A/N: Revised as of 3/24/2024

"That should do it."

Naruto said to his clones as they placed the cage that had previously contained the Nido Rabbit onto a carriage. He then turned around to see the wonderful sight that was Aqua and Cecily scurrying around to heal the wounded adventurers.

It took awhile (a good bribe) to get them to take their jobs seriously. But seeing the two Axis Cultists working so hard sure warmed his heart.

A little more than an hour had passed since Naruto issued his challenge to the adventurers, but all of them had either been defeated or forfeited the moment they set foot in the cage.

Of course, there were no refunds.

Some of the people who had chickened out last second didn't take too kindly to this. But they were quick to let it go after Naruto swiftly defeated the Nido Rabbit after the last challenger had left the cage.

Ten-thousand Eris wasn't worth fighting a man who could one-shot a monster that could one-shot you.

Naruto looked at the hefty bag that contained his earnings with a smirk. The plan had worked better than he could have hoped.

"That cloning skill sure is convenient... You should teach it to me when I save up some more points. But anyways, how did you come up with all of this?"

Kazuma walked up to Naruto and asked. Normally, he would complain about being dragged into working so suddenly. But Naruto did say some of the earnings would go towards the debt. Besides, maintaining a line sure beat hunting strong monsters in the snow.

"I was actually going hunt a bunch of those guys for their feet, but we only found three yesterday. Even if I somehow managed to sell all the feet... It just wouldn't be worth the time."

Naruto explained while gesturing towards the empty cage.

"Wait, aren't you selling the feet for four-hundred thousand Eris each? If you sold all of them…"

Kazuma trailed off when he saw Naruto's amused expression.

"No matter how you look at them, those things aren't worth that much. Sure, they increase your luck by a lot. But they're way too big for an adventurer to carry around comfortably. I'd be lucky to get four-hundred thousand Eris for all six feet, if anyone were to buy them at all."

Naruto explained with a shrug.

Kazuma couldn't help but agree. The foot was nearly the size of a person's torso, which would make carrying it around quite a hassle. That's why Naruto used such a high price before riling the adventurers up with a challenge.

Heck, most of the adventurers that showed up probably didn't even need a Nido Rabbit's foot. But they've been lazing around the guild's tavern with their Dullahan reward money and were probably itching for a fight.

After all, they were still adventurers.

Ten-thousand Eris was a small price to pay to satisfy their urge for battle.

There was also Darkness who had played a big part in sinking the deal, but...

"How did you know the adventurers would answer the challenge? This might not mean much coming from me, but they're quite lazy right now since it's winter and they still have money leftover from the victory with the Demon King Army General."

Kazuma asked while trying to keep his voice low enough to avoid picking a fight with one of the so called "lazy adventurers".

"As much as I'd like to claim it was all my idea, the person who came up with this challenge was actually Luna-chan."

Naruto admitted while sratching at his whisker marks.

"The pretty receptionist Onee-san?"

"Yup! Luna-chan said that Nido Rabbit feet often don't sell despite their rarity due to their size, so she helped me come up with this plan when I said I was trying to earn money for the store! Although, she seemed a little upset after I mentioned Wiz. I wonder why?"

Naruto rubbed his chin in thought, prompting his fellow adventurer to smile bitterly.

'The guild lady gave Naruto permission to do something as reckless as this AND she's jealous of Wiz!? Why aren't I getting special treatment like that!?'

Kazuma thought with a twitching eyebrow, his mind burning with jealousy. He had wondered why the city's police was letting Naruto run such a dangerous stall. Luna's involvement answered that question.

Seriously, what nerve! His party played a big role in the defeat of the Dullahan, and yet, the only thing he got from the receptionist was a big fat bill!

…But now wasn't the time for such thoughts. It was time to ask the important question.

"How much did we earn?"

"I'll have to split the earnings evenly later, but the shop should be out of the red. For now anyway…"

Naruto replied, and the two boys glanced over at Wiz.

