Chapter 2

Editing: EddyBT

Part 1

My consciousness abruptly returned to me with the feeling in my body slowly following.

Reviving didn't hurt like I thought it might, but it was certainly disorienting. How did Kazuma manage to get used to this?

Oh right! I'm in this situation because Kazuma was doing something dangerous while I was in heaven.

As I went to rub my eyes I felt my arms get stopped by something. Actually, it wasn't just my arms, something was holding my body in a tight embrace.

I opened my eyes to see Kazuma hugging me tightly, which made me blush slightly.

So he really wasn't doing anything to me while I was gone?

Shortly after my attempt to move, Kazuma noticed I was awake. He looked down at me and we made eye contact.

His eyes were red, was he… crying?

I guess I was so caught up in meeting Eris that I didn't consider what he was going through during all this.

Seeing him in this state I returned the favor and gently hugged him back.

Instead of the content reaction I was expecting, he started shaking me.

"What were you thinking, you idiot? How could you even consider not coming back after all we've been through!"

Well there's the Kazuma I know, and something seemed off about what he just said.

"I never said I wasn't coming back! I just wanted to talk with Eris for a little longer."

"Wait, but Aqua said that-"

Kazuma slowly placed his hands on his temples and started massaging them slowly.

"Goddamnit, I should have known it was just Aqua being stupid again"

Shortly after he slumped down on the couch next to where I was laying, panting heavily.

"Hey, are you sure nothing happened while I was gone?"

Kazuma looked back, offended by the inquiry.

"No, why would-?"

"Then why are you so out of breath?"

Kazuma looked at me again, this time slightly calmer, but definitely impatient.

"I've been running all over the place trying to get you revived, and now I can barely move!"

Kazuma then attempted to get back up from the couch.

"Okay correction, I can no longer move. Looks like my adrenaline's finally given out. Coincidentally I feel like I'm going to pass out"

"Wait, what exactly happened on your end after I was uhh-"

Before I could finish, Kazuma continued in my place.

"Well whatever it was that got you kept running through the forest, looked to be a one-shot-kill bear. My guess is that it didn't mean to kill you, which is why my Detect Enemy didn't go off. Well, that's my theory for it at least"

"Then what happened after the encounter?"

"I ended up bringing you back to the mansion and going out to find Aqua. Thankfully she's as predictable as ever."

"And she was-?"

"Bothering Eris' followers, honestly. I knew it was either that or she was wandering around town considering she'd already visited Wiz at some point today, judging by the miserable state Zereschrute was in."

He continues:

"Yeah, I finally found her at the Eris Church, the interaction went something like…"
~~~~~~~

"Oi! Shitty-Neet! What do you think you're doing dragging me away from my work?"

"And how many times have I told you I need you back at the mansion, and that bothering other faiths doesn't count as work you know!"

"It so does! As a Goddess it's my duty to bring people towards the right side you know? I don't know what they all see in that overrated Goddess Eris!"

I gave Aqua a deadpan stare.

"Eris is more of a Goddess than you'll ever be, and hey, she's in heaven right now while you're down here, so what do you have to say to that all mighty Goddess?"

Aqua started lashing out at me while crying hysterically.

"O-Oh yeah?! Well I'll go contact Eris right now, and have this 'better Goddess' smite you down. Since I'm her Senpai she'll have to do what I say!"
~~~~~~~

"Yeah, after Aqua contacted you two she was willing to cooperate. With her no longer resisting staying behind she eventually came back with me to the mansion where she revived you and then made fun of me for worrying. I ended up shooing her away."

"Ah, that's why she didn't resist. It was for my sake."

"For your sake?"

Kazuma shot me a depressed look.

"Do you really still not trust me? I know I've been bad but c'mon even I have limits, jeez!"

I guess I should've put more trust in him. He's always acted rash but ended up being spineless when it comes to committing to these kinds of things after all.

"But that reminds me."

Hmm?

"When you went to heaven you met Eris right?"

"Yeah, while we waited she offered to answer my questions, but was unable to most of them."

Kazuma gave me a suspicious look.

"Are you sure you weren't giving her impossible questions?"

"Well of course I didn't, she's a Goddess after all, she should know everything!"

"I know for certain Goddesses don't know everything, and did you even give her time to answer all your questions?"

"Well… I think I did at least."

Kazuma sighed and gave up on leaning up, collapsing back onto the couch.

"So you're really alright after all this? Nothing wrong?"

