Chapter 160 It’s Too Late Now
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
I pulled Ichika toward me with a surge of possessiveness, our lips crashing together. I let my tongue slide deep into her mouth, tangling with hers as the lewd, wet sounds of our kissing filled the room. My hands found her backside, kneading the soft yet firm curves of her buttocks. The sensation sent a jolt through me, and I felt my manhood throb and harden in response.
Ichika didn’t hesitate. Her hand slid down, slipping inside my trousers to wrap around me. Her palm was cool against the heat radiating from my core-a sharp, electric contrast that only made me harder. My erection pulsed, the tip brushing against her belly as we pressed our bodies tight against one another.
”Ah… you’re quite spirited again tonight, Tatara-sama.”
She whispered the words with a seductive, almost maternal warmth. I could feel the ‘Sex Sorcery’¹ woven into her voice; it stoked the fire in my blood until my instincts took over, screaming at me to devour her. It was strange-unlike when I was with Ethelena, I couldn’t hold back. Maybe the ‘Sex Sorcery Enhancement’ from that ‘Naughty Lingerie’ was actually working.
A small, rational part of my mind tried to analyze it, but my body was done waiting. I swept her up, carried her to the bed, and pinned her down. For a moment, I just looked at her.
The ‘Naughty Lingerie’ she wore was black and provocatively sheer, leaving little to the imagination. The intricate butterfly lace gave her an air of elegance, yet the design was shamelessly functional, leaving her nipss and her most private depths completely exposed. The sight was enough to break me. I leaned down, taking one of her dark, peaked nipss into my mouth.
Ichika let out a sweet, keening cry. That sound-that surrender-only pushed me further. I kicked off my pants and pressed my hardness against her stomach, my fingers rolling and teasing her other breast.
She seemed completely overwhelmed, her senses firing on all cylinders as she clung to me with everything she had. Through our skin-to-skin contact, the ‘Sex Sorcery’ amplified the pleasure, turning me into a beast that wanted nothing more than to claim her.
I guided myself to the opening in her lace and pushed into her in one smooth, deep thrust. Ichika let out a sharp, high-pitched cry of ecstasy, her hands flying from my shoulders to grip the bedsheets. I pulled back slightly, then lifted her hips, setting a rhythm that made her tail twitch behind her.
Her narrow walls squeezed me tight, the friction driving me closer to the edge with every stroke. She was breathless, crying out my name over and over. I wanted that voice all to myself, so I captured her lips with mine again.
Driven by pure heat, my usual technique went out the window. I kissed her clumsily, our tongues clashing, but I felt a sudden, deep well of affection for the way she tried to keep up. Just as I reached the peak, I pulled out instinctively, spending myself across her skin. Hot, white fluid stained her body as she lay there dazed. Then, to my shock, a tear rolled down her cheek.
”How come you’re crying… I mean, even if I don’t ask, I was bad at it, wasn’t I?”
”No… it’s not that…”
I pulled her into my arms as she started to sob, clinging to me. I stroked her hair, trying to understand. But even as my heart went out to her, my body hadn’t gotten the message-I was already starting to regain hardness.
”Why, why do you pull it out?”
”No, I mean, I can’t really do that to Ichika while she’s pregnant…”
In the game world, there was actually a mechanic where ‘Sex Sorcery’ could be used to induce an abortion by flooding the partner with too much Mana². Since my ‘Sex Sorcery’ stats were supposedly six times higher than a standard Succubus, I was genuinely terrified I’d hurt the child.
When I explained, Ichika just shook her head.
”I have ‘Sex Sorcery’ within me too, now. Your Mana… it acts as nourishment for both me and the little one. It’s more efficient this way.”
”What kind of conveniently lewd biology is that?”
Seriously, what is with the s*xual evolution in this world? No risk of miscarriage from coming inside? I guess in an eroge world, that’s just standard operating procedure.
”Besides,” she added, “the books said a man satisfies his need for dominance and feels more pleasure when he… finishing inside.”
”…Where exactly did you find a book like that?”
”In the study of this house.”
”That bastard father of mine.”
That makes twice in my life I’ve wanted to curse the old man’s name.
”…I’m not done yet. Next time, I’ll stay inside. Just… stop crying, okay?”
I squeezed her a little tighter, and she finally nodded.
”A-Ah, Master!?”
”What now?”
”This-this is definitely not okay-degozaru!”
I shifted positions, pulling her on top of me. The moment the power dynamic flipped, her old ninja speech patterns slipped back out. Seeing her hair and tail in their natural state like this… yeah, I could get used to this.
”Tell me what’s ‘not okay’ about it.”
”B-Because… putting my beloved beneath me is…”
She looked mortified, but in that outfit, her modesty didn’t have much of a leg to stand on.
”Come on, Ichika. Sit down and move however you want.”
”I couldn’t…”
”Just move in whatever way makes you feel good. If you’re happy, I’m happy.”
”Uu… As you command-gozaru.”
She’d been too scared and in pain during her first time, but tonight, she managed to lower herself onto me without a hitch. She took me in slowly, her body stretching to accommodate me. I hit her deepest point, though I was too big to go all the way in.
Ichika’s breath hitched. She paused for a second, then started to move. She was clumsy at first, but she began searching for the angle that hit her just right. The logic in her eyes melted away, replaced by a raw hunger for pleasure. I began thrusting upward to meet her, helping her along. The weight of her body and our combined rhythm seemed to be sending shockwaves straight to her brain.
Seeing her face go soft with ecstasy gave me a sense of satisfaction I couldn’t describe-a dark, possessive need to mark her as mine. I knew it was an ugly side of me, but when she leaned down to kiss me, all those thoughts vanished.
