Chapter 62:A needed break

The delve was more of an endurance test than anything. They climbed the first five floors quite easily with no traps or any positive events but ambushes were a common occurrence.

At least every time they ascended a floor, they were transported to a safe zone. They never bothered using one till now, but they had been at this for hours and thought the static nature of the dungeon environment made it hard to tell time, Simon would guess they had been at this for at least half a day.

Both Stella and Amy were panting now, though their combat ability had yet to take a hit, blitzing any and all opponents with the same efficiency.

They looked visibly haggard and seeing them so evoked feelings that he did not appreciate.

He was expecting his supervisor to tell him to stop and rest on the last floor they passed because both his girls were showing signs from the third floor onwards and the constant ambushes did not help.

Rana, on the other hand, looked barely fazed, only the slight sheen of sweat signified that she had expended some energy.

This sheen only made him pay more attention to her powerful frame. The way it glistened off the tight muscles made him unconsciously look.

The boy did not realize that his 'tastes' in monster girls were derived from the monster girls that he was surrounded by when he grew up and cow aunt was a mountain of muscle on a very curvy frame which the orc imitated even if it was to a much lesser extent.

Despite how physically attractive he found the orc, he was beginning to get annoyed at her. She was the expert here and he was pretty sure that they needed a break.

His thoughts were robbed from him as something pushed into his hips.

He looked down to see Amy brushing against him her eyes on the magical vegetation-rich surroundings of the dungeon.

What he could also feel, however, was her hunger. The pant was already a dead giveaway, monster girls did not get tired. They rested to conserve essence. Whenever a monster girl showed any form of 'tiredness' it meant their tanks were getting low.

Amy's labored made Simon's heart bleed a little and he resolved to make sure they stopped and rested at the next safe zone. He did not care if he might be going against Rana's wishes.

That opportunity soon arrived as they were upon the pink magic circle that would take them to the next floor except it was surrounded by a slight shimmering circle he had come to expect of a safe zone.

"Let's take a break."

He said with steel in his voice.

Rana turned to him with a raised eyebrow. Even when she was laid back she could be intimidating now that he was being scrutinized, it was much more prevalent. But this hardly deterred Simon as he stared back.

"Why?"

The briskness of the question aggravated him further and he shouted.

"Because my monster girls are at their limit need to rest that's why."

Amy looked slightly downtrodden at the answer, her normally bouncy tail now hanging limp between her legs.

Stella chimed up.

"I... think I can go for some more..."

His ire turned to Stella.

"No! You can't! You look worse than Amy and she looks like she has not eaten in days."

This immediately shut Stella up but she also looked like she was about to cry making Simon regret his words immediately.

But he could deal with that later right now he needed to convince an orc who... was smiling at him?

"What?"

He said, as quite a bit of his steam got lost in the abrupt change in demeanor.

Rana's smile broadened.

"You did well."

Simon was confused but then came the elaboration which he knew was for his benefit.

"Most rookie tamers who agree to listen to their supervisors tend to be too meek to ever question their decisions. This is a routine test we conduct to see if they can spot and have the courage to challenge a mistake. Listen, leaders are not infallible, and while it is your duty to listen to them, you are not a monster girl, you are a tamer. As a tamer, it is your job to think and decided what is best for your party."

Then she added cheekily.

"Took you a bit, but you got there in the end."

Simon nodded at her words taking them to heart, attention shifting to Stella who shrunk under his gaze.

Sighing at the timidity of his newest bond he opened his arms, beckoning her with his fingers.

At first, she hesitated but seeing the soft smile on his face jumped into his arms, mewling her apologies.

"Shh... It's ok... Look, you know that tamers get mad right?"

She nodded into his chest.

"Sometimes when we are mad we say or do things we don't mean. Do you understand?"

Another nod but more muted this time.

"I was frustrated and you just happened to walk in my path. I do not regret what I said to you but how it was said mattered and I made you sad. I am sorry for that and hope you can forgive me."

Stella shook her head finally looking up at him as she said.

"You have nothing to apologize for! I am your maid monster girl, I should know these things! Instead, I shoved a foot in my mouth and almost made you like a fool!"

"But I am a fool."

Stella's eyes widened as she growled.

"You take that back! My master is not a fool! He the bestest most perfect master ever! He loves me!"

Simon could not help himself at the sudden fire in her eyes and laughed out loud as he plopped his palm on the top of her head rubbing the base of her ears.

"You are a treasure, you know that right?"

Despite trying to look serious she melted against him as a purr started to make his whole body vibrate.

"We are both very young and have much to learn. All of us will make mistakes. Let's just make sure they don't come between us or make you girls sad. Can you do that for me?"

All Stella could manage was a whimpering nod while Amy gave an affirmative bark.

All the while, Rana looked at the scene with complicated eyes. But in the moment only she knew how she was feeling.