Unexpected Test of Patience
“Senior.”
“Yeah?”
“Where are we headed, sir?”
It was a perfectly natural question that suddenly popped into her head.
Thanks to Lete's query, I recalled the layout of the Sand Sea dungeon once more. Then I casually dropped a hint.
“I'm looking for any unusual structures first. From my experience in dungeons so far, places with a Monolith were never ordinary.”
“Ah! Got it-imda!”
“To list a few: buildings crammed full of thorny vines, or luxurious succubus mansions.”
“Surviving two dungeons like that...! You're the real deal, senior-imda!”
“This makes three now, so maybe I'm starting to look like a proper senior.”
Lete admired my boldness. She didn't see my repeated dungeon entanglements as bad luck.
Even a situation that could be called misfortune—she never complained about it. That straightforward attitude made her heart race.
“I know aimlessly wandering around feels daunting, but bear with me. We don't have a better way right now.”
“Of course-imda! Wandering like this might let us rescue some regular folks caught in a Monolith too-imda!”
“Put a positive spin on it, and it's killing two birds with one stone.”
For now, head to high ground with a wide view.
Climb a massive sand dune, survey the surroundings, then hop to the next one. Repeat.
After finishing the routine and descending the slope, I halted.
“Incoming. Just one, so hang back, Lete.”
As I finished speaking, I gripped the hilt of the sword slung on my back.
Only then did Lete sense the faint vibration.
─Tskrrrk!
This ambush came from the front, not below. A needlefish shot toward me like an arrow.
I tilted my upper body, drew my sword, and extended my foot in one motion.
Then swung horizontally.
─Tskrk?
The needlefish's body split in half and thudded into the sand.
Not grasping what hit it, the monster flopped in pieces before dying.
“Shall we keep going?”
“Y-Yes... yep!”
I sheathed my sword as if nothing happened and strode on casually.
Lete followed, replaying that split-second exchange in her mind.
I could barely even see it. Senior's definitely gotten stronger.
Even back at the shopping mall, Rohan had been strong.
But now, it was a whole different league. His overall prowess had clearly leveled up.
Swinging that long sword one-handed, the arc was hard to track with the eye.
Having grown up in a small dojo run by a martial family, Lete knew.
No matter how elite Orion Academy was, that kind of change came from personal, dedicated effort.
And most of all...
What impressed her about Rohan's growth wasn't flashy skills.
It was the extraordinary feel from his simple, fundamental movements.
Lete herself had grown rapidly thanks to her skill, but Rohan was different.
Every fight left her in awe.
How much time passed with just fighting, moving, and chatting?
“Hm?”
Leading the way, I narrowed my eyes at something, then shifted direction.
“Did you find something-imda?”
“Gotta get closer to tell.”
Following me, Lete spotted a swarm of tiny fish-like monsters wriggling together.
“Senior?”
“Looks like my hunch was right.”
As we approached, the monsters fled into the sand.
Revealing a corpse that had been their food source.
“Lete, look away if it's too much.”
“I'm okay-imda...!”
The poorly preserved body had died with eyes wide open.
I closed them gently, then scanned around.
“The wounds are too clean. Not bitten by fish-types or stabbed by needlefish.”
“Maybe other monster types besides the fish ones-imda.”
“That's possible too, but there's another angle.”
Lete blinked, drawing a blank, at my words.
I pointed to the neatly sliced wounds.
“See here on the chest and gut? Clean cuts through bone and organs in a straight line. Deep blade wound. High chance a person—or a monster with weapons or claws—did this.”
“...!”
The girl's eyes widened round.
She got my point loud and clear.
“Lete, remember this: sometimes people are the real problem, even more than monsters. Same deal outside dungeons in extreme situations.”
“Yes-imda!”
“Honestly, no clue what happened here. Just know stuff like this happens all the time in dungeons.”
“I'll remember-imda...!”
I'd drilled in that half-measures won't cut it—you gotta be decisive when it counts. Then I took the lead again.
⋯
⋯
As the desert sun set and the temperature cooled.
A temple-like building entered our view.
“Finally found one.”
“Ooh! Something weird for real-imda!”
