I don't own anything. All characters and all rights belong to Natsume Akatsuki*

M for mature topics. No children allowed. *

Konosuba (Not): Thanatos Blessing Upon This Broken World

By Try Another Time

Kazuma began to open his eyes as the chatter in the streets dragged him back to reality. His body felt light after such a long night of rest, but he also felt an unknown weight on top of his bare chest. As Kazuma looks down, he finds Aqua peacefully resting while using his chest as a pillow.

Her saliva covered most of Kazuma's chest as she continued to grin while asleep. A dark blue pajama set covered her body while only a pair of shorts covered Kazuma's lower body. To Kazuma's surprise, the choker remained attached to Aqua's neck, which had only disappeared during bath time.

If they were seen in such a position, anyone would assume the worst.

Kazuma covers his face as he tries to make sense of this. "The room has two beds. There was no need to share, yet she had just climbed into mine. This idiot!" He was angry but, at the same time, didn't want to start the day with the wrong foot. So there he lay in silence as he reflected upon the events of yesterday and the plans for today.

"Kazu….ma…I… want…. beer…." Even deep in her sleep, Aqua couldn't keep her deeper desires to herself.

"... Idiot." Kazuma pats her head as he closes his eyes and waits for Aqua to realize the dangerous situation she has created for herself.

An hour later.

Aqua continued to blush as she followed after Kazuma. "I'm not a pervert."

"I didn't say anything," Kazuma says with a relaxed tone as he leads them to the inn's dining room.

Once in the large dining room, the pair takes an empty table before they check the menu.

"A good breakfast will be necessary to have energy for today's quests. Choose whatever seems good enough for you besides alcohol." Kazuma said as he inspected the menu. "There are similar plates to European cuisine, but the ingredients differ. We might find pizza as well if we look around."

"What to choose… wait, quests, as in multiple quests?" Aqua asks with a concerned expression.

Kazuma nods. "I mean, what did you think? We need to grow stronger, and hunting a monster or two won't help us in the long run. We need to hunt a large number of monsters to increase our levels. Skills will be necessary, and I already have an idea of our needs. I want you to learn any spells that can decrease the defenses of the enemies and some that could increase my attack power, like engulfing my scythe with flames. Protective spells will be necessary as well."

"But Kazuma, hunting down too many monsters will be dangerous. There are only two of us. Also, why do you get to decide what skills I should acquire? It should be my decision." Aqua argues as she crosses her arms.

Kazuma raises an eyebrow. "Who's the one taking most attacks?"

"... You are."

"Who's facing the monster head-on and drawing their attention?"

"You."

"Who has a physical weapon that can protect the other?"

"You."

"Who has an idea of how we can successfully increase our strength?"

"You."

"Who has no idea about what to do in terms of going after the demon lords?"

"... me?"

"Exactly. Chris told me that we need to gain strength and gain allies. We can only advance one of those now. Your class is a supported first and an attacker second. My survival lies in receiving the best support I can get from you, and silly spells won't help us. Unless you want me to be ripped into pieces by our prey, be my guest, Aqua." Kazuma said before he returned his attention to the menu.

"... You're too cruel with me," Aqua claims with a sad expression. "I deserved more respect from you!"

Kazuma sights. "Look, Aqua, I don't want to face any more injuries, and you don't want to endure that pain alongside me. Our 'boss' is likely watching us, and if we start playing around, it won't do us any good. It's only you and me right now, Aqua. You're the only person I can trust to keep me alive, and if you can't do that, I will bite the dust. I need you to take this seriously for both of our sakes. Each of us wants something out of this; unless we can work together, we won't get what we want. You understand, right?"

Aqua nods. "I do, but I want more respect from you. I'm not a child." Her expression showed some determination to prove herself

"Then show me you're not one. Show me that you can support me, and I promise I will be more lenient with you. I will even allow you to buy alcohol with more freedom, but that won't happen if you can prove to me that you have what it takes." Kazuma says.

Aqua grows silent as she sees the determination behind his eyes. "... I'll show you I can be a good team member."

