Exploration!
"Ugh... My jaw feels like it's gonna fall off..."
While waiting for Als in front of the shop, Lizbet rubs her jaw and glares at me.
Guess it was too big after all. Hell, I didn't even think the tip would fit in her mouth. They're not exactly like Earth humans—more like a different species altogether. Who'd have thought a blowjob straight out of some 19+ comic was even possible here?
As I soothe Lizbet with those thoughts swirling in my head, I spot Als approaching from afar with a smile. His arm bandage is off, so he looks like he's recovered nicely.
The moment Lizbet sees him, her face lights up briefly—then darkens, like something just hit her. Probably remembering what happened earlier. A grin creeps onto my face unbidden. Things are going exactly according to plan.
"Hey, Liz. Sema. Everyone doing okay?"
"Oh, Als. You look better. We've been fine over here."
"Als, how's the body holding up?"
We greet him casually enough and head into a fairly large restaurant building. It's one of the places I scoped out while wandering the city—one big enough to fit my horse body.
After ordering, I flop down by the table and ask about his progress. His face brightens as he boasts about his gains.
"My Hero Fighting Spirit leveled up to 3. I was worried it wouldn't, but it looks like the timing was right."
Hero Fighting Spirit level 3, huh. I still don't have a solid grasp on what that means in terms of power, but honestly... did that really make him stronger? Even at level 3, won't he just tire out after a minute or so like last time?
"Lucky you. Thanks to Sema's help, I leveled up a bunch too. Haven't checked my stats yet, but I'm at 24 now."
Lizbet, who'd been riding me like her personal taxi, powered through levels in the Cursed Mountain Range—five whole levels in a week. Considering the loot and XP from monsters around here, that's impressive. Als's shocked expression proves it.
"Five levels in a week? That's insane, Liz. You've totally lapped me in levels."
If she'd just leveled up obediently, I wouldn't have messed with her all week, and she'd have probably grinded alongside him. I click my tongue inwardly and ask about the next goal.
"Yeah. I wanna track down the Hero Eater."
This guy's still not right in the head. After getting wrecked like that, he wants to chase it down?
"Als, that's too dangerous."
See? Even Lizbet's freaking out and trying to stop him. But Als's face is set, determined.
"No, from fighting it last time, I felt like... I couldn't handle it alone, but the three of us? We might have a shot. The veteran hero probably got ambushed while catching his breath after charging in solo."
Even if that's true, it wasn't some pushover. This guy always aims too high.
"Adventurers coming to the breeding ground said a bounty quest went up—open to all guilds. Reward's 50 gold coins. Lord’s soldiers and mid-tier guilds are already sweeping the Radia area."
"Sweeping, huh? So how do we even find the damn thing?"
50 gold's no joke—maybe 500 million won back home? They must be serious. But if no one's found it yet...
Other guilds have been hunting for over a week. It's probably long gone or holed up somewhere.
"From the scenery outside the dimensional gate it escaped through..."
"No. Not this time."
As Als and I lean in to check the quest details, Lizbet cuts in with a stern face.
"Al's just barely recovered. I can't approve something this risky. Our job with the Hero Eater's done—we found it. No one assigned us the quest, and big guilds are on it already. Why risk our necks?"
Her face is half worry, half anger. Makes sense—she's gotta be stressed seeing him jump into danger right after healing.
"......I wanna regain my confidence, Liz."
Als looks apologetic at her expression, pauses thoughtfully, then lays out his true feelings with a serious face.
"Before becoming an adventurer, I was chosen as a hero. I thought we'd grow faster than anyone, rack up achievements, and our names would spread across Radia and the whole kingdom in no time. But a year in... I've hit a wall, and my power barely scratched the Hero Eater. It's crushed my confidence."
"......"
The anger fades from Lizbet's face as she listens intently, her expression turning grave.
"Even if we don't take it down, if we accomplish something, I think I can get my confidence back. I know it's dangerous, but I want to break through this wall and become a man you and my hometown folks can be proud of... Liz."
"Als..."
Lizbet's expression softens, a hint of emotion flickering in her eyes. Guess she gets why he's been so antsy. But can they really handle a Hero Eater? That thing was just finishing phase 1 when it seemed down. Plus that black orb that hit me—who knows what else it's packing?
To regain confidence... still seems like a suicidal matchup.
"...Fine. But two days. You rest two more days. If it hasn't been subjugated by then, I won't stop you. And if we find it, promise you'll run if it gets dangerous."
"I promise. I'm not throwing my life away. I won't worry you like that, Liz."
Watching them exchange these vows stirs something dark inside me. In my mind, Lizbet's already my bitch. Who the hell does he think he is? Rage bubbles up. Didn't expect to feel this possessive watching them. Ever since I acknowledged my desires, the guilt's faded a lot.
A man to be proud of...? Hah. Als, don't assume Lizbet'll still be yours by then. I'll steal her one way or another.
After reuniting with Als, we took two more days off before deciding to track the Hero Eater.
Spent those days gathering info at the Guild Management Office and prepping in the shopping district. Truth be told, tagging along was partly 'cause I didn't wanna leave Lizbet and Als alone. Staying in the same inn dulled the threat, but I wasn't about to let them have some cozy date.
Days were for rest and gear checks; nights, I'd call Lizbet to the warehouse and have her relieve me orally. First night, she hesitated from the intimidation, but by the second, she just went for it—pure satisfaction. She did turn her face away at the end to dodge the cum, though. Can't blame her there.
Still, a woman with a boyfriend sucking a monster dick? Refusing that setup is the real shocker. Back on Earth, sans any bitch skills, a 20-something in a relationship doing that with an animal? She'd pass out.
"So, the dimensional gate the Hero Eater escaped through... I think it's around here."
In the corner of the Guild Management Office restaurant, Als points at a map spread over a wide table.
Several circled spots on the map are his guesses from the hazy outer scenery in that gate. The one he's pointing at is northwest of Radia—nowhere near the dungeon.
Totally different spot...
"A dungeon gate leading that far away? Dimensional gates don't usually do that, right?"
"Usually not... Never heard of one spawning away from the entrance like that. No guarantee it'll pop nearby. But based on the background, this is the most suspicious spot."
Other guilds hunting the Hero Eater are focusing south around the dungeon. Still, it's all guesswork—odds of finding it are slim. It's been nearly ten days since it slipped away.
"You both remember what I said, right?"
Lizbet reminds us firmly of her initial terms, face set.
Heading northwest is for quests solvable nearby. Hero Eater search is secondary—if we spot it and it's risky, run and report to the Guild Management Office. Search lasts three days max. End it if nothing turns up.
Those were Lizbet's conditions for allowing this.
"Got it, Liz. Don't worry."
Als said something similar in the dungeon...
"Good. Let's head out."
With that, I carry the two and set off—for quests and the Hero Eater hunt.