Flashback:
It was never really clear to me what I was. My body is pretty much worthless in a physical fight and despite being a mage I never managed to learn any offensive spells or even a useful teleport spell. I gain no energy from normal food and have to be given manatites just to survive. I'm...such a burden.
"Uhh...Mom, Dad, can I ask you a question?" I approached my parents.
"Swure Renny Boy! Wut would ju like to ash?" My father responded with his face stuffed with bread while my mom sighed.
"Dear please do avoid being so energetic while eating. You know we have to avoid going to healers as much as possible." My mom told dad as she wiped his face.
They are an odd pair honestly.
Dad looks like a laidback guy with no worries whatsoever while my mom is kind of strict. They don't match. Not to mention mom's horns and skin are also so weird, I have never seen anyone else with those features.
"Do you two ever regret having me?" I asked while looking at my Manatite and they looked at me with concern.
"Ren what do you mean?" My mom asked while my dad quickly swallowed his bread.
"I mean, I'm not like anyone here. My skin is weird, I cannot play with the other kids, I cannot even eat normally with you two. As goofy as Dad is, even he seems to have been a competent mage like you."
"Ah you see Ren, us Crimson Demons have high affinities for magic and the goofier we are, the stronger we get. I mean I was always a prodigy so you don't need to worry-" Dad was cutoff by mom midsentence.
"Dear you had been a NEET your whole life prior to graduating so please refrain from lying and calling yourself a strong prodigy." Mom's words seem to have left the normally cheery dad skulking before she turned to me.
"But what your father said is right Ren. You don't need to worry about any of this. You are going to make plenty of friends eventually who understand you." Mom gave me a light smile.
"That's right! Not to mention you are just the greatest buddy I could ask for. You are one of the best things that happened to me." Dad cheerily said with glowing eyes before glancing at mom who somewhat blushed.
Ignoring their moment I continued, "But isn't Manatite like really expensive? Even cheaper ones add a lot to our expenses when taken in bulk."
"Yeah so? Even food is expensive and nobles still eat it everyday. Are you saying we are any less than those nobles?" Dad looked at me as if I asked a dumb question.
"I just.. nevermind." I used up my Manatite and got up from the table. "Thank you for the meal Mom and Dad."
"Sleep well dear, we have to try some new spells tomorrow." Mom waved me a bye as I saw went to my room.
I laid on my bed to try and sleep. Unfortunately, just like everyday my ears picked up a lot of sound. Each night I could hear my Dad filling up Manatites to sell while my mom went out to gather materials. It was always awkward to bring up my hearing so I never did. But today they just seemed to be talking.
"He seems to be getting lonely Pupura. Maybe we should do something." I could hear my dad's rare concerned voice from the other room as I tried to put a pillow over my ears. I don't want to hear this.
"We could introduce him to some of my minions but I think they might go too rough on him while playing." I hear a lot about Mom's minions when I unintentionally eavesdrop on them. I do not want to get involved with them.
"You know back in our Academy we had tons of books on how to make friends with practically anything. Perhaps I could get some of them. Or I could do the game where I make an Earth Golem that could be his friend." Dad do I look that desperate?
"Those...sure are some ways to make friends I suppose. You Crimson Demons sure are an odd bunch. I've lived with you for so many years and yet, I cannot predict what you will do next. I guess that's what I liked about you when we first clashed. A NEET in the Defense corps going toe to toe with a Devil with unusual tricks was so...weirdly refreshing."
I could hear someone get up from their chair quickly and then a sudden "AH!" from my mom along with some weird noise. I wanted to run out to check until,
"Were you expecting that my love?" I could hear my dad speak as I wanted to rip my ears out as I tightened the pillow around them.
"You know, you're lookin' so sexy tonight. And speaking of our first battle, I thought your horns looked really cool and the way you dodged my spells was just spectacular-" My dad luckily stopped talking for some reason and I thanked my lucky stars- until I realised why. I could hear heavy breathing and lips unlocking.
"Let's make it so that Ren gets a new friend to play with within a few months. What do you say Renucoily?" FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! RANDOM TELEPORT!
I luckily ended up on a nearby mountain and spent my night there.
The next day I reached my home early in the morning.
"Ren it's good to see you going for a walk early in the morning. Are you perhaps catching some rare monster that can only be found during the day? Mind if I join you?" Dad cheerily looked at me.
