Bless This World With A Stranger

by RhineWrites

Arc 8: Konosuba Inferno (chapters 37-?)

20. A4-4: Survive

Chapter 4: Surviving Another One With My (Maybe) Harem

====================={Part 1: Darkness and Yunyun: Guilt }======================

(Yunyun POV)

"Over there, the passageway to our right."

I heard Darkness say to me as I looked and saw her pointing while looking back at me.

"Um... yeah, OK."

After a pause, she asked me-

"Is something on your mind, Yunyun? You seem to be a bit distracted ever since we got separated from the others. In fact, you've been acting all weird for a while now."

Was I really THAT obvious here?

Who am I kidding, of course I must be.

After all, I've always worn my emotions out on my sleeves-

I can't hide neither my feelings, nor my thoughts, even if my life depended on it.

"I-I'm just worried about the others. With us all being separated from each other like we were, how can we be sure the others are doing OK in here?"

"I'm sure they're fine, Yunyun. I mean, the two of us ended up here in the same place so it's a safe assumptions that the others found themselves being paired up too. That would mean that we have been split three ways. And seeing as we haven't run into any troubles yet, I'm sure the others haven't had any yet either."

"But how can you be sure of that? Maybe it was just luck that saw us being sent to the same place? And what if the reason we haven't run into any trouble is because the trouble is all focused on them."

After a moment of having my thoughts wandering, distracting me from the world around me and the going-ons within, I feel a hand come to rest upon my shoulder.

I then look to see Darkness standing before me, giving me a comforting look.

"It's going to be OK, Yunyun. We will all be OK here. I confess that I'm also worried about them, about the possibility that all the dangers of this place may be targeting them right now. But I trust that no matter the dangers that we all may face in here, we will all make it out in the end. After all, everyone on this team is strong and more than capable of holding there own."

A quick pause, then Darkness adds-

"Though if I'm also being honest here, I am a little worried about Megumin as being in this place won't allow her to use her Explosion spell. Luckily, regardless of who she ended up with, she won't be in to much danger in here, at least I hope so."

You mean, at least you're hoping that she isn't by herself because that could cause some trouble then.

Still, your words were comforting to me at least.

"Thanks Darkness, hearing that does make me feel a little bit better now."

{Insert Image 1}

Darkness nods at me before we continue into the passageway to the next...

Wait, just were was it leading us anyways?

To an exit, to the center of this place?

I wonder if Darkness is wondering the same thing as me?

As we enter the next room, Darkness stops and looks at me again.

"Yunyun... wanna talk about the other thing that's plaguing your thoughts while it's just the two of us?"

Eh?

"What do you mean, Darkness? I don't have anything else... on my mind..."

Darkness's response to my reply was to lean in closer and give me a 'I know you know there's something else going on in there' look.

It made me feeling really uncomfortable, and even a little scared, as I looked into her intimidating eyes.

"Really? Funny, because I can tell just by looking at you that there's something more stewing inside that head of yours so out with it. Let big sis Darkness hear the details so I can offer up to you my greater degree of expertise and understanding about things."

I begin to sweat, I begin to panic, I really want to turn and run away-

But I knew no matter what I did, what I said, that she wouldn't let me be until I told her something, anything.

And, truth be told, she was right; there was something else plaguing my thoughts.

It had been going on for a while now and with what had happened recently, it was getting to the point of driving me crazy inside.

So... maybe it was time I got this off my chest and talked about it with someone.

I mean, maybe she was right; maybe she could help me find an answer I haven't been able to yet?

I sigh, then I finally open up to her.

"It's... about Kazuma. (Kazuma?) nod Yes, about Kazuma. Ever since I joined the party... no, even before joining, he has done nothing but nice things for me. On the day we met, he didn't laugh either at my name nor my introductory pose, something that was the norm for us Crimson Demons when dealing with outsiders. Even more than that, he returned our clans introductory pose with one of his own, something I have never heard of anyone doing before."

"The next time I saw him, he bought food from a stall for me because I was to shy and nervous to go do it myself. He also got a Winter Shogun doll for me, even though he didn't have too. He then offered to be my friend and even asked me to join the party. It hadn't even been twenty four hours since our first meeting with one another yet within that time, he had already done so much more for me than everyone else I have in my life, have ever met in my life, put together."

"He let me know my old clothes weren't the sort of attire a girl my age should be going around in, trying to make friends as the kind of friends it could attract are of the type a girl like me wouldn't want to make. He helped me get the clothes I currently wearing and has even giving me this ring I now wear on my right hand. I can't thank him enough for everything he's done for me... so why... why did THAT have to happen?"

I could feel myself begin to shake, feeling tears start to fall as I then said-

"I-I went and did something that really hurt him. He was my first REAL friend and has done so much for me, and in return I forgot about him and made him cry; I even laughed at him when he was teetering on the edge of a vulnerable place. I've been wanting to do something for him, to repay him for all of his kindness... so... why did it have to be that of all things...?"

Unable to hold myself back, mainly because I had never been good at doing stuff like that, I finally broke down and began to cry hard.

I feel Darkness pull me into her embrace as she runs her hand up and down my back, letting me cry my tears into her armor.

"There, there, Yunyun. It's alright, none of what happened back there was your fault. It wasn't no one's fault... well, it was that Alonzo guys fault for not realizing what our relationship with Kazuma was and doing the right thing with releasing us from our devotion towards him. Never mind that for now; point is, don't go beating yourself up over something that we couldn't help or control. Kazuma's said he doesn't hold that against us so you shouldn't either, OK."

I could feel myself nod as I continue to cry for a bit more.

Finally, I was able to pull away and wipe the tears still on my cheek away with my sleeve.

"So, are you feeling better now?"

"timid nod Yeah, I think so at least. Thank you Darkness, I needed to hear that said aloud... again."

I had heard that said several times already; the night at the inn after Kazuma had run off, and even a few times today too, including this moment.

Never seems to want to stick for long though.

Guess that's just another part of who I am that I need to overcome here.

"I still want to repay Kazuma for all that he's done for me since the day we first met, though. Even if I were to put aside the latest incident, there's still so much more that I owe him. I just don't know what it is I can do to repay him though? What would you do if you were me, Darkness?"

Darkness's takes on an inquisitive pose as she gives my question some thought.

"Hm? What would I do, what would I do? pause Well, if it were me, I guess I would just fuck him as my thank you to him."

Eh-EH-EEEHHH!

F-f-f-f-f-f-uck him?

Probably because of the reaction that I was having mentally was showing up very clearly on my face, Darkness gets a devious smirk as she leans in close to me and says-

"Yes, dear Yunyun, I believe you did hear what I just said correctly. I would wait till late in the night, when everyone else is asleep, then I would go to his room and let myself in, locking the door behind me. I would then strip for him if he was awake before crawling into his bed and I would use my body to thank him... over and over and over again, all night long until he was satisfied and then... I would return the next night... and the night after that, all to repeat the process for as long as he wanted me to. Or maybe, for as long as we would both would want it to go on."

By now, all logical thought had come to a halt inside my head as my cheeks were at the pinkest they had ever been; my body barely remaining standing as I rocked back and forth while sputtering out nonsensical words from my mouth.

Darkness then pulls away as she laughs at my current state.

"Man, you are SO much easier to tease than the others. I know I shouldn't be doing this but I can't help myself here. This is just so much fun; thank you Yunyun."

After a few more minutes, once I had finally recovered mentally, possibly emotionally, I glare at Darkness as I yell out-

"Darkness, that wasn't funny. Here I am, opening up to you about something important and you turn it around into being some sort of joke for your amusement. You need to be punished for that; I need to have Kazuma punish you for that."

Darkness chuckles at my words, which makes me even madder as my glare intensifies.

"Yeesh, you've been hanging out with Kazuma to long, he really is becoming a bad influence on you, Yunyun. Still, I am sorry about that. I couldn't resist doing that."

After a pause, she then says to me-

"OK, in all seriousness, why are you so worried about doing something for Kazuma in return for all that stuff? I mean, don't get me wrong here, I can understand the why in doing something as a thank you for someone who has done something for you, but it's really nothing so important that you have to be guilting your brain over having not done anything yet. Has Kazuma said anything about you repaying him?"

I shake my head furious at the question.

"No, he hasn't said anything and I'm sure he would tell me not to worry about it if I ever brought this subject with him. Knowing that just makes me want to do something to repay him even more."

"OK? But my question still remains; just why is it so important to you? What, are you in love with Kazuma or something, Yunyun?"

I didn't respond; instead lowering my head to escape her gaze as my blush shifts from embarrassment to being one of shyness.

"Oh lady Eris above, you are aren't you? You're in love with Kazuma."

It takes me a second or two more before I was able to answer her.

"I-I don't know; I think so? Growing up, I was always alone. My parents were always busy with running the village, the people who called me friends usually used that word alongside asking me for something. And people who I thought could be friends with usually had questionable motives behind them. Kazuma was the first person I ever truly felt a connection with. And now, when ever I think of him, when I just around him, I feel this warmth coming from deep inside my heart towards him. And when I see him hurting, I feel like my hearts is suffering too."

"Is this what love feels like? Does this mean I love him? I don't know because I'm still all so new to all of it. All I know is this; Kazuma is currently the most important person in my life and I couldn't be happier about that."

I look at Darkness again and see her smiling at me.

"Sounds like love if you ask me, Yunyun. Keep in mind, you aren't the only one who feels that way."

"Eh? Wait, so are you saying that you also...?"

Darkness shakes her head, then says-

"I don't know yet, as far as I am concerned. I might have said maybe to that question before if someone had asked me; but after that brief time hanging out with Walther, I can say I have several options in my heart to choose from. However, I'm pretty sure Megumin and Cielo probably feel the same way for Kazuma that you do, even if they can't be honest with themselves and admit to it yet for one reason or another. Hell, between you and me, I think Chris might have eyes for him too."

"Wait, really? How do you know that, Darkness?"

"Well, I don't really know for a certainty here. Let's just call it a hunch. Anyways, my advice to you, Yunyun, is to figure out if you really love him or not as soon as possible. While there isn't any law that says Kazuma can't have multiple wives if he wanted, and if the girls he could get with are fine with that, there's still something to be said about being the first, right? And on that topic, would YOU be cool with sharing him should any of those three want a piece of the Kazuma pie as well?"

Would I be OK with sharing Kazuma with other girls if I do determine that I am in love with him?

I think I would...

A sudden shift in the coloring of the room pulls me from my thoughts.

The lights, which had been blue before had now shifted to a green color.

"What's going on, why have the lights..."

"It must mean that the Minotaur had been awakened and is on the hunt. Sorry, Yunyun, but lets leave this little chit-chat we've been having here for later. We need to find the others and get out of here quickly."

I nod as we begin to look for the next Alpha symbol.

In that moment, we see panels along the ground open up as snakes begin to slither out; snakes with metallic bodies.

And there were a lot of them, way more than I was really comfortable with seeing.

"Darkness, these must be part of the defensive element to this place. Should we try to fight them or should we make a run for it?"

When I didn't get an immediate response, I look over to see if there was anything wrong.

Oh yes, there was something wrong indeed as I saw Darkness's cheeks had gone all pink here; with her body shaking and her breaths coming out in ragged perverse sounds.

"Just look at all these little wigglers, Yunyun; so big and long and thick, its as if they were all autonomous tentacles moving towards me. I think they must be planning on slithering their way into my armor through the openings between the joints. They'll try to invade my private places and cause me to feel such dark and perverted desires and no matter how hard I try to struggle, I will be unable to endure their ravenous violations and be left shamed and unable to look forward to a happy future hereafter."

"Darkness, please don't say that, especially to a girl like me. I don't want my first time to be taken my these scary looking things."

Darkness then laughs as she brings out her sword.

"Don't worry, Yunyun. I'll make sure to take them all in your place so that you can save your virtue for Kazuma. Now stand back and let me embrace my destiny at last."

Darkness then runs into the approaching mechanical snakes and begins whacking at them, easily hitting them due to how many there were on the ground already.

I meanwhile, spin around and quickly began to cast Intermediate level magic against the ones approaching me, choosing to use intermediate magic as I was worried going straight into using advanced magic could run the risk of causing this place to collapse.

As I blast one snake after another, I find myself really wishing I had been partnered up with anyone else in the group right about now.

Not because I didn't like Darkness, but because being stuck in a situation like this with just her was the most exhausting thing one could ever expect to experience.

As I was lost in my thoughts while focusing on keeping myself, and Darkness safe, I fail to notice the colors on the wall shift again, now becoming yellow-

====================={ Part 2: Chris and Megumin: Question }=====================

(Megumin POV)

"Chris huff huff, can we stop and rest for a few minutes? My legs are starting to hurt here."

Chris stops and looks back at me as I fall onto my butt, groaning from the discomfort that action brought me.

"What, are you serious? We haven't been walking more than ten minutes. Don't tell me the great and powerful Megumin's greatest weakness is that she can't go more than a few minutes of walking without becoming pooped?"

I glare at her as I snap back in response-

"Can it, you... I can't help it, I... my legs are just extra tired today is all."

"Probably because you wanted Kazuma to keep carrying you around everywhere."

"And I'd be doing that now too if I had only been lucky enough to have been left alone with him. Pause Why couldn't I have been left alone with Kazuma?"

The next thing I knew, Chris had come REAL close to me, giving me a suspicious look.

"OH! Wanting some alone time with out Kazuma here, is it? What, were you planning on asking him to continue your little 'massage treatments' with him? Perhaps maybe even ask him to help you out with 'other areas' on top of that. Come on, just between us girls, what is really going on within that filthy little mind of your's anyways?"

I blush hard as I pull away, trying and failing to get anything to come out of my mouth apart from a few stutters.

She then pulls back and laughs at me, making me pout as I look away from her.

"I really wish I hadn't been stuck with you right now."

