After joining the Forest Dwellers, the first thing I did was assess my fighting capabilities. I realized that I was already at the level of the other veteran front-liners. The only things I lacked were genuine combat experience and specific knowledge regarding various monsters and their habitats.

  Everyone in the party was helpful in teaching me new things, and my power continued to increase steadily because I refused to take even a single break. My compatibility with mana proved to be an extremely useful asset in this regard. Within two weeks of joining, we had become more or less accustomed to each other’s fighting styles. We generally hunted monsters that seemed to be at a lower level than us, as we prioritized improving our team synergy.

  We were also getting along quite well on a social level, especially with Sherry and Alice. Alice remained as seductive as ever. Sherry was gradually getting used to hanging out with me, but I noticed that she would often become more intimate immediately after my interactions with Alice. I wasn’t sure why, but there was clearly a reason behind it.

  Regarding power levels, there was no easy way to measure the strength of an enemy. It seemed that adventurers generally stuck to areas they knew well. The power difference between monsters—even those of the same species—could vary so much that it was often fatal for a party to enter an unfamiliar area. It would have been helpful if monsters were classified by a power level, but since creatures of the same type could differ so drastically, it was clearly an impossible feat.

  My sword skills improved significantly, to the point where I could confidently say I was the strongest close-combat fighter in the party. Despite this, the others could still defeat me occasionally in training matches thanks to their vast experience. I was certain that I would eventually best them easily as I continued to gain experience, since my increase in power was overwhelming compared to theirs.

  Eventually, we moved to a new area that Aluciend considered to be a bit harder than our previous hunting grounds. We kept our guard up. At the beginning of the hunt, there weren’t many problems. We were hunting steadily, and I was making sure to showcase my improved skills. However, while we were in the middle of a clash with a group of Orcs, loud noises began to echo through the trees.

  We decided to distance ourselves from the area, but it was already too late. Many Orcs were approaching us from multiple directions. It was such a difficult fight that some of us were injured. At one point, even Sherry was caught by an attack because we were overwhelmed by the number of Orcs, making it impossible to protect the wizards and archers at all times.

  Ultimately, we managed to return to the nearby city without losing a single team member. The first thing we did was visit the healing clinic. The bill was quite expensive—salty, as they say—but we had earned a significant amount of money from that hard battle. Therefore, the medical expenses weren't a major problem; as the saying goes, the harder the effort, the bigger the gain.

  After the battle, Sherry began to act much more closely toward me. It seemed that being protected by a strong knight really was every girl’s dream. My relationship with Alice started to stabilize as well. Previously, it was mostly her attractive and inviting looks that enticed me, but now I had begun to value her as a genuine friend. We could talk about normal things, though she still became aggressive from time to time—not that I had any complaints.

  I spent the next few months hunting with the party, and we were well-used to working together by then. My steady training was finally bearing fruit, though it wasn't as if nothing was lacking.

  “Han, you really are strong,” Aluciend said to me one evening. “Since you joined us, you have improved even more than I expected. You still lack some battle experience, but in a few months, you should be fine. I am sure you will be much stronger by then, too”.

  I was still training every possible moment I found, so this praise was expected. That strange feeling continued to keep my development rapid, despite the speed deteriorating slightly. Finally, I was enjoying the life I had wanted so much—sword in hand and getting stronger day by day. There wasn't a solid logical reason for my swordsmanship or the strange power that helped me use mana efficiently, but I didn't care as long as it helped me this much.

  “Yes, Han. You are a very hard worker,” Alice interjected. “I should reward you. What do you say?” Alice was very proactive; it was clear she didn’t want to be left behind by Sherry, especially after seeing how much closer Sherry and I had become.

  [Yes. Keep going. This was the life you wanted so much, after all.]

  [Do you even care if it is realistic or sensible?]

  [All that talk about badly written novels was just for show, it seems.]

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  Hmm? That weird feeling again, I thought. It felt as if I had forgotten something really important—something I truly cared about. I was sure I would remember it eventually.

  “Hey, Han! Watch my new magic!” Sherry called out, pulling me from my thoughts. “It is still not very powerful, but once I finish utilizing it, it will be very practical in combat. What do you think?” She seemed very joyful, and I was glad to see her in a good mood compared to when we first met.

