Preparing for the Dungeon

After the...exhausting...night the three of them shared, none of them had the energy to do any requests the next day. However, Kris was fine with this, as he had wanted to take time off to prepare for their next journey.

After getting some breakfast, they went over to the guild and sat down at one of the tables.

Kris got into his 'serious' mode, causing Mibu and Paddy to look at him expectantly.

“I think we should try a short Dungeon trip.”

Mibu nodded vigorously while Paddy looked a bit concerned.

“We can do it! If we can find some treasure, we'll be able to pay off the loan in no time,” she said excitedly.

Paddy squirmed a bit.

“What's wrong Paddy? I know we talked about leveling more, but...I think you're stronger than your levels show,” Kris reassured her.

To Kris's surprise, Paddy nodded. “I'm...a little worried about only having three members. Usually people go in with four or five.”

“We're not going to be able to afford anyone at Iron-Rank at the slave merchants,” Kris shook his head.

“Can't we get a non-slave?” Mibu asked.

“We could but we'd have to split the rewards with them. Which...maybe is fine. I guess part of the issue is I don't know how much groups usually get from Dungeons.”

“Oh, Misty said they usually get at least a couple gold worth,” Mibu asserted.

Kris shook his head. “Yeah, but they're several ranks above us. We can't expect to get that much.”

“Usually Iron-Rank's going to the Baverne Dungeon make 20-50 silver in a trip, depending on how long they stay, and their luck.”

The three of them turned their head to see Corinne standing next to them.

“I was wondering why you three weren't grabbing a request. Do you need me to issue Dungeon passes for you?” she asked.

Kris seemed confused. “Umm...I think so? I didn't know we needed a pass.”

Corinne nodded. “Since I'm assuming you don't know, it requires a Guild-issued pass to enter dungeons.”

Kris shook his head. “I didn't. Why do you need a pass?”

“To certify the Guild recognizes you're capable. It's also because we have to take responsibility if anyone dies in the Dungeon.”

Kris gulped.

Mibu responded, “Yeah, lets do it!”

Paddy still seemed a bit nervous.

“I'll fill out the paperwork and have them for you tomorrow. I'm assuming you need time to prepare anyway.”

Thanking Corinne, they headed out of the guild. Kris handed each of them five silver. “Each of you buy rations and everything else you think you might need.”

Paddy thought momentarily, then headed immediately to her favorite food stall. The wolfman seller who ran it smiled when he saw Paddy approaching.

“Paddy! How are you doing? Getting a snack?” he asked.

Paddy shook her head. “Actually, I need a week's worth.”

The seller was taken aback. “You wanna buy a week's worth of fish skewers!?”

Paddy nodded, explaining the situation.

After she finished, the seller laughed. “Haha, I think you need to see my supplier,” he explained, writing some directions on a paper. “They can get you want you need.”

Paddy smiled and bowed, “Thank you.”

Mibu had immediately gone and bought a large sack of jerky to bring.

Hmmm...what else should I get...oh! I need a new book!

Heading towards the book store, she thought, This is so exciting! I can't wait until we're in the dungeon, fighting together... she clasped her cheeks, blushing.

Once at the bookstore, she went through the romance section again, picking a couple out this time that had some spicy synopses.

Reading a little, she blushed and buried her face closer in. I need to try some of this with Kris.

Kris was slowly making his way back to the inn, stuffed backpack in tow, almost weighing him forward with how heavy it was.

Alright, I got everything I could think of that I'll need for the Dungeon! he thought, smiling through the pain and trying to walk a bit more briskly.

When they met back up in their room, Kris opened his bag to show everything he had gotten. “Some extra daggers, extra arrows, some wrapped bread that should keep at least a couple weeks. I also bought a cot to sleep in, a tent, some stuff to make a fire with...” Kris explained. “So, what did you all get?”

Paddy poked her fingers together. “Umm...” she pulled out a large bag, filled with...dried fish. “I was making sure we had enough food...”

Kris facepalmed, “So you bought just fish!?”

Paddy nodded, “Sorry...”

Mibu laughed, “Haha, don't feel bad, all I bought was jerky!” she said slapping a bag of jerky on the table. “Oh, and a couple books...”

Kris shook his head. “I said rations and everything else you'll need. Why did you focus on just the 'rations' part!?”

After making another shopping trip to get everything else they might need, they went back to their room.