"Oh relax, Megumin. I was only teasing you so don't take it to personally. Besides, I view this as a golden opportunity for the two of us to sit back, chat, and get to know each other better."

Yeah, I guess that's true.

Still would have preferred to be alone with Kazuma though-

Wait, why is it my cheeks are starting to become warmer from the thought of us alone?

Damn it; you just had to start making all my thoughts right now get all weird here, Chris.

After a few moments to get my head back in order, I mumble out just to myself-

"I really do hope the others are OK right now?"

"Don't worry, I'm sure they must be fine. After all, our friends aren't idiots. They can do some... crazy and questionable things at times, but they aren't idiots... I think?"

I look at her, hoping that she was right and surprised at how good her hearing was.

I was sure I had spoken quietly enough so that she wouldn't have been able to hear me.

"Besides, Megumin; you are the only one I'd be worried about leaving alone in a place like this."

I give her a hard stare, wanting to ask her exactly what it was she meant by that but I already had a good idea about that and I didn't want to give her anymore teasing fuel to use on me.

She had enough of that as it is already for my liking.

After waiting for my response to come for a few seconds, she sighs then says-

"Say, I haven't seen Nia around any...where...?"

She clearly catches me glaring at her again as I say-

"Chomusuke!"

"nervously Yeah... right, that name. Anyways, I haven't seen... her since before we left the inn. Any ideas where she is right now?"

"Why does everyone have such a problem with my names? I have it on good authority that I have a great sense for naming things. Why must all of you be the ones who come up with silly names and expect them to be liked by everyone?"

Chris doesn't respond; instead choosing to look away from me which makes me sigh.

I then sigh, deciding to drop the topic before pulling my hat off to reveal the little lazy bones sleeping beneath.

"She's been right here since we left the inn. This child has always been a rather lazy girl since she came into my life; alternating between eating more than me and my little sister combined and sleeping for multiple days in a row if it suits her fancy."

Chris nods before finally sitting opposite me.

"So, you said you see this as a good opportunity for the two of us to talk, to get to know each other better? Fine the, let's start talking. I'll even let you go first here."

After a few moments, Chris finally begins her question asking.

"Hm, let me see here. Well, for starters, mind telling me why you've been so clingy with Kazuma today? I mean, ever since we picked you and Yunyun up from the Axis Church, you have pretty much stuck to him like glue and even before, back at then inn, I didn't fail to notice you get all pouty when I suggested I go with Kazuma while you and Yunyun teamed up for your task."

"I didn't complain about it, if that's what you're inferring."

"No, you didn't which I am glad about. Still, you have been wanting to stay as close to him as possible. Any particular reason for that? Maybe something to do with your little alone time last night?"

I quickly, maybe even furiously, shake my head at the implications in her words.

"No, no-no-no, it's nothing like that. It's... well, sigh I don't want him to be out of my sight again, not after what happened on the road here."

I then feel an hand come to rest on my shoulder and I hear Chris say-

"I'm listening, Megumin. Go ahead and tell me what we both know you want... you need to say here."

I sigh again before I decide to just go ahead and do as she suggested; to bare my thoughts and feelings out so I could maybe get some clarity with things.

"Kazuma... from the day we first met... well, the day I had met him anyways, has been a constant source of good things in my life. He saved me from potential starvation. Then, when I decided to give trying to join a party full time one last chance, he was there to save me from admitting defeat and returning home and feeling like a failure in the process."

"He gave me my new staff, he gave me a new home to live in, as well as as much food as I could eat and new clothes. He's been everything that I have ever hoped for, ever needed in my life. So much so that after what happened before, because of that Alonzo guy, I don't want to be apart from Kazuma because I fear that if I am, something else will happen, something bad, that will only lead to him being hurt again and I don't ever want that to happen... never again."

Chris gives me a smile as she says-

"None of us wants that, Megumin. And as long as we're together, I'm sure we can make sure it won't."

"But can we really though?"

My sudden question definitely wasn't one Chris had expected; I'm sure of that.

"I mean, we were all together, more or less, on the trip here and look what happened. We still ended up being captured by that guys charisma and charm and you know what it took to bring us out of it. And if Kazuma hadn't... needed to put himself out there like he did, then how much longer would it have taken us to finally snap out of it and recall what we should have never forgotten to begin with, regardless of the reason."

"Megumin...? Look, we made a mistake that morning, we all can acknowledge that one. We should have made more of an effort to have Kazuma placed within the same carriage as us instead of being fine with the solution we went with. We also have to consider our final action was also one that came about because of Alonzo as he was already riding in the carriage to start with. In truth, we really don't know and probably never will know either."

I nod at her words before lightly pulling her hand from my shoulder.

"But that isn't all though. When I think back on it, going all the way back to the day me and Kazuma formed this party, I can't help but be reminded of all the failings on my part; all the pain I have caused him."

"On our first quest together, I failed to alert him to certain details about my powers that got me covered in slime. While that was more of a 'me' punishment there, it still caused him issues as that's pretty much where the negative rumors about him began. There's also the fact I, while in a panic that he was going to ditch me like all the others, nearly choked him to death without first letting him say his peace; using those female Adventurer's and their words as a means of bribery when it wasn't actually needed."

"I then made a mess of things over at the Guild Hall, causing a lot of damage, and giving Kazuma one of the worst kind of injury's a guy can suffer, which resulted in us owing a fine, having to stay the night in jail, and being barred from going inside the guild for a full two weeks."

"Then came the Verdia incident. My lie, alongside dragging Kazuma off with me to that old abandoned castle brought Verdia to Axel and my stubbornness in refusing to give Verdia and apology resulted in Kazuma suffering even more. And then, of course, there is the matter of me, and Darkness, running off like we did because of debt panic."

"I can go on and on, but what's the point because something has already become clear to me. Kazuma has done SO MUCH for me since the day we have met. And, in return, all I have ever done is make things hard for him; made him suffer so much."

"Sometimes... I wonder if it would be better... if HE would be better off if I wasn't around anymore..."

The next thing I know, I felt something hard hitting my cheek, making my head jerk to the side.

I then place my hand against the cheek that had been slapped while looking at a very angry Chris.

"Don't say that again, don't EVER say that again, Megumin. Never ever again. Yes, you have made some mistakes... plenty in fact. We all have made at least one where Kazuma is concerned, just like he has made a few with us in turn. Nothing in life is perfect, even relationships. As much as we wish that things would be perfect, we have to accept the fact that it is something that just can't be made possible."

"Also, if Kazuma didn't want you around anymore, he would have asked you to leave already. The fact of the matter is; Kazuma does want you around because he does care about you, like he does with all of us. If he didn't want us around, then he would have asked us to leave already."

"But what if he does but hasn't said it yet because he wants to spare my feelings and..."

"You're over-thinking this, Megumin; you're worrying to much. If its such a big fear in your mind, then why don't you go ahead and ask him when we find him. Have him silence that doubt inside you once and for all with his own words."

Silence my fears and doubts with his own words?

Yeah, I really should do that, huh?

I then sense Chris getting to her feet, then looking down upon me.

"Megumin, have you ever felt that your meeting with Kazuma wasn't just by chance. Have you ever wondered if your meeting him was something fated to happen; like it was your destiny to meet him?"

Huh, what do you mean by that, Chris?

Wait a moment; what is this sudden feeling that I'm...?

Chris then begins to circle me, her tone being for more serious than I had ever heard it be before.

"Judging from the look on your face, I can assume you have indeed felt something, even if you are only just now becoming aware of it because of my words. The two of you are connected, Megumin. You have been for a long long time, so much more than you could ever possibly imagine. A connection that binds you both together with that Crimson Thread of Fate."

Crimson Thread of Fate?

Wait, just how does Chris know about that old fable?

I thought that story was only known amongst us Crimson Demons?

I go to ask her that question, but stop to find she had extended her hand to mine, which I take.

Once I was back on my feet, she says to me-

"Surely, you must be wondering how I know about that fable from your clan? Who knows? Perhaps I'm the one who gave them the idea to begin with? No matter, all that needs to be said is this, Megumin. You two have a special connection; one that makes it possible for one to find the other in times of great need. No matter the distance that comes between you two, the walls that divides you, trust in the thread and follow it where ever it leads you and you two will always find one another once again."

Hearing her words makes that feeling I had felt from deep inside myself become warmer as I smile at her.

"Thanks Chris, I really needed to hear that; all of it. So, what should we do now?"

"Well, for now; we should get back to looking for the others before anything unwanted decides to come looking for us. The walls are still blue right now so I'm guessing the guardian of this place still doesn't know we're here yet. Best to capitalize on that fact and hurry to get this little search done quickly."

I nod in agreement with her words.

Chris then began to walk forward, failing to notice an important little detail.

"Chris... wait, that isn't the right...?"

"HUH?"

Said Chris as she steps into the passage she had chosen to enter.

Immediately, a buzzer goes off as the blue lights shift to green in color.

She then looks back at me, all confused as I tell her-

"In all your walking around me just before, you may have failed to noticed you had stopped before the wrong passageway."

Chris immediately comes running out and looks up at the door to see that it did indeed have the omega symbol above it.

"Wha-what the? Th-that can't be... in all my years of doing stuff like this... I have never had bad luck before. How the hell did this just happen to me?"

She then looks at me and I at her, not knowing how to respond.

We then hear another noise from above, making us look up towards the ceiling.

Openings all across the room had appeared and from with in them came-

A rain of mechanical spiders down upon the ground... and us too.

Slightly bigger than regular spiders, they were quick to awaken and move towards is.

That alone was freaky, and scary, enough as is-

But then we realize that some had come down right on top of us, having started to crawl all over us-

And that led to one very worthy reaction from the two of us.

"EEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKK!"

We both scream at the top of our lungs and bolt from the room, all the while knocking as many of those damn things off ourselves as quickly as we could-

And all the while, the hoards of spiders that had come raining down were hot on our heels.

Their intentions unknown and I was confident that neither of us were wanting to stick around and find out.

====================={ Part 3: Cielo and Kazuma: Request }======================

(Cielo POV)

"Kazuma... these scorpions creatures are getting bigger."

"Oh really, thank you for telling me something that was oh so obvious here."

Needless to say, neither one of us were in the best of moods at the moment.

After finding ourselves being sent to some random room, separated from the others, we had begun to explore this place; hoping to find both them and and treasure at the center of this place.

It had been nice at first, just the two of us, I mean.

The last time me and Kazuma had been alone together had been back at Verdia's castle.

Not that I didn't like having the others around, I do really-

But, confession time here I guess, there are times I... well, that I want to have some alone time with Kazuma.

Not because I secretly liked him or anything-

Wait, I mean I do like him but I don't like-like him.

My thoughts on that quickly became all scrambled which Kazuma hadn't failed to notice.

He had then asked me while placing a hand on my shoulder-

"Cielo, are you OK? Your face has started turning red all of a sudden?"

My response, due to his sudden touch, was to lash out and send him flying into wall.

After a second passed, letting my brain process what had just happened, I began to panic as I ran over to Kazuma, in order to see if he was OK as well as to heal him.

As I did so, he mumbled quietly to himself-

"... damn it, what's with all this tsundere cliché stuff now...?"

After I had finished healing him, and apologizing for who know how many times at this point-

Kazuma had picked himself up and had told me to forget about it; to really really forget about it.

After that, we had started going from one room to another, one long hallway to another.

We didn't speak much in that times which was making me a little nervous.

Was Kazuma mad at me over what had just happened?

Or maybe he was still thinking about the last few days?

Just as I built of the courage to ask him, the lights shifted from blue to green and we found ourselves being attacked by these metallic scorpions that emerged from openings within the walls.

And now, here we are, fighting and killing these things as more and more poured out into the room we were in, with some of them turning all liquid like and merging together to make bigger scorpions.

"Won't this ever end?"

I yelled as I went from punching one scorpion to the next.

The small ones were, luckily, easy to kill, but I was finding the bigger they came, the more effort we needed to put into slaying them.

"Sure, when we're both dead."

Said Kazuma, jokingly as he used the chain on his sword to swing it around rapidly in order to deflect the weird green liquid there things would sometimes shoot from the stingers on their tails.

"That doesn't help encourage me here, Kazuma. Try to be more positive."

"Oh, you want some positive here? Sure, how about I'm positive one of the others must have fucked up somehow."

"And how do you figure that one?"

I asked him that as I dodge an attempted stinging from one of the bigger scorpions, grabbing its tail before it can retract it, then using all my strength to swing the whole thing up and over me, sending it slamming back down onto the ground, taking out a crap ton of the smaller ones.

Actually, the big ones can make for an effective club so I start going around, grabbing more of the big ones by their tails in order to do just that.

"Well, things had been going all nice and peaceful around here till just a few minutes ago. That tells me one of two things. One, these little blights are either auto-summoned after a set amount of time has passed or two, someone entered an omega path which triggers the awakening of the self defense for this place. Right now, judging by how things usually go for us, I'm leaning towards option two."

Damn, can't argue with that kind of logic, huh?

"Well, if it really was option two, then I hope whoever screwed up here is ready because when I find out who made the booboo, I will drag them back to my family's home, take them down into the training dogo and make them go through the, as my dad called it, the Dungeon of Fisting routine as punishment."

Kazuma sputters before laughing... HARD at hearing me.

I look at him, leaving my body to instinctively react to the incoming dangers on its own, as I ask him-

"What is that? What are you doing? Why are you laughing at me all of a sudden?"

Once he had calmed down from is rather insane sounding giggle fest, he looks at me with tear filled eyes and says-

"The,,, the Dungeon of Fisting? Your dad... no, your whole family... calls their training room the snort the DUNGEON OF FISTING?"

"Um... yeah, what else would we of the Monk class call our training dogo, Kazuma?"

Kazuma burst out into laughing again, this time falling onto the ground as he kicks the air happily, making a vein pop on my head as I found myself really wanting to grab another of the big ones and use it to punish Kazuma for his seemingly making fun of my family and the names they give things.

