6. Dungeon Agales
With preparations for Dungeon Agales complete, we set off right away, following the map on the request form straight to the dungeon. It lay to the east of Leventen—the road to the Royal Capital stretched west, while south led to the Empire's border. East meant that forest, of course. The same one where Cheong-ah and I had hunted goblins for her test... and taken down an ogre for good measure.
Calling it "that forest" didn't quite capture it. We'd swung by every three days or so for quests, so it wasn't like it felt unfamiliar or long-lost. More like: Oh? A dungeon popped up here? That kind of casual shrug.
I wasn't the only one with that reaction. Bella, leading the way, glanced around the trees before sidling up to me.
"Whoa, a dungeon in this forest? You guys ever seen it before? Feels like I was here every damn day."
"Who knows. As long as we knock out the quest quick, does it matter?"
"Well... yeah, you always just blitz it and bounce. What about you, Ian?"
"Beats me."
At my answer, Bella arched both eyebrows like an angry bird and let out a mocking snort. "Kek—figures you'd have no clue."
"The hell? Starting shit out of nowhere again."
This girl—did her mouth get itchy if she didn't pick a fight with me every day? We bickered on as she kept at it.
"You didn't know either, so why rag on me?"
"Hey, it's fine if I don't know shit. I'm strong. But you? Skinny weak-ass... tsch. One slip in that dungeon, and you're deader than dead, got it?"
"No, it's my constitution—I can't build up mana in my body...!"
"Pfft, excuses. That's why you're weak, right? Admit it, punk."
"F-fuck...!"
"See? Dude always resorts to swears when he's out of ammo. Like a weak dog's all bark?"
"...Haa."
Cheong-ah watched us with a pitiful sigh, but we were too deep in it to care. My pride stung from Bella's jabs, and my competitive streak screamed I couldn't lose a word-war. Yeah, that was definitely it.
By the time our spat wound down, we'd reached the dungeon. Before heading in, I approached Cheong-ah.
"How do you wanna play this?"
No subject needed—she got it. Was I buffing her right away?
"Hm, well... should we check inside first? Using your ability immediately might tire you out, right?"
"It's our first dungeon—better safe. I'm good; let's do it now."
"Very well. If that's what you wish, my lord..."
I focused my mind, drawing up the energy. As the sticky sensation in my left hand heated up, I brought it to my face. Full buff—everything.
"...Krgh."
The nauseating feel and unrelenting pain. I shook it off quick, and power surged to my tongue. Arm around Cheong-ah's waist, lips to hers. Buff transferred.
From the side came Bella's dumbfounded voice. "The fuck? What're you two doing?"
I finished the kiss, pulled back naturally, and shrugged. Cheong-ah just blushed faintly and dipped her head.
"Problem?"
"..."
"No problem? Tch, fuck... you eye-sore married lovebirds."
I hadn't explained my ability to Bella at all. No real chance to use it till now... and how the hell do you even describe this? But we'd be partying more, relying on it. Hiding from a teammate felt off. Time to spill?
Cheong-ah met my eyes and nodded slightly. Yeah, couldn't keep it secret forever.
"Hey, don't get the wrong idea. It's my ability—don't flip out."
"Ability? You got one? Thought you were that mana-reject constitution. Excuse?"
"No, hear me out, you crazy bitch."
I calmed her rapid-fire snarls and explained steadily. Cheong-ah's original blindness, the other abilities minus sensory sharing, activation methods, etc. Skipped sensory sharing on a subtle cue from her—like she didn't want it aired. No clue why, but I respected it.
Bella's face went from "bullshit" to thoughtful as I recalled their first clash—how Cheong-ah had seemed off. Her expression twisted oddly by the end.
Finally getting it, she muttered blankly. "So... I lost back then 'cause of your ability, not just her swordplay?"
"Yeah, exactly."
"Ah, makes sense. Thought she was a mage—never saw her cast properly."
"Mage? What're you on about?"
"Hah... nvm, nothing."
She looked briefly crestfallen, staring at Cheong-ah in a daze.
"Sneaky bitch. No wonder she never flinched no matter how I swung."
"Pardon?"
"Holy shit, the gall... Fine, I lost fair and square. No room for 'cheater' gripes from a loser. Hell, you sparing me was a gift already."
"...?"
Cheong-ah tilted her head at Bella's solo monologue, drumming her own accompaniment and catching imaginary crabs from the ditch.
"Anyway, enough. Let's head in before it closes."
I cut them off and moved to enter, but Bella called urgently. "Wait—Ian!"
"Yeah? Problem?"
"Nah, no problem. Do me too."
"Do what?"
"That buff thing."
"Uh... well..."
I hesitated, and her eyes narrowed slyly. "Why? You do it for your wife but not your teammate? Unfair. C'mon, if you've got that power, share it."
"It's not that simple..."
To buff Bella, I'd need a magic stone to register her first—my ability's limit. As I started explaining, Cheong-ah hooked my arm and glared fiercely at her.
"Absolutely not. Ian's my husband. Some outsider eyeing my man?"
"Huh? No, I'm not stealing him—just want the buff..."
"Shut it, Bella. That's what you said. Kissing's for lovers or spouses—think we don't know? You, eyeing my husband's lips? Shameless hussy!"
Shring—the blade slipped from Cheong-ah's cane.
Bella flinched, scratching her head. "Ah, no... d-didn't mean it like that. Shit, yeah I did. Sorry, sorry. Calm down."
"Yeah, Cheong-ah... she didn't mean harm. Easy now."
"...If you say so, my lord. My apologies."
With me chiming in, Cheong-ah settled. Bella apologized again, then took point into the dungeon.
"Sigh, my bad. Jealousy got the better of me. C'mon, let's go."
Bella entered first. As Cheong-ah and I followed, she looped her arm in mine and murmured.
"Sorry, my lord. A woman's jealousy must pain your eyes..."
"Huh? Nah... it's fine."
Couldn't it be? Secretly thrilled she was jealous, I flashed an awkward grin. Told her it was okay—even glad—and she covered her mouth, chuckling softly into my ear.
"Don't misunderstand, though."
"Huh?"
"I wasn't really jealous."
With a cryptic smile, she strode ahead. ...Not jealous? Then what? Her baffling words left me slumping my shoulders.
(I'd learn what she meant after we cleared the dungeon.)
§
Stepping inside, humid air thick with dampness hit first. Clingy, sticky on my skin. Less gross than my ability's kickback—which was localized—but this soaked everywhere. The swamp floor squelched underfoot too. How the hell was a cave this muddy? Goddamn it...
Cursing under my breath, we advanced cautiously. Then Bella's leg sank squelch—right down.
This wasn't no tidal flat...
"Argh, fuck... what the—? Guys, my foot's stuck!"
"Hold on, I'll help."
I grabbed under her flailing arms and hauled. Squelch—out she came. Lighter than her muscles suggested.
"Wh-whoa..."
Suddenly yanked free, she stumbled into my arms. Awkward, she stammered. I just shrugged it off.
"Uh, um... hey. You're pretty strong?"
"Eh, Cheong-ah and I train like maniacs daily—stamina and strength."
"R-really? Cool. Lemme down now; I can stand."
"Sure."
"...Y-yeah. Thanks."
We pressed on warily, deeper into the dungeon.