When he saw the town entrance, Naofumi almost sighed in relief. It's been a few hours since they left the poisoned village and all he wanted to do was relax in the town's hot springs.

After what happened with Ryder, Naofumi decided they all needed some R&R. What better way than a hot spring?

That was the plan… until they were attacked by Ratkin along the way. The furry little beasts, no bigger than a toddler, ambushed them halfway to the town and they had to stop and fight them off. Naofumi didn't mind rodents back home. Not these ugly fuckers. They were not like regular rats. They were bipedal and wore shredded fabric around their bodies. Their weapons of choice were tiny daggers. It would've been laughable to be threatened with such a weapon but each cut and stab was like getting clawed by a cat and stung by a bee.

Luckily his defense was high enough to not even make a dent in his HP, but damn they were annoying. When he took some down, more appeared. Rachel set half of them on fire, Mina froze a good chunk of their gang, and Rowan and his spiders finished the rest off. For his part, Naofumi used his Poison Dart Shield and barraged the Ratkin with an onslaught of needles. The added poison effect made it easier for his friends to take them down.

Once it was all done, Naofumi asked Rowan to skin some of them and added the furs to his shield, getting the Ratkin Shield. It acted as a counter effect to any physical attack, giving the opponent any kind of status ailment or a debuff of any random stats.

Now the hot springs were becoming more enticing when they neared the town. It was a rather small town from what Rowan had said. He had Gareth had visited there a few times after a long hunt to relax. The inn was almost reminiscent of an onsen minus the Japanese architecture. There was an open-air hot spring for everyone to use and private ones located outside of the rooms. Those they would have to pay extra; Rowan had informed them, though Naofumi was willing to pay for that.

When they pulled into the town, they dropped off their wagon at a stable and went to the town square.

"This really is a small town, huh?" Naofumi saw establishments of different kinds. A restaurant, a tailor shop, a blacksmith, and a jewelry store. Beyond that were houses and cottages. The townsfolk were going about their business not paying them any mind. Naofumi had moved his shield behind his back just in case anyone stopped to look at him. The town was marked as one of the ones that worship the Four Gods but it couldn't hurt to be cautious.

"I like it," Rachel says. "Gives me that home-y feeling. Reminds me of the village where I grew up."

"It is charming," Mina comments. "The hustle and bustle of large villages, towns, and cities can be exciting. But towns like this offer a respite from when things get hectic."

Naofumi could relate to that. Growing up near the city, it was fun going to the library, the manga store, and the KFC that was near his university. When he came back home, being in his room was so relaxing to unwind and be the almost-sort-of otaku that he is. This was a far cry from his room, but it could work.

"Do you guys wanna go to the hot spring already?" Naofumi asks. "I want to rest after dealing with those stupid Ratkin."

"You go ahead," Mina says. "I'm going to go look around. A small town like this, it should be easy to spot my parents if they decided to hide here." She waves them off and heads to the restaurant.

"We passed by a medicine shop," Rachel says. "The owners might be willing to sell me stuff. I shouldn't be for more than half an hour." She walks away in the opposite direction of Mina.

"I can join you," Rowan says. "There's no way Gareth would be here since Hrym wasn't spotted around this area, so I have lots of free time. And I can show you around if you're up for it?"

"That sounds great," Naofumi says. "After we check-in, let's go to the restaurant where Mina went. I can smell the food from here."

The inn was a modest one. The innkeeper informs them their hot springs are a tourist attraction but they're usually less busy during the spring. They paid for two rooms, one for Naofumi and Rowan and the other for Rachel and Mina. Both with private baths. When that was done, they made their way to the restaurant where Mina went.

The scent of cooked meat made Naofumi's stomach growl. He only had dried fruit on the way and he was craving for some meat. Delicious, hearty meat. It didn't matter if it was from a bear or a deer, anything would do. The two took a seat near a fireplace and a waiter came and gave them their menus.

Naofumi then spotted Mina across the room talking to a group at a table. Her dancer garb made it easy to spot her. When one of the members of the group shook his head, Mina only nodded and left. When she spotted them, she made her way to the table.

"Any luck?" Naofumi asks as she takes her seat.

"Unfortunately, no. It literally is like finding a needle in a haystack. A rather large haystack the size of a mountain."