Once he calmed down again, he quickly dispatches the scorpions he had been dealing with before making his way over to me.

"Sorry but... that's just to funny for a guy like me to have just heard and not react too. Anyways, I'm guessing you, and by extension, your family doesn't know what the term 'fisting' infers. Or maybe they never told you what it represents."

"Or maybe it means something different here in my country than it does in yours. (He gives me a shrug in response) Anyways Kazuma, mind telling me what you've been told it means then?"

He nods before leaning in close, to whisper it into my ear.

Wasn't sure why he was telling me this way, especially as it was just the two of us in here-

Along with the scorpions but they didn't count did they?

Anyways, he begins to tell me, my eyes getting wider and wider and my cheeks redder and redder as he speaks; making my body shake violently.

Once he was done, I go from squeaking aloud to shrieking even louder-

"... eh? Eh? EH? FISTING IS WHEN SOMEONE SHOVES THEIR FIST INTO WHERE AND DOES WHAT?"

"Yep, not the most common of practices, as far as I know anyways, but it is a thing that CAN happen."

I just stand there, frozen apart from the incredible amounts of shaking I was doing-

Before I scream at the top of my lungs as my whole body goes into overdrive and I begin to go to town on these scorpion things attacking us.

Kazuma steps back, watching me as I go all berserker in here.

And as I work, I scream out things like-

"THAT CAN'T BE TRUE? THAT HAS TO BE A LIE! DAD, I AM GOING YO KILL YOU!"

That last one was mainly because I had mentioned to others in the past, who had been interested in learning the ways of the Monk, that they should go talk to my father about joining his 'Fisting Dogo' and learning how to become a 'master Fister.'

Now it all made sense to me; why when ever I said that to people, they would always give me strange looks and even snicker and laugh behind my back... or right to my face sometimes too.

After an unknown amount of time had passed for me, I finally reached the end of my berserker fit, looking around to find piles upon piles of dead metal scorpions.

I then look over to the side to see Kazuma as he gives me a grin, saying-

"I think you got them all, Cielo. By the way, that was some (lip smacking air sound) excellent fisting."

"Oh shut up, Kazuma. That damn old man of mine, I swear the next time I see him, I'm going to wring his pompous ass for all the embarrassment he has caused me. Hey Kazuma, once we return to Axel, will it be OK if I take a little break to return home and deal with him?"

Kazuma moves from where he had been watching me go to work and comes over to me.

"No need to do that, Cielo. We'll be meeting your father in two arcs so might as well wait till then."

"Say, is it really a good idea for us to be doing any fourth wall breaking jokes here?"

"Eh, I figured no harm in doing at least one, right? Besides, is it really fourth wall breaking? I mean, think of all those religious types out there. When ever you hear one say 'God is always watching over you', wouldn't you say that could count as breaking the fourth wall?"

"Yeah, good point. Now then, let's move on with our story here."

After that, we continued on our way through this place.

After entering another room, I ask-

"So, think we'll get attacked again? And why did those scorpions stop attacking?"

Kazuma shrugs before saying-

"Who knows? Maybe this place just simply ran out of them or decided that it was a waste to keep sending them at us. As far as us getting attacked again? There's still those spiders and snakes that could show up. And of course, mister Minotaur as well. In fact, I think its a safe bet we can expect to see him coming for us sooner or later. Hell, maybe that's the reason we are currently having this reprieve here? This place decided its not worth sending out the dregs and will now summon the boss to deal with us."

After a quick pause, he adds-

"Changing topics, has your dad ever gotten into contact with you? It's been a two months, give or take, since Verdia took you hostage so you would think that would have illicited a response from him by now."

"Yeah, you would think so. I have sent several letters since then, giving him updates on my situation but I still haven't gotten a reply."

"pause I'm sorry, Cielo. I... I know what it's like to have parents who you feel like they don't care for you at all."

"Huh? What are you talking about, Kazuma? My dad does care for me, maybe even to much at times as he was always overprotective of me, to the point that he went hard on me with my training as he wanted to make sure I could handle myself, protect myself, from any threat and danger."

"But he hasn't even contacted..."

"Oh, I would expect nothing less from that idiot. He is always getting distracted by something or other and, in doing so, forgetting to go do important things, like reading any letters sent his way. Give him a little more time, he'll eventually get to my letters to him and then he'll come running over here to Axel... faster than you can say 'in two more arcs.'

We both laugh at that, the tension momentarily abating.

But it was quick to return as I find myself fidgeting a little.

Guess I should bring this topic up now before we find any of the others here.

"Kazuma... about what I said before... back at the inn..."

"Back at the inn? Sorry, but I can't recall what you said back then."

"Maybe that's a good... no, no it isn't a good thing. Kazuma, I said that I was 'beginning to wonder if I still wanted to be friends with you' when my head was still all hazed over because of that choker. I didn't mean that, I swear. I do still want to be friends with you... even if, you don't want to be..."

Kazuma stops as he places both hands on my shoulders.

"Cielo, why wouldn't I want to still be friends with you? I mean, you're fun to be around and you can make me laugh far more easily than any of the others."

"Is that a good thing though; me being able to make you laugh easily?"

"Depends on how you look at it, but I think it is, yeah. Like with the others, I wouldn't ever want to lose our friendship no matter what. You guys are all special to me."

I blush as I say-

"Thank you, Kazuma. I wouldn't want to lose what I have with any of you either. Especially you, seeing as you are my ONLY male friend and all. Something I know I share with Yunyun, chuckle."

Kazuma smiles at me before suddenly becoming bashful.

"Also, thank you for still wanting to stay friends with me after I... well, groped your chest back at the mansion; when you were sent flying back after you and Darkness tried that little stunt."

My hands quickly move to cover my chest as I was about to call him a pervert, but I stop and instead say-

"You tell anyone you touched me there, like Lynn and her party, then I swear I will punch you in the dick. You got that?"

Kazuma gives me a salute as he says-

"Yes ma'am."

After another momentary pause, with me debating if I should ask him or not, I decide to do it and I say-

"Kazuma, I have a request. Will you... touch me?"

"Eh?"

"panic I mean, I want you to touch me... I mean, I want you to help train me... no, I mean, use touching me to help me further improve the speed of me getting over my Androphobia. Just being around you, close to you is fine and all, but I want to speed it up. I want to be able to feel your touch upon my skin without fearing I'd freak out as a result. But not for THAT reason, quit looking at me like that."

I really should have practiced that whole request out inside my head before speaking to him.

After he had finished laughing at me, he then holds his hand out and says-

"Well, no time like the present, right? I know you can do this, Cielo."

I look at his hand, then at his face as I smile and give him a nod.

I can do this, right?

I mean, he did just place his hands on my shoulders without any reaction occurring.

But this was different; skin to skin as opposed to skin to clothing.

I carefully, and nervously, begin to reach out as I feel the fear and shake start to rise up.

"You can do this, Cielo. Just remember to breath slowly and calmly. The rest will take care of itself."

I do as he suggest, feeling myself becoming calmer as the tips of my fingers touch his.

I was slow, allowing my hand to slowly come into full contact with his, even making my fingers intertwine with his own.

I then look back to his face, seeing him smiling at me which makes me blush a little.

The nervousness was still there, wanting to come rushing out but I managed to keep it in check for the moment.

"So, ready to keep going then?"

"Yes, let's go... together."

And with that, we continued on our way; our hands staying connected as we went-

Partly because I wanted to see how long I could stay touching him like this before I had to let go.

And partly because... I really didn't want to let go of him right now either.

{Insert Image 3}

======================={ Part 4: Crusader gets a Pounding }======================

(Yunyun POV)

It was over, at least for now.

All the metallic snakes had been dealt with, at least the ones that had been sent out at us.

I found myself breathing heavily as I used my hands to grip my knees to help me maintain my balance while I worked on catching my breath.

Nearby to me, Darkness was laying on the floor, panting as she came down from her... I don't want to even think it, let alone say it aloud.

Instead, I say to her-

"Um... yeah, thanks for all the help you gave me back there, Darkness. Leaving me to kill practically ALL of those things while you squeaked and squirmed from having them slither all over you, all the while making all those perverted moans you were making. I even had to blast you with Lightning in order to save you from their bites."

My look of exasperation is met with her look of utter satisfaction.

"Ah It was worth it; it was all so worth it though. I'm so glad I'm wearing both pants and a battle skirt over them otherwise, I would never be able to hide my shameful deeds."

"There really is no saving you from yourself, is there? You really are the biggest, most shameless pervert, aren't you?"

"So mean... you can say all that about me if you want and in return I can retort on how you are slowly but surely becoming more and more like our dear Kazuma here. I guess that must make you happy though, to be influenced by the guy you may, or may not, want to sack in with."

Her words make me blush seriously as I avert my gaze.

While I did feel very happy to hear Kazuma really was working his way into my mind, I still wasn't quite ready yet to go that far and say I had wanted to join him in his bed yet...

Though thinking back to that night, when I had gone to speak with him in his room, wearing my 'more adult that I had known about' night gown-

I can recall I had experienced a momentary thought; a desire to ask him if I could stay with him longer, maybe even all night.

That memory makes me cover my face as I turn my head back and forth, trying to forget that recall as quickly as I could.

I still didn't even know if what I felt for Kazuma really was love or not.

I didn't need to go adding a possible thought that I might have already been willing to go TO THAT POINT to the other too.

A sudden flashing coming in between the spaces of my fingers catches my attention.

I pull my hands away from my face as I finally notice that all around us; that the green lights had been replaced with red light-

Red blinking lights at that, which could only mean-

"Darkness, the Minotaur is very close to us, it could be here in any..."

Before I could finish, the passage opposite me explodes inwards, bring a cloud of dust along with it.

I quickly ready my wand with one hand while bringing my short sword to the ready with the other.

Darkness too was back on her feet, a serious look on her face as she prepares to engage the new threat.

"That was fast."

I commented.

Darkness quickly looks around before looking back at me and saying with a serious tone-

"Yunyun, I will provide cover for you. When I give the signal, run to the door to our left and head for the next room. As soon as you get there, quickly figure out what our next path will be. I'll hang back here for a few seconds, see if I can knock it onto its feet then I'll come running to join you. If we're lucky, we can escape from it and get back to finding the others."

A low, angry growl gets us to look back at the Minotaur, making me take a step back from the sight.

Like with the snakes, it appeared to have a metallic body; big and bulky with plenty of muscles.

It had shorter legs than its massive and long arms, a ring in its large nose and scary long horns on its head; its height practically the same height as the room we were in.

"I can't just leave you to try to take this thing on, Darkness. It looks way stronger than anything I have ever seen before an I have seen a lot of stuff in my travels; stuff that has made me wonder how anyone could expect to win a fight against said stuff."

Darkness looks back long enough to give me a confident, maybe cocky, grin as the Minotaur begins to approach her.

"Don't worry about me, Yunyun. I can take anything this guy can dish out. Just be ready to run on my command and don't worry, everything will be OK...POUND!"

"DARKNESS?"

I scream as, with only a single downward blow from a fist-

The Minotaur had seemingly flattened Darkness into the ground; squishing her into the crater the impact its fist had made from contact with the ground.

It then slowly pulls its fist away, then looks into the crater before turning its attention to me and approaching slowly.

I couldn't see Darkness myself and, to be honest, I was almost afraid to see what state she was in now.

I then begin to back away, shaking badly as my fear was preventing me from thinking and acting in any way that could possibly save me here.

Just as the Minotaur reaches me; goes to reach out to grab me, to possibly crush me.

"hey... where do you think... you're going, fella...?"

The Minotaur stops and looks back as do I, shifting my position just enough to look beyond it.

Darkness had emerged from the crater and was now standing just outside of its rim.

Her armor had cracks running all over it, the feather like shoulder guard was completely gone-

She was using her sword like a crutch to brace herself and I could see a line of blood running down her face.

And, she had a big grin plastered across her face, her eyes brimming with excitement and confidence.

"Did you really think one hit was enough to do me in? Sorry, but you'll need to try harder than that."

The Minotaur makes what sounded like a snorting sound before turning away from me and moving back towards Darkness.

"Darkness, what are you doing? You can't take this thing on. Just run already."

I yell as seeing her in the state she was in was enough to bring me out of my fear induced stupor; my body already preparing the mana necessary for me to unleash my Light of Saber against it.

Darkness, instead of running, steady's herself on her legs as she prepare's her sword to engage in combat.

"Stay out of this, Yunyun, and leave this guy to me here. I have a feeling I may have finally found my much longed for thrill here, my destiny..."

She doesn't get to finish as the Minotaur gets close enough to quickly reach out to her, grabbing her by her legs-

It then proceeds to lift her up like she was nothing then sends her slamming down into the ground, bone breakingly hard, over and over and over again; at least a dozen times from my count.

It then dangles her motionless, perhaps even lifeless form in the air as her sword falls from her grasp-

It then slams her into the ground three more times before sending her flying into a wall, her impact leaving a deep crater in her shape upon it.

"Darkness?"

I scream as I unleash my Light of Saber at the Minotaur, who had once again turned its attentions back onto me.

But nothing happened, my magic hadn't been unleashed at all.

The Minotaur cocks its head to one side before it began to walk towards me once again.

"Why? Why didn't my...?"

I had enough mana, I'm sure of it so then why?

A thought crossed my mind; perhaps there was something in the air in this place that negates magic based attacks?

No, that can't be it; I was able to use Intermediate level magic earlier after all, so then why couldn't I use Advanced level magic now?

"Lightning."

I shouted, getting nothing this time as the Minotaur approached.

So, Intermediate level magic didn't work now either; that could only mean one thing here then.

When then lights shift to a specific color here in this place, it also does something to make magic based actions useless, meaning for a mage like myself, this place was very dangerous.

