Volume 8 Chapter 18 Stress and Sanctuary
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Yellow Day¹ is the designated day of rest in my house.
I spent last night getting some much-needed physical therapy from Regina-san. I knew I’d need the energy; today was lunch with Yuko, a day guaranteed to be a total grind. Actually, the day before yesterday, after I dropped off Rin and Hina, I made a detour to the Daydream (BSS) brothel.
Rita was on shift, so it had been a while since we’d locked in. She gave me a real earful about it, too-apparently, a month is way too long for her to go without. Because of her unique constitution, a standard-issue d**k just doesn’t cut it.
I’m seemingly the only one around who can use a Transformation Skill² to hit those “Western porn star” dimensions, so every time we meet, she’s practically begging for it.
Seeing the usually cocky Rita act so submissive and needy really hits the spot, even if it makes me feel like I should be the one charging her for the service.
I’ve finally got a lead on the trump card I want to give Regina-san, but I held off on presenting it yesterday. It’s only been a few days since the discovery, and they aren’t exactly falling out of trees yet. I’m sure the city will be swarming with adventurers chasing the Dungeon Dream soon enough, but for now, I’ve only got a few. I’m thinking next week, or maybe the week after, is the right time to hand it over.
On a side note, Nanami shot down my invite to go for a swim at the lake. She said she just couldn’t swing a whole week off. It’s a bummer, and she actually looked pretty down about it herself, which is rare for her. Maybe I should just bite the bullet and build a pool at the house?
* * *
I spent the morning lounging around, holding Camilla while watching Liese go through her drills. I headed out just before noon, leaving Camilla and the others to watch the house.
I have zero interest in my lovers meeting Yuko, so I went solo. Juliet didn’t care enough to ask, and Ines just gave me a pitying smile as she watched me mope toward the door…
”Daisuke-san, would it be so bad if I tagged along?” Sylvie asked.
”Eh? Uh… well, I wouldn’t say it’s ‘bad,’ but I really, really wouldn’t recommend it.”
”Is that so?” replied Sylvie.
She’s never met Yuko, so she hasn’t built up a natural immunity yet. The other female transferees-except for Sakura-all turned out to be great girls, but Yuko is a different story.
I didn’t want Sylvie catching whatever personality parasite Yuko is carrying, so I didn’t sugarcoat it. I told her the highlights: the parasitic behavior, the way she weaponizes her “good intentions”… the list goes on.
”Oh… I see. She sounds… intense,” Sylvie said.
”Look, if you still want to go after all that, I won’t stop you.”
”No, I’d hate to be a burden and drag you down, Daisuke-san. I’ll pass,” said Sylvie.
”Phew… thanks, Sylvie. I appreciate you understanding.”
”Don’t worry about it. Thanks for looking out for me♪” Sylvie added.
It took a bit of effort, but since I got some quality time with Sylvie out of it, I’ll call it a win. Even Meta, who’s usually focused solely on my needs, looked like she wanted to give Yuko a piece of her mind, but I talked her down.
That would just be an unnecessary headache. I don’t care what Yuko thinks of me, but there’s no reason for Meta to get her hands dirty.
* * *
I made sure not to be a second late, arriving exactly on time. Yuko was already waiting. I gave her a lazy wave.
”Rough day?” I asked.
”Same as always. You’re right on time,” Yuko replied.
If this were a date, I’d have been here early. But this wasn’t a date. In fact, I’d timed my approach perfectly to minimize the minutes I’d have to spend listening to her.
We hit the usual cafe-restaurant-a step down from the places I take Mercedes. Mercedes is actually cute, after all; I don’t have enough “universal love” in my heart to treat a woman I can’t stand with the same luxury I give my girls.
The entire lunch was basically a venting session. I just played the role of the sounding board while she complained about the office. It’s not like she has many options; there are no karaoke bars or clubs here, and she clearly hasn’t made any real friends.
She might have a few “work buddies,” but no one she’d actually spend her day off with. She tries to act like she’s above it all, but it’s obvious she’s pissed that no one is worshiping the ground she walks on. She’s probably a total outcast.
According to Zofie-Mercedes’s friend and Yuko’s coworker-things aren’t even that busy right now.
”I wish it stayed like this all the time. It’d be so much easier,” Yuko sighed.
”I bet,” I said.
(I wish someone would release me from this lunch meeting.) My Depression Resistance³ and Fortitude skills were doing the heavy lifting, but a chore is a chore.
Surely she could handle this level of stress on her own. I still hand her a Status Recovery Potion every time we meet, anyway. Then, right on cue, she pivoted back to the marriage rush at her office.
