Chapter 115
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: Let's Have a Match
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Kite shared the dragon's location and immediately headed back to the forest.
He had offered for Kite to stay here, but Kite refused.
Saying it could backfire and spark a war.
As expected, he was too valuable to make an enemy.
'His skills are more than enough, and I even gave him some food and tools, so he'll survive on his own.'
More importantly, the real issue was the dragon.
Jinwoo stared at the dragon's nest marked on the map.
"So, you're really going to hunt the dragon?"
Hilde, who was sitting beside him, asked.
Hilde, Shin Seomhwa, Han Soyoung.
All three were sitting together, listening to Kite's story.
"I-It feels like we're suddenly off to take down the final boss."
He nodded quietly at Han Soyoung's trembling voice.
It might indeed be a foe of that caliber.
According to Kite, even all the orcs together couldn't stand a chance against it.
'Of course, not all orcs are top-tier.'
The strongest among them, their captain, was Kite.
The rest of his subordinates were surely weaker.
In truth, even if they all banded together, they wouldn't pose a massive threat.
Once you reached A-Grade or higher, sheer numbers weren't a big deal anymore.
"I think we can win handily."
Hilde spoke with conviction, sharing Jinwoo's line of thinking.
"Including Master, the four of us have excellent balance. The enemy is just one lone opponent. If we use our buffs and skills wisely, I don't see us losing."
"I'm on board too."
Shin Seomhwa, who had been quietly studying the map, agreed.
"We're going to have to fight the dark elves anyway. And their leader, Kite, has promised his cooperation. Taking out the dragon here is the perfect chance to bring the entire orc force to our side."
It was like driving a wedge precisely into their vulnerability.
Strategically, it was a flawless move—nothing could top it.
If they succeeded, it would deal the most effective blow possible.
'No, if we play it right, we might claim the dark elves without even fighting.'
A clear picture was forming in Jinwoo's mind.
Of course, taking down the dragon came first.
"Same here, but my top priority is our safety. What if the dragon is stronger than we expect?"
"I doubt that's likely."
Hilde answered immediately, as if she had prepared for the question.
As expected of the model student who always anticipated Jinwoo's thoughts.
"Kite risked his life infiltrating enemy territory just to make us this offer. If he thought our forces were insufficient, he would've proposed something else."
"I think the same. Honestly, if we can't handle it with our current lineup, it's a natural disaster. At that point, we just cut our losses on the elves and move on."
Jinwoo pondered for a moment before nodding.
"Then it's decided."
They would take down the dragon this time.
Jinwoo's group steeled their resolve as one.
"Um... I'm scared, though... Is my opinion being ignored? Is that it?"
Everyone except the still-trembling Han Soyoung.
****
Having made their decision, Jinwoo's group immediately began preparations.
In truth, there wasn't much to prepare.
Just double-checking their gear.
Or shaking off the rust to sharpen their battle senses.
Jinwoo's group was always ready for combat.
'Then before we head out, maybe I should scout a bit.'
But Jinwoo himself headed somewhere else.
The home of the elf chieftain, Reina.
"Oh, what brings you here?"
Her elegant beauty and fantastical figure remained unchanged.
Today, she wore what was commonly called a "micro-dress"—a single piece of white fabric.
With her incredible bust and hips, it was practically walking pornography.
Yet her innate grace kept it from losing any elegance.
'What an unbelievable body.'
He had been attracted to her from the first sight.
Now that he knew her a little better, the urge to hold her had only grown stronger.
Reina smiled brightly at Jinwoo.
"Hehe, did you get to try the aphrodisiac I gave you?"
"No, unfortunately, I haven't had the chance."
He had planned to use it on Han Soyoung.
But the timing had slipped.
"I forgot to ask—it's safe to use on humans, right?"
"Yes, no major side effects. A bit of itching at worst."
"Hmm, I see."
Well, he'd find a use for it eventually.
There was no need to go far—other races were plentiful around him.
"Truth is, I came because I have something to discuss briefly."
"Oh? What might that be?"
Reina tilted her head in a way that didn't quite match the mood.
Or maybe it did match perfectly.
Even that gesture was stunningly beautiful.
"It's about our future course of action."
"Ah, more important than I thought."
Jinwoo's group was freeloading in the elf village.
But they hadn't formally promised cooperation.
They had put it off under the excuse of team meetings.
