Chapter 5
Demons and monsters.
They were similar, but distinct kinds of beings.
Monsters had low intelligence and were generally hostile to every living thing except their own kind.
In fact, they even regarded other kinds of monsters—and demons—as enemies.
Demons, on the other hand, could communicate with people. They were intelligent and powerful.
In other words, it depended on whether they leaned more toward instinct or reason.
Goblins were particularly hard to classify.
They were smart enough to talk to each other, but hostile to anyone outside their own kind. Sometimes they seemed rational, then went completely instinct-driven the moment they saw a woman.
They sat infuriatingly close to the line.
In the end, people gave up trying to tell the difference. ‘Why don’t we just call them monsters?’ And that settled it.
So monsters they were.
Demons naturally considered goblins monsters, too.
They didn’t want to be lumped in with creatures that went kieek while chasing after women.
But either way, goblins didn’t give it a second thought.
They were happy that way.
Anyway, the happy goblins were chatting inside a cave as they looked at the new elf woman who’d just arrived.
“Kieek! Kiek?”
“Kiek? Kiek! Kieeek!”
Translated, it went like this.
‘Boss! The youngsters haven’t come back in thirty minutes!’ ‘Really? Then let’s enjoy ourselves without them, little bro.’ ‘Just as I’d expect from you, boss!’
While the goblins chatted,
the busty elf, bound around her body and gagged with rope, twisted and writhed.
“Mmph!! Mmmph! Hnnng!”
The elf thought to herself:
I shouldn’t have slept in a cave!
She’d left the elf kingdom of ‘Edellia,’ protected by the World Tree, because she wanted to see the outside world.
Though really, she was just taking a look around because she’d been banished.
The outside world was every bit as amazing as she’d expected.
With her ability to speak to plants that possessed mana, she was having a wonderful time talking to plants she’d never seen before.
There are so many new things!
If I get stronger, maybe I can talk to plants in even more dangerous places?
And so, she made up her mind.
‘I’ll go on adventures across the world just like Dad and become the greatest archer on the surface!’
Having vowed to become the strongest, the elf found a cave a few days later that showed signs of recent use.
She thought it was a human shelter and slept there.
Of course, it wasn’t.
Which was how she ended up like this.
“Kikik.”
The goblins licked their lips, planning to slowly pounce on their prey.
Their completely unbrushed teeth were viscerally repulsive.
Please! Somebody, anybody, save me!
Kaboom!
The goblins went poof!
The elf went, Huh?
“What the hell? Why’d they get weak again?”
“Still, that’s amazing.”
The goblins died, and a human and a beastkin? appeared.
“……”
Anyway, I’m saved!
***
Fortunately, when Yubel looked at the spot where he’d thrown up, there was no food.
He was on an empty stomach.
Yubel looked at the Hero, who was taking a short break.
Is he really okay with this?
Se-on was already used to monster corpses and the like.
But to Yubel, Se-on was just a crazy sociopath.
He’d only been summoned recently, and he was already used to it?
“Are you feeling any better now?”
“Yeah……. I’m fine.”
Somehow, I could tell from the moment I first saw him.
This bastard isn’t human at all.
In fact, Se-on had gotten used to it a little quickly.
But I didn’t really mind.
Ever since I became a Hero, stuff like this doesn’t bother me.
It’s nice to get used to it.
“Ahem. Anyway, it looks like there’s a goblin nest deeper inside. Want to go? We finished too quickly to head back now.”
Se-on got stronger by killing monsters.
But since Yubel had killed all three, I was feeling a little greedy.
Yubel was suspicious of Se-on.
Don’t tell me this bastard…
“Yeah, I’m feeling better now, so let’s go.”
Still, I couldn’t refuse.
If he realized I knew about the event, who knew what this sociopath would do to me?
“Great. This way!”
The Hero took off at a run.
Yubel found him very suspicious.
But what bothered him more was the mana going berserk.
Why did it suddenly go out of control?
Did the Hero use some kind of skill?
I can’t trust that bastard.
He mentioned his first skill, but maybe he’d already learned several.
“Hah…… Guess I have to follow him for now.”
At the cave up ahead, goblins stood guard.
“All right. I’ll handle this.”
Kieek! Kiek!
The Hero charged straight in and slit a goblin’s throat.
How brutal.
They proceeded farther into the cave, hunting goblins as they went.
Mana Sphere!!
Boom! Kieek!
“What the hell? Why’d they get weak again?”
“Still, that’s amazing.”
I don’t appreciate your praise one bit, you know?
But if we’re judging by kill count, I’m the one carrying this.
The Hero’s got a good eye.
“Mmph!! Mmmph!! Mmph!!!!”
Huh?
I turned toward the sound.
Shit. It really is an elf.
Flowing green hair in a classic elf ponytail. And enormous breasts.
It was ‘Riella,’ one of the heroines.
That confirmed it.
The Hero knew as much about this game as I did, if not more.
But why didn’t he react at all when he saw me?
Did he get an ending other than the Demon King route?
He definitely played the game, though.
“Hold on! I’ll untie you right now!”