She broke the kiss, her face flushed with bliss and looking genuinely happy. She laced her fingers through mine, and in response, I picked up the pace. Her walls pulsed around me, milking me until I couldn’t hold back a second time. Ichika hit her climax at the exact same moment, her back arching as she took everything I had to give. She trembled in my arms, accepting my seed.
A moment later, still draped over me, she began to stroke her lower belly affectionately-cherishing both the child already growing there and the life I’d just poured into her.
The sight was so moving I felt myself hardening for a third round. I moved her off me, turned her around, and had her brace her hands against the wall.
”T-Tatara-sama…?”
Ignoring her confusion, I buried myself inside her with one hard thrust. She let out a cry that was half-scream, half-moan. I hovered over her from behind, pulling her close as I worked my hips.
”No… I want to see your face… please…”
Her voice was tiny, and her insides were clamping down on me like a vice. I tilted her head back with my left hand so I could kiss her. She didn’t resist; she just took it, and that total surrender fed my ego.
”Ichika… you’re mine. My one and only good wife and wise fox.”
”Ye…s…”
She whispered her agreement, her body squirming with delight at the idea of being used by her master. I moved faster. I teased her breasts as they hung down, and she squeezed me even harder, as if trying to wring every last drop out of me. I couldn’t fight the blood of the Nine-Tailed Fox in her-I hit my limit and let go.
”Take it, Ichika…!”
”Ah… ahh!!”
I drove deep and emptied myself. She slumped against the wall, her cries echoing in the room. Even after the third time, it felt like an eternity before I finished. When I finally pulled out, the excess spilled from her, a lewd reminder of what we’d done. The sight was so erotic I felt myself stirring yet again.
I grabbed one of her legs, forcing her to stand on one foot while she balanced against the wall. Then, I went back in for the fourth time. She was clearly exhausted, her protests becoming weak and airy, but I didn’t stop.
* * *
I must have passed out, because the next thing I knew, I was waking up in bed. Ichika was using my arm as a pillow, her face looking more ‘spent’ than ‘peaceful.’ I felt a twinge of guilt-I’d definitely overdone it.
Whether it was the ‘Sex Sorcery’ or the lingerie she was still wearing, I was already sporting a morning erection. But after pushing her that hard, I decided to let her sleep. I kissed her forehead, slipped out of bed, and headed for the shower. Once I’d scrubbed the night’s evidence off my skin, I went to the kitchen.
Thanks to my “good wife’s” prep work, the rice was going to be ready in an hour. I decided on a traditional Hizuru-style³ breakfast.
I started the dashi with some freshly shaved bonito flakes, prepping some turnip and green onions on the side. I pulled the bonito before the water could boil, letting it drain in a sieve while I prepped the miso. I went with a five-to-one blend of white and red miso, added the veggies to the dashi, and let it simmer on low. Once they were tender, I swirled in the miso, making sure it didn’t come to a boil.
For the main, I went with classic bacon and eggs. I sliced the bacon thin, crisped it up in the pan, and cracked the eggs right over them. A splash of water, a lid to steam the tops, and they were perfect. I finished it off with some shredded cabbage. Simple, but solid. I left the salt off so everyone could season theirs to taste.
”…Master? Where are you-degozaru?”
Just as I was finishing up, I heard Ichika. I turned around to see her standing in the living room in a bathrobe, looking like she was about to burst into tears.
”Morning, Ichika. What’s wrong?”
Her face lit up the second she saw me, and she practically tackled me. She buried her head in my chest, rubbing against me like a giant puppy-a rare move for her this early in the morning.
”…I woke up and you were gone-degozaru.”
”I just wanted to let you sleep. You had a big night.”
The lingering ache of being wanted so intensely-of being loved until every inch of my body felt heavy with it-should have been enough to satisfy me. Yet, it couldn’t touch the hollow loneliness of waking up to find my Master gone. It was a special kind of misery-degozaru.
”…Yeah,” I managed to say.
”…I am but a girl (Watashi),” she whispered, her voice small. “Am I truly meant to carry this heartache for centuries to come?”
She stopped rubbing against me and suddenly pulled me into a fierce, desperate embrace. I held her back, my hand stroking the crown of her head. She clearly hadn’t showered yet; I could feel where the remnants of our morning had matted her hair, the strands stiff and cooling.
”I suppose… but the children (child-tachi) will be here to look after you,” I said. “Won’t that be enough?”
”I don’t know,” she whispered into my chest. “I won’t know until that day actually comes.”
”Right. Then we’d better make sure to fill the time we have with as many good memories (memories) as possible.”
I didn’t have the stomach for talk of “Sublimation of Existence⁴” right then, and my voice must have given me away. Ichika only squeezed me tighter in response.
”Anyway, go get cleaned up,” I said. “After everything we did yesterday, you smell like a wild animal.”
”Master, honestly, you can be so incredibly insensitive-degozaru yo!”
”Look, if it were just the two of us in this house, I wouldn’t care. I’d probably just pin you back down and start all over again. But we’ve got the Part-time Leader and the Torakuma sisters around. I have to draw the line somewhere.”
To be honest, if it were just Tatia and Yohira, I wouldn’t have even bothered with the lecture. I’d already crossed that bridge with Tatia, and Yohira was mature enough to handle the reality of our situation.
Ichika let out a sharp groan of frustration and stomped off toward the bath. I made my way to the living room sofa, settling in to watch Yohira and the Part-time Leader. They were already deep into their morning dance training (training).
Yohira moved to the sharp trill of the Leader’s flute, her voice weaving through the air as she performed. There was a new, deliberate cadence to her movements-a sharper sense of control. I’m no artist, so I struggled to find the right description. It was as if she were using sudden “Rock” actions to build tension, stacking split-second freezes to amplify the eventual snap of her limbs.