”In our old life, people talked about the ‘Christmas Cake’ theory-you know, how a woman is ‘spoiled’ after the 25th? It’s even worse here. Everyone my age or younger is getting engaged or married left and right,” Yuko complained.
”Huh. Is that so?” I said.
I’m well aware the marriageable age is lower in this world. Being in the Royal Capital, it’s probably a bit later than in the countryside, but twenty is likely the standard for civil servants.
Even Zofie said she’d gotten engaged recently. Back home, that “Christmas Cake” nonsense had been replaced by the “New Year’s Soba” theory-out after the 31st-and even that was getting old.
”I don’t want people calling me ‘leftovers’ or ‘past her prime’ here. I want to be married within two years,” Yuko declared.
”Good for you,” I said.
(I honestly don’t give a damn. Do whatever you want.)
Actually, if she gets married, I can stop being her emotional garbage disposal, so I’m practically rooting for her. But I don’t have anyone to set her up with, and even if I did, I wouldn’t. It would be an insult to the guy.
Would Thomas take her? Maybe, but who knows. Henriette is at least pleasant; Yuko is just… Yuko. Better to just let it be.
”I guess marriage is still a long way off for you, too, Daisuke-kun,” she said.
”Yeah, probably,” I replied.
”I thought so,” said Yuko.
There it was. That unconscious little dig. In our previous life, she’d definitely “won.” She was married with kids while I was a perpetual loner and an adult virgin. I couldn’t even get a girlfriend.
But that was then. Here, I have five lovers. I didn’t say anything, though-it wasn’t worth the effort.
”I thought my boss would chill out once he got married, but he’s still the same. He’s only hard on me, and the stress is just piling up. It seems like the norm is to keep working after marriage here, but I just want to find a husband and quit,” Yuko groaned.
”Mm-hmm,” I muttered.
She didn’t want to quit to support her husband or focus on the kids; she just wanted to be lazy. It’s the ultimate parasite logic. At least a biological parasite is fighting for survival; Yuko just wants a free ride.
While stay-at-home wives were a shrinking breed back home, it was possible. Here, it’s basically unheard of. I don’t care if her wish comes true, but it made me think of my own girls.
I want Regina-san to have a better job once she’s officially with me. For the others, if they want to keep working, they can. Ines mentioned wanting kids in a few years, so she’ll probably take a break or retire then.
I’d heard enough. It was time to pull the plug.
”Well, look at the time,” I said.
”Right. See you next month,” Yuko replied.
I picked up the tab, as usual. She gave me a “thanks,” but didn’t even reach for her purse or act like she felt bad about it. (That right there is why you’re still single, Yuko.)
* * *
I spent the afternoon at the library. I hadn’t gone back home, so I was solo-a rarity lately, since I’m usually dragging Camilla along.
”Good afternoon, Clarissa-san,” I said.
”Hello, Daisuke-san. What’s on the menu today?” Clarissa asked.
”Let’s go with Skills again.”
”Understood. Right this way,” said Clarissa.
God, Clarissa-san is just the best. She’s pure healing… Her smile is magnetic, but her back view is… well, it’s a work of art. Along with my lovers and Regina-san, she’s my sanctuary.
I’m getting close to asking her to be mine. Today didn’t feel right-the mood wasn’t there yet-so I decided I’d make my move during our upcoming Dungeon Date. I watched her hips sway as she walked, and my resolve hardened.
I spent the rest of the day digging into Skill Levels and Ability Scores⁴. Both the Dragon I ran into during the Designated Request and Tomoe are undeniably stronger than me (Tomoe is just a hunch, but still).
However, the outcomes of those fights were night and day. I couldn’t touch the Dragon, but Tomoe didn’t really manage to hurt me. Looking at the mechanics, the Dragon’s breath incinerated my arm, yet Tomoe’s curse failed to stick.
Why the difference? The key is the interaction between Ability Scores and Skill Levels.
I don’t know the Dragon’s Skill Level for its breath, but it has to be at least Level 8. Since I didn’t appraise it, I’m just guessing, but its Ability Scores must be in the tens of thousands-maybe 30,000 or so.
Tomoe’s Curse Skill is likely also Level 8. Since she’s still “human,” her overall Level shouldn’t be over 90, meaning her MND (which fuels curses) is probably between 5,000 and 7,000. It’s hard to be precise without knowing her Class.
Now, look at my stats from that time. I was Level 76, with Ability Scores sitting around 3,100. I had no specific resistance to “Breath,” but I had Curse Resistance⁵ at Level 10. Against the Dragon, I had no resistance skill, so I took the full force of an attack backed by an Ability Score ten times higher than mine.
