Surviving a Harsh Fantasy with Cheat Items (WN)

How much time had passed since I was enveloped by the tentacles?

Without any warning, with a bizarre sound, I was spat out from the tentacle whirlpool.

Tickled, sucked, tormented, licked—my body had gone through so much that I had lost all sense of reality. Despite the suffocating experience, being expelled felt like waking from a long sleep, leaving me feeling refreshed.

My vision was clear as if I had been reborn. I slowly rose, realizing I was still completely naked.

Where had my clothes gone? Perhaps they were devoured by the tentacles.

Just as I thought that, my underwear, layered clothing for warmth, pants, and even my mithril armor were spat out from the tentacle oneesan one after another with popping sounds.

While my body was covered in the white sticky slime from the tentacles, my mithril armor, for some reason, was polished and gleaming like new.

My clothes, too, were spat out, clean and even folded, as if they had gone through a laundry. They felt dry to the touch and were incredibly white. The underwear was so soft it made me want to ask, ‘Did you change the fabric softener?’

「Why is my shirt starched and crisp…」

There’s no point in asking how this happened. The tentacle oneesan probably had a laundry service inside her. With this mysterious creature, anything is possible, so it’s not surprising anymore. Lastly, with a satisfying ‘pop’, the tentacle oneesan spat out my boots. She seemed to lose interest in me and returned to her usual statue-like expression.

Without a word of farewell, she slithered away, her tentacles wriggling, heading off in a random direction.

「Uh, that’s a wall you’re heading towards…」

「I can be replaced even if I die.」

As the mysterious, wall-ignoring entity known as tentacle oneesan vanished into the rock wall, I couldn’t help but marvel at its otherworldly nature.

Right, she’s the kind of existence that doesn’t care about walls or something……

While the slimy residue on my skin was tolerable, now I faced rapid drying. Was it the effect of the adhesive on my clothes? Regardless, my parched skin demanded attention. With no towels in sight, I reluctantly wiped the sticky slime off my body using a corner of my shirt. Then, I donned my attire—the miraculously pristine mithril armor and freshly cleaned garments—before slipping into my boots.

「Now, what should we do with it?」

Deep within the cave lay the colossal carcass of the divine beast Behemoth, its severed head a grim reminder of our battle.

Nearby, an inexplicable bundle of elongated noodles lay discarded. What peculiar combination was this?

Suddenly, the dragon maiden Are fluttered back into view, her dragon wings flapping gracefully.

「Truly remarkable, Hero! You’ve defeated that monster!」

「Hmm, what can I even say……」

I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. True, the magic sword Tizona still stuck from the Behemoth’s forehead, making it appear as if I had dealt the final blow. But in reality, it hardly mattered who had defeated the creature—no witnesses remained. Perhaps it was wiser to let the pirates believe that the hero, me, had vanquished the Behemoth in a daring display of valor. Their cooperation might prove valuable.

「Hey, Hero, where are the human warrior and the demon sorceress?」

「Aahhh!」

Apparently, the shock of being swallowed by tentacles had left me disoriented. I’d forgotten about Louise and Kaara, my companions in battle. But where had they disappeared to?

「I didn’t see them when I flew back.」

「That’s odd. Louise and Kaara couldn’t have been blown away so easily. They must be somewhere in this cave.」

Despite the chaotic battle, I knew they hadn’t fallen victim to the Behemoth. Now, the mystery remained: Where had they gone?

「Hey, hero, what is that creepy thing over……」

「Eh? Uwaaaa」

As the pink, fleshy mass dangled from the ceiling, I couldn’t help but scream.

Clearly, it was one of tentacle oneesan’s appendages. But how did it emerge from above?

The giant cylindrical meat tube swayed like an otherworldly tail, its rhythmic motion both mesmerizing and unsettling.

Was this the same material as the emergency escape bags we used during fire drills at school? Soft, pink, and slippery—it resembled a bizarre slide made of flesh. As I stared, an unsettling sensation gnawed at my sanity. The scraping sound intensified, like sanity being whittled away.

The tentacle extended from dragon maiden Are’s horn to the tip of her tail. The invincible dragon maiden whimpered, shrinking back in fear.

「Hero, this is creepy! No, no, nooooooo!」

「Hey Are, don’t stare at the wriggling tentacle too much! And ‘Furuki sha’, you’re still lurking somewhere, right? Seriously, this is genuinely terrifying—do something!」

「Ahhhhhh, it’s a ghost! Hero, duck!」

Startled, Are leaped away from me.