I snap back to reality just in time to duck under the Minotaur's attempt at grabbing me, then scurry off to one side as it follows me; possibly amused with my attempts to run from it or so I was assuming as it had an emotionless face here.

As I run, I consider trying to use my enchanted short sword against it but something told me it would be like using a tooth pick to fight an elder dragon; total suicide.

I then find myself being cornered in, well, a corner of the room.

As the Minotaur begins to reach down for me again-

"Amazing, this is so amazing..."

We both jerk at hearing Darkness as we both turn our attentions back to her one again.

She was still planted deep into the wall, only one eye opened, but she was awake and looking our way with a grin bigger than any I had ever seen her smile.

Despite the massive amount of pain I was sure she must be feeling right now; including probably a lot of broken bones, she looked like she was having the time of her life here.

"In all my days since becoming an Adventurer, I have never, ever been on the receiving end of such a pounding before. This feeling, this rush of passion... I never imagined reaching such pleasurable heights before. What's wrong you brute, don't tell me you're tired already. I can keep going all day here."

A snort from the Minotaur makes me look back at it as I was sure I saw it roll its eyes, which was technically impossible but I know what I saw here.

It then moves away from me again to the middle of the room; aligning itself up perfectly with the wall Darkness was pinned into.

It then plants its forearms into the ground streams of fire erupt from its back, becoming very intense-

And then its blast forwards with lightning like speed, racing right at Darkness who just simply smiles all giddily in response.

"NO, DARKNESS!"

I cry in response as it makes contact with her, and the wall...

(Chris POV)

"Damn spiders, I hate spiders; I hate them, hate them, hate them. Die, die, die, die, die here."

I continued stabbing my dagger into each and every one of these mechanical freaks that I could see, even as it was clear that they were trying to run away from us, probably from fear.

Off to the side, I was pretty sure I could see Megumin just watching me as I worked; a look of confusion present on her face.

After running through several long hallways and rooms, we had finally reached this room we were currently in where we had been able to finally free ourselves from the spiders that had managed to get onto us from above.

Megumin had then pulled out Kazuma's old weapon, which I'm guessing she had chosen to keep for herself following him getting Chunchunmaru, and prepared to use it to fight as well seeing as she couldn't use Explosion magic in here.

Not that I gave her a chance as my natural instincts had finally kicked in which had brought us to our current moment; me killing these mistakes of nature as quickly, and brutally, as possible.

As I breath heavily, my hands shaking and my clothes and arms and even my face covered in the liquid that had been running through them, hopefully not any sort of poison here, I could feel Megumin place her hand onto my shoulder as she says-

"Um... Chris, I think you got them all."

I look back at her and give her a nod before slumping down onto the ground and give myself a moment to rest.

I then feel something being pressed against me cheeks and find that Megumin had produced a towel from her pouch and was cleaning all the liquid off my face before moving on to the rest of me.

"Crimson Demon magically enchanted water towel; it will always stay wet and can self clean after thirty minutes from being used as passed. A pretty handy item if I do say so myself."

She explains so I didn't have to ask her.

"Thanks, I needed this. Didn't want to stay covered in that stuff; who knows what it actually is."

"SSSOOOOO, wanna tell me what that was about? I'm guess you don't like spiders very much?"

"Spiders, demons, undead, and devils to be exact. Whenever I am in the presence of one, I can't help but lose control of myself and go into an 'all attack, total kill' mode. Survival instinct, I guess."

She gives me a nod as she sits beside me.

"I completely understand and agree. I was never much fond of bugs either, though I still would tolerate them... if only because of survival needs."

I'm guessing that had to do with her home life and the fact she would sometimes force herself to eat bugs in order to avoid starvation.

"Chris, you said you would target and attack, kill, an undead on sight, right? (I give her a nod) So, does that mean if Kazuma ever became a full Lich, would you attack him... kill him at that time?"

Damn it Megumin, having to go ask me such a difficult question here.

I think about that question though as her eyes become locked onto me, awaiting my replay.

Would I attack and end Kazuma should that day happen, could I do that to HIM?

I shake my head, not wanting to allow that thought any room to grow in my mind.

No, I won't ever allow that to ever even happen with him.

I'll save him BEFORE such a thing were to come; my promise as his... as his friend after all.

I go to tell Megumin this, but the conversation comes to an end in that moment as we hear a weird sound that was quickly getting louder and louder with ever second passed.

We both jump back to our feet, looking around every which way as we try to figure out what was going on.

And then we notice it; the green lights on the wall shifting to yellow, then orange, then to red and flashing red all within the span of a few seconds.

"Chris, just what is happening here...?"

On instinct, I grab Megumin and throw both her and myself over to one corner of the room as a wall that had been right before us comes crashing down followed my the Minotaur barging its way inside, where it comes to a stop while something that had been pinned to its horns is sent flying into the far end of the room.

It had been Darkness, who slams against the far wall hard, making a bone crushing sound as she collapses onto the floor unmoving.

"Darkness, are you...?"

My words are stopped at the Minotaur immediately jerks its head at us, staring at us with what I was guessing was an agitated and annoyed glare.

Understandable really, considering it had been facing down against Darkness here.

It then turns back to Darkness and begins to move towards her; probably to finish her off.

"Darkness, please be... Megumin, Chris; hurry and save Darkness. That thing has really roughed her up."

Cried Yunyun as she enters the room with us from the various holes the Minotaur had made before.

"Yunyun? What happened? How did you and Darkness...?"

As Megumin asked her question, and Yunyun began to explain everything; including the fact that magic can't be used right now for some reason, I look back to see the Minotaur standing over the unmoving Darkness with one of its giant hooven feet being prepared to go step down upon her.

"Oh no you don't, buddy. No one is crushing my friends to death on my watch."

I then race forward, using every offensive thief skill that I knew, which wasn't much to be honest as thieves weren't meant for combat, and used them against the Minotaur in order to distract it.

I jumped onto the Minotaur's back, beginning to slash at it as much as I could, Megumin and Yunyun joining in with me a few moments later as they attacked the legs.

Not that any of this mattered to the Minotaur as it kicked both Crimson Demon girls away with zero effort, sending them flying back across the room.

I hoped they didn't suffer any broken bone here either otherwise, we'd really be screwed here.

As for me, the Minotaur began to spin around surprisingly fast which sent me flying off it.

I end up making a landing that was far less graceful than I would have liked for it to have been; way more rough than I was happy with.

I groan as I try to recover and pick myself up as a shadow comes over me.

Off to the side, I could here Megumin and Yunyun crying out my name as I try to pick myself up.

I tilt my head upwards, seeing its large face fill my full view before going to reach out to grab me-

And then it stops before standing as tall as I could, its head looking towards my left; its eyes flashing.

And then, without warning, it turns away and races through even more walls, leaving the four of us alone.

As I finally manage to pick myself up, the girls comes running over to check on me.

"Chris, are you OK?"

"What happened? Why did it leave like that?"

Asked Yunyun and Megumin.

I was wondering that as well?

Oh no, don't tell me...?

"We have to move, NOW. It must be going after Kazuma and Cielo; they must have reached the center of this place. That's the only reason I can think of for it to just leave like that. By the way, are you two OK?"

"Yeah, we're both OK. I did the whole rolling as I landed and Yunyun had her giant tits to help cushion her landing after all..."

"You're just jealous I have tits to use in situations like this, Megumin."

"What did you just say, you socially awkward hussy?"

The two of them then begin to butt heads which I was quick to stop.

"Now's not the time, you two. You can both have a cat fight later... once Kazuma's present to act as the referee. For now, we need to hurry up and go back them up. Now, let's grab Darkness and get a move on."

They nod, sort of, as we move over to Darkness.

Her armor, from the looks of it, was completely destroyed and she had plenty of cuts and bruises all over.

Despite that though; she looked like she was in heaven based on the look she was sporting.

Me and Yunyun lifted her up under arm while Megumin handled her legs, the three of us hearing her mumble out as we lifted her-

"... more, more; I can... still take the pounding here..."

"She really is hopeless, isn't she?"

"And heavy... really really, heavy here too."

Said Yunyun and Megumin together.

"Can't be helped though. Anyways, lets hurry up and follow... that... Mino..taur?"

My words, as well as our movement freeze in place as we see the hole it had made when it had left was closed up.

Looking back, we could see the holes it had made in order to make it to this room had also closed up.

"Guess this place has some kind of auto-repair function to it, huh?"

Said Megumin.

Of course; why am I NOT surprised about how easy this was going to be here for us as I scream out-

"DAMN IT!"

======================={ Part 5: The Book of Know-It-All }=======================

(Kazuma POV)

"Kazuma, do you think the center could be just beyond that door?"

Asked Cielo, pointing to the large ornate opening before us.

Until now, all the openings that led from passage to large room had been rather dull and lackluster with their design but this open was far more regal in its appearance.

"Well, only one way to find out, huh?"

She nods as we pass through the opening and enter a room that was far larger than what we had encountered before.

Indeed, this had to be the center of this place; not only because of its size but because of all the stuff that was stored in here as well.

Statues, paintings, mountains of wealth, and other such things.

My reaction to all this was obvious.

"Hot damn, we're rich, Cielo... I mean, we're even more rich now than what we already were before."

"Incredible, with everything that's in here, the net worth must be even more than what Belzerg, or Elroad, or any kingdom in the world could ever hope to match."

"Thinking what I'm thinking here?"

We look at each other, nod, then quickly split apart as wealth fever takes us as we begin to shove as much of this crap into out Adventurer's pouches as we could.

Forget about finding those Mason Gloves; this was the real prize here.

As I went about shoving handfuls of coins into my pouch, one slips from my hand and clatters onto the floor.

I quickly bend down to reclaim it and that's when I noticed it; a funny little detail about it.

Examining it closer, it finally dawned to me what it was I was really holding here and that knowledge broke my poor little heart.

"This... this is a yen coin... Japanese currency... which is completely useless here!"

I scream out that last bit as I immediately turn my pouch upside down and command it to empty out all of its contents.

Cielo jumps from my reaction and watches as I return all the worth while stuff back into my pouch.

Having also heard what I had said, Cielo ask-

"Kazuma, what do you mean? What's wrong?"

I twitch as I look at her and say-

"It's worthless, it's all worthless. These coins, they have no monetary wealth around here. It's all money from my homeland which has no trade value here. And even if it did, it would still be worthless."

"I don't understand? I mean, even if it can't be used here, surely we can keep a hold of it for whenever we're able to visit..."

I shake my head in disappointment before explaining.

"Going back to my homeland is impossible for me nor can any of you ever go there. It's sniff it's too far away to ever reach. And even if it was possible, this crap would still be fake. Look..."

I then walk up to her and show her the sides of the coin I held in my hand.

One side had a balding man with a long chin beard with a stupid smile making a thumbs up motion.

And the back was said man's butt, probably mooning who ever was dumb enough to believe this shit was real.

Her reaction was to do an immediate shocked jerk back before nervously asking me-

"Wait, what about the jewels? Surely they have to be worth something here at least?"

She then offers me one of the gems she had been holding which I take from her to examine.

I then sigh sadly as I shake my head before chucking at the ground without any real force behind it.

As soon as it impacted, it shattered like glass.

"They're fake too. In fact, upon closer inspection, everything in this dump is fake. The statues are all of goofy looking sausage dogs and the paintings are copies of famous paintings from my world but with this idiot from the coins face placed on them in place of the originals."

"Then that means..."

I look at Cielo with tears streaming down my face as I put it to her simply-

"It means even a blade of grass outside is worth more than anything in here."

Cielo's mind shuts down as she falls to her knees, no longer able to function as a human being.

An act that I more or less follow at the same time.

After a few minutes, we finally both recover as I stand first, saying-

"Let's just find those damn gloves so we can go find the others and get the hell out of here."

She nods as she stands up and begins to do what I had done before by emptying her pouch of all the now useless stuff while I went ahead and began to look around the room.

OK, let's see here; junk... junk... junk... center fold magazine,I'll take that thank you... junk... junk...what have we here?

I was standing before a musty old book, maybe some sort of journal or something.

Curious, I blow on the cover to clear off the dust before opening the book to find-

It was empty, nothing anywhere within was written.

I slam the book shut and say to myself-

"Damn, even this is useless. Surely this book at least had to have been meant for something?"

Just as I am about to chuck it down onto the pile of trash, I notice the book had suddenly glowed... just a little.

Curious, I open it again to find writing had appeared, the words seemingly answering my question.

"Hm, what does it say here? 'Within your hand is the Divine Know-It-All, most sacred treasure of the gods that had once been hidden away on fair Empyria. To use to its fullest; please close book and, while placing hand upon the cover, ask any question that you may wished to be answered. So long as the knowledge is known to the heavenly host, and does not pertain to anything future related, your question will be answered... in layman terms of course.' So, it can really answer, almost, any question?"

Only one way to find out, huh?

I close the book and then quietly ask it a new question.

"Tell me the measurements of my female companions?"

The book glows and I open it up to find a treasure trove of information awaiting within.

Already, this book was perfect in my opinion.

And I found out some rather big shocker here too like Cielo's chest was actually the same size as Yunyun's but she taped them down in order to make them seem smaller than what they actually were.

After I finished carefully reading, and memorizing what was written down, I close the book and stuff it into my pouch.

I'd be a damn fool to leave this wondrous treasure behind after all.

I mean, just think of all the perverted... I mean, good I can do with this now.

Question I'll need to remember to ask it later is just how something like it ended up in a place like this?

"Kazuma, Kazuma (one lucky man, Kazuma here), I think I found those Mason Gloves you were after."

Looking to see her waving at me over on the far side of the room, I walk over to her and receive the items she was holding.

They were rather ornate, much like the entrance to the room; having one large gem located dead center on the things, on both sides as well as a smaller gems located on the knuckles.

I slide them on and find they fit near perfectly.

"So, you think these are them?"