To my untrained eyes, it looked like she was generating raw momentum through a series of calculated hesitations. Compared to her old style-which felt fluid and supple-this was something different. It was aggressive. Violent. This wasn’t a dance meant to soothe a spirit; it was a performance meant to rouse the blood.
”Good morning, Tatara-sama,” Mitsuha-san said, offering a polite greeting as she entered.
”Morning, Mitsuha-san.”
”Hehe. You’ve been quite captivated by Yohira’s dance (Yohira’s dance), haven’t you?”
”Yeah,” I said, shifting over to make room as she sat beside me. “I’ve been making a habit of catching their morning rehearsals.”
”In that case,” she said, her eyes twinkling, “what do you think of her dance (Yohira’s dance) now?”
”Well… it’s striking. It feels raw. Almost… restless? Like she’s overflowing with too much energy.”
Mitsuha-san’s gaze sharpened. As the daughter of my mother-in-law, she had a discerning eye for the traditional arts. “Violent, you say?”
”Yeah. Before, Yohira’s style felt like a calm stream. Now… it’s like the stop-and-go is turned up to eleven. It’s a lot to take in.”
Trying to verbalize these feelings was a headache. If you want someone to actually understand you, you have to find the right words, but I always felt like a rambling idiot. Honestly, technical jargon is so much easier-at least those terms have fixed meanings.
”I see. So, you’re a fan of Yohira’s dance (Yohira’s dance), then?”
”Wait, I mean, yeah, I like it. But that’s a bit of a leap, isn’t it?”
”Not at all. The nuances you’re picking up on-the shift from grace to raw power-those aren’t things a casual observer sees. You only notice those details when you’re looking at someone with real affection.”
Was that how it worked? It seemed pretty obvious to me.
”So, let me ask you this: Do you think this ‘violent’ style is here to stay?”
”No,” I said firmly. “I think it’s just a phase. A transition.”
Yohira was likely being jerked around by the massive output of her ‘Early Bloomer⁵‘ skill, struggling to keep her feet underneath her. As someone who’d lived with high-spec abilities since birth, I could empathize. Her ‘Dancing’ skill (skill) was shoveling new techniques into her brain faster than she could refine them. That ‘roughness’ I saw was just the gap in her proficiency. Once ‘Early Bloomer’ finished doing its work, that gap would close. Her dance (Yohira’s dance) would be reborn as something even more vivid.
When I finished explaining-minus the specific talk about the ‘Skill’ (skill) system-Mitsuha-san gave me a satisfied smile. “I knew it. You really do understand Yohira better than anyone, Tatara-sama.”
”I wouldn’t go that far.”
Considering I’d recently stepped on a social landmine and made her go nuclear on me, ‘understander’ felt like a stretch. But Mitsuha-san didn’t know the messy details of our spat, so I guess I couldn’t blame her.
”Hehe. Well, I for one would be more than happy to have you as a brother-in-law.”
I felt a wave of exhaustion hit me at her words, but I kept my mouth shut and went back to watching the dancers.
(For the record: A ‘Great Condiment War’ broke out over the fried eggs at breakfast shortly after this. As a loyal member of the Salt Faction, I’m starting to worry if I can actually survive in the Torakuma household. They’re all soy sauce extremists.)
* * *
The Part-time Leader and a very sleepy Dahlia headed off to the arena for rehearsals. Apparently, the theater troupe finally delivered the script yesterday, so they were under the gun. I’d wondered why the Leader came home so early last night if things were so busy; he claimed he needed time to get used to the script and decided to ‘refresh’ by swinging his sword. Yeah, right. He was totally procrastinating.
Dahlia claimed she had zero interest in acting, but she was weirdly good at memorizing text. When I patted her head and told her she was a good girl, she shot a massive, smug look… right at Ichika. Since those two were constantly locked in a cold war over who gets to be the ‘top pet,’ even a little affection (skinship) could trigger a blowout. I tried to talk them down, but they just kept trying to pull rank (mount) on each other. Ichika using her pregnancy as a social ‘flex’ was particularly brutal. It was basically a forbidden card for Dahlia. The fact that Ichika didn’t just blurt out that we’d been at it until sunrise was probably the only thing saving the peace.
Still, seeing Dahlia lose the argument made me feel a bit bad for her.
”…Hey, Dahlia,” I said.
”Ugh, what is it now, Master?!” she snapped, still radiating frustration.
”I was thinking… I’d really like it if you could be an older sister figure to the kids when they’re born.”
Dahlia froze. She looked like she’d been struck by lightning (a pigeon hit by a pea-shooter).
”I mean, your appearance isn’t going to change, right? And you’re already used to the games and gear I make, including Aarem. I think you’d be a great big sister.”
”…”
The stunned silence lasted for a few heartbeats before her face split into a radiant, ear-to-ear smile (smile). “Yes, my Master!”
She chirped the answer with enough energy to power a city. Then, she grabbed the Part-time Leader-who looked like he’d just witnessed a ghost-and sprinted toward the arena.
”Tatara… honestly, has your womanizing always been this potent, or are you leveling that up too?” Yohira asked.
”That’s uncalled for. I’m just… I’m just thinking about what happens after I’m gone.”
”Tatara-dono,” Tatia interjected, her voice dangerously low. “If you utter another word of that morbid talk, I’m canceling today’s dungeon exploration (dungeon exploration). I will lock you in this room and squeeze you until I’m pregnant myself. Are we clear?”
”…Yes, ma’am.”
