Catgirls And Dungeons (Yuri)

The door closes behind us with a soft, muffled click. Alvero steps forward with composed grace and gestures toward the plush velvet couch arranged at the heart of the chamber.

"Please, make yourselves comfortable," he says with a courteous nod.

Eris flops down with casual ease, one leg draped lazily over the other, clearly unfazed by the lavish surroundings. I settle beside her more cautiously, casting slow glances around the room as awe creeps quietly up my spine.

This place… is fancy.

Far more refined than that hidden chamber Karlogen used back at the Adventurer's Guild. Here, the air carries the subtle scent of sandalwood and old parchment, warm and grounding. The walls are lined with shelves filled with thick, leather-bound tomes and detail paintings in gold frame. Some are landscapes, some portraits, and one large map of Mistvale's outer regions.

In the far corner, a tall grandfather clock ticks with steady rhythm, its brass pendulum swinging silently. A polished grand piano sits untouched along one wall. And tucked just across from us, there's even a small private bar stocked with crystal decanters and polished glassware!

Is this… normal? Do all major guilds have secret rooms like this? I mean—what the heck?

On the other hand, no tea and biscuits this time, though.

Instead, Alvero makes his way toward the bar. He then selects a dark, elegant bottle and turns back to us, the faintest smile curving at his lips.

"Would you care to try our century-aged wine?" he offers, his voice like silk over glass.

"Yes, please," Eris replies with a composed smile. "That's very kind of you."

"It is my honor, dear guest," Alvero replies with a courteous dip of his head.

And then, he opens the bottle. With a soft pop, the cork slips free from the bottle.

"Hmmm!" Eris instantly reacts, smiling as she takes in the fragrant of the wine.

Meanwhile, I still can't smell!

Regardless, Alvero takes another quick minute to prepare a small platter of thin slices of cheese, sausages, cold cuts, some fruits.

Looks like they will pair nicely with the wine.

He places it before us with measured care, as though it were a ritual.

Then, with both hands steady, he pours the wine.

The wine flows into the crystal glasses in smooth ribbons, dark and heavy, like melted garnet. Under the glow of the chandelier, I catch hints of violet shimmer swirling within the deep red. It looks almost magical.

"This vintage is made from the Velrosé berry, a rare fruit grown only in the frozen terraces of Northern Lunareth," Alvero explains. "It's known to subtly enhance mana flow and support blood circulation. A favorite among arcanists and nobles alike."

"I see," Eris murmurs, her eyes resting on the glass. She tilts it slightly, watching how the deep red liquid catches the light, then swirls the glass professionally, lifts it to her lips, and takes a quiet sip.

Meanwhile, I just… stare. My fingers tighten slightly around the delicate stem of my glass.

After all… what the hell? One hundred years old wine?!

A whole bottle, just for us?!

That's gotta be… expensive as hell! And if we can't finish this bottle, isn't that a big waste?

Still…

Is this the kind of perk you get with a Black Sigil?! Is this what VIP feels like?! I can't even taste anything right now and I still want to cry from the luxury!

Eris, after taking the first sip, leans back and looks at Alvero with a playful glint in her eyes.

"So, how is it?" Alvero asks, his voice soft.

"Wonderful," Eris replies.

"W-wonderful!" I reply too, even though I tasted nothing.

But then—

"To think the Hearthcarvers Guild's property consultant is such a young gentleman," Eris says with a faint, teasing smile. "I'm impressed."

What?!

My eyes widen in disbelief.

Wait—he's not just a regular staff member?

He's the Guildmaster?!

A FEAKING GUILDMASTERU!?

HE ONLY LOOKS TWENTY FIVE! HOLY SHIT!

I nearly choke on my wine.

Alvero offers a modest smile and bows his head slightly. "Thank you, Ms. Eris. But I must say, the true surprise is you."

He steps away briefly and returns with a small dish, setting it gently between us. A neat arrangement of golden chocolate truffles rests on the porcelain plate.

Then, he sits down.

"To think a young lady like yourself possesses a Black Sigil… quite rare indeed."

They both chuckle after that.

"So, would you like to recheck it?" Eris asks after a moment, raising her brow.

"If you don't mind," Alvero replies, folding his hands politely. "I'd like to verify it for our records. I hope that's not offensive."

"Not at all," Eris replies easily, sliding the sleek black card across the table.

"Thank you."

Alvero accepts it carefully. From his coat pocket, he withdraws a small magnifying lens, thin and silver-rimmed, etched with tiny glowing runes that pulse with faint enchantment. He holds the card close and begins his examination

I sit there watching him, barely breathing.

Wow… this feels like watching some super-secret high-stakes deal going down.

Eris looks completely unbothered. Regal, even!

And here I am, still clutching my wine glass like it's a fragile relic.

