Chapter 3. Mint Hero.
After two days, the trio finally saw sunlight worthy of the name. The healer Bella felt in her bones just how precious this warm sunlight touching her pale skin truly was. They spread out their still-damp clothes in a sunny spot to dry, then stripped naked themselves and lay sprawled out, basking in the rays to warm their bodies.
"Ahh, this feels good. Right?" Bella alternated glances between the hero and Ji-hyuk, even managing a leisurely hehe smile. The sight of the three fully nude men and women lying there sunning themselves was quite the spectacle. And this was right in the heart of a demon-infested wasteland, no less.
Once Ji-hyuk had warmed up just enough, he grabbed his dagger and went off to forage for food. Sure enough, what he brought back was another snake. Ugh... Bella's disgust for snakes hadn't faded one bit. They still had to chew the raw meat. No choice—everything was too damp to start a fire.
The fairy hero roughly sated her hunger with the raw flesh, then scampered up a tree like a monkey. Being a fairy, she was damn good at that sort of thing. She climbed to the treetop and scanned the wasteland. Spotting a distant mountain, she roughly gauged the direction.
...That way should do it. Elraim decided on a heading, then descended back to the ground. She met the gazes of the other two in turn, then pointed decisively at a spot with her finger.
"Let's head that way."
They packed up their gear and started walking. Their clothes weren't fully dry yet, but they couldn't just sit around here forever. The road ahead was still long.
"You holding up okay?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. I can manage for now."
Ji-hyuk occasionally turned back to check on Bella's condition. She was truly grateful for his kindness. ...By now, she relied on him a lot and trusted him deeply. He was a really good man. Thoughtful, even-tempered... and he handled everything flawlessly. Being with him made her feel like they could overcome any hardship. Plus, he was handsome, had a great body, ...and that was huge too. Ah—.
Bella startled herself, squeezing her eyes shut and shaking her head slightly. What am I even thinking right now? To be fair, she'd gotten a full eyeful. After three days of him strutting around with that monster cock dangling, it'd be weirder if she didn't know.
The hero walking ahead also felt a favorable impression toward this human male. Not romantic attraction, of course—just trust in a reliable guy. Her team had empty slots anyway, aside from the one healer. She could easily offer him a spot.
"Let's take a break."
"Sure."
The three sat on a bed of soft moss. Ji-hyuk said he'd scout the area again, drew his dagger, and wandered off into the brush. That's when healer Bella stole glances at the hero before cautiously speaking up.
"Um... Hero?"
"...Yeah?"
"What do you think of that guy?"
The fairy stared piercingly at Bella, as if asking what she meant by that. The healer hurried to clarify, worried it'd be misunderstood.
"No, I mean, as a teammate... don't you think he'd be good? ...I know it's early to say, but he seems trustworthy."
Elraim's gaze softened slightly, turning toward where Ji-hyuk had disappeared.
"...Dunno."
"Ah, s-sorry... I overstepped. It's your call, Hero..."
"Nah, a suggestion like that's fine. You think I'd get offended over something that small? That petty?"
"No, of course not! You're so rational and fair-minded, Hero."
"Good, glad you see it that way. ...I'll consider your suggestion positively."
"Thank you."
Soon Ji-hyuk returned, another dead snake dangling from his hand like a cock. He rolled it up, wrapped it in his clothes, and slung it over his shoulder for later rations.
"Ready to move?"
"Yeah."
They set off again. Luckily, drinking water wasn't an issue—stagnant puddles dotted the area. The three walked and rested in turns. Before long, dusk began to fall again.
While Bella was off relieving herself, fairy Elraim addressed Ji-hyuk.
"Hey, you."
"Yes?"
"Wanna team up with me? ...Bella says you're reliable."
The fairy dragged Bella into it as an excuse.
"Team up?"
"Yeah."
"...We'll see."
The hero was surprised by his hesitant reaction. Joining a hero's team was a massive promotion. Hesitating at all was honestly baffling. He should jump at it.
"Got stuff I need to do."
"Stuff?"
Just then, Bella returned from her business, her face flushed with maidenly embarrassment at having been caught excreting. The other two paid her no mind, deep in conversation.
"What could be so important? Huh?"
