Chapter 192 Settlement and Permits
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
…Tester Life: Evening of Day 69 – 13th Floor, Settlement – Yakumo Sanada (Sanada Yakumo in Japanese order)…
”Let’s call it a day,” I announced.
”Good idea. It’ll be pitch black soon, and we don’t want to be caught out late,” Sayaka replied.
”Mmmph… we were so close to the next settlement. What a letdown,” Karen-san pouted.
”Once the sun goes down, my bow is useless. We don’t have much of a choice,” Sheena-san added.
”True. Trying to take a settlement in the dark would be a nightmare,” Sanae-san said, shivering.
”I’m already soaked to the bone…”
We were halfway to the second settlement. Since the light was fading, I decided to call off the exploration for the day. Led by Karen-san, everyone eventually nodded in resignation.
We had taken a lunch break at the first settlement, where I’d left Rock and the others to keep a bonfire going inside a ruined shack. After picking them up, we’d been trekking for nearly four hours. Between magic practice and various delays, night had fallen before we reached our next objective.
There was no point in forcing a fight in the dark. We could just hit the second settlement first thing tomorrow morning. Besides, this was our first time fighting in the rain, and the exhaustion was etched deep into everyone’s faces. Between the constant threat of Rain Hawk ambushes and the freezing rain siphoning away their stamina and mental grit, they were spent.
I deployed the Magic Tent¹ in a patch of tall grass. After sending everyone but Sayaka inside, I set Barrier Stones² at the four corners and hung the Bells of Vigilance³. A shimmering dome expanded, hissing as it deflected the downpour. Since the barrier blocked both physical and magical attacks, the rain didn’t stand a chance. It’s an incredibly handy item I break out for every break.
So far, no monsters had approached us during the night, thanks to the Warding Incense⁴. It’s supposed to be less effective against C-Rank monsters and above, but for now, it was enough to keep my familiars out of harm’s way.
Once the barrier was up, I laid a waterproof sheet from the Shop on the muddy ground. Sayaka pulled a stack of cloths from her Magic Pouch⁵ and layered them over the sheet, finishing by setting out blankets for each of the familiars. Meanwhile, I grabbed some Shop-bought firewood, stacked it, and used a piece of newspaper to get a bonfire roaring.
Lucy and Hanako were the first to scramble over, huddling by the flames. Hanako was shivering uncontrollably; the poor pig must have been freezing. Leaving them to warm up, I handed Rock a shovel and pointed to a spot a short distance away. “Dig a big one. Deep.”
Rock, a pro at this by now, used his monstrous strength to hollow out a meter-deep pit in seconds. I lined the hole with an extra-large waterproof sheet, and Sayaka filled it with water using her Water Ball magic. Finally, I cast Fireball, carefully hovering the flame just above the surface of our makeshift pond.
With a sharp hiss, steam billowed into the air. By the time the Fireball flickered out, we had a DIY open-air bath. I dipped a hand in – a bit hot, but I could have Rock add some cold water from the Infinite Water Skin I’d given him to manage the temperature. I tossed a few large stones into the bonfire; once they were white-hot, we could use them to reheat the bath later.
I called out to Hanako and Lucy. They didn’t need telling twice – they stripped off their gear and clothes in a flash and dove into the steaming water.
”Aaahhh…”
”Buhiii!”
”Hehe, they both look so blissfully happy,” Sayaka said, smiling.
”They must have been freezing out there,” I replied.
Watching the two of them relax, Sayaka and I shared a wry smile. I’d been setting up these outdoor baths since the 11th and 12th floors. It started when Sayaka pointed out how unfair it was that we got to bathe every morning and night while the familiars had to stand guard in the dirt. Since then, whether it was a bonfire or a hot soak, Rock and Lucy always seemed grateful. But ever since Hanako joined, she was clearly the biggest fan. That pig is a total clean-freak.
Sayaka had initially worried about needing partitions since we had both males and females, but these creatures don’t have a lick of s*xual desire. Case in point: Rock and Saizou didn’t even blink at the sight of Lucy and Hanako completely naked. It was clear the massive equipment dangling between their legs was purely for show – a typical design choice by Succubus Management, I suppose.
Firewood was cheap at the Shop, mostly leftovers from school festival stalls, or we could just smash up shacks in the settlements. Of course, I’d had to buy an axe and have Rock chop them into Pouch-sized pieces back at the beach.