I cannot look at him the same way anymore but I sighed. "Wasn't I supposed to have another go at spells today?"
"Ah you see your mom is really tired today after-" I ran away as I knew why. "That's great speed Ren! Who says you're not physically gifted?!" My dad cheered me on as I ran.
After a few hours of cleansing my ears and eyes I came back to see mom doing her chores.
"Oh Ren you are back." Mom greeted me with a big smile. "Your father had told me you went for a run but I was getting concerned after you didn't come for a long time. Are you fine?"
"Uh yeah Mom totally." I blurted out to get that out of my head as I changed the topic. "Should we test out some spells today?"
"Of course. Although there are only a few spells left and they are all very niche." Mom said as she seemingly tried to recall something. "Have you tried to use the Sleep skill yet?"
"I tried but it never works. No mana flows when I try to cast it." I practised with some bugs to check if I was just not feeling the mana but it seemed like I was really just shit.
"It's strange really. You somehow manage to pull off Advanced Illusion Magic really well but have trouble with basic spells. Oh! Ren try this spell out. It's called Cursed Hypnosis." Mom showed me the spell on her hand.
"Is it a variation of the Sleep spell?"
"Kind of. It's used to put someone to sleep and then manipulate their dreams but like I said it's very niche. You have to constantly use it to keep the spell active and it can only be used on a single person at a time." I see why this is a niche spell.
"That sounds like a really bad spell Mom. Does it have any perks?"
"Well theoretically if the spell is used for longer durations of time you can make the opponent have injuries of the same magnitude as in their dreams and even potentially lock them in a permanent sleep. But to do that you need a whole of time and Mana." Again, this sounds cool and all but is practically worthless if you ever get into real trouble.
But I guess I should give it a try. I saw my mom performing the spell and tried to mimic her Mana movements. I saw a bird land near me and I slowly approached it.
"Cursed Hypnosis!" I thought it was a dud until the bird fell asleep. I now had control over a bird's dreams.
"I did it! Mom look-" Just as I excitedly turned to mom the bird suddenly woke up and pecked at me before angrily flying away.
"What was that?!" I said as I saw the bird getting away.
"Like I told you, the spell needs to be constantly active with the utmost concentration. Otherwise you will be face to face with a pretty pissed off enemy." Mom casually glossed over the latter half.
"Well at least I can use another spell, even if it is a worthless one." I sat down and mom sat down beside me.
"Ren you should know that each spell has it's practical uses. Except for Explosion magic I can make an argument for each spell that people may call useless. You just have to wait for the right situation and be smart."
"I guess so." I said as I stared into the sky above.
Mom is really knowledgable about magic as is dad. I once read Crimson Demons are people born with unnatural intelligence and mana reserves, people born to be adventurers and fighters but after seeing dad, that is kinda...weird. Also my mom is clearly not human so the question still remains-
"Ren are you alright?" Mom asked me as she noticed I was staring blankly at the sky.
"Nothing mom. Just tired from running around." Some other day, I will ask the question.
"Oh, I see Ren is back. How did practice go?" Dad suddenly Teleported back with a smile on his face.
"It went rather well. Ren managed to learn and cast Cursed Hypnosis successfully." Mom proudly looked at me and patted my hair. Dad then suddenly started crying.
"Our little champ is getting better day by day! He learnt a spell with such a cool name... Just you wait, you're gonna turn into the best mage this kingdom has ever seen!" He said cheerily as he wiped his snot while mom and I watched.
"Honestly I had less mood swings when I was pregnant." I tried to ignore what mom said.
"Hey hey shhhh. That's supposed to be a surprise. Also I think you fill your mood swing quotas every month-" Dad tried to whisper to mom but I heard all of it.
Mom then refused to talk to dad for the entire day. I think he is right about the mood swing quota.
Almost an Year Later:
"Ren! You have a little brother!" Dad rushed out of the room to tell me the good news.
I was a little hesitant but dad pushed me inside. I saw mom holding a crying baby with skin similar to mine.
"Isn't he cute?" Dad said as he excitedly looked at him.
"He looks like a bad potato."
"I'll have you know Ren that you looked pretty familiar to your potato brother when you were little." Mom said with a teasing smile on her face before she held out her arms. "Would you like to hold him?"
"ME?! I don't know what or how-" I panicked as I looked around.