Come to think of it, with the way she looked, her light brown skin and wavy black hair, she didn't have the standard European look everyone in Melromarc had. Maybe she was from somewhere else? Naofumi hasn't seen anyone with her skin tone around.

Before he could ask, Rachel came in and he waved at her to join.

"Guess we were all thinking the same thing, huh?" She leaned over to look at the menu Naofumi was holding. "Food first, then explore."

The waiter came back, took their orders, and left just as quickly as he came. He came back not even a minute later with mugs of peach tea.

Naofumi took a sip then fixed his gaze on Mina. "There's something I wanna ask."

"Yes? What is it?" She asks quizzically.

"I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but were you born in Melromarc? I mean, you don't look like anyone we've met and I was just wondering…" he lets the question hang in the air. He hopes it didn't come off as offensive.

"I can see why you would ask that," Mina responds. "Yes, I was born in Melromarc, but my parents were originally from Sahir, a desert kingdom."

"Where's that?"

"Just south-east of Melromarc. It's quite large with lots of oases scattered about. My parents were born in the capital but moved to Melromarc when they became nobles. Hence why it would be easy to spot someone if they were from Sahir. Though I guess my parents are good at hiding if no one has seen two Sahirans living in their town."

"So you don't have any idea where they could be?" Rachel asks. "Melromarc is kind of small compared to the other countries and kingdoms. Do you think they could've returned to Sahir?"

"I doubt that," Mina says. "If they're hiding from the Black Foxes, they would want to hide in the last place the Black Foxes would look. Going back to Sahir would be too obvious. The only other places I can think of are port cities. There, you would see all kinds of people from different parts of the world. Even from Sahir. Though a small town could be a good hiding spot." She sighs. "Honestly, they could be anywhere."

While Naofumi couldn't understand what she was going through, he could sympathize. It sucks no knowing the truth. Mina, as calm and collected as she is at times, shows her vulnerable side when it comes to her parents.

"What about other family members?" Rowan suggests.

"That's a dead-end," Mina bluntly says. "When I was old enough, I went to Castle Town to look at a directory for my family name. It being the capital and them being nobles, the directory should have had their information. I got nothing. My parents are only children and my grandparents from my dad's side had passed away years before I was born. If I had to guess, my mom's parents also went into hiding as well. The directory hasn't updated my family's status in twenty-four years."

"The same age you are now," Naofumi points out.

"Yes. Since I can't use my real last name without alerting any Black Foxes members, I have to be as discreet as possible if I want to find them. Which is proving to be quite the ordeal."

When she doesn't add anything, Naofumi suggests, "Well, we still have a long way to go in our journey. I'm sure you'll find them soon."

She smiles slightly. "Yes, I suppose you're right."

The waiter arrives with their food and they dig in. Rachel eats with gusto, Mina takes her time enjoying each bite, and Rowan shares his food with his spiders.

Now that he could finally taste food again, he enjoys the hearty flavor of the deer meat seasoned with spices and thyme.

Today was going to be a day of relaxation. No worrying about Motoyasu, the Bitch, or anything else. Just him, his friends, and the hot spring.

Naofumi slowly entered the hot spring and sighed in relief.

'Oh yeah, this is perfect.'

Taking in a deep breath, he leans back against the edge of the spring and exhales. It being outside, Naofumi got a good view of the sky turning purple with dusk approaching. He closes his eyes and imagines himself back in Japan in an onsen. For a moment, he really does believe he's back home and he's taking a much-needed break from his university work and splurged on a hot spring getaway.

He sinks lower until the water reaches his chin. His muscles relaxed as the hot water enveloped him in a warm embrace, easing any tension he had. It was as if all the hardships he had gone through were being washed off his body and all that was left was pure bliss.

Of course, he knew this wouldn't last forever, but he could enjoy it for now.

He opens his eyes and looks to his left. A stone wall that looked about maybe sixteen feet separated his hot spring from the girls'. He didn't hear their voices or any splash of water.

'Guess they're already done.'

Not that he imagines what the girls would be like soaking in the water. Nope. Not. At. All.

… OK, maybe he was curious but he wasn't going to act out a scene from an anime or manga where the pervy character would try and take a peek only to get his ass kicked. It also doesn't help that the girls could use magic on him. That would be worse.

