Sour Grapes
What the hell should I do with this loser?
"Uh... so you two are dating now?" Leon's face twisted in disbelief as Tier and I both nodded.
"Yeah, it just kinda happened that day." With the whole party gathered, I explained the development with Tier straight-up. Tier had already been hovering closer to me than before, flaunting our lover status—what could I do?
Everyone except Leon already knows anyway.
I laid it out matter-of-factly, and Leon's face drained white. By the time I finished, he was forcing a smile, barely hiding the mix of absurdity and emptiness in his eyes. The prick thought he owned the world—and Tier was his by default.
What a fucking moron.
Tier, oblivious to him, wrapped her tail around my waist like she was fanning the flames, while Daphne—who'd known all along—grinned warmly at us. Happy times for everyone but Leon.
"Anyway, we couldn't climb the tower that day because of... circumstances. Won't happen again, so don't worry." With that, Tier and I apologized to Leon and Daphne. It was our fault things had kicked off, after all.
"No way! The party's getting closer—that's great! Hehe." Daphne beamed, thrilled her friend had found happiness. Tier, grateful for her help, clasped her hand with a smile. The picture-perfect scene had my lips twitching upward without thinking.
If only my dick was between them...
As the rest of us basked in bliss—resigned to our relationship being irreversible—Leon straightened his stiff face and spoke up. "Yeah, congrats to both of you. Like Daphne said, a tighter party is the best."
His eyes raked over Daphne with forced enthusiasm—his intentions obvious as day.
He's probably jerking off to the idea that Daphne's the better catch anyway.
Classic sour grapes from a beta cuck. Rotten or ripe, eat it and you're full. Plus, fresh grapes are packed with vitamins—good for the body. Probably.
With everyone but Leon riding high, things wrapped up quicker than expected. We shifted to discussing the tower climb ahead.
"So, start from the third floor today?"
"We're in good shape—let's grab a quest on the way. Goblins are always in demand; we can pocket some extra cash."
Monster magic stones paid well, but byproducts were decent too. The party nodded eagerly.
"Quest first, then." I scratched Tier's tail as she chimed in agreement, and she leaned into me harder—adorably so. I glanced back just in case, and sure enough, Leon shot me a look laced with envy and regret.
Grapes taste fucking sweet.
Decision made, we headed to the Adventurer's Guild. It was packed with folks like us, buzzing like a flea market. Classic guild vibe. The party's faces lit up with excitement. We'd cleared the first two floors, gaining some grit—we wove through the crowd with novice confidence toward the bulletin board.
We were newbies under floor 10. Open fields up top, but low floors had plenty of quests posted.
"How's this?" Leon peeled one from the corner and showed it off. Sticking to Daphne's side to show off—annoying as hell.
"Hmm... 100 goblin thumbs. Yeah, looks good."
We'd bagged about 30 goblins on floor 2. Factoring the tower's expanding floors, we'd hit it on floor 3 and finish early floor 4. Tier and Daphne nodded; Leon strutted to the counter triumphantly.
"Hope he doesn't flop again..." I muttered. Tier and Daphne's faces shifted subtly.
"But quests like that are tough for four newbies to split without straining." Daphne smiled wryly. Unlike me, cash mattered big-time to rookie adventurers. Day-to-day grind, right?
Needling Leon's limits like this—stirring real frustrations—something was bound to blow eventually.
"Take my cut, boss." Tier's bright voice snapped me out of it. She fidgeted, gauging my reaction. Quest accepted, she was done pretending—boss or lover, no holds barred.
I stroked her side; she squirmed bashfully.
"Tier, aren't you changing too fast?"
"W-what'd I do?!" Desperate not to snap at me in front of Daphne, Tier clamped her mouth shut. Cute.
While I enjoyed the two beauties bickering, Leon returned from registering the quest. "Let's go—don't be a public nuisance."
The guild adventurers had watched their antics fondly, like doting grandparents. But Leon barked nonsense the second he arrived, drawing glares from the guys. He blinked, clueless.