"Oh it's easy, you just have to hold it like this." Dad took the baby from mom and carefully showed me how to handle him.
"Careful Renucoily, please don't drop him like our last child." Wait was I- "Just kidding." Mom stuck her tongue out as my vision moved to her. Joking when I'm nervous, how mature mom.
"Ha! Don't worry Pupura, I am the foremost dad amongst the Crimson Demons! I know how to handle children-" just as dad was announcing his title my little brother started crying.
"Hey hey shhh shh." Dad tried to calm down my little brother before giving up and approaching my mom.
"So much for the foremost dad." Mom held out her arms and started to sing a familiar lullaby. He was now completely calm and fast asleep.
"You still haven't lost your touch." Dad said as he gazed at the sleeping baby. Mom then turned her face to me.
"Go on, try to hold him. Your dad may not be as 'foremost' as he claims to be but his technique is on point." I carefully accepted my little brother and held him like dad did. I don't know why but it feels really heartwarming.
"Have you two chosen a name yet?" I asked and dad's eyes started glowing.
"But of course! I have chosen a name for him befitting a Crimson Demon-"
"Dear please keep your voice down if you don't want to wake up the baby. And you know how I feel about your naming sense. The closest I can ever get to accepting it is shortening your name to Ren." Mom said such harsh words with a pleasant smile while dad looked absolutely dejected and-
"Wait that's what my name is from?!"
"But Pupura please just hear it. You might like it." Dad tried a last ditch effort and said, "I've been thinking about naming him Jammy."
Mom's head turned in surprise to dad. She stared at him.
"Look I know it might seem a bit-"
"No I'm just surprised you could think of a name that sounds somewhat normal. I like it. His name is Jammy." Mom said with a smile while dad could not control his emotions.
'Finally, one of my children has a cool name.' I heard Dad's silent monologue. Thanks Dad.
Hmm, Jammy is holding onto my shirt. Wait, why do I feel multiple tugs? I checked and was weirded out to say the least.
"Uhh, Mom, Dad. Jammy has small tentacles."
"Actually Ren that's how we distinguish the boys from girls-"
"TENTACLES! NOT- Mom he has tentacles." I ignored dad and showed mom what was happening. She looked curious.
"Huh, I was not expecting that. Dear, it seems we have a Multiformer." Mom said as she took a good look at Jammy. What is-
"Oh that's cool! Together with Ren he can form some sort of perfect team. Let's be sure to teach him all variety of cool stuff." Dad excitedly said.
"Um, what is a Multiformer?"
"Ren they are individuals with high elasticity and the ability to mold their appendages into whatever shape they desire and alter their properties to a degree. They also have a unique ability and we'll have to see what his is." Mom explained as I looked at Jammy.
This little guy is gonna be special, I can feel it.
An Year Later:
Raising a baby is hard. All Jammy does is cry, eat and sleep. Being on baby sitting duty isn't any fun either.
Well I say that but, seeing him sleeping peacefully is actually, well, peaceful to the mind.
While Jammy was sleeping I got bored and started to wander around, until I found a small book. I opened it. It had mom and dad's wedding illustrations. It got me wondering, I DID want to ask how they met.
"Ren I'm going out do you need anything?" Mom came into the room and she saw the book I was holding.
"Ah, I had forgotten that this was here." Mom bent down to my level and looked at the pictures.
"I loved that day."
"Uhh mom, I've been meaning to ask this for quiet some time, but how did you and dad meet?"
She seemed to be a bit taken aback by my sudden question but not too surprised.
"I suppose this is a good time to tell you. Ren you see, your dad Renucoily was a part of the Crimson Demon Defense Corps which is just a fancy word for NEETs who didn't want to leave the village and just loiter around but anyways. One day I tried to infiltrate the village and came face to face with your dad." Mom seemed a bit nostalgic as she unloaded this information on me.
"Wait, infiltrate?"
Mom blinked a few times and then sighed. "I guess I should explain that as well. I'm not a human Ren." She pointed at herself.
"Mom, I've seen Dad and the other kids in the nearby town so I always knew for a fact that you're not a human. Going by the books I've read you seem much closer to a Greater Devil."
"That is...exactly what I am. As expected you have the high intelligence of a Crimson Demon." Is this really a situation that needed high intelligence? A pair of working eyeballs should be fine as well.
"But still, not only am I a Greater Devil but I was also a former member of the Demon King's Army." Mom saiFew Years Later:d with a serious tone.