I’d only asked because I wanted the kids (child-tachi) to have as many people in their corner as possible, but apparently, the very core of my logic was a punishable offense. It used to be Ethelena who kept me in line, but lately, Ichika and Tatia have been tag-teaming the role. And honestly? That specific threat is way too effective.
”Anyway,” Yohira said, mercifully changing the subject, “how deep are we going today?”
”I’m thinking the 70th floor (70th floor), same as last time. If we farm items along the way, we should be able to get Tatia’s ‘Sublimation of Existence’ within reach.”
”I told you, I’m fine waiting until this whole mess is over…” Tatia muttered.
”It doesn’t matter. Being able to do it and choosing not to is a world of difference from being stuck unable to do it at all.”
To be honest, Tatia’s Sublimation of Existence (existence sublimation) is a bit of a raw deal at first. Her stats (status) actually drop below her base level. But with ‘Early Bloomer’ in the mix, grinding those skills back up will be a breeze. Plus, I’m betting it’ll fix the issue where her stats (status) only increase by +1 across the board. Even without the sublimation, hitting her Mana cap will boost her Burst Edge damage by nearly 200 points. We’re going to need that kind of firepower soon.
”In that case, I have a suggestion,” Yohira said. “Tatara, once you have a free skill (skill) slot, you need to pick up ‘Swallow’s Reversal⁶.’”
”‘Swallow’s Reversal,’ huh?”
I chewed on that for a second. It’s a nightmare to control during blacksmithing (blacksmithing), but given my current Physical Attack, it’s a solid combat choice. With ‘Early Bloomer III’ accelerating my growth, it was a move worth making.
”Alright. ‘Concealment’ and ‘Stealth Step’ are almost maxed out anyway. I’ll pick up ‘Swallow’s Reversal’ once they’re done.”
I’ve got a bloated list of combat skills (skill) as it is, but more options never hurt. Sure, half of them don’t work on Magic Devices (Magic Device), but that’s just the nature of the beast.
”The only downside is that the moment I take it, I won’t be able to put a dent in that boss’s defense.”
”Please! If that happens, I’ll just have to work twice as hard to cover for you. You can rest easy-you’re in good hands.” Yohira puffed out her chest with pride.
Everything went like clockwork. We hit the ‘Muumin’ zone on the 21st floor and absolutely cleaned house, hauling in a staggering amount of stat-up items (status up item). By the time we hit the mid-floors, I’d maxed out ‘Stealth Step’ and officially unlocked ‘Swallow’s Reversal.’
I tested it out on some trash mobs, stepping up to the front line with my hammer (hammer). Now, hammers are generally split into one-handed and two-handed types. The big two-handed ones I use for combat hit like a freight train, but they’re slow-you usually don’t get to chain attacks. ‘Swallow’s Reversal’ was the perfect fix, turning a slow weapon into a rapid-fire threat.
The catch? My damage was halved. My base Physical Attack is 219. With ‘Kokuyo’ and my ‘Elemental Hammer’ (hammer) equipped, it jumps to 324. But with the skill active, that 324 gets slashed to 162. Against an Orichalcum Golem without using ‘Concept Appraisal⁷,’ my per-hit damage shrivels to a measly 62. It was a massive hit to my burst potential.
However, thanks to the ‘Blessed Flower Crown’ and ‘Early Bloomer III,’ the sheer volume of attacks from ‘Swallow’s Reversal’ was power-leveling the skill itself. I picked it up on the 23rd floor, and by the time we reached the 50th floor (50th Floor), it had already skyrocketed to Level 8.
In fact, it felt too fast. I had a nagging suspicion that ‘Early Bloomer III’ and the ‘Flower Crown’ weren’t the only things pushing this skill to the limit.
”Maybe one of the skills I was meant to have all along was ‘Swallow’s Reversal’⁸,” I mused. My levels were climbing so fast it was the only logical conclusion. After maxing out ‘Concealment,’ I’d picked up ‘Full Body Blow’⁹ as my next project. It wasn’t exactly a trump card yet, but I’d been using it whenever I saw an opening, and its level was already skyrocketing. It was growing so fast it felt like a native skill. Was my original build supposed to be some kind of hyper-offensive powerhouse?
”Alright,” I said, looking toward the chamber. “Time for another round with this garbage boss.”
”Tatara, what’s the status of ‘Swallow’s Reversal’?” Ichika asked.
”Level 8,” I replied. “My striking power is mostly back. If I hit it from behind, I can probably wipe its HP in a single exchange-degozaru.”
The rest of the party gave me a look of total revulsion. Honestly, that reaction stung a little.
”It’s more than just fast growth,” Yohira said with a sigh. “I finally understand how I felt when I used to watch you back then-noja.”
”Hey, look, I’m only putting out these numbers because I’m stacking every damage skill I have, okay?”
I wasn’t buying their skepticism. Coming from someone who could match my raw attack power without trying, it felt a bit rich. Considering ‘Concept Appraisal,’ Yohira was the one who was truly broken – she could ignore defenses and just hammer away with high-firepower consecutive hits.
”I’ve gained three levels while grinding my skills, so I guarantee the damage is there,” I said.
”Then shall we decide the kill order-kanou?” Yohira suggested.
At Yohira’s suggestion, we coordinated our plan for the first ‘Spirit King’ encounter. Ichika would handle the Wind element again. She’d filled her empty ‘Ambush’ slot with ‘Fire Magic Aptitude,’ which significantly buffed her Foxfire-shrouded attacks.
That left me with the opposite element. If the layout was the same as last time, I’d be facing Earth. I was a bit worried about attribute absorption failing, so I decided to bench ‘Full Body Blow’ for this one. Tatia would target the furthest element, which left Yohira with Water. That meant Tatia was facing Fire – she’d need to stay sharp for the ‘Explosion’ triggers.
