## Chapter 397 – Harpy Lady
I wake up before dawn and carefully begin preparing to set out.
The key is to move as quietly as possible so as not to wake the girls who are still sleeping. I crawl out of bed and head straight for the shower. This is how Kim Kat’s day begins.
“Kat… are you leaving?”
Of course, Cloudy woke up.
There’s no way to deceive a half-elf’s sensitive senses.
“Yeah. I have to go now.”
“Come back safe… It’s a simple job, right?”
“It’s nothing much. I’ll be back soon. Sleep well, Cloudy.”
“Okay.”
I received her send-off and went outside.
It’s almost sunrise. I pick up the pace a little, and soon the Adventurer’s Guild building comes into view. I go straight inside and see a few diligent adventurers who have already come to work, gathered here and there, whispering to each other.
“Mr. Falchion? Is he here?”
I called out for Falchion, the party leader for this quest. At the mention of his name, the trio sitting at a table turned to look at me.
“Are you Kat?”
Two men and one woman. Among them, a man with brown hair and a slightly weathered face stood up and said.
“Then you must be Mr. Falchion?”
“That’s right. I’m Falchion. Well, well, you’re quite a large warrior. Tall too. Are you from the steppes?”
“As you can see.”
He may look weathered, but his forearms were those of a veteran.
For a weapon, he had a poleaxe with a shortened shaft so it could be used with one hand, strapped to his waist, and his armor consisted of quilted armor with hard leather protectors added in places.
As expected of a D-rank adventurer.
His equipment inspires confidence.
“You look reliable. Come on, introduce yourselves. This is Zenith, and this is Anna.”
With a grin, he introduced the others who were sitting down. A man with long, dark green hair tied back in a ponytail and a woman with short, blue hair stood up and greeted me.
“Pleased to meet you. I’m Zenith, D-rank.”
“Anna. Nice to meet you.”
Both of them were adventurers with decent equipment.
“Yes, I’m Kat. Pleased to meet you all.”
“Then let’s get going. I booked a carriage yesterday. We’ll head straight there.”
After a brief greeting, we followed Falchion’s lead and went outside.
Everyone is generally polite, as befits D-rank adventurers. Their diligence has been proven, so they have the character to match.
And just by looking at them, you can tell they’re all veterans.
There seemed to be nothing to worry about in terms of combat. If the four of us formed a formation and fought, even if a pack of wolf pups charged at us all at once, they’d be utterly crushed.
As expected, the nightmares of the promotion battle were just bad dreams from my bug-like E-rank days.
“Kat, you’ve heard about the quest, right?”
“Isn’t it a Giant Wolf extermination?”
“You’re well informed. Since it’ll take a while to get to the village, I was thinking we’d spend the night and start the extermination in the morning. Is that okay with you?”
“An excellent choice. That’s definitely the way to go.”
There are many mountains near Isvant, but there are also many villages. Most of these villages are inhabited by farmers.
“I like your straightforwardness. And is there anything you need to buy before we go? We’ve already finished our preparations.”
“I’ve prepared everything, so we can leave right away.”
The farmers cultivate the lord’s land and pay taxes.
And they also form self-defense forces to repel monster attacks, or if the self-defense forces can’t handle it, they pool their money and commission the Adventurer’s Guild to exterminate them.
Doesn’t the lord protect them?
The army doesn’t move for trivial matters.
If a group of orcs appears, the army will be dispatched, but they won’t move just because some wolves have shown up.
They have to pay taxes and also share the cost of defense, so it seems quite difficult to live as a farmer, but they were actually better off than most adventurers.
It’s only natural that people who farm in the village are better off than adventurers, who are little more than vagrant thugs.
That’s why they can afford to commission the Adventurer’s Guild.
“Then let’s get on the carriage right away. Unfortunately, it’s a bit far, so it’s 40 coppers. Everyone, give me 10 coppers each.”
We silently handed over 10 coppers each to Falchion. C-rank quests provide transportation costs, but D-rank quests don’t. After handing over the money and boarding, the carriage soon departed.
“Well, the job is nothing special. When we get to the village, we’ll spend the night and then get up early in the morning to track down the wolf pack. With the four of us, we should be able to crush them as soon as we encounter them.”
As the carriage started, Falchion clapped his hands once to get our attention and said that. As he said, it’s nothing special. It’s just an extension of the work we’ve been doing endlessly.
