Yamaba's tent

Alice hesitated outside the necromancer’s tent, the ghostly flames flickering faint blue around the seams. It radiated “keep out” with all the subtlety of a shark warning sign. She tugged her shirt down, squared her shoulders, and stepped in anyway.

Inside, the air was cooler, tinged with the faint light of spirit fire. Yamaba sat cross legged near a dim crystal lamp, pale green hair falling in perfect twin tails, eyes glowing amber in the half light. She didn’t look up.

Alice cleared her throat, forcing her smirk into place. “So. Uh. Rough day, huh? Figured you might… want company. You know. For morale. Or… uh..”

(Yep. Nailed it. Smooth as sandpaper. Please let the ground swallow me now.)

Yamaba finally glanced at her. Her expression was as flat as ever, unreadable. “Morale?”

Alice pressed on, because retreat wasn’t an option now. “Yeah, I mean, camping gets lonely. And you look like someone who could… use a little cheering up.” She leaned casually against the tent pole and immediately slipped, nearly knocking the lamp over.

“Shit!” She caught it at the last second, cheeks burning. “See? Look at that. I’m already making things… brighter.”

(Oh my god. I’m flirting like a drunk dad at karaoke. Please kill me.)

For a moment, silence stretched. Yamaba stared at her, lips pressed in a thin line. Then, unexpectedly, her shoulders shook. A soft, quiet laugh slipped out genuine, breaking her usual monotone.

Alice blinked. “Did… did you just laugh?”

Yamaba covered her mouth with one gloved hand, but her eyes gleamed warmer than before. “I suppose I did. You’re ridiculous.”

Alice straightened, trying to salvage her dignity. “Ridiculous in a good way, though. Right?”

Yamaba tilted her head, spirit flames flaring faintly as she studied Alice. Then she smirked faint, fleeting, but real. “We’ll see.”

(Okay. Not a total failure. Embarrassing? Yes. But I made the necro-elf laugh. Put that on my tombstone.)

The laugh faded, Yamaba’s eyes lingered on Alice, amber glow softer now. She reached into a core capsule on her belt and popped it open with a soft hiss, a lacquered box unfolded onto the tent floor not a standard ration pack, but a neatly arranged bento. Steam rose faintly from fried rice dotted with bits of egg and green onion. Beside it, golden karaage pieces glistened with oil, and there were small compartments of simmered vegetables and pickles, each placed with quiet care., nothing like the candy coated horrors outside.

Alice blinked. “Wait… is that ?”

“Food,” Yamaba interrupted, sliding the box between them. She plucked a pair of chopsticks from the lid and snapped them apart with practiced ease. “Sit.”

Alice sat cross-legged, the scent of soy and sesame making her mouth water. (This isn’t just food. This is home cooking. What necro elf packs fried rice into a dungeon run?!)

Yamaba passed her chopsticks. Alice took them, fumbling slightly, then scooped up a bite of rice. Warm, savory, a little peppery the exact opposite of the candy coated hellscape outside.

“I don’t eat dungeon candy,” Yamaba replied, voice flat. she chewed slowly. “Not anymore.”

Alice arched an eyebrow. “Anymore? You saying you’ve been here before?”

The necromancer’s gaze flicked away, lips pressing thin. For a moment, the spirit flames circling her dimmed. “When I was a rookie. Candyland wasn’t… forgiving.”

Her tone closed the door firmly. No details, no stories.

Alice swallowed her bite, nodding. (So she’s been through hell here. Makes sense why she’s got that permanent funeral face. Guess she’s not just pretending to be too cool for all this, the place really burned her.)

But then something else clicked. Alice tilted her head, studying Yamaba more closely. The elf’s posture, the way her voice caught on certain words… it didn’t quite add up.

“You’re not a natural elf, are you?” Alice asked before she could stop herself.

Yamaba’s eyes snapped back to her, molten amber brightening. For a moment, Alice thought she’d overstepped. Then, slowly, Yamaba smirked faint, knowing.

“Sharp,” she murmured. “No. I was human. Once. I changed it dungeons change you. If you survive.”

She leaned back, the shadows clinging to her form like a second skin. “You learn quickly, Alice. That’s good.”

Alice shoved more rice into her mouth to keep from asking the wrong thing. (She made this herself. Necro-elf, tired eyes… and she still cooks bento like some doting housewife. What the hell kind of contradiction is that?)

