Morning. My second day in this world. I was actually planning to do some training today but...

"Kazuma! Didn't I already tell you we'll go on a quest today!?"

This idiot of a goddess apparently took a quest yesterday while I was away looking around the city...

"You're an idiot aren't you? Why would we go on a quest when both of us barely know anything in regards to fighting?" I asked with one of my eyebrows raised.

The idiot goddess just pumps her chest and proudly declares. "That won't be a problem! I already learned all the necessary spells of the Archpriest class! And look! My stats are higher than those of level 25!"

"Then you do it by yourself then. I still haven't brought any equipment with me. So good luck." I answered quickly as I tried to exit the Guildhall.

But before I got to take a step, the goddess grabbed my hand and wouldn't let go.

Tch. Her strength is too much, I feel like I will hurt myself further if I continue.

"Sigh. Alright, alright. We'll go to this quest ONLY after I buy some equipment."

"Now, what are you waiting for, let's go!" The goddess exclaimed bouncing with energy.

How come someone is this energetic early in the morning?

[O[O[O]

The goddess and I exited the Adventures' Guild and walked straight to the local shop.

While walking, I reviewed the quest the idiot goddess took.

It was an extermination quest with a deadline of 3 days. And today is the second day. Great.

The quest wants us to take down 5 Giant Toads, these are monsters that are just frogs in the size of an elephant. How do these critters grow that big? I don't know. But those aren't important.

The important part is its strengths and weaknesses. The Giant Toad doesn't have any particular attack apart from grabbing its prey with its long tongue and swallowing them. While swallowing, they are immobile, becoming sitting ducks—or frogs—for adventurers to hunt down.

But what the Giant Toads lack in offense, they made up in defense. They have a tough layer of fat that softens the impact of blunt attacks and powerful resistance to water-based attacks. Making it hard to take one down for an average person.

According to the knowledge I got, Giant Toads hate metals and wouldn't chase people wearing even a piece of metal armor. And that's what I'm going to exploit.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Kazuma, do you have enough money to buy equipment?" The goddess asked, snapping me back to reality from my thoughts.

I took out the coin pouch given to me upon entering this world and looked at the money left and counts the expenses yesterday.

Since the goddess and I arrived at noon yesterday, we didn't get lunch and only paid dinner and lodgings to the inn. Which only costs 8 000 eris. I still have 50 000 eris.

"I think I can afford basic equipment for both of us."

"Hmph. I don't need one. I already have the best equipment I can get before we get here."

The goddess said as she showed me a transparent pink raiment and a staff with a closed flower on top.

"Then that's good. More money goes to mine." I remarked as I pocket the pouch.

"Um, shouldn't you leave some for food and drinks? Especially drinks?"

I just ignored her as I entered a shop with a sword and shield drawn at the sign.

"Hey—!"

"Hello and welcome to my shop! What can I do for ya?"

The yell from the goddess was cut short by the sound of the bell and the welcome from the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper looked like a typical bald blacksmith from some fantasy novel.

"—At least wait for me you NEET!"

I also ignored both the yelling goddess and the shopkeeper and looked around the shop.

"I needed a weapon that is beginner friendly and can do its job as a weapon, some piece of metal armor to help me against Giant Toads, and other items that are useful for adventures."

"A rookie eh? I thought you were a... Nevermind. Well, for a weapon, how about a short sword for now. For metal armor, you can choose between a chest plate or some shoulder pads. And some potions, how about it?"

The shopkeeper listed down suggestions while I inspected various merchandise. There are some fascinating pieces of equipment being shown, but it's too expensive for me currently. So I'll hold off for now.

I took the suggestions and chose an iron short sword and iron chest plate. I then placed them down at the counter.

"Is this all? It will be 23 000 eris total."

I dropped the exact amount of eris at the counter and wore my newly bought equipment on top of my only set of clothes. Hmmmn. I'll buy new clothes next time.

After I finished, I was about to tell the goddess that we'll be going out now... I find her opening some dangerous bottles.

"Sniff sniff. Ack, it smells like poison. This is very dangerous to be sold. I only need to dip my finger and— Argh! Why did you hit my head!?"

Naturally, I went behind her and smacked her head.

"We're done here. Now let's go."

"Wait! I need to—"

"I'll leave you there then."

"Wait for me you NEET!"

Why do I feel like I was just saddled with a kindergartner? I'm not a daycare center for a problem child with a brain the size of a marble.

[O[O[O]

After leaving the Fortress City of New Axel, I can see the remnants of war. Although New Axel isn't at the front lines, it doesn't mean it's excepted from the war.

Small skirmishes occur outside the northern walls of the city, with a goal to either cripple beginner adventurers and prevent their growth or to deplete its resources.

I'm still surprised there's a standing city that nurtures adventurers. If I were the Demon King, this is my primary target as I can prevent the enemy from getting new warriors.

But that's just me, or perhaps the Demon King is allocating resources to siege the capital or the other nations.

Still, I need to get stronger quickly. So I'm looking forward to my first major battle.

"Hey, I didn't ask what spells you learned. I need to know so we can plan the upcoming fight." I asked the goddess who was happily skipping through the clearing without a care in the world.

"I already told you that I learn all the necessary spells." She replied like she expected me to know it already.

"Yes I know, but what kind?" I asked again which irritated her.

"Grrr. Fine, I'll tell your mortal brain since it can't—um, what word is it again? Nevermind! Still, I'll tell you so you better remember it!"

Of course I will. I'm not you who forget their vocabulary.

"I learned Heal and its powerful versions. Support buffs like Powered, Protection, Haste, and Blessings. And the rest are purification and exorcism spells."

