The Dungeon on the 3rd Day, and the Lost Underwear
We entered the dungeon shrine, and Mizuki was already waiting there.
"Morning. Third floor today, right?"
We exchanged greetings and headed straight into the dungeon, descending to the third floor.
"You two have such nice hair. How do you wash it? And your bodies?"
"Well, Mizuki, you've got a bit of that greasy spot on your hair that just won't go away."
"Ugh, I've only got damp towels to wipe with, and it's driving me nuts. I wanna take a real bath."
"No bath, but I can give you a full wash."
"Huh? You better not try anything weird."
Mizuki shot me a suspicious look.
"Fam, take us to that dead-end spot."
"Understood."
Fam led us to the dead end—a U-shaped nook where you had to turn the corner to get the perfect position.
I conjured a water orb about seventy centimeters across and used fire magic to heat it to lukewarm. Then I spun it up, creating a fierce current inside.
"Mizuki, close your eyes, plug your ears, shut your mouth, and hold your breath."
"You better not try anything weird!"
"It's fine. Fam's watching."
Mizuki looked uneasy but closed her eyes and plugged her ears, so I pinched her nose shut with my free hand—the one not controlling the magic.
"Mmph—guh!"
Mizuki was a different kind of beauty from Fam. No snot, but she let out a squeak like a family-friendly anime heroine choking on food.
I slowly passed the water orb from above her head down to her ankles. Her hair billowed in the current, then her chest jiggled. When it reached her hips, the flow flipped up her skirt, flashing her panties. It'd been ages since I'd seen Mizuki's undies—I stared, excitement bubbling over. Then I noticed Fam's expression darkening. Regretfully, I lowered the orb further. When it hit ankle level, I pulled it away. A human washing machine I'd developed through trial and error since Aidan's quest.
"If I go all the way to your feet, it touches the ground and kicks up dirt. So wash those yourself."
"Wh-what the hell is this?! I feel amazing! Even my clothes are clean! Do this every day!"
Mizuki was over the moon. Happy to oblige—I wanted to see those panties daily too.
"Just a basic application of beginner adventurer magic."
"No way! That's awesome! First time I've ever thought you were cool, Mash!"
"Hey, that last bit was uncalled for!" I protested to Mizuki.
"Master has a lot of mana, so he can maintain and control it like this—Aidan said so. But it has a downside: it strips all the moisture from your skin, so apply this cream."
Fam handed over some oil she'd gotten from slaying slimes.
"Works better naked too. Can't keep skin moisture if it's pulling from your clothes."
"Ugh, as if I'd strip!" Mizuki snapped at me.
"So, what's on the third floor?"
"That, I think. Big Eye."
Fam readied her sword. A fifty-centimeter eyeball dangled from the ceiling. The moment its black pupil locked on me, it fired a fireball.
"Watch out!"
I barely dodged. The fireball hit the ground, erupting in a massive flame pillar. Big Eye unleashed a barrage at Fam and Mizuki too, but they evaded smoothly.
"Damn it!"
I fired back a stone orb, but it didn't reach—instead, it bounced off a magical barrier just short.
"Defensive magic too! Can't touch it."
The ceiling was five meters up. Normal attacks needed at least a two-meter jump.
I decided to unleash the killer move I'd practiced in kendo as a kid.
Right under the Big Eye, I leaped and swung my knife.
"Take this! Vertical Jump Aerial Strike!"
My legendary sword technique whiffed—literally slicing empty space.
"Master, using my skill." Fam assumed position.
"Go for it."
"Chrysanthemum Ichimonji!"
The vacuum blades from her twin swords pierced the barrier and hit the Big Eye. But it didn't go down. It retaliated with more fireballs.
As we struggled, two wolves came charging down the hall.
"Wolves are mine!" Mizuki jumped in to cover.
"One more! Chrysanthemum Ichimonji!"
The vacuum blades caught it again. The Big Eye vanished.
Mizuki handled the two wolves effortlessly, even against high-level foes. I backed her up, taking one down, and she finished the other.
I picked up the mana seed the wolves dropped and handed it to Mizuki.
"We'll alternate mana seeds. You first, then us."
"No. Me, Mash, then Fam."
Mizuki passed it to Fam, who looked troubled and handed it to me. (By the way, I hold our earnings. Storage makes it easy, and we need funds for Fam's curse. We each have pocket money, but Fam won't touch hers.)
"Don't wanna get freed from slavery?"
Even without master approval, paying a hefty tax lets slaves become citizens.
"I like things as they are."
Mizuki glared at me accusingly. What a pain. Should've explained to her sooner. Then Fam clutched my clothes.
"Please don't blame Master. He said I could go anywhere. I'm here by my own choice."
Her tone was firm. Mizuki faltered. So did I, stumbling over a correction.
"Got it. If it's your choice, fine. Then mana seeds go to me and you two. Someday, I'll free you of my own will."
Mizuki snatched the seed from me. The vibe was no longer "Fam's not a slave."
"So why the sudden drop flood? Never got any with Wind Blade."
Mizuki changed the heavy mood with a question. I jumped on it.