She asked, making me shrug.

"We'll need to show them to Chris in order to confirm anything here. After all, she told me that I won't be able to use them until Eris can rework them in order to work for me."

"Yeah, that may be a problem for us then. I mean, how do we even find them to begin with?"

That was a good question; just how do we find the others, let alone get back out afterwords?

"Let's take another look around the room. Maybe there's something hidden amongst all this worthless crap that can help with both problems?"

She nods as we both go to start looking-

And stop dead as we suddenly take notice of the shadow looming over us.

Naturally, our eyes gaze upwards to fully take in the beast standing before us now.

"Ah, shi..."

I'm cut off as I find myself being grabbed by one of its hands while Cielo is grabbed by the other.

"KAZUMA? How the hell did we fail to notice this thing showing up on us like it did? How did we not even hear it approaching?"

Screamed Cielo as it lifts us into the air.

"Maybe it has ninja like skills? How the hell should I know, apart from the fact we must be both blind and deaf here. So, any ideas on you end because I can't think of any except... SOMEONE SAVE US!"

Cielo tries to use her Monk strength to break free of the ever tightening grip it had on us, but to no avail.

"Kazu-ma, at this rate... it's gonna crush..."

I could hear the pain her her voice, something I understood as I felt myself being crushed as well.

Damn it, was this really how we were going to go out here?

And something told me the others wouldn't arrive in time to save our butts either.

Surely, there had to be a way to... wait, there was one thing, I just hoped it worked here.

["Stop, Minotaur."]

I said in Japanese, hoping that I was right about this place, that it had been made by that guy who had made the Divine Beast for the Norse Kingdom.

The Minotaur looked at me, giving me a curious look as a gem was revealed on its forehead.

The gem then lights up, scanning me then Cielo before the light fades and the gem was once again hidden.

The squeeze I had been feeling softens as I find myself being lowered back onto the ground.

I was sure I was going to need to command it to do the same for Cielo-

But to my surprise, it had also placed her gently back down onto the ground as well.

"Cielo, are you alright?"

She looks at me a gives me a weak smile as she begins to heal herself.

"Yeah, I think so. I'm going to go ahead and do a little healing on myself first, just to play it safe. I'll come over and work a little healing on you too right after."

I nod as she looks at the Minotaur for a second then back at me and ask-

"I'm guessing you commanded it using Japanese, right? (I nod in response) I get why it would release you but why did it release me too? It didn't sound like you said enough to it to get it to do that so does that mean it already knew that I was with you? That I was a friend?"

I shrug as I give that question I also had on my mind a moments thought.

"Hm, that's one possibility, I guess. Another is that maybe you also have Japanese blood within your veins; maybe an ancestor of yours or something? The only other thing I can think of is that maybe you are somehow pregnant with my kid... (quick laugh) I'm joking, of course. I mean, you and me having a kid already? When would that have even happened? Nah, probably either of the first two."

"Kazuma, that... that's not funny. It... it really isn't..."

Cried Cielo before huffing and looking away from me with her cheeks all red.

Sorry, Cielo, I'll make it up to you later for the bad attempt at a joke.

Still though, if it was true, then would could she have even gotten pregnant to begin with?

Unless there's some weird type of magic that allows girls to become pregnant just from touching a guy, the only other option would be if it happened back in the bath, when I had been...

I suddenly find myself eying her suspiciously.

"Anyways, Kazuma. We got what we came here for and... I guess you can say we made a new friend here? No matter, what about finding the others and getting out of here? We have no idea how big this place is, how long it will take the others to find us, or how to even get out once they do find us?"

I sigh as I push that intrusive thought I was having from my mind; better to not dwell on something that was just some weird fantasy thought right now.

I look at Minotaur and ask it in Japanese-

["So, is there any way to help us located our friends, who are stuck in here with us? How about getting out of here?"]

In response to my question, the Minotaur moves over to one side of the room and uses its big hands to clear away a pile of the junk in the room, revealing a console that had been buried beneath.

I walk over to it and, after taking a moment to look it over before pressing down onto the screen to bring up a map of the whole area.

As I do this, Cielo finally reaches me and begins to heal me as I determine the locations of the others; moving closer to the center where we were but still a ways off.

"Kazuma, Kazuma, (Kazuma's a little busy here) any ideas how we can guide them here quicker?"

I look over the screen, examining a few commands that were available.

"Hm, let's see here... maybe if I do this?"

I press down on the screen, over one of the openings in the room that they were currently in and find that by doing that, that opening immediately closed up.

I then try out more presses against the screen, finding I could open and close passage ways as well as walls if I wanted to from here.

So, I watched them as they moved, closing of any passage that wouldn't help them get here while opening the ones that did and soon enough, they had finally reached the central room with us.

"Kazuma?"

Cried Megumin and Yunyun who were quick to run up to and hug me, which got me all flustered.

They then began to freak out when the saw the Minotaur was also here with us and were quick to jump behind me.

"Don't worry, don't worry, you two. He's tame now, more or less. Seems he's programmed to follow the orders of anyone from Japan too, just like the Divine Beast are."

"Divine Beast?"

Asked Yunyun while Megumin looks at me for a second before recalling something important; probably remembering that I had called the Destroyer that name before.

Guess I'll have to explain it all in detail to her and the others later then.

"Later, later; once we get back home. Hey, Cielo; how's our lump of a Crusader doing over there?"

I shouted as I looked over at Cielo who, after finishing healing me up, had gone over to Chris and was busy getting Darkness back into any sort of anything mood.

"Almost done here, Kazuma. Just give me a few more moments and she should be good to go."

As she says this, Darkness gives off a pained groan as she opens her eyes and looks around.

"Where... where am I? What happened to...?"

"You're with friends now, Darkness. Try not to move for a few more moments, I'm almost done here."

"Cielo? Chris? Where's... ah, Yunyun... you're safe. Kazuma, Megumin; you guys are safe too. I'm glad. What happened to me? How long was I out?"

"For a while now. Luckily you're as hard as you are, Darkness. Anyone else would have probably died in your position."

"Don't go calling me hard, Kazuma. You need to say that it was my armor that was hard. Insult me like that again and you'll find out just how 'hard' I am, got it?"

I just smirk at her, making Darkness even more mad or so I was guessing.

Yunyun looked like she wanted to say something, perhaps even point something out; but Megumin was quick to stop her from doing so.

I then approach Chris while pulling off the Mason Gloves before tossing them to her.

"Well, there you go. One fresh pair of Mason Gloves, ready for re-purposing. So, you really think Eris will make them workable for me?"

"Yeah, I'm sure she will. I'll either bring them back to you when they're ready or maybe she'll send them down to you directly? Hm... well, that isn't good..."

"What? What's wrong?"

I asked her as Megumin and Yunyun join Cielo in helping Darkness get back to her feet.

"Huh? Oh, maybe nothing. Holding them, I can't help but feel something weird coming from them. Maybe Eris will know once I give them to her? Anyways, any idea how we can get out of here?"

I smile as I return to the console and press a few commands into the screen.

"As a matter of fact..."

Before I could finish, Darkness cuts in and I look back to see her running over to the Minotaur, grabbing onto it while the Minotaur responds by visibly flinching away from her.

"Kazuma, Kazuma, (Kazuma knows where this is going) can we take this guy here home with us? Please, please, please; I promise I'll take care of him, walk him, feed him (does he even need to eat anything), clean up after him every single day."

Begged Darkness, hopping up and down excitedly while giving me a cutesy face.

"Admit it, Darkness; you only want it because it can rough you up in ways you've never been roughed up before."

Said Megumin.

"I have no idea what you're talking about?"

Darkness tried to defend herself, but we all could see her blush and knew her better than that.

I sigh; knowing I was going to say yes.

Who knows, as powerful as this guy can be, maybe having it around may be useful.

"Fine, but he has to sleep outside. The mansion isn't big enough to house him without being demolished. Anyways, let's get out of here."

I then press a button and then the next thing we all know, we were back outside again.

"Wow, that was incredible. Was that some kind of teleportation magic?"

Asked Yunyun.

Chris shakes her head, saying-

"Think of it as more of a transporter. Same thing I suppose, though. So, shall we... head... back?"

Her slow and halting words make us all blink before she starts pointing opposite us, making us look back to see what it was she could see.

Standing around half a football fields length away from us was that creature; the one me and Chris had encountered before down within the crypt... or at least another one like it-

Entropy!

========================{ Part 6: Making Things Worse }========================

(Darkness POV)

The creature before us was like none I had ever seen before.

It was humanoid in appearance, but its entire being seemed to be made out of smoke, with shapes rising and falling from the surface of the smoke.

And it was looking right at us... no, its gaze was entirely fixated onto Kazuma.

Was THIS the creature Kazuma and Chris had encountered before, down in the crypt back then?

"Kazuma, Chris; is this the...?"

"Nobody make any sudden movements here; don't even think of attacking it unless I say so, got it!"

Yelled Chris; not telling us but rather ordering us what to do and NOT do here.

"Kazuma, what is that?"

Asked Yunyun.

"That appearance... is that the thing that made that tidal wave of undead before that had you both all freaked out?"

Added Megumin.

"Can we hurt it? Should we try running away?"

Asked Cielo.

"That thing has a body that is entirely vaporous in nature. I seriously doubt anything we can do here will harm it even in the slightest."

Said Kazuma, making me look at him.

"Then how the hell did you and Chris escape from it last time?"

Chris then looks at me and responds by saying-

"I had to use a very powerful... tool... given to me by the goddess Eris, to be used if I ever found myself in a very bad situation with creatures who were powered by Arcana; basically the mana of Hell, in order to buy us a few moments. And I do mean just a few moments. As far as escaping goes? I begin to think we didn't so much escape as it allowed us to escape back then and here it is now in order to finish it's personal mission this time."

"And that would be?"

Asked Cielo.

Before anyone could answer, we hear a sound like thunder come from the creature making us focus onto it again and seeing that it was coming towards us.

Kazuma draws his katana out and Chris ready's her enchanted dagger as Kazuma says-

"I could be wrong here but my gut is telling me that for whatever reason, it wants ME here."

As if responding to Kazuma's words, smokey there begins to glide towards us, towards HIM, slowly.

Immediately, Megumin and Yunyun bring their staff and wands out to the ready while Cielo makes sure her battle gloves are on good and tight.

I go to draw my sword but find it gone; probably still down inside the labyrinth where I dropped it.

Why couldn't anyone have been bothered to collect it earlier?

I mean, I can't be THAT heavy that it would take three people just to carry me?

Right?

"If that thing even tries to hurt Kazuma, I won't show it any mercy."

Shouts Yunyun as Megumin begins her chant.

"Wait, Megumin. We don't know if that thing can even be hurt by Explosion magic here. Just hold back until we can think of a plan, alright?"

Yells Chris, making Megumin stop and look at her with an annoyed look.

"But if we just stand here and do nothing, it could take Kazuma away from us and I won't ever let that happen. So I'm going to throw caution to the wind and do it anyways..."

And then Megumin goes right back to chanting again.

"Kazuma, please tell me you have some kind of idea for us here?"

Asked Cielo, getting Kazuma to look back at us; first with a serious look that quickly turns sheepish.

"Sorry, I have nothing we can work with; unless running away counts as a plan here."

Well, that doesn't help us none here.

Guess its up to me then to save the day; the only way I know how to right now.

I turn to Minotaur and say as I point to the approaching... thing there.

"Hey Brutus, buddy. See that smokey guy coming towards us now? He's a bad guy who wants to do bad things to us. Please hurry up and go kill it for mama, OK?"

Minotaur looks at me and gives me a 'I don't take orders from you, woman' look in response.

"Darkness, I really don't think he's gonna listen to you, nor do I think he'd be able to..."

I cut Chris off as I shout out-

"Now have at it, Brutus... TORA, TORA, TORA!"

Hearing me say the word Tora, Minotaur's body goes rigid before it bellows out loudly; an act I didn't know it could do, before it charges forward at the smoke creature.

It then stops right before it, towering over smokey there as the two seem to enter into a staring contest.

After a moment of, what I'm guessing to be, consideration on its part, smokey begins to move again-

Before Minotaur begins to slam fist after fist after fist down upon it; it's form being lost in the onslaught of rapid attacks being brought upon it.

I smirk as I watch MY new pet in action and I couldn't wait till we got back home so I could start building it its only little house out back behind the mansion.

"Well, that was easier than we thought it would be. So, should we head back...?"

I stop as I see everyone was looking at me all dumbfounded.

"What?"

I asked, with Chris responding first.

"Darkness, what the hell? I believe I said for no one to make any sudden moves or to even attack it."

"What's the problem, Chris? Brutus there seems to be doing a good job on that thing so it probably wasn't as tough as you and Kazuma thought it was. I mean, it didn't even try to fight back."

"That's not the issue there, Lalatina. sigh I swear, one of these days, that obsessive personality of yours, your one track mindedness, and your inability to just drop it, to let it go is going to get someone killed." (another bit of foreshadowing)

Yelled Chris as I tell her that she worries to much.

"And on another topic, LALATINA; where did you learn Japanese from, huh? Tora is Japanese for attack... or was it tiger; I've been here so long that I think I'm starting to forget? No matter, just where did you learn that word? And why the name Brutus too?"

I look at Kazuma sheepishly as I say-

"Well, after those few days past and you hadn't returned, I may have broken into your room and peeked around some of your things. Among them was a book you had been working on, one that can be used as a translation guide between your old language and ours. And as for Brutus? Because he can brutalize me, of course."

Everyone sweat drops from hearing my reasons for the name.

"Wait, you went into MY room and did a little poking around? That's an invasion of privacy, you know. How would YOU feel if I snuck into your room and started sniffing around, huh?"

I wave of his concerns as I decide to spill the beans on an important truth, if only to get my ass out of trouble with him.

