teasingly with his thumb. Her massive tits twitched upward with each motion.
"Feels good, fuck, so fucking good."
The pleasure was electric, melting away all his built-up stress in one shot. He lunged for her slightly parted lips and sucked on them lewdly. All while stabbing her lower belly repeatedly with his rock-hard cock.
Their lips parted. Her mouth, drooling saliva and panting obscenely, mumbled open and shut.
"Cock... clean it... clean your cock... More, my... titties, more..."
...Ah...
Only then did Allen snap back to reality. The red-tits mage in front of him wasn't a hallucination—she was real. The real Elena.
He yanked his hands off her wildly groped breasts and pulled back a step. Fuck—. Must've blacked out for a second there.
"Titties, more, touch me more, Leader... Cock cleaning? Yeah, I'll clean your cock..."
"Elena. Elena, snap out of it. Elena!"
Her glazed eyes slowly focused. Realizing her own behavior, the red-haired mage floundered in embarrassment, gave him a quick bow, and bolted from the spot.
Allen replayed how the hell this had happened. Seems he'd pulled her behind the wagon for a quick talk, and shit went sideways from there.
...Damn, felt fucking amazing though...
Honestly, Elena's tits were top-tier. Zero regrets about groping them. ...Though he should apologize.
It was a momentary lapse. He couldn't even explain why he'd done it. The nonstop hallucinations and voices must've pushed him over the edge.
He swore never again, reined in his rattled mind a few times, and headed back to the mercenaries. Dinner was just ready—they were shoving food down their throats with bowls in hand. No appetite, but to survive, you forced it down.
Allen took a bowl from Kallisman and sat next to the red-haired mage. She couldn't even look at him properly.
"That was my fuck-up just now. Sorry. Must've zoned out for a sec."
"...No, it's... "
Her words cut off there. Both of them kept replaying the incident.
That ecstatic sexual pleasure. They'd both felt it. But neither let it show. They couldn't.
The silent meal time dragged on. Normally there'd be light banter, but no one spoke now. Just enduring was hard enough. The curse kept gnawing away at their stamina and sanity, little by little.
It was bedtime, but no one wanted to sleep. Not with those endless nightmares tormenting them.
But they had to. To survive. Even if the nightmares jolted them awake again.
"Gah—!"
He'd barely drifted off when Allen bolted upright in terror again. He was seriously losing his mind.
"Fuck... "
And the hallucinations and voices hit again.
He was feeling it in his bones now, just how horrific it was to endure this curse nonstop. Looked like he was paying dearly for mocking that trash-efficiency curse sorcerer earlier.
You fucking curse-slinging bastard...! I'll kill you if I catch you. Fuck, fuck...
Allen slammed his head forward.
- Dong dong dong dong dong dong dong dong
The blaring bell jolted Allen awake. For a split second, he couldn't tell dream from reality.
Then a thick, clear voice pierced his ears like an arrow.
- It's the enemy! Get up! Battle stations—!!
Unmistakably Kallisman's voice. Only then did Allen's hazy mind clear up a bit.
He shot to his feet, only to stagger from a dizzying head rush. His stamina was already rock-bottom, exhaustion at its peak.
But he gritted his teeth and powered through.
Fall now, and it's over. Hold on. Hold. Hold...!
A nosebleed trickled down at the same time. He casually wiped it with the back of his hand and barked orders to the mercenaries.
"Everyone, form ranks—!!"
His voice was half-hoarse, but it carried the same steadfast tone as always. The mercenaries felt the unbreakable will in that command.
"Hold the line! Hold to the end and survive—! Got it—? ...I said, got it, you bastards—!!"
"Yes—!!"
Tasting metallic blood, Allen's eyes blazed.
Everyone steeled themselves for a desperate last stand.