Atelier Tanaka

Book 5: Chapter 1 (11)

Dark Continent (1st)

In the end, I only managed to form a party of two.

Just me and the thick dark elf. It feels a bit lonely compared to the other parties, but it’s better than going alone. Besides, I get to spend time adventuring alone with a beautiful woman.

A soy sauce face like mine being next to the beautiful Dark Elf draws the attention of everyone around us. I’ve heard the whispers and seen other adventurers stop the Dark Elf and tell her not to stay in a party with me. She’ll definitely regret it or she’s insane.

But the Dark Elf pays them no mind and usually brushes off anyone that tries to stop her. It didn’t matter who it was. Her cold, standoffish personality warmed my heart. It made me so happy.

After another person attempted to convince the Dark Elf to leave me, another shouted out above the noise of the shop.

“It will obviously be us, the research team from Academy City, that will solve this mystery!”

This busamen wasn’t the only one that had finished forming a party.

All around the shop there were small groups huddled together in intense discussions.

The person that just spoke was clearly a researcher from Academy City. This party varied widely in age from the mid-teens to sixties and most of the party belonged to the rear guard.

The oldest looking man among them was the one that spoke. I assume he’s their leader as the rest of the party followed him out the door.

Not far behind them, the parties of the Heroes of the East and West left along with the clan from the Southern Regions. 

Other random parties begin to shuffle out of the building. The most noticeable of which was my failed attempt at a harem.

Every party that left seemed to have a belief that they would be the ones to solve the mystery.

Nobody looked to doubt themselves or the other members of their respective party.

We don’t have any choice but to follow after them.

“We should head out too.”

“…so, we’re really going?”

“Of course. Why else would we form a party?”

“….”

I’m sure her hesitation is due to the dangers of this area. The monsters on this continent are similar in power to the long-haired man. Not only are they stronger but their numbers are endless. The difficulty here can’t even compare to the forests around Tricklis.

But it was Rodriguez that was the next to speak.

“Wai-, o-oi! Are you really taking that elf with you!?”

“That’s right.”

“Don’t be stupid! If you want to be an idiot and die out there alone, you’re free to do so, but don’t put others in danger!”

“Don’t worry, we’ll bring you back a souvenir.”

“O-Oi! I’m serious!”

It’s useless to try to convince him.

I dragged the thick Dark Elf behind me as we left the shop. The sounds of Rodriguez’s shouts were briefly drowned out by the sound of the bell.

Then, we walked for a while.

We made our way to the entrance of the village where we could see a steep hill not far from us.

A small path had been formed by countless feet trampling the grass dead. The trees still hugged against the path and loomed ominously overhead. I could see the crest of the hill just over the tops of the trees in the distance. The stonewall that has caused all the excitement sits somewhere in that direction.

Almost immediately after leaving the village, the jungle of the Dark Continent began. The village was nestled up against a cliff face on one side while the other faced the sea. This small settlement existed as one of the few connections between this dangerous place and the outside world.

These large cliffs might serve to hide the settlement from the attention of the creatures of the jungle. 

The cliff itself is a bit strange. It sits rather far back from the coastline when it’s more common for the cliffs to sit right along the water’s edge. This, however, did offer an ample amount of space which the people of this settlement have put to good use.

“It should still be safe for now. We can just take it easy.”

“…the problem is what lies beyond that hill.”

“Yes, that seems to be the case.”

When I spoke to the thick Elf, she promptly responded.

It made my virgin heart smile.

“When was the last time we were in a party like this?”

“…don’t you hate me?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I want us to get along.”

After all, if I’m going to form a party, it has to be made up entirely of beautiful women.

My motivation may be corrupt, but my intentions are pure.

However, the first member of my harem party is constantly cold and shows no emotion.

Someday, I hope to be able to worship her smile.

“Do you want me to decapitate you again?”

“Do you hate my neck that much?”

“Then, what do you want?”

“Why do I have to want something?”

“Ku, y-you have a comeback for everything, don’t you…?”

We proceeded forward following the information we had obtained beforehand. The crunching of the fallen leaves created a pleasant soundtrack for our walk through the forest. Side-by-side with each other we walked, offering casual comments here and there. How nice. I want this party to last forever.

“Congratulations. I noticed your slave collar is gone.”

“…fu~n, that’s none of your business.”