He still couldn't believe he had honest to god friends. And two of them were women. Not that he's clueless about girls, let alone adult women.

They may be older than him by a few years, but they were within his age range. He doesn't deny that they're beautiful in their own ways.

Mina is very revealing in her clothes, unashamedly walking around with confidence. Rachel had more clothes on but her bodice does accentuate her waist and chest. As does Mina and her top.

Now he's thankful they're not outside to see him flustered.

… He wonders what Rowan looks like without his shirt. The hunter didn't have prominent muscle mass but he could be toned without being too bulky.

Naofumi looks over his shoulder at the door leading back to their room. It was closed shut, separating him and Rowan.

Not five minutes earlier, when Naofumi asked him if he wanted to join him, Rowan turned bright red.

"Y-you want me… I-I um think… maybe you could and I could… umm… Not that I don't want to be with you or… I just think that… maybe… I'mhungryI'mgonnagetfood!" He dashed out of their room, leaving a stunned Naofumi staring blankly at the door.

He chuckles at the event. It was kind of cute seeing Rowan shy. Seeing the softness of his flustered face, trying to form a coherent sentence, it was cute.

Weird, he never thought that about a guy before.

What strange friends he had.

If only they were with him in Japan.

Home…

It times like this that the mere thought of home hit him hard. Sure, his life back home was average at best. In a way, he was satisfied with his life before. Going to school, playing games, reading manga and light novels, hanging out with his little bro, he didn't need more than that to be satisfied.

Of course, there was getting a job after he graduated but even then, he would be OK if his job paid enough and he could stay afloat in a small apartment. Or maybe a slightly bigger apartment so he could have room to store his figurines.

All in all, it seemed like a pretty OK life. Then this mess happened and… he was conflicted.

He lowered himself until the water went over his mouth. He was fine with his OK life, but some part of him did wonder if things had been different.

Different as in… he would do more than what he was originally doing. Maybe pick up a new hobby or actually go to clubs and meet new people. Maybe he could cut back on games and start exercising. The exercising he's got that done. When he was undressing to go into the spring, he noticed he gained some muscles. Not a lot, just enough to be noticed.

And he did get new friends. Actual people and not someone online.

There were both good and bad things about this world. The bad was that he was branded as a criminal and half of the freaking kingdom hates him. And the world was doomed to be destroyed by apocalyptic waves.

The good outshines the bad, however. There were his friends, the few people who did like him, and his attitude was becoming more relaxed than it was before. He still kept his guard up when things didn't seem right.

Why did all of the good things he wished he did back home were the result of going to another world? Why couldn't he just muster up the courage to do them? Why did it have to take being accused of rape to be where he is now?

He pushed himself back up, resting his back against the edge of the spring. Some life he was living.

This world needed him, regardless of what he wants. If he could, he would take the chance to go back home and do better.

Be a better son, be a better student, be a better older brother.

Did his family know he's missing? What if time worked the same way here in his world? If weeks have passed since he arrived. Does this mean he's missing? Is his family worried? Or maybe one month here was five seconds over there?

This was supposed to be relaxing. Instead, he's having an existential crisis. Could this even be an existential crisis?

A knock from the door surprised him.

"Naofumi?" Rowan calls out, his voice slightly muffled.

"Yeah?"

"Are you almost done? Rachel and Mina are at the dining hall ordering food. Do you want us to order for you?"

"Sure, I'm just about done."

"Got it, I'll let them know."

Naofumi didn't want to get out just yet. Despite his earlier thoughts, Rowan's interruption distracted him enough to relax for a bit. When will he ever get the chance to soak in a hot spring?

After a few minutes, he stood. Since he was by himself, he didn't bother wearing a towel around his waist. By the door was a basket with fluffy white towels. He snatched one of them and dried himself off as he entered the room. If Rowan was still in here, Naofumi could imagine how red his face would be.

He dressed and went to the dining hall. His friends waved him over and he could see a meal of meat, veggies, and a drink ready for him.

"Sorry I'm late." He took his seat.

"No worries," Rachel waves a hand dismissively. "The food just got here. Dig in."

This was nice, Naofumi realized. He may not be home with his family, but it could be worse. He wouldn't have his friends with him and be left alone. However long he would be here, he won't take his friends for granted.

