Chapter 32 Return
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Ugh… this feels like coming back to life. The best, honestly.” My body, flushed from the heat, now tingled with the lake’s chilly embrace. “You just can’t feel right without a good bath, you know?”
I gazed out over the vast, clear lake. Clear streams flowed into it, free of mud or algae, sparkling under the sunlight. Water poured endlessly from the sloped, brown rocks, so pure it lifted my spirits just looking at it.
”Water’s only waist-deep—perfect.” I scrubbed my arms vigorously. “Whoa, look at all this grime coming off! It’s clouding up fast…”.
With a splash, I ducked under the surface.
My fingers raked through my hair, dislodging flakes and soot as the cold water seeped into my scalp. It was like plunging my head into a fizzing soda—sharp, clear, and so satisfying.
I burst back up, gasping. “Phew! I’m alive again!”
Lifting my eyes to the sky, I heard distant roars from monsters hidden beyond the thick tropical foliage. Their cries might’ve spooked most people, but with Trash-san keeping watch nearby, I felt safe enough to enjoy the dip. I was like some wild boy from a jungle tale, carefree and bold.
”Those birds sound so tropical. It’s like I’m at an exotic hot spring resort.” I grinned, imagining a bench by the lake’s edge. “Wouldn’t that be perfect?”
”Young Master, don’t wander too far,” Trash-san called from the shore, her voice firm. “I’ve checked for monsters in the water, but if you drown, it’s trouble.”
”Oh, come on, don’t be so stiff. I can swim, you know.”
She stood with her back to me, rigid by the lake’s edge. I’d had swimming lessons back in modern Japan, but in this world, guys like me weren’t trusted to know how. Typical.
We were taking a rare break by this lake inside the dungeon. It was about the size of a school field, crystal-clear, with a few palm-covered islets dotting its surface. A calm, quiet spot—no obvious monsters lurking. Perfect.
Might as well do some laundry while I’m at it…
”Hey, Trash-san, why don’t you jump in too?” I called.
”No, I’ll stay here and keep watch,” she replied, not turning.
”Come on, it’s fine!”
I waded closer, slicing through the water.
”Young Master…” Her voice wavered as I approached. “I’ve gotten used to you these past few days, but it’s not proper to invite a lady like this, especially in… that state. I mean, honestly, what’s with that shameless—”
”It’s not shameless. You can’t feel good staying all grimy, right? No one’s around. It’s fine.”
”I’ll bathe after I’ve set up your rest. Please, don’t worry about me.”
”Just come on already!”
”Fine, fine!” she snapped, flustered. “Just… don’t try to yank my clothes off!”
I tugged her gently, and Trash-san stepped into the lake. She averted her eyes from my scrawny, pale frame and peeled off her tattered jinbei. The thing was so worn it barely qualified as clothing—just a rag wrapped around her.
She splashed water around herself, clouding it to hide her body. It was clear she didn’t want me staring. But a playful streak sparked in me. I grabbed both her hands.
”Hey!”
”Come on, let’s go a bit deeper.”
Her cheeks flushed as she turned her face away. I led her to where the water was deeper, the mud she’d stirred up clearing as we went. By the time the water lapped at my shoulders, it barely reached her chest.
”Feels good, right?” I said.
”Yes… it does,” she murmured, still refusing to look at me.
Even bare, she just stood there, grumbling softly, too shy to wash properly. We’d been close—really close—twice before, yet Trash-san still acted embarrassed to see me like this. Was she worried I’d notice her excitement? I got it. It’s awkward when someone picks up on that kind of thing.
But I couldn’t help staring. Her body, though scarred, was graceful and strong. Her curves were perfect, her skin glowing with health despite the grime. Her slender waist flowed into hips that seemed to demand attention. Her chest floated slightly above the water, like little islands.
She’s too beautiful to stay this dirty. Gotta clean her up properly.
”Let me help you wash,” I offered.
”N-no, I’m fine!” she stammered. “I can do it myself.”
”I want to. You’ve been working hard for me, after all.”
”But—”
I didn’t wait for more protests. I reached out, gently scrubbing her skin. Dirt and grime melted into the water, clouding it like I was rinsing muddy vegetables.
”Scrub, scrub, scrub,” I teased.
”Ah… Young Master, you shouldn’t…” Her voice caught, a mix of embarrassment and something else. “This is too much…”
I’d learned a thing or two helping Yukari-san, and now I put it to use. At first, it felt like washing a stubborn potato, but as the dirt came off, Trash-san started to shine. It was… fun.
”Whew, all clean!” I said, stepping back.
She panted softly, cheeks red. “Thank you… but your hands kept brushing my thighs…”
”Those were the dirtiest spots! Look at you now—you’re sparkling.”
Before, she’d looked like some fallen noble from a gritty manga. Now? She was like a lake spirit, radiant and mysterious. Her wet hair clung to her, giving her an almost ethereal glow, like she’d just rushed into a concert hall, rain-soaked and dramatic.
But I noticed something else. She was… well, visibly affected by all this. Her face went scarlet when she realized I’d seen.
”It’s, uh, getting pretty intense down there,” I said, grinning. “Not just water making things slick.”