"You sure do know how to keep a straight face while telling a joke mom." Like seriously tell a better-
"I assure you I'm not joking Ren." Why is mom suddenly looking so scary?
"Wait I read that the Demon King Army is pretty serious and is famously on odds with the Crimson Demons. And also wouldn't that mean that you hurt a lot of people?"
Mom suddenly regained her normal expression and sighed, "Ren that is uh, complicated. War is ugly you know. That is a past I do not want to recall. Anyways, your dad and I had a skirmish while he tried to drive me out of the village but while he was doing that he stopped attacking.
Of course I would've attacked and killed him with an attack as he was totally off guard but he said 'I think your horns look really cool.' and honestly, I was caught off guard as well."
"What kind of a dumb pick up line is that?"
"No seriously I said the exact same thing. I told him if he was just buying time for the others to come back him up it was of no use as I would surely destroy each and every one of them-"
"Mom you really sounded like a villain."
"Well I kind of was. Even after my threats your father continued to say 'No seriously, your entire aesthetic is completely in line with Crimson Demon culture and I'd hate to harm you so please back off.' What the hell am I supposed to do after being told such a dumb thing?"
"I've read that the Crimson Demons are a bit shot in the head but isn't letting an enemy go kind of-"
"Ren I assure you that the Crimson Demons are much crazier than what any book can describe. But in any case, as a Greater Devil I can sense malice and emotions from humans. In those moments I didn't see any ulterior motives in his words, it was nothing but respect which kind of spooked me. It was really something new for me. As I was leaving I asked him his name and I thought he was trolling me with a fake name but again, I saw how genuine he was.
After that we started to meet in secret in the forest around the village and if I'm being honest, I started to fall for him. I eventually quit the army and went to introduce myself in the village."
"Were the villagers shocked or violent?"
"Oh no not at all. Renucoily had been bragging that he had a 'Hot Devil Girlfriend' for quite some time and everybody just thought he was joking or delusional. I was met with reactions like 'Wait you're real?!' 'How much is this guy paying you-' I'm getting a bit off topic. We eventually got the blessings of the village elders and had a small marriage event before settling down." Mom looked so happy recounting her past memories.
Still it's strange. Why did they move out of the village?
Mom then got up, "I'm going to a Dungeon to gather some materials. Do you need anything Ren?" I turned my head in a no motion.
"Take care of Jammy until I or your father come back. Don't open the door to anyone else." Mom hastily left as she said that while I put the book back and stared at the sleeping Jammy.
As soon as Mom left Jammy woke up and started to cry. I could smell the reason why Mom went away in a hurry. What is my luck?
Few Years Later:
"Now Jammy form some blades and get them!" I excitedly said as I pointed to some targets.
"Right up Ren nii chan!" Jammy formed multiple smaller arms from his main arms which then turned to blades as he came at the flying cabbages with high speed. They were all sliced perfectly.
We wanted to surprise mom and dad with some fresh produce for their dinner while polishing Jammy's abilities. Fortunately (unlike me) Jammy can actually eat food and get nutrition from normal food.
"These cabbages have high Mana and XP in them. We have a good catch Jammy." I gave him a thumbs up.
"Hey hey Onii Chan! I learned another new move by the way! Wanna see?" Jammy excitedly told me as I nodded.
He shot some tentacles forward and latched onto the cabbages with them. Suddenly I saw bright purple hue coming from them and the cabbages started to fall down.
"Wait, you know Drain Touch?"
"Oh that's a cool name. I named it Tingle because it makes me feel all tingly and energetic when I use it." He definitely has dad's naming sense.
"That's pretty useful actually. Did you know you can share Mana with that as well?"
"But I don't wanna! I got it fair and square!" Jammy pouted.
"Now Jammy, don't be a brat and give your Onii chan some too." I came closer to him.
"WAH! MOM HELP ME! REN ONII CHAN IS TRYING TO TOUCH ME AND SUCK ME OUT!" This kid!
"OI WATCH HOW YOU'RE PHRASING!" I chased him for some time before we eventually became tired and laid down on the ground.
I remember us laughing at how much fun it was for the both of us. We then started to wait for mom and dad to come back.
"Where have Mom and Dad gone Nii chan?" Jammy asked while playing with some grass.
"They said they were gathering some materials, but I know for a fact today is their anniversary so they're probably doing some shopping."
