Divine Respite in the Depths
Entered the rest camp.
The rest camp receives very little influence from the dungeon.
Food intake and rest efficiency are increased in the rest camp.
Raella! Raella! Raella!
Ah, Lady Justitia too! Justitia! Justitia! Justitia!
My companions were there, but I didn't care. The rest camp appearing at this perfect timing was like rain after a drought, an oasis in the middle of a desert. How could we not cheer?
"You guys—worked hard."
"...Pardon?"
"Nah, it's nothing. Carefully set Shae down and rest for a bit. I'll set up the tents and get a campfire going as fast as I can."
"I'll help too."
"That's an order. Rest."
...Nod.
Kaya seemed to nod reluctantly. But anyone could see she needed to rest. From briefly carrying Shae on my back, her weight in that medium armor... at least 80kg, I figured. That was just an estimate, and since Kaya was also in medium armor, the actual felt weight was probably more. Holding that for tens of minutes, her body couldn't be fine.
I was fatigued too, but not as much as those two. No, even if it was the same level, it was right for me to do it. Those two were out of it right now.
Thanking the heavens once more for the rest camp in 1-9, I first pulled out the compressed firewood and lit a campfire. I moved the shivering Kaya and Shae close to the fire to warm up, then quickly set up three tents. I handed Kaya water and a towel.
"Your body's warmed up enough now, so go to that tent over there, wipe down, and come out. I'll prep food in the meantime. Oh, Shae—can you wipe her down too?"
Kaya nodded slowly. She stared blankly at the fire for a moment, then picked up Shae and headed into the corner tent.
I put water in the pot and set it over the campfire. While it heated to a boil, I roughly cleaned the dirty weapons and armor. Faint sounds of armor coming off drifted from the corner, and I dumped in powdered soup mix, dried veggies, and other rations. No need to ration—it was pointless anyway. The next room was the last.
'Fill their bellies warm and full, then sleep deep—they'll feel better.'
If nightmares kept them tossing, that'd be trouble... but in their current state, they'd probably sleep so deeply they wouldn't remember any dreams.
Bubble bubble—the soup boiling sounds were oddly healing. Then Kaya and Shae emerged from the corner tent. They'd changed into spare clothes. Their hair was messy, faces etched with exhaustion, and without medium armor, they looked incredibly frail. Like they'd faint if poked. Total zombies.
"I know you're beat and wanna crash, but eat first. Eat and sleep deep."
I even set out their bowls and utensils. Everything must feel exhausting and annoying, so the one still normal had to move.
Kaya started eating slowly after seeing me eat, but Shae just sat blankly holding the spoon I gave her.
'Shae had the strongest mentality, but once it cracks, it shatters uncontrollably...'
By raw mentality drain rate, Kaya had the edge originally. Me and Shae were similar, or Shae slightly tougher. But like bamboo that bends not breaks? The one I thought toughest ended up worst. Never expected that.
'Few games mock predictions like Long Terror.'
I shoveled down my share, then sat next to Shae and snatched her spoon, bringing it to her mouth. No reaction from Shae. Kaya was staring daggers instead.
I ignored it.
"Shae. Gotta eat. Eating gives strength to move forward. Just open and swallow."
"...Ah."
"Good girl."
Thankfully, she understood me. She registered external stimuli fine, but apathy blocked action. Simple repeat of opening for the spoon and swallowing took forever. Just soup took over 30 minutes.
I felt Kaya's gaze the whole time, but couldn't stop. Maximize recovery here. Plus, Shae's physical HP was low too—eating was mandatory.
"Shae. All done, rinse your mouth with water."
Rinsing was harder than swallowing; water dribbled out repeatedly. Apathy sunk bone-deep.
'Hope no nightmares in that state. Separate care for Shae? But interrupting rest...'
I wiped her mouth and took her to her tent. Relief hit, and a sigh escaped. Tension release? Fatigue crashed in.
Screw it, time to wipe down and prep for bed...
"...Captain."
Bed, prep...
"Uh, yeah. Kaya."