"Alright, well, see what you can do," Kazuma said as he looked around for someone to take their order.

After a fulfilling breakfast.

Kazuma and Aqua finally returned to the adventurer's guild. The atmosphere felt far more tense as the other adventurers threw daggers at them with their eyes.

"Confident asshole."

"He only said that because he has the support from the Black Daggers."

"Being level 10 means nothing. Anyone can reach that level with some effort."

Their comments did not escape Kazuma or Aqua, who once more held onto Kazuma's cape like a lost puppy. The reaper didn't react to their comments as he was set on not allowing weak adventurers to join his team.

The responsibility was too big for him to let the average Joe follow him into the depths of hell.

After crossing the dining hall of the guild, both stood before the main desk, where the blonde guild girl was already smiling at them.

"Ready to take some quests?" The guild girl asks.

"We're here for that after all, but first, let's talk about those monster parts I wanted to sell to the guild." Kazuma places his tiny storage bag on top of the desk.

"Wait, don't tell me you have one of those things?" The guild girl asks with surprise.

"So you recognize it?" Kazuma questions the blonde.

"How wouldn't I? The best adventurers saved enough to buy one of these from magic shops. They are a commodity like no other. A backpack can be helpful if one is a beginner adventurer with small quests, but once your team grows and the quests grow in difficulty, you'll want to save space while also bringing in any spoils from your guests. Monster parts can be used to make weapons, armor, supportive items, and even items that ordinary people can use. Adventurers are that important because monsters won't go extinct, especially with the demon lords around. Anyway, come to the back room with me. I prefer having our expert around to confirm the parts." The guild receptionist said as she pointed her finger at the door to the side.

The duo nods before grabbing their bag and walking towards the door. Curiosity arose once more as other guild members and staff approached the room from multiple points to listen in to the conversation inside.

Inside the room.

Kazuma and Aqua found an old Dwarven man sharpening a series of knives inside the room. The pair could see maps with notations likely connected with quests hanging from the walls alongside a few monster heads and skins.

"Kazuma, Kazuma, look at that one! Is a wyvern!" Aqua said with a cheerful expression as she examined the large reptilian head hanging from the wall.

"Like a child within a candy store," Kazuma said to himself as he pulled Aqua back.

The receptionist finally entered the room before she approached the silent Dwarf.

"Calgar, I have some monster parts for you to examine." The blonde said as she presented an empty form to the man.

"...Alright, Luna. Young man, show me what you got." Calgar said as he pointed at the table before him.

Kazuma nods before he opens the bag. Many monster parts appear on top of the table, and before long, they begin to spill into the floor. The quantity isn't absurd but there's enough for Luna, the receptionist girl to show an amazed expression.

"Not too bad. Tell me, young man, where did you hunt all this?" Calgar asks.

"It took us five days on foot to reach Axel from the south. We crossed the large forest before we got here. We got most of these parts from there." Kazuma says.

"South, you said? Young man, there's nothing in the South. How did you get there?" Calgar continues.

"That's confidential information related to the Black Daggers," Kazuma replies calmly.

Calgar caresses his beard with some suspicion. "Five days ago, a blue meteor descended towards an unknown location in the south. Do you know anything about that?"

"That's confidential information related to the Black Daggers," Kazuma replies calmly once more. He knows that it is best not to divulge any secrets.

Calgar examines him with careful attention. "The forest you speak of is considered a trap for adventurers with low experience and even for those with higher knowledge. Quests related to that location are supposed to be taken on with a group of at least five members, but you two made it out alive. Care to tell how you did it?"

Kazuma simply lifts his upper armor to show his scars.

Luna covers her mouth in surprise as she sees how many scars he possesses.

"My partner possesses a rather nasty curative spell which does the job but leaves scars after it does its job. I understand your concern, but I can assure you that we killed every one of those monsters. We reached such levels because they attacked us all day without giving us a moment to rest. We only survived at night due to a warding spell taught to me by an ally from the Black Daggers." Kazuma said as he pulled his armor down.

Aqua nods alongside him. "Those monsters seriously injured Kazuma. He only survived because I was there to heal him."