”If the layout’s the same, we’re set, right?” I asked.
”Does your knowledge suggest otherwise-noja?” Yohira asked.
”I don’t remember any major changes to this floor, so this should work,” I replied.
Against an Earth type, having ‘Flight’ would be a massive advantage, but my ‘Kokuyo’ didn’t have it. Still, with my attribute absorption, it shouldn’t be a problem.
”Let’s go take it down,” I said.
The group nodded, and I shoved open the boss room doors. Just like before, there was no teleportation; I judged that was a first-time-only event. I quickly scanned the enemy positions and shared them via ‘Telepathy.’
’Positions are identical to last time. Ichika, go!’
’Understood-degozaru!’ Ichika replied.
Everyone charged. Ichika reached the Wind Spirit King first, unleashing a mastered ‘Swallow’s Reversal.’ A five-hit combo shredded the spirit instantly. I timed my strike on the Earth Spirit King across from her. Using a hammer against Earth… was that some kind of developer gag?
Battle Log:
Accuracy: 292. Hit!
Damage: 483. Critical! Consecutive Hit!
I snapped the hammer through two quick swings. I caught it dead center; the first hit killed it, but the second followed through as total overkill. ‘Swallow’s Reversal’ was definitely overtuned. I ignored the crumbling Earth spirit and turned my gaze toward the boss. Its protective arms were already vanishing.
’Fire down!’ Tatia called out.
’Water is finished-ja!’ Yohira added.
Their telepathic voices arrived just as I squared up with the boss. Ichika moved first. The blue flames on ‘Peony’ flared as she used her clones to carve through the boss’s frame. I couldn’t even count the hits, but the boss was turning to ash before my eyes.
The mechanics of ‘Swallow’s Reversal’ were definitely different here than in the game. There, it added attacks based on half your level. In this reality, it was doubling the Rank. At Ranks I and II, it only added a few hits, but the formula clearly shifted higher up.
I shoved the math aside and charged as the boss turned toward Ichika. I triggered ‘Charge II’ – time to see what a ranked-up strike could really do!
Battle Log:
Accuracy: 282. Hit!
Damage: 698. Critical! Consecutive Hit!
The strike buried itself in the boss’s back, hitting the damage cap and triggering a double-tap. It was my first time overkilling a boss of this level; for a second, my mind went blank. The boss reconstructed itself and immediately retaliated with magic.
Evasion Check: Success.
I threw myself into a full-speed weave, dodging the high-tier fire magic ‘Flame Realm’ as it erupted. I was moving faster than the flames now. I was definitely becoming a monster.
With its counterattack whiffing, Tatia struck next. From my perspective, blades suddenly sprouted from the boss’s chest, pumping in and out as Mana detonated from within its core. It was a viciously efficient execution. The boss turned to use Wind magic on Tatia, but she just stood her ground and absorbed it – casually grinding her ‘Magic Defense Boost’ level in the process.
Yohira handled the finale. With a rising slash from ‘Viburnum’ that tore through the stone floor, she sent the boss reeling before finishing it with a three-hit combo. The boss shattered into particles, leaving a single treasure chest behind.
”Well… that went smoothly,” I said.
The group turned to me in unison.
”I was watching, Tatara-noja,” Yohira said. “What was that damage?”
”Everything stacked,” I explained. “I hit the cap, and then it went critical.”
The synergy between ‘Sneak Attack’ and ‘Ambush’ was terrifying. Ichika could do this too. Our party’s firepower was getting dangerously high.
”Anyway, the loot chest…” I started.
”I absolutely refuse-degozaru!” Ichika shouted, backing away.
She’d pulled ‘Sexy Lingerie’ last time and clearly wasn’t over the trauma. I didn’t blame her. After pulling a ‘Dragon Horn Crotch-piece’¹⁰ on the 40th floor – which looked like an embarrassing tribal pis pouch – I’d almost destroyed the chest. It was still sitting in my inventory because the stats were too good to throw away.
”Ichika, it can’t be that bad every time,” I said.
”Then you open it, Yohira-degozaru!” Ichika retorted.
”Well, Yohira landed the finishing blo>
w,” I said. “Tatia?”
”I’ll pass,” Tatia replied firmly.
”Fine, fine-noja…” Yohira sighed.
Yohira opened the chest and pulled out the contents. Her face immediately fell.
”Are you serious? It was an amulet last time-noja!”
It was ‘Sexy Lingerie’ again. Ichika’s had been black; Yohira’s was white. It actually looked pretty striking against her tanned skin.
”Is this some kind of set?” I wondered
> aloud. “If it is, Tatia’s next. I wonder what color she’ll get.”
”Tatara-dono!?” Tatia snapped.
I’d let my thoughts slip out loud. Honestly, I really did want to see her in it.
We moved on, clearing a massive swarm of ‘Muumins’ for stat-boost items. We didn’t find much for HP, but we got enough to max out Yohira’s HP and Skill Power. We also found a mountain of Mana-up items – more than enough for Tatia. We eventually stopped at the stairs to the 54th floor.
”Yohira, what’s the plan for your ‘Sublimation of Existence’¹¹?” I asked.
”If my stats are maxed, I’m ready-noja,” she replied.
I handed her the 205 HP items and 123 Skill Power Boosts.
”Rank up ‘Early Bloomer’¹² for the Sublimation,” I advised. “For the stat bonus, go with ‘Luck.’ The rest is up to you.”
”Understood-noja.”
She crushed the items, and the Sublimation process began. Mana swirled violently around her as she concentrated. When the air finally stilled, she opened her eyes.
