Chapter 18.5 - The Adventuring ( Part 2 )

I was shocked. Before me stood vision of pure horror…

-” A she-Conan bodybuilder! “  I muttered in panic at the terrible sight.

-” What did you say? “ Deep, but surprisingly feminine voice resounded.

I shook my head, and on reflex, I took a step back. At that moment I regained my composure.

-” I asked what are you, if not a barbarian, then? “ I said boldly while straightening up, and looked the giantess in the eye.

-” How dare you! You little… “ she said angrily while leaning forward menacingly.

I looked at the muscled mountain of flesh before me.

-’ I can’t kill her bare handed! ‘ I thought in a bout of panic, but I calmed down. -’ I will just use magic. ‘ I forcefully suppressed my doubts about my experience in that matter.

Giantess took a step forward and raised her fist. I took on a defensive pose, with my legs spread wide, preparing to dodge. I felt for the flow of my mana and tried gathering it at tips of my fingers.

I watched, as the giantess started moving her fist, and I started to move as well.

Sudden movement made me lose my focus, concentrated power turned purple and escaped my fingers.

-” Stop! Wai...aaaargh! “ Forest jumped between us, and got in the way of Giantess’s blow and my escaping magic. Grazed by the elbow and jolted by the sudden arc of lightning he was thrown backwards.

-” Are you alright? “

-” Are you alive? “

We, me and the giantess, exclaimed simultaneously. We looked at Forest’s body limply sprawled on the ground, still twitching from small discharges of electricity.

-” Argh! What will I do? I don’t want to be arrested! “ Giantess panicked, jumped to Forest’s body, picked it up and started running.

I had no choice, but to follow her. I was trapped in a circle of onlookers, and could hear sounds of incoming guardsmen, and only way out was through the path made by a giantess.

I ran and noticed a bearded guy and an elf running after me. I tried to speed up, but it was not that easy since I had to keep my hat from falling off.

Giantess barreled forward, and somehow, I was closing on her. Unfortunately so did the guys behind me. Suddenly, giantess turned right and ran into an alley. I saw a big wagon blocking the way in front of me and did the same.

I ran on uneven cobblestones of the alley, doing my best not to slip on trash or dung. I could hear two pursuers behind me. I could see alley in front of me making a sharp ‘L’ turn and giantess disappearing behind the corner.

In a spur of the moment, during the turn, I jumped on the perpendicular wall and ran on vertical surface for a moment. I had no idea how I managed that feat, but it felt great.

My elated mood was suddenly dashed by the sight in front of me…

-’ It’s a dead end! ‘ I thought in panic, seeing a giantess’s form standing idly while being surrounded by three walls.

I stopped and turned back to face two pursuers who just appeared from behind the corner. I strained my ears, but could not hear any further signs of pursuit…

-’ Which means those two need to go down. ‘ I assessed my situation quickly and opened my arms widely. I wished I could close my eyes, but I had to make do. I felt for my mana, trying to gather it in my hands…

-” Wait! We are not guards! “ Elf grew pale and exclaimed in panic.

I blinked and noticed that the elf had a spear and bearded guy had an axe.

-” Oh, so you must be Forest’s friends then. “ I said in relief as I made necessary connection with Forest’s earlier mention of his party. I calmed down lowering my arms and letting the mana settle in my body.

-” That we are. I take it that Forest invited you to the party. Let me introduce myself then. I am Hamon, pleased to meet you. “ He said openly and grinned widely. He was stockily built, really tall and looked like he was in his late thirties. Despite his beard, or maybe thanks to it, he seemed really friendly and nice. His wide nose and blocky teeth, exposed by the grin, made me feel welcomed and accepted.

-” Samewise. I am Audentia, thank you for a warm welcome. “ I said smilingly and nodded.

Elf, which had been leaning on a spear, took that moment to speak out.