Mibu and Paddy felt bad about their initial gluttony, and diligently helped pack their bags for the trip. Eventually, they both fell asleep on the couches, bags stuffed to the brim with supplies.

Well, I can't stay mad for long, Kris thought. Leaning over, he gave both of them a kiss, before heading to the bed to sleep.

Celica

In the morning, they headed over to the Guild to get their Dungeon passes. However, as they walked up to Corinne, she had a confused expression on her face as she looked at Kris.

“What's wrong?”

Corinne was conflicted. “I had...someone come up earlier, trying to join your party. I admitted them to the Guild as they met the qualifications, but I couldn't allow them to unilaterally join your party without your permission.”

Kris was taken aback. He looked at Paddy and Mibu, who seemed just as confused. “I don't know who would be doing that, I haven't invited anyone to join.”

Corinne nodded, “She said...she said she was your fiance.”

Kris blinked a few times. “What!?”

Mibu seemed excited. “You got another girl!? When did you propose to her?”

“Hold on, hold on, I didn't propose to anyone...” he asserted.

“Then who is this person?”she asked, confused.

Corinne pointed to the corner, where a hooded figure was sitting on a stool.

Mibu and Kris looked at each other, shrugged, then headed towards the figure.

When they got over, the hooded figure didn't react, so Kris asked. “Um, excuse me, who-”

Kris didn't get anything else out, as the hooded figure jumped up and embraced him. “Darling! There you are...”

What...darling!? What's going on!? “Um...thanks, but I still don't-

The person looked up, and Kris saw it was a cyclops girl, similar to the ones from the village. Actually, no, it was the cyclops girl, the one who had given him the bouquet of Noxbliss flowers.

“Um...I remember you, I-”

The girl blushed and smiled, burying the head into his chest. “I'm so glad! I was worried you and your other fiances might forget our promise after so long.”

It's only been a few days! And what promise are you talking about!? Wait...fiances!? What's going on...

Mibu clasped her hands together in excitement.

“Fiances!?” Paddy let out, blushing heavily.

She let go and did a bow, before launching into an explanation, “I'm Celica. Thank you again for saving our village. After watching you three take out that bear, I decided I wanted to join you in your adventures. In order to do so, I proposed to Kris so I could leave the village and-”

“Woah woah woah, slow down. Can we sort through this? When did you propose to me?” Kris asked.

Celica seemed confused. “I offered the customary Noxbliss flowers, and you accepted...”

“Um...is that the normal way for a cyclops to propose?” Kris asked.

“Yes...is that not normal for you?” Celica asked, still confused.

Kris shook his head. “No, we just...well, you usually voice your intentions at least.” I'm not sure what the custom is for most places in this world, but they should at least do that.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“Then what did you think the Noxbliss was for?” Celica asked

Kris shrugged, “I just thought you were rewarding us for helping out.”

Mibu nodded, “We got almost a silver for them!”

Celica looked distraught, “You sold them!?”

Kris winced, “Sorry...I mean, I didn't know what else to do with them...”

Celica started crying. “You're supposed to weave them into a crown for me to wear at the wedding...” she sniffled out.

Kris facepalmed, How was I supposed to know all this stuff? Wait, what even is this conversation? “Look...I'm sorry, but I don't think I'm getting married anytime soon. I've got too much adventuring to do.” And harem-acquiring.

Celica wiped her eyes and looked up at him, “So you're rejecting me?”

Kris held up his hands, “I didn't say that.” I mean, she is cute, and obviously...uh...likes me. “Corinne said you wanted to join our party, and we were actually looking for a fourth member. Can you fight?”

Celica seemed to cheer up a bit, nodding her head. “Yes! Not directly, but I know a couple spells passed down in the cyclops village,” she explained, pulling up her status screen.

Dark magic!? I haven't seen that yet. And she's lv. 15? He clicked on the box and it listed two spells, 'Silence1' and 'Shadow'. Okay, I wanna see what these do.

Celica was looking at him expectantly through the status screen.

Ugh...she is really cute. He turned to Mibu and whispered in her ear, “What do you think?”

“She's really cute!” Mibu whispered back.

Kris shook his head. I should have guessed she was also thinking that.

Turning to Paddy, he whispered, “What about you Paddy? Do you think we should accept her?”

Paddy whispered back, “Let's test her magic.”

Kris nodded, Paddy being the voice of reason.

Leading them out to the alley behind the Guild, he asked, “Okay, show us your magic.”