Kaya, who'd silently watched me tend Shae, approached and held out her bowl.
"Kaya. You haven't eaten a bite?"
"Me too."
She bowed her head mid-sentence. Silence didn't last.
"Me too... I want to eat."
"Well, eat then."
"Me too. I want... to eat."
"No, I mean."
"Me too. Want. To eat."
Kaya thrust her spoon at me. Fierce will in the repetition, the offered spoon.
"So... "
Haha. She wants me to feed her. Like with Shae.
I took the spoon. Fine. My responsibility too. Thanked Raella, can't neglect her daughter—mother-daughter both heartbroken.
"Say ah. Ahh—"
"...Ah."
Laden with cold soup, she shyly opened her small mouth. Slurp—
Unlike Shae, she ate well. But... each spoon pull, she sucked it clean with tongue and lips. Not normal. Her gaze locked on me always. Like protesting. Why only Shae? Why Shae first? Why not me?
'Obsession... yeah? Scary. Heavy.'
I knew little of corruption mechanics. Guessed extreme fear surfaced hidden nature/trauma. Not explicitly stated even in lore. Same class/gender/level/skill heroes didn't always get same debuff. So Kaya's 'Obsession'—innate trait warped by fear, or random? Her tone, eyes, actions screamed the former.
'Self-esteem crushed by others, leading to self-doubt/loathing. Fixer who fills it becomes obsession target.'
Plausible. Raella's timely oracle gave divine justification. To a priestess, goddess's word near immutable truth—her internal script ironclad.
By her actions, extremely, I was her second messiah...
"...Thank you. It was good."
She took ages to finish, another way. Licking/sucking spoon corners 'clean' multiple times per bite, plus blank stares midway.
'She'll improve. Corruption-induced, just endure one day.'
I forced thoughts to post-boss EXP/rewards positives. Escapism cut short.
"Kaya. Your tent's over there."
Shake shake—Kaya followed to my tent like it was natural.
"Kaya. Boss left. Real last rest. Gotta sleep deep, no telling what happens."
Shake shake—Headshake only, expression near blank. But I read unspoken:
- Sleep together. Or no sleep.
Wish I was oblivious. I'd force solo sleep despite her stubbornness. But I'm perceptive. Childhood shaped me. And...
'Complicated or not, Kaya's my first companion. And... fuck, first woman.'
Her holding condition hostage twisted my gut. But answer fixed.
"Wait a sec then. Haven't wiped down yet."
"I'll—"
Kaya cut in fast.
"I'll wipe you down."
"No, that's."
"I'll. Wipe you down."
- Hate it? Then I won't sleep.
Firm resolve to wipe me, desperate plea not to refuse. Half-half.
"...Come in."
Nod! Rare vigorous nod.
*
'This is shame, huh.'
Showers/baths in dungeon? Luxury fantasy. Best we could: wipe with water/towel. Multiple scrubs on sweat-heavy armpits, groin, feet made it bearable.
But those spots, not by me.
"Legs... spread a bit more, please."
"Ah, uh..."
Female companion—no, recent virginity-taker—wiping them? Embarrassment exploded.
- Actually like it.
'Like what...'
- So you hate it?
'...Damn.'
Couldn't deny deep inner voice. Kaya wiped me like precious treasure, thorough. Embarrassment faded to refreshment, arousal. She couldn't miss it. Magic torch lit tent bright, body exposed.
"W-wait. Not there!"
"Here too... I'll wipe."
Hesitant hand finally touched the majestic pillar stirring.
- Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!
"Shae!"
Horrific scream. Agony audible rocked rest camp. Arousal/excitement plummeted.
I jumped up, donned underwear, headed out—but froze mid-reach, spotting rigid Kaya.
Insane thought amid companion's scream: To outsider, looked like ditching devoted wife-service for mistress-crisis.
Leaving now... it'd fuck me eventually. Strongest instinct since isekai.
In underwear, I whispered to Kaya.
"Wait. I'll come back, no matter what. As fast as possible."
Her rigid head nodded faintly.
'Sorry, Kaya.'
I bolted to Shae's tent.