The fairy's tone turned snide, her pride stung by the rejection. ...Her ego's bruised, huh. Ji-hyuk chuckled inwardly. For some reason, teasing this fairy felt good. ...After all this hell, might as well enjoy a little diversion.
"I'm gonna become a hero."
"...A hero?"
A brief silence fell. Then the fairy's cheerful laughter burst out.
"For real?"
"Yes."
Ji-hyuk nodded without a hint of hesitation. The fairy eyed him with curiosity.
"Thought you were all jaded, but you've still got some innocence left. ...I was like that once too."
"Anyway, that makes teaming up tough. I'd be too busy."
"Fair enough. Gotta respect a man aiming to be a hero."
The fairy's irritation had vanished. Bella slipped in slyly.
"We're all heading to the imperial capital anyway, so why not travel together?"
"Sure, why not? Same road."
"Is that okay?"
"No big deal."
The conversation ended there. This time, the fairy stepped away briefly. Bella gauged Ji-hyuk's mood before speaking up.
"Um, Ji-hyuk."
"Yeah."
"I know you'll become a hero. I believe in you."
Ji-hyuk gave Bella a slight smile.
"...Thanks. Means a lot."
She was such a pure girl. Two more days passed. They finally dressed again. The clothes weren't bone-dry, but they wouldn't sap body heat anymore. After over five days naked, Bella oddly felt awkward in them. Bloodstains lingered here and there, and a faint metallic scent hung in the air. The monstrous cocks they'd seen so often were now tucked away in pants. Staring at Ji-hyuk's face, she kept picturing it. Not seeing it made it worse.
One more day, and they finally escaped that godforsaken wasteland. They'd entered with sixteen; now just three remained. The hero considered this the worst expedition yet. A bit more bad luck, and they'd all be dead.
Wagons waited nearby for the survivors. Ah—. Bella's nose tingled at the sight, her eyes welling up. The drivers gawked at their ragged state but didn't pry. Their job was just safe transport.
The three boarded. Tension fully released, Bella passed out immediately, mouth agape, drool dribbling.
"You did good out there."
"Hero had it worse."
"...I won't forget your contributions. And the reward—I'll make it generous."
"Appreciate it."
The hero praised Ji-hyuk. Truth be told, he'd pulled off several big feats. ...She hadn't seen it, but he'd even caught the demon.
Ji-hyuk closed his eyes slowly. Exhaustion hit now that the tension was gone. He drifted off to sleep.
· · ·
Upon arriving in Helladium, the hero reported to the baron. He had no choice but to accept his son's death at the witch's hands. It felt unresolved, but the job was done—Ji-hyuk collected his pay, plus a bonus from the baron. Over 50 gold coins now filled his pockets. Hard work, but huge for one quest. Plus, a close connection to fairy hero Elraim. All in all, a smart move.
Thanks to the hero's generosity, Ji-hyuk stayed in the inner castle manor with her team. Maids pampered him for three days of solid rest. ...Including a steamy night with one who caught his eye. Way better than street whores. Pure luxury after so long.
He was tempted to shelve hero ambitions for next loop and just enjoy this—trail after the fairy bitch, seduce her at the right moment, and live like a sugar daddy. He was damn confident in his cock, second only to his sword. ...But that pipe dream ended there. He wasn't suffering like this just to taste fairy pussy. If so, he'd have joined a decent guild as a merc—easier, faster path.
"You're leaving tomorrow, right?"
Bella eyed Ji-hyuk nervously, anxious he might've changed his mind.
"Ji-hyuk, you'll come with us... right?"
"Yeah, mind if I tag along to the capital?"
"Of course! After all you've been through."
She beamed with relief. The hero approved too.
"If you're free, come find me. Offer still stands."
"Doubt it'll come to that."
"Hope not."
The fairy grinned slyly, convinced he'd never make hero. Heroes weren't whores taking any dick for gold. You had to outlast cutthroat competitors across the continent. She'd barely scraped by on her third try. And human heroes? Rare. With stronger, fiercer races everywhere, near-impossible without true excellence.
Ji-hyuk, knowing the outcome, just smirked inwardly. He got her species-typical superiority complex. Fucking fairies. He could already picture that smug face changing later. He looked forward to his rise.