Adventurers discuss something, ignoring us.
I overhear talk of a beast, Sin Wolf, in this forest.
Even after struggling with a single goblin, I’m now late level 80s, strong enough to easily roast orcs.
Yet, this world holds many dangers.
Not like the boss orc with the soulstone, but the foe we face now demands caution.
“It’s cooler here.”
Karen spreads her arms, savoring the breeze.
“It’s daytime, but feels creepy like night.”
Unlike the orc forest, Black Forest’s soil is dark, trees unnecessarily tall and thin.
Eerie howls echo through the forest, sparking fear.
Shing!
Karen draws her short sword from her waist.
“Beasts appear from here. Stay sharp.”
“Got it.”
She says what I should. Looks reliable.
We enter Black Forest.
We meet large, grotesque goblins.
“Hob Goblins.”
Hunched back, eerily thin, reptilian faces are their only goblin trait.
One charges us on sight.
“Hah!”
I step back, startled, but Karen boldly rushes, shoulder-checks it, and slashes with her short sword.
I cast magic.
“Move!”
Karen notices and rolls aside.
“Fire Ball!”
My magic incinerates the Hob Goblin.
“Kieeeek!”
It screams and dies in place.
I worried it’d charge while burning…
“Big Bro’s magic is crazy strong.”
“It’s my only trick.”
“With this power… it’ll be easy. Let’s keep going!”
Hob Goblins are tougher than orcs—aggressive, fast.
No tools, but their strength is obvious.
“Fire Ball!”
But that’s not what spikes my nerves.
What if my magic hits allies?
There is no game-like immunity here.
I’m careful.
I confirm Karen dodges before firing.
It demands precision.
I’m scared to shoot, but Karen stays calm with fireballs flying past.
Then it happens.
“Fire Ball!”
“Huh? Ah…!?”
A Hob Goblin’s long arm grabs Karen!
No! I freeze. I picture Karen burning black.
“Ugh!”
Karen grapples, makes the Hob Goblin take the fireball, and escapes.
“Phew. Close call.”
“You okay?”
I grab her shoulders.
“You’re not hurt, are you?”
“Big Bro? I’m fine.”
“That’s a relief.”
I nearly burned a living person with my hands.
I don’t want that.
I thought it was normal to show concern, but Karen looks at me, deeply moved.
“I’m a fighter, Big Bro. Getting hurt, facing danger… it’s normal, right?”
“That’s that. But it was still risky.”
“Yeah…”
We need a new plan.
“Can you knock Hob Goblins off balance? I’ll fire after they fall.”
“But your magic might miss.”
“If I miss, I’ll hit again. Better than you getting hit.”
“…Okay.”
***
(Level up.)
(Level up.)
I sync with Karen, taking down Hob Goblins as we advance.
Not swarming like a beast outbreak, but Hob Goblins give more experience than orcs, seen as tougher.
“Big Bro Decal, see any Sin Wolf tracks?”
“No. Searching with my skill, but nothing yet.”
Plenty of Hob Goblin tracks, though.
“It’s getting dark. Let’s prep camp.”
“Cool. Lots of Hob Goblin tracks here. Let’s go that way.”
“You know that? You’re quite reliable, Big Bro!”
Karen and I find a clear spot.
“Start setting up the tent. I’ll make security traps.”
“Traps?”
“Simple. Bells on strings.”
Attacks while sleeping are risky. It’s a smart move.
“Go ahead. Yell if anything happens.”
“Don’t worry. You’ve seen my skills.”
True. Her confidence isn’t bravado.
Karen never lost a grapple to a Hob Goblin.
I thought she was just a hot w0man with tempting b00bs and thighs, but she’s seriously trained.
How does such strength come from those slender arms?
I set up the tent, hammering stakes while Karen places traps.
I pull items from my inventory: a folding mattress, a magic lantern.
I grab dry firewood, igniting it with Fire Enchant.
I use Fire Enchant—not Fire Ball—since it won’t turn wood to ash.
Thanks to hunting with Isti, I can imbue flames on anything, no need for attack spells.
Hmm. Could I enchant Karen’s sword? Would it get too hot?
As the fire crackles, Karen walks over.
“Phew. Walked a lot today. I’m sleepy.”
“Wanna head in first?”
She stops, staring at the tent.
“…Big Bro?”
Something’s up.
“Yeah?”
“Where’s my tent?”
“Just the one.”
“Idiot! A guy and a w0man can’t sleep together!”
I expected that reaction.
“Well… sleeping together helps in a crisis, no?”
“That’s not the issue! How can I sleep with you?”
“It won’t hurt to do it.”
“I mean! You’re a guy, I’m a w0man. We sleep separate. You knew that.”
“I’m cool sleeping with you, Karen.”
“Ugh…!”
Karen clutches her head.
“I’ll sleep outside… No. Bugs’ll bite me.”
She’s torn.
“What’s the big deal? Just a few nights together. Ignore small the stuff.”
“It’s not small! How do I know you won’t try something while I sleep?”
“If I want something, I’ll ask you to wake me. Boldly.”
“~~~!!”
Karen stomps, then sighs heavily.
She seems resigned.
“Dumb Big Bro. Didn’t know you lacked sense!”
“Think it over. Nothing’ll happen. You’ll handle things if I get pent-up, right?”
“That’s my duty, but… Fine. Before bed, you release your load on me. No way I’ll relax otherwise.”
“Make it a white sheep. Let me sleep soundly.”
“On my b00bs again?”
“Yup.”
Karen stretches.
“I’m hungry. Let’s eat first.”
“What? Dried meat?”
“Yeah. Dried meat.”
We sit by the fire, tearing into dried meat.
…Tastes awful.
But hunger keeps me chewing. I miss warm, grilled meat already.
Have I ever camped in a forest like this?
With a w0man, in a beast-filled woods?
The more I think, the rarer it feels.
Alone with a w0man in a dangerous place, I’m not anxious.
I’m thrilled.
Danger, beasts to defeat—that excites me.
And teasing Karen in this forest? Pure joy.
But crossing lines needs some thought.
S9x during a beast attack? That’s a game over.
Tonight, I’ll gauge how active the beasts are.
“What’re you thinking, staring at me?”
“Glad nothing went wrong while we synced.”
“Felt it when you worried. You’re sweet. See me as a little sister?”
“Yeah. Like a sister. I wanna cherish you.”
Shameless lies slip out.
Hypnosis boosted my acting skills.
“Wondered how it’d feel with a Big Bro… You seemed pathetic drooling over my b00bs.”
“Pathetic?”
What guy wouldn’t kneel before those b00bs?
Their real impact floors you.
“You sounded like you’d die from joy. Heh.”
“You’d squeal if I caressed you.”
“Pfft. It’d just tickle.”
“Wanna test?”
“That’s… unrelated to helping you release your load. Just lewd stuff. No way.”
“Too bad.”
Karen sticks out her t0ngue.
“Trying to sneak in lewd stuff? Bet you bought one tent on purpose.”
“….”
“Why’re you quiet? That’s creepy!”
“Ha…”
“I’ll kick you out of the tent!”
“Just kidding.”
She fights Hob Goblins but freaks over this.
***
Night deepens.
“I-I’ll head in… So sleepy.” Karen mumbles awkwardly, entering the tent.
I summon a spirit to circle around.
Not sure if it’ll help, but… call me if something happens?
The breeze swirls, responding.
Traps alone aren’t enough, so I set this backup.
Then I enter the tent.