“Of course. Three D-ranks are more than enough for this job.”
“I think so too.”
Zenith and Anna replied.
“We’re just killing some wolf pups, there’s nothing to worry about.”
I also replied that I wasn’t worried at all.
Of course, none of the party members were worried about this job. They’ve all been diligently hunting monsters and completing quests for years to become D-rank adventurers.
“That’s right, that’s the spirit. If all goes well, we should be able to get about 5 silver each, including the commission and the value of the pelts. It’s important to keep the pelts from getting damaged as much as possible.”
And so, we chatted briefly about each other’s backgrounds while munching on the dried rations we had brought.
Everyone showed some interest in Mirkesha, my hometown, but I glossed over it with the usual lies, as usual. They wouldn’t know even if I lied anyway.
It’s a lie I’ve been using well for years.
From what I can see, D-ranks mostly know each other. They see each other often, and they have a lot of trust in each other, so it’s only natural.
After talking for about an hour, one by one, they started to doze off. I closed my eyes as well.
* * *
When I woke up, we had arrived at the village.
We immediately met the village chief, exchanged greetings, talked to the hunter who had first discovered the wolf pack, and then went to the accommodation we were guided to, planning to spend the night.
It was an empty barn.
It’s a bit dusty, but it doesn’t smell, so it’s good enough.
“We’ll get up early in the morning and leave, so get plenty of rest.”
I had been sleeping the whole way, but as soon as I lay down on the floor, I felt sleepy again. I didn’t even wash up, and there were three men and one woman, but everyone naturally found their place, put on their cloaks, and went back to sleep without a word.
Getting enough sleep when you can is a basic requirement for an adventurer.
ㅡKnock, knock.
The sound of knocking woke me up.
ㅡCreak.
“Are you still sleeping?”
“Oh… Ah, Mr. Hunter.”
It was the hunter we had talked to yesterday who had come in. He said he would guide us. Looking at him… it seems to be dawn.
We immediately got up and went outside.
“I’ll do the tracking. I want you adventurers to follow me and exterminate the wolf pack as soon as you find them.”
Rubbing my sleepy eyes, I listened to the hunter’s explanation.
“Hehehe, I understand. Don’t worry. If you track them well, tearing those wolf bastards apart will be a piece of cake.”
“…I have faith in you. I’m counting on you.”
We washed our faces at the well and ate some dried rations. After quickly finishing our preparations for 30 minutes, we followed the hunter outside.
Everyone is a skilled adventurer, so their movements are very fast.
The hunter immediately entered the forest and gestured for us to follow. Seeing him take out his machete, I thought he could make a good adventurer.
“Are we going into the forest?”
Anna, who had drawn her sword, asked.
“Yes. They’re hiding somewhere in the forest. They’re quite large, so they’ll raid the village if they get the chance. We have to exterminate them before that happens.”
“I hope we can find them today.”
Zenith, who had drawn his long sword, said while surveying the surroundings. I was also walking briskly with my sword drawn.
If we can find the wolves quickly, we can go back tonight. It would be good if we could save time.
ㅡRustle, rustle.
ㅡThump, thump.
And so, we faithfully followed the hunter and entered the depths of the forest. It’s nothing special. Birds are chirping and insects are buzzing.
“Hmm… the more I look at it, the better that sword looks. What kind of metal is it made of?”
Falchion, who was moving next to me, asked while looking at my sword.
“I think they said it was made of black iron. I don’t know the details because I got it by chance.”
“I see.”
“But is that poleaxe any good?”
“The advantage is that it can be used for various purposes. I’m just using it because it’s a weapon I’m used to.”
Various small talk was exchanged. There are many adventurers, so their armaments are also diverse. I still couldn’t understand martial artists, though.
It was noon.
We had a quick meal and started moving again.
“Stop.”
It was at that moment that we discovered the Giant Wolf pack.
“There, over there. Do you see them? Those are…”
“The Giant Wolf pack.”
We hid behind the bushes and observed the wolves.
ㅡAwoooo.
As we had heard, it was a pack of more than ten wolves.
Some of them were sprawled out, probably taking turns sleeping, while others were standing up and looking around. The size of each individual varied greatly, and some of them seemed to be injured.
Could they be a wolf family that lost in a territorial dispute?
I don’t know their habits very well.
“Do you think you can exterminate them?”
At the hunter’s question, a low laugh erupted.
“We’re the people who get paid to kill monsters. They just look like stray dogs to me.”
