Using Gacha to Increase My Companions and to Create the Strongest Girls' Army Corps

It has been over ten days since we reported about Diabolos to the Adventurer's Guild.

Since then, we've been checking in at the guild daily, but there have been no reports of abnormal Trent appearances.

Diabolos has been assessed, and we received a reward of 600,000G.

They wanted to investigate the monster further and offered 800,000G for the horn and trident, so we handed them over.

Just from that monster, we made 1.4 million G, which is a great haul.

When receiving the reward from the receptionist, she remarked that this monster was also on the level of Grandis... She seemed too tired to be surprised anymore.

It reminded me of Wiggy's reaction at the guild in the Capital.

As for the black magic stone, it's still difficult to analyze because it's shattered. The research at Queres's lab is ongoing, but they can't guarantee they'll figure out what it is.

"Phew, it's nice and peaceful without any incidents."

"Yes, it is. The bamboo grove is now completely free of Trents."

"Indeed. Now we can hunt without worries."

After finishing today's hunt, we returned home to relax.

We patrolled the bamboo grove ourselves to check for Trent appearances, but everything has been normal.

We even checked the area where Grandis was, but found nothing.

It seems Diabolos was indeed the cause of the disturbance... probably.

"Listening to Ookura-san's story, I thought there was going to be a big battle..."

"Huh? I did mention there might be a mastermind, but I never said there'd be a big battle. Well, it’s not impossible, but if I were the enemy..."

Considering there might be a mastermind, it's natural to think we'd be taking action against them.

But without any information, all we can do is patrol the area.

And if I were in the enemy's position...

"I'd run away as soon as my minion was defeated."

Hearing my words, Sisya made a very subtle face.

Runa, sitting on her lap, gave me a stern look.

"That's just because it's you..."

"How rude! A coward who uses minions to act in secret would definitely run away once their minion is defeated. The fact that Trent sightings have significantly decreased is proof of that."

"Now that you mention it, that does sound convincing..."

Someone operating in secret in an isolated forest with minions must be quite cautious.

I don't know if it was an experiment or meant to do something to Queres, but they were very careful.

The magic stone Diabolos had might have been shattered by our attacks, but it's also possible it was ordered to destroy it.

Even though it was a servant, it was a strong monster, and retreating after it was defeated isn't surprising.

If it were me, I'd flee the area at that point.

While their goal is unclear, the abnormal Trent appearances have ceased, so this is a likely scenario.

"Either way, it seems the abnormalities around Queres have settled for now, which is good."

"Yeah. It's a pity we didn't get any gacha rewards, though."

"So you were actively trying to solve the problem for that motive..."

For now, we can be relieved that the disturbance is resolved.

We need to stay alert for future issues, but it's a relief for now.

It's disappointing that we didn't get any gacha rewards or magic stones, though.

If it had been treated as a large-scale battle and we got around 100 magic stones, the box gacha might have had a different outcome...

"So, what are you planning next? Now that the Queres issue is resolved, will you gather magic stones for the next gacha?"

"Yeah, let's save at least 1,000 magic stones for the next gacha. Ideally, more than 2,000."

"How many do we have now?"

"163."

"We need at least 837 more then."

"Stating specific numbers like that is demoralizing..."

Honestly, even 1,000 seems too few, but setting too high a goal might be too much for Noru and the others.

I'll have them help with hunting while I subtly coax Sisya into going to the Goblin Forest when we have free time.

"How many magic stones are being sent from Deus and Grin?"

"Well... Not daily, but every few days we get 3 or 4. On busy days, sometimes 6 or 7."

I keep track of the magic stones sent by Deus and the others, but they don't hunt every day like us.

Most of the stones are hunted by Deus, with Grin and the others helping when they can.

"That's quite a few being sent."

"It was a good idea to get their help. We should get more allies to help us!"

"If it were that easy to increase, it wouldn't be a struggle."

It's a slow process, but even getting one stone from elsewhere is helpful.

It'd be great to get more allies like Noru suggested, but it's not easy.

If I were better at persuasion, it might be easier, but I'm aware I'm not good at talking.

"Alright, let's take a bath. Ready, Runa?"

"Yeah. I'm tired from hunting."

When the conversation settled, Sisya stood up, holding Runa, and suggested a bath.

Bath, huh...

"Speaking of baths... don't you think we need a new one?"

"What are you talking about? We already have a bath."

"I mean, wouldn't you like a bath added with House Extension?"

We haven't used the House Extension function recently, so I want to add something.

And I'd like a bath.

"We're not troubled with the current one, but a new one would be nice. A House Extension bath would be more convenient."

"Indeed. Although we can fit together in the current bath, a slightly bigger one would be more comfortable."

"Yes, it's always cramped when the two of us are in that round bath."

The current bath we use is a large wooden tub.

We heat the water and pour it in, but Estel helps by using magic to heat the water.

It's not big enough to stretch out, so Sisya and Runa find it a bit cramped.

"But do we have enough points to add it? A bath requires 5,000 points, right?"

"So I was thinking of disassembling the unused SSR Adamant Shield and LCD monitor."

"Indeed, we haven't used them since they appeared."

They've been unused since we got them, so although it feels a bit wasteful, we'll use them to add a bath.

The Adamant Shield won't be used thanks to the pot lid...

We'll save the SR items from the box gacha for future opportunities to give to Deus and the others.

Since Noru and the others are on board, let's add...

"Oh, but we need to make new rooms for Noru and Sisya first."

