While halfway carrying Altarra up the stairs, I nearly tumbled backward several times because I couldn’t withstand her grip tightening, likely due to her being drunk and unable to properly control her strength.
—
We somehow made it up, which was fortunate. If Altarra had been more intoxicated, she might have clung to anyone without recognizing who they were.
—
Of course, I knew well that such a thing wouldn’t happen. For some reason, even when extremely drunk, there was an unfounded hope within me that she would still be able to identify me. Whether it was true or not was secondary; it was just a feeling. The more I thought about it, the more it seemed plausible.
—
A demon showed me a vision through my tattoo of a drunk Altarra clinging indiscriminately to others. So, I paused for a moment, waiting until the vision ended.
—
Then, from behind, came the voice of Akashi, who had just barely managed to climb the stairs while carrying Yuna, wheezing heavily.
—
“Huff… Huff… What is it? Are you already exhausted? How do you plan on handling tonight’s activities… Huff…”
—
A disturbing sound of flesh colliding with something echoed, followed by a crashing noise as someone fell. As soon as the vision ended, I turned around to see what happened and realized that a very drunk Yuna had swung her steel prosthetic arm and struck Akashi squarely in the chest.
—
If it had been Altarra’s tail, the result wouldn’t have been so minor. Orcs or monsters could easily have their heads split into six pieces by such an attack, and Akashi, being no stronger than an average person, wouldn’t have survived.
—
So now, I had to move Yuna and Akashi too. With a sigh, I handed two keys to the fallen Akashi, adjusted the staggering Altarra on my back again, and headed toward the double room.
—
Why did she feel so heavy this time when she was lighter before? Though I had some suspicions, I only had circumstantial evidence and couldn’t jump to conclusions.
—
Upon entering, the cozy room came into view. A large bed sat by the window, and though the furniture wasn’t new, it was well-maintained, giving off an antique-like charm. Had I been alone, I might have enjoyed the tranquil atmosphere, but first, I needed to lay Altarra down.
—
Even with enhanced strength through magic, sore muscles are inevitable. Listening to my protesting lower back, I carefully laid Altarra down on the bed.
—
She shifted uncomfortably, eventually finding a comfortable position and lying flat on her back. Normally, she sprawled forward while sleeping, but apparently, this was also possible.
—
Her tail swayed gently, catching my attention for a moment, but then I worried it might tear my cloak. Though her tail had withstood dragon attacks, it wouldn’t break from something as weak as this.
—
Still, it could get damaged, right? Convincing myself of that, I carefully reached toward her neck to remove her fur coat. Just as I was gently pulling the cloak and fur coat away without breaking them…
—
“Cold… Hey, anyone… Carry me…?”
—
Frowning, she fumbled around in the air before suddenly grabbing my hand and pulling me into an embrace. Though I was kneeling, I didn’t fall onto her, but the situation was awkward nonetheless.
—
It was troubling enough that she was pulling my wrist toward her, but she placed my captured hand directly on her chest. Even though it was restrained by a strap, it wasn’t hidden well enough.
—
It was appropriately elastic but not overly firm, soft and warm. Something hard was felt, but it wasn’t the peak of her chest. In fact, it wasn’t skin at all.
—
It must be the scale covering the core I saw when dealing with a slime that lacked one. Yes, that’s it. But how should I handle this?
—
I couldn’t pull free with force, nor could I move my hand in this situation.
—
“What are you hesitating about? Do as your heart desires. She can’t survive without you anyway. Come to think of it, taking advantage of her now wouldn’t be bad.”
—
As I pondered what to do, the demon interrupted again.
—
This was not worth considering. Even if I could benefit, I didn’t want to take advantage of the situation. Most importantly, I feared being hated by Altarra.
—
“Frustrating. What makes you afraid, what makes you hesitate? It’s fruit ready to be plucked, so why do you continue to hesitate? You’re really incapable, aren’t you?”
—
The goddess continued tempting me, encouraging me to just go ahead. Since Altarra would accept anything I did anyway.
—
Because she couldn’t survive without me. She’d adjust to whatever I did. So, take off her pants, wet her clothes, and just penetrate her.
—
The demon kept egging me on, asking if I’d abandon a meal that was almost ready.
—
I…
—
When I regained consciousness, I felt the softness of the bed and the warmth of a hand. Honestly, I drank expecting a splitting headache the next day, but surprisingly, it wasn’t that painful.
—
Just a bit dizzy. Trying to gauge the time by looking outside, I felt something restraining my jaw. Precisely, it was being held by someone.
—
Feeling a slightly rough sensation near my chest, I rubbed my eyes and looked to see whose hand it was—Myungho’s.
—
Oh, Myungho’s hand was on my chest, and I was hugging his arm. What’s going on here? Why is Myungho’s hand on my chest, and what is he doing?
—
Confused, yet my heart was racing. I’m a man, yet… Still, I had accepted Myungho, but not like this, not so suddenly.
—
Should I push him away? Would he leave me for another woman? Would he be disappointed and leave me?
—
All sorts of thoughts jumbled together, preventing me from making a clear decision.