Rustle.
“Phaa…… Thank you! I’m Riella! Um, could you possibly be the Hero?”
“……Yes. Though I hardly deserve the title, that’s what they call me.”
“Wow……! It’s been my lifelong dream to meet the Hero! If you don’t mind, could I invite you to my home?”
Yubel panicked.
If things continued like this, the elf would get laid and the Hero might grow stronger!
“Waaait!! What are you doing?”
“Yubel?”
“Hey! You’re not saying you’re going to follow her, are you? Do you want things to go wrong like they did with that Thief girl?”
Yubel warned Se-on.
‘You got caught trying to rape her back then.’ That was what Yubel meant.
“That was just an accident. This time is different. Let’s trust Riella’s word for once.”
Se-on was moved.
Yubel is worried I might get fooled!
Se-on’s opinion of Yubel rose by several notches.
Yubel, however, was leaping around inside.
An accident? This time’s different?
You crazy bastard. You definitely plan to fuck her!
“That’s right! I’ll take good care of you! Shall we leave right now?”
Please shut up!
The thing she takes care of might be your body!
“No…… Ugh…….”
“I know you’re worried, but trust me this time.”
If I resisted any more, the Hero might kick me out and go after Riella. I’m still just a temporary party member.
Can’t be helped. I’ll have to stick close and keep an eye on him.
“Fine……. But we’re leaving tomorrow.”
“Yeah. Thanks.”
“Thank you, Lord Yubel!”
Sigh.
I tried to keep the Hero from meeting the heroine, but it’s already come to this.
But it’s still okay for now.
I can stop Riella’s lewdness from increasing.
***
“Lord Yubel! Can I sleep next to the Hero?”
“Absolutely not! Don’t even dream of it.”
“Hiee……”
“Hahaha……”
After finishing the quest and earning some money, we got a room at an inn so we could leave for the elf kingdom of Edellia tomorrow.
Of course, we couldn’t afford an expensive room, so the three of us had to share a room with only one bed.
So right now, we were deciding where to sleep.
Yubel threatened, ‘Nobody’s sleeping unless we lie down in this order: Riella, Yubel, Baek Se-on!’
“Lord Yubel is so greedy! You two aren’t even dating!”
What is this crazy elf talking about?
I’m doing this for your sake!
“Don’t get the wrong idea. Just because you’re traveling with us doesn’t mean you’re part of the Hero’s party, okay? We’ll take you there, and that’s it. That’s all!”
Yeah, once we get to the elf kingdom, we’ll part ways nice and clean!
Then the Hero won’t get any skill points, and he’ll part ways with that crazy elf too. Two birds with one stone.
“Waaaah……”
“Hahaha……. Yubel, you’re so jealous.”
Se-on smiled at Yubel.
Ugh. What’s with that creepy smile?
Is he mad because I made it clear I’m not part of the Hero’s party?
For a Hero from an adult game, he sure is a sly bastard.
“Well, shall we get some sleep?”
“Yeah, let’s go to sleep already. Riella, you close your eyes too. Come on.”
“Okaaay……”
I have to be the last one to fall asleep.
Who knows what the Hero might do to Riella while she’s asleep!
Ten minutes later, Yubel fell asleep faster than anyone.
………
……
…
“Huh? What the hell! When did I fall asleep?”
“Oh, you’re awake. Get up. We have to check out now.”
“Honestly! Lord Yubel, you’re such a sleepyhead. You wouldn’t wake up no matter how much we tried!”
As soon as Yubel got up, he noticed something strange.
The Hero and Riella were both drenched in sweat.
“Huh, um! Wait a second! Why are you two so sweaty?”
“Oh, this? I couldn’t sleep well last night, so Riella and I exercised together for a bit. Right, Riella?”
“The Hero was amazing! You kept swinging without getting tired! Let’s do it again sometime!”
Huh? What, what?
Exercise that made them sweat? What was he swinging without getting tired?
And when did the two of them start talking so casually?
“Oh! I want to talk casually with you too, Yubel! Is that okay?”
“Uh, y-yeah.”
“Yay! Thanks, Yubel!”
Riella gave him a somewhat alluring smile.
I’m fucked!
That bastard Hero must have gone after Riella while I was sleeping like an idiot.
This is why I said not to fall asleep, you stupid woman!
But how could they do that with someone sleeping right beside them?
Those two did all that right on top of me while I was asleep……
Oh my, oh my, eek! Anyway, that means they did it!
“Yubel? Are you okay? You look a little unwell. If you’re tired, stay here. I can go by myself.”
Like I’d let the two of them get any stronger here.
I’m definitely going with them.
I can’t let Riella get any lewder than this.
“I’ll get ready right now, so wait a little.”
“Get ready and come out. We’ll go on ahead.”
The Hero left the inn room with Riella.
He’s sticking right by Riella to the very end, huh?
There’s a limit to how much you can take someone for a fool.
Unlike me, whose lewdness won’t increase because I’m a man, the heroines can be targeted by the Hero’s power at any time.
So this time, I’m going to protect her.
Even if I have to sacrifice myself.