"Spells better suited to hunt undead and demons. I see."

"Hmph! So you can compeheld my brilliance after all."

"Isn't it common sense to bring holy-based spells and skills when confronting undead and demons? Also, the right word is 'comprehend.'"

"Still the same!"

I can feel my brain cells dying with just interacting with her. So I'll just ignore her as usual.

But at least she took precautions in case we ran into some undead or demons since those types of monsters are currently common according to the knowledge I got.

For my part, there's no one willing to teach me skills and are actively chasing me away or avoiding me entirely.

So I'll hold off for now. But I have noted down skills I want to learn.

For now, I'll focus on hunting some oversized frogs.

[O[O[O]

"Croak Croak"

"Tch!" I clicked my tongue as I rolled to the side to dodge the incoming large tongue of a Giant Toad.

I barely made it in time, luckily only its saliva splatered on my clothes. Which smells awful.

But I don't have time for that as the oversized frog leapt to the air, attempting to crush me in its weight.

I quickly bolted upright to prevent myself from being flattened.

Craaaaasssshhhh!!!

The impact of the Giant Toad landing knocked me back to the ground, but I got chills running down my spine. I rolled to the right out of instinct.

Swooooshh!!

The toad's large tongue lashed out from where I was seconds ago, the force it carries gouged the ground on where it landed. If that hit me, I would have been dead.

"So this is the monsters now after the Demon King got stronger huh. Tch. This is getting annoying."

As I muttered under my breath, the oversized frog has gotten its tongue out and lashes at me once again.

If this keeps going, I'll lose. So I need to end it quickly.

Swoooooosshhh!!

I ducked underneath the toad's tongue, then quickly dashed towards it, brandishing my short sword.

I only have one shot in this. So I better make it worthwhile.

"Croak Croak"

After getting its tongue back to its mouth, the toad proceeded to leap to the air.

I followed its trajectory and planned ahead. With a powerful kick from my right foot to the ground, I sidestepped to the left, barely avoiding the toad.

The impact nearly knocked me over, but I was prepared for it and kicked the ground with my left foot.

With the momentum I gained, I poured mana to the short sword that I was holding.

I can feel a weird sensation flowing from my arms, leaving my body and moving to the sword.

"Raaaghhhh!!"

Glowing emerald green veins appeared on the blade as I swung it to the unprotected side of the toad.

This is my skill, Hero's Prized Property. By pouring my mana into an object, I can turned it into something equivalent to a Divine Relic as long as I pour mana into it.

The object becomes nigh indestructible and its properties dialed up to a hundred. If I used it on a flimsy and dull knife, it will become one of the most durable and sharpest knives out there.

That's how good this skill is.

The now Divine Relic blade made contact, it sliced through the thick layers of fat and muscle to its heart effortlessly. As if I was cutting butter with a hot knife.

Blood and guts spurt out from the open wound, which splashed me over as I was near.

"Gwuah!? It smells awful!"

The smell is way worse than the toad's saliva. And I don't want to be near it as I covered my nose and quickly walked away.

"Now, where is that good-for-nothing..."

As I was about to finish my sentence, I saw an immobile toad. A dark blue boot is sticking out of its mouth.

"Oh, for fuck sake!"

I quickly ran towards the toad that was currently having a meal that may upset its stomach.

Although my body is screaming at me to take a rest, I'll do it later after I save this idiot of a goddess and a bath.

Luckily, the toad isn't moving at all. So I can kill it very easily.

I poured my remaining mana into the short sword, turning it into a Divine Relic.

With a quick flash of steel, I split the head of the Giant Toad open and retrieved the goddess.

Some parts of her skin become red from irritation while some parts were dissolved and her hair is now a mess. I'll ignore the state of her clothes.

I lightly slapped the goddess to wake her up. Which is an action that I kinda regret.

"Urgk— Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!! My skin!? My beautiful skin!?"

I removed my tracksuit and tossed it over to cover the half naked goddess. I then put my hands on my ears and turned around.

[O[O[O]

"Now, do you see the importance of preparation?" I lectured the idiot, whose eyes were darting around.

We are currently walking back towards the guild. After about an hour of crying and healing herself, this goddess who didn't learned her lesson, tried to chase down another toad for revenge.

I naturally smacked her in the head.

"B-but I thought those were weaker! I never knew those frogs were that strong!" She reasoned.

"You sent people here to begin with, so you must have information on what is goin on here. Or were you just slacking up there?" I stopped for a bit to look at her reaction. On which she just averted her gaze.

As expected, she doesn't care at all. If she just read at least a single report, she may have known the situation of this world.

The monsters here grow in strength in proportion to the strength of the Demon King. Meaning, the stronger he is, the more fucked up the scaling is.

I already imagine myself being in a real-life version of a soulsborne game. But I never knew that I was in a soulsborne game with a fucked up difficulty.

I can only sigh at the state of this world. What's done is done, there's no use thinking of what ifs.

"W-well. How about we go and recruit more members? I'm sure it will help a lot!"

I ignored the goddess with a brain the size of a BB bullet and resumed walking.

But as I walked, I saw in the corner of my eye a black haired girl wearing a red robe in an alley way. She is currently holding a small crate. But what caught my eye is the collar and chains.

Probably someone's slave. Apparently, slavery is a thing in this world.

"Hey! Are you listening to what I'm saying you heartless NEET!"

"I don't." I quickly answered, tired of hearing this multiple times already, which left the goddess dumbfounded.

"Wha- Hey! Wait for me!"

I ignored her once again as I briskly walked.