Spec Up (2)
No chomping or slurping sounds echoed through the room. Kaya woke up shortly after I'd brought the food in, leading to a brief commotion over her nudity, but she soon slipped into light clothes. Now we were each quietly polishing off two portions apiece.
They ate quickly—befitting the phrase "quietly devouring"—but compared to my messy self, their manners were... dignified, let's say.
"Captain, you're not a kid—why do you keep spilling?"
Suddenly, Shae reached for the corner of my mouth, scooped up a tiny bit of meat on her fingertip, and popped it into her own mouth with a flick of her tongue.
Isn't this something lovers do? My face burned; until recently, I'd had zero romantic experience, let alone much human contact.
"Shae!"
"It didn't fall on the floor, did it? Hehe."
Not that—the point is Kaya's staring daggers at you! Not quite her dungeon-level glare, but definitely not normal, either!
Whether Shae noticed or not, she fished a chunk from her own bowl and held it out to Kaya.
Kaya's eyes widened at the spoon thrust suddenly toward her.
"Sis. Ahh~"
"Shae."
"Ahh~"
Shae beamed, extending her arm further. Kaya looked genuinely troubled—not that she hated it, but Shae's sudden friendliness felt awkward after the glare from moments ago.
If Shae was doing this on purpose, it was masterful. If not, that was impressive in its own way. One spoonful had flipped the potentially awkward vibe on its head.
"Sis, my arm hurts."
Shae whined playfully, feigning soreness, and Kaya relented with a sigh, accepting the spoon. Then, just like she'd done to me, Shae wiped Kaya's lips with her finger—and sucked it clean!
"Wh-what?!"
Kaya yelped in shock, and I gawked just as hard. Shae just grinned innocently, like nothing was wrong.
"Tasty, right?"
Shae, you terrifying woman!
After finishing the meal and cleaning up, we gathered on the bed again for a proper reckoning. I laid out everything from this dungeon run: piles of gold coins and three artifacts that dazzled the eyes.
Even seeing it again made me blink; for them, seeing it fresh? Kaya and Shae's mouths hung open in awe.
"Just the gold's over 200 coins. And these three? Artifacts. You know what those are, right?"
They nodded dumbly, eyes glued to the glittering pile like they'd forgotten reality.
"We'll appraise the artifacts, keep any that suit our hero party, sell the rest. Objections?"
They shook their heads blankly.
Haha, yeah.
Zone 1 rewards like this—what'll Zone 2 bring? Shows how pure they are.
No negative traits like greed or hoarding; long monastery lives meant classes aside, they'd shunned wealth and luxury.
Might be a sight they'd never see again—better memorize their faces now.
"Two big things."
"Yes. Listening."
"We're all ears!"
Snap—the gold trance broke; they straightened, focusing on me. A smug satisfaction welled up inside.
"First: our levels have shot up big time."
"Ours, Captain?"
"Yeah. All three of us were Level 1, right?"
"Yes!"
Nods. Three Level 1 heroes clearing Zone 1 as a node rush in two turns? Even for parties with mid-difficulty dungeons and return options, that's no joke.
Most heroes entered not for purging horror, but loot—hit-and-run, bail at profit. Only deeper dives when greed peaked.
No official records, but our party's clear speed had to crack the top 10.
"Updating records? They'll freak. Training hall staff too. So stay cool, no chit-chat—just check levels and back to the inn. Or take personal time till dinner. Sound good?"
"Yes, Captain! I'm in."
"Captain not coming?"
"Got stuff to scout."
Artifacts? I could explain now, but for clean buy-in, I'd pay for appraisal. They trusted me, but my gamer-sense was another reveal entirely.
Plus, Zone 2 needs a fourth. Reveal to all or not at all—info gaps breed friction.
Stick to Seilroom norms till then.
"Here—Kaya's. Shae's."
I split the pile in half; trisected the rest, handing ~33-35 coins each.
"Captain, this."
"Half's party funds; rest, pocket money. Buy what you want, eat what you crave. But no gear repairs—that's party cash."
"Whoa..."
"Too much, Captain. Can I even take it?"
Shae beamed; Kaya hesitated. Fair—days ago, short a few silvers for a night, we ran an instance. Now dozens of times that...
Don't erase the past, but don't cling either.
"We earned it. Epic feats. Hell, considering the pain? This is chump change."
"Captain..."
"Spend on yourself. No one's judging. Or should I order you?"
She shook her head, cradling her gold tenderly.
"I'll... use it well."
"Good. Whatever on."
"Hmhmhm~ Hmhmhm~ Hm~ Hm~ Hnng~"
Shae, coins pocketed, was buzzing. She tugged Kaya—who'd stood awkwardly—and waved bye.
Few hours alone, huh. Since dropping here, solo time? Just day one, fumbling in shock.
Post-Kaya recruit? Companions felt normal. So this brief solitude felt odd.
Not a kid, not dawn—why the sudden mood?
"Ahem. Time to scout our fourth."
No audience, but I said it aloud. Awkwardness lingered.
In Long Terror, recruiting meant hero support office pickups or rare encounter events.
Low odds for gems there, honestly.
Available heroes? Low-level newbies, flawed, or desperate rejects.
Still, check—like with Shae's luck. Only option otherwise.
Who knows? Another genius, hidden gem?
Slow clear speed worth it? Grind Zone 1 remnants for parity. Less rewards, but...
"Welcome. Applying?"
"No. Recruiting."
No pipe dreams. Back at hero support, same clerk, same script.
"Party cert... Hmm?"
Mechanical till he scanned my face—clapped, words tumbling.
"Ah, you! The gray-half-elf guy!"
"Uh, yeah."
True, but stung.
"Man, wondered who'd take her—headache till you did! Worth it?"
"What? Pity?"
Irked. Headache? My tone chilled; he blabbered on.
"Nah, half-heal, weak vs. men, green, no lore, no cash. Tons of desperate Seilroom newbs, but that hopeless? First. Rules tied our hands—bam, you snag her!"
"Ah. Yes. Very. Well. Done."
Any fondness vanished; wanted to smash that sneering mug.
You dare trash Kaya? Felt body-shattering pain? Mind-devouring terror? Slew even one grotesque heretic? Faced horror? Seen heroic steps against it, asshole?
Relax. Relax.
Regretted the recognition. He yapped "expert" from newbie wrangling—loud, empty. Missed Kaya's brilliance; manners nil.
"So that hero..."
"Sorry, appointment soon—short on time. Hero list?"
"Tch. Sure."
Hoping never to see this motormouth again, I scanned profiles.
Yuren
Race/Gender: Human Male
Class: Guardian
Crap...
Human male Guardian. Theoretically top tank—highest defense class, no human/male armor penalties.
But taken.
I got Shae! Consoled myself: too vanilla vs. her.
Page by page, no hits. As expected—too bland for max-diff, or flaws if decent. Zone 1 flashbacks... no compromises.
Regretful, but tiny flaws become chasms in dungeons. Patience.
Suppressing disgust, polite exit. Detour to gear and training halls next.
Praying upgrade quotes don't make me curse.