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This is the old Loners Vol 1, if you wish to see the first chapter of the rewrite, it starts at chapter ten. Once all chapters of the Vol 1 rewrite are out, the old ones will be deleted and replaced.

Chapter 4:

"Eh? You're going on a date with Yunyun?" Kazuma asked surprised.

"Y-yeah, Chris was the one who told Yunyun to ask me out; since you're dating Megumin, I was wondering if you have any advice."

Kazuma laughed, "You know you're asking the wrong person, right? Unless you want to walk miles to let off explosions."

"What kind of date is that?"

"However, we have been on actual dates on rare occasions. Just take her out to dinner or something, I've heard there is some kind of new cafe in town."

"Really? Thanks, I'll take her there."

"Also the thing about Yunyun, you have to be careful, she can easily be distracted and fall for scams."

"Alright, thanks for the warning."

000

Today was the day Yunyun and I went on a date. I was already prepared, I bought a black and red suit for a cheap price and a small knife just in case something happens. I was against this 'dating' plan that Chris made up, but now this may be a great chance to learn more about Yunyun!

With new determination, I rush outside.

"Oh William, what's the occasion for?" Luna looked at me.

"Oh, well..." I leaned closer, "Promise me you won't say a word."

She looks at me oddly, "I promise."

"The truth is, I'm about to go on a date with Yunyun."

She smiled, "I see- EHHHHHHHHHHH YOU'RE DATING YUNYUN!?" She shouted.

Oh great... everyone is looking at me.

"EHHHHH?" The whole guild stood up and surrounded me and bombarded me with several questions.

After a couple of minutes of the staff trying to calm everybody, I could finally breathe.

"Still, that was unexpected." Luna looked at me while rubbing the back of her head before putting her hands on my shoulders with a stern look. "Yunyun is a good girl, so you better treat her right."

I nodded before she let go with a contented smile.

000

We were supposed to meet at a small restaurant so why isn't she here?

"William!" I heard a voice from behind.

"Ah, Yunyun!" I waved.

She was running towards me with a ring.

"Sorry was I late?" She asked me with a worried expression.

"What's the ring for?" I pointed to the small golden ring with a small red crystal.

"Oh, a nice old man gave me this ring; he said that it has special powers. It was extremely pricy but he said that he would cut the price in half just for me."

I stared at her, "Oh, and how much did you pay?"

"Eleven-"

"Oh thank goodness."

"-Thousand."

"What, eleven thousand Eris!?"

"Y-Yes..." She looked away shamefully.

"This is where I would scold you for falling for a scam but we have a d...date today so I'll let it slide. Plus, it's not like it cost millions so it will be fine."

She decided to change topics, not that I can blame her. "S-So, where are we going first?"

"Well, there was a new cafe that I wanted to check out."

Her eyes widened, "You mean that one up the road from here!? I've always wanted to go!"

SCORE! I lead Yunyun to the restaurant and we both sat down. We both ordered some food before sitting awkwardly.

"So, how's the village?" I decided to bring up a conversation.

She perked up, "Everyone seems to be doing fine, though the Shadow Walker has been the talk of the town recently."

I sigh, "I wish I could say that I was surprised."

She chortled, "Same, how are your feelings on it?"

"Well from what I got, Chris seems to be going after them."

"I wonder what she's doing now..."

-Meanwhile-

Chris was standing on the rooftop of a small building. She continued to look around for any oddities, she made sure to stay close to the restaurant but never too close. Despite William's proof that he wasn't the Shadow Walker, it wasn't enough. She said it with Yunyun, she needed to see it to believe it. While his explanation was possible, that's all it was: an explanation. She set up this 'date' to find the real Shadow Walker, only part of it was because she wanted to tease Yunyun. If she managed to find the Shadow Walker before their date ended, it would clear everything up.

After half an hour of scouting, she managed to catch something emerging from spiraling darkness. Its form was almost humanoid, with black tentacles sprouting from its body in every direction. As usual, its face was impossible to see; it was almost like trying to remember a distant memory. Without a second thought, Chris rushed to it.