Disgusting prick.
+++
Ravina Tower, floor 3. Past the familiar manager, we entered—the cave wider than floor 2, welcoming us.
"Light."
Leon lit the lantern cover right away. Had to, or he'd be less than human. Vision secured, Tier and Daphne took positions smoothly. Rear guard as always—Leon, meat shield, waited eagerly for orders, eager to redeem his past fuckups.
I nodded; we advanced. Hiding my strength—what was there to fear? Ignoring the party's worried glances, I strode boldly. Tier's adoring gaze spiced it up, pushing me harder.
Dripping water echoed ominously—how far had we gone when Tier grabbed my collar?
"Boss, weird smell from the wall." Calling me boss naturally, she wrinkled her nose at the cave wall.
Trap?
Trap crossed my mind, but I shook it off. No fights so far? Better assume ambushers hiding for a jump. No point getting hit first—seizing initiative boosted morale big-time.
"Battle stations." I shared my hunch, ramping tension.
"Tier, chuck a rock at the smell to flush 'em."
"Got it."
"Leon, prep your chant. Ambush means at least ten."
"Roger."
"Daphne, heal any wounded ASAP."
"Yes!"
Roles set, Tier hurled her rock at my signal.
Clang! Clang!
Beastkin strength sent it ricocheting, echoing wildly. Not to kill—just bait.
We're onto you, you shits.
Party poised in darkness, echoes blending—then goblin shrieks erupted from the deep shadows.
""Kieeeek!!!""
Way more than guessed. Cave layout helped—me and Tier blocking front kept rears safe. Rear ambush? Irrelevant. Meat shield covered.
"Tier!"
She gripped her sword two-handed beside me. "Grrr." Golden eyes gleamed, tail fur bristling, killing intent thick.
"Undine, armor!"
A watery barrier enveloped us at Daphne's call. Curious glance back—Daphne met my eyes. "Spirit shield. It'll take one hit."
Didn't need it, but good to test her power.
Goblins swarmed into view—wall-hiders joining the front pack.
Spotting the clustered horde, Leon unleashed.
"Thunder Bolt!"
Crackling orb exploded on impact.
Bzzt! "Kieek!"
It chained, crumbling part of the pack. Stronger than before—I glanced back to see Leon panting, sweat pouring.
Fuck. Thoughtless idiot.
First fight on floor 3, and he was gassing out? Tier and Daphne frowned at him—memories of last floor's shitshow.
Sigh-worthy, but it eased frontline pressure.
"Kieeek!"
Blood-mad goblins charged chaotically. I plunged my hand into the nearest throat like tofu.
Squelch! Green blood sprayed as I yanked free. Knees, elbows—whatever worked, ironclad defense while picking them off. Fingers crushed eyeballs into brains; legs whipped joints into ruin.
Deflecting weak hits, thinning numbers—then recalling Daphne's shield, I tested it with a deliberate gap.
Got Iron Man anyway... gotta know the mitigation.
Suddenly exposed, goblins screeched, lunging for the opening.
Heart pounding in anticipation—then silver threads flashed, heads floating up.
Slash!
Tier, fearing for me, had sliced them mid-air.
"Grr." She snorted, shooting me a reproachful look. My tension melted.
Good doggo.
Tier dove into the rest, intent pouring off her. Our duo had nearly ended it—her final heads-up finished them.
"Undine, please."
Daphne washed the green gore from us post-fight. Clean clothes, bits sloughing off—I shook my head, refreshed.
"Tier."
"Yeah?"
She seemed miffed. I spoke. "Thanks, but don't jump in mid-fight."
Appreciated the worry, but separate issue. Goblin hits couldn't faze me—yet she abandoned her post. Risky for her long-term.
"S-sorry."
My firm tone had her fidgeting; a head pat and smile brightened her up. Obedient like that—no more needed.
"Never thought I'd see Tier like this..." Daphne chuckled. I shot her a look; Tier play-fought her again.
I approached Leon, slumped against the wall, heaving for breath.