"Well…"

I went to quickly inspect myself.

"No, I feel great surprisingly. No injuries left, I guess Aqua really does have a grasp on reviving people."

"Well that's good to hear. I'm completely drained right now, so I'm just gonna nap for a while and try to get some energy back."

"Oh? Well I'm quite tired myself after today, so I'm sure you wouldn't mind if I joined you?"

"Ehhh? But the couch is so cramped, and hey, what's to say I don't do something now huh?"

"If I remember correctly you're unable to move anyway, and besides, I'm starting to trust that you do have these limits."

Kazuma looked conflicted but eventually came to a conclusion.

"Alright fine, but don't complain if anything happens."

"Well alright then."

I said while snuggling beside him, continuing with:

"I won't have to complain, since nothing's gonna happen."

"Hey, you never-"

Before I could hear him finish, I ended up closing my eyes and drifting off.

In the end they both ended up sleeping peacefully.

Part 2

I slowly opened my eyes as I woke from my slumber. I remember going for a nap earlier, but judging from the warm light coming into the room it had already gone a bit into the evening.

As I leaned up I felt some resistance. Looking to my side I saw Megumin holding onto my arm. Wait, what's she doi-

Right, the revive scene earlier. Damn, it's hard to believe I'd forget about something like that, but whatever. Probably a side effect to pushing my body further that it's used to.

Either way, the touching scene is not quite something I'm used to, which I'm sure is reflecting on the light blush I'm wearing right now.

"I guess I'll try to get up and not disturb her sleep."

After a painfully slow accent from the couch onto the carpeted floor, I made my way to the kitchen to get myself something to eat. Unsurprisingly after all this, I was extremely hungry.

Unfortunately for me, the kitchen was mostly emptied of any food items.

Ugh, because of course we had to run out of food today of all days.

I guess I'll be going out to eat. Before I go I better get Megumin, I'm sure she's hungry as well.

Making my way back over to the living room, I see Megumin sitting up on the couch rubbing her eyes.

"Hey, I'm going out for food since the kitchen's nearly empty, you wanna come?"

"Mmn? Oh sure, just give me a little to get ready."

"Fine, but you better not take too long, I'm starving!"

"And do you think I'm not? Just give me a couple minutes I'll meet you at the door!"

"Alright, but you better not take too long!"

After waiting a few minutes, Megumin finally emerged from around the corner wearing her familiar black dress.

"Oh? What's with the get-up? We're only going out to eat."

"Yeah well, my adventuring gear is still dirty from earlier, and besides. This is sort of a date isn't it?"

I could feel my face heat up a little.

"Y-yeah, well I wasn't planning on going anywhere fancy, just-"

"I'm sure where ever we eat will be fine"

As she said I could feel her arm wrapping around mine.

This girl, where'd all this confidence come from?

After that awkward interaction we made our way towards town, browsing for a place to pick up a meal.

While browsing I thought about the events that transpired earlier, and ended up thinking of some more questions..

"Hey Megumin?"

"Hmmm?"

"What was it like?"

"What was it like?"

"Well... dying. you seemed to take the entire thing pretty well."

"...Oh. Well, other than the initial pain, which I mean now I understand why you complain, it wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be."

"Well, it's good to hear it hasn't affected you too much."

Actually now that I think about it, the sudden confidence probably sprung up from the event.

"Yeah, I'm more curious about what a one-shot-kill bear was doing in that part of the woods. Normally there aren't any monsters in the area."

"I was wondering the same thing myself. Hey, since it's not too late why don't we visit Wiz's after eating? Maybe Vanir could answer some of our questions."

"Hmm, that is a tempting , why not? And hey, maybe we'll run into Aqua on the way."

Oh right, now that she mentions it, Aqua has yet to return from her day of 'work'. If anything we'd be lucky to avoid whatever attention she's getting right about now.

In the end we couldn't decide on any outside places to eat and got something from the guild as per usual.

Arriving at Wiz's shop my attention immediately set on the blue thing of trouble I was hoping to avoid earlier.

"Oi, what do you mean Wiz still isn't here? This is my second time visiting today and she's still avoiding me! Not to mention the disrespect you've shown to one of your most valuable customers!"

"O hopeless archpriest, you have lost all due respect through your actions and mere nature, and it would be greatly appreciated if you would stop killing my flippered servant!"

Looking around the store it seems that Zereschrute had gone from gloomily sweeping a corner to hiding out of sight, presumably a back room.