We headed straight for it without hesitation.
A sturdy ceiling and spacious interior with echoing acoustics welcomed us. Dark without light, but no big deal for us.
With senses sharp, we inspected every inch.
No hidden monsters or traps.
“Let's rest here tonight.”
“Lucky we found a spot like this-imda!”
Perfect for dodging morning sun and night chills.
Could even have anyone we rescue wait here.
Lete gathered dried twigs and plants from outside.
I roamed, seriously tracing the temple walls.
“Looking for something-imda?”
“Just double-checking, you know.”
“As expected...! So thorough-imda!”
I chuckled at her sparkling eyes and finished up.
Not this one.
Strikeout. Not the temple we sought.
Still fine. Great shelter in the real world.
“Lete, dinner first?”
I activated my Shop skill, pulling out drinking water and combat rations.
A luxurious spread unimaginable in a dungeon. Lete gulped.
“No need to hold back. You earned it by taking down monsters.”
“Compared to you, senior, I barely got any... embarrassing-imda...”
“That's plenty.”
Her points alone topped 100.
Enough to feed her as much food and water as she wants.
While waiting for the rations to prep, we built a fire.
Warm light filled the dim temple.
“Eat up, then crash. Walk and fight all day—you're beat, right?”
“Got it-imda! Thanks-imda!”
The rations vanished fast, tasting great even for first-timer Lete.
Downing a bottle of water, I sighed contentedly and started rest protocol.
“You first, Lete?”
“Not sleepy yet-imda! You go ahead-imda!”
“Cool. Timer on my phone? Set it and wake me.”
“Yep!”
Handing her the phone, I unbound my back-sheathed sword.
Placed the hard scabbard on the floor as a pillow.
Head down, I was out quick.
“...”
Lete quietly watched me sleep soundly in the dungeon's harsh space.
Tired? Or just sleeps anywhere type?
Is this the composure from experience? Even on watch, it took guts.
“Heehee...”
Just seeing my sleeping face made her grin. Watch duty would fly by.
About 10 minutes after I dozed off.
Lete faced an unexpected issue.
“Eek!”
Unlike the brick house where I insisted on keeping distance from friends, sharing space brought this.
Big trouble... This is real trouble...!
Simple yet serious situation.
Her mana, gained from the skill, carried a succubus-like aura that stimulated men.
Asleep, I only reacted to killing intent or hostility—none from Lete, so fully exposed.
My healthy lower half reacted.
The swelling, like retaliation, exuded potent yang energy that teased her succubus instincts.
The cycle fed back, repeating endlessly.
Testing Lete's patience without mercy.
Couldn't distance herself here.
Didn't want to, and too far meant watch duty pointless.
Turning off mana entirely? No way.
Had to stay ready for threats.
This is mental training. Mental training. Mental training...
For Lete, blissful torture.
Reason and instinct warred wildly in her head.
Taste senior's essence, and it's irreversible... Game over!
Succubus instincts whispered.
Rohan's essence was incomparable gourmet among men.
Sense said tasting the world's best would ruin her for anything else.
“Ah.”
Black crept into Lete's eyes.
One realization fueled rationalization. Instinct quietly broke reason's hold.
I've never cared for anyone but senior anyway... So it's fine, right...?
Before meeting Rohan, she'd resolved that.
Avoid loathed men's essence, train steadily to grow strong.
But his? No disgust—just hot lower belly thrill.
Her gaze shifted.
Skill could suck it discreetly... He looks uncomfortable too...
That straining pants. Unrelieved desire must hurt.
Her aura caused it—should take responsibility, no?
Gulp.
The girl's rationalizations raced on.
“...S-Senior. Time to switch-imda.”
“Mm...?”
I woke to odd refreshment and a surprise achievement update.
Lete, after waking me, didn't sleep—instead hurried to a corner.
Lifting her baggy hoodie, she checked her belly. Eyes went wide.
Smooth lower abdomen now bore a heart-shaped tattoo-like mark.
Black pattern, bottom part filled with faint pink glow.
Wh-What do I do...!
The realization hit hard: she'd gone and done it.