The shopkeeper was talking to a few customers who had visited her shop due to Naruto's Nido Rabbit event. But they seemed to be straining their smiles as the girl was showing them a certain magical item.

"…You have my condolences."

Kazuma said, earning a sheepish chuckle from the shinobi.

As Naruto and Kazuma continued to talk about their plans on concerning the debt, a certain pair of Crimson Demons were talking on the other side of the carriage.

"I thought something was suspicious! Who would have thought Naruto had something like that in his possession-Mmff!"

Megumin started shouting, but she was quickly muffled by the other mage.

"K-keep your voice down, Megumin! If Dust-san and Cecily-san found out, they won't want to go on quests with us anymore!"

Yunyun begged as Megumin pried her hands off.

"Pwah! Calm down, I wasn't planning on telling anyone. Sheesh… When did you become so willful? Is that man leading you down the wrong path? Give me a second, I'll straighten him out."

Megumin declared and started marching around the carriage towards Naruto while rolling up her sleeves.

"Naruto-san is my friend! He would never lead me down the wrong path!"

Yunyun denied while pulling on Megumin's cape to restrain her.

"Hah? Your friend? I've been meaning to ask, but what do you think about Naruto? How did you two even meet?"

Ever since Naruto had returned from the Crimson Demon Village with Yunyun, Megumin wondered how the socially awkward girl managed to muster up the courage to join his party. Ever since they were little, Megumin always believed Yunyun would be a loner. That's why she decided to be her rival in the first place.

"W-well, the day Naruto-san arrived at the Crimson Magic Village, we met inside of the tailor shop. He was looking for a mage to join his party and that was when I also found out that he was the pupil of Ero-Senin. But unlike that thing, Naruto-san was very nice! But I couldn't muster the courage to ask if I could join his party, so I-"

As Yunyun continued to tell her story, Megumin listened with a flat look on her face.

She didn't know why, but watching Yunyun talk about Naruto with such a happy expression was pissing her off.

"That's nice and all, but I've been living with a boy under the same roof for about a week now. You could imagine what kind of things happen under such circumstances."

Megumin bragged while shaking her head, causing her fellow clansman to nearly choke on her spit.

"I-I was aware that you were living under the same roof as Kazuma-san, but do you two have that sort of… I-i-intimate relationship!? Has Megumin finally crossed the line because a man gave her a place to stay and food to eat!?"

Yunyun stammered while pointing an accusing finger at her rival.

"I was only referring to accidents that happen when a boy and girl live together! Harmless accidents like walking in on someone changing!"

Megumin balked, her face turning beet-red.

"So you admit you saw each other naked!? Aren't there other girls living in that mansion as well? How shameless can you get over food, Megumin!?"

Yunyun continued to scold her rival, a blush growing on her own face.

"How did you reach such a conclusion!? Are you stupid? Anyone with a shred of common sense would know that!"

Megumin threw her hands into the air and shouted, but Yunyun wasn't having any of it and stamped her foot on the ground.

"I don't want to hear about common sense from you! Megumin is always quick to blowing her top and using Explosion magic at the worst possible moment just to show off!"

Yunyun shot back, and this time Megumin stomped her foot in frustration.

"Oh! Look at Yunyun, acting high and mighty just because she made a friend that's not a rock! I was going to turn a blind eye to all of that nonsense, but then you sullied the great name of Explosion! Let's settle this here and now!"

"I couldn't agree more-Hey! L-let go of me, Megumin! As mages, we should have a battle of magic! M-magic I say!"

Megumin's response was pouncing on Yunyun and pulling on her hair.

It took a while to break the two mages away from each other, but with the help of Darkness, Naruto and Kazuma managed to restrain their party members.

"Alright, why are you two fighting all of a sudden?"

Kazuma asked the two Crimson Demons who were now sitting in front of him and Naruto seiza-style.

"Yunyun was acting smug about having a male friend and was rubbing it in my face."

