Even Flowers in Both Hands Mean Nothing If They're Not Mine
The lizard's corpse vanished not long after. The three of them managed to salvage a bit of skin and two horns yanked out roots and all, but the untouched remains turned to powder and scattered on the wind.
"What a shame. If we'd dragged that out, we could've sold it for meat," Jonathan grunted, heaving the bloody slab of skin onto his shoulder. Blood dripped steadily, but he didn't seem fazed in the slightest.
"It's edible?" I asked, curiosity piqued. Jonathan tilted his head, but Iris stepped in to explain.
"Monster meat is delicious if prepared right. Of course, some kinds are inedible, but flame basilisk is tough to cook properly since it holds heat so well—and that's exactly why there are no parasites. You can eat it raw as sashimi. Just some sauce and booze, and you're golden."
"What we've got here would only last us a meal or two. Such a pity." Even just the chunks clinging to the skin had to weigh at least fifty kilos. A meal or two? With the three waiting outside, that made eight of us. A normal serving was what, two or three hundred grams per person? I rolled my eyes skeptically, glancing around, but no one called Jonathan out. Did people around here just eat like horses? Or was I the one skimping? Even Hanbyeol didn't bat an eye, so maybe I just hadn't adjusted to this world yet. Or perhaps trimming the bones and inedible bits cut the yield way down.
But their foodie praise didn't end there.
"Raw would be great, but meat needs sauce, right?" Hanbyeol chimed in, and Jonathan tsked, shaking his head.
"Kids these days just don't get it. Meat's best tasting like itself."
"Oh please, says the guy who's gonna wash it down with booze."
"Booze ain't sauce. That's a fact kiddos can't grasp."
"A child calling me a kid? Hilarious."
"Childish? Hey, you even know what good meat tastes like?" I'd come around to simple grilled meat with just salt or pepper as I got older, but Jonathan throwing a tantrum over food prefs looked downright childish to me. I kept my mouth shut, smiling quietly as I watched. No need to pick sides and sour the mood.
"Argh, ask sis then! Sis, best way to eat this? Plain with booze, right?"
"No way! Sis, remember those spicy chicken skewers last time? Delicious, yeah? Dip it in that!"
But the sparks flew my way anyway. Picking a side meant offending the other, so naturally, I went with Hanbyeol. Jonathan wouldn't hold a grudge over taste, even if I hated spice.
"I think sauce would be nice. Prep some and let folks dip if they want."
"Egh, can't argue with that." My neutral add-on deflated him, and he dropped the teasing. Hanbyeol stuck her tongue out at his back.
We pressed on, climbing the stairs out of the dungeon. Short rests between moves, plus the post-clear high, kept steps light despite the fatigue. Their loads must not have been too heavy. Me? They wouldn't let me carry a thing, and with my arms bound tight—no one even thought of untying me—walking was all I could do.
The silence got to Hanbyeol midway. "What're you all doing first when we get back?"
"Eat."
Hanbyeol pouted at Jonathan's curt reply. "Besides that. We'll grab food on the way out anyway. Once we're home."
"Sleep."
"Ugh, seriously. I wanna punch you, old man Jonathan."
We all cracked up at their harmless banter. Proper answers came after.
"Gotta file the dungeon report, get checkups to confirm we're intact. Mental scans too, just in case. And scout other dungeons linked to books with our names." Jimmy listed tasks so matter-of-factly we all grimaced briefly—but hey, we brought it on ourselves. Hopes poured out.
"I'm eating and crashing, for real."
Jonathan owned his greed shamelessly, then Iris sighed wearily. "I wanna wash up first. Purify cleans us, but nothing beats soaking in hot water. Wanna join, Saintess?"
I glanced at her, suspicious, but she just looked tired, not scheming. Imagining her alone with my body made me flush with secondhand shame, so I nodded. Snubbing her outright would've left me guilty and restless anyway.
"Hot bath? Score me in!" Hanbyeol, used to basic showers, latched onto me and begged Iris.
Why cling to me instead of her? Iris just smiled and nodded. "Of course. I'll take you."
"Lucky girls. Got fancy baths and all. No men's side?"
"There is, but outsiders can't use it. Ask Brother Hamill."
"Whoaaa, temples are the best!" Jonathan lit up like a recruit promised snacks for church.
Iris flashed a salesman's grin, assuring Hamill would handle it.
We crested the stairs and emerged. A rumble echoed as stones sealed the entrance behind us. The waiting trio jumped up, weapons ready, then relaxed quizzically.
"Cleared it all?"
"Yeah. Puzzle dungeon overall, just a boss at the end. Jimmy's writing the report—you'll hear later."