It looked straight at Chris, "So we meet again..."

"Why?" Chris looked into its unrecognizable face.

"I did what you do, take from the rich."

"I don't take the divine relics for myself and I especially don't kill anyone for them!"

It took a step forward, "Then perhaps we shall settle this disagreement, shall we?"

"I agree, I'm putting your unnecessary killings to rest."

"Like you're one to talk, we know why you hate demons." It pointed at Chris' scar.

"Shut up!" Chris ran forward with her dagger and plunged it into the chest of the Shadow Walker.

It started at the deep wound on his chest. "That did some damage, but that's only for demons if I believe. It's merely a dagger to me."

It charged at Chris using its tentacles to propel itself forward. The force knocked both off balance and they started tumbling down and off the building, crashing right into a window.

-Meanwhile-

Despite what I thought, the 'date' between Yunyun and I was going well. Though Yunyun tried to avoid the topic of her life in the past.

I opened my mouth to speak when a loud crash came from the window in the front of the building followed by panicked screams.

"Chris!?" Yunyun shouted staring at the scene unfolding between us.

I noticed that she was wrestling with someone.

"Yunyun, William, I found the Shadow Walker! Sorry to interrupt but I'd really like some assistance right now!"

We both sat up just as Chris was thrown across the room. I saw the Shadow Walker run out of the building.

"What the hell is going on!?" I shouted at Chris.

"No time to explain, just help me catch him!"

All of us rushed out of the building, Chris jumping on top of roofs as we covered the ground. We chased it across half of the town Chris managed to jump in front of it.

"We have you surrounded, just give up already!" Chris shouted in a rugged breath.

"Fine, have it way!" It charged at her with its hands.

"Light of Saber!" Yunyun shouted as a blade of light pierced the creature.

It screeched before disappearing.

...

"That was it?" I stared at where the Shadow Walker once was, "One hit? Really?" That was extremely anti-climatic, all this build-up just for him to be killed in one hit. Even Chris had a look of shock and disappointment.

"How? My dagger even did little damage."

We both stood there in silence before Chris spoke again, "Well, looks like this case is solved!"

"Alright, you have some explaining to do Chris."

She proceeded to explain what she was doing.

"Alright, because this whole date thing is now ruined; I think you should pay for everything, including the broken glass."

Chris flinched, "Well you see, I have something else to do so please let go of my arm."

Yunyun grabbed her other arm with an ominous smile, "Oh please, you can do that later!"

"W-Wait, please don't, spare my wallet!"

We both ignored her wailing as we dragged her back to the restaurant.

000

After forcing Chris to pay for everything, we all went our separate ways. "So, Yunyun, what now?"

"W-Well, I was just thinking we can walk around for a bit."

We were walking past building after building, I looked over at Yunyun. Her face was looking at the ground in thought.

"Yunyun?"

Yunyun jumped up, "Y-Yeah?"

"You looked confused? Something wrong?"

She puts a hand on her forehead, "N-Nothing, I was just thinking about that 'Shadow Walker' guy. It just felt too easy, you know?"

I felt my lips curve in a small smile, "Eh, I wouldn't worry too much... Don't sweat the small stuff, I'm sure it was nothing."

She looked into my eyes, "I guess you're right..."

000

We got back from our walk, and we both had a lot to think about.

I sat there in my chair thinking about everything that happened. Yunyun had made a point, it was too easy. The problem is what now, I don't think that even Chris knows. Everything has been crazy ever since I met Yunyun, but it's not something she has control over. I have to find out what is happening, something more is going on.

Right now, we have to let it go for the moment. That is what is most important is it not? I put my hand on my head as I thought about everything. The only lead I have is the orb but it was now gone. Unless... no that couldn't possibly be a lead, could it?

I grabbed the crumpled-up paper while staring at it. I have to at least try, it's the only idea I have left, insane as it is.

000

Yunyun stared at me, "You're kidding me..."

"Nope."

"So... you're telling me that you are about to use the love letter as proof."

