****

    Ryuji felt a soft, warm sensation cushion his head and body. After fighting the black wolf, he exhausted himself completely now woke up to feel the soft, squishy thighs and the sweet scent of the woman stroking his hair.

    "Oh, did you finally wake up?" A gentle voice sounded, the tone familiar as Ryuji awoke from his groggy state.

    "Shelia? Did we kill the boss!?"

    "Yeah, we did." She chuckled, her face full of concern as Ryuji noticed a slight frown on her forehead while resting on her lap. "You are a real idiot! How dare you take that hit and pass out! I thought you were going to die or something!"

    "Oops, sorry." Ryuji couldn''t help but feel a little guilty as he could see her true feelings shining in her beautiful eyes. "I wasn''t that scared about dying, but I didn''t want to lose my chance at experiencing actual battles with you guys. So maybe I overdid it a little..."

    "A little..." The lovely voice of Alicia, the elf, sounded a few steps away as Ryuji looked up from Sheila''s lap. In her hands was a small cup of hot tea that smelt delicious, like a sweet fruit fragrance. "Drink this. It helps the body recover... Also... you did amazing today, Ryu."

    "T-Thanks..." Ryuji couldn''t help but blush to hear the first words of praise from the beautiful elf.

    ''Why is my heart beating so fast? It''s just a cup of tea!''

    The rarity of people complimenting him seemed to cause him to react quite well to any sort of praise, especially from older women.

    He wanted to distract himself, noticing that his pants still felt tight. The effect of the two tattoos didn''t fade even when he slept, so he quietly removed both. "How long was I out for?"

    "About three hours... We left the dungeon a few hours ago and got you some help and fresh clothes." Simon said, sitting beside a roaring fireplace in the lodge where they all rested. Ryuji could smell meat cooking and saw Paul stirring an enormous pot.

    "What about the loot?" Ryuji asked with curiosity.

    "It is here! With me," Alicia said with a giggle as she offered him the warm tea. Her green hair fell across her left shoulder and exposed the right as Ryuji noticed she was wearing a dark purple dress.

    "You look good in that dress," Ryuji responded, lifting himself off Sheila''s legs, before noticing that Paul gave him a thumbs up while he seemed to carve more of his spell runes. "So, what are those spell runes? Does Paul always carve them ahead of time?"

    "Yes... He''s our mage, and casting his magic takes a long time, so he prepares those while we fight for him."

    "He''s so dedicated, it''s amazing." Ryuji honestly thought so, thinking back to the battle; the moment he cast a spell, he would throw one of the wooden runes to boost its power; it left a mark on Ryuji''s heart in the last moment when Paul met his eyes and tossed over three to help. "Paul, you saved my life with those runes. You''re amazing."

    "It is nothing," Paul answered with a chuckle. If I had not assisted you, I would have had to endure Sheila''s ire for letting her future husband die."

    "Hey! What''s the future husband? Damn bald mage!"

    "Yeah! Why is it, Sheila... He suits an elf better!"

    Not used to such a playful party, Ryuji laughed with a hearty chuckle, to which the rest of the group joined in, although he wondered why they came to this inn instead of taking him to the castle before Simon soon answered his questions.

    [Ring of Bestial Bonding] (EPIC)

    —Gain 1 Extra Tattoo Slot and Increase the Rarity of the mark one stage! (Beast Partner Limited)

    —Beast Partner will undergo Class Change to suit their partner.

    —All experience gained increased by 50%

    —Wielders gain experience whenever the other kills an enemy. (Unlimited distance)

    It seemed the ring wasn''t a normal quality ring but something even better than normal.

    He realised the first benefit likely changed to suit him, but if he was a mage, it might give him a different bonus. However, it gave him the tattoo from Yumiko passively as he felt a slight burning sensation in his crotch, the fox tattoo choosing an awkward place.

    ''So if Yumiko fights now and kills a monster, I would get the same experience as if I killed one and vice versa... It doesn''t seem to reduce my gained experience either.''

    "Ryuji, are you alright?" Sheila asked, having noticed his worried expression.

    "Hmm? Oh yeah, I''m fine; I''m just tired. Today''s battle was a lot more dangerous than I thought..." Ryuji answered honestly, while his eyes enjoyed the huge contrast between Shelia''s nightgown and Alicia''s elegant dress.

    "Are you sure? Are you feeling unwell?" Sheila asked again as Ryuji approached the two ladies, who were busy arguing with each other.

    "Alicia... Shelia..." Ryuji called both their names softly, capturing their attention.

    "Yes, what is it, Ryuji?"

    "You should cover yourselves... I can see everything." He responded with a wink. They both froze momentarily before realising what he meant, their faces flushing red.

    But when they looked up, Ryuji had already entered his room.

    "What an interesting man."

    "Ryuji is a real man," Alicia added, her eyes gleaming as she imagined his future. "Such a man is rare to find... That beast girl is lucky to have him..."

    "What are you mumbling about, elf?" Shelia couldn''t help but retort with jealousy when she heard Alicia''s muttering.

    "Haha, goodnight, girls." Ryuji laughed as he heard the two ladies quarrel one more time.

    "Goodnight, Ryuji!" Alicia shouted through his door in response.

    "Rest well, you need it!" Shelia added a few seconds later.

    "Ha... Women are scary creatures to study." Paul added, his voice coming from the side of the hallway, causing Ryuji to chuckle.