Chapter 14

"Ah, good morning, Master."

When I woke up, Yuel's blue eyes were right in front of me.

"Ah, good morning."

Yuel was lying next to me, looking at my face as if we were gazing into each other's eyes. It seems she had been watching me sleep. When I touched my mouth, I found that I had drooled. It was a bit embarrassing.

Still, it was unusual for Yuel to wake up before me. Usually, she wakes up just a little later than I do. ...Though, occasionally, she would wake up early and stare at my tent.

Also, the atmosphere felt a bit different from usual. I could sense a feeling of accomplishment or satisfaction in Yuel's smile. And she looked a bit sleepy. I wonder what happened.

Come to think of it, what happened to me after I passed out at the tavern yesterday? I thought I had fallen asleep with my head on the table, but now I'm in bed with Yuel. And Yuel, despite looking sleepy, has a satisfied expression on her face—

...No, that can't be it.

When I looked at Yuel closely, I noticed that instead of her usual comfortable, thin nightwear, she was wearing her outdoor clothes. Why was she already dressed? Did she wake up early and had nothing to do, so she got dressed? Or did something happen while I was sleeping that made her change her clothes—

...No, no, that's impossible.

I subtly checked my clothes under the blanket without Yuel noticing.

Everything was fine. I was still wearing the same clothes from yesterday. My pants and underwear were on properly, and my belt was fastened. There were no signs of them being dirty.

That's a relief. Nothing happened.

But if nothing happened, why is Yuel—

Perhaps Yuel woke up early, had nothing to do, got dressed, and then climbed back into bed to wait for me to wake up. She looks sleepy because she woke up early. That must be it.

"Did someone bring me here yesterday?"

"Yes, Gazer brought you here, Master."

"I see..."

I don't need to thank him... Actually, I don't need to thank him at all. After all, the one who suggested the Red Dragon Slayer was Gazer, and he's the reason I ended up passed out. Well, it's my fault for drinking, but still, it's a matter of principle.

We head to the tavern for breakfast. We are regulars there, going every day without fail. It's only natural, considering there's a mobile clinic there.

When I looked inside, a mini-skirted waitress waved at me. She's the one in black pants. I wonder what color she's wearing today. I'm really curious.

We've had a few conversations since the day I helped her when she tripped, but we haven't really progressed much. I've been trying to get close enough for her to lift her skirt, but she's always busy with her work, so we never had much time to talk.

In other words, we're not really close.

Yet, today, she seems unusually friendly. She's smiling warmly and waving at me. I'd be happier if she waved her mini-skirt instead.

I was about to wave back when I noticed something odd.

She wasn't waving at me. Her gaze seemed to be slightly to the side. I lowered my hand and looked to the side—

Yuel was blushing and waving back at the waitress.

Yuel, when did you two become so close? You're closer to her than I am, even though I helped her with her heel for free.

Did you two talk after I fell asleep last night? Still, to conquer a clumsy waitress in one night, you're quite something. I'd love to learn your techniques.

When Yuel waved back, the waitress's gaze shifted to me. When our eyes met, she smiled again and walked over, a bit faster than usual.

I hope she doesn't trip.

No, that's not it. What's going on?

We haven't even sat down yet, so she can't be here to take our order. I thought maybe she had something to say to Yuel, but that smile is definitely directed at me.

I can't help but feel a bit hopeful.

Maybe Yuel said something nice about me last night. Maybe she said, "I thought you were kind, but you're even nicer! Hug me!"

As I was thinking this, the waitress approached me. She smiled and said in a cheerful voice—

"Your bill from last night is 12,000 zenni!"

"......Okay."

After breakfast at the tavern, we head into the dungeon. Our goal is the seventh floor.

We have enough slime jelly for now, but we need money. This morning, my wallet was almost empty, and I promised to buy Yuel new clothes.

If I'm going to buy Yuel new clothes, they should be new, not second-hand. I want to get her the best I can. Good clothes are expensive, often costing several thousand zenni per piece.

So, I want to secure as much budget as possible.

Slimes are weak, but they drop magic stones that are worth the equivalent of the seventh floor. The seventh floor is a profitable hunting ground. While I have some reservations about Yuel earning the money to buy her a gift, I believe she won't mind.

Going to the seventh floor is something we're used to.