Fantasy tales had heroes boasting post-adventure, but fatigue won; I just wanted home. Still, with safety assured, no one nixed Jonathan's "fill up before heading back." Dry rations and broth had been our diet. Time hadn't dragged—sun still high. We'd make city before dark. Bed-lover that I was, I regretted the delay but couldn't starve, so I sat by the camp.
Sun warmed the chill air, and fresh fire kindled body heat quick.
"Everyone's fine, but sis's clothes are... roughed up? What happened?" A guildmate outside eyed me worriedly.
I looked down. Heals left no scars, but stockings were torn, skirt shredded needing repairs. Black hid stains—lucky. Purify had washed it anyway. Jonathan the tank? Just a dented shield; everyone else spotless.
By looks, I was the noob tagging pros. Bitter smile.
"Tripped, tumbled a bit."
"Sis..." Hanbyeol stiffened, but I shook my head. No need for full disclosure.
They bought it easy. "Makes sense—bound like that, balance goes. Enduring hardship as penance... humbles me for doubting the saintess before."
Sudden praise unnerved me. Would she claim "penance ongoing" even unbound? Was I stuck tied forever? Chills hit; I eyed Hanbyeol. She swapped cryptic glances with Iris.
Plotting behind my back? Unsettling, but they wouldn't harm me. If they wanted, they'd have by now. Trusting that, I sat by the fire. Armless me helped best by staying out of the way.
Flame basilisk meat didn't cook easy, yeah. Hanbyeol's magic barely singed it due to her level. Regret crept in. Her max-level, Daesik too. Other possessors likely maxed. Me, so frail.
Dot-heals fixed lowbies fine, but unlike games, surgery mattered per Iris. Low-levels died easy. Resurrection mana same regardless.
Sigh escaped. A reliable max tank would be nice.
"Heh, saved a Dragon Breath for post-clear." Eyeing Jonathan as tank potential, I watched him rummage his bag. Waiters confessed quick.
"Uh, we drank it earlier."
"What? You thieving bastards!"
"Monk bro said it was tasty."
"Mm." Hamill stroked his chin blankly. Jonathan teared up, slicing basilisk meat.
"Sniff, would've been killer with this... traitors..."
No "thou shalt not steal"? Hamill innocently helped trim. Jimmy and Iris mixed spices for sauce; lazy Hanbyeol pulverized rock into bowls.
"Won't some archaeologist freak, call it Stone Age fossil?" I teased the crude shapes; she cackled.
"Sell for big bucks! Bury extras here after."
Cruel prank imagining their glee-to-disappointment, but we knew it was talk. Right? Hanbyeol was good. No real harm anyway. Still, evil side—felt bad dragging her there. I'd talk her down if she buried 'em.
Jonathan hacked meat laboriously; Hamill shredded easy by hand. Too rough for sashimi. YouTube trivia itched to advise, but handless, I shut up.
Simple meal prep. Not butchering all—just enough portions in stone bowls on laps or hands.
"Sniff, with Dragon Breath..."
"Quit whining. I'll buy one later."
"Two, jerk."
"Fine."
Jonathan perked; mood brightened inversely to the chewy meat. Should've spoken up—regret.
Knees tucked to secure bowl, tail fed me bites on cue. Fork skills impressive, but not mine to control. Whatever—stubborn tentacle ignored pleas to fix my draped hem between thighs. Black panties matched robe—no flash, but decorative? Obvious exposure. It never tidied. Shake to fix? Spill food. No way.
Hoping no notice of my skirt-trail, I chewed tough strands. Heat-infused, still tasty raw.
"Sis, comfy?"
"Tail's got me."
Hanbyeol scooted close mid-bite, hips touching. Awkward, but her cling—couldn't shove. She offered her hand; tail forked over dutifully.
"Lemme feed you."
"No need... ow!" Not a baby—declined, but tail smacked my thigh loud. Unfair. No protection, ignores me, nice to others, hits me?
Reading that? Panties plunged mound-ward, teasing clit hostage. I hunched, groaning low. Hanbyeol startled.
"Sis? Hurt?"
"N-no... bit my tongue."
Lame excuse, but she bought it. "Lemme see."
"No, fine. Got heals." Iris already chanted one; Hanbyeol pried my mouth. Clench risked her fingers; tongue out on command.
"Can't... talk... what..." Tongue flopped per her whims. She checked all angles, sighed.
"Healed fine. No scar."
"No biggie."
"Can't freak when sister's hurt."
Iris glued hip-to-hip too. Beauties flanking? Great—if I weren't a girl. Hanbyeol underage, Iris body-sis. Untouchable fantasies. Swallowed sigh, accepted Hanbyeol's feeds.