”I ranked up ‘Early Bloomer’ and took ‘Luck-noja.’ I also picked up ‘Acoustic Mapping’ like you suggested. I’ll need to level it up fast along with ‘Singing’ and ‘Dancing,’ or my father will have my head.”
She gave a wry smile. I was glad she was prioritizing the exploration skills, but I knew her family’s social expectations were a heavy burden. Her mother-in-law was especially terrifying.
”And you, Tatia?” I asked, handing her 195 Mana items.
She took them with a sigh. “As I said, I’m waiting until we finish our current business. If my stats drop now, we won’t be able to clear the 50th floor to farm these items anyway, right?”
She gave me a mischievous look, and I laughed. She had come so far from the woman I first met. To think those knight-trainees tried to assault someone this kind… they really did deserve to be incinerated. ‘Filth must be disinfected,’ as the saying goes.
”Master… are you thinking about something dangerous-degozaru?” Ichika asked.
”Just your imagination,” I replied.
I had to be more careful about my killing intent leaking out.
”Let’s keep moving,” I said.
Everyone agreed. We pushed through the next floor, letting Yohira tear through ‘Ancient Dryads’ to recover her levels. Her ‘Swallow’s Reversal’ ranked up again, making her a whirlwind of destruction. In a duel, she could probably take the ‘Undead King’ now.
We reached the 60th-floor boss and cleared it easily. We played rock-paper-scissors to see who would open the chest. Tatia lost.
”Clothes?” she asked, pulling out the item.
I checked it with ‘Appraisal.’
’Fairy Bustier’¹³ (Light Armor)
Physical Defense: 18
Magic Attack: 20
Magic Defense: 45
Speed: 12
Effect: Charm Resistance (Women Only)
Yep. It was underwear. And since it was ‘Armor,’ it was designed to be worn on the outside.”
”…Tatia, look. That’s just-straight-up lingerie. And high-performance tactical lingerie for your upper body, maybe, but still underwear.” Julon Tatara said, his voice flat.
Tatia’s expression went completely blank. After pulling similar “equipment” on the 50th floor, this second helping of fanservice gear seemed to be the final nail in the coffin of her dignity.
”Master Tatara…” Tatia muttered.
”You’re in charge of inventory, Tatia. Keep it,” Tatara replied.
”…Yes, milord,” she said, her voice heavy with the sound of someone who had fundamentally resigned herself to a cruel fate.
I felt for her, truly. But if I were the one caught carrying that stuff, I’d be flagged as a creep before I could explain the stats. For the sake of my own social survival, Tatia had to take the hit.
We pushed deeper into the dungeon after that. Tatia was on a warpath, spamming her ‘Charge’ skill like a woman possessed. Between her and Yohira-who was obsessed with the level grind-the two of them were a whirlwind of destruction. By the time the dust settled, Tatia had maxed out ‘Charge,’ and even her ‘Swallow’s Reversal’¹⁴ had ranked up. She’d also picked up ‘Acoustic Mapping’ for the path ahead. I wondered if she should’ve focused on the “essential” skills her instructors at the Knight Academy had mentioned, but seeing the look on her face, I wasn’t about to argue.
From the 61st floor onward, Yohira took the lead, practically solo-clearing every room for the experience points. Ichika and I were relegated to being glorified scouts while the other two continued the massacre. That momentum carried us straight to the 70th-floor boss. Usually, you’d expect a tense standoff, but Yohira didn’t give them the chance-she shredded both bosses into ribbons before they could even draw breath. Her combat prowess had officially bypassed ‘Demon Lord’ and landed somewhere in the ‘Pseudo-Deity’ tier.
”Yohira, the treasure chest-” Tatara started.
”No,” Yohira snapped.
She shut me down before I could even finish. Fair enough. If I’d been pulling erotic armor all day, I’d be over it, too.
”Tatia, how about you?” Tatara asked.
”I believe I opened the one on the previous floor, did I not?” Tatia replied, her aura radiating a terrifying amount of pressure.
”…”
”Ichika, please don’t look at me like you’re about to burst into tears,” Tatara said, sighing.
The second I turned to her, I saw the moisture pooling in the corners of Ichika’s eyes. Guilt stabbed at my chest, but I had a terrible feeling about this chest, too. I didn’t want to touch it with a ten-foot pole.
”Fine. Let’s settle this fairly. Rock-paper-scissors,” Tatara suggested.
The air turned murderous. We formed a circle, everyone taking a sharp, bracing breath.
”Rock, paper, scissors!” We all shouted.
”Shoot!”
Three rocks. One pair of scissors.
”No… has this humble servant… truly lost-degozaru?” Ichika stammered.
I felt a twinge of pity for the dazed girl, but it was quickly drowned out by a wave of relief. Still, I couldn’t shake the premonition that whatever was inside was going to be a disaster. Ichika resigned herself to her fate, opened the chest, and immediately slammed the contents onto the floor in a fit of pique. I reflexively triggered my Appraisal skill.
[Upper Body Armor: Angel’s Bra]
Physical Def: 35 | Magic Def: 50
Special Abilities: [Light Resistance], [HP Regen III], [Female Only]
[Lower Body Armor: Little Devil’s Panties]¹⁵
Physical Def: 50 | Magic Def: 35
Special Abilities: [Dark Resistance], [Mana Regen III], [Female Only]
They were strong. Objectively, incredibly strong. But why is there so much “fan-service gear” in this place? Did the Dungeon Master have some weird, repressed memories of an eroge world and decided to spike the drop-rate for R-rated equipment? If so, it was a little late for a genre shift.
