Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Roughly Isekai's Finest 29
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The moment I closed the door, Esty threw herself into my arms.
"Darling, darling, darling...."
Her clingy act, like she never wanted to let me go, was utterly adorable.
I'd spent a long time in the Eight-Colored Shell Castle too, so I felt the same pang of reluctance.
But I had to go.
"I'll be back."
On an emergency quest.
I had zero interest in hero candidates. My only goal right now was Karen.
"If you call me with the spirit of wind, don't forget. I'll rush to you faster than a blink, to save Decal."
"Don't worry. If it gets dangerous, I'll call you right away. You can wait nicely, right?"
Esty reached out, gently cupping my chin, and kissed me.
"I'll wait."
With Esty seeing me off, I left the room.
Heading down the stairs to the first floor, I saw quite a few guests eating.
Huh? Since when was the Water and Grass Inn this crowded? I asked Anais, who was tidying up cleaning tools.
"Business is booming, huh?"
"Yes! Word got out about his cooking being so delicious.... It's probably thanks to the guests.
Rumors spread that the elf party and their companion were staying here, so lots of people came out of curiosity."
As expected of an elf.
Just walking around created free publicity.
Sweeping my gaze across the dining hall, I spotted Karen leaning against the wall in the corner.
She seemed lost in thought, not noticing me yet.
Even at second glance, her body was insanely erotic.
If Esty's beauty drew awed attention, the looks aimed at Karen were mostly lecherous.
Her tits half-spilling out of her top, thighs that looked ready to burst—yet her waist was slim, her jawline delicate.
Her red hair, reminiscent of Bella's, was tied back with a yellow ribbon. It had an allure Bella could never match.
The kind that made you imagine what sex with her would be like.
"You here for me?"
I approached and spoke to her.
Let me recap the situation.
Thanks to my hypnosis, Karen was set to show up at this inn on the morning of the emergency quest and seek my help.
In her mind, she was convinced she absolutely needed me.
From her perspective, though, she had no guarantee I'd join her, so she'd do everything to win me over.
"You remember me?"
Karen started with a tone hoping I'd recall her.
"Hmm...."
"We met in the forest. During the monster outbreak."
"Hmm...."
I wanted to ask her instead.
If there's any way to forget after seeing those tits.
But recognizing her too quickly would ruin the fun, so I played dumb.
"If I heard your name, it might jog my memory."
"I didn't say back then.... I'm Karen. And you, big bro?"
"Decal."
"I'm an aspiring hero. My goal is to clear this emergency quest and become a hero candidate.
I've got my eye on your skills. Won't you... come with me?"
Karen mustered her courage to ask.
I held the knife to her throat, pretending to mull it over leisurely.
Faking like I was trying to remember her, all while eyeing her chest.
Was she oblivious or just unfazed? Even staring blatantly, she didn't react.
She knew what I was looking at, but with tits like that, it was probably everyday life.
"You really need me to come along?"
"Yeah! Absolutely!"
"...Sigh. What to do."
I acted like it was the biggest dilemma of my life.
"...Come on! Let's go together? Please?"
Whoa! Karen suddenly closed in. Her tits nearly brushed me—such a shame they didn't.
"I'd love your help, big bro!"
Damn, her pleading was top-tier.
Even my acting like I was torn had its limits.
"Fine. Let's go together."
"Yes!"
Karen pumped her fist in a victory gesture, beaming.
Her upbeat energy was contagious even for the watcher.
"Helping out is fine, but I don't know much about this emergency quest. Mind filling me in on the way to the guild?"
Right then, her stomach growled loudly.
"Ah. I... skipped breakfast."
"Want me to buy you some meat?"
Her eyes sparkled.
"R-Really?"
"Let's go."
"Yay~!"
Ah, my hands were itching. I was dying to grope her.
Oblivious, Karen walked beside me with a big smile.
"This meat is so good! Can I have more?"
"Yeah, eat up."
She devoured it with gusto.
"First off, we should know each other's strengths. What's your specialty, big bro?"
"Me? Fire magic."
"I'm a swordswoman. Close combat's my thing. I'll protect you, and you blast 'em with magic."
...With those tits, fighting up close?
I pointed and asked.
"Don't they get in the way when you fight?"
Karen flinched, then quickly covered her exposed cleavage with her arms.
"You've been staring holes through them. Mind watching where you look? It's embarrassing."
"What kind? Can you actually fight?"
"Just trust me. Being a girl isn't a handicap."
My question was blunt, but she didn't seem offended.
"The emergency quest is to hunt a Thin Wolf in the Black Forest.
It might take days, so camping gear is essential."
"Camping too?"
Whoa, hadn't thought of that.
Seems like it's harder to find than expected.
"It's supposed to be as smart as a human. That's why it's usually impossible to hunt."
"What's different about now?"
"Lots of people will head into the forest to become hero candidates, turning it into a massive group effort naturally."
"Oh, got it."
"I'm definitely becoming a hero candidate."
Karen clenched her fist, fired up.
"What's so great about being a hero candidate?"
"You were gonna do the quest without knowing that?"
"Why? Should I not?"
"N-No, do it! Please come with me!"
Her full-body reaction was adorable.
"Once you're a candidate, you can join the hero's party and fight the Demon King's army. Cool, right?"
"..."
Not cool at all.
If anything, it'd be a nightmare.
"The selected candidates also get to attend the Hero Academy in the capital!"
"What?"
That last bit snapped me to attention.
"Hero Academy? There's a school for that?"
