Chapter 291 - 291. Camping and the Monster Attack
The tip of Marmie-san’s wand shone dazzlingly. The light illuminated the area beyond the boundaries enforced by the ropes with bells, reaching into the darkness beyond the firelight’s reach. Several floating orbs of light appeared in the beam. White lights, seemingly radiating their own glow, floated in the darkness, watching us silently. A large individual with a prominent shadow had black horns sprouting from its head. I drew my sword from storage and gripped the hilt tightly. But the distance was too great to charge. Bow and arrow might have been better.
'Those are Red Stags. They won’t attack us.'
Hyatts muttered with a low tone, appearing next to me as if out of nowhere. Hatts stood beside him, a smirk playing on his lips as he glared at the Red Stags. They both gripped clubs studded with countless nails. Effective for intimidating humans, but questionable against monsters. Further back, the members of East Wind were each armed and watching the Red Stags.
'Want to take down a few?'
Hyatts’ eyes turned into slits, glare at me menacingly. According to Fam, he doesn’t mean any harm, but the glint in his eyes is still unsettling.
'They’re not monsters, right? If they’re not going to attack, why not just leave them be?'
Judging by their appearance, it was a family. Their glowing white eyes were unsettling, but they halted their movement, perked up their ears, and observed us with caution.
'Nope, they’re food.'
Hyatts slammed his club into his palm, sending a dry, cracking sound echoing through the air. The Red Stags’ ears twitched at the noise, and the herd immediately turned and fled into the depths of the forest.
'Tch, they ran away,' Hatts clicked his tongue. But at that distance, it would’ve been impossible to land a magic spell or arrow, and pursuit was out of the question. We left Marmie-san and Nefee on watch and returned to the fire.
'It gets confusing when a herd of deer shows up while you’re on night watch…'
'Nah, we should wake everyone up for confirmation during times like that. People might be sluggish when woken up suddenly.'
Hatts responded. Considering how both Hyatts and Hatts sleep, it’s strange they’d think of that. As I pondered this, the two grinned and then stared intensely at me, forcing me to look away. My gaze met Mizuki’s.
'Hey, I’m not afraid of you!'
'Don’t tell me that. And don’t act so stubborn over something so trivial!'
Mizuki sighed.
'Did you think I was some pathetic coward?'
'I didn’t think that.'
Her words weren’t mocking. She’s the kind of girl who’d be a class representative. But wouldn’t someone like that be drawn to a delinquent’s charm?
'Would you ever fall for a yankee or a taporhi?'
'Yankee… Taporhi? Hmm, I’ve heard grandpa mention those…'
I flinched at her furrowed brow and serious expression. I resolved to heal my wounded heart by leaving it to her body. Just then— the wooden pieces dangling on the surrounding ropes clattered faintly. And the rustling of dry leaves filled the air.
'…Mash, enemy!'
As Marmie-san shouted, a black shadow completely obscured her vision. Then, without even time to swing her wand, a monster’s arm swung down. Her body was sent flying from the direct hit.
'Mooo!'
It was a giant bear monster. The same kind we encountered on the way to Fam’s village. As she tried to get up, the monster’s fangs descended toward her neck. I lowered my head, noticing them, but the fangs only caught her clothes. The monster seized her, victorious, and lifted her up. Then, turning its back to us, it ran off.
'Not so fast!'
I would have chased after it with my sword drawn, but at that moment, multiple monsters appeared one after another. It wasn't just one. The bear monster glared at us with its bloodshot eyes and let out a low growl.
'They were probably lurking in wait, taking advantage of us being distracted by the Red Stags.'
They’re cunning. The monster carrying Marmie-san was about to disappear into the darkness. I gnashed my teeth, glaring at its back, when Fam appeared beside me.
'We’ll draw them away and fight them! Master, go after Mooo!'
'Got it. Count on you.'
'Yes!'
