Morning After and the Exclusive Contract
On the day of departure...
"......."
"......."
Once the hangover had fully worn off, an awkward silence hung between Brina and me.
"Uh... sorry. I should've kept my head straight..."
"Ah, no.... If we're being technical, I was the one who took my clothes off first...."
Unable to bear the awkwardness any longer, I apologized first. Brina hesitated for a moment before mumbling her own apology.
But the tension didn't ease, so Brina took the initiative to change the subject.
"Ah... My memory of the end's a bit fuzzy, but... I lost the drinking contest, right?"
"Y... yeah? That's why I carried you here on my back."
"I never thought I'd actually lose.... Haa...."
Her obvious attempt to pivot the conversation was plain as day, but even without that, the shock of her genuine defeat in the drinking bout had her sighing heavily. Watching her, I suddenly remembered something I'd forgotten and asked.
"By the way, back then, the loser had to grant a wish, right? Why'd you suggest that?"
What had she been planning to ask for?
"Oh, that... Well, doesn't matter since I lost. I was gonna ask you to sign an exclusive contract with me."
"An exclusive contract?"
"You already saw, but my forge is brand new—barely any customers. I didn't care before, but now I really need some promotion."
"Makes sense."
"And the best way to promote a forge? Sign a contract with a promising young adventurer and advertise that your gear helped them grow...."
"Aha."
I remembered similar things from my past life. Brands sponsoring celebrities with clothes, or even exclusive deals where stars only used their products. Something like that?
"So as I adventure and climb the adventurer ranks, I use your gear, and make it sound like it's all thanks to your equipment?"
"...Yeah. You get it quick? Most adventurers are too thick-headed for this stuff."
So that's what she was after—an exclusive contract.
...Well, damn. Things turned out like this.
"Speaking of which. How about we make that exclusive contract? I'll make your gear for just material costs from now on. And also...."
"No need to say more, Brina."
It was pretty much what I'd wanted to ask for anyway.
"I won the drinking contest, so... I'll make my wish."
"Your wish? Oh, right... What is it?"
"From now on, whenever I bring materials or pay for them, keep making my gear. And when I offer it at the Creation Forge, can I accompany you?"
".....Hm?"
The moment I voiced the request I'd planned ahead, Brina's fidgety demeanor shifted dramatically.
Ever since hearing the voice of the Forge of All Things at the Creation Forge, I'd been set on this path.
'If I offer a work worthy of the god's descent again at the altar, I might hear that voice once more.'
But Godric had said outsiders couldn't join when a smith presented their work for divine judgment.
'But if I'm the owner of the artifact being judged, and the smith who made it allows it, then it's possible.'
That's how I'd been able to join when Brina's ogre armor was evaluated.
The solution was simple: commission gear for myself again, and have the smith take me along.
Which made Brina the perfect fit for achieving my goal.
'She already took me once, her skills are solid. And if something unexpected happens during the judgment, she'll probably keep the secret.'
In that sense, asking her to make gear for me aligned with her 'exclusive contract' idea—mutual interests.
"I see. Something weird happened at the temple back then... You want to hear the Forge of All Things' voice again?"
Having been there herself, Brina instantly grasped my motive.
"Makes sense. You're no dwarf or smith, so accompanying one to the divine presence is your best shot. Others wouldn't take you, no matter how many materials you bring."
"So... what do you say?"
Brina pondered my request, then grinned and extended her hand.
"Sure."
".....!"
"I was gonna propose the exclusive deal anyway. Your way means you'll keep commissioning from me, right? Works for me."
"Plus, you look like you'll hit high ranks fast. If my gear plays a part... it'll be an honor as a smith, promotion aside."
Relieved at how readily she accepted—better than expected—I shook her outstretched hand, signaling our future partnership.
"Looking forward to working with you."
"Yeah. Oh, but you'll have to come to the Steel Fortress for commissions. That okay?"
"With the Honorary Dwarf token Godric gave me, I can use cheap portals from the magic tower. Should be easier than before."
"Portals? What's that? Some spell the spell-slingers use?"
"....Just think of it as magic that lets you travel super fast to other places."
I didn't know the discount details, but as a C-rank adventurer now, steady quests would cover portal fees easily.
Meaning I'd see Brina more often than expected for gear requests.
"....Ahem. Really? Guess we'll be seeing each other plenty then?"
"Yeah. Probably."
Brina's lips twitched upward, clearly pleased.
With the mood softened, I apologized once more.
"Still, sorry again. I should've stayed in control back there..."
"Pfft, drop it. And we'll be seeing each other, so talk casual from now on."
"Oh. Alright then...."