  “Yes, Sherry! It looks cute, just like you,” I replied. “Once you make it as gorgeous as Alice, we can really use it in some action”.

  I was trying to be a "balancer" because I didn’t want Alice to feel left out. It seemed like I could lay Alice down at any time, but there was a problem: Sherry. If I slept with Alice now, it wouldn't be impossible, but it would be very difficult to be with Sherry later. And because I was greedy, I wanted both. My logic was that I should have Sherry first because Alice was "easy" in that regard—at least, that’s how it seemed from the outside.

  Come on, Han, you can do it, I encouraged myself. Once you pass that threshold, you’re good to go to heaven.

  I wasn’t a person who would normally think of lying to girls, but I somehow couldn't focus on anything besides this topic. I needed to satisfy my sexual needs. My urges grew stronger over the months until I finally reached my limit.

  Oh, shit! I changed my mind, I thought frantically. Sherry is so pure, and I’m sure now it will take much longer than I predicted. And Alice has increased her "offenses" lately... OMG! I can’t hold back much longer.

  My head was filled with these thoughts, so I decided to take action. My power’s development speed must have been affected by my mental state, because I couldn't get strong as efficiently as before. Something was not right—terribly so.

  I decided to change my tactic: I would take Sherry’s first kiss and then go all-out for Alice. There seemed to be no other choice. As long as I could lay Alice after taking that first kiss from Sherry, everything would be fine... right?

  Something was bothering me, but I didn't know what it was. My strength’s growth rate continued to decline to the point of stopping. Perhaps I was just anxious or on edge because of Alice. Regardless, I was determined to succeed this time. I didn't even know if my plan was reasonable; I was just doing whatever my dull mind produced.

  I took Alice’s first kiss in advance, and she bragged about it to Sherry. I thought this would ruin my chances with Sherry, but it actually made my advances easier. I took Sherry’s first kiss as well. I wondered if doing the same regarding sleeping with them would also work. Sherry clearly felt she was falling behind Alice, making my progress with her easier, but there was no guarantee this would work for more intimate matters.

  Everything was getting weirder. My growth speed was nearly zero. I was strong—very strong—but something was fundamentally off. It made me nervous, though I didn't know why. Everything felt strange, like tasting a new flavor I had never experienced.

  Should I just lay the girls? I wondered. Isn't it time? Why am I thinking so much about this lately? Am I becoming obsessed? No, it’s more like if I don’t do it now, I can never do it again. Better safe than sorry, right? Let’s go.

  At that moment, I couldn't even say I was thinking rationally; my brain was working on its own, and I was just following instinct. Since it was nighttime, the first thing that came to mind was going to Alice’s room. It seemed reasonable, and I felt I had to do it immediately.

  Okay, let's go to Alice’s room, I whispered to myself. No one should be awake. I can do this. I will do this. Here I g—

  I stopped in my tracks as my thoughts paused.

  Huh!?

  There was something wrong with the door. There were no door handles. Yet, weirdly, it wasn't locked; when I touched the wood, the door swung open on its own.

  When I entered the room, I saw Alice sitting on her bed in her nightgown. She looked incredibly sexy and watched me erotically while licking her lips, but I couldn't get aroused. Even though she was just licking her lips, I could hear her voice.

  She was saying things I didn't understand—fragments of things she had told me before. She was repeating every dialogue we had ever spoken, looping through them like a broken tape.

  She is not a broken tape, damn it! I cursed internally. The situation was bizarre and terrifying.

  As frustration set in, I finally understood the uneasy feeling I’d had lately. I should have come sooner; I had lost my chance.

  Shit! Is it time for that now? I thought as my fantasies began to collapse. Even in this surreal situation, the only thing I could think of was why I hadn't come sooner. I was a lost cause.

  [You can do nothing!]

  The voice answered my inner thought. It was deep and mysterious—enough to flabbergast anyone—but to me, it was quite familiar. I began to remember the previous times I had heard it. I wondered if the owner of that voice had been watching me the entire time since I’d arrived in this world.

  What? Who is—

  Before I could finish the thought, the world began to darken. It felt as if all the power that made my fantasies a reality was fading away. It was the most horrific sensation I had ever experienced.

  [Edited]