The moment I heard her reply, I kicked off the ground. Then I charged towards the standing monsters. The monster stood up on two legs, raising its log-like arms. The tips of its long claws gleamed dully in the firelight before being swung with tremendous speed. I barely dodged, leaning back, and slipped past it.
I lit the Light spell Marmie-san had taught me at the tip of my sword, which I was gripping in one hand. I chased after the bear monster, relying on the light. The monster descended the steep slope at an incredible speed. It effortlessly sidestepped the trunks of trees in its path. I also used the slope to maintain my momentum as I ran down. My legs nearly tangled from the unfamiliar speed, and I barely prevented myself from slipping on the dry leaves. I nearly tripped over a thick, protruding root. My foot almost sank into the Leaf Mold. I somehow managed to stay on my feet, preventing myself from falling again and again, but each time, the gap between me and the monster widened. I gritted my teeth, leaned my body into the slope to increase my speed. I couldn’t avoid the protruding branches and leaves. I protected my head with my arms as I forced my way through, and countless pains coursed through my arms, legs, forehead, and cheeks. I failed to avoid a trunk that suddenly appeared from the darkness and crashed into my shoulder.
'Guh…'
I almost dropped my sword, regripped it, but couldn’t exert the strength properly. How much had I fallen? It felt like a considerable amount of time had passed. I was starting to feel weak and lose willpower. I refocused on the monster’s back. It was difficult to fire magic precisely while running. Unlike me, the monster must have good night vision. Given how accurately it navigated through the trees, it could likely evade my spells. Plus, there was a chance I could hit Marmie-san. I had to focus on chasing the monster. I couldn’t let it get away. Once we were separated in these deep mountains, it would be impossible to find it. I stopped thinking and widened my stride to chase the monster. At that moment, the slope began to gentle. The black shadow before me began to recede into the distance. Even considering the terrain, a person couldn’t hope to keep up with a bear. But this was the forest. If I timed the monster’s movements, used the trees to block its way, and attacked from the front, the pursuer would have the advantage. Believing that, I kept running. As if to crush my hope, the view before me opened up. The constant sound of flowing water could be heard. I had emerged onto a riverbank. The ground beneath me had changed from leaf mold to gravel. The monster didn’t stop, running straight into the forest on the opposite bank. I felt despair as I chased after its back. I’d have to completely stop when crossing the river. And by the time I reached the forest’s edge, I’d be left far behind. I decided to give up the chase and try sniping it with magic. Fortunately, there were no obstacles in the way here. I stopped, regulated my ragged breathing, and started preparing to fire Ice Magic Icicle. Instead of aiming for a one-hit kill, I’d unleash a large volley. That way, the monster wouldn’t think it could escape to the opposite bank. As I raised my hand, the monster suddenly stopped. Instead of its previous bullet-like speed, it slowly turned towards me. I could see Marmie-san dangling from its mouth as it exhaled heavily.
'You… you dare to use Mooo as a shield…?'
Several ice spears were already formed at the tip of my hand. But I could only watch as the monster slowly retreated on all fours. At that moment. Marmie-san’s fingertips moved ever so slightly. A small spark scattered, then rapidly turned into lightning which covered the bear monster’s body.
'Gyaaaah!'
The monster cried out due to her lightning magic, leaning back. At the same time, her body thudded to the ground. Immediately, I showered the monster with ice spears, and Marmie-san crawled away from the monster during that time. The monster reeled from our magic, its body tilting heavily, but it didn’t fall. It stomped down and roared towards the heavens, swinging its arms wildly. I readied my sword and ran to prevent that attack from reaching Marmie-san. The monster swung its thick arms as if it had seen through my movements. I dodged its attack and swung my sword in a sweeping arc. My blade was obstructed by the thick, hard fur, resulting in a shallow wound, but the tip reached its body. Bright red blood spurted from the monster’s stomach. But the monster, its will to fight ignited, glared at me with bloodshot eyes. I regulated my breathing and prepared a second blow.
'…Mash, I’ll finish it.'
