6. After Finishing Camp Setup in Dungeon Agales
After finishing our camp setup in Dungeon Agales, we wrapped up dinner prep with a simple soup of veggies and meat, meat skewers grilled on sticks we'd brought along, and some bread we'd packed.
"What the hell is this? Looks decent enough, surprisingly."
"Just whipped it up. Speak up if it's not enough."
"Yeah? But looks can be deceiving. I'm pickier than you think."
"Bullshit. Picky, my ass."
Like she'd chew up an earthworm off the dirt. I portioned the food onto plates and trays, handing Bella's off first. No special reason—just hoping she'd scarf it down quick and crash. And yeah, Bella deserved it. She'd yapped nonstop while Cheong-ah and I set up camp. Seriously nonstop. Hell, Cheong-ah even almost drew her sword from holding it in.
After grabbing shares for Cheong-ah and myself, we sat across from Bella and dug in.
"...Oh. Hey, what the fuck, Ian. You little shit."
"Why the cursing again, you psycho? What's up?"
"Why the hell are you an adventurer? Damn. This is... Ian, if I take back my kingdom, wanna be the royal head chef?"
"What's with the drama? Hell no, you think I'm nuts? Work under you?"
"Aw, too bad. If you ever change your mind, just say the word. I'd hire you in a heartbeat."
As if I'd ever. I'd rather drown in dishwater. Working under her? My sanity wouldn't survive.
I glanced at Cheong-ah, quietly eating her share without joining the chatter. I wanted to ask about what she'd said in the dungeon earlier—something about accepting Bella as one of my women—but with Bella still blabbing and Cheong-ah hating mid-meal talk unless it was drinks, I just stared awkwardly instead.
...It's bugging me. What the hell did she mean?
"What's wrong, hubby? Something on my face?"
"Uh, what? No, nothing. Just... sorry."
"Hehe... You're no fun."
"Hey, Ian. We get it, your wife's hot, but stare any harder and you'll burn a hole through her face. What's the deal?"
"It's not that. Just eat, both of you. Sorry."
"Yes, hubby."
"Ha, check out the temperature difference."
Grumbling a curt reply, I focused on my food. My head was a mess. Meanwhile, I snuck a peek at Bella. Fierce-looking, sure, but damn if she wasn't a beauty. The eyepatch and scar beneath bugged me a bit, but it meshed with her wild vibe into some feral charm. Those lion-mane wild red locks had their own appeal too...
My eyes drifted naturally to her lips, greasy and gleaming from the food.
To buff her, I'd have to kiss those... No, snap out of it, Ian. You losing your mind at last? Watch her eat first, idiot.
Bella devoured her meal like a beast—total opposite of Cheong-ah's dainty, elegant bites.
"Damn... Ian, you fucking wizard. Meat's grilled perfect, just right."
"Hey, tone it down. Finish first—it's splattering everywhere."
"Oh, that? Sorry. Not on purpose. Your food's just that good."
"Uh, yeah...? Sure, happens. Glad you like it."
What the—why's she apologizing so easy? Not like her. Stunned, I mumbled back, and she flashed a playful grin like nothing happened.
"Hehe. Kid's embarrassed. What, should I call you 'bro' next time I want food?"
"Shut up, you nutjob. 'Bro'? Cringe as hell."
"Kuhaha, so cute."
The meal wrapped amid swirling thoughts. Cheong-ah insisted on dishes. Bella, predictably, plopped by the fire, waving her one arm as excuse.
"Hold up."
"Hm? What's up?"
"Uh, got another new gadget."
"...A magic tool?"
"Yup."
Stopping Cheong-ah with her plates, I rummaged and pulled out a watering-can-looking magic tool.
"This one's like a showerhead—twist here for auto-water. But it's got extras."
"Eh... like what?"
"Ahem. See, dial on the handle..."
Hot steaming water burst from the spout, blasting grease off a plate into the dirt.
"Oh my."
"Then twist back."
Blue-tinted water poured out, foaming clean. Magical natural detergent—eco-friendly, breaks down on its own. Rinse with hot, cold, repeat a few times—done.
"All set. No wet hands."
"Handy. But, hubby."
"Yeah?"
"How much?"
"Uh, what?"
Cheong-ah asking prices? She never cared about magic tools before. Caught off-guard. But I could boast this time.
"Not bad. One gold coin."
True bargain. But Cheong-ah's tone sank unexpectedly.
"Hmm... One gold's 'not bad,' huh?"
"Uh, yeah? For a magic tool, that's cheap..."
"You know one gold's our monthly rent, right, hubby?"
Her head tilted, eyes half-lidded with a chill edge. Not fear—something cool, uneasy. Nails on chalkboard vibes.
"Th-that..."
"Since when's one gold pocket change for my hubby?"
"...Uh, uh."
Stammering, I stepped back. She advanced.
"Hubby."
"Y-yeah."
"I'll handle the money from now on."
"...Okay."
"Need something? Ask me first, shop together."
"Got it, will do."
"And I'll give you pocket money monthly—no sulking."
"Huh? Pocket money? How much?"
"Three gold a month... should suffice?"
§ Evening. Time for watch rotation. Bella volunteered first.
"I'll take the long shift."
"Huh...?"
"Don't 'huh' like an idiot. I slacked on camp and cooking. So I'll cover more watch."
Didn't know she had that considerate side. Actually, yeah—Bella's rough talk and wild actions hid some depth. Her so-called loyalty? Jury's out.
"It's 9 PM now, wake at 6 AM?"
"Yeah. Breakfast, chill, dive back in at 7 or 8."
"Cool. Eleven hours total—I'll do five."
"Five hours? You sure?"
No way she'd last without tanking tomorrow's dungeon run. Thought she'd offer one or two. Frontline fighter like her? Five's too much.
But Bella thumped her chest.
"Ian, I'm your big sis. Think a measly six-hour watch wears me out?"
"Uh, yeah, probably."
"Smartass. Don't worry—won't drag tomorrow. I'll take first shift, cool?"
"Sure. Then Cheong-ah second, me..."
Cheong-ah cut me off with a headshake.
"No, I'll do second. You take last, hubby."
"Why? Second's the rough middle wake-up."
"Fine by me. Not that tiring."
"Cheong-ah, if it's for my sake, don't. I can handle watch."
"Hehe... Not consideration. Got my reasons for second."
"Alright, fine."
Shifts set, we left Bella to her first watch and ducked into the left tent of our two. Before sleep, I fed Cheong-ah tonight's load to refresh her sensory link cooldown... Eyes shut, soon her breathing evened out.
I stared blankly at the sound. Sleep wouldn't come tonight.
...Maybe step out for air.