"I see." Calgar turns to Luna. "What rank were these two given?"

"E rank. I wanted an F rank, but it didn't feel right." Luna admitted.

"Increase them to B Rank. These two aren't your normal party." Calgar says.

"But acting master, that's against the rules." Luna objects.

"Luna, the Black Daggers are a mysterious organization with centuries of experience and legacy. No adventurer from them has failed us, and these two might be the best I have seen in quite a while. For two newbies to be able to cross that forest on foot and come out alive means that they are abnormal and highly talented adventurers." Calgar then turns to face Kazuma. "Do you really seek to hunt down the demon lords?"

Kazuma nods. "I only came to this land for such a mission. After the mission is over, we'll be gone. You will never see our faces again."

"I see. You're crazy, but I can see that you're telling the truth. I ask that you make Axel into your main base of operations. Having you around will put our citizens at ease in these harsh times. In exchange, I will aid you with as many resources as needed. I want the demon lords eliminated before my life comes to an end. I have seen too much madness and bloodshed since they appeared. Are you willing to put that scythe to use and offer us the heads of those bastards?" Calgar asks.

"That is my mission—nothing more and nothing less," Kazuma replies calmly.

"Great. I can't give you an exact price for everything until I examine everything. Take a few quests and come back later today. I'll have your reward ready by then." Calgar approaches the table to the side before he retrieves two small black books. "Take these. An adventurer needs to know how to recover monster parts properly and which ones are viable for consumption. I imagine that you didn't have a nice experience with monster flesh."

Kazuma and Aqua don't hide their disgust as they recall their previous experiences.

"Classic. Read these and buy a few spices and pots. Long quests will force adventurers to camp in the open, and more than once, adventurers will run out of supplies. Knowing how to use your environment and what's around you can be what defines a successful adventurer party or a group of newbies without a future. Adventurers die out there, and sadly, there are no high priests in town who can try to revive any of the deceased." Calgar eyes turn to Aqua. "Do you know the resurrection spell?"

Aqua turns to Kazuma.

Kazuma nods.

"I do, but I don't know if I can save every life," Aqua admits.

Calgar shakes his head. "Knowing that at least one adventurer knows it is enough for me. We'll reach out if we need your help. I promise a reward each time your services are required, Ms. Aqua. Anything else I can do for you two?"

Kazuma raises a hand. "A base. The inn is fine for now, but we will need a permanent base at some point. Can you help us secure a place?"

Calgar nods. "That is within my power. Do you have a place in mind?"

"... The old orphanage. Can I have you help in securing its title for us?" Kazuma asks.

"You heard about it? I see. It has been abandoned, and its old staff is no longer with us. It will be easy to buy the title from its current owner, who doesn't have plans to use it. Do you want to make it into a house or mansion?" Calgar asks with interest.

"To tell you the truth, I want to restore it and make our base within the same land. Is it possible to do that?" Kazuma asks.

"Eh? Do you want to restore it? Why?" Luna asks as she looks at him.

"... Call it my own principles telling me to do something for the sake of others. I'm willing to give a portion of our rewards if the guild can help secure the land and keep the orphanage active. I can't take care of it, but at least I can support it." Kazuma admits.

Luna's eyes examined Kazuma for lies, but she only found a tired young man trying to help.

"Luna, we shouldn't judge those who try to help. You asked many adventurers for help with this, but not a single one was willing to help. If Kazuma is willing, you should accept his aid. We'll start figuring this out and let you know what we find out. I recommend you give us 18% of your rewards, and the guild will match the other half; also, save up because construction fees can be rather expensive. If you ever dare to withdraw from this agreement, I will personally hunt you down." Calgar says with a glaring expression.

Kazuma bows. "I promise I won't. Until the day the last demon lord dies, I will hold my side of the agreement."

Aqua bows as well.

Later, outside Axel.

Kazuma and Aqua found themselves walking towards the destination of their quests.

"So why did you agree to that? I get that we have the necessary equipment in terms of armor and weapons, but won't this put a strain on our finances?" Aqua asks.