Marmie-san’s voice came from behind. I jumped to the side. At the same time, lightning streaked through the spot where I had been. A deafening roar and intense flash. And the monster vanished.
I looked around, but there was no sign of other monsters chasing after us or any new enemies appearing. Fam and the others must have stopped the monster pursuit. I looked up at the dark mountain slope. I tried to find the place where we had come down, but I couldn’t find it. I also tried to find the fire, but I couldn’t see it either. I hadn’t had time to leave any markers during the chase. Anxiety about being separated from them was mixed with the concern that they had defeated the monsters. But right now, I had to confirm Marmie-san’s safety first.
'Marmie-san, are you okay?'
When I called out to her, she collapsed onto the ground, seeming to relax. I took her arm, and she supported myself by leaning on my arm.
'…S-scary…'
Her knees were trembling. There weren’t any major injuries on her body, but there were scratches and bruises likely from being bitten by the monster.
'Are you hurt from the initial hit?'
'…I broke my fall myself, thinking I wouldn’t be able to get away if magic was delayed, so it didn’t hurt that much.'
She protected herself as best as she could. I tried to take out a healing potion from storage to give her, but she only turned her face toward mine. Since there was no choice, I put the bottle to her mouth and fed it to her.
'Lazybones,' I teased.
'…I think I’ll fall if I let go now,' she mumbled.
She must have been really scared, so it couldn't be helped. As I thought, I noticed she was staring intently at me.
'What? I’m not going to tell Patricia on you, you know?'
She shook her head slightly at my words.
'…Do I emit that scent?'
She asked, so I sniffed. But I didn't smell anything. If anything, just the grassy scent of leaves. I took the leaves tangled in her hair.
'You don’t smell like anything?' I asked.
'…I thought I leaked.'
'Leaked what…? Wait, you DID leak?! How could you not know that yourself?'
'…My legs still feel wobbly. There’s no strength in my lower body…' she muttered, averting her gaze and looking embarrassed.
As I threw away the empty healing potion bottle, I flipped up her dress, then reached for her crotch. There was the smooth sensation of cloth, but it was dry.
'What the hell. Not even a little wet. You got me all worked up for nothing!'
'…What are you getting worked up about?!'
In revenge, I traced her pubic mound and slid my finger toward the slit, lightly touching the area in front.
'…nnnn, n, nnn… M, Mash…?'
Marmie-san closed her eyes and let out a sweet voice. After rubbing for a while, I could feel the bumpy sensation of bean-sized nubs at my fingertips. I slipped my fingers into the gap of her underwear and lightly pinched the swollen beans.
'…Kyaah! M, Mash…?'
'What? I’m a little busy taking care of these beans right now. Besides, even though you say your lower body has no strength, you’re feeling it pretty well, aren’t you?' she muttered.
'…That’s because Mash is doing this… nnn…'
Her cheeks were already flushed red. As I traced her vaginal opening with my finger, juices started to trickle out.
'It seems like the one leaking is that hole over here.' I scooped up the juices and smeared them over her clitoris. I wanted them to grow healthy. I continued to caress her with that wish in mind.
'…Kuuu, nn, Mash, do you want to see me leak?'
Marmie-san looked up at me with a sorrowful gaze. Those eyes were also moist, reflecting the moonlight.
'No, I’m not forcing you to leak or anything… But wouldn’t Mooo or Mizuki leak before even getting to that shit, since they’re beautiful girls?'
'…They obviously would… nnn…'
Marmie-san’s breathing grew ragged, and her voice lost its composure. Her body twitched like it was convulsing, reacting to the movement of my fingers. I quickened the pace of my finger, guiding her to climax.
'Nnu, nnn, aaaaah!'
She leaned back, let out a particularly sorrowful cry, and collapsed, then knelt. At the same time, my finger came out. The warmth of her juices lingered on my fingertip.
'Looks like you leaked after all…'
'…Didn’t leak. It only happened because of Mash!' Marmie-san answered, still panting.
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