"Wha-!"

Megumin instantly responded accordingly, prompting Yunyun to look at her rival with a look of shock.

"Yunyun wouldn't do that. It was probably just Megumin trying to pick a fight. She's probably still mad over our Explosion dual and wanted to take out her frustrations on poor Yunyun."

Naruto stated while eyeing Megumin, who suspiciously avoided his gaze.

Kazuma looked at the shinobi with raised eyebrows, impressed that he managed to discover Megumin's true intensions as fast as he had. Maybe there was still hope for the guy in the realm of sanity after all.

"Th-that's right, Naruto-san! Megumin and I were supposed to have a fair dual, but she suddenly tackled me! Although, it's to be expected. Megumin only knows one useless spell and has to rely on brute force!"

Yunyun continued while looking directly at Megumin, whose ears were now turning bright red.

"That does sound like something Megumin would do. She hasn't fired off Explosion yet today, so maybe she's just a little frustrated. I'll take her out of town so she can let it loose."

Kazuma deducted, earning nods from the others.

This caused Megumin to finally snap.

"Whose side are you on!? Isn't this the part where you defend your party member!? Also, who are you calling frustrated!? Give me back my staff and I'll show you what true frustration looks like!"

The little girl barked and lunged towards Kazuma who had been the one to confiscate her staff, but she was quickly subdued by Darkness.

"Now now, Megumin. You need to save your Explosion for the powerful monsters we'll be facing on today's quest. Naruto is coming with us so Kazuma gave us the green light to pick a hard one!"

Darkness gushed with anticipation clear on her face.

"No way. We earned enough money for today, so I'm going out to drink."

Kazuma instantly rained on the knight's parade before turning towards his fellow male.

"Naruto, you should come too. It'll be my treat!"

"Sure, but I gotta drop this cage off at the guild first."

Naruto accepted and moved to the front of the cart to pull the thing.

"W-wait! What about the quest? The monsters!"

Darkness pleaded for Kazuma to reconsider, but the boy turned on his heel and waved behind his back.

"No way…"

"There there… We can get back at that man as soon as he comes home. Let's soak his pajamas in Aqua's favorite wine."

Megumin consoled the older woman while suggesting horrible things.

Yunyun sighed. She wanted to go with Naruto, but she didn't want to intrude on his conversation with Kazuma. Maybe Wiz wouldn't mind talking to her?

"Why are you following us, Dust? Just so you know, I'm only treating Naruto."

"That's cruel, Kazuma my friend. I thought we were drinking buddies."

Just as they were leaving for the guild, Dust pulled up to their side and claimed that he wanted to come with. Knowing this man, he was probably trying to get a free drink off of Kazuma who was in a good. Normally, Kazuma wouldn't be opposed. Dust was a good listener and was one few that could understand his hardships with those three. But wasn't planning on going all out tonight.

"That's not why I followed you guys. After all that money we made from that Nido Rabbit, I think we should go all out to celebrate!"

Dust suggested, earning suspicious gazes from the other two males.

Hearing this from the guy that not only failed to help in the capturing of the Nido Rabbits, but also got in the way by picking fights with the adventurers who were waiting in line was a little concerning.

Noticing their doubtful looks, Dust panicked and ran in front of them.

"Don't look at me like that! I won't ask you to treat me, I promise! Look, I have money of my own this time! I won't be treating you, though."

"Are you making fun of us? What are you going to buy with four-hundred Eris? Also, you still owe me at least two-thousand. That four-hundred would be a nice start."

Kazuma asked upon seeing the crumpled bills and dirty coins in Dust's hands. At most, the guy would be able to buy a cheap mug of beer at the guild.

"Hehe… Come here, I'll let you in on a little secret my friend. Did you know this town has a shop owned by Succubus?"

Dust leaned in towards Kazuma and Naruto before whispering into their ears.

"…Tell me more."