"Having a good relationship with the guild will be the best for us, and I personally felt the need to aid those in need. I told you, I see my brother in those children. I couldn't forgive myself if I abandoned them to their luck. If we take quests with many rewards, it shouldn't affect our finances by much. I'm not looking to waste our coin on unnecessary things, and your alcohol supply won't be more than I allowed." Kazuma explains as he examines the map they are supposed to follow.

"But my beer and sake!" Aqua pleads.

"Aqua, aren't you forgetting something?" Kazuma asks as he turns to face her.

"What?" Aqua asks.

"You hold a certain amount of responsibility for the state of this world. Those orphans are your responsibility as well. Maybe not all lost their parents, but they are still living beings under your jurisdiction. I don't say that one or two bottles of alcohol are wrong, but you need to be more caring as a goddess regarding the mortals under your care. You need to care for them like a mother would with a child. I hope you consider this from now on." Kazuma continued walking forward with a concerned Aqua, silent as she followed him.

As they walked, they passed a strange figure.

It was a blonde woman with a somewhat lost expression. An old yellow armor with a few broken pieces covered most of her body, a large shield sat on her back, and an ax hung from her waist.

The most particular aspect of this woman was a black metallic arm that seemed to have replaced her left arm. It was far too futuristic for the kind of technology that most people use.

Kazuma glanced at her once for a mere second before continuing forward. The woman seemed to have done the same as she continued.

But then….

"Hey. Wait a second, you two." The woman said in a cold voice as she stopped. "That badge, you're part of the Black Daggers, right?"

Kazuma and Aqua stopped. The reaper turned around to face the mysterious woman.

"That is the case. Why the question?" Kazuma asked as he faced the woman.

Their eyes met, and both seemed to understand each other.

The mysterious woman softly smiles as her hand touches her ax. "You seemed different from other Black Daggers I have met in the past. Could I get your name, stranger?"

"Only if you give yours first," Kazuma says as he reaches for his scythe.

Aqua's eyes panic as she feels the tension in the air. "Hey, there's no need to fight. We're currently on our way to get a few quests done."

"Quests, you say?... My name is Darkness, Lalatina Darkness. I'm a B-rank adventurer with no affiliation. I'll be around in Axel for a while. Let's grab a drink or two." Darkness said with a smile as she moved her hand away from the ax.

"Satou Kazuma, is my name. I'm also a B-rank, and she's my partner Aqua. We'll see about that drink later tonight." Kazuma said as he moved his hand away from his scythe.

"Good. I hope we can be friends. You seemed strong and mysterious." Darkness said as she examined Kazuma.

"Says the person who carries such a heavy shield on her back and wields a metallic arm," Kazuma remarks as he does the same.

"Oh, you're talking about the relic? Let's just say that I lost my old arm in a tragic event, and a kind samaritan gifted it to me. I've been looking for that person, but she has evaded me for many years. Do you happen to know someone called Wiz, the Ageless? She's affiliated with the Black Daggers." Darkness asks.

Kazuma shakes his head. "Sadly, I only had the pleasure to meet one member who goes by the name of Chris."

"You met the Black Shadow in person? You must be a big shot, then. Few can claim to have met the leader of the organization so easily. I only met her once when she tried to recruit me." Darkness says as she recalls the occasion.

"Huh? I thought that anyone would want to join the Black Daggers," Kazuma says, finding it curious that anyone would reject such an invitation.

Darkness shakes her head. "They are amazing, but my goals differ from theirs at that moment. I'm trying to meet Wiz, but she continues to move from one place to another without staying in the same place for long. But my biggest goal is one simple one."

"Which is?" Aqua asks as she feels curiosity.

"Talus, the Spider Aberration. I want to hunt that demon lord down, and I need a strong team to do that." Darkness's eyes flared up with fury as she called the demon lord's name.

Aqua trembled as she saw this, while Kazuma didn't react.

The reaper then turns around. "We'll see each other at the guild. Our interests might match each other. Come along, Aqua."

The reaper begins to walk as his dark priestess follows him.

Darkness stares at him as he doesn't stop. "Maybe I found the person I was looking for."