Celica seemed a bit nervous. “Um...on what?”

Kris was confused, “Can't you just cast it?”

She shook her head. “No, I need a target, or else it doesn't do anything...”

“Oh, well, just cast it on me I guess.”

Celicia nodded. “Okay, here's Silence,” she explained, pointing a small wand at Kris.

Nothing happened. Visibly, at least. I feel kinda...fuzzy? “What does that do?”

“It stops the target from using magic for a while,” she explained.

“Scorch!” Kris said, pointing his hand up. He felt a bit of well-up at his palm, but then nothing happened. “Wow, that's impressive.”

Mibu and Paddy gave an 'ooooh' and clapped.

Celica smiled. “Next is Shadow.”

As she said it, Celica drifted into the shadows.

Even staring at her, his eyes could barely make her out as she blended in.

“That's amazing,” Mibu said, squinting her eyes. “I can still smell her, but I can barely see her.”

Kris was already analyzing. Silence would be great if we run into anything that uses magic, and Shadow will help with our Sneak a lot. Especially in the Dungeon where there's probably a lot of shadows to hide in.

Mibu had run over to poke Celica while she was hiding. Celica shimmered a bit in the shadows whenever she was poked.

Paddy leaned over, “I think she'd be helpful,” she whispered.

Kris nodded back.

The four of them headed back inside the guild, sitting around a table.

“Okay, let's discuss the terms,” Kris suggested.

Celica nodded. “Okay.”

Kris pondered for a moment, thinking about what to go through first, but Celica jumped in.

“Um...can I go first?” she asked.

“Oh, uh...yeah, of course.”

“Well, I want at least three kids-”

Kris cut her off immediately. “Hold on, hold on, I mean the terms of you joining the party, not about getting married...”

Celica seemed confused. “What do you mean? Aren't they the same thing?”

Mibu closed her eyes and crossed her arms, nodding. “Exactly.”

Kris shook his head. “I meant stuff like, are you fine with a 25% share of the rewards?”

Celica shook her head, “I'm not doing it for the money, I just wanted to join you...”

Kris blushed a bit, “How are you going to pay stuff like lodging and food, then?”

Celica seemed a bit upset now, “What do you mean!? I'm staying with you!”

Mibu leaned over and whispered, “I think she just wants to join the pack, you don't need to convince her.”

Kris hung his head, This just feels too easy.

Celica was poking her fingers together, looking up at him expectantly before looking back down at the table.

Ah, screw it. “Alright, I'm not dumb enough to reject an offer so weighted in my favor.”

Celica leaped over the table, hugging him. “I need to tell my parents! Do you want to go to the chapel now?”

“Hold on, hold on,” he said, grabbing and sitting her back down gently. “I just meant the party.”

Celica seemed upset, “But-”

Kris held up a hand, “Like I said, it's not like I wouldn't want too, but we're busy adventuring right now.”

“And paying off our loan,” Mibu added.

Kris hung his head, “Yeah, also that...”

Celica thought for a few moments, before narrowing her eyes. “So you're saying yes, just not right now?”

Kris felt weird committing like this, but nodded his head. “Yes.”

Celica nodded. “Well, okay, I guess that's fine then.”

Mibu leaned over and hugged Celica, rubbing cheeks. “Yay! I didn't expect another so soon.”

Celica seemed confused, “Why are you so excited!?”

Kris was thinking. “I guess we'll need to put off leaving until tomorrow, since we need to get supplies for Celica too.”

Celica stopped trying to defend herself from Mibu and looked over. “What!? We're leaving?”

Kris nodded, “Yeah, our plan is try a Dungeon run now. Are you fine with that?”

Celicia nodded and smiled, “I'll go anywhere with you.”

Kris (and Mibu) blushed at the proclamation.

While Kris went about getting the rest of the supplies, Mibu was adamant she needed to take Celica to the bathhouse.

“Why are you taking me away from my darling?” Celica asked as they walked to the bathhouse (although Mibu was grabbing her shoulders, pushing her along).

“It's where we're supposed to go to talk,” Mibu explained.

“What?...” Celica looked at Paddy, who gave a weak smile and shrugged.

Once at the bathhouse, Mibu quickly stripped, while Celica was reluctant to take off her cloak.

“What's wrong?” asked Mibu, accidentally (by virtue of their height difference) shoving her breasts in Celica's face when she walked up.