With trembling hands, she pointed to a face emerging from the ground—a face that belonged to tentacle oneesan. She suddenly appeared like a bamboo shoot. While unsettling, it was less horrifying than the massive, undulating meat hose hanging from the ceiling.

Seeing tentacle oneesan’s head, the dragon maiden screamed and flailed. Her reaction surprised me; after all, she fearlessly battled divine beasts and sliced enemies’ heads off with her sharp claws. Yet here she was, terrified by a horror-themed disembodied head emerging from the floor. I couldn’t help but chuckle, though I knew it was inappropriate.

From beneath the earth, the decapitated Tentacle oneesan grinned maniacally and chuckled, ‘Hehehe’.

Hey, hey, it’s terrifying enough without you laughing!

Tentacle oneesan, who just burst out laughing, now looks embarrassed, her cheeks blushing as she shyly presses a tentacle to her reddened face. This bizarre reaction only fills me with a sense of dread.

「Sorry for calling you just now, ‘Furuki Sha’, but what exactly is this…?」

「Drop item, desu.」

As soon as she spoke, a loud snapping sound echoed from the flesh hose, followed by a torrent of milky white liquid, and then Louise and Kaara were spat out.

The two, completely naked and covered in the sticky white fluid, seemed unconscious, emerging intertwined from the fleshy aperture.

Being naked is understandable—I was too—but…

The two of them, drenched in the thick white fluid, look incredibly embarrassing and hard to look at directly.

「What should I do about this…」

As I moved closer to help them up, I inadvertently glanced inside the pink fleshy hose.

From the pink entrance, milky white goo was oozing out. Inside, countless tentacles squirmed like anemones. Louise and Kaara had passed through this horrifying tunnel. Just looking at it made my spine tingle and my heart uneasy.

I went through the tentacle ordeal myself, but seeing it is something else entirely…

They were dragged in by a different type of grotesque pink flesh tentacle and came out through this tunnel.

Tentacle oneesan must have realized she had to return the two she swallowed and came back to do so. Thinking about what might have happened if she had forgotten to expel them sends shivers down my spine.

Indeed, the ‘Furuki shas’ are untouchable, terrifying beings that should not be meddled with.

The pink flesh hose hanging eerily from the ceiling swayed as it spat out Louise’s clothes, her orichalcum equipment, Kaara’s swimsuit-like undergarment, and black robe before slithering back up and disappearing between the rocks.

When I looked around again, tentacle oneesan who had emerged from the floor was also gone.

She appears and disappears so abruptly. I wish she’d at least say goodbye when she leaves, otherwise, I’ll be left wondering if she’ll ever come back, which is unsettling.

「Hey, are you alright, Louise? Hang in there!」

「Ah, ack…」

Unconscious, Louise let out a weak groan, possibly just dry heaving.

She must have been tormented by the tentacles for a long time, subjected to unbearable torture. Her cheeks were flushed, her breath hot—her face was contorted in a way my limited vocabulary couldn’t adequately describe.

Her limp body looked like it might melt away at any moment. Tears and mucus streamed continuously from her eyes and nose, and her tongue lolled out from her half-open, red, slimy lips, with drool dripping down.

If the usually composed Louise saw herself like this, she might consider suicide.

Her body, drenched in milky white fluid, was flushed all over as if overheated in a sauna.

I should stop describing her condition for the sake of her dignity. Her body, covered in slime and utterly relaxed, was in a state unfit for anyone to see.

I must have looked the same when I emerged—thank goodness no one saw me.

Feeling conflicted about the two in their current state, I wrapped them in my cloak and robe to help them. Just then, Are came over with shredded divine beast fur, torn with her claws, to assist.

In this situation, even Are couldn’t afford to joke around and was helping to care for them.

Are was the only one lucky enough to avoid getting caught by the tentacles.

「Should I cut more fur and bring them?」

「Thank you, it’s better than laying them on the hard floor.」

I should have brought towels instead of weapons. I use my jacket to wipe the tentacle fluid off Louise’s skin and Kaara’s too. Their feverish, overheated skin trembles at even the slightest touch, making it difficult to clean them. But the viscous liquid will soon dry and make their skin stiff and uncomfortable.

I can’t leave them like this.

Wishing I had water magic to clean them instantly, I meticulously wiped them down, lamenting my lack of such abilities.

After finally finishing, I realized that despite the fierce battle, their skin was unscathed.

That’s the same with me. My eardrums, ruptured by the Behemoth’s roar, were somehow healed. All the wounds from the intense battle were gone.

Tentacle oneesan’s fluids must have healing properties.

There might be some goodwill in that, but we don’t need it since we have healing potions.

