****
Ryuji felt a soft, warm sensation cushion his head and body. After fighting the black wolf, he exhausted himself completely now woke up to feel the soft, squishy thighs and the sweet scent of the woman stroking his hair.
"Oh, did you finally wake up?" A gentle voice sounded, the tone familiar as Ryuji awoke from his groggy state.
"Shelia? Did we kill the boss!?"
"Yeah, we did." She chuckled, her face full of concern as Ryuji noticed a slight frown on her forehead while resting on her lap. "You are a real idiot! How dare you take that hit and pass out! I thought you were going to die or something!"
"Oops, sorry." Ryuji couldn't help but feel a little guilty as he could see her true feelings shining in her beautiful eyes. "I wasn't that scared about dying, but I didn't want to lose my chance at experiencing actual battles with you guys. So maybe I overdid it a little..."
"A little..." The lovely voice of Alicia, the elf, sounded a few steps away as Ryuji looked up from Sheila's lap. In her hands was a small cup of hot tea that smelt delicious, like a sweet fruit fragrance. "Drink this. It helps the body recover... Also... you did amazing today, Ryu."
"T-Thanks..." Ryuji couldn't help but blush to hear the first words of praise from the beautiful elf.
'Why is my heart beating so fast? It's just a cup of tea!'
The rarity of people complimenting him seemed to cause him to react quite well to any sort of praise, especially from older women.
He wanted to distract himself, noticing that his pants still felt tight. The effect of the two tattoos didn't fade even when he slept, so he quietly removed both. "How long was I out for?"
"About three hours... We left the dungeon a few hours ago and got you some help and fresh clothes." Simon said, sitting beside a roaring fireplace in the lodge where they all rested. Ryuji could smell meat cooking and saw Paul stirring an enormous pot.
"What about the loot?" Ryuji asked with curiosity.
"It is here! With me," Alicia said with a giggle as she offered him the warm tea. Her green hair fell across her left shoulder and exposed the right as Ryuji noticed she was wearing a dark purple dress.
"You look good in that dress," Ryuji responded, lifting himself off Sheila's legs, before noticing that Paul gave him a thumbs up while he seemed to carve more of his spell runes. "So, what are those spell runes? Does Paul always carve them ahead of time?"
"Yes... He's our mage, and casting his magic takes a long time, so he prepares those while we fight for him."
"He's so dedicated, it's amazing." Ryuji honestly thought so, thinking back to the battle; the moment he cast a spell, he would throw one of the wooden runes to boost its power; it left a mark on Ryuji's heart in the last moment when Paul met his eyes and tossed over three to help. "Paul, you saved my life with those runes. You're amazing."
"It is nothing," Paul answered with a chuckle. If I had not assisted you, I would have had to endure Sheila's ire for letting her future husband die."
"Hey! What's the future husband? Damn bald mage!"
"Yeah! Why is it, Sheila... He suits an elf better!"
Not used to such a playful party, Ryuji laughed with a hearty chuckle, to which the rest of the group joined in, although he wondered why they came to this inn instead of taking him to the castle before Simon soon answered his questions.
"Ryuji Vincenzo!" Simon walked towards him with a smile, clapping his right hand on Ryuji's shoulder and staring him straight in the eye. "Today's battle made us brothers. That is why we won't take you back to the castle today! Until you are strong enough to protect those you wish to protect, you are a member of our party!"
"We were adventurers before becoming knights, so please forgive our rough speech and actions though today's battle was special, and the knights should explain everything in the future, but today's boss was an Irregular," Shelia added, speaking in a serious tone while grinning at Ryuji.
"Irregular?" Ryuji couldn't help but ask with curiosity.
"The monsters of the dungeon have some distinct features. They always fight with one or two boss-like monsters on their dungeon floors. Normally, they focus on the enemy with abilities like taunting or causing them the most damage. However, irregulars attack whatever they desire, whenever they want. Today's black wolf was an irregular." Simon explained.
"While invading this kingdom, the demon lord army has likely manipulated the dungeons. One of the former heroes spoke of the possibility, and this confirms it." Paul cut in with a quick word as his runes danced in the air, glowing with various colours.
"Today's battle was exceptional for us because of the irregular," Shelia explained before standing up with a smile and stroking Ryuji's hair while looking down at him with a rare kindness that made him feel nostalgic. "They grant greater loot, more experience for the danger they pose... But Ryuji, you did so well and held the irregular's attention for so long... You saved us."
'I saved them... Me? The useless thug who can only fight or cause problems?' For the first time since his mother passed away, Ryuji felt a sense of happiness and confidence in himself as he felt maybe he was born to fight monsters.