It's hard not to feel bad for the guy despite what he's done up to this point.

"Oh, if it isn't the brat and his beloved companion. Would it be too much work for you to keep this accursed blue demon out of our store!"

"Oi Kazuma, this jerk keeps trying to kick me out, come over here and back me u-"

I walked towards Vanir nudging Aqua out of the way.

"Oi Neet! What do you think you're doing!"

"Anyways, Vanir, I'm sure you've already foreseen why we're here so I'll skip the formalities and just ask this. If you foresaw what happened in the forest why not warn us directly?!"

As I began to yell at Vanir, Megumin and Aqua went around browsing the shop, with Vanir keeping an eye on Aqua as we conversed.

"Oh ho my tragic hero, I did not foresee whatever event you may speak of, all I offered was some friendly advice before you left. Wouldn't want any falling related accidents would we?"

Vanir was saying all this through a wide grin, meaning he was just messing with me, so I'll try to maintain my composure.

"Well if you didn't foresee the accident in the forest…"

Yeah right he didn't.

"...then what was the one-shot-kill bear doing near us anyway?"

"Oh ho, well if this isn't the perfect opportunity for moi."

well this is the one time moi is grammatically correct so I guess I'll keep it

Uh oh, why I get a feeling he's-

"You see, the wretched shopkeep has piled up more of the typical useless items, and you are in need of information. How about you buy this new backwards stock off moi, and I'll tell you what you need to know"

Yeah I knew he'd try to profit off this somehow, damn. Guess I'll go with it.

"Ugh, much for the items?"

"Just a measly 10,000 Eris. It shouldn't be a problem for you, yes?"

"Yeah that's fine, what did Wiz even buy anyway?"

"They're toy earplugs that amplify sound so you can hear things quite far away from yourself."

"The downside being?"

"It amplifies all sound, and a little too well at that. So it would seem you can't hear one specific thing and it just ends up giving you a migraine. In worse case scenarios you could go deaf for a short period of time."

Jeez, where does Wiz even find this stuff?

"Yes I cannot exactly sell these to the general public, as the side effects are too harmful to market."

"Yeah yeah, well that's enough about these things, what's going on with the forest?"

"Quite anxious to find out hmm? Well lets see… Ah, it seems someone has moved quite the monster into the area."

"Wait, what?"

"Oh yes, it seems someone has disturbed the wildlife by introducing a despicable monster to the habitat. What monster you may ask? Well, that information shall come with three easy payments of 50,000 Eris!"

"Ah forget it, can you at least tell me if we could handle the thing?"

"Of course you could handle said creature, but whether or not your companions can? Mwahahahah, well I guess you'll find out on your own then."

As Vanir breaks down into laughter once more I slowly leave the shop taking Megumin and Aqua with me.

So something has been moved into the forest, and that's what's scaring off monsters?

"Hey Kazuma, did you get any information out of Vanir?"

"Oh yeah, kind of. All he told me was someone moved a monster into the forest and it was disturbing the wildlife."

"Anything else?"

"Apparently I'll be able to handle it, but he wouldn't tell me if you guys could."

"Ugh, I don't like this. Getting involved with him usually doesn't turn out poorly, but his lack of straight answers never feels right."

"Yeah, all I do know is we're waiting for Darkness to get back before we go deal with whatever's disturbing the forest."

Megumin looked at me with a confused, yet happy expression.

"Wait really? I thought you'd use this as an excuse to stay inside, and ultimately try to just avoid the issue completely."

How low does everyone think of me?! Typically I might've done something like that, but it's different this time!

"Well, I guess I have a reason to go after it. Think of this as a revenge quest of sorts."

Upon hearing revenge, Megumin's eyes lit up a bright red.

"Ohho, revenge? This perfectly appeals to my Crimson Demon senses! It will be a hard fought battle, and we shall embark early tomorrow-"

"Hold it! We're not going until Darkness gets back, got it? She shouldn't be gone for too much longer, so let's just wait until then."

"Hmn, fine. Sorry I just got a little over excited there."

Finally we approached the mansion, and after the day I've had I cannot wait to go lay in my room.

At this point it'd started getting fully dark, so we all headed off to bed. Considering Darkness hadn't gotten back yet, I assumed she'd be back tomorrow.

I guess that gives me time to think about the situation ahead of us and the main, lingering question left in my head.

Just what kind of monster are we dealing with here?