===
Author:
[Bonus Item: Dragon-Horn Codpiece]¹⁷
Phys Atk: 25 | Phys Def: 45 | Mag Atk: 18 | Mag Def: 38 | Speed: 25
Special Ability: [Male Only]
A piece of lower-body armor fashioned from the horn of a dragon that valiantly pierced the heavens. Its design is… minimalist, focusing entirely on defending a single point of interest. It is overflowing with the Mana of an ancient dragon. Warning: Due to its tapering internal structure, it can only be equipped by men with a ‘maximum value’ of under twelve inches. For anyone larger, the item becomes a cursed binding that cannot be removed.
[Bonus Story 2]
A lone woman walked with a light step down a quiet, secluded street. She had shoulder-length black hair held by a floral ornament and wore a cloak the color of the midnight sky. Her name was Kalmia Scientia. A graduate of the Academy and a licensed Alchemist, she was currently heading toward the shop owned by her one-sided love.
He was the man who had married almost immediately after graduation, shattering their childhood promise and her first love in one go. She’d felt betrayed; she’d spent countless sleepless nights crying. But then she discovered that he was effectively living with multiple “common-law” wives, and she realized the race wasn’t over. She was currently in the middle of a full-scale charm offensive. The problem? She was so happy just being near him that she usually forgot to actually make a move.
She reached the shop and stepped inside. The doorbell chimed, followed by a low, steady voice.
”Welcome… Oh, it’s just you, Mia,” the shopkeeper said.
The greeting was warm. It was Tatara Julon. He’d cut his hair short since their student days, giving him a rugged, sharp look that Kalmia secretly adored.
”Dada! Mii-cha! Mii-cha!” a toddler babbled excitedly.
”Yeah, yeah, it’s Mii-cha,” Tatara said, smiling.
In Tatara’s arms was his firstborn, a child with a ‘Youkai’ from the newly allied nation of Hizuru. The boy had Tatara’s hair color but had inherited his mother’s fox-like ears and tail. He’d been born shortly after graduation-a fact that had originally shocked Kalmia-but one look at the kid and she’d been completely won over. The boy even tried to call her by the nickname Tatara used, which led the other women in Tatara’s life to grumble about him being a “natural-born lady-killer” just like his father.
”So, what brings you by today?” Tatara asked.
”Oh, it’s my day off, so I thought I’d do some shopping,” Kalmia replied.
”You’re a weird one, Mia. Who comes all the way to the edge of town to shop at a place like this?” Tatara asked.
(Note: These are the words of the man currently ranked as the Chief Crafter-the literal top of the manufacturing world.)
Kalmia gave him a wry smile. “I’m looking for a Mana catalyst or maybe some high-defense armor. Do you have anything in stock?”
”I mean, I do… but…” Tatara’s expression darkened.
”Is there a problem?” Kalmia asked.
”The problem is that it’s nothing but problems,” Tatara replied.
He reached into his Inventory and pulled out a tiny scrap of black fabric shaped like bat wings.
”It’s a boss drop from the 70th floor. Female-only lower-body armor. The stats are insane, but… yeah.”
Tatara looked like he wanted to disappear. Kalmia leaned over the counter to get a better look. It was a pair of panties, intricately designed and pitch-black.
”The name is ‘Little Devil’s Panties’.”
”Tatara, I’m pretty sure this counts as s*xual harassment,” Kalmia said.
She said the words, but she was already sold. Her mother’s “naturist” bloodline didn’t see a few scraps of fabric as a dealbreaker, and if Tatara was the one selling it, she wanted it.
”I know, I know… but look at the stats,” Tatara argued.
”Are they really that good?” Kalmia asked.
”Physical Def is 50, Magic Def 35. It has Dark Resistance and Rank III Mana Recovery,” Tatara explained.
”Okay, s*xual harassment aside, that’s incredible equipment,” Kalmia admitted.
It was better than the ‘Spirit King’s Cloak’ she’d bought back in school.
”So, how much?” Kalmia asked.
”The Merchant Guild appraised it at 4.5 million. Given the performance, I’d say that’s fair,” Tatara said.
”Honestly, it’s a steal,” Kalmia agreed.
Kalmia didn’t hesitate. She was already reaching for her wallet.
”I mean, it’s good armor… but honestly, Mia, I’d rather recommend this instead,” Tatara said.
He pulled out a crystal that shimmered with a shifting, iridescent light.
”Is that… an ‘Alchemist’s Egg’?”¹⁸ Kalmia asked.
”Yeah. You can wear it as an accessory,” Tatara said.
To Kalmia, a handmade item from Tatara was worth ten boss drops.
”Is it better than the panties?” Kalmia asked.
”In a different way. It gives +100 to HP, Mana, and Skill Power, plus Rank V in all recovery types,” Tatara said.
”T-that’s amazing!” Kalmia gasped.
”Yeah. It also costs 90 million,” Tatara added.
”Never mind, I’m poor,” Kalmia muttered.
90 million was twenty times the price of the panties. Even for Kalmia, it was out of reach. But she wanted a connection to him.
”Ugh… w-well, can I buy it with my virginity?” Kalmia blurted out.
”What is wrong with you? It’s one piece of gear! Have some self-respect!” Tatara shouted.
”Just take the panties. The defense boost will at least help you tank some fire damage,” Tatara said, sighing.
”Fine… I’ll take them,” Kalmia said.
She sighed, mournfully paying for the ‘Little Devil’s Panties.’ Then, she immediately began hiking up her skirt to change.
”Whoa, whoa! What do you think you’re doing?!” Tatara yelled.
”What? I’m just changing my equipment?” Kalmia asked innocently.
”Do that at home!!” Tatara screamed.
In a quiet corner of the city, the shopkeeper’s shout echoed into the afternoon.
