When Master entered the dungeon shrine, Mizuki was already waiting.
"Good morning," Mizuki greeted. "We're tackling the third floor today."
After brief pleasantries, they descended immediately. Master couldn't help but notice how both women's hair shone. "You both have beautiful hair," he remarked. "How do you wash it?"
Mizuki sighed. "That's right, Mizuki, your hair still looks a bit sticky."
"I have no choice but to wipe myself with a wet towel," Mizuki admitted. "I'd kill for a proper bath."
"There's no bath," Master offered, "but I can give you a thorough wash."
"Huh?" Mizuki's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You won't try anything weird, will you?"
Master gestured towards Fam. "Fam will be watching."
Mizuki still looked anxious but complied, closing her eyes, covering her ears, and holding her breath. Master gently pinched her nose with his free hand while concentrating magic.
"Nwakk!" Mizuki sputtered as the water enveloped her. Such an anime reaction, Master thought absently. No runny nose, just a choked gasp.
He carefully guided the 70cm water sphere – adjusted to lukewarm with fire magic and swirling with a strong current – over Mizuki's body from head to ankles. Her hair fluttered, her breasts swayed, and when the current reached her hips, it flipped her skirt, revealing pale blue panties. Master stared, captivated by the unexpected glimpse. A sharp look from Fam made him hastily lower the sphere. He pulled it away before it touched the ground. My human washing machine prototype works, he noted with pride, and I get to see Mizuki's underwear.
"Wh-w-what was that?!" Mizuki exclaimed, dripping but refreshed. "I feel amazing! Even my clothes feel cleaner! You have to do this every day!"
Piece of cake, Master thought, suppressing a grin. And I get to see those panties daily.
"It's just applied beginner magic," he said modestly.
"Really? Amazing!" Mizuki beamed. "First time I've ever thought you were amazing, Mash!"
"Hey! That was unnecessary!" Master protested.
"Master," Fam interjected calmly, "Aidan noted your vast magical power allows such control. However, this method depletes skin moisture. You should apply cream afterward." She offered the slime-derived oil.
"Nakedness also retains moisture," Master added helpfully. "Clothing absorbs it."
"No way I'm getting naked!" Mizuki snapped.
"So, what's the enemy on this floor?" Master asked, changing the subject.
"Big Eye," Fam replied, sword ready.
A 50cm eyeball hung from the ceiling. The moment its black pupil fixed on Master, a fireball launched.
"Dangerous!" Master dodged frantically. The fireball struck the ground, erupting in a fiery pillar. Big Eye then targeted Fam and Mizuki, who evaded smoothly.
"Damn!" Master retaliated with a stone bullet, only to see it deflect off a magical barrier before reaching the monster. "It has defensive magic! My attacks won't reach!"
The ceiling was five meters high. A normal jump wouldn't suffice. Time for the old kendo special, Master decided. He leaped directly beneath the eyeball and swung his sword upwards.
"Take this! Vertical Jump Space Shot!" The legendary technique… fell short. The blade sliced uselessly through empty air.
"Master, allow me," Fam stated, taking her stance. "Kiku Ichimonji!"
Twin vacuum blades erupted from her swords, piercing the barrier and striking Big Eye. Though damaged, the monster survived and retaliated with more fireballs.
As Master struggled, two wolves charged down the hall.
"I'll handle the wolves!" Mizuki moved to intercept.
"Again! Kiku Ichimonji!" Fam's second wave of blades finally shattered Big Eye.
Mizuki, experienced against tougher foes, dispatched the wolves effortlessly. Master finished one she wounded, and she defeated the last. He collected the dropped magic seed.
"Let's alternate seed distribution," Master suggested. "Mizuki first, then us."
"No," Mizuki countered firmly. "You, Mash, then Fam." She handed the seed to Fam, who looked troubled and passed it to Master. She still won't touch money, Master recalled. It all goes towards breaking her curse. He handled their funds, storing them safely. Each had pocket money, but Fam refused hers.
"Don't you want freedom from slavery?" Master asked gently. Citizenship could be bought, even without a master's consent.
"I like things as they are," Fam replied softly.
Mizuki shot Master a reproachful look. I should have explained this earlier, he thought. Fam suddenly grabbed his shirt hem.
"Please stop blaming Master," Fam said, her voice strong. "Master said I could leave anytime. I stay by choice."
Master was taken aback by her fervor. "I understand," Mizuki conceded, taking the seed back from Master. "If that's what you want. In that case, you and I will handle seed distribution. One day, I'll free you from slavery, Mash." The word hung heavy in the air.
"So why all these drops since yesterday?" Mizuki asked, clearly trying to lighten the mood. "I never found any back at Windblade."
"My special skill," Master explained, relieved. "It increases rare item drop rates for the party."
"Haha, a party?" Mizuki laughed. "You guys have zero cooperation!"
"...Figured you'd say that."
"What else did you pick?" Mizuki pressed. She'd seen his skill description, but he hadn't seen hers.
"...It boosts party experience gain."
"Yeah, yeah? So?" Mizuki grinned.
"Damn it, I'm not saying it again!"
"Come on, tell me!"
"Because it'll make you laugh!"
Maybe the heavy atmosphere was better, Master thought.
"Difficulty spiked on this floor," Master noted after the battle.
"We need ranged attacks," Fam agreed.
"How many times can you use 'Kiku Ichimonji'?" Master asked.
