Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Beware the Deer
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I tossed a pebble onto the park ground and carefully followed behind Luna. After walking like that for a bit, Luna pointed at something in the marketplace with her fingertip.
“There, over there! That’s the guy…!”
Luna whispered cautiously, as if trying not to be spotted. Well, that guy probably knew her face, so if he caught on to her position or identity, he might’ve bolted.
It was pretty wise of Luna—uncharacteristically so—to come fetch me quickly instead of handling it alone.
Anyway, that bastard.
I stared from afar at the man wandering around, scanning the market floor this way and that.
The conman Rapu was a middle-aged guy wearing a loose, flashy poncho like mine. He had light brown hair hanging messily, and his face was covered in scars and wrinkles.
The eyepatch over his left eye didn’t quite match Luna’s description, but it was probably a fake for disguise.
“What’s the plan? Should we jump him?”
Luna slowly drew out her silence totem from under her raincoat.
She looked itching to smash it over the guy’s head. No wonder—she was facing the conman who’d scammed her out of her money. Staying calm would’ve been weirder.
But the target was a wanted thug with a 50-silver bounty. He wasn’t some pushover we could just tackle and nab.
Who knew what kinds of tools and hidden weapons lurked under that leather cloak—stuff I couldn’t even imagine.
Hunters wearing long coats like that were usually plotting some dirty tricks, so better safe than sorry.
Plus, we had to catch that deer he was supposedly running with. Best to tail him until he linked up with it.
“Oh, hey, isn’t this Samaritan?”
We’d been shadowing the conman for a while when someone called out from behind us. Not many people in this city knew me. I turned around in confusion at the woman’s voice.
First thing I saw was her blonde hair braided back, skin tanned to a light reddish hue, dotted with simple freckles.
Next came the red cloak over copper armor, greaves, and gauntlets. Gave off total rural swordswoman vibes.
Her blue eyes blinked as she looked at me—a sight that felt pretty familiar.
What was her name again? Rene from the Sword Maidens?
“Luna’s here too. What’re you two up to? Date?”
“No time for you. Beat it.”
Rene seemed intrigued, like she’d run into something fun, but I was on the job and had no time for her.
The conman Rapu was weaving through the crowd at a brisk pace—if I lost focus even a little, he’d slip away.
Might as well jump him now if we’re gonna lose him anyway? I was seriously pondering that when Rene kept talking.
“What’s with the cold shoulder? We’ve done quests together. Mind telling me what you’re up to?”
“On a quest. There, I told you. Now go.”
“I see—a quest. Low stance, constantly checking ahead. Hunting a wanted man, huh? And it’s a guard request? How long since you hit Bronze Tier, and you’re already taking guard gigs? You two are rising fast.”
I was impressed how she nailed it from my vague hints. Guess that Bronze Tier adventurer grit never fully fades.
“You got it, so go. Don’t wanna lose him.”
“Fine, be icy. Good luck. I’m busy too—gotta head to the Deer Forest for a trade.”
Deer Forest—the words made Luna react first.
“Deer Forest? What kinda trade?”
“This armor I’ve been wearing. Guy’s buying it used for 50 silver straight from me. Bought it new for 30, selling worn for 50? Total score.”
Selling what she’s wearing and getting extra cash? It rang a faint bell from somewhere, but I brushed it off as coincidence.
We parted with Rene and kept tailing Rapu.
He didn’t pull anything shady or talk to anyone—just hustled along to somewhere, eventually exiting the south gate and strolling into the plains.
Beyond the plains stretched the Deer Forest, thick with sharp, tall trees packed tight.
* * *
The Deer Forest was choked with trees and grass. Bugs everywhere, and birds screeching from all sides—super noisy.
“Wow, bugs galore. All that money…”
Luna looked around regretfully.
She was dying to grab herbs, mushrooms, bugs, whatever—but couldn’t with our target ahead, fidgeting restlessly.
“Later for that. What’s with all these beast tracks?”
The forest floor was littered with trampled grass and crushed prints—countless.
Two claws slanted diagonally—clearly four-legged beast marks. Probably deer.
“B-Be careful of the deer, Hassan.”
Luna shuddered, her pink twintails quivering, recalling past trauma. Guess getting shaken down by deer left a mark.
Anyway, not the point. Priority was finding where that conman Rapu had vanished to after entering the forest.
I was craning my neck to search when—
“Shh, something’s coming, Hassan.”
“What?”
I strained my ears at Luna’s words, but all I heard was deafening cicadas or whatever bugs, plus bird chatter.
“Hear nothing.”
“This way, over here.”
She dropped low and slinked off—skirting paths, pushing through trees and bushes. Finally, she stopped.
“There, there he is. Talking to someone.”
Peering from the bushes where Luna hid, sure enough—Rapu.
