Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Into the Black Forest
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The adventurers didn't spare us a single glance as they huddled together, deep in discussion.
From what I could overhear, they were talking about the monsters that lived in this forest—Thin Wolves.
I'd once struggled in brutal fights just to take down a single goblin, but now I was in the late level 80s. I could incinerate an orc without breaking a sweat.
And yet, this world was still full of dangers.
They might not compare to that boss orc with the Demon King's soulstone, but the foes we'd face this time demanded full vigilance.
"It's gotten a bit cooler here."
Karen spread her arms wide, savoring the gentle breeze.
"It's the middle of the day, but it feels eerie, like nighttime."
It was nothing like the forest where the orcs lived.
True to its name, the Black Forest had dark, dreary soil, and the trees were unnaturally tall and spindly.
Eerie howls echoed sporadically through the woods, sending chills down my spine.
Shing!
Karen drew the short sword from her waist.
"Monsters from here on out. Let's stay sharp."
"Got it."
She was saying exactly what I'd been about to. She looked pretty reliable.
We stepped into the Black Forest.
The first things we encountered were hulking, grotesque goblins.
"Those are hobgoblins."
Even hunched over, they stood about as tall as me, their emaciated frames twisted into something nightmarish.
The only thing goblin-like about them was their reptilian, ugly faces.
They charged us the moment they spotted us.
"Hah!"
I recoiled in shock, taking a step back, but Karen boldly rushed forward. She slammed her shoulder into the hobgoblin, shoving it off balance, then sliced it clean with her short sword.
I immediately began casting.
"Get clear!"
Karen caught on and rolled to the side.
"Fireball!"
The spell I unleashed engulfed the hobgoblin in flames.
"Kieeeek!"
It shrieked in place and collapsed dead.
I'd been worried it might charge while burning...
"Your magic is insanely powerful, bro."
"It's all I've got."
"With that kind of firepower... this shouldn't be too bad. Let's keep moving!"
Hobgoblins were definitely more threatening than orcs.
Aggressive and fast.
They didn't use tools, but their raw strength was obvious at a glance.
"Fireball!"
What really put me on edge, though, wasn't that.
What if this magic hit an ally?
I doubted this world worked like a game, where allies were immune to friendly fire.
I had to be careful every time.
I only fired after confirming Karen had dodged. It forced me to fine-tune my aim with way more precision than usual.
I was terrified of hitting her, but Karen stayed cool even with fireballs whizzing past her back.
Then it happened out of nowhere.
"Fireball!"
"Yeah! Whoa...!?"
The hobgoblin lashed out with its long arm and grabbed Karen!
No! A chill ran through me. I pictured her engulfed in black flames.
"Urgh~! Take this!"
Karen wrestled with the hobgoblin, forcing it to take the fireball instead, then scrambled free.
"Whew. That was close."
"You okay?"
I rushed over and grabbed her shoulder.
"Anywhere hurt?"
"Bro? What's wrong? I'm fine."
"Good."
I'd nearly roasted a perfectly healthy person with my own hands.
I never wanted to go through that.
I'd just been worried as a teammate, but Karen stared at me like she'd been deeply touched.
"I'm a swordswoman who fights up front in your place. I get banged up, I get in danger... It's just part of the job, right?"
"That's one thing. But that was still risky."
"Yeah..."
Time to tweak the strategy.
"Can you knock a hobgoblin off balance? I'll fire once I see you break free."
"But the spell might miss."
"If it does, I'll land the next one. Better that than you accidentally eating a hit."
"...Ugh, okay."
(Your level has increased.)
(Your level has increased.)
I synced up with Karen, taking down hobgoblins as we pushed forward.
It wasn't like the monster surge, with enemies swarming everywhere,
but hobgoblins apparently counted as tougher foes than orcs—my EXP gains were hefty.
"Decal bro. See any Thin Wolf tracks?"
"Nope. I'm scanning with Search, but nothing yet."
Hobgoblin traces were plentiful, though.
"It's getting dark. Let's set up camp."
"Sounds good. Lots of hobgoblin signs this way. Head that direction?"
"You can tell? You're so dependable, bro!"
I found a decent clearing with Karen.
"Set up the tent. I'll rig some perimeter traps and be right back."
"Traps?"
"Simple ones. String with bells attached."
Getting ambushed in our sleep would suck. Smart idea.
"Alright. Holler if anything happens."
"Don't worry. You've seen what I can do."
True. She wasn't bluffing when she said to leave it to her.