"Five times is my limit," Fam estimated. "With rest, I recover."
That must drain her magic, Master thought. Stamina potions cost silver, but magic recovery potions cost gold – most adventurers only carried them as talismans, relying on natural regeneration.
"Mizuki, any ranged skills?"
"No, my level 10 skill was melee-focused."
"This Big Eye boss is trouble," Master mused. "Even the weaker ones blocked my magic. We'll have to rely on Fam. If I miss, I'm exposed. We need projectiles." Both swordswomen seemed limited to close combat. A bow felt impractical; he doubted he could draw it properly or aim.
"Master," Fam suggested, "I'd like to try kunai."
Kunai? Master was surprised. Like ninja throwing knives? He knew the weapon – a thick, versatile blade with a ringed handle – but didn't realize it existed here.
"Are they common?" he asked. "If it's an Inu-mimi weapon, shops might not carry them."
"No," Fam replied. "I didn't know either, but it was listed in the mail-order section of the World Travel Guide."
A job for Lachchel, Master thought. Mail-order? Who takes orders? Where do they ship?
"...Understood. I'll try a bow too. Let's head back to town."
Leaving the dungeon, they walked towards the weapon shop.
"Mash chooses your clothes, Fam?" Mizuki asked.
"I've been wondering," Fam added hesitantly, "why do you call Mizuki by her name, but call me 'Fam-san'? You can just call me Fam. I call Mizuki 'Mizuki'."
"Huh? But Mizuki-san is older, right?" Fam asked.
"Call me Mizuki," Mizuki insisted. "I'll call you Fam. Deal?"
"...Yes," Fam agreed, blushing slightly.
Master paused outside a clothing store. "That's right, Fam only has church clothes. Mizuki, help her pick something new?"
"Wait a minute," Fam waved her hands frantically. "These are fine! Or the rags from prison!"
"Don't be stupid!" Mizuki scoffed. "Buy something cute so you can enjoy it!"
Master handed Fam a gold coin. "I... I understand."
"Shall we?" Mizuki took Fam's hand and led her inside.
As Master waited outside, Aidan walked past. "Shopping?"
"Yeah. Needed projectile weapons for the dungeon. And clothes for Fam."
"If you need weapons, why not ask me?"
"Ah, I didn't want to impose," Master admitted.
"Nonsense. I'll give you a fair price. Come by the workshop later." Aidan meant his physical workshop, not the skill.
"Alright. After Fam finishes shopping."
Aidan nodded and left. Soon after, Mizuki returned, holding Fam's hand.
Fam wore a light blue haori over a leather breastplate – slim, short-cut, and reminiscent of the Roshi Corps style, but distinct. She paired it with shorts and spats that hugged her form.
"Hey, Mash!" Mizuki called out.
Fam blushed and looked down. Mizuki, inexplicably, looked angry.
"What?"
"No matter how lazy you are, you wouldn't make Fam wear men's underwear!" Mizuki accused.
Master froze. Fam... won't meet my eyes. "...Couldn't those be yours?" he hazarded.
"N-no! They came from the church! Must've been mixed in!" Fam stammered. Sorry, Myra, Master thought.
"Whatever," Mizuki huffed. "I bought one for Mash too. We picked it together." She handed him a bag.
"Thanks. Big help," Master said, taking the bag and storing it. "Thank you too, Fam."
"Just ran into Aidan. He'll help with weapons. Let's go to his workshop."
"Understood. I wished to meet him too," Fam replied. They headed towards Aidan's workshop.
"...Sorry, Mizuki found them and threw them out," Fam whispered urgently in Master's ear as they walked.
That's fine, but since when? he whispered back. "This morning. You slept naked, so I... secretly took them after I took yours off." Her tail wagged happily. So that's why she went commando today, Master realized.
"You wore my underwear and then yelled at me for criticizing?"
"Ugh, it's so embarrassing..." Fam hid her face. "When she found out, my face burned."
Well, yeah, Master thought. But walking that line is half the thrill.
"Next time, I'd like to try Mizuki's too."
"That's bold... Don't tell me the light blue ones!" Master accidentally said aloud, catching Mizuki's attention.
"No! You can't!" Mizuki turned, eyes wide. "They're a family heirloom... but if Fam asks... but if we get caught, we're doomed! Mizuki's intuition is scary sharp in that area."
"When it comes to intuition, I'm no match for you!" Master retorted. Mizuki huffed and turned forward again.
Master waited until she faced ahead. "...No, Mizuki caught you today. Just wait for Lachchel." Fam looked disappointed.
"Why did I develop this fetish...?" she murmured.
"It's clearly your fault, Master."
"You're not going to tell me you want to try Aidan's, are you?"
"Mmm. The only panties I want to wear are yours... and the woman you fall in love with," Fam declared with surprising boldness.
Such a pervert, Master thought, flustered. "Wait, don't go deciding who I fall in love with!"
"Isn't it the same?" Fam asked innocently.
Master was speechless. At that moment, Mizuki turned around again.
"Hmm? What's this about love, Aidan, light blue panties, and Lady Lachchel?" Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. Did she hear everything? Master panicked. He and Fam exchanged flustered looks.
"N-no!" Master stammered. "I was just complimenting your clothes! Saying they looked comfortable..."
"Hey!" Mizuki puffed out her cheeks. "When you three have secrets, let me in on them!"