"And.... Honestly, I kinda liked it."
"Huh?"
Thinking I'd misheard, I stared at her. Brina smirked awkwardly, averting her eyes in subtle embarrassment.
Then she suddenly yelled "Wah!" and manifested a hammer in her hand, swinging it wildly.
"There, happy?! If you're done, get out! Hungover and tired!"
Anyone could see she was just embarrassed and shooing me away, but I let her push me out of the forge obediently.
'...Well. That worked out.'
A bit of awkwardness lingered, but we'd sort it out over time.
Still...
'Brina liked it too, huh...'
...Maybe I can look forward to more of that? She didn't demand responsibility or anything—just brushed it off as drunken fun.
Right after Yuseong left the forge.
"....Yeah... We'll be seeing each other often, huh...?"
Having sent him off and shuddered in embarrassment, Brina recalled his proposal.
She glanced idly at the mirror on the wall, looking down at her massive breasts.
Breasts that had always been a hindrance to forging, ugly by dwarf standards—she'd hated them.
"....Hmph... Hng..!"
But her gaze toward them was more positive now.
Then she eyed her equally enormous hips.
"Maybe here too...."
If he'd liked these 'ugly' breasts, maybe next time her ass...
'...Next time? What am I thinking?! That was just a drunken mistake!'
Flustered at the thought of 'next,' she shook her head and buried her face in the bed.
Closing her eyes, she replayed the earlier events, ruminating.
'...If he keeps visiting the Steel Fortress, next time suggest another drinking contest... but stay sober this time...'
"Kir? What's up?"
"....Yuseong smells like something."
"Smells?"
While coordinating the return to Rivil with the caravan, Kir approached, sniffed me, and wrinkled her nose.
Booze lingering?
"....Urgh."
Dissatisfied, she rubbed her head against my chest—then dashed off toward the caravan guards.
'...What was that.'
Just like a real cat. Her actions were so unpredictable.
"Ahem. Perfect timing. Marking you with her scent..."
"Pardon?"
"Nothing. Anyway, depart from here tomorrow as planned. Don't forget to pack everything."
After ten days, I caught up with Joseph and got the schedule back to Rivil.
Glancing at the caravan's cargo—full of oak barrels—it seemed this group had come to the Steel Fortress for alcohol deliveries.
"Did things go well with that dwarf lady you were meeting, Joseph?"
"Amazing! Those breasts, those hips...! Most humans can't even dream of half that size!"
"But I hear among dwarves, smaller breasts and hips are more popular?"
"Oh, you heard? Spot on. Dwarf men prefer women with smaller chests and asses."
"Ridiculous."
Chatting with Joseph—who was seeing a dwarf woman—I brought up dwarf tastes. He chuckled and added more.
"Can't blame 'em. Dwarf men have their reasons."
"Reasons? Isn't it just preference?"
"Nah, more practical. Female dwarves have huge tits and asses mismatched to their size. Males? Not so famous, but they have one trait too."
"Trait?"
"They're... small."
"...? Yeah, small. Dwarves are small regardless of gender..."
"Not height or build. Down there. Small."
"....Pardon?"
Worried a dwarf man might overhear and smash his skull, Joseph glanced around before spilling the secret.
"Women have oversized racks and rears for their stature. Men? Exactly as they look—little peckers."
"Ahem. Little ones.."
"Fact's a fact. Their tiny tools make them prefer women who can 'appreciate' them—hence smaller asses and such."
"....Eww."
Yeah... Shoving a tiny dick into those massive dwarf tits and hips would feel pathetic by comparison.
"Dwarves are so insular, they think it's normal. Their women all believe they're ugly."
"The one I met this time thought so too."
"Isn't it hot? These confident women—dwarf-proud in skill and spirit—yet insecure about looks and bodies..."
I nodded along, picturing Brina again.
Yeah. When I called her body sexy, the booze kicked in, she got thrilled, let me grope her tits...
'Wanna touch 'em again.'
...That wish might come true sooner than I think. I'd kept a lock of her hair in my subspace.
"So, all done in the Steel Fortress?"
"...Ah, yeah."
To Joseph's final question, I gazed at the distant Creation Forge.
"...One thing left, but I'll handle it next time."
The Forge of All Things. I'd contracted with Brina to offer gear for another audience with the god, but no masterpiece ready yet.
'Just you wait.'
Unlike my aimless wandering before, this sliver of insight into my transmigration fueled me like never before.
Brimming with that drive, we departed for Rivil the next day.
"...Kir? Why do you keep rubbing your head...."
The whole trip back, I endured Kir constantly nuzzling my chest.