(Okay. Note to self: necro-elf is even more complicated than she looks. And possibly hotter. But complicated. Very complicated.)

“Hey, I’m all about survival. Guess that makes us both stubborn, huh?”

For the first time, Yamaba’s smirk didn’t look tired.

Alice tapped her chopsticks against the bento lid, studying Yamaba with a sideways glance. “Your name… it’s from Riben, isn’t it?”

Yamaba’s eyes flicked up, the amber glow sharp for a moment. “Most wouldn’t notice or care.”

Alice shrugged, pretending nonchalance while her stomach knotted. (Way to go, Alice. Ask the moody necro-elf about her cultural baggage. Smooth.)

But Yamaba didn’t lash out. Instead, she looked down at the neat rows of food between them. “My family were from there. When the portals opened, they were in the States vacationing. After that… there was no going back. No borders. No country to return to. Just… chaos.”

Her voice grew quieter at the end, almost lost under the faint crackle of her flames.

Alice swallowed another bite of fried rice, forcing her mask back into place. “So you’ve been stuck here, surviving, ever since?”

Yamaba smirked faintly, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “Surviving is generous. But yes.” She shifted her chopsticks, spearing a piece of karaage with surgical precision. “My name is one of the few things I chose to keep.”

Alice leaned back, smirk tugging at her lips. “It suits you.”

(Yep, still embarrassing. But at least I didn’t say something completely stupid. I think.)

For the briefest moment, Yamaba’s expression softened not quite a smile, but a shadow of one. Then she looked away, flames curling back around her like a barrier. “Eat your food before it gets cold.”

(Translation: conversation over. But hey, I’ll take the win. She didn’t throw me out. And she laughed at me. Progress.)

The silence stretched for a beat, the only sound the soft clink of chopsticks. Then, without a word, Yamaba flicked her fingers. A faint glyph shimmered in the air above her palm, expanding into a translucent screen.

Alice’s eyes widened. “You’re… showing me your sheet?”

“Consider it… a courtesy.” Yamaba’s tone was cool, but there was weight behind it embarrassment. “You asked about my name. The sheet will tell you more than I want to.”

The glowing pane hovered in the air.

[Status Sheet: Yamaba Kurokawa]

Class: Necromancer (Soulforge Discipline)

Level: 13

Title: Grave-Touched

Affiliation: Lionheart

HP: 34

Mana: 750

Body

Strength: 22 (unimpressive, not a melee fighter)

Constitution: 34 (fragile frame, relies on summons)

Agility: 38 (quick but not specialized)

Appearance: 44 (striking, haunting beauty amplified by racial traits)

Mind

Charisma: 23 (a cold aura, doesn’t win crowds easily)

Intelligence: 55 (sharp, calculating, skilled in strategy)

Willpower: 49 (driven, stubborn, refuses to yield)

Perception: 46 (keen observer, always scanning her surroundings)

Magic

Magical Strength: 72 (potent necromantic ****)

Magical Control: 67 (strong precision over minions and rituals)

Traits:

Elf (Basic) [Cash Shop Purchase]: Grants heightened senses, improved mana sensitivity, natural grace, and extended lifespan. Appearance modifier adds ethereal beauty.

Touched by **** (Dungeon Mutation): Survivors of prolonged exposure to necrotic energy often gain affinity with ****-aspected mana. Grants the ability to commune with lingering spirits.

Alice leaned closer, eyes skimming the glowing text. “Elf… Basic?” She snorted before she could stop herself. “Like… the discount starter pack?”

Yamaba smirked faintly, tapping the trait. “Purchased. Deliberately. The body I was born with wasn’t enough to survive. This gave me what I needed.”

Alice bit her lip, curiosity warring with sympathy. (So she really was human. She bought her way into being an elf, just to keep going. And here I am whining about my own sheet.)

She gave a crooked grin, trying to lighten the air. “Well… I think it suits you”

Yamaba closed her status sheet with a flick of her fingers. The glowing glyphs dissolved into the air. Then she looked up, her amber eyes steady.

“You should stay here tonight.”

Alice blinked. “Uh… what?”

