It's been a week since we conquered the Blue Shark Lake.
Thanks to that, our range of cooking ingredients expanded a little.
I still usually do my alchemy since those rare materials are real treasures.
I can now make a healing potion that can heal someone completely as long as they aren't dead. Just one drop of that potion can instantly restore the body.
There's also a mana potion.
But...
The problem is...
Even if I drink one, the increase it gives me is too low. And the taste is so terrible that I end up puking most of it out.
Anyway...
"Marin... want to explore the dungeon again?" I called out to Marin, who was lying on the couch we made.
Marin, who heard my voice, instantly got up and appeared right in front of me. She even grabbed both of my hands as if she had been waiting for me to say those words.
"Letsss gooo, Ren-kun~"
With those sparkling eyes she had, how could I refuse this beautiful waifu?
Well, these past few days, Marin had been accompanying me while exploring the dungeon.
And it might be embarrassing to admit, but I also got carried away by Marin's whims and even tried cosplaying.
Like acting as heroes of justice, a knight and a princess... there were so many things we did just to satisfy her imagination.
Those silly yet intimate moments only made our relationship deepen even more.
As we prepared ourselves and explored a little farther into the dungeon's safe room...
We discovered a treasure dungeon.
A treasure dungeon was easy to identify, but finding one was incredibly difficult.
One of its signs was the golden light radiating from it, and there were no monsters surrounding it.
"Ren-kun, what the heck is that!? That's totally craaazyyy! Look, it's emitting golden light!" Marin's eyes sparkled like a child after seeing the treasure dungeon. Excitedly, she pulled my hand toward it.
"It's a treasure dungeon," I said while letting her drag me along. I could feel the warmth of her soft hand wrapped around my wrist.
"A treasure dungeon!!!??? Yaabaaa! That's amazing!"
Without hesitation, she opened the door.
And what we found inside...
Was a jar.
And beneath it...
There was a script carved into stone.
Although the language was unfamiliar, with [Communication], Marin and I could understand the words.
That's it?
Should I test it?
As I prepared to put my hand into the jar—
Marin did it first without hesitation.
And what she got made even me speechless.
"KYYYYAAAAA!!! A CAAAMMEEERAAA!!! Yaabaaaa! Ren-kun, look! A camera!"
Marin screamed in happiness and hugged the camera tightly. She even jumped like a little kid receiving a present.
The camera didn't seem ordinary either. It was golden, and it looked like it had features I didn't think cameras on Earth could even have.
She immediately started testing it out, and seeing her huge smile...
I was sure she really loved it.
Just looking at her like that...
My lips naturally curved into a smile.
Now...
I was curious about what I would get.
I just wanted something useful in combat, like a legendary weapon or something.
As I put my hand into the jar, it felt like my hand had entered empty space, similar to placing items inside a storage ring.
Then...
I finally felt something.
When I pulled my hand back out—
A book appeared.
What the heck is this?
A magic book?
Perhaps...
I looked at the title.
**–Book of the Cultured Sage–**
Hm?
Must be a magic book.
But when I opened it...
What I saw was beyond my expectations.
Shit...
This was more precious than any magic book.
One sacred line was written inside:
**–How to Make Your Wives Happy–**
The book taught ways to please your partner.
Basically...
It taught you how to become a good gentleman while also being a scumbag.
"Ren-kun, what did ya get?"
Marin, finished with testing her camera, walked over to me.
I immediately shoved the book into my storage ring.
"Ah... that? It's nothing."
Like hell I would let her see it.
I would die from embarrassment if she did.
She stared at me suspiciously.
"Hmmm... I'm very curious, Ren-kun! Tell me... please?"
She used puppy eyes right in front of my face.
"Ehem... Shall we head back now?"
I turned away and dodged her question.
She's still looking at me suspiciously, but we left the treasure dungeon anyway.
We continued exploring normally when suddenly Marin grabbed my arm.
"Ren-kun, look! That shining tree over there is sooo crazy beautiful!"
I looked toward the tree.
"...Don't go there. That tree is a trap. It lures adventurers, puts them to sleep, and devours them." I explained calmly.
But...
"Kyaa~ This is such a good place to take pictures~"
Her excitement had already reached the maximum level, and strangely enough, the tree's sleeping effect didn't seem to affect her at all.
"Oii... Didn't I just say it was dangerous?"
"Ren-kun, come on now!"
Seeing her enthusiasm...
I couldn't help getting dragged along.
---
**12 hours later...**
We were...
Doomed.
I saw Kurumi and Ginko staring down at us with cold expressions.
*Gulp.*
At this moment, Marin and I were kneeling on the hard stone floor of the dungeon.
We looked like two abandoned puppies.
