First Familiar Battle
This was the prime evidence that this world had a completely different sense of ethics from my original one. It was a kind of sport where you pitted your familiars against each other. To put it bluntly, it was like dogfighting or cockfighting. In reality, animal rights groups had even sued over it seriously. Back then, I'd thought the world had gone mad.
...Compared to this, that was nothing. Absolutely nothing.
When it was just a game, it felt purely fun, but now that it was real, not so much. Especially after confirming that Slamming could think and converse just like a real person.
"Come out! Slamming!"
"Master!"
I decided to talk to her directly first. Perfect timing, too—the Magic Engineering PhD had said, "We can't battle inside, so let's head out," and left with White.
"What should I do?"
"I'll get straight to the point: can you fight?"
"...Fight?"
Her face stiffened for a moment—a natural reaction, probably. Obeying my orders and happily embracing them were two different things.
"With you, Master...?"
Wait, no? Was it okay?
"Uh... no, not with me. With another familiar."
"Yes? Isn't that obvious?"
Obvious?
"Fighting for your master is a familiar's greatest joy. That's just common sense, right?"
Common sense?
"Ahh...! S-sorry...! It's not your fault for not knowing, but I said something unnecessary...!"
"N-no, it's fine."
At least she didn't need to feel guilty. In the original game, familiars were portrayed as animals—outside of side stories, they only made cries, so you never knew what they were thinking. If she was saying it herself, there was no need to dig up some nonexistent conscience.
"Then I'll count on you in battle too!"
"Yes, Master!"
We lightly high-fived, and I put Slamming back in her card. As I walked out of the lab, I caught sight of Black's face peering through the window.
"...When did she shower?"
The golden blessing I'd given her had already washed off cleanly, and she was back to her pristine, utterly dry and fluffy state.
"..."
She was glaring into the lab.
Come to think of it, what would happen to her if I took the remaining two cards? I was curious, but clearing the game came first, so no need to gamble.
Clear the game.
Reward: Unlock all permissions
Cheating or not, I could already juggle partners without it.
*
Outside the lab, White faced me, with the Magic Engineering PhD at the center of the yard.
"Ready to start? Even if we're best friends, I won't hold back!"
Ring ring ring, ring ring ring, ring ring ring, ring ring ring!
A sudden melody rang out. This tune...!
Da~ dan! Da~ dan! Da~ dan! Da~ dan!
With the familiar, nostalgic beat, my vision went black in an instant.
When I came to...
"This is..."
We'd been dropped into a set that crudely mimicked the yard. I could tell it was the screen transition that appeared when battles started.
"Come out! Salamander!"
White on the opposite side pulled out her card and summoned Salamander. As a friendly rival, she picked a familiar with a type disadvantage to the player's choice—just like the formula in the game.
"Sal! Sal!"
The Salamander I hadn't picked earlier burst from the light, flaunting her flashy outfit and hot body.
Hmm... she looks pretty good in real life too.
But.
"Come out! Slamming!"
"Ming! Ming!"
My Slamming held her own. She emerged from the card, her watery blue hair rippling as she landed on the field. Her petite yet firm rear swaying enticingly was so cute, I wanted to rush over and bite it right then.
Wait, what's stopping me?
I stepped onto the field casually. No visible transparent barrier or anything.
"You can do this, right?"
I placed a hand on Slamming's head.
"Yes, Master! Just give me your orders!"
She was fully aware even in this state. Seeing her meet my gaze and clench her fist, I figured I should at least ask permission.
"Hang on a sec! I need to check something."
"Yes!"
She nodded brightly—probably liked the head pat.
Someone might say I had no business being leisurely mid-battle, but.
[Combat] [Equipment] [Switch] [Flee]
It was turn-based anyway. Until I chose an 'action,' the opponent couldn't move either. Unlike PvP, in-game battles had no time limit.
So.
"Sal!"
I cautiously approached the delinquent girl. Like Shifon Dog, she seemed to lack self-awareness. Otherwise, she wouldn't stay still while I groped her cheek like this.
It was surprisingly soft—hot, but not scorching. More like a boiler or electric blanket cranked up high? I'd skipped her worrying about burns due to her fire type, but it was unnecessary.
"Alright then..."
Time to take a peek inside. Let's check out that under...
"...Huh?"
As Slamming said, there was a problem. A serious one.
...The clothes won't come off?
It just fluttered slightly, like super glue held the fabric to her skin—no give at all. I thought at least leather would hurt or something, but no.
...They blocked this here?
