kscans

Chapter 7 - Awakening and a Profession

I opened my eyes. The dog-eared girl I’d let sleep beside me was gone. I turned my head. She was kneeling by the side of the bed, facing me, her hands clasped before her chest. It resembled the way people prayed in the churches of my old world.

"?"

When she noticed I was awake, she stood, sat primly in a chair, and simply stared at me. I sat up as well, perching on the edge of the bed.

"Morning. Looks like you're feeling better."

"..."

Wait, does she not understand me?

"Woof, woof, wo-woof, woof!"

I tried speaking in dog. Translated, it means, "Woof, woof, wo-woof, woof!"

In other words, it’s meaningless.

"I may be of the dog-eared race, but I am not a dog."

"Oh, good. For a second there, I was worried you couldn't talk."

I was trying to make her laugh, but it didn't seem to be that kind of atmosphere. Though her expression was placid, I could feel a quiet anger in her eyes.

"Tell me your name."

"It is Famu."

"Famdes, huh?"

"Famu!"

"Sorry. I knew what you meant. Just trying to lighten the mood. I'm Mash."

She didn't even crack a smile. It seemed my brilliant dog-speak opener had backfired, and she looked genuinely angry.

"Are you my master?"

"Master? Nope. Take off the bandage on your arm."

Famu unwrapped the bandage, her face a mixture of shock and confusion when she saw there was no Slave Mark.

"I should tell you this first. Unfortunately, your illness isn't cured. It'll come back in a few years."

"Is that so... They couldn't cure it in my settlement, so I was bedridden for a long time."

"How long?"

"About four years."

That was far too long. It must have been a miserable time.

"It has been a while since I've had such a refreshing morning,"

she said. And yet, despite feeling refreshed, she was angry.

"Glad to hear it."

I took five gold coins from my storage.

"Here. You don't have a master. You can go wherever you want, do whatever you like."

"Eh?"

Famu was stunned. I gave her a thumbs-up in response.

"I cannot accept this. I was delirious, but I remember. You got me out of that cell and had me treated. I am in your debt."

"Then why are you making the air in here so heavy? I'm starting to think you hate me."

At that, Famu's eyes darted away, and her face flushed red for some reason.

"It's because... when I woke up, we were sleeping together. You stole my... my virginity while I was unaware!"

"Didn't you get... you know, messed with a lot when you were a slave?"

Probably best to keep quiet about touching her chest.

"N-No, I wasn't! They thought the curse was contagious, so I was kept in isolation the whole time!"

So that was it. I'd planned on asking her eventually, but it was good to hear it from her directly. A faint smile crept onto my lips.

"Wh-What are you smiling about?"

"Hey, there was only one bed, so I just let you sleep next to me. You're brand new, Famu. I haven't done a single thing to you."

"I'm not completely ignorant, you know! I checked properly!"

You've got to be kidding me. Did I attack her in my sleep? Or did someone attack her while she slept next to me? Either way, this is the worst. Panic set in.

"How did you check?"

"Th-The... the blood of defloration is still there."

Nothing but despair. I buried my head in my hands.

"W-Why do you look so devastated, Master?!"

Seeing my reaction, she started to panic.

"Can I see?"

"Wha? N-No, of course not!"

"Look, I honestly have no memory of this. But you think I attacked you. And if you think I've already seen everything, then there's no harm in me looking now, right?"

"That logic is absurd... Honestly, you didn't even know my name... You didn't have to do it while I was sleeping, that's just cruel. It's not like I could have resisted anyway..."

she muttered, starting to touch herself between her legs. When she realized I was staring, she hastily spun her chair around to face away from me.

"Here,"

she said, holding out her index and middle fingers. They were slick with blood.

"Is there usually this much blood? That's a huge amount."

"This is my first time, so I'm not sure, but this blood is... ah!"

Something seemed to click. Her face turned beet red, and she began to fluster.

"What is it?"

So it probably wasn't me after all. Did she remember inserting a cucumber herself or something?

"U-Uh, something to wipe with, and... if possible... I'm terribly embarrassed to ask a man this, but... I'm so sorry, could you please get me some sanitary products...?"

She fidgeted and looked down. She tried to hide her bloody fingers, but not wanting to stain anything, she ended up just placing them on her lap. The deep red color was strangely erotic. She had mistaken period blood for the blood of defloration. I handed her the small pouch I'd gotten from Myra for her.

I checked inside and saw what looked like a sanitary napkin. They have napkins in this world?

"I'm sorry. There wasn't a spare pair of underwear inside."

She looked devastated. It was kind of funny. I pulled two pairs of panties out of my storage.

"Are these light blue panties the ones you seek, or are they these white ones?"

I held up Mizuki's panties in my left hand and Laciel's in my right.

"Ugh, both of them smell like a woman. I don't want to choose."

Wow, she can tell? Guess the dog ears come with a dog's sense of smell.

"Better than smelling like an old man. If you're going to be picky, I'll make you wear my underwear."