“This tent is small,” Yamaba admitted, tone flat as ever. “But it’s safer if you share it. Splitting watch is easier. And Lionheart’s leader…” her lips curved faintly, “…is not the type to wake up for anything but himself.”

Alice opened her mouth, smirk half formed, but her brain lagged behind. (She’s… inviting me to stay? In her tent? Okay, don’t freak out. Play it cool. You’ve got this. You’re cool.)

“I mean, sure. If you need company,” Alice said, trying for casual but the way her voice cracked halfway through betrayed her.

Yamaba’s expression softened into the faintest hint of amusement. “I said safer. Not company.”

(Dead. I’m dead. Buried. flames, please consume me now.)

Still, Yamaba shifted to one side, making space in the cramped tent. The ghostly blue light around her dimmed as if in acknowledgment of the new presence. Alice slid in, careful not to bump knees or elbows, though the space made that nearly impossible.

For a long moment, silence hung heavy, not awkward, just… close. Yamaba leaned back against the tent wall, eyes half-lidded but watchful. Alice tried to do the same, her smirk plastered on while her thoughts raced.

(Safer, she says. Totally normal dungeon strategy. Definitely not a big deal. Yep. Just me, the necro-elf, and about six inches of space. No big deal at all.)

Then Yamaba’s voice, quiet but certain: “Rest.”

The dungeon was never truly quiet, but inside Yamaba’s tent, the spirit flames had settled to a faint glow, humming like distant lullabies. Dawn or what passed for it in Candyland seeped in as a pale shimmer across the tent fabric.

Yamaba stirred first. Habit had made her a light sleeper; every sound sharpened against the silence. She rolled her shoulders and let her amber eyes adjust to the dim glow.

Beside her, Alice was sprawled inelegantly across the bedding. One arm draped over her face, mouth slightly open, a faint snore rumbling out every few breaths. The “cool, collected” mask she clung to while awake had dissolved completely.

Yamaba studied her for a long moment, the corner of her lips twitching in amusement. “Ridiculous,” she murmured softly.

Then she noticed something else.

Yamaba's amber eyes narrowed as she noticed the telltale bulge tenting the fabric of Alice's pants. How interesting, she mused. It seemed this girl had a bit more going on beneath the surface. . Well, they couldn't have that distracting her, now could they?

Silently, Yamaba slunk over, settling herself beside Alice. Deft hands made quick work of Alice's fly, tugging her pants down just enough to free the swollen cock. Yamaba's eyes widened a fraction. wow a hermaphrodite. Even more intriguing.

Alice's cock twitched, already drooling a pearly bead of slick pre. Yamaba palmed the shaft, feeling the velvet soft skin, the hardness of the erection. She gave an experimental stroke, Alice's breath hitching even in sleep.

"That's it," Yamaba With a matter of fact tone, settling into a steady rhythm. "Let it out." Yamaba's eyes landed on Alice's exposed slit, glistening and flushed. Perfect. Deftly, She used her other hand to part her pussy lips with her fingers, revealing the slick pink within. The pad of her thumb grazed over the tiny entrance to Alice's cunt, feeling the fluttering muscles., smirking as Alice unconsciously rocked into the touch.

She varied her strokes, twisting over the flushed head, shuttling the loose foreskin, playing Alice like a maestro. All the while,she curled her fingers inside Alice's dripping cunt, over and over, keeping Alice pinned between twin points of blinding sensation. Alice began to rock, fucking herself on Yamaba's pumping fingers as the other girl set a punishing pace on her pulsing shaft.

Alice awoke with a sharp gasp, head thrown back, lips parted in sweet anguish. She blinked dazedly, trying to make sense of the pleasure coursing through her. Yamaba watched her realizes what was happening, watched the pretty pink blush spread across her face.

But Yamaba didn't pause, didn't let up. She worked Alice thoroughly, pumping her to the peak again and again, until with a bitten off cry, Alice came, spilling over Yamaba's capable hands.

Yamaba sat back with a satisfied hum, idly licking the pearlescent jizz off her fingers. Alice stared at her, face still flushed.

"There," Yamaba said briskly, tone practical. "That should keep you clear headed for the mission. Sure was a chore, though."

Alice gaped at her, sputtering. But Yamaba just winked, and headed out to get them breakfast. Just another day in Candyland.

Yamaba was already, packing up the equipment into core capsules by the time Alice left the tent.