—
“Myungho…? Is, is everything okay?”
—
Calling out to him cautiously, he remained motionless. Was he asleep? His steady breathing indicated so.
—
I called out again quietly, but there was no response. Slowly disentangling myself, I slipped away, causing him to tumble onto the floor with a thud.
—
“Myungho!”
—
Quickly jumping off the bed, I picked him up. Though I wasn’t sure what happened, I laid him back on the bed for now.
—
What on earth is going on? I tried to recall. I remembered drinking, leaning over the table, then Myungho grabbing the room and coming upstairs with me.
—
Somewhere in between, we exchanged words, though I couldn’t remember what. There was a “thud” and a “clunk.” That was all I could recall.
—
Could it have been a dream? In the dream, I walked through a snowy field, found a warm pillar, and embraced it. I wondered if this would help, but nothing came to mind.
—
Maybe, under the influence of alcohol and sleep, I accidentally grabbed Myungho’s arm and hugged it until now—such a scenario seemed plausible.
—
If that were true, I acted unruly when drunk and involved Myungho in it…
—
Thinking about it made my face heat up with embarrassment. Though not entirely due to shame, I decided to blame it all on embarrassment.
—
That question should wait until Myungho wakes up. Carefully covering him with the blanket I had just vacated, I noticed my cloak was missing and retrieved it before leaving the room. On my way out, I bumped into Akashi.
—
“So, you woke up after drinking so much? Are you part dragon? Incredible. So, did things go well?”
—
“What nonsense are you talking about?”
—
His bold lies annoyed me, so I retorted. Instead, Akashi gave me a look as if I were the unreasonable one.
—
“There are certain things men and women do after drinking, aren’t there? Unless… you didn’t? Truly, you’re the type who can’t even eat when given food. To overturn a fully set table is quite something.”
—
“Do you think Myungho is some lust-driven monster?”
—
Truly irritated, I questioned him, and after thinking for two seconds, Akashi stopped speaking.
—
“…Hmm. Never mind. That’s none of my business. He’ll confess himself when the time comes. Anyway, looks like you woke up during the night. Go back inside and finish your sleep.”
—
“And what are you doing out at night?”
—
“What else? I’m going to buy some supplies from the black market. Want to come along?”
—
Further conversation would only give me a headache, so I ignored Akashi and descended to the first floor. It was indeed nighttime, as darkness enveloped the windows.
—
I received a glass of water from a woman who seemed to be the innkeeper, drank it, and stepped outside to breathe in the evening air.
—
Still, despite the cool air flowing through my leotard, I felt persistently warm. After some thought, I quickly understood why.
—
If…
—
If Myungho hadn’t resisted and instead took advantage of me…
—
That thought wouldn’t leave my mind. A fleeting pain shot through my abdomen, and soon a vision appeared.
—
Myungho overpowering me.
—
Removing my clothes, passionately kissing me, choking my neck, pressing down on top of me—
—
“W-What am I thinking about?! That would never happen!”
—
Though people nearby briefly glanced at me strangely, I had no time to care. I needed to shake off this thought forcefully.
—
Kicking off walls repeatedly, I climbed to the rooftop of a building and forcibly redirected my thoughts.
—
Right, so, a way to grow stronger.
—
Ignoring the hoarse voice calling out Myungho’s name, I considered possibilities.
—
There was one method. Rampage. It’s called rampage, but it’s essentially the same as being covered in scales. However… it hurts. Pain is real pain.
—
Not only does it pierce through the skin, but the feet twist painfully as well, making it akin to self-harm during combat.
—
Right, so, embracing all of Myungho’s aspects… No, this isn’t it.
—
Besides, the scales drain mana, which is disadvantageous in the long term. Of course, since my mana is abundant, it’s not much of an issue.
—
Landekrihen? It would be problematic there. Since using mana is hindered, even if I wanted to gain the defense of the scales, it wouldn’t be possible. Creating a magical barrier would also be difficult.
—
There’s no absolute need to go to Landekrihen, but the Demon Tribe almost destroyed the world once. Since it’s our world to live in, postponing revenge for a while wouldn’t hurt.
—
If the metal used for these scales could be applied externally instead, like armor. And if I could infuse it with ample mana so it wouldn’t shatter even without my mana.
—
Then there’d be no need for pain, no need for mana drainage, and I’d gain the defensive benefits of the scales immediately upon battle.
—
Most importantly, it looks somewhat grotesque. Right, Myungho wouldn’t approve.
—
I concentrated mana in my hands. Something faintly tangible beneath my skin emerged. Pulling the will to form scales outward and condensing it.
—
Black mana flowed through my fingers and nails, coalescing into a dark metal in mid-air.
—
To eliminate the need for continuous mana flow, I infused it with mana initially, shaping the newly formed metallic scale.
—
Having something to focus on prevented distractions from visions.
—
After much effort, I managed to create a chunk of metal roughly the size of a finger.
—
Testing its durability, I applied considerable force to bend it, but it only slightly warped.
—
Ordinary iron would have bent like paper.
—
This seems usable. Gradually, the pain in my abdomen disappeared, and my body cooled down.