"...That's fine."

"Don't be an idiot. Pick one."

"U-Uh, the light blue ones, please."

"Sorry. This pair is an irreplaceable, one-of-a-kind item. Use the white ones."

Mizuki's panties were from my world. They had the high brand-value of having been worn by a high school girl. If I let these go, I'd never get another pair. I handed her Laciel's panties.

"These look very expensive. I might stain them."

"Don't worry about it. I can always get another pair."

Famu turned her back so I couldn't see and quickly got changed. All the while, her tail kept wagging back and forth, as if to shield her butt from my view.

"So that tail is real, huh."

It was obvious, but the tail was growing from around her tailbone. I'd wondered if it was just a hobby of hers to stick things in her butt, but I was wrong.

"? Do you dislike it?"

She turned just her head to check my expression.

"No, it's insanely cute. And this might be a weird way to put it, but it really suits you."

"R-Really?"

A bashful smile crept across Famu's face.

"So, just to be clear, you are a virgin, right?"

"Ugh... yes. I apologize for the commotion,"

she said, bowing her head apologetically.

"Oh, thank god."

A sigh of profound relief escaped me.

"Why are you the one who's relieved, Master?!"

"Well, you know. Oh, right, there was medicine in that bag, too. A whole lot of it. Isn't that for your illness?"

I changed the subject to distract her.

"...That is not medicine for my illness."

"It's not? Do you know what it is?"

"...It's... contraceptive medicine for women. Don't pretend you don't know!"

Inside my head, Myra-san flashed a peace sign.

After she finished changing, Famu was bright red and looking at the floor. She was fun to tease. Cute.

"Um, Master, are you by any chance a pimp?"

"No, how did you even get there? And stop with the 'Master' stuff. Mash is fine. And you can talk casually."

It had been bothering me for a while now. I hated being called 'Master.' I wanted to be friends, not impose some kind of hierarchy.

"You say lewd things and have a perverted look on your face, Master. And you seem to have money."

Her imagination was running wild, but it felt like some of the darkness in her heart had lifted. It also seemed she had no intention of stopping the 'Master' thing.

"You're the one who started going on about lewd stuff. Besides, if I was going to procure women for other people, I'd just keep them for myself. I'm starving here. And finally, I'm an adventurer."

"U-Uh, I'm sorry about before. But... an adventurer... is that some kind of lewd code for exploring a woman's dungeon?"

"Could you please step away from the perversion for a second? I'm just a regular adventurer. And I'll tell you now before you embarrass yourself: I'm incredibly weak. F-rank."

"An adventurer..."

She seemed to be mulling over my words.

"Um, am I really free to go wherever I please?"

"You are."

"In that case, I will also become an adventurer and follow you wherever you go, Master. Please let me join your party."

"Are you sure? I was actually planning to ask you myself once you'd settled down."

That was unexpected. I never thought she'd suggest it. I'd been wondering how to get her to join me, but this saved me the trouble.

"I was in a bind being on my own."

"Is that so?"

I nodded at Famu, scratching my head.

"However, there is one thing I must ask of you."

"What is it?"

"The settlement where I lived is near the border with the Demon Kingdom. When we are nearby, if it's not too much trouble, may we stop there?"

"You got it. We'll definitely stop by."

Hearing this, Famu stood and gave a small bow.

"Famu, I want to perform a ritual to make you my companion."

"A ritual?"

Famu tilted her head.

"That's right. I want to become good friends with you, Famu."

"I see. I would also like to know more about you, Master."

"What we're about to do is for that purpose."

"I suppose,"

Famu replied noncommittally, her head still tilted. I raised both hands, extending only my index fingers, and showed them to her.

"With these index fingers, I will poke your chest."

"Wha— What on earth are you talking about? If you do something like that, I'll be angry. Besides, it's morning!"

I knew what she meant, but having listened to her breathing all night, my frustration was about to explode.

"If I successfully poke your nipples, I win. You will then lift your shirt and show me your chest. It's a game people call 'The Nipple-Guessing Game'."

I gave her a meaningful smirk. Famu looked both stunned and contemplative.

"Gulp. I have nothing to gain from this, but I am in your debt. Very well. I accept your challenge!"

I had a feeling she'd be receptive to this kind of thing after our earlier conversation. Famu was very curious about the opposite sex. I carefully observed Famu's small breasts. The two mounds were asserting their future growth. The more I looked, the more I saw them as the ideal chest. She fidgeted uncomfortably but didn't try to run away.

"Here!"

The moment inspiration struck my brain, I poked both her left and right breasts simultaneously with my index fingers. A soft, squishy feeling.

"Ah! N-No, sorry. They're here and here."

It seemed I'd missed both. She dutifully touched the correct spots with her own fingers to show me the right answer. I had lost, but I was deeply satisfied.

"Alright, same time tomorrow. Let's get some breakfast and go pick some herbs."

"Huh? Tomorrow again?"