Against Tomoe, my Resistance Skill Level was higher than her Attack Skill, and our Ability Scores were only separated by a factor of two.
Does a curse fail just because the defender’s Skill Level is higher, even if the attacker has double the stats? Yes. When Skill Levels are separated by two tiers, the difference is massive. A one-level gap reduces effectiveness to 1/10th.
A two-level gap? 1/100th. Even if Tomoe’s curse was strong enough to zero out my stats, the Skill Level gap meant I’d only suffer a 1% debuff. That’s how much the Level matters. This means Tomoe’s curses are basically harmless to me. She might have other tricks, so it’s not a guaranteed win, but she can’t kill me with magic.
To beat that Dragon, I need to max my Skill Levels first, then bridge the gap in Ability Scores. If the Dragon’s breath is Level 10, it comes down to raw stats. Maybe if I grind the Dungeons seriously for a few years, I’ll stand a chance.
”Still working hard, Daisuke-san? It’s getting late,” Clarissa said.
”Good evening, Clarissa-san. There’s always more to learn,” I replied.
She greeted me with that warm, gentle smile. Time had flown by.
”About our leveling session next week-is there anything special I should bring?” Clarissa asked.
”Hmm. Just some clothes you can move in. I’ll handle the weapons and armor,” I said.
I’ve been dying for this Dungeon Date with Clarissa-san. I’m taking Dietlinde out next week too, though hers is a few days earlier. Neither of them has attack skills-especially magic-so I’m thinking of giving them spears to keep some distance. I can just lend her one of mine. I’ll need to buy some proper armor for her, too.
”I see. I’ll leave it in your capable hands then. I hope I’m not being too much trouble…” Clarissa said.
”Don’t be ridiculous. It’s not trouble at all. I’m just happy I get to go on a date with you, Clarissa-san,” I replied.
”Oh, you… Always such a charmer♡” Clarissa said.
If it keeps that smile on her face, I’ll play the fool as long as she wants. A little extra prep work is nothing.
”I’ll send word about the meeting place soon. Well then…” I said.
”The ‘usual,’ I assume? Here you go♡” Clarissa replied.
She saw it coming before I even asked. Clarissa-san pulled me into an embrace, and the heart that Yuko had turned into a pincushion finally began to melt. Her pliant, pillowy warmth and gentle body heat felt like heaven.
When we finally pulled apart, I looked into her closed eyes and kissed her. It wasn’t the ravenous heat I share with my lovers; it was something else-an expression of her pure kindness and affection.
”I was having a bit of a rough day, but you’ve completely healed me, Clarissa-san,” I said.
”Oh, is that so? In that case, let me heal you a little more…♡” Clarissa replied.
She kissed me again, this time pulling me in tighter. The sensation of her breasts pressing against me was the pinnacle of softness. I think I’m actually going to melt into the floor.
”Thank you. Truly,” I said.
”Ufufu♡ The pleasure is all mine,” replied Clarissa.
I’m not entirely sure what she’s so grateful for, but I’ll take it. I can’t wait for next week.
—
Summary:
Daisuke survives a stressful lunch meeting with the demanding Yuko by relying on his mental resistance skills. He finds emotional refuge in the library with Clarissa, engaging in a tender moment that solidifies their bond. Plans for a dungeon date next week take shape while Daisuke analyzes the mathematical gap between his stats and a dragon’s power
—
Trivia:
- Daisuke is using a status recovery potion on Yuko every time they meet
- The mention of Zofie being a friend of Mercedes and a colleague of Yuko
- The specific math of skill level effectiveness: 1/10 per level difference
- Daisuke’s intention to give Regina a gift called a ‘trump card
—
Character Insight:
Daisuke shows a clear emotional hierarchy, valuing the ‘healing’ presence of women like Clarissa and Regina to offset the drain caused by ‘parasitic’ individuals like Yuko.
—
Glossary:
Notes:
• Regina – Late‑twenties Onee‑san with blue‑purple hair, green eyes, marine‑blue thigh‑split dress, thigh‑high socks, and a large‑breasted, top‑tier figure. She runs Daydream (BSS), mentors Nora and Rita, and is a respected senior Beastman and elite courtesan famed for her Masterpiece body. Insecure about her age, she’s targeted by the protagonist’s revenge and hopes to retire with Daisuke, offering him a gentle, maternal smile.
