Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: The Lofty Hunter
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Even if it felt a bit unnatural, all I had to do was get in front of her and snap my fingers.
After that, the situation would be under my control. It wouldn't be difficult.
I wandered around outside the guild to kill time. I couldn't stray too far since I needed to know when the girl came out.
A bunch of people had gathered, all wanting to catch a glimpse of a Diamond-rank hunter emerging from the guild. Their goals seemed similar to mine but weren't quite the same, which kept things from getting too boring while I waited.
I sifted through the idle chatter and picked up a few useful bits of information.
The nickname "Lofty Hunter"—which could sound embarrassing depending on how you heard it—came from the fact that she avoided interactions with others to an extreme degree and accomplished her feats all on her own.
That was one of my ideal conditions.
Why? When hypnotizing a beautiful woman, a common issue arises if her social connections are too extensive and her emergency network is too tight-knit. It can be a real pain.
Especially in the modern world—I'd been shocked to learn that one person could know and associate with over a thousand others.
Sure, outward relationships could be severed with suggestions implanted in the woman herself.
But when too many people knew her unilaterally, or hidden connections she herself was unaware of kept popping up, it led to unexpected problems more often than not.
That's why, when I came to this world, I wanted to target women with as few ties as possible.
Another rumor I heard meshed with what I'd picked up earlier: she was an elf.
As for elves, I only knew as much as anyone else, but apparently they distrusted humans greatly. She never revealed her own name, so it remained unknown.
Famous without even her name getting out?
She must be the epitome of a strong, beautiful archer.
Anyway, soon enough she'd tell me everything herself. Right in front of me.
Her name, her life story, what she liked, what she hated—all of it.
The elf girl emerged from the guild.
This time, I paid close attention to her ears, but they didn't look particularly different from human ones.
A crowd swarmed her, but I deliberately hung back.
With so many people waiting to exchange even a word, the elf girl remained expressionless the whole time. Once they fell silent, she turned and left.
"Wow, she's seriously gorgeous."
"Doesn't even need to say a word."
"I'd love to see her smile once."
The men grumbled briefly and dispersed.
No one else seemed to have any intention of following her like I did. Well, that was to be expected.
If you wanted to do anything to her, you'd have to be stronger than a Diamond-rank hunter first.
I followed the elf girl at a natural distance.
Calmly taking in her back view, I really wanted her. Especially the exquisite thickness of those thighs—it was criminal.
As I observed her legs and hips swaying lightly with her graceful steps, she led me into an increasingly deserted alley.
I wondered if she might have noticed the tail.
"Who's there?"
The girl asked without even turning around.
"I've been waiting to talk to you."
"Don't come closer."
Hmm, her voice was incredibly sharp.
She turned, mimed drawing a bow with her bare hands, and fixed me with a steady gaze as she spoke.
It was a tone bordering on a warning.
"Step back right now and don't show yourself in front of me again."
"I just—"
"You're giving off a dangerous scent."
"Huh?"
"I've never smelled anything like it before. It's incredibly dangerous."
She sensed it through smell? That was chillingly perceptive.
I'd thought she was just miming, but when I looked at her hands again, a bow and arrow had already materialized, half-transparent.
They looked like weapons made of glass.
"I'll kill you if you make any suspicious moves. Faster than you can blink."
"......"
I sighed inwardly.
I'd underestimated her and approached too casually. I'd seen her traveling alone as an advantage, but flip that around...
This girl had accomplished feats others couldn't manage solo. It wouldn't be strange if her wariness was several times sharper than average.
Her threat to kill me felt utterly sincere, so I took a step back.
"I'm not a dangerous person. My name's Decal. I just arrived in Marn recently."
"I don't want to hear it. Go away."
......That wariness was earning its keep on that face.
Should I admit failure and back off? Or force it and snap my fingers anyway?
She'd already drawn her weapon, as if she'd seen right through my essence. Pull that stunt now?
Faster than a blink wasn't bravado.
No choice.
I'd have to reveal that I'm the goddess's agent and try to pique her interest.
It was info that gained me nothing from disclosing it. That's how badly I didn't want to let this woman slip away.
"Isn't that the idiot from before?"
"Wha?!"