-” You have my greetings as well. I am Lysanthir of the woodland folk. May our roads intertwine in peace. “ He said officially and I was impressed by his uniquely elvish greeting. He was slender and tall, as all of the elves are. His skin looked like it had been tanned to the perfect golden shade. It matched well with his calm, almond shaped eyes of light brown color, riddled with playful golden specks. His face struck unlikely balance between sharp, angular features and soft, mellow lines. Irregular haircut, with long bangs, reached just below his ears adding willful tang to his resolute expression.

Our talk was suddenly interrupted by the exasperated giantess.

-” Forest! You are alive! Thank the gods. “ She exclaimed. -” I am sorry for hitting you! I didn’t mean to. I won’t do it again, I promise… “ She said apologetically and then corrected herself. -” Unless you say something rude again. “

-” Don’t worry Wolga, Forest’s a sturdy lad, he will be fine. “ Hamon said soothingly. -” Right lad? “

-” Yhea , I am fine. “ Forest said with pained smile on his face. Big bruise prominent on his cheek.

-” Anyway… “ ,he stood up, -” for that unfortunate first meeting I am truly sorry. I hope you will not hold it against us and join our company. “ He exclaimed earnestly and bowed deeply before me.

I was caught off guard by his apology and wasn’t sure how to respond...

-” Ahh, it’s all right. Don’t worry… I am sorry for electrocuting you. “ I thought it was right to apologize, so I did, and curtsied on reflex.

-” Please don’t worry about it. “ He quickly responded with embarrassed expression. -” You already know Lysanthir and Hamon, therefore let me introduce Wolga. She might seem frightening and brutish… “ He faltered, when giantess raised her fist threateningly, -” ...at first, but she is really reliable and kind if you get to know her better. “ He finished quickly and giantess’s expression softened.

-” As he said. Sorry for that little quarrel back then, but I hate when people make fun of my looks. “ She said and actually sounded sincere.

-” Then why did you choose to look like a barbarian? “ I couldn’t stop myself from asking.

-” I am not a barbarian! “ She exclaimed angrily.

-” A bodybuilder then? “ Somehow the question seemed both deliciously wrong and right, so I just had to ask it.

-” Argh! I had enough, I will tear that wretched little… “ She flared in rage and took a step forward, but Forest clutched her arm.

-” Wolga, please calm down. You must admit that it’s a valid question. I am sure there’s no ill will behind it! “ Forest pleaded desperately while hanging on her bulky arm.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

-” Fine. “ Giantess hanged her arms in defeat. -” I just wanted to be strong and whack stuff  around, but now everyone is making fun of me! “

-’ Isn’t that what a barbarian is? ‘ Somehow I managed to keep that comment to myself.

-” How is that right? If I was some dude everyone would be perfectly fine with it! “ She exclaimed in exasperation.

I had to admit that she had a valid point there.

I looked at her again. Bulging, thick muscles and strong tan were the most prominent things I saw. I shuddered at the thought of misshapen things I once saw on the Net, which could be barely considered human, but Wolga’s frame was still feminine despite her robust muscles. She had bob cut, black hair reaching her shoulders. Her face could be considered good-looking, thanks to its chiseled features, straight nose, pouty lips and thick, but softly angled jaw.

After actually looking at her I could no longer detest her.

-” At least no one will expect you to know tailoring and cooking. “ I told old joke to lighten the mood.

-” True that. “ She smirked and turned to Forest. -” So what kind of request did you get us? “

Everyone relaxed as the tension disappeared.

-” Do you remember that abandoned village few hours of walk from the city? “ Forest asked and I blinked in surprise. His bruise disappeared when I wasn’t looking.

-” Abandoned? Ha, more like haunted. There’s at least five different stories and three ballads about that place. “ Hamon said bashfully. -” And let me guess, we are going scouting? “

-” Well… we are to investigate it… “ Forest said cautiously while his look just screamed that he is concealing something.

-” ...and the pay is really, really good, right Forest? “ Hamon interjected neatly in Forest’s stutter.

-” Umm… yes. “ Forest said doubtfully.

-” And what is that little detail you have not mentioned yet? “ Hamon kept cornering Forest.

-” We have to check if there’s...the necromancer out there! “ Forest finally blurted out the truth.