• Hina – 160 cm athletic transferee with a toned build and self-conscious thick legs, formerly a basketball player turned instant swordswoman; wears a ponytail under light chest armor, once a knight, now the level-headed straight-man to Nanami’s antics and fiercely protective of Mizuki. Shy, polite, and deeply pure-hearted, she’s easily embarrassed and prone to social self-destruction, yet carries quiet dignity from her past life, haunted by family loss after reincarnation.
• Yuko – A 17-year-old female transferee, reincarnated from a 40-year-old Earth civil servant, stands 160 cm with a standard build, sporting a half-up hairstyle and thin chest armor. Once a tech-track professional, she now serves as Lady Xaveria’s apprentice, bitterly complaining about her low social status and toxic workplace, exhibiting parasitic tendencies Daisuke—her former colleague from Earth—recognizes all too well. Polite yet lethargic, with poor etiquette, she struggles with entitlement and isolation, excluded from peer groups by her elitist mindset and unresolved stress from her past life.
• Rin – Tall, long‑black‑haired B‑rank adventurer with massive breasts and a stoic, blunt demeanor. Cool‑beauty façade hides a passionate heart; she’s a brilliant drafter and ice‑magic healer, keenly sensitive to slave abuse. Leader of Yamato Nadeshiko, she dominates Daisuke’s group, shields rescued beast‑man Camilla fiercely, visits weekly, and subtly flirts with Daisuke via chopstick exchanges, planning a home visit.
• Rita – Standing 175 cm tall, this wolf‑type Beastman girl boasts dark brown hair, a fluffy tail and pointed ears. Her athletic, sprinter‑like build shows toned abs and massive stamina, while her long tongue and confident grin mark her as the famed “Number One” of Daydream. Popular and friendly, she thrives on competition and challenges.
• Nanami – 165 cm slender high-school girl with short hair and modest chest armor, nicknamed “Mermaid” for her underwater prowess; reincarnated after a train terrorist attack, former swim-club member, now a stealth-class transferee in the all-female JK Party and member of ‘Yamato Nadeshiko.’ Playful, flirtatious, and highly inquisitive, she teases Hina, befriends peers for intel, and proudly analyzes Daisuke’s behavior—famously kissing him on the cheek. Rewards herself with sweets, slips into school life with cunning charm, and enjoys flaunting her own assets with mischievous confidence.
• Camilla – Fourteen‑year‑old fox‑beastkin, ~140 cm, thin, brown short hair, fluffy tail that thumps when excited, ears twitch when nervous, slave‑marked ear, simple accessories. Illusionist/fire mage, formerly abused slave porter for Gerta. Deeply attached to Daisuke as slave‑lover, craving his scent, headpats and approval; clingy, attaches to his arm, obeys, melts at his touch, helps chores, stands up to Yumiko, favored by Rin, rescued from Gerta’s duel.
• Liese – Standing 170 cm, she is a Grey Dragonewt spearman with grey-blue hair, thick horns, and grey scales along her neck and limbs—daughter of a Red Dragonewt father and Blue Dragonewt mother. As Daisuke’s disciplined vanguard and first slave, she is earnest, hardworking, and Level 19, relentlessly training to gain experience. Polite and composed, she guides the other girls with quiet authority, her tail thumping subtly to betray emotion, yet always maintaining decorum—even during meals. She is happiest when Daisuke returns, loyal, dutiful, and unwavering in her service.
• Juliet – Eighteen-year-old 150cm cat-beastwoman with a blue bob cut, expressive ears, puff-tail, and large chest, dressed in hot-pants, crop-top, and short jacket; Gale Party instructor who dual-wields a two-handed sword and wields the rare Idaten skill. Tsundere by nature, she relentlessly teases Daisuke—yet only he can soothe her hidden loneliness; when drunk, her stern façade cracks into stubbornly persistent devotion, revealing tender care beneath her brash exterior.
• Ines – An 18‑year‑old, 170 cm tall human with long emerald hair and blue eyes, curvy and sturdy, in college‑style heavy armor that highlights her large, heart‑shaped eyes and ample chest. A D‑Rank Magic Swordsman of the Gale Party (Level 21+), she leads the party, harmonizes its core household, and is Daisuke’s lover—shy, logical, deeply affectionate, mature, yearning for a child, her floral‑perfumed, goddess‑like smile lighting up when she looks at him.
• Daisuke – Mid‑40s Japanese reincarnate with a youthful, green‑god‑blessed face, short hair, lean build under 170 cm, in modest armor, one‑handed sword and buckler. Gale Party leader who hides dragon‑slaying feats, mentors his polyamorous harem (Ines, Regina, Dietlinde, Cassandra, Rin, Meta, Camilla) with strategic empathy. Endless stamina, alchemy, healing magic, “Sense Malice,” and the unique Onanist class; balances dungeon quests, power‑leveling, and tender post‑mission care while keeping multiple romances.
