Chapter 86: Two Demon Merchants? ii

My current stats were:

**Ren Asahi**

23 Lv (D)

Strength『96』(+30)

Agility『58』(+28)

Stamina『66』(+23)

Finesse『93』(+20)

(Hidden) Magic『0』(+6)

(Hidden) Charm『999』

(Hidden) O.J.『8』

’With this much...’

Including the collection bonuses, I should be near the top of B-class.

"You’ve improved a lot, Ren."

Aria quietly approached and peeked at the window.

"I’ve only come this far for now."

"Your technique and strength have both passed a hundred. What happens if you add the bonuses?"

"Exactly."

That was why my martial prowess felt unexpectedly strong. I had even fought Nami and won.

『Firearm Proficiency』 – Ability to handle all firearms. Level rises with use; accuracy improves accordingly. Current level: 8

『Martial Arts』(Mentor: **Liliana**) – Ability to understand and wield various martial arts. Current level: 14

『Fleshlight Doppelgänger Martial Art』 – Summon a Fleshlight from the inventory to fight alongside you. Higher proficiency improves combat coordination. Current level: 4

Feeding the Glock with power from the demonic river and possessing advanced techniques had not been wasted. As I raised my firearm proficiency and other skills, I had been able to deliver the decisive blow when the Shark Giant’s innards were exposed, earning the MVP title through contribution.

The tactical value of firearms should never be underestimated.

’From now on, the stats I buy will probably cost a fortune.’

I steeled myself.

Strength『130』(+30)

Agility『90』(+28)

Stamina『90』(+23)

Technique『140』(+20)

Purchasing 137 total stats at the B-grade threshold pushed my strength and technique high enough that I could finally glimpse A-grade territory. The cost came to 3.13 million coins.

"Did you really give me a good price on this?"

"Of course. Absolutely."

Even the Fish-Man didn’t object, so the deal must have been fair... or at least close enough.

"It’s not every day you get the chance to buy stats directly from a demon merchant!"

With about 2.4 million coins left, I looked back at my squad. All three of them were fidgeting, wearing shy expressions as if they hadn’t expected anything. Clearly they were hoping I would buy them something too.

Fine. I would invest in the squad’s strength.

"All three of you, come here."

I focused on Elle first, since her overall stats were the lowest. I decided to raise her magic power. I didn’t want her weaknesses to be as glaring as Cleo’s, so I also purchased agility for her. Elle could only stare with wide eyes as the numbers kept climbing.

"Hee... hee! You don’t have to buy this much... your precious coins are disappearing..."

"Four hundred thousand going in!"

"Ahh! I’ll become Ren’s slave!"

Elle’s magic power rose from 67 to 120.

Her agility rose from 30 to 50.

Next was Aria.

Her strength was already 200, agility 180, stamina 150...

Almost all of her stats were higher than mine except for technique.

"...Strength..."

Aria murmured.

"Want me to buy you more strength?"

"...Yes... buy it... buy it for me."

"Ask for it more cutely."

"Please... please buy it."

She even made a tiny tongue sound. Too cute.

"I just spent a lot on Elle."

"You’re too expensive."

Raising her strength by 20 and agility by 10 cost more than twice what Elle’s upgrades had.

I still bought them.

"Ah! Thank you! My boyfriend is the best!"

Aria hugged me tightly.

"Ren is the only one who buys stats that are almost impossible to raise even once!"

"I suppose so."

If we broke up after this it would be the most foolish waste of money imaginable.

Looking into Aria’s eyes filled with genuine affection, I wished our relationship had a clear goal like marriage... but that still felt far away.

Would she even let me go if I suggested breaking up?

I pulled her close and kissed her.

"We’ll be together for a long time."

"Longer than a bikini-clad Fleshlight?"

"...What am I supposed to do about that?"

I turned to check Nami’s status window.

She immediately pressed her bikini-clad buttocks against my cock and rubbed.

"Agility? Twenty points?"

"You want me to buy the same amount I bought for my girlfriends?"

"Ahh..."

Oh wow.

Her soft bottom was massaging me through the fabric.

"Please get some for me too."

"For you who might get dragged away by the student council president at any moment?"

"I take that as a promise that you’ll take responsibility and protect me."

"..."

Damn it. I really do live for this ass.

While purchasing her stats I tightly embraced Nami from behind.

"Gah!"

After distributing everything evenly among the squad, 1.09 million coins remained on my student ID.

That was still a huge amount of money.

Enough to cover my family’s living expenses for three full years.

"Mr. Goblin. Mr. Fish. See you next time."

"See you again, Ren. Bring another beautiful Fleshlight next time."

"I came all this way to buy a Fleshlight. Stay healthy."

