Cursed Villainess' Obsession-Chapter 54

For Kaff, who always had to protect his goods from the threats of monsters or bandits, their company felt like a bonus, almost worth paying for.

And they were even paying him a little.

It was a totally profitable deal.

‘...But what about that guy? Is he a porter or something?’

The first to approach Kaff with a greeting was a chubby man.

He had a naive-looking face, but he seemed somewhat slow and not particularly masculine.

Compared to the two men behind him, he was truly an unattractive fellow.

Kaff didn’t usually judge people by their appearance, but he had once been in the same position as this man, serving as a party’s porter.

He knew all too well how a useless porter would be treated.

‘...Poor guy.’

Whatever his reasons for traveling might be.

The three women behind him had appearances that were among the finest he had seen in his travels across the kingdom.

And then there were the two men next to them.

One was a man with sharp eyes and black hair, while the other was a charming blonde with a mischievous smile.

It was highly likely that those women were emotionally involved with those two men.

And then there was the unfortunate chubby man caught in the middle.

It was impossible not to feel sorry for him.

He probably spent his nights crying himself to sleep with his ears covered.

“Nice to meet you!”

The chubby man introduced himself as Ken.

With a bright smile, Ken greeted Kaff.

‘He’s struggling, but he’s holding up well.’

Surely, he would eventually meet a woman who would love him and manage to get by.

And so, the short journey began for the six students from the academy and the merchant Kaff.

As dawn broke, Kaff's cart set off toward its destination.

“You have crafting skills?”

“Yes! So if you need any repairs, just let me know.”

‘That’s quite a rare skill he has.’

Kaff was taken aback, widening his eyes at the revelation that the seemingly unremarkable Ken possessed crafting skills.

Crafting skills were among the less common skills in the production category.

With just that skill, one could easily make a living.

Thus, those with crafting skills were envied among commoners.

Kaff, as a merchant, had once been envious of such a skill.

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If he developed his crafting skills well, he could become a guaranteed master.

Craftsmen with maxed-out skills often attracted the attention of high-ranking nobles.

‘So that’s why people keep him around.’

Kaff glanced back to check the cargo area.

Ken was closest to him.

Behind him were two handsome men and three beautiful women.

The black-haired man sat quietly with his eyes closed, either sleeping or meditating.

The blonde man was reading a book even as the cart swayed.

The remaining three women were happily chatting among themselves.

It was obvious that Ken didn’t belong with this group.

The reason they were taking Ken along as a porter was crystal clear.

His crafting skills were undoubtedly beneficial.

Otherwise, there would be no reason for them to travel with someone like Ken.

From Ken's perspective, it would be difficult to quietly trail behind a group of men and women who were blossoming in love.

He was probably getting paid quite well.

Kaff accepted that.

“Hey, Ken...”

At that moment, the red-haired female student closest to Ken spoke up.

‘Hmm, was it too noisy? I hope I didn’t annoy him.’

Having asked Ken a lot of questions, Kaff had dragged out the small talk longer than he intended.

It might have been a reprimand for that.

“I’m feeling dizzy from the cart...”

“Oh, really? Just a moment... I have some medicine...”

“No, I just need to lie down for a bit. Ken, can I borrow your lap?”

“Huh? Sure.”

“Ahhh, that’s nice.”

But at this unexpected conversation, Kaff was astonished and turned to look back.

In the shaded cargo area of the tent, the red-haired girl, Raphne, had laid her head on Ken's lap, where they had just been chatting.

“Ken, I think it would feel nice if you stroked my hair.”

“W-Wait, Raphne! What are you doing?!”

“It's obvious what I'm up to. I’m not feeling well either, you know.”

“Hmph! You two can just lay next to each other. The first one to do it gets to keep it!”

The red-haired girl, Raphne, faced protests from the other two girls.

‘...This isn’t what I expected.’

With a bright smile, the girl laying on Ken’s lap and the two girls glaring at her, the scene felt oddly comical.

‘...I guess having some extra weight makes it comfortable to lie down.’

Kaff accepted the awkward situation, reminding himself that he, too, was a fellow awkward chubby guy.

Though not exactly overweight, he could hardly claim to be handsome.

He had once been part of a party as a porter.

In those moments, he often daydreamed.

Daydreams of being popular among the party's women while the other male party members looked on in envy.

But he knew those were just empty dreams.

He had grown up enough to realize that now.

So witnessing this unusual scene would not make him feel envious.

He resolved to convince himself that it was just nice to have a soft lap to lie on.

“Ken, how about we visit this city next time? Just the two of us.”

“Wait, Mary! I’m currently practicing magic with Ken!”

“Then practice next to us. Ken doesn’t need to focus on you, does he?”

“Grrr!”

“Hoo...”

That first night after starting the journey with six companions.

As the sun set to the point where moving became difficult, they halted the cart and prepared to camp.

Kaff was deeply concerned by the awkward scene in front of the campfire.

Ken wore a smile that looked uncomfortable.

On his left was the blue-haired girl, Mary, holding a map.

To his right sat the blonde girl, Emily, using healing magic.

And then there was Raphne, the red-haired girl, sprawled across his lap, sound asleep.

“So, it seems you’re getting along well with your companions.”

After a while, he asked that question while requesting several repairs on his tools from Ken.

The girls, who had been chattering moments ago, had moved to a nearby stream, leaving only the men behind.

“Haha... They’re all very friendly.”

Ken scratched his head, holding the crafting hammer and chuckling awkwardly.

But Kaff didn’t miss a beat.

“What’s your secret?”

“Uh, uh?”

“I mean the secret. There must be something!”

Kaff whispered softly so the other male companions wouldn’t hear.

Ken, who had initially looked confused by his question, suddenly smiled as if realizing something.