Considering how mentally exhausting it was to be endlessly licked by those abnormal tentacles, the healing doesn’t feel like a favor at all.

Such is the nature of the ‘Furuki shas’.

「Ugh…」

「Kaara, you’re awake. Hey… what are you doing?」

Kaara, now awake, grabbed my hand on her cheek and began to suck my index finger intensely. I let her do as she pleased, but she sucked it like a baby, all the way to the base of my finger.

Her actions make no sense. Has she gone mad from the chaos’s influence?

The touch of saliva covered my fingertips, and finally, the purple light returned to Kaara’s eyes. I breathed a sigh of relief. I had worried that she might remain in that infantile state forever.

「Fuah, ah… My apologies, nation’s father. Thank you.」

「No problem. Are you really okay, Kaara? What was your intention with that earlier?」

「Inside… I was subjected to various things. That’s why I…」

「You don’t need to go into detail.」

There had been quite a lot going on.

I, too, preferred not to dwell on it. It was better to treat it like a bad dream and forget.

Instead of a potion, I offered Kaara a vial of Xenoxyll, a magical elixir known for its healing properties for demons. She seemed to relax after taking it. I also applied some to Louise’s tongue, who had just regained consciousness. Both of them were finally back to their senses.

However, now that they were coherent, both Kaara and Louise began berating themselves for not protecting me during the intense battle. It was typical of their serious personalities to focus on their perceived failures.

I reassured them,

「Kaara, don’t worry too much. Everyone is safe; that’s what matters.」

「Forgive me, nation’s father. I promise to be more useful next time.」

Kaara needed to survive.

She had boldly declared herself my shield, but when the Behemoth struck, she couldn’t do anything. However, as she had mentioned earlier, once Oracle gives birth to my child—she would undoubtedly become its protector.

In that sense, she was irreplaceable.

「Louise, don’t dwell on it too much.」

「I don’t even know what to say…….」

Louise’s expression remained downcast.

I tightened my grip on Louise’s hand as she sat there, shoulders slumped. While humans might fare better against each other in combat, facing a divine beast like the Behemoth was an entirely different matter. Even a brave clad in orichalcum armor would find themselves powerless.

I tried to console Louise, saying, ‘You don’t have to be strong. Just being by my side is enough.’

I had hoped that my words would convey what I felt, but it still felt embarrassing to say them out loud. Perhaps I wanted her to understand without needing explicit reassurance.

「Now then, it looks like we’ll be camping in this cave tonight.」

The massive pile of meat filling the cavern was truly fitting for a creature known as the ‘God’s Offering’. If treated as meat, it looked rather appetizing.

Transporting such a quantity would require more sleds than we had available. For now, we’d freeze it for preservation and gradually transport it. With this much meat, it would serve as ample sustenance.

We joined the marines stationed at the cave entrance, who were maintaining a vigilant watch. Tonight, we will rest and recover.

※※※

「Wow, this divine beast meat is incredibly delicious.」

「Haha, glad to hear that.」

While others savored the roasted divine beast meat, I found myself more excited about the udon noodles. Without proper udon broth, I hesitated, but there were some leftover spices. So, I decided to make curry udon. I boiled thin-cut noodles and seasoned them with a curry-spiced broth.

The unique harmony of the chewy udon texture combined with the flavor of curry spices was delightful. Despite the intense curry taste, the wheat flour’s natural flavor and aroma remained intact.

「Delicious. Maybe I’ll try making udon from scratch.」

Since arriving in this world, I’ve learned from Colette, the baker’s daughter. Different types of wheat flour were suitable for various purposes—elastic flour for bread, soft flour for pastries. Udon required its own specific type of flour, and while success wasn’t guaranteed, it was worth a try.

「Louise, how does it taste?」 I

「Hmm, curry udon isn’t bad.」

Louise replied, carefully twirling the curry udon on her wooden plate with a fork. If she enjoyed it too, then it was worth the effort to make.

The soldiers from Silesie hesitated when offered curry udon due to the intense aroma of spices. However, both Are and Louise were willing to eat anything if it tasted good.

But what surprised me was that Kaara also ate the curry udon. When I inquired, she responded, ‘Because it was prepared by you, Nation’s father, using ingredients provided by the ‘Furuki sha.’’

Ah, of course. For demons, the ‘furuki sha’ was a sacred being—an emissary of the mother of chaos—even if it was a troublesome and incomprehensible creature.

Still, I wondered why I had chosen a Japanese-style noodle dish. I could have served pasta for a more Western flavor.