The monsters on the first three floors are no match for Yuel, and slow-moving Green Ibis and Giant Ants can be ignored if they're not in our path. We reduce the number of Big Chickens by throwing knives at them as soon as we see them, which significantly shortens our exploration time.

And the seventh floor. It's a well-known fact among adventurers that the seventh floor is a profitable hunting ground. Sometimes, we see groups camping out with tents, trying to stay as long as possible to maximize their earnings, taking the risk of navigating the more dangerous fifth and sixth floors.

However, camping requires someone to stay awake. With only two of us, that's difficult. Additionally, spending too much time in the dungeon can make it hard to keep track of time.

There are disposable magic tools that can create barriers for a set time and clocks, but they are expensive. We could afford them if we spent a few days in the dungeon, but we don't have the money now. We'll buy them later.

While we were hunting on the seventh floor, we stumbled upon a boss room.

The boss room contains a Huge Slime. Its rare drop is a Slime Drop, which the adventurer guild buys for 200,000 zenni each.

"200,000 zenni..."

Even as a rare drop, it's worth about forty times what we earn in half a day on the seventh floor. It's a tempting amount. We need money. We need as much as we can get.

However, we can't beat it.

The Huge Slime is about three meters tall, while Yuel's weapon is only twenty to thirty centimeters long. I can't imagine us winning.

Next to me, Yuel is looking at the boss room door with an eager expression, as if to say, "I can do it anytime!"

But we can't go in.

Continuing to hunt slimes is safer and more efficient. Besides, we don't need the money that badly.

There's no need to take such a high-risk approach.

"I can do it anytime!"

"No, we're not going in."

Yuel says what she expected me to say, but we shouldn't go in.

It's inevitable that Yuel will look disappointed. She's capable, but she can be a bit reckless. I'll need to keep stopping her. That's part of my responsibility as her guardian.

"Master, I'm going to fix my hair for a bit."

After our dungeon exploration, we return to our usual tavern. As soon as Yuel goes to the bathroom, Ruruka from the mobile clinic approaches. The timing is suspicious.

"Shiki, I got hurt. Can you heal me?"

Ruruka enters the treatment area, smiling, and closes the curtain behind her. She knows exactly what she's doing.

"This isn't Elise's clinic. A Heal costs 400 zenni."

"Come on, we can talk about the price after I show you the injury."

Ruruka starts unbuttoning her shirt, revealing her chest. The gap between her breasts is visible, and a cute, frilly white bra peeks out.

After unbuttoning a few buttons, Ruruka exposes her shoulder, where there's a scratch, as if she was scratched by something sharp.

"Isn't this a very small injury?"

"The cost is determined by the type of magic used, not the size of the injury."

I say this dismissively, but it's part of the negotiation.

—But what does Ruruka think of this?

The expression she had when we were in the dungeon the day before yesterday. It was as if she was jealous of Yuel.

I used to think she didn't care about such things as long as she got paid, but now I'm not so sure. This might be a good opportunity to find out.

How far will Ruruka go? That will give me some insight. Or rather, I want to see how far we can go since I think she might have feelings for me.

"Really, it's a very small injury. Look at it more closely."

Ruruka stands up and leans forward. Her cute face is right in front of mine. When I look down, I see the gap between her breasts. Her large breasts sway under the force of gravity.

"Look at it more closely," she says, but I've already healed the injury with a Heal. She's still going, though. It's a sign of a certain level of trust.

Still, it's a good view. But today, I need to see how far Ruruka will go. I can't stop here.

"Hmm, I can't see it clearly."

"Ah, well, I guess I can't help it."

Ruruka looks around, then closes the curtain gap again and turns to me. Her face is slightly flushed.

"If you can't see it, you can touch it to check."

She grabs my hand and pulls it to her chest.

"Mm..."

My fingers feel the softness of her breast through her shirt. The pressure of my palm on her chest makes it visible through the gap in her shirt. Ruruka is looking away, blushing.

We've done this before, but the thought that she might have feelings for me adds a unique spice. I feel paralyzed.

But this is the usual routine. Normally, this is where she would negotiate a discount and end it. However, now it's important to see how far we can go.

"Through the shirt, I can't tell."

"Ah? Um... hmm."

Is this too much? She's hesitating. She's blushing and looking at me nervously, hesitating.

"Hey, Shiki..."

Ruruka speaks. Her fingers are soft, and her voice is sweet and seductive.

—But my mind is already elsewhere.

Our eyes met.

"..."

Yuel is back.