“They’re just stray dogs with pocket money.”
Falchion and Anna said jokingly.
Zenith was already aiming his long sword. His fighting spirit was high. If four D-rank adventurers gathered, they could crush most monsters.
“Should we form a formation and charge at the same time?”
When I asked, everyone nodded. They were already fully prepared. The hunter seemed to be planning to get out of the way, and quickly ran off to the other side.
Falchion raised his arm.
ㅡWhoosh!
And as soon as he struck down with force, the four of us jumped out at the same time.
The speed was slightly different, but we quickly matched our speed with the people on either side. It felt like a wall was running. It was such perfect teamwork that camaraderie and a sense of fellowship began to sprout.
ㅡAwoo?
ㅡAwoooooooooo!
ㅡAwoooo!!
The wolves, who had discovered us, frantically got up and charged at us. They were howling fiercely, and seemed to be faithful to their instincts as monsters.
“Kieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!!!!!!!!!!!”
I also screamed at the top of my lungs and raised my sword. As if that had triggered something, the other three also brandished their weapons, shouting their own battle cries.
“Kuaaaaaaa!!!”
“Hap!”
“Uoooooo!!”
The shouts of humans and wolves intersected.
ㅡAwooooooooo!!!
ㅡAwooooo!!
ㅡAwoooo!!!!!
And so, we collided with the Giant Wolves who were charging fiercely with their mouths open. I lightly swung my sword and split the head of the wolf that was running in the lead.
ㅡAoulk?!
The splattered blood was the signal for the start of the battle.
“You bastards!”
“Kuaaaaaaa!!!”
I cut down a wolf, quickly changed my stance, and executed another wolf. If there was a gap in between, the comrade next to me would assist. They were skilled adventurers, and as skilled as they were, they were strong.
The charging wolves were helplessly cut down, dismembered, and slammed into the ground. We were no match for them in the first place.
ㅡSlash!
When Anna’s swordsmanship swept through a wolf, Zenith’s long sword pierced the forehead of the guy who was coming in from the side. I used the Siljang Sword Technique to slaughter the wolf in front of me.
“Kiyohooooop!!!”
ㅡThwack!
Falchion’s poleaxe also skillfully split the wolves’ heads.
It didn’t take long to annihilate them. It was the result of four veteran adventurers working together.
The corpses of the torn and severed Giant Wolves were scattered everywhere.
“Hoo! That was easy! Now, my comrades! Let’s skin them!”
Falchion said, as if feeling refreshed.
The wolves didn’t run away, but charged at us all at once, so we were able to exterminate them without difficulty. None of them chose to flee. They charged at us as if we were their mortal enemies.
But they were just dogs.
It was a very easy job.
Is this the class of D-rank adventurers?
“Hehehe, that was a really easy job.”
Damn it, it was so easy that I couldn’t help but laugh. The memories of when I was an E-rank were long gone. People who know how to fight and have the equipment to match are this strong.
“Keke, you’re right. Kat, you’re very skilled… Huh?”
“Yes?”
Falchion, who was chuckling along with me, stopped kicking the wolf’s corpse with his foot and stared at the sky with wide eyes.
“Huh? Oh, oh, oh!!”
Then he started screaming.
I instantly realized that something was wrong and tried to assume a defensive stance.
ㅡFlap!
It was then.
ㅡFlap!
I suddenly heard something like the sound of flapping wings. It was a very loud sound that couldn’t be dismissed as the sound of a simple bird.
ㅡWhoosh!!
It wasn’t just a sound. Even the pressure of something swept over our heads.
…Swept over?
That wasn’t all.
ㅡShadows.
Several shadows fell and quickly flew off to the other side. Something big is flying above us…!
What the hell is this!
“H, Harpies! It’s Harpies!!”
Falchion shouted frantically.
Harpies?
“Everyone, run away! Aaaaaaaah!!”
“Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaak!!!!”
Screams erupted. Anna screamed sharply and ran away, and Falchion also started running away like a three-year-old.
I was already instinctively running after them.
“What the hell!!!”
What the hell is going on!
Harpies, a flying monster! Why are they here! Shadows fell from the sky and the sound of flapping wings could be heard. I raised my sword, paying attention to the attacks, and looked at their appearance.
ㅡFlap!
“Huh?”
A person was flying in the sky.
No, it’s definitely not a person.
“Kihihit!”
