Just Stay Like This a Little Longer...
Ian and his companions quickly passed through the second floor and reached the portal to the third.
"Hoo..."
Ian caught his breath as he stared at the wall engraved with the portal.
"Let's take a short break here."
The zombies themselves weren't difficult, but after moving nonstop all day, everyone was utterly exhausted.
"Once we go up to the third floor, it'll be way tougher. Let's camp here tonight and head out tomorrow."
A brief silence fell.
"...Sounds good."
Someone murmured softly in agreement, and the group naturally dispersed. They paired off and claimed their spots. Thanks to their boons, they could let their guard down a bit, but they still weren't close enough to fully trust each other yet.
Ian glanced sideways. Shiro was covered in blood from head to toe. Her clothes and arms were caked with dark red zombie gore, hardened in clumps. Her face was tense, probably from the fishy stench.
"...You okay?"
"Ah, yes... I'm fine."
She said that, but she didn't look fine at all.
"Come here."
Ian beckoned her closer. Shiro cautiously took a couple of steps forward, then suddenly stopped.
"...I..."
She started to speak, then swallowed her words. She averted her gaze slightly and clutched the hem of her clothes tightly.
"...The smell is... kind of strong."
Ian chuckled at the sight.
"I'm just as filthy."
Ian's own condition wasn't much better.
"...Ah."
He could see the tips of Shiro's ears turn faintly red. Ian rummaged through his bag and pulled out a book inscribed with beginner water spells.
"Stay still."
"...Yes."
"Aqua."
Plip, plop—small water droplets floated into the air. Following Ian's gaze, the ripples slowly flowed toward Shiro. The water touched her shoulder, splashing lightly as it spread and trickled down. It ran along her arm, carefully, and then—brushed past her chest.
"Eut..."
Shiro's shoulder twitched. The ticklish sensation and the cool moisture seeping in. At that subtle stimulation, her fingers clenched slightly. Once the droplets had circled her entire body, the sticky blood was cleanly washed away. All that remained was a faint dampness.
Ian took a short breath and immediately followed up with the next spell.
"Sica."
Shhh—a gentle tremor rippled through the air, and the remaining moisture seemed to seep inward and vanish. In an instant, her clothes dried out fluffy and soft. Shiro stared blankly down at her body. Not a trace of the bloodstains remained.
"...Wow..."
A soft exclamation escaped her. She bowed her head as if avoiding his gaze.
"...Thank you, Ian."
Her voice had dropped a tone lower. Ian shrugged nonchalantly.
"I need to clean up too."
Ian quickly tidied himself up, organized the area, and lit a fire. Crackle—crackle—the flames danced quietly. Staring into the fire relaxed him, and fatigue hit all at once. After finishing their camp preparations, Ian looked around. In the corner, the two sat a good distance apart. They weren't doing anything in particular, just glancing awkwardly over with stiff expressions.
Ian waved lightly.
"You two, come over here."
They both flinched at his call.
"...Us?"
"Yeah. Don't stay over there."
He beckoned again, and they exchanged glances. After a moment's hesitation—
"...Then, excuse us."
"Thank you, Ian."
They approached cautiously. Ian watched, then raised a hand to stop them.
"Ah, hold on."
They froze again. Ian lightly raised his hand.
"Aqua."
He gave them the same quick blood cleanup as he'd done for Shiro. And he immediately regretted that decision.
"A man... personally..."
Lidoem's body trembled finely.
"...washing me..."
"...Hey, wait."
Ian's expression hardened.
"Snap out of it, you idiot!"
Aymdel quickly grabbed Lidoem's shoulder and pulled her back.
"Ah, Aymdel... just a moment—"
"No."
She cut her off firmly. A moment of silence. Ian turned his head away as if avoiding their eyes.
"...From now on, Lidoem, clean yourself."
A small sigh mixed in. After the brief commotion, the four gathered around the campfire. Crackle—crackle—the flames danced quietly. Ian looked up at Aymdel.
"Aymdel. If you're planning to go to the fourth floor... you have a pathfinder boon, right?"
After the third floor, there were boons that were practically essential.
Light's Guide
Wanderer of the Crossroads
One Who Lives Until Tomorrow
At the End of That Path
Pathfinder boons that revealed the labyrinth's portal locations. Without something similar, reaching the fourth floor was impossible.
"Yes, I have it."
Ian stared at her silently for a moment before looking away.
"...Good. That's a relief."
He said that, but inwardly he sighed. He was still hesitant. Whether bringing these two along was the right call... But considering the items Aymdel had brought, it seemed necessary to check that warp gate.
"You two rest first. Shiro and I will take turns on watch."
