Chapter 73: Dems Village (4)

Chapter 73: Dems Village (4)

...Why is it taking so long?

Even as the sky darkened, turning a shade of purple, Berg did not return. So Ner posed the question to Jackson.

Both Ner and Arwin had stepped out of their rooms, keeping a watchful eye on the village entrance.

Shawn and Jackson were doing the same.

It seemed they were also worried about their colleagues who had yet to return.

In response to Ners question, Jackson frowned as if he didnt know and slightly tilted his head.

Well...

Ner responded to his noncommittal answer.

What?

Haha... If its the Vice-captain, hell be okay.

...

But even if the Vice-captain doesnt return, I promise to safely escort you to Stockpin. So, dont worry.

Jackson chuckled, making light of the situation.

However, both Arwin and Ner didnt react, maintaining stern expressions.

...

...

As Jackson scratched his head, feeling embarrassed, Shawn suddenly smacked the back of his head hard.

-Thump!

Despite witnessing their foolish behavior, Ners mood did not lighten.

Her heart felt heavy, as if it had sunk into a quagmire.

They managed to swiftly defeat even a larger monster that was known as the boss, so why was it taking so long just to handle a few monsters? She couldnt help but worry if they were injured and lying powerless somewhere.

...Haa.

This was nerve-wracking.

Disturbing thoughts swirled in Ners mind.

She had felt this nervous during the Celebrien request as well.

Indeed, there were no perks to having a husband whose job was a mercenary.

Did she always have to feel this anxious?

Is it common for this to happen?

Arwin continued, seeking answers.

Shawn shook his head, looking out towards the villages outskirts.

His response, indicating that such occurrences were uncommon, further hardened Arwins expression.

Ner could understand Arwins sentiments.

Even if she wasnt yet in love with Berg, she couldnt deny her fondness for him.

Who could resist Bergs shining character?

He was beloved by the leader of the Red Flames, its members, the residents of Stockpin, and even the children of Stockpin.

Merely based on his looks, women were attracted to him like a magnet, and his character was just as admirable.

How could anyone possibly hate him?

Ner felt this more profoundly than anyone else.

Berg, who would support her at any given moment, was impossible to resent.

His presence was reassuring, and he always made her smile.

Berg was also her first true friend.

Thus, she could empathize with Arwins rigid demeanor.

All she wished for was Bergs safe return.

She hoped that no issues had arisen.Fiind updated novels at novelhall.com

Knowing him as someone who frequently returned battered and bruised, she prayed that hed come back unharmed just this once.

...What happened...?

Shawn, wearing a heavy expression, whispered his question to Jackson.

Ners keen ears didnt miss the quiet exchange.

The fact that even the squad members were anxious made Ners heart sink further.

...Had he been gravely injured?

...

Gathering her senses, Ner realized she was lightly biting her nails.

-Click... Click...

It was a method she employed to overcome the mounting mental stress.

Thus, another stretch of time passed, and darkness began to fall.

As the temperature started to drop, Jackson spoke up.

Ner-nim and Arwin-nim, perhaps its time to head inside. Ill inform you both when the Vice-captain returns-

-Haa... Really making one anxious...

Interrupting him, Shawn let out a sigh of relief, relaxing his posture.

Jackson followed Shawns gaze, and he too sighed in relief.

Both Ner and Arwin rose simultaneously, their eyes landing on a group approaching from afar.

...Haa...

Only then did Ner feel the tension melt away from her body.

She sank back into her seat, letting the wave of relief wash over her.

Her tail began to sway involuntarily.

However, only complaints found their way out of her mouth.

...Why are they so late?

Arwin took a deep breath, her expression returning to its usual calm.

Shawn and Jackson stepped forward to greet their colleagues.

Ner attempted to follow them, but her previously tensed legs failed to support her now.

Ner? Arent you going to greet them?

Upon Arwins query, Ner shook her head. Admitting her legs had given out was something she was too embarrassed to do.

Ill wait here.

At her response, Arwin nodded and headed towards Berg.

****

Vice-captain! Why are you so late?

Shawn voiced his dissatisfaction with a scowl.

However, there wasnt much else to say.

There were more monsters than expected. They were hiding in larger numbers than anticipated.

I explained, conveying the days fatigue.

Baran stuck out his tongue and also added his two cents to Shawn and Jackson.

The number was greater than we had predicted.

At least give a heads up... Thought we were going to die from worry.

I left the irate Shawn behind and started walking towards the villages interior.

I first encountered Arwin, who had come out to meet me.

She gazed at me with a stern expression.

With a smile, I asked, Have you been resting well?

...

At that greeting, Arwin furrowed her brows.

Youre late.

Chuckling, I continued walking, and Arwin naturally started trailing behind me.

I must smell like sweat.

...

But Arwin walked alongside me as if she hadnt heard a word.

In the distance, I spotted Ner, sitting by herself.

Seeing her tail wag at my sight somehow brought me joy.

As I approached, she asked, Are you hurt anywhere?

Not at all. I told you it wasnt that challenging.

Hmph.

What?

If it wasnt challenging, why are you so late?

Seeing Ner make the same point, I shrugged.