What a shitty move. Was this developer sane? Kidnapping some poor guy and then blocking undressing in ecchi game battle scenes?
"...Hah..."
It was exasperating. A declaration I'd never get to sample the other two partners visually.
Unable to hide my disappointment, I went to White herself, the alcohol-swilling girl.
"..."
White showed no reaction either. Cheek, panties—nothing budged her.
...Maybe?
Clinging to faint hope, I hooked a finger in her panty waistband and pulled.
"...O...ohhh...!"
"A-are you okay, Master!?"
Okay? This was more than okay. It stretched elastically when tugged, and as I slowly pulled down, the smooth skin of her inner thigh was exposed raw.
...Snow white.
I'd guessed her pubes matched her white hair, but foolish me—the area beyond was breathtakingly beautiful, beyond imagination. A true white tiger.
Couldn't NTR-sex her fire-type partner, but satisfying spoils. I could lift her leg and take the panties.
Savoring the feel, I returned to my spot, panties in hand.
"D-did you check everything?"
"Yeah, something like that."
True to absolute obedience, Slamming watched it all with unwavering eyes. Probably no concept of wrongdoing. Would she react the same if I did it to her?
...Gulp... haa...
Lust and curiosity surged, but I settled for sniffing White's panties temporarily. A subtle wildflower scent—like good fabric softener? Addictive enough to wear like a mask.
Now then.
"Let's begin."
[Combat]
Foreplay over—time for the real fight.
[Normal: Tackle (40/40)]
[Normal: Glare (30/30)]
No type skills yet due to low level—colorless for now. No big deal; same for her.
[Normal: Glare (29/30)]
I pressed the button and shouted—not because the system prompted, but for the romance.
"Slamming! Glare!"
"Yes!"
Slamming's Glare!
I felt Slamming's gaze sharpen.
Salamander's Defense decreased.
Salamander looked intimidated. Pretty realistic—nice to watch.
Salamander's Tail Wag!
White's turn—Salamander shook her hips and tail at us. The no-undress rule was a real killer.
Killer.
"Eh... eh?"
Slamming's Defense decreased.
Stunned by the cute move? Slamming's dazed voice followed, and her defense dropped.
"Don't let your guard down, Slamming!"
"...Ah, yes...!"
She acknowledged, but defense didn't recover. System effect, probably.
[Normal: Tackle (39/40)]
Anyway, pep talk done—time to attack for real.
"Slamming! Tackle!"
"Ming!"
Slamming's Tackle!
Like me, her tackling was top-notch. Slamming charged and slammed her shoulder into Salamander.
Thwack!
Salamander tumbled, her [Salamander (Lv.5)] HP bar dropping. Without it, you'd never guess she was hurt—appearance unscathed.
Salamander's Tail Wag!
Salamander got up and wagged her tail instead of countering. Classic reason early-game rivals lose—one familiar each, no strategy needed.
Slamming's Defense decreased.
Wasting turns on debuffs when she needed hits—no chance of winning.
Our turn again.
"Slamming! Tackle again!"
"As Master commands!"
Thwack!
Had she learned? It landed perfectly.
Salamander takes heavy damage!
Salamander rolled a full flip.
"Ouch, that one's gonna hurt!"
White spat her scripted line, looking pissed.
Salamander's Tail Whip!
Salamander finally countered, charging in.
"Slamming! Dodge!"
"I-I want to, but... sorry...! My body...!"
She acknowledged but couldn't move—like paralyzed.
Crack!
Before I could react, Salamander closed in and whipped her cute tail like a lash.
"Kyaa...!"
Slamming screamed in pain. This crossed the line.
Attacking someone who can't move...!
Even if my girl struck first and hit vitals, I couldn't help boiling. My girl could, but theirs couldn't—because I said so.
"Unforgivable! You trash monster!"
"M-Master!"
I rushed and punched Salamander. Sung Ji-woo Punch!
Thwack!
Tougher than expected? Nah.
Tackle! (Player direct attack)
She rolled harder than from Slamming's tackle. Felt good.
But...
...No HP loss?
No damage taken. Test punch two.
Thwack!
"Sal...!"
Stomach punch—Salamander collapsed whimpering.
"M-Master! I-I'm fine! This is normal...!"
Now more experiment than concern for Slamming. No HP drop despite reactions.
"...Hold on."
But unease went beyond that. I grabbed her outer jacket.
"...Ha..."
Amazed. It came off. That fortress-like jacket, peeled like banana skin.
Easy to guess why. One difference.
...So that's the mechanic?
The lower the HP, the easier to undress.