"Oh relax, Kazuma. I promise I did no 'sniffing around.' Now the others, on the other hand..."

Megumin and Yunyun begin to panic as I continue by saying, a grin on my face as I do so-

"I would often find Yunyun sleeping in YOUR bed, wearing YOUR track suit when you were gone. And Megumin, I saw her doing some very questionable things with YOUR laundry that you left behind too. And, as for Cielo? Why she was..."

I didn't get to finish as all three of them immediately tackled me, screaming at me to shut up and not say anything more unless I wanted to meet my maker right here and now.

And, of course, Kazuma had run up to us, demanding to hear the rest immediately.

"Hey idiots, stop goofing off right now. Minotaur has stopped attacking."

Came Chris, making us turn our attentions towards it again.

Indeed, Minotaur had stopped its attacks with no sign of smokey anywhere to be seen.

"No way was it THAT easy?"

Commented Kazuma.

Chris shakes her head, then says in an ominous tone.

"No, it wasn't. I don't think this is over yet."

As if on cue, Minotaur begins to shake; its metal body doing its best convulsion imitation for a few moments before it stops shaking and slowly looks back at us.

And then, smoke begins to emerge from its joints as its body gets pulled apart by smokey; its form growing bigger and bigger till it stood nearly three times its previous size.

The sight of this new threat makes all of us start backing away.

"Wha...what happened to the Minotaur?"

Asked Cielo.

"I-I think that smoke creature must have merged with it; must be using it as some kind of armor now."

Added Megumin.

"But why would it..."

"Light of Saber."

Yelled Yunyun, cutting into Kazuma's question as the blade of lightning like energy streaks through the air, colliding with the smokey possessed Minotaur and doing no damage what-so ever.

"OK, that explains that. It must have decided to use the Minotaur as some kind of armor, probably to guard itself from being damaged by magic. And by the way, how dare that thing do that to my poor Brutus here. If you don't release him right now, I swear I'll kill you... somehow."

I said, with Kazuma then countering by saying-

"I'm pretty sure it was already immune to magic before so why do this now?"

"It must be because of what I did last time against it. It may be thinking doing this will protect it from the light burst."

Said Chris.

"Is that right?"

I asked, getting a shrug as my answer.

"Guys, its coming towards us again."

Yelled Megumin.

Indeed, it had started walking this way and it was picking up speed too.

Cielo then smacks her fist together while asking-

"Should I try running in, see if I can land a hit to its face? Maybe I can blind it for a few moments so we can make a run for it."

"Don't even think about trying that, Cielo. I have a strong feeling that all you would accomplish there is putting yourself in danger. In fact, the only option I can think of here is..."

"BIND!"

Yelled Kazuma while Chris was talking; the mithril cord shooting out at Minotaur.

For a second, the whole body becomes covered in smoke, allowing the cord to effortlessly pass through it before revealing the armored body of the Minotaur again.

We all give Kazuma a deadpan look at he looks back at us and says-

"Well, we're all dead here."

This was the guy we ALL depended on to save us.

"No choice then, I really am going to have to do this, huh?"

Eh?

We all look at Chris as she brings her hands together in prayer, her body beginning to glow.

"Chris, what are you...?"

My question is stopped, as is Chris's glowing as we hear an unknown voice yell out to all of us.

Even the smokey possessed Minotaur stops and turns back to see where this new voice had come from.

"Wait, isn't that the guy from the hot springs last night?"

Said Kazuma, talking about the strange man that had arrived on the scene.

"HM? What's this now? That kid that the boss has his eyes on, as well as his party, are being attacked by some sort of strange looking creature here? Guess it was a good thing I decided to come check things out then, huh?"

"Yeah, you are that guy. What was your name again? Hans? What are you doing here? You need to get out of here, now. This things..."

The man named Hans cocks his head to the side before saying-

"Yeah, that's right. My name is Hans; one of the Generals that serves the Devil King. Hans, the deadly poison slime king."

Wait, he's one of the Devil King's Generals?

We all look at Kazuma who looks back at us and says defensively-

"Wait, wait, wait; I didn't know he was a General. He only gave me his name before, not his title."

The ground gives off a slight shake, making us look back to see that the smokey possessed Minotaur had turned from us and approached Hans; initiating another stare down it seems.

"So, strange creature, you really want a go with me? Just so you... ALL OF YOU, know, I'm not the kind of guy who would normally stick his neck out for anyone. I'm not the heroic sort. But the boss does want us to keep that boy alive if at all possible and, as they say, orders are orders here. So, bring it on."

========================={ Part 7: Well, That Was Fast }========================

SLAM!

The fist of the smokey Minotaur comes slamming down atop Hans, seemingly killing him in one blow.

"Well, that was a big let down if you ask me, especially seeing as he said he was a General and all."

Said Kazuma.

Chris then looks at him and says-

"It's not over yet, Kazuma. He said he was a slime king which means..."

Before Chris could finish, a bubble of slimy goo burst out from beneath the smokey possessed Minotaur's fist, then quickly enclosing around its arm all the way up to its elbow-

And then, it is lifted up into the ground and sent flying off over to the side, impacting hard with the ground.

Hans then stands up, both his arms having morphed into gelatinous goo as he lets out a sigh.

"What, is that all you can do here? Sorry... whatever you are, but if that is your best, then this won't last long. Not that I'm complaining, that is. Quite the opposite as it means I won't have to adjust my schedule too much here. Now then, let me show you what I can really do."

Hans human body then begins to fade, being replaced by more of that gelatinous goop as he begins to grow bigger and bigger, easily growing to be bigger than even an elder dragon in size.

Not that I have ever seen an elder dragon in the flesh before but I have heard that they were really, really big, like big enough to be on par with the size of a small castle big.

At the sight, we all take a few steps back as Hans finishes reaching his full size.

"Wait, wait, wait here, what the hell? When Hans said he was a slime, a poison variety of slime that is, I figured he would be a small, somewhat cutesy looking green colored slime, maybe purple? And the whole king thing; I figured he would have a little crown on his head. Why the hell does he look like that?"

I look at Kazuma and say-

"Huh? All cutesy looking? And with a crown on his head at that? Kazuma, I don't know what slimes back in your homeland are like but over here in our neck of the woods, slimes are large scary creatures that dissolve anything they can get their slimy mitts on; sometimes quickly and sometimes very, very slowly and painfully. Actually, it might be rather fun to go out that way."

I then hear Chris add-

"She's right, Kazuma. Don't let those lies Dragon Quest put into your head about how monsters can all come off looking cute trick you into thinking that's the reality of things here in the real world."

I then hear Megumin quickly toss in-

"Chris, you know WAY to much about Kazuma's homeland than I'm happy with. I demand to know more about it too."

Cielo and Yunyun, and even me as well albeit silently, agreed with Megumin's declaration.

The three of us then glare at Kazuma, our reasons very clear to him as he says-

"OK, OK, I'll figure out when to make time to tell you all about my past here soon. But, for right now, let's just sit back and watch this mini-kaiju battle."

"Or, we could be smart here and make a run for it while we can."

Offered Chris not that anyone made a move to do that.

Instead, we just stand there and watch as super massive slime creature faces the smoke possessed metal Minotaur.

{Insert Image 4}

The smokey possessed Minotaur, having gotten back onto its feet, looks at Hans; perhaps even studying him for a few seconds-

It then plants it hands into the ground before launching itself forward to unleash a powerful tackle.

In return, Hans... simply expands his slime body even more and wraps himself around his foe completely, causing its movement to come to a dead stop.

We then watch in disbelief as the armored body of the Minotaur, as well as the smoke like pieces of the creature that had possessed it, grow smaller and smaller, being consumed by Hans enzyme filled body-

Until, at last, there was nothing left of either.

We then hear Hans say, maybe to us, or maybe he was speaking to his now dead prey; who knows?

"Sorry about that, but I did say I had a schedule to keep and all. Besides, I don't like long drawn out fights anyways."

And all the while, we just stand there, unsure of what to make about what just happened.

"Did... did this fight really just end already?"

Asked Megumin, her voice being one of total disbelief.

"And it had literally only just started too?"

Adds Yunyun.

"God dammit, just how anti-climatic can you get here?"

Screams out Kazuma, getting a nod from both me and Cielo.

"Actually, this ending feels very much like an 'us' kind of ending here; no lie."

Said Chris.

After hearing that, the rest of us look at her then at each other-

A moment to think about it, then we all nod in agreement.

This really was the kind of ending that was appropriate for us.

We then turn our attentions back to Hans who had, in turn, started to look at us too.

"Hm, well then... what should I do with all of you now? Should I let you go... or maybe I should URK?"

His words are cut off as his gelatinous body begins to ripple and shake.

At first, it was unclear exactly what was happening with him... and then, we saw it-

Coming from within his very being; the reddish orange color of his slime body was slowly changing, turning into a dull smokey gray and black color.

"The Entropy, it invaded his body; either when he first touched it or when he tried to consume it. Everyone, run away now."

Yelled Chris as more and more of Hans appeared to be corrupted by the smoke... no, by the Entropy.

She didn't need to tell us that as we all turned towards the direction of Arcanretia and began to run as if our lives depended on it... because it really did.

Of course, this only lasted a few moments before the now Entropy Hans came into view and was quickly catching up to us.

"Everyone, this is bad... we aren't going to be able to outrun that thing."

Screamed Cielo.

"Hey Kazuma, dumb question but is there any way you can teleport us while we're on the move?"

I asked in a panic as even I wasn't crazy enough to want to take THIS thing on... at least not without a weapon in my hand.

"Maybe if my proficiency with using teleport was higher. Damn, if we could only have ten to fifteen seconds, I could..."

"Kill... me! Kill... me, kid!"

Came a voice from behind us, making us look back as we continued to run.

"Was that... was that the slime man?"

Asked Yunyun.

"Some of his will must still remain, despite being controlled by Entropy. Looks like I have no choice left. Guys, please keep this a secr..."

"Megumin, Yunyun, run over to me so I can touch you two... hurry."

Yelled Kazuma, breaking into Chris's own words.

Megumin looks at him and smiles, saying-

"You have an idea, don't you?"

He responds with that cocky yet confident and charming smile at his, the one I can easily see why he would have those three... maybe four if you include Chris, so hung up on him.

They both do as he says, moving closer and each taking his hand.

"OK, first Drain Touch."

He shouts as he begins to send them mana, making both their eyes begin to glow as they started to look like they were getting aroused.

A curious action in deed if you ask me.

"OK, I'm giving you both a small power boost with some demi-mana. Once done, all three of us turn back and fire off our best attacks at that thing. No chants, just straight up blast it. If that doesn't work, then maybe it will at least buy us the seconds we need teleport out of here."

They, sort of nod, as they seemed to be to into the mana they were getting.

After a few seconds more, Kazuma pulls his hands away from them, making them visibly pout.

"Don't worry you two, I will give you as much as you want later, back home..."

He says to them as he whirls around to face the Entropy Hans.

They take a moment to recover but they do, giving him a "You better" look before holding out their two staffs and wand.

"Light of Saber."

Shouts Yunyun.

"Explosion."

Shout Megumin and...Kazuma?

When did he learn... never mind, must have been while I was away.

Anyways, the bright light leaves us momentarily blinded as the shockwave sends us all flying back.

It takes us all a few seconds to recover but when we do, all we can see is the massive crater that had once been solid earth... and Entropy Hans.

After getting up, we carefully approach the crater and peek inside, seeing a small slime creature; Hans most likely, his body still discolored... and slowly breaking away into nothing.

Kazuma then does something weird... no, stupid as he begins to walk down into the crater.

"Kazuma, wait..."

Yells Chris, but I stop her from following.

Beside us, Cielo was propping up Megumin and Yunyun, helping them to stand as they could barely do it themselves.

"This fights over Chris. Let's let him finish this up."

Kazuma reaches Hans, his body still slowly fading as Kazuma pulls out his card, looks at it, then at Hans.

"So, has my name appeared on there yet?"

"You know, Hans. I'm having so many mixed feelings about all of this. The other night, back at the hot spring when we first met, you came off as a very scary looking guy ya know. But you also seemed somewhat cool too. Never would have pegged you as some kind of Devil King General as well. Tell me, why did you do it? Why did you stick your neck out for us here?"

Hans chuckles weakly.

"I'm kind of wondering that myself right now? Sure, the boss man told us to avoid killing you if at all possible as he would very much like to meet with you. Not sure why though so don't go asking me. Still, why did I decide to care just now? It's not like I'm the self sacrificing hero type here. Maybe it was because... groan..."

By now, he was almost nearly gone.

"Kid, a word of warning to ya... and those cuties you have hanging around you. This kingdom... it's not as nice as you think. The king... he lost his will to lead following the death his his wife and newborn daughter... and the prince... he was never keen on the whole leadership role to begin with."

"Point I'm making here is... beware of the Belzerg High Council. They... they're the REAL enemies here. If you want to... learn the truth, then go... see my master. He'll... tell you the..."

"See you around, kid..."

And with that, Hans the deadly poison slime king, was gone.

For the next few moments, Kazuma just stands there as we call out to him; asking if he was OK?

He the looks back at us and says-

"Guys, I know this may sound weird; crazy and insane even, but I think I'd like to actually go meet this Devil King guy and..."

His words are cut off as from right behind him, it burst out of the ground; the Entropy.

Before Kazuma could react, before any of us could react, it wrapped itself around Kazuma-

It's smokey hand forcing its way into his mouth, his whole body spasming and jerking violently before going dead still.

It then pulls its hand out of Kazuma, revealing a small glowing light being held by it-

It was Kazuma's soul, no doubt about it.

"KAZUMA!"

Screamed all of us as I, along with Megumin, Yunyun, and Cielo rush down into the crater to stop the Entropy from doing anything else.

It then looks at us, a series of smiling faces forming on its body before sucking Kazuma's soul into itself and then shifting into a avian like form which shoots into the sky, darting off beyond sight.

