"Yep, it really suits you. You look cute!"
"Yes! You look wonderful, Ren-san!"
Ren was showered with compliments by the girls on her school uniform-style coordinate: a simple, knee-length black skirt, navy knee-high socks, a long-sleeved white blouse, and a thin ribbon.
Standing in front of the mirror, Ren gazed at her own reflection, which looked like a foreign high school girl, and then offered a wry smile at the defenselessness that came with being cute.
"A skirt really makes me feel so exposed."
This was the first time she had properly dressed in feminine clothing.
The clothes had been chosen by none other than Furi and Iris. The uniform-like choice was probably done in high spirits, with them saying something like, Since we're doing this anyway.
Incidentally, the underwear was also a proper bra and panties.
For someone used to wearing pants, it felt surprisingly unsettling.
"Hehe. You'll get used to it soon. We're not going to the dungeon today, so it's fine to dress up."
Mariabell, watching from a short distance, also looked amused.
"Male clothing has its own charm, but to bring out a woman's cuteness, wearing women's clothes is best."
"It certainly fits my figure," Ren replied, placing a hand on her chest.
Even with the help of the bra, a clear fullness was present. Conversely, her lower abdomen was flat and smooth, while her hip size had increased. The feel of the panties fitting snugly against her body was more comfortable than she had expected.
The two girls gently pinched her blouse from either side.
"Let's get more fashionable from now on, okay?"
"I want to go out with you too, Ren-san."
"Yeah, sometimes we need to go for a walk."
When Ren nodded, two cheers went up.
"Ren, you've become more agreeable since becoming a girl, haven't you?"
"Huh? Was I really that disagreeable before?"
"Well, you avoided wearing girl's clothes so much, didn't you?"
"...You got me there."
Perhaps she had kept some distance even from her recognized comrades.
"Well then, I guess I'll have Furi and the others teach me various things. Like about clothes."
"And makeup, too."
The other day, Ren finally crossed the final boundary and completely transformed into a woman—or rather, a succubus. A woman with the rare job of 'Doctor' had examined her and given her stamp of approval: "The change is complete."
Since then, she hadn't felt the need to use the restroom at all, and as long as she had enough Energy Drain, she didn't feel hungry. Her wings had also grown large enough to potentially be an obstruction if she walked down the street with them spread.
Even if she dressed like a man, she probably wouldn't be mistaken for a human male anymore.
She had her concerns, but it wasn't all bad. Since the organ that caused trouble was gone, she could interact with Furi and the others openly. She also wouldn't be the subject of strange rumors about having many women gathered around one man.
"Alright, shall we head out? We need to report to the Wise Man."
"We have a lot to talk about this time. After all, it's the tenth floor."
--------------------
"Magic Attack Enhancement," "Reduced Activation Speed."
After leveling up twice, they challenged the tenth-floor boss battle. Following a fierce fight against nine enemies—a new record—Ren and her party reached a significant milestone.
The boss rewards and the contents of the stone monument were more elaborate than before, clearly showing that the creator of the dungeon was pleased with their progress.
And so.
"...I see. This is the inscription of the tenth floor," the Wise Man said, facing them in his house after they announced the achievement of their first goal.
The submitted translation of the ancient script read:
You have taken a great step. Know yourselves, know your enemies, and continue to advance.
There wasn't as much major information as they had hoped.
However,
"There's no doubt that the tenth floor marks an important division," the Wise Man noted.
"Yes. As proof, Iris received a 'celebration' gift," Ren added.
"Hmm?"
The half-elf girl, upon whom everyone's gaze was focused, looked a bit embarrassed but uttered a certain word.
"S-t-a-t-u-s."
When a window of light was summoned at the girl's direction, the Wise Man—the man who could be called the leader of all Transferees—stood up, his eyes wide.
"Was it granted...?! As a reward for clearing the tenth floor, you also received a 'Blessing'?"
It was understandable. This was a power the native generation could never use. The fact that Iris could manipulate it was a revolution.
Iris nodded slightly in confirmation.
"Yes. But I can't level up like Ren-san and the others..."
"What?"
"Look, Wise Man-san. Iris-chan's status screen doesn't show a Level display or Skill Points."
Her race was listed as "Half-Elf" and her job as "Archer," but there was no level. It wasn't zero, but the level itself wasn't written.
Honestly, they were quite disappointed when they realized this. The drop was huge after the initial joy.
The Wise Man looked immensely let down, but he sat back down in his chair.
"No, but still, this is certainly a big step. Thanks to this, new hope has emerged."
"Meaning?"
"On the tenth floor, the authority to display status was granted. Then, what about the twentieth floor? ...That's the conversation."
"Ah, I see!"
It might be a system where the same functions as Ren's are granted in stages. If they can ultimately do the same things, the significance of the native generation's efforts changes considerably.
"If Iris-chan starts leveling up, won't we become unnecessary?"
"Yeah. She's already incredibly strong. If this is Level 1, how much stronger will she get?"
"D-don't flatter me! I wouldn't have made it this far without Ren-san and the others...!"
The Wise Man nodded gravely at their conversation.
"That's likely the case. We are to be the predecessors, guiding the children born in this world. Not just as guides, but by training and developing the children, and helping them overcome difficulties, the path will open up."
"It means both us and Iris are necessary?"
"Yes. ...Of course, it might be possible for the Transferees alone to force their way through, but considering the rapidly escalating difficulty, more hands are better."
He declared that he would take this matter to the council of elders. Given that a new possibility had been given to the native generation, they might be able to recruit new challengers. Naturally, they must discuss it carefully and decide on a response, as they don't want a surge of casualties.
"I want you to continue to guide Iris. ...I presume you also obtained 'that'?"
