Jahi PoV
Sitting down beside Anput, we both chuckled as she conceded victory to me.
Running my eyes over her olive skin, I could already imagine what I would use that order for...
Well, that's for later.
Trying to steady my racing heart, I drew in deep, even breaths, watching as Leone and Kat scoured the ash for any drops, Leone giggling as she found more Ghoul Crystals to use for her alchemical experiments, making me chuckle.
She was so easily excitable...
And really fun to tease...
Turning my gaze towards Kat though, I frowned, wondering why I was feel mild frustration and discontent radiating from her.
It seeped through our soul bond, and since she was bound to me, it was incredibly easy to decipher her feelings then it was for her to decipher mine.
Yet, that didn't help me whatsoever in this case.
Why was she frustrated?
Was what Anput and I did earlier still bugging her?
As she walked around the plains and gathered the Crystals and Cores, she wore that still, expressionless mask, which irked me.
I could tell she was upset only from our bond.
If we weren't, well...
Sighing, I was about to get up when Anput asked "Should we return home? I feel like that's enough for one day..."
Pursing my lips, I looked over at the other two, Leone nodding while Kat just stared at me.
"Yeah, lets go home. I think we need to get some more practice in, Anput..."
The Jackalkin nodded, pouting slightly as she stared towards the still dissipating corpse of the Ghoul King.
"Leone, does the Ghoul King drop anything special?"
The pale Vampire princess walked towards the corpse, poking at it.
Scrunching her nose as it crumbled, Leone sifted through the ash, retrieving a large Core and one of its talons.
She held the talon carefully in her hand, making sure she avoided the black liquid that dripped from the tip.
"Wow... we actually got a talon..."
Leone was staring at the black talon with wonder, inspecting it from every angle.
"It can be used as a material in smithing. Apparently it binds well to Dark Steel, giving the steel a slightly venomous bite. Quite valuable too..."
She placed the talon in a separate pouch, before grinning widely at the giant Core.
Seeing her so happy made me smile, and I looked over her clothing, truly taking it in for the first time.
Long, thick black pants, a deep red belt that held a few pouches, and a fitted leather chest piece was all under her black cloak, contrasting with her grey hair.
Anput was dressed like always, relying on her magic to protect her, preferring to utilize her unhindered speed over armor. Though...
Yeah, I needed to get her fitted for something...
As for Kat...
Turning towards the Dogkin, I frowned again as I saw her amber eyes staring down at the dagger in her clenched fist.
Standing up, I walked over to her, frowning more when I noticed she didn't even react to my presence.
"Kat..?"
Flinching, the Dogkin gulped before looking up at me, tilting her head slightly.
"Yes?"
Placing a hand on her shoulder, I leaned forwards, bringing our faces level with one another as I asked "What's wrong?"
Giving me a small smile, Kat placed a gentle kiss on my lips, saying "Nothing."
Sighing, I stood back up, only to frown again as I felt the frustration again from our bond.
Kat had returned her gaze to her dagger, her plump lips pursed slightly before she silently sighed.
Looking back up at me, she blinked a few times as she met my gaze.
"You sure?"
She nodded.
Keeping my eyes on her for a few more moments, I observed her still features before turning away, where the other two stood waiting.
"Alright, let's go!"
They nodded, Anput walking beside me as we retraced our steps towards the entrance.
"Leone, is there any way to make the Ghouls avoid us?"
"Hmm... no, not without a repellent potion... but, they should be easy to outrun?"
"Do you know how to make one of those?"
Leone's shoulders slumped, and she shook her head.
Chuckling, I laid my hand on her head, ruffling her hair.
"Well, you can't know everything. Besides, you've been incredibly helpful today, Leone."
She turned those orange eyes up towards me, biting her lip slightly as they watered.
Smiling down at her, I pulled her into a hug, chuckling again as Anput let out a whistle.
Hearing that, Leone squirmed free of my embrace, completely crimson as she glared at the Jackalkin.
The journey back towards the initial cavern was short and uneventful, as we easily outran the one horde we did encounter.
Reaching the entrance of Zhu'Rong Caverns, we looked around at the various Lava Goblins, Adventurers, and a few other monsters, all keeping to themselves.
However, even as I thought that, a group of ten Adventurers approached us, staring us up and down with feral grins as they licked their lips.
Sighing, I laid my hand on my sword hilt, staring at them as they continued approaching.
Honestly, I should have expected this, considering all four of us were beautiful women, and two were most peoples peoples fantasy, being the two 'larger' members in Leone and Kat.
"Well~ If it isn't a group of beauties in a place like this! Did you get lost?"
I sighed again, staring at the idiot who spoke.
"What? You so happy to have met me before one of these Goblins got to ya?"
What the...
I stared at him with a deadpan expression, completely and utterly confused by that line.
Looking over at Leone, I asked "Are Goblins that scary?"
Leone dropped her disgusted look as she turned to stare at me, shaking her head.
Returning to the group of idiots, I tilted my head, before asking "Did you need protection from the Goblins? They're pretty weak though..."
The man who spoke initially snarled at me, making me frown.
"Damn bitch! Who're you calling scared huh?! I'll have you know that I'm a Silver Tagged Adventurer!"
I lifted my Silver Tag, making him freeze slightly.
Sighing, I asked "Was that all? Is this circus going to depart or..?"
Drawing his blade, he pointed it at me, shouting "I bet you just spread your legs-!"
Sadly he never got to finish, as a blur zoomed towards him and...
His head rolled to the ground, blood spraying from the stump of his neck.
The surroundings went silent as we all watched his body collapse, before looking at the person responsible.
Kat stood beside his corpse, panting slightly as she stared down at her bloodied blade.
"Kat?"
She turned to look at me, and I could only chuckle as she revealed an utterly beautiful face to us.
Her cheeks were flushed, her lips slightly parted as she gulped, and her eyes...
That chilling pale blue made me shiver, before I grinned at her.
The slight splash of blood on her cheek only accentuated the furious blush she wore, and I could feel myself falling for her all over again.
"Mistress~ Can I kill them? Can I please!?"
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So, last bit may be a bit... rushed, but I have a pot of spaghetti sauce thats been on the stove for a few hours and its ready, and I'm hungry hungry...
Yea...
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