Celica blushed, holding herself.

“Come on, don't be shy!” Mibu said, before pulling her cloak off. Underneath, she was only wearing a plain white camisole and black shorts.

Oh...she's very tiny, Mibu thought as she looked at her. Her breasts barely poked through the camisole (she was not wearing a bra by the look of it) and she was very thin. Hmm...I'm a little worried now, she looked down at herself, then over at Paddy, who's breasts flopped a bit as she took off her undergarments.

Celica was blushing and averting her gaze. “Go ahead. I know I'm not very womanly...”

Mibu shook her head. “No, you're very...uh...cute! Yeah, you just gotta play up your cuteness!” she responded, before tearing off the rest of Celica's clothes.

Going inside the bath area, Celica continued covering herself with a towel while Mibu sat her down on a stool. “So, what do you-” Wait... Unlike when she did this with Paddy, Mibu already knew what Celica's feelings were for Kris, as she had made them known very clearly (something Mibu could appreciate). Hmmm... “So, why do you like Kris?”

Celica dropped the towel she was using to cover herself, holding her cheeks while she blushed. “He...he's so dreamy...”

Mibu was confused. Re-really? I mean, I love Kris and I do think he's attractive, but...dreamy!?

“And they way he fought that bear. He was so cool! Standing firm as it charged at him, trying to continue fighting it after he'd already been injured.” She then realized she had dropped her towel, but Mibu grabbed it before she could. “Haha, there's no need to cover yourself. It's just us girls here.”

Celica blushed but begrudgingly accepted, closing her eye and putting her hands on her knees as Mibu started scrubbing her hair.

“Ooohhh, it's so silky,” Mibu complimented as she ran her fingers through her long black hair. Now that she was undressed, Mibu could see it ran down past her shoulder blades. “Kris likes long hair.”

“Re-really?” Celica said, sounding hopeful.

Mibu nodded, “Oh yeah. Corinne, the guild lady you talked to when joining? Kris has the hots for her, too, and yours is about as long.”

Celica nodded, absorbing the information in.

Mibu bucketed some water over Celica to wash the shampoo out, and they switched positions.

As Celica started scrubbing Mibu's hair, she got distracted by her breasts. Trying not to look at them, she kept scrubbing and looked around, only to eye Paddy again. That elf Corinne had pretty big boobs too, right? Ughh.... “Um...does Kris only like big-breasted woman?”

Mibu shook her head, “No, I don't think so. I've seen him eyeing Misty too, and hers are only C-cup.

I'm only A-cup though...

Paddy, who so far had been silently washing herself next to them, tried to reassure her. “Don't worry, he even finds my body attractive.”

Celica, looking at the thick and well-endowed Paddy, felt like crying. Finishing scrubbing Mibu, they got into the tub to soak, Celica sinking down until she was blowing bubbles.

Mibu opened an eye to look at Celica. “I'm pretty sure it's a 'yes', but I'm assuming you want to be mates with Kris too, right?”

Celica almost slipped under the water, splashing and scrambling to sit up straight in the tub. “Ma-mates? You mean like, having s...sex, right? I...I guess so, but...”

Mibu smiled, “Of course. Kris is a great mate. We-”

“You've had sex with him already!?” Celica almost shouted.

Several of the other woman in the bath turned to look at her in surprise.

Celica sunk back down, blushing.

Mibu slowly nodded.

Paddy did too.

I mean, I figured they were together, but actually thinking about it...

“Yeah, we've mated...a lot,” Mibu said bluntly, looking up and thinking about it.

Paddy was blushing and nodded along.

Since Celica seemed concerned, Mibu gave a fist pump, “Don't worry, we can help you!”

Mibu whispered to Paddy, who nodded. Turning back to Celica, she continued, “We'll set up a good situation for you and Kris, so you just need to convince him to be mates with you, too! Then we'll all be in the pack together.”

Celica thought for a moment, blushing, then nodded.

After finishing they're bath, they went back to their room at the inn, where Kris was relaxing on one of the couches, a packed bag in front of him.

Turning to face them, he asked “You get all cleaned up?”

Mibu ran over and gave him a kiss. “Yup! Also, Celica wants to mate with you, too.”

Celica covered her face, blushing hard. That's not 'set up a good situation', that's just telling him!

Kris blushed a bit too. “Are you sure? Did you push her into it?”