It wasn't really consideration for them. Shiro just seemed more reliable.
"...You sure that's okay?"
Aymdel asked cautiously.
"Yes. No problem."
Ian replied curtly.
"Shiro, you rest first too. I'll wake you in four hours."
"...Understood."
Aymdel nodded slightly. Beside her, Lidoem let out a long, drawn-out sigh.
"Haa... I don't know if I can sleep..."
Ian said nothing and sat by the fire, opening his spell book. Even beginner spells like these would accumulate and eventually lead to higher-level ones. It was good to study them whenever he had time. The firelight flickered over the pages.
About three hours later, rustle—Shiro slowly rose. The sound of her sleeping bag brushing against the floor scratched the quiet night.
"Already awake?"
Ian looked up from his book and asked. Her drowsy voice carried a faint tremor mixed with fatigue.
"...Yes. I... couldn't sleep."
Shiro approached quietly. She loosely folded her sleeping bag and sat right next to Ian—closer than usual. The firelight brushed her profile. A thin blush on her cheeks stood out clearly.
Ian picked up his book again. But not a single word registered. The faint body scent tickling his nose. The slender breaths right beside him. They pushed all thoughts away.
"...Ian."
Shiro spoke first. Her voice was lower than usual, cracking slightly at the end.
"Yes?"
Ian replied without looking up. Her throat bobbed once. Shiro hesitated, then leaned in closer. Their shoulders nearly touching. Her subtle body heat seeped through the air between them.
"Actually... there's something I haven't told you."
Shiro's voice grew a bit stickier.
"Tell me."
Ian's voice lowered too. His heart was already beyond control.
Shiro took a deep breath. And drew even closer. A soft, warm sensation. Their shoulders brushing.
"Actually... there's a problem with my negative boon."
"A problem?"
Ian's voice rose slightly at the unexpected words.
"Yes... at night, my body... gets a little strange."
Shiro's words slowed as if hesitating.
"How... strange?"
Ian glanced at her. Instead of answering, Shiro bowed her head slightly. Her flushed nape glowed under the firelight. Her hand slowly rose. It lightly grasped the end of Ian's sleeve.
"...I can't hold back."
"Pardon?"
Shiro gripped his sleeve tighter. Her fingertips trembled faintly.
"...All my senses... they all wake up."
Ian's gaze wavered for a brief moment. Her boon was clearly described as 'grows stronger as night approaches.'
Shiro bit her lip lightly.
"...Everything... feels so vivid."
A short silence. The flames crackled. Ian's hand tensed.
"...For example?"
A question delving deeper. Shiro bowed her head further. Her ear tips burned red.
"...Smells..."
"Smells?"
"...Yes."
She swallowed once—
"...So vivid that..."
Her fingers slowly slid up his sleeve.
"...it's hard to bear..."
A very small voice.
"...it feels so good."
Shiro's breath grew closer. Her blue eyes glistened damply in the firelight.
"...Your scent, Ian."
She murmured softly, then suddenly leaned forward. Before Ian could react, Shiro's hand pushed against his chest. A soft but firm force.
"Wh—?"
Thud. Ian's back hit the ground. Dust puffed up slightly as he fell onto the sleeping bag. Shiro looked down at him from above. Her cheeks were bright red, her breaths quick.
"...I just want to smell you for a bit."
She slowly lowered her body. Her nose came so close to his nape it almost touched. Ian held his breath. His heart pounded in his ears.
Sniff—
Shiro inhaled very carefully.
"...Haa..."
A short exhale. Her shoulders trembled faintly.
"...It really..."
Her grip tightened.
"...feels so good."
Her voice trembled with a mix of shyness and an inexplicable desire. Ian raised a hand to push her away.
"...Shiro, this is..."
But no strength went into it. His hand stopped on her shoulder. Shiro shuddered slightly at the movement. Then she slowly lifted her head. Their eyes met. Her firelit eyes held a feverish heat, as if half her reason had already slipped away.
"...Just a moment..."
A voice almost pleading. Shiro leaned down again, pulling Ian into an embrace.
"Just stay like this a little longer..."
Their breaths mingled.
"...Just a bit..."
Ian's breathing grew rough. He knew he should push her away, but his body wouldn't obey. In the end, his hand slowly rose. Hesitating—
Tap.
It gently touched her back.
"...Haa..."
A short breath leaked out. And very slowly, he stroked down her back. At that moment, Shiro's shoulders shook violently.
"...Eut..."
Her breath broke. She clutched his clothes tighter.
"...Ian..."
A voice barely audible. Her face buried deeper. The breath on his nape felt scorching hot.