Suddenly shoved, I tumbled sideways.
Looking up, Salik loomed over me, grinning.
"Lady, ignore whatever this moron said. He's not even Bronze-rank—a total loser."
"......"
"You......"
"I was gonna fix that hand of yours earlier, but you ran off, huh?"
Salik kicked me square.
Urk! That bastard. The surprise hit hurt like hell.
"Get up. I'll knock some sense into you."
"Stop it."
Then the elf girl intervened, halting Salik.
"He didn't say anything to me."
"Good to know. Lady, first time in Marn? Let me treat you to a meal."
The elf girl impassively shook her head.
"Hmm......"
Rejected, Salik shot me a dirty look, spat on the ground, and left.
"Urgh......"
How long had it been since I took a real hit like that?
As I fumbled to get up off the ground, the girl approached me.
No weapon in her hands.
"Here."
She readily offered her hand.
What? After sharpening her edge like that just moments ago......
"Sorry for scaring you with those weird words. I think I misunderstood......"
Ah.
I could imagine how pathetic I must have looked from her perspective.
Couldn't even get a word in, hesitated, then got knocked over and beaten.
No fabrication here—it was pure coincidence. That guy had barged in as the perfect villain, dispelling her suspicions.
"About that 'dangerous scent' from me?"
I raised my arm and pretended to sniff myself.
The girl, for once, showed a real expression—flushing shyly.
"......Th-that was."
"Weird. I showered, though."
"Anyway...... I'm going."
The girl tried to bolt.
"Ah, wait a sec."
"Yeah?"
Right in front of her eyes, I snapped my fingers.
Perfect timing, catching her off guard.
Even then, she reacted— the arrow in her hand formed then gradually faded away.
"Your name?"
"......I can't say......"
Impressive. Resisting even in trance.
Trance state leaves the mind almost completely defenseless, making them compliant like they're obeying orders.
But strong-willed virgins sometimes utter refusals.
No need to rush, though.
"Why can't you say your name?"
"Elves...... don't trust humans."
Don't trust humans.
Not personal, but racial—sounds like deep-rooted distrust.
"Then, you don't trust all humans?"
"......No."
"What about me, right in front of you?"
"I don't trust you."
Eyes open, dazed, the girl kept answering.
"That's wrong."
"Wrong......?"
"Decal is one of the people you trust most. Doubting his words is unthinkable."
"You're...... one of the people I trust most...... Doubting you...... unthinkable......"
She repeated my words like a doll.
"Got it?"
"Yeah."
"So, if I hate you, you'll feel intense pain and disgust."
"Pain and disgust......"
"Which is why you don't want me to hate you."
"Yeah......"
「Don't want to be hated by that person」
This keyword works wonders on any woman, but especially cool ones.
For girls who've built up walls making normal talk impossible, it creates fun scenarios without needing 「Obey my commands」 and risking backlash.
Sure, outright domination has its own appeal.
Anyway, first suggestion complete.
Clap.
I clapped to wake her.
The elf girl immediately stepped back and aimed her invisible bow at me.
"What did you do to my body?"
"Don't do that. We may not have known each other long, but we trust each other, right?"
"Huh?"
Her expression, bow at the ready, slackened slightly.
Confusion stirred her emotions, leaving her flustered.
"If I did something wrong, I'll apologize."
I approached. Slowly.
"Ah, no...... Decal......"
Dazed, she murmured as if unable to believe her own feelings.
"You didn't do anything wrong."
"Good. I'd like to call you by name—can you tell me yours?"
"Suddenly?"
"Is that no?"
The elf girl flinched, trembling.
That was the first fear I saw in her.
"It's fine if it's Decal...... I'm Esty."
"Nice name."
"......"
By the end of our chat, the bow in Esty's hands had fully dematerialized and vanished.
"Shall we head to the inn before it gets too late?"
"I was planning to leave tonight......"
"You don't want to?"
"Uh, um......"
Esty's blank expression crumbled.
Just seeing her pretty face crease between the brows told me how much ripple my words had caused in her mind.
"Got it. I'll stay one night."
"Let's go."
I took Esty's hand and walked.
She started to pull away for a moment but couldn't follow through, flustered as she trailed after me.