Laughing like an evil witch, it was a beautiful woman. A naked beauty at that. Her body with its graceful curves was enough to steal the eyes of many men, and her long legs and moderately full breasts revealed an attractive femininity.
“Kyahahaha!”
But it doesn’t end there.
Their bodies, which were not even wearing a single thread, had ‘feathers’ instead of clothes. Specifically, they had large bird wings attached to their arms, and most of all, those feet.
Those grotesquely twisted feet looked sharp and tough, like those of a bird of prey. A beautiful female monster with wings on her arms and hands and feet like those of a bird of prey.
ㅡThat must be a Harpy.
Of course, even if they are beautiful, they don’t appeal to me.
No matter how pretty they are, they’re not prettier than my wives.
But damn it, Dryads and Alaunes too, why are all the monsters shaped like women?
If you take away the wings, hands, and feet, they’re just ordinary pretty women.
Anyway, they… no. Those things were flying in the sky. I was momentarily distracted by their unexpected appearance, but I already knew what I had to do.
Pay attention to the attacks and escape the scene with my comrades!
It’s dangerous to fight a monster you don’t know recklessly!
“Kuaaaaaaaak!!!”
As I was running, I heard another scream.
“What the hell! Ms. Zenith!”
“Save meeeeeeee!!!!”
Zenith was being attacked by Harpies over there!
No, attack?
To be precise, it was more of a kidnapping than an attack!
Two Harpies were grabbing Ms. Zenith’s shoulders with their tough bird-of-prey feet and flapping their wings. Every time the Harpies flapped their wings, Ms. Zenith’s body began to rise.
They’re not trying to kill her, they’re trying to kidnap her!
“Save meeeeeeee!!!!”
“An irresistible impulseㅡ!!!!”
There was no time to think! If a party member dies, I’m the one who loses out! I let out a shout and sprinted through the space, then used the Heavenly Demon Advent Technique to leap up like a grasshopper and swing my sword.
ㅡSwoosh!
It was a monster I had never seen before, but they must also be made of flesh and blood. If they are made of flesh and blood, they will fall before the blade of this Heavenly Demon!
And it seems a little late to run away.
Then I have to fight.
“Dejaaaaaaaaat!!!!!”
I don’t get caught up in their beautiful appearance and immediately cut off their legs!
ㅡClang!
“Kyaaaaaaaak!!”
The blade, swung accurately to avoid Zenith’s flesh, cut through the Harpy’s foot. Blood poured out and the monster screamed as if it was being torn apart.
ㅡThey’re guys I can kill!
Then there’s no reason to be afraid!
“Th, thank you!”
The Harpy let go of Ms. Zenith.
Anyway, rescue successful!
“Get up quickly!”
“Understood!!”
I ran again.
“Ka, Kat, above you!”
“What the hell!”
It was at that moment. As soon as Falchion called my name urgently, I swung my sword at the air, but I was only able to cut down one Harpy, and even that wasn’t a fatal blow.
“Kihihihit!!”
“You bastards! Get the hell out of here… Ugh!”
I was suddenly grabbed by the shoulder. Then I felt my feet leave the ground. They’re trying to grab me and fly away!
“Let go of me, you bastard!!”
These guys, they’re too fast, it’s too difficult to deal with them! I immediately pulled out my knife and stabbed the Harpy’s foot that was grabbing my shoulder relentlessly.
“Kieeeeeeeek!!!”
Then the guy let go of me. It was a quick decision. Just as I was about to fall, another Harpy flew over and snatched my shoulder.
“Huh? Huh? You bastards!!!”
I stabbed that guy’s foot with my knife as well, and a sharp scream erupted. Just as I was about to escape again, I sensed that I was screwed.
Even as that was happening, a group of Harpies were flying towards me!
“Shit! Damn it, Falchion! Zenith! Anna! Where the hell are you bastards!!!”
“Kihihihihit!!”
The harpies’ laughter echoed.
I tried to escape by stabbing their feet with my knife, but other harpies instantly swooped in, grabbing my shoulders and flapping their wings.
ㅡWhoosh.
Missing the timing just once, my body was already higher than the trees. The altitude kept increasing. Realizing this, I threw away the knife and hurriedly sheathed my sword, then tightly gripped the harpies’ feet.
“My whole family is doomed-techaaaaaaaaat!!!!!!”
If I let go of this, I’m gonna fall to my death, damn it!!!!