"No, I don't mind prioritizing the bath. The current room is comfortable, and I'm curious about the House Extension bath!"

"I'd also prefer the bath. It will be luxurious if it costs 5,000 points."

"Alright, then let's make the bath."

I had forgotten that Noru and Sisya didn't have House Extension rooms yet.

But they want the bath more, so I'll take advantage of that and make the bath.

Next gacha, I'll definitely make new rooms for them...

With their permission, I activated House Extension from my smartphone.

I selected the SSR Adamant Shield and LCD monitor for disassembly.

Each SSR converts to 2,500 points, so that secured the 5,000 points needed for the bath.

Using the expansion function, I added the bath at the end of the hallway leading to my room, and we all went to check it out.

"Oh, it's divided for men and women. It's like a public bath..."

"How is it inside? Let's go in!"

"I need to get my change of clothes. Let's go, Runa!"

"Yes, I'm tired from hunting. I hope it's a comfortable bath..."

At the end of the hallway, a new door was added.

Opening the door revealed two entrances with blue and red curtains.

Wow... I didn't expect such attention to detail. This bath must be huge.

Since we had just returned from hunting, we all went to get our change of clothes.

Entering through the blue curtain with my change of clothes, I found a sliding glass door.

Beyond that was an incredibly large bath.

It could easily accommodate ten or more people.

There were showers and everything, like a public bath from my world.

The tub was filled with water from an unknown source, but I didn't care.

Next to the entrance was a black panel for adjusting the temperature.

There was also a button with a mop icon... does it mean automatic cleaning?

Gacha items are really well-made... worth 5,000 points.

"Oh... this is amazing."

"Yes, it is. This won't feel cramped even with many people."

"I can finally stretch my legs in the tub. I love baths, so this makes me happy."

Thinking about taking a bath in this spacious place is exciting.

Since I'm the only man, I'll be bathing alone, but thinking of it as a private bath sounds relaxing.

I liked going to public baths, and now I can enjoy this bath all the time.

"Oh, really? I like baths too. Let's relax together."

"Yeah, sure... Huh?"

There were shelves like in a public bath where you could put your clothes, so I started to undress.

Then I noticed Estel was here too.

"...Why are you here?"

"Is it a problem?"

"Yes, it is."

Estel was next to me, looking puzzled, already unbuttoning her shirt with the first button undone.

She was ready to undress.

I didn't notice because she was so natural...

When I told her no, she looked at me seriously.

"Onii-sama, I think we should deepen our relationship."

"...Huh?"

"So,

 let's take this opportunity to bond by bathing together."

"I appreciate the sentiment, but no!"

"Geez."

I handed Estel her clothes and carried her to the women's bath.

She was pouting in dissatisfaction, but bathing together is a bit...

Returning to the men's bath, I undressed and entered.

While washing before getting in the tub, I heard voices.

"Wow! It's so spacious!"

Huh... why can I hear Noru?

I stopped washing and looked around. The walls were white, but there was a large gap between one wall and the ceiling.

This bath isn't completely separated, just divided by a partition.

Thinking about what's beyond that wall... ugh.

...No, no. What am I imagining?

I thought about bringing Wall Shoes, but that would be wrong. Criminal.

"Noru... I suspected, but you wear an eye mask even in the bath."

"T-this is different! I don't wear it when I'm alone!"

"Are you still embarrassed to show your face to us?"

"I can manage one-on-one, but not with more..."

"Sigh, you've improved a lot, but it seems you're still attached to the eye mask."

Noru wears an eye mask even in the bath.

She can handle one-on-one now, so she's better than before.

It seems they haven't noticed I can hear them.

It might be mean, but I'll listen quietly.

"Ahh, it's nice to stretch out in a big bath."

"Yes. I've never been in such a big bath before, so it's refreshing."

Noru and the others must have finished washing and started soaking. They seem pleased with the bath.

I've finished washing and am soaking up to my shoulders.

I've always bathed, but this spaciousness feels different. And it's private.

If only there were bottled milk or fruit juice after the bath...

"Ah, it's nice to stretch my legs."

"Hehe, I'm glad you're enjoying it, Runa."

Runa's deep voice doesn't sound like a little girl's.

I heard vampires can't handle running water, but from her voice, she seems to be in bliss.

"Yes, and with Sisya's cushion, it's perfect."

"It makes me happy to hear that..."

Sisya's cushion... what's that?

"But it's a bit sad that Ookura-dono is alone while we four are together. It would've been nice if he could join us."

"I tried to join, but I was kicked out. Such a shame... truly."

"Even a perverted Ookura-san wouldn't bathe with us so openly."

"Wait, is Heiha a pervert?"

"Yes, he is. I found thin books hidden in an empty box in his room. He went to great lengths to hide them."

Calling me a pervert is too much!

I wanted to shout, but Sisya's next words made my heart race.

W-why... why does she know my secret collection's hiding place!?

I went to great lengths to camouflage it in an empty box... She must have found it while cleaning!

Forgetting I was eavesdropping, I yelled.

"Wait a minute! What were you doing snooping around!?"

"You were listening!?"

"Oh, now I'm curious about those books. I'll go check."

"Nooo! Stop her!"

"...She's already gone."

"Damn it! Uooooh!"

I heard footsteps and rushed out of the bath.

I quickly dried myself with a towel, put on my underwear, and ran out.

I found Estel, wrapped in a towel, about to leave.

I restrained her just in time, but she still questioned me about the thin books.

I managed to avoid showing them, but I'll have to find a better hiding place...