-” So we are to meet the necromancer, at a haunted village and return alive? “ Lysanthir summarized it calmly.

-” Are you bloody insane? This is way bigger than us. “ Hamon summarized it not so calmly.

-” B-But he might not be there! “ Forest defended himself. -” And there’s twenty gold… “

-” Ok, lets go. “ Hamon suddenly agreed and indicated that he is ready to leave right now.

-” Wait, are you going to go, just like that? “ I asked dumbfounded and looked at the others.

-” Well, Hamon and gold… you get the idea. “ Lysanthir shrugged apologetically. -” Also, I doubt necromancer’s really there... “

-” I don’t mind bashing few skeletons… “ ,Wolga said simply, -” ...and some thin and sick looking guy on top of them. “

In exasperation, I looked at the one who came with that ridiculous idea.

-” So will you join us, Audentia? “ Forest looked at me pleadingly and I squinted my eyes…

However long I looked I could not see manipulative bastard that must have been hiding somewhere inside that innocent looking boy. Just that puppy eyed look of expectation…

-” Fine, I will go... “ ,I said finally, -’ ...but I am going to make bloody sure that you stay there forever if the necromancer’s really there! ‘ I thought to myself.

-” Great! Welcome to the Team! “ Wolga exclaimed and suddenly rushed me, before I knew, I was spun in the air. I barely had time to grab my hat and keep it on my head.

As suddenly as I was taken I was put back on the ground. I looked around, at the grinning faces, and admitted to myself that I didn’t mind the ride.

-” Thank you for having me. “ I said and curtsied.

Wolga suddenly squeezed Forest, who was unfortunate enough to stand closest to her.

-” Isn’t she just too adorable! I would pay to see her do that in a dress… “ ,Wolga exclaimed excitedly while Forest’s ribs cried for mercy, -” ....or just without the hat! “

-” If you so much as grab my hat I am going to kill you… “ I responded coldly and looked at everyone intently -” ...all of you. Understood? “

Expression of the three men suddenly grew stiff and pale while Wolga remained unaffected by my killing intent.

-” Perfectly. “ Hamon and Lysanthir agreed blankly while Forest nodded fervently.

-” What? Wouldn’t you like to see her without that hat? “ Wolga asked simply and released Forest to extend her arm to me.

-” Please, don’t! “ Hamon grabbed her extended arm and pleaded.

-” Pff, and here I thought that you, men, would really want to see what she looks like under that hat. “ Wolga said with confused expression on her face.

-” Ofcour… “ Hamon started, but faltered when he felt my gaze on his back -” Ofcourse not. We are gentlemen after all, right guys? “

-” Definitely. “ Lysanthir agreed with resolute, though pale expression. Forest nodded in accord, his ribs still sore if his pained expression was any indication.

-” Fine, lets go then. We still have to walk there… “ ,Wolga said flatly, -” ...and we better not explore that haunted place during the...n-night “ She stuttered at the end and I started wondering if that beast of the woman could be afraid of ghosts.

-” Ha, let us depart then. Shining treasures of glory await. “ Hamon exclaimed lightheartedly and uplifted the atmosphere instantly.

Soon we were on our way out of the city…

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Hey~, Author’s here~

My hype meter is over nine thousand! One hundred followers finally! :D Thank you for your support and encouragement, and remember that I am not some weak author, but an Overlord - therefore if you see anything that needs improvement don’t hesitate to tell me.

Also, Seems like perfect timing to finish casting my translation enchantment. :D

Cos, as it turns out, I have just completed my research on the translation enchantment for my scrying mirror. Let me know how you like the new style and if you have any suggestions - it is entirely possible for that enchant to need some tweaking here and there :)

And last but not least - comments about the chapter - my thirst for them is unceasable :)

Cheers,

Mea, The Overlord Followed by One Hundred and Two

PS Don’t worry, I see you, precious Chosen ( now Sixteen of you :) ). After all Favour is the best driving force for my research, I hope you really will like my new style.

NEXT CHAPTER: Chapter 19 - The Adventuring ( Part 3)

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