Hey.
Hey.
Heeeyyy...
What the hell are you doing, Marin!?
Why are you hiding behind me!?
You're the reason we came back late, you know!?
Apparently, every time this girl sees something amazing or beautiful, she immediately takes pictures of it.
By the time I realized it...
We had wasted way more time than expected.
Marin moved closer and whispered into my ear.
"Ren-kun, I won't tell them your secret, so cover for me."
She shamelessly made a V-sign near her eye and acted cute.
Oii...
That's blackmail, you know.
I replied through [Communication].
She answered back immediately.
*"Just do me this favor, Ren-kun. Pleeeaaase~"*
Haaa...
*"Fine..."*
*"Thanks, Ren-kun! I love you~"*
She winked and looked away.
Traitor.
"So? Where in heaven did the two of you go, Ren and Marin?" (Ginko)
"A-Ahmm... Ginko-chan... Kurumi-chan... please calm down. We only explored the dungeon a little..." (Ren)
The two of them stared at me with cold eyes.
"Ara~ A little bit...? Is twelve hours considered a little bit for you, Ren-san~?" (Kurumi)
Uwaaahhh...
Scaryyy!
She's speaking with a cheerful voice, but somehow it sounds terrifying.
And Marin!!!
Don't just erase your presence here!
You're becoming more of an assassin than a cosplayer!
At least help me come up with some excuses!
I looked behind me.
Marin was staring back with puppy eyes while using [Communication].
*"I can't! They're scawwy! Do your best, Ren-kun!"*
Then she winked again.
Ahh...
*"Ren."*
*"Ren-san."*
The two of them stared directly at me.
The pressure was overwhelming.
"N-No... We found a treasure dungeon, so... that's why we came back late." (Ren)
I explained everything that happened during our exploration.
After hearing my explanation, they nodded.
"I see... A treasure dungeon, huh? So what did you get?" (Ginko)
They believed me.
What a relief.
But then...
The next question became a problem.
The divine book...
I can't reveal it!
Absolutely not!
I even protected Marin just to keep that thing hidden!
While I was desperately thinking of an excuse—
My savior appeared.
Marin suddenly jumped out from behind me.
"CAMERAAA!" (Marin)
"...Camera?" (Kurumi/Ginko)
The two of them looked confused.
A camera inside a dungeon?
That should be impossible.
Unless Ringo-chan was here, something like that shouldn't exist.
"Really?" Ginko asked.
"Yep! Really! Here, look!" (Marin)
Marin proudly showed her golden digital camera.
"Wow... It really is a camera. You must be happy, Marin-san. Can you show us the picture quality?" Kurumi asked with a sly smile.
Ah...
Crap.
I think she figured it out.
"Of course! You can look anytime! I took lots of pictures!" (Marin)
...
You're dead, Marin.
Your sacrifice won't be forgotten.
"You took quite a lot of pictures..." (Ginko)
Ah.
It's starting.
"Of course, Ginko-shaa—" (Marin)
"KI. TA. GA. WA. MAAARIN." (Ginko)
"HIIIKK!!" (Marin)
Marin screamed like she was in a horror movie.
"So the real reason the two of you came back late was because you spent your time taking pictures around the safe room... am I right, KITAGAWA MARIN?" (Ginko)
"Y-Yesshhh~ Ginko-shamma..." (Marin)
Marin answered weakly before slowly turning toward me for help.
I immediately looked away and replied through [Communication].
*"Sorry, Marin. Ginko's cold stare is enough to freeze my soul. Good luck. I'll pray for you."*
Marin looked like a soldier abandoned on the battlefield.
"Kitagawa Marin..." (Ginko)
The moment she heard Ginko's voice—
She immediately straightened her back.
"Y-Yes, Ginko-shama!" (Marin)
She looked like a soldier saluting her general.
"Go to my room. Now." (Ginko)
Ever since Marin was summoned here, she had always slept in Ginko's room.
"Y-yes..." (Marin)
Marin weakly walked toward Ginko's room.
Kurumi also headed toward another room with a strangely cheerful expression.
Meanwhile, Marin looked ready to cry.
Well...
She got caught.
That's on her.
But more importantly—
I'm safe.
I dodged a bullet.
I dodged a bomb.
I dodged a freaking RPG!
I'm safe—
Or so I thought.
"You're thinking you're safe right now, Ren-san~?" (Kurumi)
*Gulp.*
"K-Kurumi!?" (Ren)
I turned around—
Only for Kurumi to suddenly hug me from behind.
"Ren-san~ I still haven't finished scolding you yet, so come with me~ *giggles*" (Kurumi)
Before I could react, she teleported us away.
...
Ahh...
My peaceful summoner life.