'Uh oh…'

Naruto thought when he saw that Kazuma's expression had turned dead serious.

Naruto found himself standing in front of a certain café once again. Only this time he wasn't alone.

"This is the place! It may look like a normal café, but the real shop is back here…"

Dust explained and gestured for Naruto and Kazuma to follow him into the alley next to the shop.

Kazuma gulped nervously but made sure not to fall behind the delinquent adventurer.

Naruto sighed, but he accepted his fate and followed his friends into the alleyway. He needed to get his jacket back from Maria anyway, might as well be now while he had friends to back him up in case things went south.

Upon entering a semi-hidden door on the side of the building, the three boys were greeted with the sight of a large open room. Adventurers could be seen walking around or sitting in a booth, but that's not what drew their attention.

No, their eyes were glued to the scantily dressed woman that were wandering about.

Naruto on the other hand was already on edge because to him, this was the enemy's base of operations.

Despite learning that the Succubus meant no harm to the men of Axel thanks to Maria, the Succubi still posed a threat to Naruto himself. Or at least in other ways…

Kazuma and Dust were all but drooling at the revealing clothes that the lesser devils were wearing until three Succubus walked up to them.

"Welcome to our café, gentleman. Please, come this way."

Naruto watched his friends walk off with the two beauties cautiously until it was just him and the all too familiar Receptionist Succubus.

"Are you still weary of us, Naruto-sama? You should know by now that we mean no harm. We only want to serve the men of Axel and relieve them of their pent-up stress."

The pink haired devil walked over to the blonde and whispered into his ear, brushing her bosom against his arms to emphasize certain words.

Naruto felt a shiver run up his spine, but he shook his head and took a swift step away from the temptress.

"I won't let you temp me, Succubus lady! I'm only here to talk to Maria. Is she here?"

The receptionist succubus's eyes widened upon hearing this. Maria revealed her name? What a troublesome child…

"It would be quite inconvenient for you to call me 'lady', so I shall reveal my name to you as well. My name is Morrigan… Please take care of me, Naruto-sama."

"Ah, okay… W-wait, what?"

Naruto tilted his head in confusion when the now named Morrigan suddenly bowed deeply in front of him. But before he could question the woman, he heard a sharp gasp to his right.

Maria was standing there with her hands covering her gaping mouth. She was wearing his orange jacket, but due to her skimpy clothes underneath it looked like she was only wearing the jacket.

"W-w-what are you doing!?"

"It would be quite troublesome if you were to hold a monopoly on Naruto-sama, so I have done the same as you and revealed my name. I trust you won't mind sharing, little one?"

Morrigan cooed and pulled one of Naruto's arms into chest.

"H-hey, let go of me… But wait, is there something special about you guys telling me your names?"

Naruto asked when he realized Maria's behavior was quite strange.

Maria looked at the ground and fumbled with her fingers, all while stealing shy glances at the shinobi.

"W-when a lesser devil like us reveals our names to a human, it's the same as signing a contract of eternal servitude. We devils take contracts very seriously, so… Please take care of me too, Naruto-sama!"

"…Eh?"

Naruto's jaw dropped when Maria revealed such a serious revelation and bowed deeply.

Contracts? Servitude? Huh?

But then a thought occurred to the blonde. They just called him a human.

"But I thought you thought I was a devil!"

"Oh, we know you are human. But that is only temporary… A human turning into a devil isn't unheard of in this world. As your loyal servants, we will make sure to awaken the devil that resides inside of you. So rest assured, Master~!"

Morrigan corrected her "master" with a sultry voice, and a cold sweat ran down Naruto's back.

How did this happen!?

A/N: That's a wrap! Naruto now has too Succubus servants! Maria, and the newly named Morrigan who are the newbie succubus and the receptionist succubus respectively!

Next chapter, we're going back to Kazuma manner where a lovely dinner awaits courtesy of the Dustiness family! But what's going to happen afterwards?

See you in the next one!

Spirit Out!