"It's the only lead I have, less there is something that I missed."

"This is insane but, you're right that this is the only thing we have."

"There has to be something like a secret code, so we should find someone who can decipher it."

"Maybe Wiz or Vanir could help."

"Vanir?" That demon Wiz was talking about?

"Yeah, they both work together!"

The demon that turned her into a lich is working together... what?

"Fine, let's go." I got up while motioning for her to follow.

000

I opened the door, "Hey, Wiz!"

"Ah, William and Yunyun, it's nice to see you."

"Welcome loner boy and loner girl!" A new voice says.

"We're not loners!" We both shouted at the same time causing the man to laugh.

He was quite strange in appearance, he was a tall man with a black and white suit. His face had a mask that covered the top of his face, half was black and the other side was white. The only thing I could see was his nose and mouth.

He began to laugh, "You seek moi's help to decipher a letter as a last desperate attempt to get a lead?"

I flinched, "H-How did you!?"

"AHAHAHAHA, moi sees all!" He looks straight at me causing me to recoil in slight fear, "I usually need a payment; however, I heard that you were the cause of us getting so many sales last time. So I shall decipher it for you!"

I hand it to him; he looks at it and laughs, "You must be joking, moi has already deciphered it!"

"Wha-" Already, that quick?

"Whoever wrote this must be a complete moron. They really didn't try to hide it at all."

He shoved the letter in my face, "See the first letters spell out the words 'pain lake.' Only a moron wouldn't find it!"

"It can't be!" I snatched the letter and sure enough. I looked at Yunyun, she just kept staring at me. "P-Please stop staring at me with pity!"

"You know if you let me read it, even I could have easily deciphered it and saved you the humiliation," Yunyun said.

"Ugh, this is too embarrassing!" I cry while curling into a ball.

"Muhahahaha! Such negative emotions!"

I look up, "Pain lake? That sounds like a stupid name for a lake."

Yunyun shook her head, "No, there is no lake called that."

"Then what could it mean?"

"Ah! There is one lake that I've heard about that fits that name." Wiz states.

"What do you mean?"

"W-Well, I remember hearing about a cursed lake. It's said that if you touch its water, I will kill you. I heard that there is something inside of it, but I'm not sure."

"Well, how are we supposed to go into a lake that's supposed to kill you?"

"Who knows, maybe you'll find it with time." Wiz said.

I sigh, "Maybe, I just don't know where to look exactly."

I stared in the distance before leaving with Yunyun following closely behind.

000

We were walking outside of town when I noticed something off.

"Hey, Yunyun, aren't those the monsters you fought when we first met?"

I pointed to the creature, the same lightly glowing fur standing on two legs. So, why did it feel so offputting to look at it? Looking closer I realized something, the eye that was once there was replaced with around twenty smaller eyes.

"Yeah, I've never seen a monster do that before?"

I look at her, "Do what?"

"Change appearances, it looks similar but it's clear that this is no illusion."

"I've heard of adapting to environments, but this should take hundreds if not thousands of years to change, not a couple of months."

She looks at me strangely but doesn't question it.

We both decided to take it down, which hopefully wouldn't be too bad... right?

000

"How is this thing not dead yet!?" I screamed while running away behind Yunyun.

"I don't know!" Yunyun screamed.

It was chasing us down a field, outpacing us.

"It's like a cheetah!"

"What even is that?"

"It doesn't matter! Just run!"

"Gladly!" Yunyun agreed.

I knew we couldn't continue to run forever, it was a matter of time before it pounced on 'us.

"Yunyun, freeze it on my mark!"

"We already tried that!" She screeched.

"Just trust me!"

"Fine, this better be a good plan!"

I waited until it was close to us, "Now! Aim towards its legs and head!"

She froze it again, causing it to halt in its path.

"Now it's my turn!" I say with a confident smile.

"Whatever your plan is, it will be good enough," Yunyun says as she puts her faith in me.