”S-stop!” she squeaked, mortified. “Why do you always do this? Are you testing me, playing with my sanity?”
”Maybe I am,” I teased, chuckling.
”Oh, for goodness’ sake…” She groaned, exasperated.
Her “sanity” was long gone, defeated like some weak dungeon monster. I smirked. “Hey, could you bend down a bit for me?”
She hesitated. “That’s…”
”We’re feeling the same way, aren’t we? No one’s here.”
I pleaded softly, and after a moment of inner struggle, she gave in. I reached out, my hand moving gently in the water, stirring soft ripples between us.
* * *
We hung our clothes and my sword on a palm tree by the shore. Trash-san lay on the ground, catching her breath, her body trembling slightly. Droplets glistened on her skin, and she let out small, contented moans, writhing in the afterglow.
”Ugh… I did it again,” she whispered, covering her face with her arm. “I’ve… defiled my master again.”
I flopped down beside her, basking in the moment. “You’re making it sound like I forced you. But you’re the one saying the opposite, huh?”
”It felt… good,” she admitted, voice small. “Too good. Why did the gods make this so… pleasurable? It’s why I keep failing you, Young Master.”
”We kissed in the water, moved around—it was fun, right? And no harm done if we got a bit carried away.”
”Please, don’t say any more…” Her voice, so soft and girlish, caught me off guard.
In this hidden lake, sharing this moment with her felt… incredible. I’d carry this day with me forever.
But splashing around had worn me out. Time to rest.
We crossed to one of the lake’s small islands to avoid monsters, settling down side by side to sleep. Trash-san resisted at first, but when I teased her about catching a cold, she relented, wrapping herself around me to share her warmth. Our clothes were still damp, so fern leaves served as our makeshift bedding. For all her strict chastity, Elder Sister made a fine hug-pillow.
That night, cool air rose from the lake, lulling us into a comfortable sleep. Whether Trash-san rested as well, though, I couldn’t say.
* * *
The next morning, I woke with a throbbing headache.
No surprise there—I’d pushed myself too far, and now I was paying for it. My body felt sluggish, heavy, like moving through mud. Yesterday’s romp in the water probably hadn’t helped. I’d gotten cocky, thinking my strength was returning and we were close to escaping the dungeon.
”Sorry, Trash-san,” I mumbled.
”You slept properly for the first time in a while, so your body must’ve let its guard down,” she said, studying my face. “You look pale. Let’s take it easy today and rest.”
”I overdid it, huh? My body’s always been weak.”
”How do you feel? Any fever or pain?”
”I’m kinda hot and woozy. My head hurts a bit too…”
”Poor thing.” She frowned. “There aren’t any herbs here to bring down a fever, but I’ll make an ice pack. Wait here.”
She covered me with plants to keep me hidden, then darted off, returning quickly with an armful of stuff: fruit peels from yesterday, some unidentifiable scraps, and other odds and ends she’d scavenged. With deft hands, she mixed lakebed clay with the peels, kneading in dried vines to soak up water.
”Cow or horse dung would’ve been better…” she muttered.
She placed the damp, cool lump on my forehead. It was clammy but lighter than it looked.
”Oh, that feels nice…” I sighed.
Good thing there was no animal dung around.
”Are you hungry?” she asked.
”Nah, I’m fine. Thanks. But my throat’s a little dry.”
”Let’s make some juice, just in case. The lake water looks clean, but better safe than sorry.”
She carved a piece of wood into a makeshift grater, mashed some fruit, and strained it through fibers to make juice. A wooden cup appeared like magic. Her DIY skills were unreal, like watching a crafting video on double speed.
Trash-san tended to me with quiet dedication. Even though I was past the age of seven, twelve-year-olds in this world could still drop dead easily. With the high death rate here, her worry wasn’t just fussing—it was serious.
”Ugh… I’m dizzy,” I groaned.
”Young Master…” Her voice was soft, concerned.
But a full day later, my symptoms only worsened. I figured it was just a cold, but being stuck in a dungeon made it hard not to panic. The monster cries echoing at night didn’t help—my weakened state amplified every fear. Death felt like a shadow lurking just out of sight. Maybe I was getting soft from all the close calls lately.
”If this gets worse, you won’t be able to move,” Trash-san said firmly. “I know it’s tough, but we need to leave while you still have strength.”
”Yeah… moving’s rough, but I get it.”
”Bear with it. We can’t recover properly here.”
”Okay.”
”You’ll be fine. We’ll get out soon.”
She crafted a carrying frame—a rectangular rig made of soft branches and vines, just big enough for me to sit in.
”Alright, hop on,” she said.
I settled into the frame, and she tied me in securely before hoisting it onto her back.
We took off, cutting through the air.
The lake vanished behind us as we plunged into the dense, chaotic jungle. Twisted roots and thorny plants blocked our path, but Trash-san leaped over them with ease, landing so lightly it was like her feet were made of cotton. She dodged obstacles like smoke, slicing through overhanging vines with her sword to clear the way.