”Rock, Saizou. You guys head in after Lucy and the others are done,” I commanded.
”Woof!”
”As you command,” Saizou muttered.
”I’ll leave the bath towels here,” Sayaka said. “And some Warding Incense. Rock-chan, Saizou-san, I’m counting on you to keep watch!”
Rock gave a much more playful bark to her than he ever gave me, while Saizou simply gave a stoic nod. I left some treats out for them and followed Sayaka back into the dry warmth of the Magic Tent.
Inside, the girls had already hung their gear on the steel rack by the fireplace – Karen-san’s Magic Armor and Sheena-san’s leather set were already dripping dry. I could hear Karen-san and Leticia-chan splashing and giggling in the internal bathroom. They must have bolted for the tub the second they got inside.
Sayaka and I helped each other out of our gear, hanging it up to dry. Then, standing there completely naked, we gripped each other’s hands and headed for the bath together.
* * *
”Phew…”
After drying off, I sat at the desk next to the fireplace. Behind me, the girls were noisily preparing dinner. I ignored the chaos and fired up the Magic Crystal.
”Alright, let’s see what this Permit Fragment is all about. Appraisal⁶.”
I pulled the small silver plate – the one engraved with the character for ‘Sun’ – from my Pouch and set it on the Appraisal stone. I tapped the icon on the screen.
> **Name: Introductory Permit⁷**
> Collect 10 fragments to manifest the Gate.
”Ten of them!?” I blurted out.
Are you kidding me? This is going to take forever. I just hope Karen-san doesn’t have a total meltdown when she finds out.
But the name “Introductory Permit” caught my eye. If it’s for an “Introduction,” it probably means entry into a town or city. Does that mean the next floor is urban combat? I should probably plan for that. That would mean the Guardian battle might be against a city guard or a garrison. I doubt they’d expect a single party to conduct a full-scale siege, but I bet there will be waves of Orc Archers.
We need more long-range options. Right now, we’re stuck with Sheena-san’s bow and ice magic. Well, in a pinch, I can always use Hanako as a decoy. She’d probably love the attention.
I decided to break the news to the others later. First, I wanted to see the day’s haul. I closed the Appraisal screen and opened the Magic Stone exchange. I dumped today’s loot from the Pouch and started the settlement.
The total came to 146,000 DP⁸.
Not bad for seven hours of actual exploration and one settlement, especially considering the long breaks and Earth Wall practice. Tomorrow we could probably push for an extra hour and clear two or three settlements. That would put our daily income around 180,000 DP. It’ll probably take five days to do a full lap of this floor. At an average of 170k a day, that’s 850,000 DP per lap.
Three laps, and I could afford to buy Wakui-sensei or Coach Arisawa. I doubt those two would want to fight alongside the students, so I’d leave them to manage My Room and the private island. It’d give me something to really look forward to after a long expedition.
After that, it’s just a matter of clearing the 15th floor and claiming Hoshino-san. That would bring my slave count to eight. My harem would basically be complete.
Actually… why stop there? I should get as many as I can. This is a rescue mission, after all. As the top earner, I have a moral responsibility to “save” those expensive 1st Rank and 2nd Grade girls. Sayaka and the others would be happy to see their classmates rescued, and my “son” would be ecstatic.
When I have some downtime in My Room, I’ll have to scout the 1st Rank and 2nd Grade roster. I remember seeing a serious-looking beauty with glasses, and a few more mature types. I’d passed them over before because I was looking for “healing,” but the idea of turning a stiff, serious glasses-wearing beauty into a total nympho… yeah, that’s the stuff.
A glasses-wearing beauty… I could expand the party room, put in a few bookshelves, buy some random books, and do a whole library-themed play. Sayaka might scold me for wasting money, but if I fill the shelves with manga, I can get Karen-san and Leticia-chan on my side.
Or maybe just have twenty beautiful girls playing topless on the beach. Whenever I get the urge, I could just pick one out and have my way with her. That sounds incredible. Honestly, it sounds like heaven.
It always comes back to the women. The thought of being able to finish inside a high-class woman is the best motivation there is.
Alright. Starting tomorrow, I’m going to grind like a man possessed!
”Yakumo-kun, dinner’s ready!”
”Huh? Oh, coming!”