"Damn right! Let's celebrate with some meat!" Paul exclaimed, prompting the entire group to eat and chatting with excitement.
The atmosphere was incredibly refreshing and friendly. Ryuji felt blessed to have experienced this aspect of humanity, even in a world like this, as the party drank and celebrated until nightfall before settling into bed.
When everyone fell asleep, Ryuji and Alicia were the last ones awake.
She helped him carry the heavy armour to the wagon outside for storage tomorrow. Then, in a soft voice, she took out a small box and handed it to Ryuji, telling him what the items were.
"Ryuji, we agreed to give you these rings because of your partner and the situation with that maid. But honestly, they are useless to us as these rings are Beastkin relics."
He opened the box to find a beautiful silver ring with a beautiful fox design, while the second was a lovely cream ring with shining gemstones.
"The one with the fox symbol is the master ring and the one smaller black ring will change depending on the master. These rings will give you many benefits such as knowing each other's location, state and able to share shallow thoughts in times of danger or combat without thinking you will become a perfect pair."
She shrugged her shoulders before stroking Ryuji's hair. "These are normally seen as something akin to sinful items, though, because they're a sign of marriage to a beastkin. The true benefits are only visible when you equip them."
'Doesn't this mean me and Yumiko would become stronger in battle and safer outside?' Ryuji held the small box tight and clutched it against his chest.
"If you want that beast girl to see you as more than just a kind human, then offer this ring. It shows you are willing to face the scorn of the shallow-minded humans for her. You will gain benefits, too, of course, fufu." Alicia whispered in his ear, causing his heart to beat with excitement.
"Thank you, Alicia..." Ryuji finally replied after some thought, feeling a little sad at the prospect of not having these people in his life again, although he hoped it wouldn't be so. Then remembered he had signed a year-long contract with them. "I look forward to seeing your face for another year!"
"Fufu, just my face?" Alicia twisted her body, leaning forward, giving Ryuji a fantastic view of her round cleavage while touching the smooth skin on her exposed neck. "That's all you want? A beautiful face to watch for a year?"
"Tch! Stop seducing the poor innocent boy!"
Shelia came in her nightgown, the small size not enough to cover her deadly weapons completely, as Ryuji thanked his instinct to remove the two tattoos from his body.
The two women argued. Although he knew it was only light and playing, he placed the fox ring upon his left-hand ring finger, as it strangely wouldn't fit any other.
[Ring of Bestial Bonding] (EPIC)
—Gain 1 Extra Tattoo Slot and Increase the Rarity of the mark one stage! (Beast Partner Limited)
—Beast Partner will undergo Class Change to suit their partner.
—All experience gained increased by 50%
—Wielders gain experience whenever the other kills an enemy. (Unlimited distance)
It seemed the ring wasn't a normal quality ring but something even better than normal.
He realised the first benefit likely changed to suit him, but if he was a mage, it might give him a different bonus. However, it gave him the tattoo from Yumiko passively as he felt a slight burning sensation in his crotch, the fox tattoo choosing an awkward place.
'So if Yumiko fights now and kills a monster, I would get the same experience as if I killed one and vice versa... It doesn't seem to reduce my gained experience either.'
"Ryuji, are you alright?" Sheila asked, having noticed his worried expression.
"Hmm? Oh yeah, I'm fine; I'm just tired. Today's battle was a lot more dangerous than I thought..." Ryuji answered honestly, while his eyes enjoyed the huge contrast between Shelia's nightgown and Alicia's elegant dress.
"Are you sure? Are you feeling unwell?" Sheila asked again as Ryuji approached the two ladies, who were busy arguing with each other.
"Alicia... Shelia..." Ryuji called both their names softly, capturing their attention.
"Yes, what is it, Ryuji?"
"You should cover yourselves... I can see everything." He responded with a wink. They both froze momentarily before realising what he meant, their faces flushing red.
But when they looked up, Ryuji had already entered his room.
"What an interesting man."
"Ryuji is a real man," Alicia added, her eyes gleaming as she imagined his future. "Such a man is rare to find... That beast girl is lucky to have him..."
"What are you mumbling about, elf?" Shelia couldn't help but retort with jealousy when she heard Alicia's muttering.
"Haha, goodnight, girls." Ryuji laughed as he heard the two ladies quarrel one more time.
"Goodnight, Ryuji!" Alicia shouted through his door in response.
"Rest well, you need it!" Shelia added a few seconds later.
"Ha... Women are scary creatures to study." Paul added, his voice coming from the side of the hallway, causing Ryuji to chuckle.