《I Want To Die, Let's Isekai!》


 Prologue - "The Hobo"

    ~~Prologue~~


    "The Hobo"


    "Your life ends here, devil!"


    "Fwahahaha! I am inevitable, puny human! A mere mortal like you could never stand a chance against a demon like me! Now! Take this!"


    ?


    Damn, this anime is still amazing after rewatching it for the bajillionth time.


    Bane of Tartaros has always, always been top of my "Most Favorite Anime List" because it''s full of suspense, action, and of course..


    "Nghhh! Kyah! Hanzo-kun! The devil ripped off my clothes!"


    ...the awesome fan service.


    This masterpiece of an anime is about a guy named Hanzo who once lived in Japan, until he died and got sucked into another world where he went on amazing adventures with a harem of hot girls to defeat the monsters who invaded their land.


    Call it generic for all I care, it''s been engraved as one of the best anime of all time in my heart!


    "W-wait, what''s happening to me?! You fiend! What did you do to me?!"


    "Hanzo-kun, no!"


    One of the harem members shouted as the main character started to be cloaked in a weird, dark aura.


    The first time I watched this ending, I got so surprised to the point where my heart nearly stopped beating. It was that big of a twist.


    The devil managed to corrupt Hanzo with demon magic and he got transformed into the King of Hell.


    Then, after that..


    "GAHHHH! Damn you, Isekai Productions! You retarded company! It''s been a full year yet Bane of Tartaros still hasn''t gotten the season two it deserves! GAHHHH!"


    It''s reasonable to throw a tantrum at this point. Why the bloody hell hasn''t this anime gotten a second season yet?! Low ratings my ass! It''s the best show out there!


    "Hanzo-kun, what''s happening to you?!"


    "Fufufu.. This power flowing through my veins.. It feels so good!"


    I viciously bit my shirt in frustration after hearing that from the silver haired swordsman in my television set.


    "Screw you Hanzo! You''re such a tool! Not only did the season end abruptly after this cliffhanger of an episode, and not only is the manga fucking cancelled, but you also leave us with this pussy attitude! To hell with you! Literally!"


    After yelling at my television in the middle of the night at about 8:00 PM, I came to a realization.


    There''s a chance that what had happened to Hanzo could happen to me as well! If I remember correctly, Hanzo got run over by a truck, right?! If I manage to do that, not only would I be able to transfer to another world and start my own adventure, but I''d also be able to escape this pointless life that nobody gives a damn about! Yes! It''s the perfect plan!


    I dashed out my house in an instant after thinking about it.


    This useless, temporary reality that we call life is a sham.


    Go to school? What for? To be able to get work in the future?


    Go to work? What for? To earn money?


    Sure, you''d make money to keep yourself alive, but where''s the thrill in that?!


    Where''s the thrill in working in a cubicle as a boring old salaryman, computing numbers everyday?


    I do not approve of that lifestyle one single bit.


    Bane of Tartaros is different. Work there isn''t like work here.


    There, you''d be able to fight monsters to collect bounties at the guild.


    There, you''d be able to get a harem of cute anime girls.


    There, you wouldn''t rot away in an office!


    I cement myself onto this belief.


    Reality sucks ass.


    Today will be my final day in this dull world.


    The moment that truck coming towards me rams into my body, I''ll be free from this hell hole we call reality.


    My name is Aoki Kaito - sixteen years old, a massive anime fan, a highschool student.


    Closing my eyes, I''m signing off.


    ...


    ...


    "Get out of the way!"


    Hey, what the heck?!


    I found myself back on the sidewalk of this suburban side of Shibuya, something heavy on top of me as I laid on the cold concrete ground.


    I was confused.


    The weight on top of me then started to disappear as blonde hair passed by my eyes.


    It was a girl.


    "Hey, are you alright? I saw you standing in the middle of the road looking deep into space. You should be more careful next time, okay?"


    My eyes followed the truck that had already passed by the area where I stood firmly.


    "Umm, you haven''t said anything in a while. Are you okay? Did your head bump into the ground? Should I call an ambulance?"


    The truck..


    I missed my precious chance.


    "Hello? Hello? Err, are you still there? Hello?"


    I missed my...


    ..precious chance.


    "Mister? Are you still-"


    "You annoying little bitch! Why the hell would you do such a thing?! You made me miss my ticket to happiness! You brat! Apologize now!"If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "H-huh?!"


    "Don''t you huh me! You just had to come in and ruin other people''s plans! I haven''t bothered anyone and that includes you, so why the bloody hell did you push me off the road?!"


    "Hold on a second! Are you insane?! Shouldn''t you be thanking me instead for saving your life, you ungrateful jerk?! I risked my life for you, so why are you so mad?!"


    "Helped?! You didn''t help at all! Plus, the fact that you think that I''m the crazy one pisses me off even more!"


    "Y-you little.."


    Hey, wait a minute.


    I know this girl!


    If I remember correctly, she goes to the same school as I do. No wait, I think we''re even in the same class! Not only that, I think she''s like, the school idol or something. She even dresses the part. The expensive orange dress accompanied by that blue jacket with the obvious trendy branding is comparable to the clothes of an empress when put beside the white tee and black sweats I''ve been wearing on repeat for the past three days.


    "Y-you''re Ueno Sana, right?"