She wasn't showing it outwardly.
But for Reina, with her tribe's survival on the line, it must have been agonizing.
'When you think about it, she's remarkable.'
One word from the man before her could decide their future.
Yet she maintained such composure.
Different from the devotedly serving Hilde.
But fundamentally, maybe the same type.
'If I broke such a capable woman carrying her tribe's future with sheer pleasure...'
A deep desire and conqueror's lust welled up from within.
He wanted to corrupt that pure visage into something lewd.
"No need to rush the decision. For us, just having you stay in the village is enough."
"No. War is about to intensify—we can't do that."
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
"Kite, the orcs' captain, has been ousted."
"......"
Reina fell silent for a moment.
But her mind was surely calculating the situation rapidly.
The precarious tightrope walk that began with our arrival.
She would quickly realize it was coming to an end.
"With him—who opposed the war—turning away, they'll have to choose soon enough."
"Hmm, I see. Thank you for the valuable information. But how did you...?"
"Kite came personally and told us. He asked us to minimize orc casualties even if war breaks out."
He deliberately omitted the dragon part.
No need to tell her now.
"Even without Kite, the elves alone don't stand a chance, right?"
"No point hiding it from you, so I'll be frank."
Reina said with a sigh.
"I believe our forces are comparable to the dark elves'. No, we're slightly superior."
Jinwoo shared that assessment.
It was almost modestly humble.
They had Tilf, the monk with superb archery skills.
And Reina herself was a swordmaster with no equal except Kite.
Even in charisma and leadership alone.
The dark elves couldn't match Reina.
"But the orcs change everything."
"Hmm."
"Even without Kite, they're a threat to us. As long as they hold out, we can't win the war."
A tribal leader should never admit defeat.
Maybe because he was an outsider.
Or she judged honesty was advantageous.
Reina's tone remained calm.
"If they invade in earnest, we won't last long."
Jinwoo nodded and added.
"And with their mediator Kite gone. If you lose and get captured, treatment will be far worse. The surviving elves will become the orcs' playthings."
"That... makes sense."
Perhaps because elves weren't accustomed to war despite their wisdom.
She hadn't considered post-defeat treatment.
'War's true suffering begins after defeat, not during.'
Even in civilized society.
Let alone a primitive one like this.
Jinwoo was subtly making her realize that.
He could see the composure fading from Reina's face bit by bit.
Soon, she lifted her head toward Jinwoo.
"So, if it's alright, we'd like you to join forces with us. We share a common enemy. We elves will welcome you as heroes."
"......"
Jinwoo pretended to mull it over, dragging out the time.
She might realize it was intentional.
But the waiting Reina's lips grew dry.
Had she ever anxiously awaited someone like this?
Only after a long pause did Jinwoo's lips part.
"We're fine with allying with the elves."
"Ah, then......"
"But on one condition."
Jinwoo said, gazing at Reina.
This time, without hiding his desire at all.
"Captain—no, Reina. I want to hold you."
"Pardon? Hold me, what do you......?"
"No need to play dumb."
Jinwoo rose and approached her.
Placed a hand on her shoulder from behind.
"Eut."
Her body shivered faintly as he gently stroked her ear with his other hand.
"Exactly as it sounds. Just like with my other women. I want to make you mine, Reina."
".........I'm the chieftain of the elves."
"That doesn't matter to me. My companions already include a former princess, a saintess, and even a corporate heiress."
Hilde the princess aside.
Shin Seomhwa alone held no lowly status.
Though their situations differed slightly from Reina's.
"Of course, this isn't forever. Let's have a match—just seven times."
"A match?"
"We'll share a bed exactly seven times. During those seven, I won't penetrate you."
Even knowing the words intellectually, the directness embarrassed her.
Her cheeks flushed slightly.
"If you don't fall head over heels for me by then, I lose."
"Fall head over heels—what does that mean?"
"Simply put, the point where you can't live without me? Your love for me so overwhelming that even your tribe falls to second place."
Reina forced a relaxed smile.
"Isn't that too advantageous for me? I'm the leader responsible for my tribe. I wouldn't abandon them for a man."
"You won't know until you try. So, what do you say?"
"Ah."
As he finished speaking, Jinwoo kissed her pale nape.
She had no real choice anyway.
Reina nodded faintly.
The spot where his lips had touched burned red on her neck.