「Well, pondering the intentions of the ‘Furuki sha’ won’t get us anywhere.」

According to Kaara, the meat from the divine beast Behemoth was highly resistant to spoilage and preserved well. Its quality was exceptional—richly red and packed with nutrients. It would be perfect for bolstering the strength of our freezing soldiers.

If we transported this mountain of meat back to Buccaneer’s Fort, our food supply concerns would be alleviated for the time being. The only remaining question was how Captain Mearid, the pirate leader, would react. But that was beyond our control.

Now, all that remained was to drink some strong liquor, warm up, and get some rest. I entered my tent, which had been assembled for me.

Peeking inside, I noticed that Are, Kaara, and Louise had squeezed themselves into the pile of blankets. It was rare to see Louise in such a place.

Even within the blankets, I could tell from their playful shoving that the dynamics between Louise and Are were quite intriguing.

Exhausted and lacking the energy to argue, I shed my armor and slipped into my undergarments. As the women bustled about arranging the thick blankets, I decided to join them.

Healing potions could mend wounds, but sleep was the ultimate remedy for fatigue.

To quell the women’s squabble, I squeezed my body between Are and Louise, closed my eyes, and within five seconds, I was lost in slumber.

I slept soundly, so deeply that I didn’t even dream. I must have been truly exhausted.

Upon waking, I was so disoriented that I couldn’t recall where I was or what I was doing.

「Mmm…?」

The place was dimly lit, warm, and soft.

I realized I was somehow hugging Louise, and I flustered.

「You’re awake, Takeru.」

「Oh, sorry, Louise.」

「Why apologize? I’m glad you slept well.」

「Well, yeah…」

I felt a tinge of guilt for using Louise as a pillow.

I tried to sit up, but Louise’s firm grip held me back. She pulled me closer, and her soft touch grazed my face.

Despite her warrior’s physique, Louise retained the delicate softness of a woman.

Are, too, had snuggled up behind me, her warmth radiating through my back. However, her rough, scaled limbs, horned head, and occasionally protruding tail drove me to seek Louise’s softer embrace.

The dim light inside the tent concealed Louise’s expression, but I could feel her warm breath on my cheek.

‘Well, alright.’ I thought, sinking back into her embrace. This much was okay.

「Takeru, it’s still too early to rise. Rest a while longer.」

「I suppose I will.」

As Louise tightened her embrace, I mirrored her intensity, my hands seeking her back, returning her affection with equal fervor.

If she could hold me, I could hold her back, right?

Well, just kidding.

Clad only in our undergarments, her rapid heartbeat was a palpable sensation against my skin. It was amusing, her awkwardness at this unfamiliar intimacy.

I’m a man, after all, and sometimes such temptations are hard to resist.

Louise often underestimated my masculinity, so I decided to tease her a bit, running my fingers along her spine as I held her close.

「T-Takeru!」

「Oh, sorry, I went too far.」

I didn’t mean it, not in this place, at least.

But she should really tone down those seductive moans. If she kept this up, I might not be able to keep things platonic.

Are seemed to be sound asleep, but who knew if anyone else was listening?

「No, it’s not a joke… I really don’t mind. The fact that you chose me over Are and Kaara, when they were both here… it means something to me.」

「Means what, exactly?」

Louise hesitated, her voice laced with embarrassment, as I gently stroked her hair.

「It makes me happy, as a woman… I guess it’s strange for me to say such things.」

「Not at all, Louise. But when you say things like that, it makes me want to take you seriously…」

Held like this, the tremors in her fingertips conveyed her unspoken desires, making it impossible for me to lie.

The warmth radiating from her body could be attributed to the strong alcohol we had consumed to ease the chill, but perhaps there was more to it than that.

「I’m really saying that it’s okay if you take me seriously. I’m prepared to share our bed, even as a concubine… if you’re willing to accept this rough, muscle-bound body of mine.」

「So, you’re saying you’re willing to let me embrace you?」

Though she says she’s ready, Louise’s body still carries tension in her shoulders. Every time my fingertips touch her skin, her taut muscles twitch, revealing her lingering fear. She’s not truly prepared to embrace this.

Maybe she is resolved in her mind, but her body hasn’t let go of its rigidity. That naivety is somewhat charming.

I’ve always been fond of women like Louise, the mature and nurturing type.

She’s a courageous woman. Despite her lingering fear and anxiety about intimacy, she tries her best to comfort me, putting on a brave front.

She hugged me, likely trying to spoil me in her own way. That’s her kindness, warming my heart.

Having faced defeat as a knight, Louise’s pride was wounded. Yet, I still want her by my side.

This might mean being with her as a woman. I’m no longer a child; I understand these subtleties.

But despite my determination, Louise’s body trembled as if rejecting the idea of acceptance.