"Every day until I get it right."

"Ugh... Very well. I have a feeling my emotions are straying far from 'friendship,' but I will play along."

With our solemn ritual complete, we headed to the dining hall.

After breakfast, I took the opportunity of adding Famu to my party to check her character sheet. To my surprise, Famu's profession slot was empty. She didn't have a special skill, either. She was just a regular villager.

"I have never been on an adventure. I was sleeping the entire time."

"Right. You get a profession by praying to the god that presides over it at a church, correct? Let's head to the church for now. I want to show Myra you're doing well."

"Yes. I want to thank the person who helped me."

Famu nodded with a smile. She had a friendly air about her.

"So, you want to be an adventurer?"

Laciel would probably be happy about that.

"No, adventurer is a profession that only humans can be."

Laciel, discrimination is not okay.

"Really? Does the dog-eared race have its own unique professions?"

"Yes, they are combat-oriented, but there is Dog Warrior or Miburō. I would like to become a Miburō."

Dog Warrior sounded cute, but also a little weak. But still, Miburō, huh?

"That sounds super cool, but what's with the nickname of that certain band of ronin?"

"Band of ronin?"

Famu, of course, didn't know about my world, so she had no idea what I was talking about. Come to think of it, the gods who grant professions know about both worlds. But was that really okay? This was definitely something to lodge a complaint with Laciel about later.

We met Myra at the church. She was overjoyed to see Famu looking so healthy.

"Yay!"

she squealed, hugging Famu and bouncing up and down. Famu, looking embarrassed, just let it happen. I'd have to ask her what the boobs felt like later.

"So, about Famu-san's job change. I'll take you to the Chamber of Professions right away."

The room she led us to had a high, open ceiling on the second floor. The walls and ceiling were covered in magnificent, solemn frescoes depicting all sorts of gods. Among them, I found a portrait of Laciel. The solemnity vanished.

"Please climb onto the central altar, think of the profession you wish for, and pray."

"You can get it just by thinking about it?"

"Well, there are some professions that require you to have mastered another one first, or to have stats above a certain level. That's true for magic-users and advanced jobs. Oh, but before that."

Myra held out her palm.

"One silver coin, please."

I handed over the silver coin. Famu climbed onto the altar and began to pray. It was the same pose she'd been in when I woke up this morning. I wondered if she was deeply religious, or if it was just a custom for people in this world. Nothing seemed to be happening, but then she finished her prayer and came back down. The three of us checked Famu's status sheet. Her profession slot now read 'Miburō'.

"You did it!"

Myra was the first to react, pouncing on Famu just like before. What happened to her big-sister persona? I wanted to pounce on them both, but getting branded as a pervert at the church seemed like it would cause problems down the line, so I refrained.

"By the way, what kind of weapon would be best?"

A katana, maybe? I wonder if they exist in this world.

"It seems any kind of blunt weapon will do,"

Famu answered.

"That's vague. What do you want, Famu? For now, let's try out some weapons you like in the field and find one that suits you."

"A weapon I like? I can't think of anything. Myra-san, do you have any recommendations?"

"Hmm, if you're a priest, you stick with a mace. You can smash anything if you just hit it enough."

This lady was dangerous. I'd have to be careful when I groped her boobs.

"Famu, don't get a mace."

"Aww, I wanted to match with Famu-chan."

Famu was small; a heavy weapon would probably be too much for her.

"Alright, Famu, close your eyes."

"Okay."

"Imagine this. I'm in a pinch, about to be killed by a monster. Then you appear, dashing in to save the day and defeat the monster. In that image, what are you equipped with?"

Famu nodded at my words, closed her eyes, and began to daydream.

"Mmm, ha! Hiyah! Mwahaha, yah!"

Famu was smiling proudly, her eyes still closed.

"Come on! Yah! Hehehe, tooh!"

Quite a fierce battle she's having.

"Ngh! Ugh... Grr... gnnn..."

That's a long daydream.

"Hey, aren't you about to lose? You're making 'gnnn' sounds."

"Ah, right. This was supposed to be the part where I look cool. I was saving you, Master, but then a whole bunch of monsters showed up and it got really messy."

"And what was your weapon?"

"It was an amazing magic sword! When I swung it, it defeated the monsters with some incredible power. It was just a really amazing weapon!"

There weren't any magic-enchanted swords or armor at the weapon shop. The trading company might carry them, though. I'd have to ask Mateo.

"A magic sword is out of the question. They don't sell them. But you were in a 'gnnn' situation even with a sword like that?"

In the end, we settled on a short sword that seemed easy to handle. At the weapon shop, we bought one with a blade even shorter than the sword I was using. We also got shields for both of us, and I bought a two-handed sword for myself to try out. We stocked up on leather armor as well. In honor of Famu's new profession, I bought a pair of pale blue arm guards. Since they came as a set of two, Famu and I each wore one. And then, we headed to our usual spot to gather medicinal herbs.