• Sylvie – Petite 140cm elven Spirit Mage with long wavy blonde hair, blue eyes, and pointed ears that twitch with mood—formerly known for her blue bob-cut, now radiating a pure, trusting charm. She wears a white blouse and embroidered yellow forest-scented skirt daily, switching to a gothic-lolita dress with lace-up boots for dates. Top-ranked Gale adventurer and Daisuke’s spirit-magic teacher, she masters Water and Wind magic, contracting Intermediate Spirits only in combat while conserving MP. Playful, observant, and motherly, she’s Daisuke’s devoted lover and confidante, seeking his guidance with new people, deeply affectionate yet quietly lonely. Older sister to Camilla, she left her village seeking intense, slow-burning intimacy—her fairy-like smile concealing a heart yearning for tender, melting connection.
• Sakura – Reincarnated high‑school girl, Destroyer class, 160 cm slender with twin‑tails, perpetual scowl, thin chest armor and a short‑hair yankee style. Former JK Party member, once double‑dated Hero Shouta and Holy Knight Takumi, openly disliked by the protagonist and at odds with Daisuke. Now Otto’s supportive girlfriend, part of the Hero Party’s entourage, aiming to climb nobility by marrying into the party; their “stupid couple” dynamic is affectionate yet antagonistic.
• Meta – A 160 cm tall, curvy human priestess in her mid‑20s with straight blonde hair and a warm pink aura. Once a man‑hating duchess, she now loves Daisuke, her fellow adventurer, and radiates devotion. She plays the cute, loyal hostage to Moritz, plans to move into his house, and shares intimate knowledge of Daisuke’s preferences.
• Mercedes – Mercedes (Mel), a brown‑haired noblewoman and Home Secretary of Maultasche, is a highly‑leveled knight called the “Disappointing Beauty” in a white frilled gown. She travels with Daisuke as his intel‑snacking companion, is energetic, has a massive sweet tooth and worries about her weight, fears Vice‑Captain Cassandra, despises goblins, sees dungeons as divine trials, loves sweets, seeks a Reincarnator boyfriend, and is the devoted mother of Patrizia, once a proxy for Cassandra.
• Zofie – She is a calm, kind beast‑woman civil servant, about 165 cm tall with long indigo hair and a standard build. A rare friend of Mercedes, she’s recently engaged and works in an office handling monster‑damage restoration.
• Henriette – A dog‑like beastman receptionist and guild clerk, ~160 cm tall with long grey‑white hair, favored by the department head who lets her off‑load tasks. She has a dual personality, is pursued by Thomas’s unwanted advances, and is interested in Daisuke.
• Thomas – A B‑Rank adventurer and gorilla‑type beastman in his mid‑30s, about 2 m tall with thick fur, a tail and sharp canines. He leads a harem of four wives, is a rough “muscle‑brain” who often shirks duties to flirt with guild staff.
• Clarissa – Clarissa, a curvy, gentle librarian in the Royal Capital, has soft features, shoulder-length blonde hair, plump lips, and a sweet rose scent, standing ten centimeters shorter than Daisuke. Once a merchant’s daughter, she now offers quiet emotional comfort with bashful, girl-like smiles and “anytime hugs,” masking deep insecurities about her faded glamour and past drunken missteps. Her pillowy build and graceful presence make her a cherished, tender presence in Daisuke’s life—a candidate for his affection, skilled in geography, and yearning to be seen as more than just a relic of beauty.
• Tomoe – An Oni woman known as the Curse-Killing Oni, with a youthful, loli-like appearance and potent sex appeal, conceals immense age and power. She has pale white skin, piercing red eyes, and long black hair, dressed in elegant kimono-style attire, often holding a fan. A master of hexes and an exceptionally high-level traveler, she commands respect and fear, her serene demeanor masking her deadly prowess in banishing curses.
• Dietlinde – Slender sheep-beastwoman with fluffy white curls, tiny spiraling horns, and subtle ears, wears crisp Adventurer’s Guild receptionist uniform and low heels in Maultasche Royal Capital. Cool-headed and professionally competent, she wields Water Magic and hides a surprising sweet tooth—recently charmed by Daisuke’s Fatigue Recovery Set and sweets, her stoic demeanor softens into quiet care, drawn to his recovery magic, calming scents, and gentle gestures, nurturing secret affection and dreams of cosmetics.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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