Mibu shook her head. “No, of course not! She was talking about how dreamy you were,” she added, giggling.

Celica blushed even further, pulling her cloak up over her face to cover it.

“Paddy and I will sleep in the other room tonight. Since she just joined, we'll let her have you to herself tonight,” Mibu winked, then gave him a kiss.

Paddy picked up Kris, giving him big smooch before setting him back down and following after Mibu.

Kris and Celica were now in the main area alone.

She definitely wants to do it, right? I mean, she came all the way here to marry me...

Celica was still blushing and averting her gaze.

This isn't good. I shouldn't be like with Mibu when I first got her, I need to take the initiative here!

Walking up to her, he gently put his hands on her waist. He could feel she was very slim under her cloak.

Celica was blushing so hard steam was coming out of her ears, and had to avert her eye.

“Do you...is what Mibu said true?” Kris asked.

Celica tried to look up at him, but had to look away again. However, after a moment, she nodded.

Kris blushed. “Um...do you want to kiss?”

Celica fluttered hey eyelid, seeming to like the idea.

Kris gently held her back, leaning down towards her.

As Kris leaned down, Celica closed her eye and leaned up.

Their lips met for just a moment.

As they pulled back, Kris gave a smile. “That was nice.”

Celica also gave a small smile.

“You're very cute, Celica.”

Celica blushed more but continued smiling. “I really do think you're dreamy.”

Kris gave a small chuckle, “I think I've gotten in decent shape lately but I've never been called 'dreamy' before.”

Celica grabbed his shoulders and pulled him down for another kiss.

Kris thought she was trying to make out, so he gently touched her lips with his tongue, before forcing his way in. Celica started to go limp, so he wrapped his arms around her to support her.

After a few moments, Celica pulled her head back, breathing heavily.

Celica put her hands on his chest. “Is it-...” then stopped.

“What...what's wrong?”

“Is it true you've mated with the others a bunch?” she asked.

Kris gulped. “Ye-yeah...I, um, well, Mibu and I are forming a 'pack'. I completely understand if you don't want to be a part of it...”

Celica shook her head. “I thought maybe I'd have to compete with them for your love, but...” she leaned in and kissed him again. “If you treat me like them, I don't mind.”

Kris blushed, “Of course! If you show favoritism too much in a harem, that's a surefire way to lose it, right?”

Celica giggled, “Right!”

Kris picked her up in a princess carry. “Do you...want to get to it?”

Celica blushed but smiled and nodded. “Yes. I...I did want it to happen when I came here. I just didn't think it would happen this quickly...”

Carrying her over to the bed, he laid her down, before unclasping her cloak to reveal her camisole and short-shorts.

Celica seemed unconfident. “Sorry, I-”

Kris, having dealt with this before, put a finger to her lips. “Don't be sorry. You're beautiful,” he added, leaning over and kissing her again.

This was too much for Celica, who sat up and pulled his shirt off, before sitting in his lap and making out with him again while feeling his chest.

“Two can play at that game,” Kris chuckled, pulling off her camisole and grabbing her chest, flicking his thumbs over her nipples.

After a few moments, she started spasming in his arms.

“Kr-Kris...” she said, pulling him onto the bed.

Kris nodded. He pulled off her shorts, to reveal she was already drenched, before taking off his own pants, revealing his enlarged member, ready to go.

Celica's eyes got wide. “Um...go...ahead....”

Kris started to slide himself in, being careful to go slowly and stopped every time Celica winced. After a minute of inching in, he gave one more big heave, and was all the way in.

Celica was going crazy, having spasmed in his arms again, arching her back.

Holding onto her as they both caught their breath, Celica smiled and started kissing him again.

Kris took this as a sign he could move again, and started thrusting back and forth slowly.

Celica wrapped her legs around him for support.

Kris went faster and faster, before eventually he was ready to blow.

“Celica, I'm about there...”

Celica nodded and smiled, “Kiss me...”

Kris did as asked, before thrusting one final time, releasing deep inside her.

After he finished, he caught his breath, laying down next to her. “Are you okay?”

“I feel all...tingly...” she giggled, before kissing him again, then burying herself in his chest.

Kris wrapped his arms around her small frame, holding her close.

After a couple minutes, Kris noticed Celica breathing softly. Brushing the bangs out of her eye, he gave her a kiss on the cheek. I feel like this was a little too easy, but I'm definitely not going to complain. Closing his own eyes, he started to drift off.