"Huh?! No fair I wanted to go too!" Ren threw his grass away and pouted.
Eventually it started going dark and we went back inside the house with our produce.
"I wonder what's taking them so long. Dad usually Teleports back around this time." I looked out through the window along with Jammy.
"Yeah, even with all these eyes I cannot really see anything." Jammy had grown multiple eyes to try and see better.
"You do know that they'll just show you different views and not enhance your vision right?"
Jammy quickly retracted his eyes "Of course I knew. Haha...ha..." This kid is not really bright.
As I scanned the outside environment I saw some figures approaching our house from far away. I would've loved to see mom and dad but it was clear it wasn't them. They were several figures clad in priest like robes.
I quietly shut the window and "Jammy stay quiet and don't go away from me for now." I warned Jammy as we moved towards our room which didn't have any windows.
"Nii chan what is-" I put my hand on Jammy's mouth.
"I said keep-" I saw another mouth form from one of his hands.
"But I'm scared, where are mom and dad?" This kid is not going to shut up unless I calm him down.
I put on a smile, "Uh you see Jammy, adults sometimes want some alone time and they are having that right now, I think. If you keep thinking about them it will disturb them, you don't want to do that right?"
"No..."
"So please listen to me and keep low for a while okay?" Jammy silently nodded his head. He's a good kid even if he acts like a brat-
'We are currently disposing off the heretic and his devilish lover sir but we are yet to find their disgusting spawn. The Eris Cultists are looking for them.' What are my ears picking up?
'Tch, those Eris Cultists really are good for nothing. We finally came to a common ground about wiping out all devils that we know of and they couldn't locate those halflings?'
'Hey it's really hard to locate them you know. For some reason even the best fortune tellers are unable to see them on their crystals for some reason.'
We need to get out of here. I started to collect some mana before-
'Oi it seems that Crimson Demon is still putting up a great fight in protecting that busty Devil with just his fists despite being Spell Bound by our archpriest. What should we do-'
'Kill him already. We have permission to deal with traitors who deal with Devils especially those from the Demon King's army. Not to mention the Devil is already on her last legs, this is our chance.'
MOM! DAD! I grabbed Jammy and headed to the exit of the house. I cast Light of Reflection on the both of us as I put Jammy on my back and ran full speed from where those figures seem to have come from.
"Ren nii chan where are we going?" Jammy asked me and I ignored him as I kept running.
We arrived near a clearing in the forest with clear signs of battle. Oh...no...
"Nii chan what is that smell, it's awful-"
"Cursed Hypnosis!" I cannot let Jammy see whatever's up ahead. "Have good dreams."
Jammy was peacefully sleeping while I constantly kept him under the spell.
It's a good thing I did this. As soon as I approached further I saw pools of blood and dead bodies. Many were those of humans while some are like goblins and monsters.
I'm gonna be sick. As I made my way forward I could hear something. Something that will haunt me forever.
Mom is crying.
I frantically made my way to the source of the sound before I saw it.
Dad is lying in a pool of blood with heavy injuries while mom is desperately trying to get near.
"Renu...please...come back..." Mom cried as she tried to drag herself near him. I could see the blood on her nails and horns along with their shape matching the injuries on the humans I saw earlier.
"Mom!Dad!" I turned off my invisibility as I approached them. Mom slowly turned her attention to me and the sleeping Jammy.
"Ren?" Mom weakly said with tears as she saw us.
"We have to get you two to healers right now!" I tried to pick dad and her up but she slapped my hand away.
"Ren healers are the ones who did this in the first place, it's too late for us, you have to leave right now!" Mom angrily said.
"No! I cannot just leave you two here, I will Random Teleport us to somewhere-"
"YOUR FATHER IS ALREADY DEAD!" Mom shouted and I was taken aback. "I have exhausted all of my mana trying to avenge him and I'm going to fade away any time now." She switched to a more gentle tone, "I have three requests Ren. Please, take care of yourself and Jammy."
"THAT DEVIL IS STILL ALIVE!" "We found her hellspawn!" We heard voices coming towards us.
I was prepared to Teleport all of us out of there but mom slowly got up and grabbed my arm.
"Mom I knew you'd come around. Let's-"
"Ren, your father and I always loved you. Please remember us." Why is mom giving a speech now-
"And lastly, please forgive me for this."