I managed to reach Kazuma's body, catching it before it could crumple onto the ground.

"No, no, no, no no; this didn't just happen, This didn't just happen."

I said as Megumin and Yunyun fall to their knees, tears falling from their defeated looking eyes while Cielo begins to use heal on Kazuma's body; as if that was going to do anything when his soul had just been stolen away.

I was about to say that very fact when I took notice of something important here.

Where was Chris at?

(3rd Person POV)

Entropy wasted no time in escaping from the scene.

It had finally procured the prize after all and it needed to get it back to the 'mother' as soon as possible.

Before it, just a little higher in the sky, it could see the crack forming; its escape route from this pointless world it had been made to come to.

Just a few more seconds and it would be beyond any creature of this places ability to reach.

And then, a brilliant flash of light manifest between it and the rift.

And when the light faded, was the form of a female dressed in purple and violet colors with long silvery hair... and a very pissed off look on her face.

"GIVE IT BACK!"

She demanded, her voice cold; dangerous sounding.

It responds with a sound of thunder ringing outwards.

"LAST CHANCE, ENTROPY. GIVE. HIM. BACK. NOW!"

She said again, even more threatening than before as her hands begin to glow.

And, in response to that-

"NO!"

The voice wasn't from the creature itself, but from whatever was there, beyond the rift; it's glowing white eyes having locked onto her.

That word, spoken by its source, it's 'mother' was all it need to hear as Entropy lunges forward; its form expanding to absorb this girl into itself as well.

"YOU HAD YOUR CHANCE."

She says as Entropy absorbs her; then a massive sphere of light enveloping it and her instantly.

When the light fades, the girl... no, the goddess Eris was all that was till standing there, carefully cradling Kazuma's soul in hand.

She then turns back to the rift, to the glowing eyes beyond as she says-

"I take it you must be THE Entropy here; the thing I just took out being some sort pf piece of yourself that was broken off to do a job. Guess that means YOU can't manifest yourself fully into this place yet? I don't know what your goal here is or why you want HIS soul but do yourself a favor and forget about it. Don't ever come back because next time, I won't be so nice... or forgiving."

For a moment, there was no response; and then there was chuckling.

Eris could here it laughing at her.

"Funny?"

"Funny? Yes, funny. Funny that you think you can stop me. You've failed to stop me before, weak little goddess and you will fail again as well, just like all the other versions of you have before."

Eris narrows her eyes as she says-

"What do you mean by that?"

Before it could respond, assuming that it was planning to, a beam of light shoots towards the rift from above her, forcing it to close instantly.

Eris spins around, finding a figure wearing a strange looking mask looking back at her.

"Sorry about that, lady luck. But I can't be giving it any chances to send any more of its spawn here to cause Kazuma any more grief. Besides, and I really hate to say this, but you aren't ready to take it on yet. Entropy has already gotten to strong here."

"Who are you? Wait... this energy I'm feeling from you? You aren't from this time-line, are you?"

The mystery girl wags her finger before saying in an apologetic voice.

"Sorry, sorry, I'm afraid that's on a need to know basis here. In fact, the only ones who needs to know, the only two I'm willing to chew the fat with here is Kazuma himself and my... well, let's just leave it at that for now. And besides, I've already had a little chit-chat moment with Kazuma earlier anyways. Didn't have time to tell him everything but... eh, what can I do. I'll have to make more time for him later."

You already had... wait, are you...?

"Are you the girl; the Crimson Demon girl who spoke with Kazuma back at the hot springs?"

"Oops, guess I should have asked him to keep mum about that, huh? Oh well, I have no regrets. After all, no matter the time line, he's always been a good... actually, that's none of your business now is it. Anyways, it's time for me to be going here. Do be sure to take care of him for me, won't you."

As the masked girl turns to leave, Eris yells out-

"Wait, don't go. I need you to..."

"Why are you wasting time here, Eris? Don't you know that with every second that passes is a second more his body is going to decay away. What, did you really think all Entropy did was just remove his soul back there. Better hurry or else I won't be so forgiving myself."

"Oh yeah, you can call me Glutton if you must; the girl with an unending hunger yet never gains a single pound because of it."

Before I could even react to that, the girl... no, Glutton, starts to glow before fading from my sight.

I curse under my breath before recalling what she said about Kazuma as I race back to join the others.

(Darkness POV)

"Cielo, how's Kazuma doing?"

Asked Yunyun.

"I... I don't know if I can help him. The breakdown on his insides is moving faster than what my healing powers alone can handle. Maybe... maybe if his soul was still inside his body, then maybe I could..."

"Good thing I got his soul back then."

Came the voice of Chris as she comes running up to us.

"Chris, where the hell did you go running off to?"

I yelled as she kneels down beside Kazuma, pushing the light of his soul back into his body.

"I chased after Entropy, took a gamble and my luck won out. I was able to use steal in order to get his soul back and I ran back here as fast as I could."

Hearing that makes us all breath a sigh of relief, though Megumin was quick to ask-

"What about Entropy though? Won't it realize that you stole Kazuma's soul from it and come back?"

Chris shakes her head and says-

"I'm pretty sure I was able to buy us some time there. Still, best not to hang around here for to much longer. Cielo, how's he doing?"

Cielo was quiet for a moment before saying as a tear falls from an eye.

"I... I can't- it's still not enough. Even with his soul returned, my power still isn't enough. I need..."

"Hey, is everything OK down there?"

Came a voice, making us look up to the rim of the crater.

Standing there, looking down at us was a woman with black hair, dressed in a white gray priestess robes with both an overcoat and cape.

"I'm a priestess. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Yes, please... help us save our friend."

Cried Megumin; making the woman rush down to quickly join us.

As she begins, her face furrows as she ask-

"What happened to him? This damage is really bad."

We explained the situation, as best as we were able.

"I see; that must have been some beast to be able to cause this kind of damage. Anyways, let's save this guy before its to late."

Cielo nods as they both focus on healing him.

After a few more, very tense, minutes, they both stop and we all breath a sigh of relief at seeing the color having returned to Kazuma's face; his breathing seemingly returned to normal too.

"Well, that's about all we can do with healing alone. I suggest you take him back to Arcanretia, rent a room at an inn if you haven't already, and make sure he gets plenty of rest to finish his healing."

The mystery woman goes to stand, only to be immediately hugged by both Megumin, Yunyun, and Cielo who thank her for saving Kazuma.

Chris then extends her hand and says-

"I agree with them; thank you for your help in saving him."

"Heh, that's what I do after all. Save people."

She says with a laugh. I then pick up Kazuma, carefully, before looking at her and say-

"You should join us, whoever you are. After what you did, we really owe you a favor here. Also, what's your name?"

"Oh, don't worry owing me anything. Just make sure you keep that kid there safe and let him rest as much as he likes. That will be payment enough. And, as for my name... I'm Serena."

With that, we turn to leave but stop and look back to see Serena watching us as we go.

"Aren't you coming with us?"

Asked Cielo.

"I'll be along later. I want to scout the area and see if I can find any traces of what might have done that to the kid there. If I can find something then maybe I can create a counter measure to it in turn."

I look at Chris who gives me an OK nod before I look back at Serena and say-

"Well, if you're sure. Just be careful out here as there are a lot of strange things about."

(Serena POV)

I watch as those kids go running off in the distance, till they were out of sight.

"So, you are in the saving people business now, huh? Never took you for being such a softy before."

I turn my head to my right, seeing the outline of a rather cute looking jellyfish type creature floating up to me.

"Aren't you suppose to be dead, Hans?"

Hans turns to look at me, giving me a dopey looking smile.

"What do you mean? I am dead... or rather, most of me is dead. Don't tell me I need to remind you how us slimes work, my dear comrade? We have no physical organs to speak of. Instead, our whole body is us. In the case of us being in danger of dying or such, we can break a piece of ourselves off and continue on even if we technically die."

"And that's exactly what I did back there. When I realized that weird smoke thing was contaminating my body, I split a small piece of myself off and allowed the rest to be consumed. A little annoying as it means it will take me a while to regain what I have lost, but it is still better than being dead."

"And what about that little drama act you put on for Satou Kazuma and his friends after the fact?"

"Oh that? Just a little bit of theater; something fun to help sell the whole being dead shtick with them, you know... just in case my name didn't appear on their Adventurer cards."

I sigh as I rub my temples.

"I can't believe they were dumb enough that bad bit of acting from you. What a let down that boy is already."

"Well, when did you become a critic?"

"Never mind that. What are your plans now, Hans? You aren't exactly in a good position to continue your work here in Arcanretia now. Going back to the castle and let the Devil King know of what's happened?"

Hans does his best imitation of a shrug that a slime can do then says-

"Don't know. I might head back to the castle or maybe I'll stick around here and see if I can at least finish polluting the last hot spring and maybe kill a few folks... to help me get my restoration started a little early. Maybe I'll even take the time to go enjoy a vacation here. So many options to choose from, I'm going to need a bit to decide. So, what about you?"

I think on it for a bit, then smile as I say-

"I think I'm going to take a little trip too; to Axel and hang out there for a while. After all, the king's little interest lives around there, right? Maybe I should take the time to see if I can find out just exactly what it is about this Satou Kazuma REALLY interest his majesty as I seriously doubt its just that Apathy skill."

Hans is silent for a moment before shrugging again.

"Well, go do whatever you want just like I'm going to go do now. Just remember to not get ahead of yourself and going killing him. After all, we both know how that will end for you if you do..."

"Death Priestess, Seresdina!"

==========================={ Part 8: Yunyun's Request }========================

(Kazuma POV)

The first thing I felt just as consciousness started to return to me was pain.

It wasn't anything serious, like the feeling of any bones being broken or anything even worse than that.

Well, maybe anyways; try to imagine something like a major headache or a tooth ache, except it felt like it was coming from every cell within your body.

Yeah, something like that, more or less.

Guess I shouldn't be surprised though, seeing as the last thing I could remember happening before darkness took me was once again being overwhelmed by the essence of the Entropy.

Once the fog upon my vision had cleared up, mostly; I tilted my head a little to get a better view of my surroundings.

I was in a room, located inside of an Arcanretia Inn, though I was unsure about if it was the same inn from before or not?

I then feel something squeezing my hand, making me look to the side; a smile forming as I saw a couple of heads of hair laying at my bedside.

To be more specific, I saw Megumin and Yunyun's heads resting on the bed with Megumin's hand being the one that was holding mine.

I wonder if they did one of their usual games to determine who would sleep closest to me and, by extension, be the one to keep hold of my hand?

I sit up slowly and carefully, so as to not wake them and scan the greater room; finding Cielo was also in here; her sleeping form resting upon the bed opposite mine.

Seeing the three of them brought a smile to my face as I gave Megumin's hand a soft squeeze while reaching out with my free hand to place gentle pats upon Yunyun's head.

While neither woke up, I could tell they enjoyed my actions from the sounds they made.

Just then, the door to my room opened and a moment later, Chris and Darkness came inside.

Seeing as I was now awake, they carefully and quietly came over to stand before the bed, making sure to not obstruct Cielo's view of me should she wake up here soon.

"So, fearless leader, feeling any better?"

Asked Chris.

"Actually, I'm still feeling a fair bit of pain here, if I'm being honest. But seeing as I am alive and all, I suppose that's a fair trade off. Though, right now, it really doesn't feel like it's fair."

I tried to make a joke of the situation but even I couldn't really find the energy to laugh right now.

"Should I go ahead and wake Cielo up, Kazuma? A few more healing sessions should help you start to really feel better."

Asked Darkness, I shake my head in response.

"Let her, and these two cute kids here, sleep just a little bit longer. After all, they're still growing and they need all the rest they can get if they hope to keep on 'growing', if you know what I mean?"

"Especially Megumin."

Joked Chris, making us chuckle.

Heres hoping Megumin didn't hear that and was just pretending to be asleep, otherwise we three would be seriously getting it from her later.

Not that I would mind 'getting it from her, or any of the girls either.'

Down, pervert Kazuma, down boy; now's not the time or place for those kinds of thoughts.

Anyways, onto the main topics.

"So, wanna tell me what happened after Entropy got all close and personal with me?"

Chris and Darkness then explained the situation, how Entropy had tried to make a run for it.

How the goddess Eris had descended and took it out and recovered my soul, before passing it onto Chris to bring back to my body.

How Cielo, with the aid of some wandering Archpriestess, had managed to heal my body enough to allow my soul to be safely returned.

And how we had ended up coming back to Arcanretia so that I could have a proper rest.

Once they were done, I asked-

"OK, so what happens now?"

"Well, now that you have awakened, I guess its time we head home then. You think you'll be good to teleport us back to the mansion today?"

Asked Darkness.

"I'm gonna want to see if I can numb some of the pain I'm still feeling here before I try to do any moving around... but pain or no pain, I will work through it and get us back home once we've had lunch. Last thing I want to do is stick around any longer in this city of crazy people. Wait, what time is it anyways?"

Chris answers by saying.

"It's a little past 8am, Kazuma. And seeing as you're confident in being able to get everyone back home today, I guess I'll be taking my leave now."

Taking your leave now?

Just what do you mean... oh, right; that little side mission of yours.

Darkness looks at Chris, a worried expression forming on her face.

"Chris, are you sure you'll be OK by yourself here? Don't forget what that Alonzo guy can do with that damn choker of his. How can you be sure it won't charm you again?"

"It'll be fine, Darkness. So long as you know of the chokers power, and know who has it and is using it, it can't be used to control you. But, to be on the safe side, I'll ask lady Eris to keep an eye on me, to make sure I'm brought back to my senses should Alonzo somehow work his magic on me again."

I clear my throat, getting them both to look at me.

"And don't worry, Kazuma. I'll also send the Mason Gloves to lady Eris to be reset for your personal usage while I'm at it. I'm sure she'll let you borrow them and will send them to you directly once they are ready."