Karen hadn't been overwhelmed in melee by a single hobgoblin.
I'd pegged her as just some lewd big-titted thigh-girl, but she was seriously trained.
How did those slender arms pack that much power?
While she set the traps, I drove in the stakes and pitched the tent.
I pulled supplies from my inventory and got everything ready.
Rolled out a folding mattress, set up a magic lantern.
Even grabbed some dry firewood and lit it with Fire Enchant.
I used Fire Enchant instead of Fireball because even at minimum power, Fireball would've turned the logs to charcoal and then some.
Plus, thanks to my hunts with Esty, I could imbue flames on any object now—no need to rely on attack spells.
Oh.
What if I enchanted Karen's sword? Would it be too hot to handle?
I had the fire going and was waiting when Karen strolled back.
"Whew. Walked a ton today—I'm beat."
"You wanna crash first?"
But she froze at the sight of the tent.
"...Bro?"
Something felt off in her tone.
"Yeah?"
"Where's my tent?"
"Just the one."
"You idiot! A guy and a girl can't share a tent!"
Predictably fresh reaction.
"Uh... wouldn't sharing be better for handling emergencies?"
"That's not the point. How am I supposed to sleep next to you!"
"Hurtful."
"I mean! You're a guy. I'm a girl. We sleep separately. Obviously. I thought you knew that."
"I'd love sharing with you, Karen."
"Urk...!"
Karen clutched her head.
"I'll sleep outside... No. Hiiing. Bugs'll bite."
She was wrestling hard with it internally.
"So what? Few nights together. Let's set aside the petty stuff."
"It's not petty! How do I know you won't do something to me while I sleep?"
"If I wanna do something, I'll wake you and ask. Boldly."
"~~~!!"
Karen stomped her feet, then let out a deep sigh.
She'd given in.
"You big dummy. I had no idea you were this clueless!"
"Think about it. Nothing'll happen. I'll handle your backlog so you don't build up, right?"
"That's my duty anyway... Haa, fine. But before bed! You gotta shoot your load into me to drain those balls.
Otherwise, I can't relax."
"Make it pure white sheep. Let me sleep soundly."
"Boobs again?"
"You know it."
Karen stretched languidly.
"Hungry. Let's eat first."
"What? Dried meat?"
"Yeah. Dried meat."
We sat by the campfire, tearing into dried meat.
...It was awful. But hunger kept us chewing. I already missed hot grilled meat on a skillet.
Had I ever camped in the woods like this in my old life?
And in a monster-infested forest. With a girl, no less.
The more I chewed, the more novel it felt.
No anxiety, even alone with her in this precarious spot where monsters could strike anytime.
Excitement, instead.
The danger, the monsters to slay—that's what thrilled me.
Teasing Karen right in the heart of it all? Pure bliss.
Crossing that line, though... tricky.
If monsters ambushed mid-sex, we'd be done for.
Tonight, I'd gauge how active the monsters were.
"What're you thinking about, staring at me?"
"Just relieved things went smooth while we synced up."
"I noticed when you worried about me earlier—you're so thoughtful. 'Cause I seem like a little sis?"
"Yeah. Like a little sis. Wanna take care of you."
The lies flowed shamelessly, effortlessly.
Hypnosis had boosted my acting skills unnecessarily.
"I wondered if having a big bro would feel like this. You looked kinda pathetic struggling with my tits, though."
"Pathetic...?"
What guy wouldn't crumble under those in person?
The sheer presence would drop anyone to their knees.
"You were moaning like you were in heaven. Heh heh."
"You'd moan the same getting teased."
"Psh. Like some novel. Probably just tickles."
"Wanna test it?"
"That's... got nothing to do with draining your load. Just regular lewd stuff. No."
"Shame."
Karen stuck out her tongue.
"Trying to rush into naughty stuff? You didn't buy just one tent on purpose, did you?"
"..."
"W-Why aren't you saying anything! Suddenly! You're scaring me!"
"Heh..."
"I'll kick you out of the tent!"
"Kidding."
Brave enough to brawl hobgoblins, but freaked by this.
Night deepened.
"I-I'm, uh, heading in first... So sleepy. Yawny."
Karen muttered awkwardly and ducked into the tent.
I summoned a spirit to patrol the area.
Not sure if it'd help... but call out if something happens?
The wind swirled in circles, responding to my words.
Bells alone weren't enough—I needed insurance.
I entered the tent.
========== Author's Note ==========
Wrote another double update today. Thanks for reading!