Mom threw me into the forest with a lot of force and I landed in some foliage. Jammy is still asleep as I'm still casting the spell.
I have to go save-
"Where are your hellspawn you Devil?!" I could hear the robed figures approach mom as I tried to make my way through.
"I'd much rather be concerned about a fully grown and pissed off devil you fucking cultists!" I could hear mom, followed by the sound of spells being unleashed and flesh being gored along with screams of men.
I made it back to the clearing and before I could do anything,
"Go to hell! SACRED HIGHNESS EXORCISM!" An attack hit mom which enveloped her in a light as she screamed.
A few seconds later, nothing of her remained.
"Mom...dad..." I started crying.
"There he is-"
"RANDOM TELEPORT!"
We landed in some sort of forest land. I couldn't bother to see where we were. I ran out of mana to keep the spell at Jammy up.
"Mom...dad..." I punched the ground as my tears hit the ground.
"YOU DAMN AXIS AND ERIS CULTISTS! I'LL MAKE YOU PAY!" I kept punching at the ground to let out my anger.
I'm worthless. Had I known healing spells I could have tried to heal dad if I showed up in time. If I had known proper Magic I would've been able to help them in battle. But in the end I'm just useless.
As I cried, I felt an arm touch me.
"WHAT?!" I shouted as I turned to look back who is disturbing me. Only to find a scared Jammy.
"Nii chan you were crying...so I just wanted to make sure if everything was okay..." THIS BRAT!
"OKAY?! You think I'm okay you little shit?! Mom and Dad just died in front of me and you think things are okay?!"
"Nii chan...please don't joke around like that. Mom and Dad still haven't come back and, where are we-"
"They're not coming back because they're dead! I don't know where we are so stop bothering me!" I snapped at him and he started crying profusely.
"Nii chan you meanie!" He ran away from me. "Yeah go run off! One less trouble for me today!"
I sat there for a few minutes while my Mana regenerated. For some reason, I had a sudden realisation.
I had told my little brother shocking news in the worst way possible.
I frantically got up. "Jammy come back! I didn't mean that!" I ran in the direction I saw him run off to.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?! I become a jackass if I ran out of mana?! As if I needed to have more flaws!
Not to mention I broke one of the promises mom told me to keep.
'Please, protect yourself and Jammy.'
I'm sorry Dad, mom, Jammy. I'm the worst guy to have around.
As I was running around my ears picked up sounds of crying. I immediately ran in that direction.
In the bushes I saw Jammy sniffling and crying while burying his face in his knees.
"Uh Jammy?" I carefully approached.
"WAH! I'm sorry for getting near you nii chan! Please forgive me!" Jammy tried to run away but I held his arm.
"I wanted to apologise for my behaviour Jammy, in fact I hope you can forgive me." Jammy looked at me while being unsure but I got the both of us seated.
"First of all, I'm sorry for shouting at you. I was mad at myself and for some reason my bad temper was fleshed out by me being low on mana.
Secondly, I don't know if there is any better way to put this. Jammy, we are all that we have left now. Mom and Dad, they loved us but" I started crying " unfortunate things happen. I didn't get to talk to Dad much but he would've asked us to carry forward with our heads high and Mom asked me take care of us. So if you can, please forgive this idiotic brother of yours."
Jammy came closer to me and held my hand. A purple hue was given off from his hand and I could sense my Mana increasing.
"Why-"
"Nii chan says he gets angry when he has low mana. I know I got this mana by myself with Drain Touch but I guess I can share some with Nii chan so that he does not get too mad at me." Jammy looked at me with teary eyes.
I embraced Jammy as we both cried ourselves out until we drifted asleep.
With daybreak we could see our location much more clearly. We were near the Crimson Demon Village.
"So this is where Dad was from. It looks really beautiful." I saw the landscape and was absolutely stunned.
"Nii chan how about we go explore the place?" Jammy asked me with hopeful eyes.
"We'll have to keep low profile while being invisible. From my personal experience, we might freak some people out and that's the last thing we want."
After a Few Hours:
I decided to take us back to our hiding spot. Mom was right, this entire village is insane. Washing laundry with cataclysmic spells, keeping the seals for banished Gods as tourist attractions and the copious amounts of tourist bait, what is wrong with this place?
"Nii chan I'm dirty. I wanted to visit the mixed baths." Jammy protested as we came back.