Thankfully there were no problems.

After saying goodbye to the demon merchants, we waited for the dungeon to dismantle.

"Ah... I’m starving."

Aria stretched.

It had to be past lunchtime by now.

Oh... what about Nami?

"Nami needs to eat too."

"I’m fine. Just throw me a triangular kimbap later."

"How do you handle... physiological needs while you’re inside? Is it awkward?"

"It was fine when I was in there. The sense of time gets weird."

Is that so?

Probably thanks to the protective function of the inventory that keeps every Fleshlight in perfect condition.

We had been having passionate sex since the previous night, yet Nami seemed to reset to her initial state every time she entered and exited the inventory.

At least the hymen didn’t regenerate, that would have been too absurd.

"I’d rather eat together with everyone."

"Isn’t the student cafeteria too risky? Nami will stand out."

That was true.

Even if she put on a school uniform and pretended to be a normal student,

the moment someone labeled her "person of interest to the student council president," she would definitely come scold us.

"Ren, look over there. Something strange."

Elle pointed with her staff.

Nestled in a corner of the beach was a restaurant that somehow felt distinctly local.

"When did this place appear?"

"It’s the House of the Sea!"

Aria exclaimed.

House of the Sea?

Some kind of beach café?

"Let’s go! Time for some SNS content!"

Unable to contain her curiosity, Aria hurried ahead.

The dungeon had already been cleared. There shouldn’t be any more monsters, so it should be fine.

"Shall we eat together, Nami? I skipped breakfast, so I’m hungry."

"To be precise, I skipped dinner too. I was busy having sex under Master."

"...Alright. Fine. Order whatever you want."

"Hehe."

We entered the House of the Sea.

At an inviting open-air restaurant, a voluptuous woman with waves of aquamarine hair looked around, taking in the atmosphere.

"Hello, little warriors. Welcome to my domain."

Her face was the very picture of purity and innocence.

Her breasts, however, were magnificent, full and heavy. Whatever lay hidden below the waist was almost certainly just as impressive.

"Are you hungry? What would you like from the menu?"

"What’s your signature dish?"

"Sea Goddess Ramen. The broth is light and refreshing, packed with freshly caught local seafood."

Sea Goddess Ramen...

It sounded familiar, yet so on-the-nose that I immediately thought, ’There’s no way.’

Could it actually be her?

"Shall I prepare it right away?"

"Four bowls, please."

I tried to scan her with my insight skill, but nothing came up.

"We’re being served by the Sea Goddess herself. What luck."

"Aria, you already knew?"

"Of course. A store and a person suddenly appearing inside a dungeon? That’s not normal."

"Explain properly."

"Is she really a goddess?"

Elle still looked confused.

"If we handle this well, we might even receive divine power. If we manage to please her"

"I see..."

So this is how one gains a god’s favor?

By becoming friends with a deity...

With that thought, I decided to just enjoy the meal.

"It has to be Thalassa, Goddess of the Sea. There’s no mistaking it. She’s ridiculously beautiful."

"Even if you flatter me, I won’t grant you my protection, you know?"

"...Ehehe."

Soon Thalassa brought out the ramen.

"Ren Asahi, how was this dungeon for you?"

"Best one so far. Great rewards, and the fights were thrilling."

*Slurp.*

Huh? This ramen is incredible!

The clear broth sank straight into my bones.

My body, exhausted from life-or-death combat, felt instantly refreshed.

"This is delicious!"

Aria looked just as surprised.

Skill like this... I almost wanted her as a wife. Or at least as our private chef.

We emptied the bowls in no time. Thalassa watched us with a gentle smile.

"Would you like another serving?"

"Yes!"

"I need to prepare more ingredients, Ren. Could you help me for a moment?"

Right now?

Aria met my eyes and gave a small nod.

"Go ahead."

"..."

She was telling me to handle it carefully.

There had to be a reason the goddess wanted me alone. Feeling nervous, I followed her into the kitchen.

"..."

Wavy blue hair. Clear blue eyes.

A bust that rivaled Elle’s...

From behind, her skirt was so short the lower curve of her buttocks was clearly visible.

Was it because she was a goddess? She radiated pure allure.

’Mira still acts like an innocent child...’

A sudden worry hit me.

What kind of "test" had she called me for?

"...Alright. Don’t feel pressured."

Thalassa pushed her full backside outward.

?

I forgot how to breathe and just stared.

Then the goddess went further, pulling her white thong aside and fully exposing her vagina.

My heart slammed against my ribs.

Her pretty pussy gave off a soft, seductive scent.

"Come on."

Thalassa planted both hands on the sink and pushed her hips out even more.

All I could see was that massive, perfect ass.