Chapter 170: Chapter 170 - The Female Teammates’ Care
Raven fell into deep thought.
So basically…
If he really went on an expedition to the unknown floors, he'd die a horrible death?
Even with the Empress, Gluttony, Silence, the wind-elemental spirit, and Juggernaut on his side—
Such an elite lineup still couldn't defeat the dragon in that "paradise"?
Was this some kind of joke?
Those summoned via magic had essentially been reborn.
Though nearly invincible—
The problem most likely still lay with himself.
They were invincible, but Raven was not.
After all…
The Dungeon had its own special mechanisms.
The deeper one ventured, the nastier and more unpredictable the traps became.
A moment's carelessness, and one might truly vanish forever on the unknown floors.
Just like in the original story—
The Loki Familia was a prime example.
When they were exploring the 60th floor's Glacial Garden—
They were ambushed by a sudden mechanism, which led to Ais being devoured by a corrupted spirit.
And then—
Their elite expedition team was utterly wiped out.
According to Alfreya's account, when they reached the 71st floor—
It was swarming with dragon-type monsters, many of them massive, over level 10.
As everyone knew—
Among all monster races, dragons were the undisputed strongest.
And the legendary Black Dragon was the king of them all.
Even Albert the Mercenary King, the ancestor of all adventurers, had died to it…
It was hard to even imagine how nightmarish the dragons below the 80th floor must be.
As for the corrupted spirit?
Raven figured he'd leave that one for the Loki Familia to handle—he wouldn't steal their moment of glory.
"No… this won't do."
"I'm still way too weak."
"If I can still lose even with cheats, then what's the point?"
He silently lamented.
Suddenly—
A warm liquid streamed down from the corner of his eye.
Cassandra, still enjoying her dreamy moment as the handsome captain stroked her hair with crescent-moon eyes—
Felt something warm drip onto her pale arm.
"Hmm~?"
She slowly opened her eyes and looked up curiously.
And saw—
Her captain… was crying blood.
Blood tears?
"EEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH?!"
Cassandra shrieked at the top of her lungs, totally freaked out.
"W-What's wrong with you?!"
Raven, startled by her scream, flinched.
But then—
He noticed his eyes felt warm, almost burning—
Yet strangely, it didn't hurt.
"Lady Cassandra, what's going on?!"
Haru, who had been cooking in the kitchen, came rushing out in a panic.
And then—
"UWAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH?!"
Haru, too, screamed in horror at the sight.
"What? What is it?!"
"What's with those looks you're giving me?!"
Raven was baffled and annoyed.
"Lord Raven…"
"Y-Your eyes… they're bleeding."
After a moment of shock—
Haru snapped back to her senses and ran to get a wet towel and some bandages.
"Huh?"
Raven wiped at his eyes—
And saw his palm covered in warm, thick blood.
What the hell?!
He froze on the spot, dumbfounded.
A nosebleed could be blamed on some spicy skewers from lunch—
But bleeding tears meant something was wrong with his eyes.
"L-Lord Captain, your eyes… they've turned red."
"Quick, close them."
Cassandra grabbed tissues from the table and gently wiped his face with great care.
A moment later—
Thanks to the combined efforts of Cassandra and Haru, Raven's eyes finally stopped bleeding.
His irises returned to normal.
"Wait…"
"My eyes are fine, no need for bandages."
Seeing Haru holding a white gauze bandage and preparing to wrap it around his head, Raven chuckled bitterly.
"No."
Haru replied sternly, dead serious.
"L-Lord Captain, please close your eyes…"
Cassandra added gently.
Just then—
Daphne entered through the front door, arms full of shopping bags.
"You… what the hell are you three doing?"
She froze in place, eyes wide with shock.
On the luxurious golden couch—
Raven lay sprawled out, his arms pinned by Cassandra who sat astride him.
Haru was holding down his head with one hand, the other trying to wrap bandages over his eyes.
"D-Daphne-chan?!"
"Lady Daphne, you're just in time! Come help us!"
After some commotion—
Raven's eyes were wrapped in thick layers of medical bandages.
"Hey, come on… this is a bit much," he muttered, exasperated.
Now he really looked like a blind man at first glance.
Still—
It wasn't too bad.
With his advanced perception skills, he could still sense everything around him.
"Phew~"
"Open wide, Captain… ahh~"
It was dinnertime.
Cassandra, caring and attentive, gently blew on the soup before feeding it to him with a spoon.
Raven stopped complaining, opening his mouth and swallowing the warm soup.
"This soup… smells really good."
"It's very comforting."
Hearing his praise—
Haru blushed and replied softly:
"That's miso fish soup."
"Mhm, it's delicious. Is this a local dish from the Shadow Veil region?"
"Lady Haru, you're such a great cook."
Daphne and Cassandra both smiled and chimed in with compliments.
Pleased to hear her homeland cuisine so well received, Haru smiled brightly.
After dinner—
Haru cleaned up the dishes and did some light housework.
Cassandra carefully helped Raven to the living room sofa.
"By the way, when can I take these bandages off?"
"I'm really fine."
Raven sighed helplessly.
"Tomorrow," Daphne said while sipping premium black tea, shrugging.
"We're just worried about you. Don't be so stubborn, Captain."
She had also been shocked when Cassandra told her he cried blood.
"I can't do anything like this, though."
"I'll take care of you, Lord Captain," Cassandra whispered from beside him.
"Then… what about when I bathe?"
That question made her freeze for a second.
She was silent for a while—
Then her cheeks turned crimson, and her soft lips parted bashfully:
"I… I'll wash you clean, Lord Captain."
"…Alright."
Raven sighed again in his heart.
"Want me to help too?" Daphne smirked teasingly, watching them with interest.
"N-No need!"
"I can handle it alone!"
Cassandra's face turned bright red as she shook her head frantically.
...
Later—
With Cassandra's support, the two of them entered the spacious, luxurious bathroom.
In one corner stood a bathtub.
"L-Lord Captain… please raise your arms, I need to help you undress."
Cassandra's voice trembled with embarrassment.
Raven didn't resist, lifting his arms obediently.
"You're bathing too?"
"Mhm…"
After stripping down—
Cassandra, diligent as ever, lathered his entire body with soap.
Her smooth, soft hands were soon covered in bubbles.
And then—
She gently pressed her warm softness against his back, scrubbing his muscles.
The pressure—just right.
The sensation—utterly indescribable.
...
ps: There's more to come tonight.
The blood tears were due to a new skill—nothing's wrong with the MC's body.
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