The next day started with a knock on the door. Asahi tried to move, but the pile of bodies around him refused to move. Without thinking much, Asahi simply opened the door with his telekinesis.

  "Oi, Junior. What the hell is wrong with you?"??

  Alise blushed at the indecent sight. She could see Asahi and the rest were naked under the bed. Even Grayfia, the usually stern maid, was clinging to him.

  On her side, Ryuu was even more stunned. She came to request Asahi to let her join the expedition, only to find the lewd sight of Asahi and his women entangled naked on the bed.

  'What was I thinking when I agreed on coming here in the morning?'

  Asahi pushed the girls and sat up. The blanket slid down as he stretched his arms, revealing his chiseled chest. He wasn't burly by any means. But he owned a set of taut and well-defined muscles that put most trained adventurers to shame.

  Alise's mind came to an abrupt halt. She and Ryuu both couldn't move their eyes, their heartbeat pumping up the more they saw Asahi. Alise's cheeks grew hot in embarrassment.

  "Jeez. Why are you two here? Want to sleep with me?" Asahi yawned before giving the two a blank stare.

  Alise suppressed the turmoil in her heart.

  'He is just my junior.'

  She crossed her arms and gave him a haughty look. "Wake up. I want to spar with you."

  "Spar?" Asahi checked his wristwatch. "Who the hell spars at fucking six?"

  "Did you forget you're taking us directly to the 45th floor? Lion and I need a warm-up."

  "Ryuu too?" he turned to the blonde elf. "Why?"

  "I want to help."

  Despite her hate for elves, Ryuu had a deep-rooted pride. She owed Asahi too much, and this was a good start to return some of the favor.

  "Okay. You can come."

  Ryuu hadn't expected him to agree so easily. Then again, he asked Kaguya last night, so he must have no trouble bringing another girl along.

  "Let's go," Alise said, grinning widely.

  Asahi gave her a blank stare. The redhead's grin became cramped as she became fidgety.

  "W-What?"

  "Care to leave me?" he shook his head. "Or you intend to watch me naked? Shameless Captain."

  Alise couldn't help but imagine Asahi without the blanket. Heat rose in her core as her arousal grew. Aware of the changes in her body, she blushed before she silently dragged Ryuu out of the room.

  "She is cute…"

  He shook his head and put on his clothes. He arrived at the yard where Ryuu and Alise stood side by side. Her scarlet ponytail fluttered from the passing wind. Asahi couldn't deny her charming smile stole his heart. Strong, unwavering will, and a caring heart—she might be a near-perfect woman if she kept her mouth shut.

  Ryuu smiled seeing Asahi's gaze stuck on Alise. The way they teased each other, and Alise's reaction to the spanking incident had made one thing clear for the entire Familia—Alise had a crush on Asahi. Most of the adventurers in the Familia were on board with this ship, hoping Asahi will fix Alise's narcissism.

  Asahi turned his gaze to Ryuu. The blonde elf, especially her long ears, fascinated him.

  Being a level 4 adventurer, Ryuu could feel Asahi's gaze glued to her ears.

  'Why is he after my ears?'

  She mumbled in her head.

  Asahi clapped to get their attention. "Why don't we have a bet to make things more spicy?"

  Asahi's soft smile made Ryuu's heart flutter. Yet, something about it was unsettling. It was very similar to the smile he showed when he was about to spank Alise for good.

  "N-No," Alise denied, recalling his last condition. "I refuse!"

  She wasn't going to get any more spanks!

  "If either of you lands a hit on me, I'll do everything you want," Asahi ignored Alise and stated his condition with a grin. "If not, I'll spank you both."

  Some punishments were needed to keep the tsundere in check, or she'd disturb him every day like this.

  "That's unfair!" Alise yelled.

  Ryuu agreed with a nod. "Really unfair."

  How could they go against a man who could travel between worlds like a god? Even with two of them, they stood zero chance.

  "My perfect captain is scared?" Asahi narrowed his eyes, a mocking smile on his lips. "You don't have to come with me then. Some monsters in the dungeon are stronger than me. What will you do when you face them?"

  Recalling the juggernaut, Alise faintly nodded her head in agreement. "No, no. What does facing monsters have to do with spanks?"

  Asahi sighed as he turned to the sky with a faraway look. "To surpass your limits, we have to overcome our greatest adversary."

  Ryuu almost gave in to him, until she realized everything was happening for spanks. Blushing to her ears, she shook her head.

  "Anything but that…"

  She might be a little girl by the Elven standards, but getting spanked would be very… embarrassing.

  "How about your ears?" Asahi asked.

  He wasn't backing off from tasting the forbidden fruit which was her ears.

  The last time when he asked that question, Ryuu was a little unnerved. They were strangers under the same goddess. However, the current circumstances were different as she felt no repulsion with his request. So much had happened ever since—from the end of Evilus to the discovery of Xenos. Her impression of him had drastically improved.

  'It's just ears…'

  She nodded, distracted in her thoughts. "That's… okay. I guess?"

  [—Ryuu Lion: Affection +3]

  Asahi smiled at the tiny progress indicating the distance between them.

  Meanwhile, Alise stared at Ryuu in disbelief. Ryuu's consent was nothing less than a betrayal in her eyes.

  "Traitor! I'm not joining you. I don't want spanks. Ever!"

  "I'll be gentle," Asahi said and caressed Alise's butt with telekinesis. "Happy?"

  "W-What is this?" Alise brushed her back with both hands. "Stop it!"

  "Fine." He put an end to his harassment and took a fighting stance. With a smile, he beckoned the two with his left hand. "Come at me."

  ***

  You guys aren't voting for me enough, so Imma hit y'all with a cliff!