However, Eris, probably noticing how tense I've gotten, move to gently places her hand over mine and gives it a soft squeeze.

I glance at her, and she just smiles, calm as ever.

It helps. A little.

I take a slow breath, try to relax my shoulders, and tell myself not to spill the wine.

-----------------------

Alvero finishes examining the sigil after nearly a full minute of silence.

He lowers the black card back onto the table, placing it neatly in front of Eris. The faint glow from his arcane lens fades, and he tucks it away into his coat once more.

"Thank you for your patience," he says at last. "I've completed the verification. The sigil is genuine."

He bows his head, just slightly. A gesture of both respect and apology.

"My apologies for the formality."

Eris offers a small smile as she picks up the card and slides it back into the inner pocket of her coat.

"No worries," she replies, her voice smooth and unbothered. "I expected it."

Alvero straightens slowly, the faintest hint of curiosity flickering behind his composed expression.

"If I may ask…" he begins, carefully, "how did you acquire this sigil? They are exceptionally rare. As far as I'm aware, fewer than a dozen exist in the world. Each one is granted only to our most significant benefactors and longstanding patrons."

Eris tilts her head slightly to the side. Her smile lingers, but something shifts in her eyes.

"Do I have to answer that?"

Her voice remains light, almost teasing, but something in her expression sharpens. The glimmer in her eyes is no longer playful.

The air shifts.

It's subtle, like the pressure that builds just before thunder rolls. A quiet heaviness settles over the room—not loud or sudden, but enough to make me straighten in my seat without even realizing it.

Alvero doesn't flinch. He holds her gaze for a breath longer, before bowing again, deeper this time.

"Of course not," he says gently. "It doesn't matter who holds the sigil. Our role is to serve its bearer with the highest discretion and respect."

"Good," Eris replies, her smirk returning, though her tone is still a touch cool. "Glad you understand."

The moment passes.

Alvero adjusts the cuffs of his sleeves and clears his throat softly, returning to his usual polished demeanor.

"Then, shall we continue? I'll begin by outlining the privileges associated with the Black Sigil—just in case you've forgotten or were never given the full briefing."

"Go ahead," Eris says, reclining comfortably into the velvet cushions. One arm rests lazily along the back of the couch, her other hand holding mine.

And just like that, the tension evaporates. Alvero slips into professional mode, his voice fluid and clear as he begins to speak.

---------------------------

Moments pass in quiet as Alvero's explanation continues… and then, everything he says starts hitting me all at once.

Oh my gods.

Holy—what?

Did I hear that right?

As the bearer of a Black Sigil, we're granted:

— Unlimited priority access to all property listings, even the restricted or classified ones.

— Exclusive rights to preview unannounced real estate auctions before they go public.

— Customization services including dungeon weather stabilization, mana field adjustments, teleportation portal installation and terrain reshaping.

— Lifetime property protection wards, maintained quarterly by elite enchanters.

— A personal liaison assigned to manage everything from paperwork to furniture placement.

— Full emergency evacuation and defense protocols if the property is ever compromised.

— Direct request channels to hire Hearthcarvers' elite beast-tamers, builders, and druids for habitat management.

— No taxes on dungeon land for the first 50 years. (Fifty!)

— Guaranteed non-interference from local governments, noble houses, and adventurer guilds.

— And… if we ever want to sell the property later? Hearthcarvers will buy it back at a guaranteed minimum value!

But most important of all?

Full identity protection!

Normally, when someone buys property—especially through a guild of this scale—they have to register everything. Full legal name. Country of origin. Class status. Magical certification. All of it. And once it's recorded, it becomes part of the public ledger. Anyone with enough coin or influence can trace it.

But not with the Black Sigil.

With this, none of that ever happens.

No name. No origin. No trace.

Every contract is signed under a private seal. Even the internal Hearthcarvers staff won't know who we really are. It's as if the entire purchase is wrapped in shadow, sealed away in layers of enchanted discretion.

I stare at the floor, stunned. My head spins a little.

We're not just buying a house…

We're buying a hidden fortress!!!

Beside me, Eris swirls her wine once more, unfazed. Her voice is smooth, almost nonchalant.

"Hm. That's very good."

She doesn't look amazed. Doesn't look shocked or impressed. She just takes it all in with the serene confidence of someone who's used to this kind of power.

Alvero gives her a small, respectful nod.

"If I may proceed," he says gently, "Kathy mentioned you were searching for a secluded, nature-adjacent property. Something private, with organic food access, stable weather and minimal outside contact?"

"Yup, that's correct," Eris replies, her voice smooth and unhurried. "And also," She crosses one leg over the other, flashing a small smile. "Show me your best houses. At any price."

Alvero's lips twitch upward in a knowing smile, and I see it, just a hint of satisfaction touching his features.

"Very well, Ms. Wildfang," he replies. "In that case… allow me to present our most exclusive options."