"What are you talking about? Back at home you always complained when mom used to tell you to take a bath but what changed here?"
"Well uh you know. Dad used to tell me stories about hot springs and I just thought they would be nice-"
"Just so you know I've read that their 'Mixed Hot Springs' is neither a hot spring nor is it mixed. Still wanna go?"
"Actually I thought we could save water so never mind." I can hear your disappointment. Dad really filled his mind with dirt.
We stayed around the village just outside the surrounding forest so as to avoid any monsters inside until nightfall.
Man, I'm getting hungry and Jammy would be too. I'll see if I can locate any manatites-
"Nii chan I have an idea for dinner!" Jammy excitedly said.
"What?"
"We can go hidden inside the village and use Drain Touch on the girls to get mana."
"Okay pause. First of all, no, they will wake up if you use Drain Touch and second, why are you specifying girls?"
"Nii chan I have mastery over Drain Touch, they will not wake up."
"Why were you specifying the girls?"
...
...
"Nii chan they will keep sleeping peacefully as I-"
"DON'T IGNORE ME YOU PERV!"
We eventually went ahead with the plan.
Jammy quickly slashed at a girl's pajamas around her chest and then used Drain Touch.
"Wow you really are a master. You even know it is the most effective around the heart." Jammy is surprisingly-
"It is? I just- I mean of course I knew. Ha..." He stared at her bare chest.
Nevermind.
"Nii chan is Drain Touch also effective on the butt?" Jammy asked me curiously.
"No, it's actually one of the worst places as the skin is pretty thick there."
"Are you sure? It feels pretty good."
"When did you do that and stop it you idiot!" I chopped him on his head.
"Owie!"
"That's it we're leaving you pervert."
"But it's such a good source of mana nii chan."
I dragged him out despite his protests. I hope he doesn't make a habit of this sexual harassment.
Few Years Later:
Due to the abundance of high quality Mana we could get everyday we decided to stay in the Crimson Demon Village.
Jammy had become something of a folklegend himself around these parts.
"I can't believe they're still hanging onto that stupid ass name they gave me! Pajama Ripper! This is defamation and character assassination!" Jammy ranted as I quietly laid down and observed him.
"You do know that you're doing everything worthy of that name right? It's accurate if nothing else."
"I thought big brothers were supposed to help out when their little brothers are being bullied but you're just sitting around! You're a NEET and a bum!" He pointed at me.
"No, big brothers are supposed to be guiding lights for their younger siblings. Why would I tell you that your name is unjustified while it is totally warranted?"
"You were a lot more chill when we were younger!"
"And you were such a sweet and innocent kid. I thought you were a brat back then but seeing you know I just cannot comprehend how you are the same kid as back then." I smiled at Jammy.
"Oh you wanna go today?" Jammy got into a fighting stance.
"I've cleaned your shit when you were a baby and I can still do it you ass!" I struck one back.
We were about to fight before I registered some footsteps.
"Hold on somebody is-" Before I could complete,
"Oh don't mind us. Please do continue your sibling bonding time." A girl's voice came as we saw two girls approaching us.
Jammy and I quickly shifted our poses to them. One of the girls was an unnaturally tall woman with red hair and horns on her head. She is clearly not a human and the other one was...was...
"You..." I pointed towards the one that had black hair, yellow eyes and more importantly had priest's clothing, "Are you a priest?"
"What kind of a dumb question is that? Of course I'm a priest, can't you tell by my clothes-"
"DIE BITCH!" I lunged forwards and punched her in the face,
"KH!..." only to have that reflected right back to me as well. I fell down as I tried to recover.
"REN! Oh you two are going are going down!" Jammy formed sickles and charged but he was blocked by the taller girl who drew her sword at an unnatural speed and blocked his attack.
"That is impressive indeed." The girl smiled wryly as she effortlessly pushed Jammy back.
"Well look at this then-" Just as Jammy was about to form tentacles,
"Okay this is enough, Puppet!" We were both completely limp now. I could not control my limbs anymore.
"Look we are not here to fight you two. We are here to give you two an offer." The priest told us.
"Kiss my green ass priest! I don't want anything to do with an Axis or Eris Cultist."
"Actually I'm not from either of those phony faiths. I serve the one true Goddess Regina." The priest remarked as if I said something offensive to her.
"You know this isn't really a nice way to meet someone you're about to propose an offer to." Jammy remarked.
