One Week! Let's Get Out of the Dungeon
With worried faces, the adventurers who had been waiting for us outside the dungeon broke into bright smiles as they welcomed us back. I'd gotten a glimpse of the blurry outside scenery through the dimensional gate, so I figured Erebos had slipped away somewhere else. They seemed pretty relieved to see us emerge on the morning of the fourth day after a full three days inside, greeting us with genuine enthusiasm. Shortly after we exited, the dungeon entrance crumbled away silently and vanished.
Explaining Erebos was tricky—not with the vague "Erebos" from its status window, but as the Hero Eater they knew—so we shared the rough details and headed back to Radia. On the way, Als chatted seriously with who looked like the group's leader, but I didn't pay much attention. I was too busy savoring the soft, plump feel of Lizbet's ass pressing against my waist. Someday, I'd get to grab that ass for real.
As we trudged toward the city, I suddenly noticed something about the adventurers walking ahead: they were all roughly the same height. Not just similar—they had individual differences, but the gap between men and women was barely noticeable. It was the same with civilians in the city; both sexes hovered around 150 to early 170s in height, with similar distributions. And oddly, even these adventurers had flat, unremarkable builds—especially the men. Sure, mages or support roles might be scrawny, but frontline warriors with swords or spears? Just as flat. No one was too skinny or fat among civilians either, but these supposed adventurers didn't even look like your average Earth gym-goer. Kinda weird. The women all had killer figures compared to Earth standards, so why were the guys like this? Eh, whatever—probably just a different species from Earth humans.
Back in Radia, we hit the Guild Management Office, where Lizbet submitted a hefty report. The staffer confirmed that if the details checked out, it'd trigger a tracking and subjugation quest for the Hero Eater as reported. They also suggested, even though we'd filed the report, that we swing by the Lord's Castle once Als fully recovered to show our faces. With that, we left the office.
Next, we checked out a clinic nearby for Als's condition. Only Lizbet and Als went in; he emerged with his arm bandaged. From what I overheard, it wasn't too serious—his legs were just overworked muscles, so rest and meds would fix it. His arm needed a week of bandaging and minimal movement, even accounting for hero-level recovery.
"So, at least a week of rest, huh? What should we do in the meantime?"
"Well... I actually thought about it on the way back."
We were at a teahouse café with outdoor tables down near the lodging district, discussing next steps, when Als leaned in with a serious look.
"While I recover, I'm heading to the adventurer training center's practice grounds to hone my fighting spirit."
"Huh? For a whole week? Wouldn't it be better to just chill?"
"Yeah, Als. Pushing too hard could..."
It was supposed to be a recovery period—just one short week—and here he was talking about training. Wounds could reopen, I pointed out, but he shook his head.
"The basics of fighting spirit training are meditation... no physical movement involved. Might as well use this week at the center—train fighting spirit outside of meals and sleep."
Guess that chat with the leader guy on the way back was about this.
"Fighting the Hero Eater made it clear: even as a hero, I'm still too weak. I tapped into hero fighting spirit and still got pushed back. Can't have that. I need to get stronger, faster."
Anxiety flickered across his face. The thing had killed a level-50+ hero, and a level-20-ish Als held his own? That's solid—better than solid. Even a week of training wouldn't make huge gains, though... Was there a reason for the impatience?
"Liz, while I'm gone, train your mana or level up with Sema. Sema, when Liz is questing to level, take some quests with her. If something comes up, fine—but we should make the most of this week."
Lizbet voiced her worries, but Als's resolve was firm. It wasn't dangerous, so she looked reluctant but eventually nodded. We set a meetup for tomorrow morning to quest together, then I saw them off to their lodging.
"......Puhaha!"
The door shut behind them, and I couldn't hold back the laugh.
"Als... you're really helping me out here."
A week of secluded fighting spirit training? Music to my ears as the guy gunning for Lizbet. I'd figured laying the groundwork to make her my bitch would take time amid all the distractions. But a full week without Als? Game-changer. And questing just the two of us to level up? His obliviousness had my scheming side high-fiving in my head.
Plus, learning fighting spirit training was meditation explained the isekai guys' builds—even Als's middling hero stats. Simple: these isekai idiots were hooked on the one-shot high. Guild info said leveling was the main stat boost, but physical training could raise stats independently—though efficiency dropped over time. Warriors probably bulked a bit early, then switched to fighting spirit when gains slowed.
Als's hero fighting spirit was impressive—speed and power surged, like a whole new person. Regular fighting spirit users probably got solid buffs too. My guess: isekai folk chase that massive power spike, obsessing over fighting spirit. But with short duration, it's just an ace-in-the-hole ultimate—not sustainable. Base stats suck, yet they grind only the high? What they need is longer duration via levels and training, but they're skipping the grind for easy meditation highs.