"Yeah. It's where they train candidates. Only the best from there qualify for the hero's party."
"A school...."
A school you could only enter by clearing high-difficulty quests.
That meant all the students there would be top-tier talents, right?
And with high chances of beauties like Karen.
A school was the perfect hunting ground for hypnosis.
No way I could pass that up.
"Why the serious face?"
"Just thinking.
Anyway, back to the Thin Wolf—got a plan to catch it?"
"Hmm~~. Guess we just head into the forest and see."
No plan, huh.
Without my hypnosis, would she have even gone alone?
She was solo in that orc-infested forest too.
"Ehehe. Truth is, this is my first time partying with anyone.... Wanna be the leader, big bro?"
"..."
Normally I'd refuse, but leaving her in charge worried me.
"Fine. Then we'll register the party, accept the quest, and buy supplies. Sound good?"
"Yeah! Oh, can I keep calling you big bro?"
"No point changing now. I like it, so keep going."
"You like it? Hearing 'big bro'? Why?"
"..."
How to explain that?
"I've got a little sister back home about your age. It reminds me of her."
Lame excuse out of laziness.
Truth was, no sister. Maybe that's why it sounded good.
Anyway, no guy would hate a cutie like Karen calling him big bro.
"I remind you of your sister? Hmm~. Okay, I'll think of you that way too. Big bro Decal!"
Karen flashed a bright smile, white teeth gleaming.
Her pure radiance pulled a smile from me too.
Showing my face at the adventurers' guild was routine now.
The envious stares I'd gotten bringing Esty hit peak levels with Karen.
Some shook their heads like "You again?" or sighed.
I ignored them, heading to the quest board with Karen.
"Emergency quest. This one?"
「Thin Wolf Hunt」
Rank B+
Recommendations
Level 90+, party of 4+, combat skills, search skills
Notes
Extremely dangerous.
Thin Wolf individuals have exceptional combat prowess, requiring skilled fighters.
This is an emergency quest for 「Next Hero Candidate Selection」. Clearing parties gain candidate status for all members.
Byproducts from targets—Thin Wolf hide, fangs, eyes—must be reported to the guild; personal claiming prohibited.
Hmm. Level 90+ and party of 4 recommended....
A lone wanderer that dangerous, huh?
A chill crept in.
I could call Esty if needed, but would two be enough?
Wonder what Karen thought.
"Big bro, how do we register a party?"
...She was so carefree, I felt silly for hesitating.
"To the counter. This way."
"Huh?"
Karen glanced at the next line.
"This one's shorter. Why wait here?"
"The receptionist knows me. She'll hook us up."
Karen's eyes lit up.
"Big bro, you're a big-shot adventurer? Hanging with examiners too!"
"Ditched that guy. You weren't planning to seduce me for an edge, right?"
She poked my side.
"Do I look like that type?"
"Oh yeah?"
I smoothly grazed her side in return, testing the waters.
"Ahaha!"
Karen squirmed, giggling, dodging my hand.
"Stop, stop! You're such a dummy, big bro. It tickles. People are staring."
I'd sneakily copped a feel of her tit while tickling. Score.
"I'll become a hero candidate fair and square with my own skills. No cheats."
Her expression turned serious as she said it.
Waiting our turn, it was soon my go.
"Ah, Mr. Decal. How can I help?"
"Ashelin, party registration and emergency quest acceptance."
"Yes. Right away. Leader's you, Mr. Decal?"
"Yeah. This one's Karen."
"Soul stones?"
No brainer.
Personal storage meant free hands, so max stones.
One per person was five, right?
"Karen, you got an adventurer license?"
"Me? Nope."
"Then... five medium soul stones for her."
"Here are five medium soul stones."
I pocketed the ones Ashelin handed into my personal storage.
"The quest is to take down the Thin Wolf in the Black Forest.
Since it's a solo beast, whoever fells it completes the quest.
Note: claiming byproducts personally risks punishment."
"Byproducts—you mean hide, eyes, fangs?"
"Yes. They're rare, so guild adventurers must turn them in."
So that's their cut.
No interest in stinky beast hides anyway.
No one around to process them right either.
"Thanks, heading out."
"Um...."
Ashelin hesitated, like she had more to say.
"Yeah?"
"Not using the bathroom... today?"
She glanced shyly at me, eyes downcast—adorable.
Her way of begging.
I nodded toward Karen.
"Got her with me today."
"Oh...."
Ashelin deflated.
"But...."
I leaned in, whispering in her ear.
"Work panty-free till I get back, and I'll give you what you want."
"..."
She nodded.
As we walked away from the counter, Karen asked.
"Big bro, what was that last bit? 'Cause of me'?"
"Told her I don't need extras with you here."
"Hehe. Glad you recognize my skills."
I kept to myself that she was my main fuckhole for now, others on hold.
"Time to grab camping gear?"
"Yeah! Handle your own stuff, big bro. I don't know guy needs well. Hmm... definitely pack spare undies and socks."
"Where's best for shopping? Any recs?"
"You don't know the shops? Come on, I'll show you!"
I followed her brisk pace.
On a street I'd never explored, adventurer-targeted general stores lined up.
Who knew such a bustling adventurer hub existed!
"Didn't know this place was here."
"Big bro, this way!"
Karen bounded ahead excitedly.
How had a girl like this never partied before?
"Hey, handsome newbie. First time? Need an adventurer map?"
Even in the crowded chaos, a hawker singled me out.
Pre-Bordo Dungeon me would've bitten, but not now.
Waved him off and trailed Karen.