Catgirls And Dungeons (Yuri)-Chapter 24: Eris’ Reason

A few moments later, after washing Eris' hair and scrubbing her back, we both sink into the hot bath, immersing ourselves in the soothing water.

It's blissful. So very relaxing.

The warmth seeps into my muscles, unraveling every bit of tension I didn't even realize I was holding. I close my eyes for a moment, letting out a slow, contented sigh. The gentle ripples of water lap against my skin, a comforting rhythm that makes me feel weightless.

Across from me, Eris leans back, floating effortlessly. Her toned arms rest lazily along the bath's edge, her head tilted upward, eyes half-lidded in peace. Her dark hair fans out around her, and the candlelight flickers over her smooth, sun-kissed skin. Droplets of water glisten on her collarbones, trailing down to where her body disappears beneath the surface.

She's undeniably beautiful.

But for once, I'm not focused on that.

All I can think about is the scar.

The image of it won't leave my mind. The deep, jagged ridges, the way her voice had wavered when she spoke about it—like she was used to people looking at her and seeing only that.

I bite my lip. I can't let it go.

"Eris..." I murmur, breaking the silence.

Her eyes flutter open, meeting mine. "Yes?"

I hesitate, but the question is already weighing too heavily on my heart. "Can I... ask you something?"

She blinks, then nods. "Of course."

I take a deep breath, gripping the edge of the tub, steeling myself for the answer I might receive.

"Why do you go into the dungeons?" I finally ask. "Do you... have to?"

Her expression shifts. It's subtle, but I catch it—the flicker of surprise, then something else. Something guarded.

Eris exhales slowly, leaning her head back, staring up at the ceiling like she's searching for words. When she finally speaks, her voice is quiet.

"Yes, I have to." She pauses, then offers me a small, unreadable smile. "But... thank you for worrying about me. It means a lot."

I frown.

I don't like that answer.

It feels dismissive—like she's brushing me off, like she's gently pushing me out of something that should be my business.

For a few moments, I stay silent, debating whether I should let it go.

But I can't.

Not when the ache in my chest is this heavy. Not when I think about those scars. Not when I think about losing her.

"But why?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

I shift forward, reaching for her hand beneath the water, wrapping my fingers around hers. She stiffens slightly, surprised by the touch, but doesn't pull away.

"Is it because of money?" I press, my grip tightening. "Eris, you don't have to do this! There are safer jobs. You shouldn't have to risk your life like this. Nothing is more important than your life."

Not to me.

Eris blinks, taken aback. For a second, she doesn't say anything.

Then, she smiles softly and—pat pat—gently ruffles my hair.

"Hey! I'm not a child!" I pout, swatting her hand away.

She chuckles, shaking her head. "Alright, alright."

But then, her smile fades, replaced by something... heavier. Something tired.

"No, it's not about the money," she admits quietly. "I have my reasons."

"What reasons?" I press, my chest tightening. "Can you tell me?"

I know I'm prying. I know it's not fair of me to push. But the thought of her diving into danger over and over again, coming back with more scars—or not coming back at all—makes my stomach twist.

I don't want to lose her.

I don't even know why that fear feels so raw, so real, but it does.

Eris holds my gaze for a long moment, as if trying to decide something.

Then, finally—she speaks.

"It's my father," she says, her voice laced with sorrow. "I have to find him."

I freeze.

"Your father?" I echo.

She nods, and for the first time, pain is evident in her eyes.

"Yes..."

As the word leaves her lips, her grip on my hand tightens. I feel it—the faint tremor in her fingers, the subtle tension in her body, the weight of something heavy pressing down on her. She's trembling, just slightly, but enough for me to notice. Enough for me to realize that this isn't just a passing thought for her. It's something that haunts her. Something that consumes her.

"What... happened?" I ask, my chest tightening at the sight of her like this.

But then, I hesitate.

I don't want to push. I don't want to pry into something that might be too painful for her to talk about.

"Actually... I'm sorry," I murmur quickly, lowering my gaze. "You don't have to tell me if you're not ready."

Eris doesn't respond right away.

For a moment, she just looks at me, studying my face with an unreadable expression. Then, slowly, she shakes her head, her lips tugging into a faint, bittersweet smile.

Before I can say anything else—before I can even breathe—she leans in.

Closer.

So close that our foreheads touch.

My heart stops.

Her breath is warm against my skin, her scent—a soft blend of lavender and something uniquely her—surrounding me in an instant. Her long lashes brush against mine as she blinks, her eyes lidded, her face just inches away.

What?

What is happening?!

My thoughts spiral into a frantic mess.

Wait. WAIT. Did I just stumble into some kind of confession moment?! Was this a setup?! I was asking a serious question, and now suddenly—this?!

D-Does she... want to kiss me?!

HUH?!?!?

My entire body locks up, my brain struggling to process.

And then—just as suddenly as she leaned in—she pulls away.

Like nothing even happened.

Leaving me completely and utterly flabbergasted.

"Haaaiizzz..." Eris exhales, rubbing the back of her neck, releasing a breath that sounds almost... tired. "It was many years ago," she murmurs, her voice softer now. "My father... he was a renowned adventurer. A man who dreamed of unveiling the secrets of the dungeons... of discovering what lies beyond this world."

I blink.

My heart is still racing, my thoughts still reeling. But despite my inner turmoil, I listen.

————————————————

Fifteen years ago...

Eris' father was a knight of the Kingdom of Zerakia—one of its most renowned warriors, an A-rank adventurer, a legend in his own right. Dungeon exploration wasn't just his profession; it was in his blood.

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Every time he returned home, he carried with him incredible stories—tales of fierce battles against fire-breathing lizards, of navigating through mystical ruins hidden deep within dungeons, untouched by time. He would gather Eris and her little brother by the fire, his voice brimming with adventure, his eyes gleaming with passion.

To them, he wasn't just their father.

He was a hero.

Their idol.

The man they both admired with all their hearts.

Those were the happiest days of Eris' life.

But then... everything changed.

One day, an S-rank dungeon appeared within the kingdom—a dungeon unlike any other, its depths uncharted, its dangers unknown. As always, her father was among the first called to explore it.

It was his duty.

And like always, he accepted without hesitation.

At the time, Eris thought nothing of it. It was just another mission, just like the countless ones before. He'd be gone for a few weeks, maybe a couple of months. But eventually...

He would come back.

He always came back.

But this time, he didn't.

Weeks turned into months.

Months turned into years.

And still—nothing. No news. No letters. No sign of him.

Then, one day, a letter did arrive.

A single, cold, official note, sealed by the royal family. A notification of disappearance.

Nothing more.

No details.

No closure.

Just... gone.

Eris was devastated.

She cried for days, for weeks, until there were no more tears left to shed. The warmth of her world faded into something cold and hollow, her once bright, exciting life now consumed by a suffocating emptiness.

Everyone whispered that he was dead.

That he had perished within the dungeon's depths, lost forever to its dangers.

That he was never coming back.

But Eris refused to believe it.

After all...

How could she?

Her father was the strongest man she had ever known. He couldn't be dead. He couldn't be!

And that's why Eris became an adventurer.

Not for gold. Not for glory.

But because she had to enter the dungeons herself.

She had to find him.

Because deep down... no matter how much time passed...

She still believed.

Maybe... just maybe...

She'd see him again.