"To be fair you two started it." The taller girl sheathed her sword and remarked.
"You see we have been hearing rumours about some creatures giving Crimson Demons the slip every night, avoiding detection even by their amazing fortune tellers and breaking into their houses every night. We needed to see if it was true and surely enough after seeing you two, I think it is.
I am Maouki, one of the Generals of the Demon King Army and the next in line to be the Demon King herself."
"And I am Serena, another General of the Demon King Army AND Maouki's best friend!" The priest and the tall girl formed a heart with their hands.
"...Wouldn't you be the Demon Queen or something? It is a bit weird to call a girl king or something." I said.
"Don't tell me you're packing anything under there and that's the reason why you would be the king and why you two are 'Best Friends'." Jammy is way too blunt and we noticably pissed them off.
Maouki seemingly popped a vein before calming down. "I assure you I am a girl through and through. Anyways don't you want to hear my offer?"
"What? Are you going to recruit us in your army? Are you getting so desperate that you personally have to go around recruiting people?" Jammy asked.
"You sure do act like hot shit even if you're totally vulnerable. Do you think we can't kill you?" Serena threatened Jammy and he simply laughed.
"Of course you can but you won't. You need us for something don't you." Jammy's words seem to be pretty irritating to Serena.
Maouki acting as a moderator came in between them. "Serena please calm down. You are indeed right, mister umm..."
"I'm Jammy. He's Ren. You seem like a patient person Maouki san, unlike her so go and ask whatever-"
"Are you like the Pajama Ripper-"
"Oi fuck that name you-" Jammy went on an abusive rant that can increase the age rating of a story.
"...Anyways Mr. Ren. Mr. Jammy was right when he said we were desperate because we truly are. We would like to induct you two into our army." Maouki turned to me after Jammy cussed her out.
"Maouki that's way too straight forward with some guys who attacked us on an impulse." Serena protested but was met with a smile and a whisper, 'I know what I'm doing.'
I can hear you idiot!
She then turned back to me "You see, Crimson Demons have been running circles around us. They are constantly harassing our castles and while being aided by strong frontliners are the most fearsome opponents on the battlefield. But look at you two, you make them look like newbies-"
"Oi just so you know we're just doing this for sustenance. We don't want to hurt our crops." Not to mention Dad was also one.
"But we'll be providing you with living shelters and sustenance too. Plus you can have all the women you desire. Just help us deal with them on the battlefield, you don't have to kill them if you don't want to." She's more like a persistent shopkeeper than a Demon General.
"Hey is that women part true? I'm in!" Jammy you goddamn asshole!
"...Okay. And what about you Ren?" Maouki eyed me with a smile.
"Look just because he said yes doesn't mean we're joining. He's an impulsive idiot." I glared at Jammy who looked away.
"Ah but you see, if we win we're going to destroy the Axis and Eris Cult." Wait, this I gotta hear.
"Go on." I reluctantly said.
"Now that caught your attention huh? It's true, Serena here is really jealous- I mean disapproving of the money that the Eris or even the Axis cult manage to collect. She feels it would be better served if the same popularity was given to Lady Regina. What do you say?" She smiled deviously as she reached one hand out for me to shake.
"...We're still puppeted."
"Oh sorry. Even though it was a light punch it pissed me off." Serena undid her spell on us. But that was my strongest punch...
"We have a deal. I look forward to destroying those cultists and getting out of this village so this idiot cannot sexually harass women anymore." I shook hands with Maouki.
"And take care of Crimson Demons bothering us." Maouki added.
"Hey what about me?" Jammy complained.
"The thing about food and shelter is true." Serena told Jammy.
"I don't care about those! Are the babes in?" This idiot!
"Yeah sure. I hope you're okay with non human features though." Maouki said.
"I'm in." Jammy was won over just like that.
After that, we would turn the tide of the battle against the Kingdom. It was going very well, until the day Jammy decided to forget my one rule about Crimson Demons. The day we decided to do something that would benefit the army and not us personally.
They say your life flashes when you're about to die. Is this what's happening right now?
"Tinder! Here catch your gift, Snipe!" Kazuma lit a candle and launched it towards us.
From the way it sounds, I can tell it's dangerous!
"Jammy wait! It's trap!" I can see Jammy registering my words, but is it too late? Have I failed to protect the only family I have left?
BLAST!