Chapter 3: The Strategist, the Swordswoman, and the Bathhouse Incident
The morning sun over Westshell Island was calm, but Ayman Arif knew peace like this never lasted.
His eyes opened to the soft sound of waves and the scent of salty air drifting through the open tavern window. He sat up in the small rented room, rubbing his eyes. Elizabeth was already up, seated by the window with a cup of tea in hand.
"You slept late," she said with a gentle smile.
"Did I?" Ayman muttered. "Felt like my brain was solving puzzles all night."
[Notification: Summon Synergy Active – Shikamaru's passive increases tactical clarity during sleep (Intellect +1 for 12 hours)]
"Ah. That explains it."
He got dressed quickly. The tavern downstairs was quiet. Most of the Marines had left early morning, but Rika had stayed behind to finish paperwork. Ayman had the uneasy feeling she was watching him.
Elizabeth followed behind as they stepped outside into the market. It was unusually lively for a recovering town. Merchants were back, shops were opening, and a new bathhouse had just reopened thanks to the mayor's funding—using bounty money from the captured pirates.
"We should take a break today," Elizabeth suggested.
"A break?"
"You've been on edge. Relax. Maybe a bath."
[New Side Quest Available: Cleanse the Mind, Cleanse the Body]
[Reward: Temporary Buff – Relaxed State (Luck +10 for 24 hrs), Chance Encounter: ???]
Ayman blinked. "Did my system just give me a hot spring quest?"
Elizabeth blushed slightly. "It might not be a bad idea…"
Just then, Shikamaru strolled up, yawning.
"This island's peaceful. Too peaceful. That Marine girl's up to something."
"You felt it too?" Ayman asked.
"She's smart. I'd say she's suspicious, but not hostile—yet."
Before he could reply, a loud voice interrupted the flow of their conversation.
"Hey, you! Tall guy with messy hair!"
A woman marched toward them, clad in a black and white kimono top, sleeves rolled up, and a short katana strapped across her back. Her raven hair was tied in a messy ponytail, and her sharp red eyes locked onto Ayman like a predator sizing up prey.
"You're the bounty hunter, right? The one who took out Red Hammer?"
"That's me," Ayman said cautiously.
"I'm Hana. Wandering swordswoman. I've been tracking those bastards for two weeks. You beat me to them."
"Sorry about that."
She grinned. "Not mad. Actually, I'm impressed. You're stronger than you look. Tell you what, I'm sticking with you for a while."
"What?"
"I wanna test my sword against the real monsters. And you? You're a magnet for trouble."
[New Character Added: Hana – Rogue Swordswoman (Affection: 10%)]
[Harem Route Triggered: "The Blade That Follows"]
Ayman blinked. "Did my system just label this a harem route?"
"Something wrong?" Hana asked, crossing her arms under her chest—and not subtly.
Elizabeth stepped a little closer to Ayman's side, her tone calm but icy. "We don't need extra company. Especially not someone who announces herself like that."
"Oh? You the girlfriend?"
Elizabeth's ears turned red. "I'm his healer."
Hana smirked. "Cute."
Ayman raised his hands. "Okay, okay. Let's all calm down. We're going to the bathhouse."
Hana's grin widened. "Perfect. I was headed there anyway."
Ten minutes later, the group reached the local bathhouse built into the cliffside. The building was traditional—sliding bamboo doors, warm steam curling from inside, and a separated men's and women's side.
The old lady at the front desk welcomed them.
"You'll be our first customers this morning. Enjoy the hot spring, young ones."
Ayman stepped into the men's section and dropped into the steaming water with a sigh. His body immediately relaxed. The heat seeped into his muscles and melted away the stress.
[Relaxed State Activated – Luck +10, Stress -50%]
"This might be the best quest I've ever accepted," he mumbled.
Footsteps echoed from the other side of the wall.
Elizabeth and Hana were on the other side—he could hear them talking through the thin partition.
"…You sure about joining us?" Elizabeth asked.
"I go where the strong go," Hana replied. "He's strong, and he's got good eyes. Not the kind that flinch."
"Still. Don't think I'll let you have him."
"Oh? So you are interested."
Ayman sank deeper into the water.
[System Alert: Harem Bond Progress – Elizabeth (22%), Hana (14%)]
[System Notice: You are in proximity of a Misunderstanding Event.]
Just as he was about to doze off, the wall separating the men's and women's side *slid open*.
Steam billowed through the gap as Hana stepped through, towel wrapped around her chest, clearly not caring at all.
Ayman's eyes widened. "Hey—!"
"Oh relax," she said, lowering herself into the water next to him. "Not like you haven't seen a towel before."
"You're in the wrong section!"
"I go where I please."
Moments later, Elizabeth stepped through the doorway as well, cheeks flushed and towel tight across her body.
"Hana! You can't just—!"
"What? It's co-ed now," Hana replied casually.
Ayman was stuck between them, steam rising and the heat intensifying far beyond the spring.
[Emergency Alert: Heart Rate Rising. System suggests retreat.]
Ayman cleared his throat. "Let's just… enjoy the water."
The three of them sat in awkward silence for a while. Until—
BOOM.
An explosion shook the cliffside.
A Marine ran into the bathhouse foyer, shouting.
"Trouble! The prisoners are gone! They were broken out!"
Ayman stood up instantly, ignoring the steam, and rushed out with just a towel around his waist.
Elizabeth shouted after him, "Wait! Clothes!"
Hana whistled. "Nice back muscles."
[Quest Update: Escape of the Red Hammer – Bounty Reclaimed: 0/3]
[System Bonus: Active Summons Unlock – Slot 3 Released]
Back outside, Ayman summoned his next fighter.
[Pulling from Combat Banner…]
[Congratulations! You have summoned: Android 18 (Dragon Ball) – Rare Tier – Role: Power Attacker]
A beautiful blonde woman appeared in a burst of light, arms crossed and eyes disinterested.
"Huh. You're not Goku. But whatever."
[Android 18 has been bound permanently – Active Summon Slot 3/3]
[Combat Power Significantly Increased]
Ayman grinned. "Let's go hunt them down."
Elizabeth and Hana stood behind him, both now dressed in battle attire, glaring at each other.
"You're lucky I healed you," Elizabeth said.
"You're lucky I let you," Hana shot back.
Android 18 just rolled her eyes. "This is going to be annoying."
As the four of them dashed off into the jungle after the escaped pirates, Ayman smirked.
The bathhouse incident was behind them—but the real chaos was only beginning.