“Alright, rookie.” Leo’s voice snapped her back. He slung his sword across his back, cape fluttering dramatically even in the still air. “You’ve got nine kills. Time to bag your tenth and finally hit Level One. Try not to embarrass yourself in front of Inspira’s name, yeah?”

Jolie gave her a playful wink. “Don’t worry, Alice, we’ll cheer for you!~”

Alice rolled her eyes. (Ten slimes. Just ten slimes. Survive Leo’s ego, survive Jolie’s teasing, survive Yamaba’s… whatever she is. Then I get my first ding. How hard can it be?)

The group packed up quickly, Leo snapping his fingers to call the core capsules back into his belt with small bursts of light. In minutes, camp was gone as if it had never been. Together, they set off into the saccharine wilderness, the peppermint trees and licorice vines swaying faintly as though watching them pass.

Ahead, faint gurgling sounds echoed the telltale squelch of Chocolate Slimes gathering.

“Here we go,” Leo said with a smirk, gesturing grandly like he’d summoned them himself. “Let’s see if our little mascot can make it past single digits.”

Alice cracked her knuckles, the nervous smirk tugging at her lips. (Alright, tenth slime. Let’s dance.)

The gurgling mound of chocolate quivered ahead of her, wobbling with each sluggish bounce. A Chocolate Slime. Number ten.

Leo crossed his arms, lightning sparking faintly through his blond hair. “This one’s yours, rookie. No backup. Let’s see if you can actually stand on your own.”

Alice glared, but her heart was already pounding. (Oh sure, throw me to the gelatinous dessert monster. Thanks for the motivational speech, coach.)

The slime sloshed forward, strands of goo stretching between it and the candy grass. Its surface rippled, already reaching to engulf her.

Alice lunged, blade scraping out of its sheath with a rough hiss. She darted sideways, boots crunching on crystallized brown sugar dirt. The slime followed, slow but relentless.

She slashed once the blade stuck halfway through, chocolate clinging like tar. With a growl, she wrenched it free and slashed again, this time cutting the slime nearly in two. Sweet, bitter smelling splattered across her boots.

The slime shuddered, then collapsed into a puddle of steaming chocolate syrup. A single, quivering core rolled to a stop at her feet.

Alice bent double, panting. Her heart hammered, sweat plastering crimson hair to her forehead. Then-

A glowing panel blinked across her vision.

Ding ding ding! Congratulations, Alice! You’ve officially reached Level 1 without dying in a puddle of chocolate goo. Against all odds. Truly inspiring.

Since you’ve managed to avoid being dessert, Dice is feeling generous. Here are your shiny new Class Options™ three flavors of “please don’t die,” curated just for you.

Rogue Initiate

"Look behind you!" probably your catchphrase if you pick this one.

+Agility, +Perception

Unlocks stealth basics: backstabs, pocket sand (yes, actual pocket sand), and trap tinkering.

Pros: Fast, sneaky, perfect for stealing kills and snacks.

Cons: Everyone will blame you for everything. Even things you didn’t do. Especially things you didn’t do.

Battle Acolyte

"Paladin-lite: now with 50% fewer prayers!"

+Constitution, +Willpower

Can channel flickers of divine energy into your strikes (“Smite Jr.”).

Pros: Durable, steady, team-friendly. Your mom will think you look responsible.

Cons: You might actually get noticed by a god. Spoiler: they’re not all nice.

**** Knight Initiate

"For when you like your Paladins less shiny, more stabby."

+Strength, +Magical Sensitivity

Bond with **** energy to enhance strikes. Minor lifesteal unlocked (congratulations, you’re now the party mosquito).

Can wield cursed armor and blades without suffering the consequences... usually~.

Pros: Dark, broody, and way cooler than Leo. Perfect synergy with necromancers (hint hint).

Cons: People will cross the street to avoid you. But hey, less small talk!

Bonus Unlock: The Dice Cash Shop is now available!

Because who doesn’t love microtransactions in their own life? You may now spend your hard-earned stat points on shiny toys, traits, or skills instead of boring numbers.

Oh, and lucky you you’ve still got 10 unspent points. Smart move, not blowing them all on agility and face-planting into a gumdrop.

Choose wisely, rookie. Or don’t. I’ll enjoy watching either way.