Leticia-chan had come to fetch me, snapping me out of my heated ambitions. I closed the Magic Crystal and let her lead me by the hand to the table.
When I mentioned the permit fragments during dinner, Karen-san predictably pulled a face like the painting The Scream and shrieked, “Ten of them!?” Sheena-san and Sanae-san looked just as grim. Only Leticia-chan looked confused; she hasn’t experienced the soul-crushing grind of a “Repeat Lap” yet. She’ll be crying by the second circuit, I bet.
I calmed Karen-san down, telling her we’d take it slow, and we spent the rest of the evening playing cards.
Once the games were over, I led Sayaka and Karen-san back to the bedroom. I spent the night lost in Sayaka’s exquisite depths⁹ and enjoying the sight of Karen-san being driven into a dynamic, beautiful mess.
—
Summary:
Yakumo and his party call off their exploration due to heavy rain and darkness. They set up camp using a Magic Tent and enjoy a makeshift outdoor bath together. Yakumo evaluates his progress, revealing that 10 fragments are needed for an ‘Introductory Permit’ and calculates his DP earnings to plan for purchasing more high-rank slaves.
—
Trivia:
- The Barrier Stones block both physical and magical attacks, including rain.
- Warding Incense is less effective against C-Rank monsters and above.
- Male familiars like Rock and Saizou have no s*xual desire by design.
- The ‘Sun’ character is engraved on the silver permit fragment.
- Yakumo is specifically targeting 1st Rank and 2nd Grade students for ‘rescue’ (purchase)
—
Character Insight:
Yakumo shows a pragmatic side, balancing the party’s fatigue with the need for DP. His internal monologue reveals a growing sense of ‘responsibility’ that he uses to justify his desire to expand his harem with high-status women.
—
Behind the Scenes:
The mention of Munch’s ‘The Scream’ highlights Karen’s penchant for over-the-top reactions. The ‘Introductory Permit’ suggests the dungeon is shifting toward an urban or civilized setting for the next phase.
—
TL Notes:
Notes:
• Yakumo – A 25-year-old human male. He has facial scars, stab wounds, and gunshot scars from his time in a war zone. He works as a school guard.
• Sana – Black ponytail, hooded/sharp eyes, kyudo practitioner, average height.
• Sayaka – The academy’s premier beauty and a member of the swimming club. Currently classified as a Rank 1 Slave. She is seventeen years old and a virgin. E-cup. She has blue, short, boyish hair. Her best friend is Sanae.
• Karen – An international student from America who often runs to school late with bread in her mouth. Considered a ‘main target’ by the protagonist. Voice acting major, huge breasts, same height as Sana.
• Sheena – Beastman Soul-less Doll with rabbit ears and a large chest. Flawless face, approx 165cm height, F or G cup, narrow waist, large hips, and a fluffy tail longer than a rabbit’s. Now, her ego is back.
• Sanae – She struggles with the sexual training and often shows frustration. Vice-captain of the Archery Club. Described as tall with a model-like build and sharp features. She has approximately C-cup breasts and is ranked as a 1st Rank Slave. She is Sayaka’s best friend. Black ponytail, hooded/sharp eyes, kyudo practitioner, average height.
• Rock – A male Kobold summoned from a Magic Sealing Crystal. He has grey fur, round eyes, and a face resembling a Shiba Inu. He wears a leather jacket and a pilot’s cap
• Hanako – A female Orc tamed monster equipped with two large iron shields and a black iron helm. Large breasts, wrapped in rags with a grass skirt. Revealed to be a extreme masochist.
• Lucy – A female Kobold familiar resembling an American Eskimo Dog. Now, she evolves into a Kobold Thief. Her height increases to approximately 140cm, her limbs become sturdier/leaner, and she retains a cute face. She wags her tail when happy.
• Saizou – A newly summoned Goblin. Intelligent with a small horn on his forehead and jagged teeth. Wears ninja-style clothing (shinobifuku) and uses poison daggers/knives.
• Leticia – French exchange student, animation major 1st year, silver hair, small stature, slim, large breasts, 13 years old.
• Arisawa – Female sensei. She’s a former Olympic silver medalist for volleyball. She’s gorgeous, and her physique is top-tier.
• Wakui – The female counselor. Has healing type vibe but curvy and big breasted.
• Mia – The comforting succubus. Succubus with dark hair, described as a ‘landmine woman’
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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