“I can do this!” Sargon encouraged himself while rolling to avoid another acid attack. Then he charged towards the monster clutching his dagger in one of his hands.

He had managed to close the distance and the monster hissed at him in anger. The ant chomped with its mandibles but he managed to dodge it. He counter-attacked one of the mandibles with his dagger scratching it and then ran past the head. Sargon’s target was another leg, he jumped and wedged his dagger in the joint. The dagger was stuck and he was left weaponless, but the ant was slowed down significantly. It had its front leg missing and its middle leg was now injured.

Again, Sargon was in a tough spot, the monster shifted its body so it can bite at him. Sargon jumped back and began to backpedal away. The ant continued to bite and Sargon to dodge; this only worked because the monster was slowed down and blinded on one eye. However, this could not continue indefinitely, eventually, he would trip or run into the wall.

“I need some help over here!” He shouted desperately.

Tasha was ready for another shot but unfortunately, the eye she needed to shoot was out of her sight.

“Hang… on.” Demi-Ura said through her laboured breath.

The demonkin was gathering the last of her mana to overcharge [Dark Blast.]

Sargon kept jumping away from the biting ant. Meanwhile, Lilith was running towards the monster; her approach was unseen since she was in the blind spot and Sargon maintained [Taunt] just in case. He knew that ex-priestess will do something to get him out of this situation.

Just as he jumped yet another time, his foot landed on a broken eggshell and it slipped. The ant almost got him but he had made it away from the mandibles as he dropped on his back. However, he no longer was in a position to avoid the next bite. Lilith was close and she kicked the monster in the jaw, he felt lucky to have her nearby. A blow of [Crushing Kick] broke off the mandible and a spray of ant blood splashed on Sargon.

“Dodge! [Blast]” Demi-Ura warned the two to watch out of her attack.

Lilith crouched to dodge while still sliding on egg goo towards Sargon. A huge ball of crackling energy hit the ant on its side blowing pieces of chitin away from its body exposing monster’s soft flesh.

“Now. Run!” Lilith helped Sargon to stand up and the two ran away from the ant at full speed.

The ant had vomited another spray of acid but the running pair was already out of its range. While all this happened, Tasha was looking for a perfect moment so that the angle was right for the shot. That time had finally come. She pressed the trigger invoking [Bullseye], firing the bolt. Just like the last time, it pierced the eye flawlessly, directly in the middle.

“I did it!” Tasha cheered.

“We need to finish it somehow.” Sargon hopped for some suggestions, he was still missing his weapons.

“No mana.” Demi-Ura said it matter of factly.

“It's blinded and slow… Distract it while I get my coa.” Sargon asked Tasha.

Bearskin fired the last of her bolts while Sargon ran to get his weapon. The ant was blinded so it no longer could spit acid, it just moved towards the direction of the ranger. The monster had gotten too close and Tasha had to abandon her spot. The other two women were surrounding the ant from the sides.

“We attack together, but carefully.” Sargon proposed. He had reclaimed his weapon and was holding it in his hand firmly.

Demi-Ura nodded in agreement. She was out of mana but still had her bladed tail to use as the weapon. Lilith had cast a recovery spell on Demi-Ura so that she doesn't feel the strain from overusing her mana.

Sargon approached from behind and hacked at the monster’s butt with his coa, further cracking the chitin. Demi-Ura approached from the left side and stabbed with her tail at the exposed flesh. The other two women were on the right side and did the same with metal claws and a crossbow bayonet respectively.

They would get kicked and knocked to the side by the monster from time to time. The ant was slow and blinded so it failed to land a decisive hit. There was nothing serious Lilith could not heal. The party kept hacking and cutting the monster, sapping its health slowly. It took them some time but eventually, the monster bled out and slumped to the ground.

“Is it dead?” Tasha asked still unable to believe that it was over.

“It seems so.” Lilith jabbed her claws deep into the monster flesh; there was no reaction.

“Just for a good measure.” Sargon positioned his coa in one of the cracks on ant’s head and pushed it in piercing the brain.

It was over, they had killed it. And their reward was… well, they weren’t done yet, they still had to harvest the core from the ant.

Everyone was tired, sweaty and covered in goo or ant blood, but still, they had to put significant effort at dismantling the ant and harvesting its organs. Since it was a unique monster some of its organs were valuable ingredients. After significant effort they had managed to extract [Ant Guardian] monster core, it was a size of a big melon and quite heavy.

“Wow, this is the biggest I have ever seen! And I have been on floor 10.” Tasha exclaimed sizing up the core.

“It will buy us our own place.” Sargon said all in smiles.

“And cookies. A lot of cookies.” Demi-Ura also had an expression on her face which was rare to her – a smile.

“Well then, lets head back and sell it.” Lilith said placing the core into Tasha’s backpack.

The party did just so. Like always, they were attacked by normal monsters on their way back; it was nothing they couldn't manage. It was time for them to leave Demi-Ura behind, who still refused to go outside the dungeon. Their intention was to sell their loot and buy a house, however, it didn't feel right. Sargon thought it was unfair to leave their rogue-cum-caster here while everyone else celebrated.

“Demi, are you sure you can’t come with us? Where will be plenty of cookies.” Sargon tried to tempt her.

She just shook her head, no was the response.

“You know we will be living together from now on. It's just you who will be missing. I wish you joined us.”

“Can’t.” She refused once again with her usual neutral expression.

This still didn’t feel right. Sargon thought he might be able to persuade her.

“Guys you can go to sell the loot. I will stay here with Demi for a while longer. You don’t mind, do you?”

The question was directed to Demi, but both Lilith and Demi indicated that there is no problem with that.

“Be careful.” Lilith patted Sargon’s shoulder reluctant to leave him alone with demoness.