—
Summary:
Tatara and the pregnant fox-girl Ichika engage in a night of intense intimacy fueled by ‘Sex Sorcery’ and aphrodisiac lingerie. Tatara initially worries about the safety of the pregnancy but learns that his mana actually nourishes the unborn child. The next morning, he prepares a traditional breakfast as Ichika shows a more vulnerable, dependent side.
Following an intimate morning with the pregnant Ichika, Tatara observes Yohira’s evolving dance style and discusses its implications with Mitsuha. The group then enters the dungeon, reaching the 70th floor while Tatara trains a new skill, ‘Swallow’s Reversal’. The speed of his skill progression raises internal suspicions regarding hidden influences.
Tatara and his party efficiently clear the 60th-floor boss by leveraging massive damage stacks and coordinated attribute management. Following the battle, the group farms stat-up items to facilitate Yohira’s ‘Sublimation of Existence,’ successfully raising her power ceiling. It ends with a running gag as the boss drop turns out to be another piece of erotic ‘armor’ for the female members.
After that, the party clears the 70th floor of the Cavern of Eternal Night, resulting in yet another set of high-spec but s*xually provocative ‘Little Devil’ themed drops. Ichika loses a game of rock-paper-scissors and is forced to open the chest, leading to the acquisition of erotic lingerie armor. A time-skip bonus story reveals Kalmia’s visit to Tatara’s shop years later, where he is now a father and a renowned Chief Crafter.
—
Trivia:
- Tatara’s mana capacity is 6x that of a standard succubus.
- Ichika is currently pregnant.
- The ‘Naughty Lingerie’ has a ‘Sex Sorcery Enhancement’ effect.
- Tatara’s father left erotic research books in the home study.
- Ichika’s speech pattern shifts between formal/ninja and emotional depending on her state.
- Tatara is actively planning for the world after his death.
- Ichika is pregnant, which she uses as leverage in social ‘flexing’.
- Tatia’s ‘Sublimation of Existence’ causes a temporary stat drop.
- The ‘Early Bloomer’ skill is the primary reason for Yohira’s chaotic dance style.
- Tatara’s damage is halved when ‘Swallow’s Reversal’ is active.
- The change in skill calculation for ‘Swallow’s Reversal’ from (Level/2) to (Rank x 2).
- Tatara’s internal monologue about ‘filth must be disinfected’ is a quote from ‘Fist of the North Star’.
- Yohira’s family specifically scolds her for lacking ‘social’ skills like singing and dancing despite her combat prowess.
- Tatia is intentionally delaying her own progression to ensure the party can still farm lower floors effectively.
- The ‘Fairy Bustier’ is technically armor, meaning it is intended to be visible, not worn under clothes.
- The ‘Angel’s Bra’ and ‘Little Devil’s Panties’ are actually top-tier defensive gear despite their appearance.
- Yohira’s power level is now officially described as ‘Pseudo-Deity’ tier.
- The 30cm (12-inch) restriction on the Dragon-Horn Codpiece is a curse, not just a size requirement.
- Tatara’s child is half-youkai, originating from the nation of Hizuru.
- Kalmia’s ‘Spirit King’s Cloak’ from her student days is now inferior to the drop items Tatara is selling.
- Tatara is now a ‘Chief Crafter,’ meaning he is the top-ranked artisan in the world
—
Character Insight:
Tatara struggles with his increasing possessiveness, recognizing it as ‘ugly’ yet being unable to resist Ichika’s total surrender. Ichika shows that despite her capabilities as a ninja/fox-spirit, she is deeply attached to Tatara’s presence, exhibiting separation anxiety when she wakes up alone.
Tatara shows a melancholic pragmatism, obsessively preparing his companions and future children for his absence. Ichika and Dahlia’s rivalry for Tatara’s attention remains a comedic but grounded domestic tension.
Tatara shows a dark, vengeful side when recalling Tatia’s past trauma, contrasting with his usual analytical gamer persona. Yohira demonstrates trust in Tatara’s build advice, prioritizing the ‘Early Bloomer’ path despite her family’s pressures. Ichika’s growing phobia of loot chests adds a comedic layer to her stoic ‘degozaru’ warrior persona.
Tatara continues to play the ‘straight man’ to the dungeon’s absurd fanservice mechanics, while Kalmia shows a desperate, almost obsessive loyalty to him years later, even attempting to barter her virginity for his handmade items.
—
Behind the Scenes:
The author uses ‘eroge logic’ (game mechanics applied to reality) to bypass real-world biological risks, allowing for explicit content without plot consequences like miscarriage.
The ‘Great Condiment War’ is a classic Japanese trope (Soy Sauce vs. Salt) used to illustrate domestic assimilation and ‘common sense’ clashes.
The ‘Sexy Lingerie’ trope is a common light novel mechanic used to balance high-tier stats with social embarrassment, often referred to as ‘Bikini Armor’ logic.
The ‘King Crimson’ reference is a meta-joke about skipping time/scenes, popularized by the series JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. The author explicitly breaks the fourth wall to greet readers for the New Year.
—
TL Notes:
Notes:
• Ichika – The fox girl. Kunoichi. Virgincest⚠️, becomes pregnant immediately.
• Yohira – Torakuma’s first name. Oni warrior.
• Mitsuha – Second daughter of the Torakuma family (Yohira’s sister). She is quiet, awkward, surprisingly deadpan, and possesses a gentle, nurturing side (shown with Cornremu). Hair so long it trailed across the floor like Tomie Kawakami (Junji Ito), face half-hidden by hair, single dark horn (above brow), loose violet robes.
• Dahlia – The automaton.
• Kalmia – a female student and granddaughter of the legendary god-slaying protagonist from the first game, who visits Tatara’s shop with a timid yet fascinated demeanor, occasionally sniffing his crafted gear with intense curiosity.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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