“Oh, if you’re talking about crafting, it’s really because of the skill. There’s not much of a secret...”

“That’s not what I meant...!”

At Kaff's quiet outburst, Ken tilted his head, looking genuinely puzzled.

‘He truly doesn’t get it, huh?’

But surely, there had to be something.

Having observed Ken throughout the day, Kaff was no fool; he knew the three beautiful girls were clearly interested in him.

The issue was whether this Ken was just naive or simply foolish, as he seemed completely unaware of the attention he was receiving.

‘Let me find out... what the reason is that these girls are so drawn to him...’

It certainly wasn’t about his looks.

If looks were the issue, the other two male students were much more handsome.

Then was it his ability?

Had they fallen for his crafting skills?

That was entirely possible.

Having tested his skills, Kaff could confirm Ken was indeed a competent craftsman.

And having traveled to many places, Kaff had seen countless women fall in love with men based on their skills.

‘But still...’

No matter how skilled someone was, it didn’t seem reasonable for three stunningly beautiful girls to be so enamored with this man.

Even one would be a miracle.

But three?

‘...Something must be, ...something else...’

At that moment, something flickered through Kaff's mind.

“Hey, Ken. How about we go to the restroom together?”

“Huh? The restroom?”

“Yeah, in a situation like this, if you go alone and encounter a monster, it would be disastrous. During journeys like this, it’s standard to go in pairs.”

“If that’s the case...”

Surprised by his sudden request, Ken readily agreed.

‘It must be... it must be that.’

It was a common tale.

The kind that drives women wild with desire.

If he confirmed that, his questions would be answered.

No, Kaff was already half convinced.

Even if it wasn’t just about abilities, if that ability was significant enough, three girls would be a cinch.

Leaving the camp, the two entered the forest.

After finding a suitable spot, they took turns taking care of business.

First it was Kaff, then Ken followed suit.

‘See, I knew this would happen...’

Feigning to keep watch, Kaff discreetly turned his gaze to check on Ken’s status.

‘This is quite... no, impressive indeed...’

He swallowed hard.

Of course, it was not excitement or anything of the sort; he felt awe as a man.

His predictions were spot on.

With something like that, not just three, but five could easily fall head over heels.

“Uh, Kaff?”

“Uh, uh? Ah, haha! I’m just keeping an eye out. You know, during travels, we often check on the health of our fellow men. So it’s just a habit...”

Realizing Ken had noticed his gaze, Kaff quickly offered an excuse.

At least he had found the answer to his inquiry.

It was a perfectly acceptable reason.

‘How I wish I had something like that, even if I only had one instead of three...’

As he lamented his love life, he was about to head back when—

“...Grrrrr.”

A growl echoed through the forest, causing every hair on his body to stand on end.

“Th-This is...!”

“What was that sound?”

Ken adjusted his pants and looked around, questioning the noise, but Kaff knew what it was.

“It’s an Elemental Bear!”

Elemental Bear.

A bear-shaped monster imbued with elemental properties.

Grade: B+

Among the beast-type monsters, it was one with elemental attributes, making it a headache for even seasoned adventurers.

The nocturnal creature had been wandering nearby and had spotted Ken and Kaff.

“W-What the hell…! We have to run!”

“Ah, it’s an Elemental Bear!”

While Kaff trembled in fear, his legs shaking and eyes darting around, Ken appeared surprisingly calm.

Had he not relieved himself moments ago, he would have soiled himself now.

This bear seemed either unconcerned about danger or simply too dumb to realize it.

“You idiot!! Stop dawdling and let’s hurry and run!! If it makes a sound, it’s already nearby...!!”

Just then.

“Grrrrrrr.”

The growl was clearer now.

Suddenly, piercing eyes glowed in the dark, revealing the creature beneath the moonlight.

A massive bear, about four times the size of an adult man, slowly approached them.

It was drooling, indicating it had already locked onto them as prey.

“W-Well, it’s... over for us.”

If this continued, calling for the other party members would be useless.

By the time they arrived, one would already be split in half, and another would be devoured.

Yet, even in front of such a monster, Ken remained unfazed.

“Hmm, judging by the rocks embedded in its skin, it seems to be of the earth element.”

Then, with a cheerful smile, he looked back at Kaff.

“Kaff, if I save you, can I get some food in return?”

“...What?”

Kaff, who had already sat on the ground trembling in fear, couldn’t comprehend his words.

But Ken, without waiting for a response, stepped boldly forward.

“You idiot!! You’ll give up your life like that...!!”

In that moment.

Kaff mistook Ken’s figure, illuminated by the moonlight, for an illusion.

In an instant, the chubby body shrank down, transforming into a lean and sturdy man.

And what followed was even more unbelievable.

Crash!!!

“Hmm, I suppose it’s tough to take down an Elemental Bear in one blow.”

Ken’s figure, which had vanished in an instant, reappeared above the Elemental Bear, and he stomped down with his foot.

“Since it’s an earth type, physical attacks should be effective... Don’t worry. I have a sword too.”

Then, he pulled out a bone-like sword from his pocket.

He clearly had neither a bag nor a sheath just moments ago.

‘Ah, an interdimensional pouch...!’

Kaff realized why he had thought the group’s luggage seemed so light.

With the calm demeanor of a merchant, Ken pulled out a sword from his interdimensional pouch.

Swish!

He swung the sword effortlessly, decapitating the Elemental Bear.

Just like that, the B+ grade monster fell without resistance.

“So, shall we head back? I need to grab a midnight snack.”

The boy, smiling brightly beneath the moonlight, extended his hand to the now-seated Kaff.

As Kaff grasped his hand, he looked at Ken's face and thought.

‘...What the heck, he’s actually the most handsome one here.’

He realized that all the reasons behind this were due to Ken’s looks.

‘Of course...’