"My special skill. Boosts rare item drops from party kills."
"Pfft, party. Zero teamwork."
Mizuki laughed.
"...Knew you'd say that."
"What else'd you pick?"
I'd seen Mizuki's special skill, but she hadn't checked mine.
"...Party-wide EXP gain up."
"Uh-huh. And?" Mizuki grinned.
"Damn it, not telling."
"C'mon, spill!"
"You'll laugh!"
The mood stayed heavy.
"Man, third floor spiked the difficulty."
We paused after the fight to decide our next move.
"Need ranged attacks," Fam nodded.
"How many Chrysanthemum Ichimonjis can you fire, Fam?"
"Five max, I think. Rest and recover, and we're good."
Her skill probably burned mana. Stamina potions cost one silver, but mana ones were a gold—pricey. Most adventurers regen naturally and keep 'em as talismans.
"Mizuki, got any ranged skills?"
"Nah, level 10 got me melee."
"Boss is a giant Big Eye? Rough. Even trash blocked my spells. Rely on Fam. Fail, and we're eating attacks. Need projectiles."
Sword users like Fam and Mizuki seemed melee-only. I could try a bow, but couldn't picture drawing it right or hitting the mark.
"Master, wanna try kunai?"
Ninja weapon? Existed here too. Like throwing knives, but ringed hilt, thick blade for digging or stabbing walls.
"Common?" Might not sell if dog-ear exclusive.
"No, I didn't know either. Saw it in the mail-order section at the back of World Walker."
Rakushel's gig. Mail-order—who takes orders? Ships how?
"...Got it. I'll try bow too. Head back to town."
We exited the dungeon and headed to the weapon shop.
"You pick Fam's clothes, Mash?"
"Been bugging me—why 'Fam-san' but I'm just 'Mash'? Call her Fam; she calls you Mizuki."
"Huh? Mizuki-san's older than me?" Fam demurred.
"Mizuki's fine. I'll call you Fam. Cool?"
"...Yes." Fam nodded, blushing shyly.
We passed a clothing store.
"Right, Fam's only got church rags. Mizuki, pick her new ones."
"Wait! These are fine. Or my prison rags."
Fam waved her hands frantically.
"Idiot. Buy cute stuff so I enjoy it."
Handed her a gold coin.
"O-okay."
"Let's go?"
Mizuki grabbed Fam's hand and dragged her inside.
Waiting out front, Aidan passed by.
"Shopping?"
"Yeah, dungeon run needs projectiles. Picking Fam clothes on the side."
"Need weapons? Why not ask me?"
"Ah, wanna, but we've imposed enough."
"Don't hold back. I'll charge labor fair. Workshop later."
His actual workshop, not the skill.
"Got it. After Fam's shopping."
Aidan nodded and left. Mizuki returned, towing Fam.
Fam wore a leather breastplate under a light blue haori—like a ronin squad vibe, but slimmer, fitted, short to mid-thigh. Paired great with shorts and spats.
"Hey, Mash!"
Fam blushed and looked down; Mizuki fumed for some reason.
"What?"
"No matter how slobby you are, no need to make Fam wear men's underwear!"
"..."
Fam... Fam wouldn't meet my eyes.
"...Not yours, right?"
"N-no! Church giveaway. Must've mixed in."
Sorry, Myra.
"Whatever. Got mine too—we picked together."
"Thanks. Appreciate it. You too, Fam."
Took the bag from Mizuki, stored it.
"Ran into Aidan. He'll advise on weapons. To his workshop."
"Sure. Wanted to meet him."
We headed to Aidan's workshop.
"...Sorry, Mizuki found it and tossed it."
En route, Fam whispered.
"Fine, but since when?" I whispered back.
"Morning. Master slept naked—well, I undressed you, but snuck into yours."
She beamed, tail wagging. Mystery solved.
"Wore my undies to chew me out, huh."
"Ugh, so embarrassing... Face burned when she found out."
Yeah, busted it'd be mortifying. Thrill's in the close call.
"Next, wanna try Mizuki's."
"Aggressive... Wait, the light blue ones?!"
I yelped loud. Drew Mizuki's attention.
"No way. Those are my family heirloom... But if you want... Still, busted and we're doomed. Mizuki's nose for this stuff is unreal."
"Mine's just as sharp!"
Mizuki turned. She'd sniffed our secret talk ages ago.
Waited till she faced front.
"...No, she caught you today. Settle for Rakushel's."
Fam deflated.
"How'd you get this fetish...?"
"Obviously Master's fault."
"Not Aidan's, right?"
"No, just Master's and women he likes."
She said it proudly—plenty pervy.
"Don't add to my crushes."
"Not?"
Stuck for words. Mizuki turned again.
"Hm? Likes? Aidan? Light blue? Rakushel-sama what?"
Did she hear it all and probe? We panicked, tongue-tied.
"N-no, complimenting your clothes. Comfy..."
"Jeez, when we're three, include me!"
Mizuki puffed her cheeks.
Thank you for reading.
To everyone who bookmarked and rated—truly grateful.
It motivates me. I'll keep pushing.
Thanks for typo reports. Super helpful.