It seemed both of them had been sharing the same concerns.

Soon after, Nox appeared and looked my way.

Kayla peeked out from among the mercenaries and headed toward her father.

She seemed utterly exhausted from todays work.

It seemed her pestering finally reached its end.

Vice-captain, thank you for your hard work, Nox said.

As he carelessly threw off his top, Ner unknowingly held her breath.

...

For some reason, the sight of his once intimidating physique now made her heart race for entirely different reasons.

With time, she began to understand why people often remarked on Bergs good looks.

The only flaw now was the scar marring his cheek.

A remnant left thanks to Arwin.

Whew.

With a long sigh, Berg lay down on the bed.

The scent of alcohol wafted from his breath.

Still, Ner felt an increasing sense of joy.

She rejoiced in the fact that Berg had safely returned and that she wouldnt have to sleep alone tonight.

She couldnt help the smile that formed, nor could she stop her tail from wagging.

All her worries about him not coming back now belonged to the past.

Berg seemed to let himself be consumed by the alcohols haze, showing off his signature smile.

While lying down, he gazed at Ner.

She didnt avert her eyes from him.

Come.

Berg stretched out his arm, offering something.

...

Ner immediately knew what he was suggesting.

They had tried it once in the Celebrien territory.

He was offering his arm as a pillow once more.

...

Casually and lightly, as if it meant nothing at all, Ner nestled into his arm.

As if she were simply going along with the mood.

If she hesitated or showed any sign of embarrassment, Berg might think she was making a big deal out of it.

Tomorrow will be fun, Ner,

Berg whispered at the same time.

We will play until late without any reservations.

Ner looked at him and nodded.

Then lets go to sleep now,

She suggested.

In truth, she had a different agenda in mind.

Her night hadnt even started yet.

Arwin had spent a long time conversing with Berg... now it was her turn to share time with him.

At her words, Berg nodded.

Whether he was tired or tipsy, Berg swiftly fell asleep, his breathing ragged and deep.

...

Ner reopened her eyes, which she had momentarily closed.

Lately, she found herself becoming addicted to Bergs scent.

It had been a challenge resisting it all day.

Though her mind protested, her body kept searching for his scent.

It wasnt because she had feelings for Berg.

It was simply that she couldnt help but be drawn to Bergs body odor.

Once he settled into a deep sleep, Ner lightly pressed his cheek with her finger to check his consciousness, and then... she sat up.

Her shimmering eyes slowly drifted toward Bergs embrace.

Arwins World Tree leaf pendant that hung around his neck felt out of place, so she brushed it aside somewhat roughly.

With all the unpleasant events that had happened since yesterday, it was hard for her to suppress her urges.

Ner leaned in, burying her face into his chest.

Taking a deep breath

......................

Ner froze mid-breath.

Her heart felt as if it dropped, sinking into a quagmire of emotions.

There was something else mixed in with Bergs scent.

It didnt take her long to recognize it.

Not just body odor... pheromones.

A scent with clear intent emanated from Bergs body.

It was a scent left by another woman.

A fragrance that lingered even after a bath.

Ner instinctively understood the meaning of the scent.

The current pheromones indicated...

I want to mate with you.

She had suspected it might be from that catwoman, but she didnt expect it to be this blatant.

-Grit...

Ner gritted her teeth.

It had been a long time since she felt this level of discomfort.

For a member of the werewolf tribe to leave such a scent on their mate was a massive provocation.

Berg seemed unaware, but... for such a potent scent to emanate from his body, there must have been contact.

I distinctly told her not to touch my husband...

Ner reminisced about her past warning.

Did that hussy understand the implications of disregarding a Blackwood?

Ner couldnt precisely pinpoint which aspect infuriated her more.

Was it the audacity of the woman to act this way with the mate of someone from the werewolf tribe?

Was it the underestimation of the Blackwoods?

Or... was it her approaching Berg?

...

It couldnt have been the last reason.

She wanted to believe that wasnt the case.

Regardless, that wasnt important to her now.

Ner quietly gazed down at Berg.

Then, she did something she had never thought she would.

Hssss...

Almost instantly after making up her mind, a distinct scent surged from her.

It was subtle enough for Berg not to detect, but for those who could perceive pheromones, it was overwhelmingly intense.

In essence, Ner too was a Blackwood.

She emitted a rich and intimidating scent that the village hussy could never produce.

Soon, she gazed at the soundly sleeping Berg.

Slowly, very slowly, she drew closer.

...The closer we seem... the better, right?

Ner whispered to Berg with weary eyes.

So... this is what you wanted, wasnt it?

In the end, Ner nestled her cheek against his chest.

-Thump.

The warmth of his embrace brought a sense of comfort.

But she wasnt one to stop there.

With intention, she rubbed her face against his chest.

-Swish... Swish...

With her long white hair, she wiped away Kaylas pheromones.

Marking her territory.

To ensure that hussy wouldnt dare approach again.

At the same time, she inhaled the gradually returning scent of Berg.

In that fragrance, Ner felt increasing solace.

...Haa...

She took a deep breath, becoming intoxicated by his scent.

Throughout the night, Ner continued to rub herself against every part of his chest.

The End of The Chapter

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