My feverish mind blurred as the same scenery flashed by again and again. Sometimes, I heard the growls of strange birds or beasts nearby, and I knew we were holding our breath to slip past. Other times, I glimpsed Trash-san fighting off monsters in the dark, her breaths heavy, her knees buckling before she pushed forward again. It all felt like a fever dream, hazy and unreal.
* * *
I don’t know how much time passed.
When I came to, we were in a clearing where a jungle opened into a wide space. A door stood there, splashed with green, red, and yellow patterns.
”Where… are we?” I mumbled.
”Young Master, you’re awake,” Trash-san said softly.
”Yeah, I guess I dozed off. Feeling a bit better.”
”Good.” She nodded. “This is the door from the second layer to the first in the Rurunai Ruins. Pass through, and we can find help from the locals.”
With a clank, she opened the door, and we stepped through. My vision flickered, and suddenly we were in a wide plaza, the scenery oddly familiar.
”We made it,” she said, tilting the frame so I could see. “This is the town of Tatsuyama.”
Her body was covered in scratches, and I was burning up, my consciousness threatening to slip again. We were both exhausted. But the jungle’s thickness had thinned, and the distant monster cries were quieter now.
”Whoa… look at all this stuff,” I said, noticing spears, hunting rifles, and a cart scattered around. “Must be from Tatsuyama’s town.”
”Exactly,” Trash-san said. “The first layer is where ordinary women come to gather supplies. If we look, we’ll find someone in the forest. We’re almost there.”
”Finally, people.” I sighed in relief. “But… we snuck into this dungeon. Will they be okay with that?”
”It’s technically trespassing, but if we explain, the townsfolk won’t turn us away. Especially since you’re a man.”
My foggy brain stirred, remembering Tokumasa-kun’s bodyguards from Tatsuyama. I’d never heard them speak, but they stood out—short, dark-skinned, with pointed ears, like forest folk. Were all the townspeople like that, or just his guards?
Either way, the thought of collapsing into a real bed felt like a dream. We both let out a small, tired cheer.
”Now, let’s retire this,” Trash-san said, holding up the Guiding Fish Rod. “We can’t lose our hands now.”
”Oh, the fish stick. The one that points to the right door.”
”This mystical object has been a lifesaver,” she said. “Without it, we’d be lost. But according to records, it has one… amusing flaw.”
”Flaw? But it sounds like you’re having fun with it.”
”When overused, it triggers a certain phenomenon. I’ve never seen it myself, since this is my first time using one.”
”Didn’t you say it’s a consumable? Is that related?”
”Yes. We need to trigger it manually to dispose of it. Let’s try.”
She laid the Guiding Fish Rod on the ground. It bent with a creak, pointing toward what had to be the door to the surface. Normally, you could only exit through the door you entered, but this stick seemed to bend that rule.
Then, to my shock, Trash-san stomped on it repeatedly before stepping back to watch.
”Whoa, that’s harsh!” I said. “After all it’s done for us?”
She just stared at it, a faint smile on her lips.
”You’re not picking it up?”
”Shh… it’s coming,” Trash-san whispered.
”What? The fish is… crying?”
Right before my eyes, a shark burst from the ground. It snapped up the strange fish-shaped rod and vanished as quickly as it appeared.
”…Whoa,” I muttered.
”See? That’s what happens!” Trash-san laughed, her eyes sparkling. “Just like the records said. Pretty wild, right, Young Master?”
”A shark just… popped out. What even is this?”
She looked genuinely delighted. Apparently, if you used the Guiding Fish Rod to escape multiple dungeons, it came with a penalty—your arm might get chomped by a shark. The timing was random, but past incidents led people to limit its use to one escape only.
That’s… terrifying.
What was that thing? Magic? Science? I’d seen plenty of weird stuff in this world, but the laws of physics here made no sense. “Where did that shark’s mass even come from? And there’s no hole in the ground after it vanished. If it disintegrated, where’s the energy? Or did it move too fast for me to see? Ugh, my head hurts…”
The throbbing in my skull worsened.
Forget it. Time to sleep. The worst of the dungeon was behind us, and while Trash-san was battered, there wasn’t much I could do. If we got lucky, the locals would find us and help. My fever seemed to spike again just thinking about it. Letting go of consciousness would save me from wrestling with these impossible questions. I wasn’t that smart to begin with. Better to let it go.
”Whoa, Young Master, what’s wrong?” Trash-san’s voice sharpened with worry.
”Sorry, Trash-san. I’m leaving the rest to you.”
”Young Master! Young Master!”
Thanks to her relentless effort, we made it back home safely. And so, my chaotic dungeon adventure—a near-disaster—finally came to an end.
Notes:
• Yukari – Dora’s imperial guard, the one who hide in MC’s wardrobe. Twintail.
• Rurunai Ruins – A low-risk jungle-type dungeon entered in Chapter 31 after the island escape. Found by Trash-san and the Young Master seeking safety.
• Tokumasa – Friendly male student from Nokogiriyama, Tateyama Town. Sun-darkened skin, approachable.
• Guiding Fish Rod – Mystical item found by Trash-san in Chapter 31. Points toward exits when spun and ends the duo’s dungeon ordeal.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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