“It will be fine. I will see you… Tomorrow?” He was still unsure how long he will stay here in the dungeon.

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Lilith and Tasha waved goodbye as they walked towards the exit leading to the first floor.

“So… Do you know a good place we can talk?” He asked Demi-Ura who nodded in response.

Sargon followed her through narrow tunnels and bends. If it was just him he would have gotten lost a long time ago, but it looked like Demi-Ura knew these tunnels well. Even if the layout changed from time to time she lived here and learned her way quickly.

They have squeezed past a very narrow crack in the wall which led to a sizable room. It was barely illuminated by a few glowing crystals and there was a sound of dripping water. There was a small freshwater pool by the wall. There were no signs of monsters, it was quiet and peaceful; It was a good place to talk.

“This is a nice place.” Sargon began with small talk.

Demi-Ura did her thing, a nod. She was not the talkative type.

“Do you come here often?” He continued.

“I live here.”

“Oh, I wondered where you sleep. But there is your stuff?”

She motioned to follow her behind a large boulder. Just behind it, there was a large store of various stuff. There was a pile of damaged armour and weapons she had found in the dungeon. There also was another pile, this one was full of monster bits like ant chitin. Further away from the mess was her food storage, cookie crumbs littered the ground around that spot.

“This is a lot of stuff.” He was surprised at the amount of junk there.

She just nodded once again.

“How long has it been since we were alone like this?” Sargon asked no one in particular. “We have been exploring together for so long but I barely know anything about you.” Sargon looked at nodding Demi-Ura and continued. “I would like us to get closer, to know you better.” He hoped that knowing her circumstances will help to convince her.

“Me too.” She has finally spoken.

“I really want for us to be together. Why can’t you leave the dungeon?”

“Can’t” She have responded walking closer to the water source.

Sargon followed her. He wanted to ask why again, but that would lead nowhere.

“If you are afraid of the people outside, I will protect you.”

Demi-Ura didn't reply. She kneeled next to the pond and filled her palm with water, then she pressed her lips to it and tasted the cool liquid.

“Want some?” She asked.

Sargon took out his water pouch, it was a good chance to fill it. He approached the spot where Demi-Ura was and kneeled next to her to fill his pouch. She offered her palm full of water bringing it close to Sargon’s face.

“No, thank you.” It felt embarrassing to drink like that so he refused, he wasn't thirsty to begin with.

Demi-Ura looked intently into his eyes. Sargon didn’t like the look he was getting, it was different from her blank expressionless eyes. And then she pushed him right into the pond. Water splashed as he dived headfirst into it. The pool wasn't deep, water barely reached up to his chest, there was no risk of drowning. Still, he got scared for a moment, Demi-Ura’s behaviour surprised him. He wondered if he had offended her.

However, it was not the case. The demoness was laughing her lungs out, a rare sight and sound. Actually, this was the first time he heard her laughing.

“I did not take you for a prankster.” He said smiling then he splashed some water towards her. “How about you join me?” He asked jokingly.

Just as soon as he finished his sentence Demi-Ura’s cloak dropped to the floor. He didn't expect her to take his words seriously. There was only the leather vest keeping her modesty as she had no underclothes.

“I was just…” Joking he wanted to say but the word became stuck in his mouth as the leather vest too dropped to the floor.

He was eying her figure with his mouth agape. She was slowly approaching him, there was no sign of her being embarrassed or even nervous. She was completely naked, he could see everything from top to bottom.

“What are you doing?” He asked still unable to believe what just has happened. His eyes darted up and down.

Demi-Uras hooves hit the water. As she was going in deeper, the water was rising up towards her midsection. It rose past her ankles and knees, then up to towards her thick thighs and beyond that.

“Joining you.” She said it as it was the most obvious thing. The cool water didn't bother her and she continued approaching him.

“You are naked, is this another prank? Should I look away?” Sargon was unsure where this was going and what he should do. This never had happened before.

She was just a few steps away and almost completely submerged in water, her small bosom swayed in the water gently as she approached; the nipples erect from the cool water.

“No. We get to know each other better. You too, take it off.” This was the longest sentence she had said today.

The young man’s head spun, and the blood boiled at the sight; he was overthinking of what was going on and what he should do. The water was cool but he didn't feel cold at all, quite the opposite. While he was standing there indecisively, demoness had closed the distance, her hands were already on his shoulders.

“Okay.” Was all he could manage.

With demoness help, he unfastened the belts holding the armour and dropped it in the water. Demi-Ura grabbed his shirt by the hem and pulled it up undressing him. The shirt was gone and their eyes met once again. That mischievous look in her eyes was present once more. Demi-Ura dived under the water pulling his trousers down. Her motion was quick and fluid, the trousers were off and his warrior fully exposed for everyone to see, well it was just the two of them here. Her head was out of the water once again and she stared into his eyes. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders and her chest pressed against him. Sargon could feel her hard nipples touching him, this has only strengthened his arousal, his soldier was pressed against her thigs.

They looked at each other intently for a good moment, neither of them made the next move. Sargon knew what the next step should be. It must be a kiss. Their lips were already close, he could feel her hot breath, it would take only a small movement with his head to reach her plump lips. His heart was racing and he could wait no longer, he moved his chin forwards and their lips locked in a passionate kiss. He closed his eyes to savour it and etch this feeling into his brain. Both of their hands moved feeling all over, Demi-Ura’s thighs were restless touching and pressing at his manhood. She stuck her tongue into his mouth interlocking it with his. Sargon's head was spinning and his heart beating fast, his mind drowned in pleasure.

Sargon didn’t expect this outcome, but he wasn’t the one to complain. Nor did he know that Demi-Ura felt this way about him; he had no idea.