I might not understand women as well as I thought. They’re indeed complex.

「Takeru, I’m sorry. Just wait a bit… I feel…」

「It’s okay. It’s kind of embarrassing, isn’t it?」

Louise’s skin feels hot, perhaps from embarrassment.

I thought I had become quite accustomed to intimacy, but with Louise, I feel a fresh sense of shyness.

Being with a woman in this way is indeed an intimate and vulnerable act.

Her fear of the unknown makes me feel the same way.

Originally, she was my benefactor, and after I became independent, we maintained a master-servant relationship. I never imagined it would come to this.

As the pitiful me, who had always been protected by Louise, I find it strange that we might cross the line and become mere man and woman.

For Louise, merely embracing me requires immense courage. I wonder if that’s the case. Perhaps I should say something to reassure her, but the words won’t come easily.

I’m also timid when it comes to expressing my feelings about Louise. The thought of becoming intimate with an older woman who protects me like a sister fills me with a sense of wrongdoing and unease. Yet, I can’t leave it at that, especially after Louise mustered the courage to embrace me.

She’s probably blushing due to embarrassment. Even though I’ve grown accustomed to such matters, being with Louise brings back a peculiar sense of innocence.

Sharing an intimate moment with a woman is indeed embarrassing. The unknown anxiety and fear she might be feeling resonate within me.

「Takeru, I’m sorry. Just give me a moment… I feel a bit—」

「It’s okay. It’s embarrassing, isn’t it?」

Louise’s warm skin likely reflects her embarrassment. Despite my experience, being with Louise evokes a unique sense of shyness.

Confessing my feelings directly like this is a first for me. I’ve decided not to let circumstances dictate my actions. Louise deserves more than half-hearted efforts.

「Listen, Louise!」

「Yes…」

「I want to take you as my wife. Well, I mean, if we were to do something like that! But rest assured, I won’t treat you as a concubine.」

「U-understood…」

I had vowed not to take any more wives, but Louise is different. She’s the first person I met when I arrived in the Real Fantasy world. She saved me and might be the first woman I’ve truly fallen for.

So, I can’t settle for anything less.

When I think about it, my words about liking oneesan types like Louise were just a way to deceive myself. The truth is, I like Louise as a woman, desiring her in that way.

Once I realized this, my heart wouldn’t stop pounding. Seizing the opportunity, I decided to express my honest feelings that I had kept hidden for so long.

「Um, well, here goes. I know the order is a bit reversed, but I like Louise. If she could accept my feelings, I’d be overjoyed.」

「Takeru, of course! I feel the same way… I mean, I’m happy!」

The dimness inside the tent worked in our favor. If it weren’t so dim, if there weren’t just a thin layer of fabric separating us, I wouldn’t have been able to express my feelings so openly.

Sometimes, feelings are conveyed more strongly when you can’t see each other. Even without seeing, we both knew our faces were flushed.

I’m grateful we embarked on this journey to the northern frontier. If not for this moment, this place, Louise and I might never have shared our hearts.

My chest felt like it would explode, and I imagined Louise felt the same. A voice deep within me urged me not to miss this opportunity.

Our heartbeats resonated through our skin, as if calling out to each other. Now was the time; we could seize it.

「Louise.」

「Takeru…」

Our bodies radiated heat, and Louise, equally warm, was right beside me. Unable to restrain myself any longer, I pulled her closer and gently kissed her soft lips.

「Um, excuse me.」

From the other side of the tent, where Are was snoring, Kaara’s exasperated voice reached us.

At that moment, Louise’s body twitched in my arms, like a startled shrimp.

Ah, just when things were about to get interesting… Oh well!

Was Kaara already awake, or had she been eavesdropping all along? It’s embarrassing to think about, but perhaps it can’t be helped.

Well, given the way we were discussing things in not-so-hushed tones, it’s no wonder Kaara, who had just enjoyed a hearty meal, could sleep soundly in the same tent. We were quite the spectacle.

「Kaara, maybe you could have read the room a bit better and given us some privacy…」

「As your faithful companion, I find it most agreeable that you two have become close. However, I kindly request that you save the rest for after the war is over.」

I suppose she felt the need to give us that advice, even though we both understood it implicitly. Perhaps our passion had reached a boiling point.

Did Louise try to wriggle out of my embrace, causing the tent to sway so vigorously?

「Of course, we’ll wait until after the war. Right, Louise?」

「Yeah!」

Deciding to marry after the war might be a classic death flag, but at this moment, we couldn’t afford to dwell on such matters.

If anything, having more reasons to swiftly end the war seemed like a good thing.