Now that is all fine and good, but there is one small part I didn't mention to her: I didn't have a plan at all. I had to wing it, so without thinking I grabbed my sword and plunged it right into its body as far as it could go. Halfway, the sword got stuck in the body; I had to push with all my body to cause it to go through. As soon as it went through, the monster stopped moving.

With newfound relief, I wipe the sweat off my face before turning around and giving her a thumbs up.

"William, you really freaked me out, you could have died." She huffed.

We both checked out the corpse of the beast, "I guess we should bring it to the guild, we may get some reward."

It wasn't part of any question on the board, but the potential for discovering a new monster has endless possibilities.

Yunyun looked at me, "You get the front, I'll get the back"

000

I can't believe I'm carrying a dead animal, it was extremely heavy. The sheer weight of the creature was that of carrying a wolf. Looking behind me, I noticed that I wasn't the only one struggling with it. Yunyun was a sweaty mess, breathing heavily as she heaved the beast in the back.

"Just... a little... further!" I yelled as I spotted the doors to the guild.

We continued to carry it as the doors came further into view. With one final push, we slammed the doors open causing everyone's heads to turn towards us. Everyone's blank stares followed us as we slowly and painstakingly moved toward Luna.

With a loud thud, we both fell to the floor with loud and heavy breathing.

"What happened?" Luna asked with concern.

"We... went to the... fields... and we..." I stopped and caught my breath.

"We discovered a new... monster..." Yunyun finished my sentence.

"You what!?" Luna yelled in shock.

"We didn't know what to do, so we decided to bring it here." I explained.

"W-Well, I can take it and give it to a specialist. I know an expert studies monsters, I'll be sure to notify him right away."

We both nodded and left the guild. Outside, I saw Kazuma's party dragging a reluctant Kazuma across as he spouts complaints.

"Oi, can't a guy like me have some time to relax!?" Kazuma shouted.

"Honestly, you had four days of relaxing; it's time you did something." Megumin said while walking beside Kazuma with a sour expression.

"Kazuma, as much as I don't mind your insults; Megumin is right." The blond crusader, Darkness said with a red face.

"That's expected of a pedoNEET." Aqua joins in.

"Shut up!" Kazuma yells.

Kazuma looks up and notices me, "Oh William and Yunyun!"

Megumin shoots a glare at me, causing me to stumble backward.

"What are you doing here?" Kazuma asked.

"We just took care of a monster, came back from the guild." Yunyun explained.

"Well, was going to-"

"Do your job" Yunyun and I told him.

000

The week continued as normal until one day we walked in and saw Luna motioning for us to talk to her.

"Luna, what up?"

"The specialist wanted to see the two of you, he has something he wanted to show you."

We both looked at each other, "Sure."

She gave us instructions to a small shop near the adventurers guild.

"You must be William and Yunyun, no?" A man spoke. He was slightly tall with medium red hair, he wore a lab coat and glasses.

"Y-Yeah." Yunyun said looking at him.

"You may want to have a look at this." There was a large wooden table in the center of the room where the corpse lay. It was half cut open and its organs were labeled.

We both were quite disgusted at the sight, I had the urge to even puke.

"I have never seen such a monster before; however, that is not the only thing that is unique about it. Take a look at these 'parts' of its body."

As we came closer, my eyes widened at the sight. There were artificial parts made from metal and wires as well.

"This is-" Yunyun started.

The man nodded, "This creature could never be born with something inorganic which leads to only one possibility..."

"This monster was artificially created by someone." I concluded.

He nodded again, "This can be troublesome for adventurers, especially beginners. You said, according to the report, that it seemed to have adapted since you last saw it. This means that it could become extremely hard to kill if they continue to adapt."

"So what do we do?" Yunyun asked in a worried tone.

"We have to find whoever is making these things."

Yunyun picked up one of the metallic parts, "I've never seen something so bizarre, it looks so... advanced?" She continuously analyzed the metal part, completely entranced with its design.

No doubt in my mind that it was the work of someone from my world.

"There is a possibility that there are more out there, be on the lookout." He warned.

Just another day in another world, right?