That nailed the uncanny vibe I'd felt from isekai humans, my brain concluded.
"Tsk tsk tsk... Fighting spirit skills are ruining these people."
Whatever—suits me fine. Thanks to it, Als was prying his eyes off Lizbet for a week.
"Alright, what to do today... Ah!"
Afternoon sun still high—what now? Then I remembered the high-end shop where Lizbet got fitted offering custom clothes for free. Tomorrow or later, they'd said. Forgot while dungeon-diving—perfect timing. Clothes today it is.
"...Oh yeah, totally spaced asking Lizbet to squeeze me out today."
Damn. Got all excited for the week, forgot the important cum-dump appointment. No set time either, so unless I call her over, no relief. Drag someone from the lodging to fetch her?
"Eh... Bummer, but skipping today."
With Als gone a week, I could afford it. Without that, I'd have skipped days dodging suspicion anyway. Oh well.
"Time to get fitted... Tomorrow, set a schedule for when I'm in town."
Recalling the path Lizbet took, I headed to the clothing shop down in the noble district.
"Oh my, welcome, Divine Beast! We've been waiting."
Stepping inside, the shopkeeper's outfit was different from last time—but still a flashy, revealing dress. Custom design and tailoring, no doubt.
"Uh... hello, shopkeeper."
"My name's Lianna. Call me that."
"Got it, Lianna."
Her sultry smile stirred something in my chest. I'd sworn off everyone but Lizbet, yet here I was drawn to Lianna's beauty. Top-tier isekai looks: sharp yet mature face, heavy makeup and smile oozing sex appeal. Not Lizbet-level tits, but Earth guys would gawk. The dress cupped them temptingly, cleavage spilling out. Slit sides showed thighs in brown stockings and heels. And married? That ignited my urges.
Against my restraint vows, my dick buddy downstairs perked up too. Promised to behave at the door, you little shit.
"This way? It's tight here—around behind the chair..."
The shop was spacious, but not horse-me friendly. We looped to a wider spot; she fetched tape and fabric rolls.
"Let's measure right away."
"You sure? A beauty like you seeing this body... I hesitated coming, even though it's free."
Free lured me, but baring this monster felt off. Lizbet was future bitch material; others off-limits.
"Hehe, flattery? Teasing this old lady. You're mischievous, Divine Beast."
It was sincere.
"No worries. You sold pricey stuff thanks to me—and famous clients like you are rare. Just mention us around; that's profit enough."
Huh. Even simple clothes—she was angling for promo. Business savvy.
"First, off with the draped cloth?"
She removed my cover and side-bag, setting it on the table. Bare now, a bit embarrassing after so long.
She started front measurements, bending and shifting—those jiggling tits and legs were hypnotic... Then my "friend," who'd seemed tame, popped out. Thought I was safe—total ambush.
Worried she'd faint behind me, but she measured my back quietly, then squatted at my side, voice husky with excitement.
"......Your tool is incredible... So huge and manly... Haa..."
What the—? Lianna, what're you saying?
"Size aside, never seen one so vicious—even in that kind of shop... Pulsing veins visible... And the scent..."
"L-Lianna?"
Turning, her flushed face stared at my cock, tape in hand. This situation—tricky.
"If only... with a tool like this... Nngh..."
"Lianna!!"
No good—danger zone. Picturing Lizbet, I shoved down the urge and yelled her name.
"...Ah! S-sorry, Divine Beast."
She jolted up, bowing. Who knew she'd get turned on, not scared?
"S-sorry... First time seeing such a magnificent cock..."
"N-no, my bad for showing something embarrassing."
She stammered apologies. Felt like I should be the one sorry... Mature woman's lust like this?
Despite the drama, measurements done, she tailored fabric on the spot. Simple but embroidered patterns—mirror showed my horse bod looking sharp. Fitted cloth felt good too.
"Pro tailor through and through... Amazing work, Lianna."
"Hehe, child's play. No need for such praise."
"Seriously good. If not women-only, I'd commission human-form clothes."
Her designs screamed skill—men's clothes would rock too.
"......For you, Divine Beast? Happy to."
"For real?"
She nodded.
"Women-only's my dream, not a ban on men's. Regulars like you? An honor."
Sweet—easy shop to hit up. Chatted a bit; she re-bagged me. Promised to return post-humanization skill, then left.
"Though today's look... pants might be tough..."
Ignoring my lust whining to bend rules, I headed to the warehouse.