Later that night, the four retired to their rooms and slept. They slept peacefully as the moon watched over the land. The full moon was high in the sky as if someone had strung it up there, shining in its magnificence. It watched over the kingdom of Melromarc and the many villages and cities.

In the coastal city of Silvershore, people were still awake. A man walking his dog for a night stroll, several bars, or speakeasies as they were called, had people coming and going, a late-night party showing no signs of stopping.

In Castle Town, King Aultcray was making last preparations for his daughter's arrival for tomorrow evening. He hasn't seen Melty in the last few weeks and he made sure the maids cleaned her room until it was absolutely spotless. Everything had to be perfect for her. He would sleep later until the task was done.

In a small village, Ren lay awake in his bed while his party members slept. They were at an inn and Ren, feeling restless, chose to watch the night sky. Once, when he was little, he had seen a shooting star. He was so surprised by the event, he forgot to make a wish. Even if this world wasn't real and was just some game, the night sky looked so real. He kept looking at the moon until he dozed off.

Farther south from where Naofumi and his friends were, lay a sleeping town. Many of the residents were sleeping the day away. Children would get ready for school in the morning. The adults would get up early for work.

They were unaware of what was happening in a villa that was perched high on a hill.

Inside, a man was begging.

"Please! Please stop-"

A punch to the face silenced him.

His wife screamed and began crying.

They were nobles. The kind of nobles that were liked among their fellow peers. The people of the town, however… they didn't hate them but didn't like them either. They had a haughty air around them. They wore clothes made from expensive materials, had the best food imparted from different parts of the world, and unashamedly boasted their status.

Their servants tolerated them. Many were demi-humans and the rest human. They were lucky to get a job where it pays well at the cost of being mistreated. The nobleman was the worse, calling them names and berating them constantly.

The man and woman had it all. They are invincible.

That is until now.

The man, his vision blurred from the punch, tried to stand but was forced down with a boot to his back.

The person standing over him is a demi-human. His dog ears flicked back and his tail wagged, pleased at what he was doing.

He removed his boot from the man and grabbed him by the hair, yanking him up until they were eye-to-eye.

"Look at you," the demi-human sneers. "How the mighty have fallen. Your money won't save you this time." He slams the man's head to the ground, breaking his nose. The metallic taste of blood is too much. He starts coughing out some.

Dazed, the man looks up, ready to plead with every inch of his life. This was not how he wanted to die. Not like this.

He sees the clothes the demi-human is wearing. A black shirt with the sleeves torn off, the edges lined with white fur. His pants were black along with his boots. The man looks to the side and sees many people – human, demi-human, and some beastmen - in the same color scheme as the man.

When he first saw them, he swore his heart stopped beating.

These people were feared by every noble across the land. They were ruthless. Cruel. A bunch of killers.

The Black Foxes.

"You think you're so high and mighty like a god," the demi-human continues. "But you're not. You're nothing more than a pig dressed in fine clothes. Everything about you is wrong. The way you treat people is wrong." He pulls out a hatchet. "Ooh, I'm going to have so much fun with you!" He cackles.

The man is too scared to even utter a word, let alone move.

Just then, the doors to the room burst open.

"Sir!" A human woman bowed. "I have a report."

The demi-human turned his attention toward her. "Speak."

"We've received word that the Bow hero has entered the village. They're unaware of our presence but it won't be long until they notice. What are your orders?"

'The Bow Hero,' the demi-human muses at the thought.

He smiles.

"Have some of our agents spread rumors. Tell the townsfolk we're here. That'll get the Bow Hero's attention." He has heard of the Bow Hero's good deeds. A vigilante hero who thinks he can save everyone. If he were to find out the Black Foxes were here, he couldn't resist helping.

A perfect trap.

"Understood." The woman left along with several agents.

The demi-human starts to laugh. "This day just keeps getting better and better." He turns to the man. "And it's only just beginning."

Hey all! Sorry about the delay in chapters. I do plan on updating every other Friday so I can keep consistent with updates but depending on how long the chapters are or how much I want to put into one, the time between chapters could be weeks.

But I do have the next chapter already outlined.

We finally meet the Black Foxes. And Poor Itsuki doesn't know what's in store for him.

Until the next chapter, have a nice day!