Chapter 9

Hinoka and Cress could be seen arguing about something from a distance. Though the content of their conversation was unclear, the atmosphere was decidedly serious.

"There's no other way!"

Cress turned his gaze away from the scene, resolved to a dangerous act.

He would take advantage of the chaos to kill Cress.

Rondo took a small bottle from his waist pouch and poured out its contents. The rest would depend on how things went, but he had to make it work. He would ravage that woman completely and turn her into a subservient one who would open her legs at any time.

A sinister smile spread across his face as malice began to color the world.

＜Monster Attraction Incense＞

A pheromone that attracts monsters. It is typically used by tamers to secure large numbers of weak monsters, but its use is extremely limited due to its dangers. Using it in a forest, which is a den of monsters, would be considered an extreme and irrational act.

However, Rondo was already so dominated by his desires that he could no longer think about such things.

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Following Hinoka, Rondo ran out.

"Why? Why are the monsters suddenly coming this way!?"

"I don't know. Cress, did you notice anything?"

"No, their presence suddenly came this way…!"

"Damn! There are more of them than I thought. They're Forest Wolves, it seems."

The presence of the monsters was relentlessly pursuing Cress and the others. It was as if they had a precise target.

(That's strange! It's unusual for them to come this way so accurately. It's as if they're being drawn by something…)

There are items or curses that can attract monsters, but it was hard to imagine someone using them in such a place. If not, there must be something else that is stimulating and attracting the monsters.

Yes, something like blood—.

"Shit!"

"What's wrong, Cress?"

The monsters were reacting to the smell of Cress's blood. In the sudden situation, he had forgotten to heal himself. Blood was still flowing from Cress's right arm.

"Sorry, it's my fault! The monsters are following the smell of my blood!"

"Cress! When did you get injured?"

"Damn! It's my carelessness."

He couldn't tell the party members that he had been cut by his comrade, Hinoka. Even if it meant the end for him, Hinoka would continue to be an adventurer in this party. He couldn't say anything that would harm her position.

(If this affects the quest, it's over...)

That was exactly the current situation.

Hinoka had cut him, and as a result, he had attracted the monsters.

If this kept happening, it would be impossible to continue.

Sadly, that was the harsh reality.

He must have lost too much blood. The grip strength in his right hand was weakening, and he couldn't wield his sword for long.

"The enemies are after me! I have to be the decoy!"

"Kukuku... That's just like you, Cress. So, die here."

It had started to rain.

Cold droplets trickled down his back, sending a chill through him.

"Huh…?"

The smell of blood had stopped, and the speed at which the monsters were pursuing them had slowed, giving them a bit of breathing room.

Rondo's knife pierced Cress's chest.