Damn, how’d she hear him from that far? Did senses boost in forests? Grass-type Pokemon or what?
Questions aside, I tuned into Rapu’s voice too. Muffled by foliage, but he was chatting with someone.
“This one’s legit. Sword Maidens gear. Your situation’ll improve too, friend.”
Prurruk. Prruk.
Who the hell’s he talking to? Only a single deer fawn around him. Talking to a deer?
Even in a world full of crazies, seriously conversing with an animal? First time seeing that.
“Hold up—sense something. You hide for now.”
Rapu crouched, listening. The deer bolted into the underbrush with a rustle.
We froze, holding our breath as the conman scanned warily. Did he spot us watching?
Bronze Tier adventurer for sure. Explained how he’d dodged capture while scamming.
Tough to time a pounce—he was like a porcupine bristling with quills, no relaxation in sight.
“…Who’s there?”
The instant the conman shouted at the bushes—
“You the one who posted the trade on the guild board?”
A familiar voice cut in. Out stepped the freckled girl from the bushes, addressing Rapu.
“Yeah. You the lady warrior?”
“Yeah. For the armor?”
“Wearing it now? Sure it’s yours?”
“Yeah, definitely mine. Wore it about a year.”
“Seeped with mana and all that. 50 silver’s a steal.”
“Creepy way to put it, old man. Would’ve slashed you if not for the cash. Money first.”
“I’ll pay after seeing the goods.”
“What? Don’t trust me?”
“Mutual distrust’s fair. How’s this? I set a pouch of silver on that rock there. You strip off the armor on that boulder over there. Count to three, dash to yours.”
What kinda shady deal was that?
Smelled like a scam from a mile away.
Having grown up devouring games and honing my anti-phishing, anti-scam instincts, I couldn’t help but smell the rat.
“Deal.”
Rene accepted cheerfully and started unbuckling—clang, clunk.
Under the armor: sweat-soaked undershirt and super short shorts showing ass cheek. My pupils dilated.
“D-Don’t look…!”
Luna slapped hands over my eyes—I missed the full strip show. As I tried warning her quietly—
“What the—deer?”
“Run—!”
“No, fuck, you fucker! Stop right there!?”
Shouts rang out. Rustling—bushes and branches snapping as movements scattered everywhere.
“Fuck, stop!”
Rene’s panicked voice split the bushes. I shoved Luna’s hands off, stood up.
“Fuck, let’s chase ’em!”
Should’ve jumped him sooner. Following Rene’s yelling, we ran a bit when—
“F-Fuck… they’re fast as hell…”
Panting Rene, arm against a tree, catching her breath.
“You two again? Why’re you here?”
“Chasing the conman. Which way?”
“Fuck, a conman? Deer went left, guy right. Bastards—gonna kill ’em.”
Rene drew her sword, snarling. Luna proposed—
“Rene! You chase the deer! We’ll take the guy!”
“Fuck no—that one’s mine. You get the deer!”
She bolted after Rapu again.
Quest was for the deer scam ring—deer and man, both. Didn’t matter which.
“Luna, let’s go!”
We dashed toward the deer’s escape route.
“Tracks! Fresh deer prints!”
Luna pointed—clear prints stretching ahead.
Damn deer. Gonna kill it today, get Luna a prime hide blanket for her barn. Sword drawn, that’s when—
Drrruuuh…
Drrruuuh…
Red-eyed deer with vicious antlers burst out, surrounding us.
Worse—their fangs hung like Dracula’s, scary as hell.
Huge, horned like giant muntjacs. Eyes not herbivore-clear but predator-hungry for my flesh—chilling.
Drool dripping. Long heads plus horns towered over me—massive bulk. Rippling muscles like a four-legged kangaroo.
“L-Luna, what do these eat? Look starving.”
“Deer Forest deer eat anything.”
“…Can’t you talk to deer? Some voodoo thing?”
“How? You say the weirdest shit seriously sometimes, Hassan.”
F-Fuck!?
As I panicked—
“Guess I’ll try. I’ve grown lately—might work.”
Step, step.
Trembling, Luna approached the dozen-plus herd. Placed fingers like antlers atop her head, mimicking weirdly.
“Errr, prurr, prurruk.”
Clack, clack.
One deer approached her. Damn, working? Inter-species comms real here? Then—
ERRRR!
“Gah!”
It swung its massive antler, goring Luna!
Whoomph—
Flung like wet laundry, she dangled limp from a high branch.
“L-Luna!”
“Guhhh…”
“Fuck this, you damn beasts don’t know fear!”
Rage boiling over, horns practically sprouting, I dual-wielded my blades and roared.
“Come on, you fake vegan shits—the first one gets it from me!”
My shout ended—
Clack, clack, clack—
Every deer charged, antlers lowered.
“Fuck, one at a time!!”