"'That,' you mean this?"
Furi rolled a small, crystal-like object over. Ren and the others had seen this once before. It was the item Takuma and his group were forced to use as a punishment by gripping it. Namely:
"A Job Change Stone. It's a consumable item that allows you to acquire or change your Job. In your case, it would be best for Ren to use it."
"Yeah. It would be bad if I quit being a Thief, and Ren doesn't have a Job, after all."
"It pains me to fill a precious succubus skill slot with offensive magic any further. I hope you will use it soon."
Although the Wise Man's remarks were heavily mixed with his personal convenience, Ren understood his point.
Ordinary attack methods can be gained from classes. For her unique succubus skills—even for offensive magic—it would be better for her future to acquire "signature" skills like Drain Bolt. She wanted to think a bit longer about which class to choose, though.
"Congratulations also on your complete transformation into a succubus. I sincerely hope you bear children soon."
"Yeah. I won't take orders from you on that matter."
Now that she was a woman, the casual familiarity between men no longer applied. His remark was complete sexual harassment.
--------------------
"October, huh? It's going to get colder and colder now."
"Since the summer was easy to get through, the winter worries me... Iris-chan, does it snow here?"
"When it does, it piles up instantly. It's annoying because it doesn't melt easily."
"It piles up instantly, huh..."
They might need to shovel the roads around the house.
It was such a mundane topic for people who had come to another world.
"I don't catch a cold even in cold water baths, so I should be okay with the cold... but the number of people going to the dungeon might decrease in the winter."
"That's right... After heavy snow, my mother goes to melt the snow around the temple."
If the path to the temple and the four stairways are blocked, people can't go even if they want to. In such times, people who can use heat or fire magic are apparently needed.
"Please be careful when the snow melts; the stone pavement and stone stairs get slippery, okay? It would be absolutely terrible to hit your head and die, okay?"
"I'll be careful."
"Yeah, that's definitely no joke..."
At this rate, the snowy season might arrive in an instant.
When winter ends and spring comes, the day new Transferees arrive will also be near. Although she thought it was premature, she should prepare herself now to be on the receiving end of comments like, "We were summoned because you guys couldn't clear the dungeon!"
"I wish we could reach some intermediate floor like the fifty-fifth and hear, 'Congratulations! The dungeon is over now!'"
"If it ended like a half-finished game, wouldn't there be a huge backlash instead?"
Some people have spent thirty years on this. If it doesn't end a little dramatically, they might wonder, "What was all our effort for!?"
"Well, at the very least, we have to endure it for a few more years."
"I hope the next kids don't have someone like Takuma show up."
"When you say 'kids,' if the next people summoned are high school seniors, they'll be older than us..."
"They're called 'exam takers,' right? I heard some people cry when they come here because 'all their plans are ruined.'"
It made sense.
"Even if they're older, a junior is a junior. We have more dungeon experience, so we have to help them."
"But generally, people form parties with those they arrived with. There's not much we can do."
The biggest thing might be financial support. For one year after being transferred, there's a novice support period where they get discounts at various shops (separate from the 'extra' discount because they are cute). It seems the shops compensate for the discount by setting the regular prices a bit higher, so even regular shopping helps the novices.
"That's true. We aren't in a crafting class either. Oh, Ren, how about you become one now?"
"Anything other than a combat class feels a bit pointless. Though, there might be a point in making the weapons we use ourselves."
For example, the arrows Iris uses. If they could produce those, their expenses would be cut considerably. That's a possibility, but if Ren herself becomes stronger, the number of arrows used will likely decrease as a result.
"Um, if possible, I hope you'll help girls like me too. I'm sure there are other people who want to go to the dungeon..."
"Ah, yeah, that's right."
"You're being counted on, Ren."
Iris was the first of the native generation to (properly) clear the tenth floor. That meant Ren and her party were at the forefront in this area. If the Wise Man spreads the word about this matter, the level of attention will increase even further.
"But we're only letting girls into our party. I'll introduce men to a different party."
"Is that because you're worried about falling in love with a comrade?"
"That's a concern, but it's not just that. I'd be worried if something happened to Furi and the others."
When she answered, Furi and Iris began to look at each other. Ren thought they might say, "You need to be careful too, Ren," again, but instead:
"That's right. If that's what Ren is okay with, then it's fine by us."
"In return, let's help the girls!"
The two smiled and said that. They were so kind it was a little scary. Were they plotting something, or were they simply happy that Ren had become a woman?
"Well, anyway, I do want to help the girls."
Besides the incident with Takuma and his group, women face many struggles in this other world. Clothes. Baths. Food. And also pregnancy and childbirth.
She wasn't saying men didn't struggle, but there were points where women needed things that men could easily do without. The cost of living was bound to be higher, and a part of the reason for that was men.
...It's debatable how persuasive this is coming from a former man.
But precisely because she was a former man, she understood some things. Ren and her party, who had acquaintances with women in various fields such as Mariabell involved in brothel management, Iris's family, and the owner of the Western-style restaurant, were in a very convenient position.
Even now, women help each other through their connections.
It might be good if Ren and her party could also assist that community.
"We have a lot to do from now on, don't we?" the girl said, smiling brightly.
Ren reflected that she had known Furi since before the transfer. Back then, she only thought, "She's strangely persistent," but perhaps Furi had already held feelings for her then.
"Please let me help you, Ren-san," the girl said, smiling gently.
Iris was now an indispensable member of the party. Not only because of the promise to her parents but also because of Ren's own feelings: she wanted to protect this girl.
Their goal was to clear the dungeon together with them. Until they could return to Japan, these wings and tail would have to serve their purpose.
"Let's keep trying our best."
When she said this with a natural smile, an energetic reply quickly came back.
============
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