“So what happened with you after that?”

“N-Nothing really. Why are you even asking!?”

It doesn’t matter how you do it but talking with women is important. You can be handling a customer’s complaint at work or going to a hostess bar and paying one to act like they’re interested in you. At the end of the day, communication is important.

“By the way, what are you doing on the Dark Continent?”

“T-That’s because….”

“Were you running away from me?”

“….”

As expected.

This Elf must have terrible LUC for me to find her here. It may even be lower than mine. Oh, now that I think about it, what does her status look like? I’ve never seen it before.

Based on the fear she showed against the long-haired man, it must not be too intimidating.

She’s surprisingly strong.

She must have come here with some confidence that she’d be able to survive on the Dark Continent. That being said, her stats aren’t impossible for a human to achieve. Based on that knowledge, it would be best if we avoid getting into any fights.

In order to survive the monsters of the jungle solo, your level probably needs to exceed four digits.

“…what is it? Why are you just staring at me?”

“It’s nothing. I was just thinking you’re still as beautiful as the first time we met.”

“Ha!? A man that didn’t offer me any help when I was a slave is now calling me beautiful!”

“The beauty of women can cause men to hesitate and make mistakes.”

I recalled the sound of metal cutting through the air and a strange feeling around my neck.

I don’t know how much longer I can resist. I can feel the desire to make her my sex slave growing. Boo-chan’s erotic equipment isn’t helping. Many of the other adventurers wear full body armour, but she only covers key areas with metal plates.

Thanks to this, a large amount of her skin is left exposed. I can clearly see her splendid chest, sublime ass, and plump thighs. This is just a guess, but I doubt she’s able to afford the custom made armour that’s able to accommodate such large breasts.

“….”

Not good.

I can already feel myself getting hard and we’re not even an hour into our journey.

“Fu~n, I suppose you’re free to do as you please.”

“We’ll be spending the next few days together, so let’s get along well.”

“W-Who would want to be friends with you….”

I continued trying to force a conversation while we slowly continued forward.

We made it over the initial hall and through a valley that followed. We had made our way away from the coast before finally reaching the area deemed the mid-tier of the continent. Up to this point, we had encountered no problems. We had yet to even see a monster.

We were able to continue following the small path which made our walk much easier. Thanks to that, we were able to advance easily while casually chatting.

“We just need to stay calm if anything happens.”

“You don’t have to keep saying that.”

“I’m just worried about what will happen if a Phoenix or a Great Dragon appears.”

“Ha? Nothing like that would appear so far out from the heart of the continent.”

“I see.”

Do they not just roam all over the continent?

Then, we may be able to make it safely to the stonewall.

“Anyway, there’s no reason to be nervous.”

“I know that without you telling me!”

The thick Elf yelled while placing her hand on her sword. If I bother her enough, naturally, she’s going to get annoyed. Still, I can’t help but be reminded of our first trip through a forest not too dissimilar from this. 

“I’m sorry. Is it okay if we continue?”

“Why are you even worried? You had no problem fighting that demon before!”

“It’s kind of like the last time we were in a forest.”

“Are you stupid? What are you even talking about?”

“…remember how terrified I was of the insects?”

“….”

“I would appreciate it if you’d cut down any suspicious looking branches before I get to them.”

I don’t like normal insects. I don’t even want to imagine what the insects of the Dark Continent are like.

The insects must even be high level. The kind of insects that only exist in the Amazon or those that secrete a smelly oil when touched. If one of these insects landed on my face, I’m confident I’d destroy this entire jungle with fireballs.

“…you still don’t take anything seriously.”

“I’m sorry, but can I ask you this favour?”

“…”

I bowed my head obediently. The Dark Elf sighed before taking her sword out and advancing forward, cutting down any low hanging branches as she went. She may have betrayed me to save herself, but she still has a kind side to her.

If the world was able to live in peace, she could make a great wife.

Not only do I no longer have to worry about bugs, I now get a great view of her ass from behind. The large bulge above her thighs gave me the courage to advance forward. That plumpness would give any man the strength to live another day.

It’s only natural that my eyes would be drawn to it. Searching for a body that is capable of giving birth to a child is etched deep within the instincts of every man. It’s stupid to deny this desire.

Rather, it’s something to be proud of.

“….”

“….”

I don’t know how much longer I can take this.