"Mrs. AstridaraI think you need to change your form for a while, it's blinding," Ashtarot advised, placing a palm on his temple to lessen the pain in his eyes.
Astridara's long, flowing hair cascaded down her back, shimmering like stardust in the night sky. Her eyes glowed with a mesmerizing blue light, and her deep celestial blue skin was adorned with glowing patterns and galaxies that seemed to shift and twinkle.
She had two prominent, golden curved horns jutting out from her forehead. Her attire was almost indistinguishable from her skin due to the matching patterns, and a blinding white aura surrounded her, making the void shine.
"Ah! I'm so sorry, Ashtarot! I'll transform now," she apologized with a bow.
In an instant, Astridara changed into a strikingly beautiful woman with a curvaceous figure. Standing around 185 cm (6 ft) tall, she wore a tight black outfit that accentuated her perfectly round breasts.
Her deep purple hair flowed down her body, and tattoos adorned her skin, adding to her allure.
She had black-pink horns that stood out prominently, and her mesmerizing purple eyes drew everyone's attention.
"I have this for you and, of course, for the little dragon sisters too!" Astridara handed out goodie bags, one for Ashtarot and three for the sisters.
"Thank you, Astridara. You must have enjoyed your vacation," Ashtarot expressed, accepting his gift.
"Oh, yes! Japan is beautiful!" She smiled happily, her hands clasped together. "Ah, it's your favorite Japanese cheesecake."
The three dragon sisters pouted as they accepted their presents with forced smiles, turning their faces away. Sorrush even crossed her arms in annoyance.
"Awww~ You guys are adorable with those pouting faces," Astridara commented, pinching Sarissa's chin, only to have her hand slapped away.
"Japan? It's the first time I've heard of that place," Inari chimed in, curious. It was the first time he had seen such a beautiful woman, and his heart pounded hard.
"Ohhh, there's a little kitsune here. Hello, I'm Astridara. And you are?" She reached out her hand.
"I-I'm Inari," he stammered, nervously shaking her hand.
"Mrs. Astridara, he is the new 14th-floor guardian," Ashtarot explained. "Anyway, Japan is a place on Earth, residing in another world."
"There's another world!?" Inari exclaimed, startled. It was the first time he had heard of it.
"You don't know? Aren't you working on the 14th floor? Most of the technology there is from another world," Astridara remarked.
"Ah, that's because Inari lived in a remote area, so he didn't know. But it's best if you learn more about the 14th floor, Inari," Ashtarot advised firmly, feeling a bit troubled that Inari hadn't learned more.
"I'm so sorry. I'll read more and explore the area," Inari apologized profusely.
"It's fine! Since you are new! You already met Zaek, haven't you? Isn't he a little bit... you know," Astridara said awkwardly.
"I do! And I respect him a lot!"
"Eh?"
Everyone around looked astonished, not expecting him to say that. Actually, this was what happened before.
***
Inari wandered around the boss room, marveling at the amazing mechas, something he had never seen before since he left far away from the city and he had little knowledge about anything with advanced technology.
Suddenly, someone tapped his back. It was a 'person' with gray skin and a thin frame. His head and eyes were disproportionately large, while his limbs were long.
"You must be the new guardian floor, my lady! Welcome to the most classy abode of the Dungeon of Noctis Babel!" He reached out to kiss Inari's hand, but she pulled it away.
Veins popped on Inari's temple. "You must be the infamous Zaek everyone talks about. I'm the new guardian floor, Inari, and I am male!" He half-shouted at him.
Zaek's expression soured. His face twisted in disgust. "Just talk to me when you need something. I don't fancy men," he muttered before walking away.
And that was why Inari respected him so much. He loved a man who knew boundaries.
***
"I... I see... I'm glad you guys are getting along well," Astidara said, tapping Inari's shoulder gently. "You need to be careful on that floor since many accidents happen."
"Thank you for your concern, Mrs. Astridara," Inari blushed. "Ah, anyway, it's the first time I've met someone with a form like yours. What kind of race are you from?"
Ashtarot stepped up, he was interested in these trivial things and he rarely could speak about this topic with anyone else. So now is the perfect time to shine!
"Astridara is from the Celestalis race, often called the Walkers. They traverse the void beyond galaxies, their bodies housing entire galactic systems with complex ecosystems and sentient lifeforms," he explained enthusiastically.
"Oh wow, so you're more than a god or goddess?" Inari exclaimed, intrigued by this higher being working in the dungeon.
Astridara tilted her head in thought. "Maybe? I'm actually half-Celestalis. My body contains small galaxies and is made for galactic lifeforms to reside. I usually just observe from afar, unlike gods who like to meddle with their beings."
"And that's why she became the 15th guardian floor. She's bored and just wasting time interacting with the workers," Ashtarot sighed, clearly frustrated with the higher floor's bosses wasting their time.
Except for the lower ones since they fight humans daily. He hopes in the future he will make another work system to make it more effective.
However, their conversation was disturbed by someone's voice from afar, approaching them while waving.
It was Zaek.
"Asti-" But before he could finish, Kirzin shoved him aside, causing him to stumble and fall to the ground.
"Astidara! The most beautiful woman on this dungeon, I'm glad you're finally back," Kirzin said as he walked towards them.
Astridara turned around and hugged the three dragon sisters, resting their heads on her ample chest. "Aww~ why don't we eat together, cuties?" she said, dragging them away and leaving Kirzin behind.
Inari looked at him with disgust, then followed them. Ashtarot stood with furrowed brows, his sharp glare bore into Kirzin's soul, causing him to instinctively turn around and leave.
"Oops, wrong way," he muttered, then approached someone else to start a conversation.
Ashtarot watched him, shaking his head. The sports day was meant for the workers to exercise, as physical activity releases endorphins and promotes happiness.
Ideally, he wishes that they would channel their joy into working harder.
However, it seemed the event wasn't improving efficiency as expected.
"Should I just stop this event?" he pondered with a serious expression.
But then, he shrugged. observing how much the workers seemed to be enjoying themselves. Sometimes he needed to prioritize their happiness over strict work efficiency.