I shake my head, then say-

"I not worried about that, though thanks for telling me regardless. Instead, I want you to do something for me once you catch up with Alonzo and his troupe but BEFORE you confront him."

Chris and Darkness look at each other then back at me, awaiting my instructions.

"As soon as you can find them, see if you can find out how long they plan on staying at their current location and, once they do depart, what their travel plans are going forward. Also include the date of when you arrived and learned this. Once you have, send us the information in the mail. If we haven't gotten any updates from you in three months following the date you gave us, we'll assume something happened and will come running to save you and kick that guys ass in the process."

Hearing that makes Darkness nod as she looks at Chris and says-

"Yeah, I agree with Kazuma here. Will you do that for us, Chris?"

"Yeah, I can and will. That actually does sound like a good idea. While I'm confident that things will be fine, it never hurts to be prepared. Anyways, I better get going... especially if I want to catch the carriage heading to Elroad. Darkness, keep an eye on these crazy kids. And Kazuma..."

Chris then leans in and kisses me on my forehead, an act that makes me blush and gets Darkness all excited as she starts stammering about the two of us possible being a secret item or something.

Chris then pulls away, giving me a warm smile as she says-

"Try to stay out of trouble while I'm gone, partner."

And with that, she turned and quietly left the room... well, almost quietly-

As she did sort of slam the door shut, probably to give the sleeping girls in the room their morning wake up call.

It was pretty funny if you ask me; their reactions to being woken up like that.

Being piled drived by the three of them once they saw that I was awake?

Eh, jury's still out on that one.

Anyways, following that little event, Cielo used her healing spells to help relieve me of most of my remaining pain; the five of us then having breakfast and chatting as we remained safely inside the inn.

Then, as planned, we waited till after lunch before exiting the inn and prepared to teleport home.

"OK, I can only teleport four people at a time so I send you four home first then I follow right after."

I said though Yunyun was quick to interject.

"I think one of us should stay back with you, Kazuma. Just in case something happens, I mean."

"Yunyun's right, for a change. That is why I shall volunteer for the job."

Said Megumin.

"Hey, what did you mean by 'for a change' there, Megumin. I'll have you know I have been right far more times than you ever have."

"What was that? You dare to suggest that I, the great Megumin, have been wrong about anything in my life, Yunyun?"

"When have you NOT been wrong, Megumin who can only use that joke spell all Crimson Demons are embarrassed to admit is a thing."

"WHAT? YOU DARE...? OK, that does it, Yunyun. Today's the day we settle things once and for..."

"TELEPORT!"

I shout, sending the two of them away in a flash of light.

Once they were gone, I look back at Cielo and Darkness, who had both a look of surprise and gratitude mixed together upon their faces.

"What do you two say about waiting a few minutes before we go join them back home?"

I asked, getting a nod in response.

"And let's hope we don't arrive to find a destroyed mansion awaiting us as a result."

Said Cielo.

"Um... excuse me?"

Came a voice, making us turn to see a woman wearing white priestess robes with a long gray colored long coat, a white cape, and dark hair.

Darkness reacts to her at once, saying-

"Oh, it's you; the priestess that showed up and aided Cielo here in healing our friend. We had been hoping we'd see you again so we could give you a proper thanks."

I look at the mature beauty before me and find myself feeling a little smitten with her; not enough to take my eyes away from the girls in my party mind you, but I still liked what I was seeing here.

I then approach her and extend my hand.

"So you're the one I was told about, the one who helped ensure that I'm still alive this day. Thank you for that. I am in your debt and if there is anything I can do for you, just tell me and I'll do what I can do see it done. Oh yeah, I'm Kazuma by the way. Satou Kazuma."

She takes my hand and we shake on it as she says-

"I know; you're friends told me before. I'm Serena, a traveling Archpriestess who goes around from place to place, offering aid to those who needs it. And actually, there is something you can do for me right now. I couldn't help but overhear you saying that you'll be using teleport to send yourselves back to Axel correct? (we nod in response) Well then, if it won't be to much trouble, can you bring me along with you? I was heading there as my next destination anyways and this will save me some eris."

"Sure, that's fine. We can do that. Just be warned though, we won't actually be heading straight to Axel but out place which is located just outside of Axel. You'll have to still do a little walking once we arrive though if that's OK?"

Said Darkness.

"That won't be a problem for me at all as it will still save me on the eris for the trip."

"I can show her the way to Axel once we arrive. I need to head to the Erisia Cathedral once we return anyways to check in with mother Clerica and schedule some new training time with her. This trip has made me aware of just how much more I need to learn in the art of healing."

Said Cielo.

I then look at Serena and ask her-

"So, ready to go now or do you still need to do anything before we depart?"

She shakes her head, saying she was ready whenever we were.

"Well then, let's all head home everyone. Teleport..."

After the four of us arrived at the mansion, and had to deal with a couple of Crimson Demons yelling at me about my actions, Cielo told us she would probably stay at the cathedral tonight then return in the morning.

I went ahead and asked Serena if she would like to stay with us inside the mansion as opposed to renting a room at an inn in Axel; assuring her we had the space.

Her reply was-

"Thank you, but I wouldn't want to put any of you out. Having said that, if I can't find a decent place to bunk at for a good while, or if I do run low on eris, then I might come back around and take you up on that offer. Anyways, I'm planning on sticking around Axel for a while; I've heard its been rather busy here as of late do to both the Destroyer and two Devil King Generals showing up. Something tells me there will be plenty of work for a girl like me to run with while I'm here."

With that, she departed with Cielo who would show her both to Axel and give her a quick tour on the way to the cathedral.

The rest of us went inside the mansion where we were greeted by a worried Anna, who told us about the Entropy's invasion.

I'll need to ask Chris next time we talk if there's anything Eris can do to stop further home invasions by those things.

After that, I checked the mail we had received and found one was addressed to Yunyun.

Upon reading the letter, Yunyun began to act weird; telling us that she was going to be stepping out for a bit in order to 'take care of something.'

Seeing the concern on my face as I watch Yunyun leave, Megumin says-

"Aw, don't worry about Yunyun, Kazuma. Based on the handwriting of the letter, I'd say it had to have been from her dad and it was probably just an update letter about all the going-ons within the village."

"If that's the case, then shouldn't you read it too, Megumin?"

Asked Darkness who was busying herself by watching Chomusuke stretching on the sofa.

"Not really. If there was anything of real importance, Yunyun will let me know. My guess is that her father wanted to tell Yunyun about some sort of new scheme he has come up with to make the tourist that swing by the village every now and then even more excited about coming back again."

After that, we spent the rest of the afternoon just lounging around before deciding to head into Axel ourselves; partly to collect on the bounty for Hans and partly just to hang out with the others at the Guild.

To be honest, it still didn't sit well with me; claiming the bounty on Hans after he had sacrificed himself in order to help us against the Entropy.

I actually felt pretty scummy about it, if I was being honest here.

However, he DID tell me to do it so I will go ahead and honor his last words.

And I do mean ALL of his last words.

Even his request for me to meet with his boss, the Devil King; and hear him out.

Not sure when I'll get around to doing that, but I will... one day.

It was now evening and we were all at the Guild.

Darkness and Taylor had retreated to the training grounds out back behind the guild, to do a little sparing in order to test each others skills out.

Keith had joined them to act as their observer.

Dust was, as usual, drunk off his ass, and flirting slash harassing the waitresses.

And me and Megumin were off to the side, eating... well, Megumin was eating up a storm; completely oblivious to the rest of the world.

And I was just there, watching her with an amused look on my face.

"Howdy sailor, care to by me a drink?"

Came the voice of Lynn from behind me, making me start to turn to look back at her but she stops me before doing so as she gets in close and breaths in my scent.

"Hm... you still smell so GOOD there, Kazuma. Definitely no doubt about it now..."

She says before taking a seat beside me.

Megumin, who was sitting opposite me, either hadn't notice Lynn saying that, or didn't really care as she continued to eat as if the world was coming to an end.

"Hey Lynn, been a while since we talked. So... wanna tell me what that was about just now?"

"You'll find out... one day, Kazuma. I promise. Anyways, I see Megumin is keeping herself busy. I also heard you all had yourselves one hell of a little adventure while off in Arcanretia. Wanna clue this demi-human girl in on it?"

I figured why not so I told her, more or less, what happened with Megumin surprising us by cutting in here and there to add her own brand of context to it all.

Once I was done, Lynn thinks for a few minutes before saying-

"Yeesh, sounds like a pain in ones ass. Glad I wasn't there for some of it... although, I wonder if that choker's power would have had an effect one me, given the fact that I've... actually, let's not talk about that right now."

"Talk about what?"

Asked Megumin; her voice fairly muffled as she was speaking with a mouth full of food.

"Sorry, but that's a secret I'm gonna keep for now."

She then looks at me and says-

"So, Kazuma... can I ask you a favor here?"

"Sure, what is it?"

I noticed Megumin's ear had perked up; clearly she was keeping track of things being said now.

"Well, I was wondering if...CRASH?"

The three of us jerk to see Dust had been given a mean right hook by one of the waitresses and had been sent flying into one of the tables, sending drinks and food flying and, from the looks of it, damaging the table in the process.

Lynn sighs as she gets up, saying as she does so-

"Um... actually, let's give my request a rain check for now. I'll tell you about it another day, OK. For now, I need to go collect that idiot before he gets himself thrown into jail... AGAIN, this week."

And with that, Lynn heads over to get her idiot teammate while I spot Luna exiting through the back, probably to fetch Taylor and Keith as well.

"I feel bad for Lynn... and Taylor and Keith too. Can't be easy for them to have to babysit THAT all the time."

Said Megumin.

"Yeah, I know the feeling."

"And what does that mean I wonder, Kazuma? Care to enlighten me here?"

I go to respond, and defend myself in the process, but my words are stopped as I suddenly find myself feeling tired and light headed.

"Kazuma? Are you OK?"

Asked Megumin, now sounding concerned.

"Yeah, just a little light headed is all. Sorry, but I think I've reached my limit for tonight. I'm going to go ahead and head back to the mansion. Wanna grab Darkness and come back with me or...?

Megumin shakes her head, saying-

"I wanna finish stuffing my face here first. You go ahead and head back and don't worry about us. It won't kill us to walk home when we're ready to go. Oh, and Kazuma... leave your bedroom door unlocked so I can come in and check on you once we get back, OK?"

I give Megumin a nod before smiling and asking-

"So, wanting to do a secret night raid on me or something? If so, then maybe you should come back with me now while we would have the mansion all to ourselves."

Megumin rolls her eyes at my words, then says-

"Just hurry up and head back home already, you hopeless pervert."

She then gives me a playful smirk which I return before using teleport on myself, appearing outside the mansion.

As soon as I step inside, I notice Yunyun was there, waiting.

"Ah... Yunyun, there you are. We've been wondering where you ran off to after you read that letter. Yunyun? Is something wrong, did something happen?"

I asked, seeing the nervous look she had on her downcast face.

She then takes in a few deep breaths before looking at me with eyes filled with new-found determination.

"Kazuma... I have a selfish and willful request to make to you. Will you please here it?"

"(I nod) Sure, what is it, Yunyun?"

Yunyun fidgets for a few moments before regaining her resolve, then blurting out her request.

"Kazuma, I... I... I want to make a baby with you... right now."

I wasn't sure what exactly happened next, but I was pretty sure I passed out on the spot.

{ Epilogue }

Glutton skipped down the hallway of the groups base of operations, humming happily to herself.

"Well, well, well, look who's finally decided to show up at last?"

Came the voice of Complex, her head titlted towards Glutton as she continued to appraoch.

Glutton finally comes to a stop before Complex and the large double doors that led into the meering room.

"Wanna explain yourself there before we head inside?"

"What's to explain? You all know me so there shouldn't be anything to explain with my actions back there."

"Bull crap. Don't think I didn't see what you did with big bro... Kazuma there in the hot springs. Heard what you said to him. You really are hopeless, aren't you?"

"Oh, what's wrong, spoiled brat? Are you upset that I was able to do all that before you did? Multiple times I might add. Maybe if you weren't so reserved, so prim and proper, you could have experienced more than just your little perverted fantasy's about him by now."

Glutton then begins to laugh as Complex clenches her fist, ready to start throwing down-

When the large double doors opens with a lough creak and Shy sticks her head out.

"As anyone every told you that you both make more noice than the entire Crimson Demon clan makes during those 'celebration festivals?' Hurry up and get in here already. It's time to make your report, Glutton."

The two of them glare at each other for a moment longer before letting it go and following Shy into the large meeting room, where Ego and Passion were already awaiting them.

With that, everyone except Glutton takes a seat while Glutton herself simply goes to stand in the middle of the room.

"Hm, been a while since all five of us have been together in the same room. We should really have a party here."

Says Passion.

Ego waves her words off as she looks at Glutton and says-

"Once we have recovered our... have completed our objective here, we can party for as long as we want to. For now, Glutton... please share with us everything that happened while you were indulging yourself down there."

Next Time: Following having the entire guild spiked with a sleep potion, a prank from Dust, Megumin and Darkness don't make it back to the mansion till the following morning where they find Kazuma and Yunyun being very cozy with each other. If that isn't enough, when the find the letter Yunyun received from home and read its contents, the panic begins as everyone has one question on their minds: did Kazuma and Yunyun really do 'that' while they were alone the night before?

Image 1: Darkness and Yunyun looking at each other, Darkness having a hand resting on Yunyun's shoulders as they both smile at each other

Image 2: Chris and Megumin running with panicked looks on their faces as mechanical spiders rain down from above; some of which having already fallen onto them, main reason behind their panic

Image 3: Kazuma and Cielo walking down a long hallway, the two of them holding hands as they walk side by side

Image 4: Full Slime King mode Hans vs Entropy possessed Minotaur face off.