    Ueno Sana - the school idol. If my memory does me any good, she excels in everything. Sports, academics, you name it. The boys in my highschool had all fallen to her charm and personality. She''s what you could call the "most famous girl in school", and you know what that means..


    Yes, exactly.


    She''s the normiest of the norms.


    "Eh? You know who I am?"


    "Y-yeah. We go to the same school. We''re classmates, even."


    "Huh? Then how come I''m not familiar with your face?"


    Well, that''s because I rarely go to school.


    Mom and dad are always at work so there''s nobody to chew me out for being an anime loving shut-in. I pay a visit to school once in a while to prevent them from kicking me out. That''s why I''m familiar with Ueno here.


    "Eh, that''s because.."


    "No wait! I remember you! You''re that pervert who installed a hidden camera in the girls'' locker room!"


    Oops. I guess she remembered.


    You can''t blame me for doing such a thing. A whole day without anime or games is complete torture for a guy like me. You could at least allow me a bit of fun!


    I only laughed at her flustered face.


    "Yeah, that''s me. My name''s Aoki Kaito. But don''t get me wrong, even though you''re the school idol, I''m still pissed off that you pushed me out of that truck''s way."


    "What the hell is wrong with you? Why would you want to get hit by a truck? Don''t tell me that you aren''t only a pervert, but a masochist as well?"


    M-masochist? Is her image of me that low?!


    "I know of a place where I could break free from this dumb world and work as an adventurer! This reality is too boring, and we humans are cursed with the future of being pent up in an office, working brainlessly everyday. That place I wish to go to can only be accessed through death by truck!"


    After a brief silence, Ueno removed the arm that I managed to sling over her and said-


    "Maybe you really do need an ambulance."


    ..This girl!


    Deep breaths, Kaito. You don''t need to get worked up.


    "I understand. You''re a normie, right? There''s no way you could grasp what I''m saying."


    Looking at me with what seemed to be purple eyes that looked like they were concerned, she sighed.


    "Aoki-kun, right? There''s no such thing as that kind of world you''re talking about. Life shouldn''t be taken for granted, you know? Well, I do believe in the afterlife and reincarnation, but the life you own right now is what matters. If you throw it away, not only will you might anger the gods, but your family would also miss you!"


    "Piss off."


    Family? Never was there a moment that my parents made time for me. This girl dares to say something as ignorant as that? I don''t give a shit about her crummy title as the most popular girl in school, I''d karate chop her in the neck!


    "Can that skull of yours allow some sense into your tiny brain?!"


    "What''re you calling tiny brain?! Just because I don''t go to school doesn''t mean I''m stupid, you know?"


    "Why don''t you go to school then?!"


    "Because it''s boring! I''d rather spend my time staying at home and marathon some anime."


    "So you''re a NEET?"


    This annoying girl! Just because she''s high in the social class of school, she thinks she can insult me just like that?!


    I''ll show her...!


    "Ah, so that''s how it is! Just because you''re the school idol with skyhigh grades, you have the permission to look down on others, is that it?"


    "Hey-"


    "Not only that, isn''t the reason you helped me is because you wanted something in return? Is that it, Ueno-san?"


    "Huh?! No, of course not! Don''t paint me up to be some sort of girl with a fake personality!"


    "Well, you sure are acting like one!"


    "No way! I help people whenever I can! You should learn to appreciate instead! Hmph!"


    "Whatever. I''m gonna find a way to die again, so don''t come ruining things the second time. Instead, why don''t you join me in my journey to another world?"


    "As if. I have a future to look forward to."


    You know what, forget it. I shouldn''t be wasting anymore time on this. I''ll wait for another truck to pass by.


    However, before I was able to walk back to the middle of the road-


    "This is a holdup! Give me all the money you have right now!"


    This idiot showed up.


    A man that looked like he''s homeless was pointing a gun at Ueno.


    "B-but I don''t have any money on me..!"


    "I''m not buying it! Fork over everything, now!"


    The girl from earlier, who was acting all high and mighty earlier was now looking at the armed man with cowardly eyes. Her knees were trembling and her tears were starting to flow.


    The face she''s making is priceless!


    ...


    Well, if I want to prove myself a better hero than Hanzo from Bane of Tartaros, there''s no way I could leave a person in trouble behind. Doing so would leave a sour taste on my mouth. And my guilt.


    Even though she was rude to me..


    "Hey, you."


    Hearing me, Ueno and the hobo both shifted their gazes towards me.


    "My name is Aoki Kaito! I''m an adventurer who will prove myself worthy by surpassing the King of the Hell! You dare try to terrorize this neighborhood right before my presence?! If that''s the case, then I''ll vanquish you from the face of the earth!"


    They''re probably so frightened that they couldn''t help but look at me in silence.


    "What the hell are you talking about?" x2


    Both of them said with a confused tone in their voices.


    Picking up a nearby iron pipe that''s been sitting around the sidewalk nearby, I charged at the man and yelled-


    "Take this!"


    Bang! Bang!


    ¡ù


    ..


    ...


    Ugh..


    Wait, what happened?


    Did I pass out after I took down that hobo? Was I not able to handle my full power and collapsed?


    All I remember''s that I blacked out. That''s it. After that, a white light shone down on me and now I''m here..


    I also remember Ueno-san..


    Did she send me to the hospital? If so, I''m glad she''s alright, even though she was a complete jerk.


    I was definitely laying down, but this doesn''t feel like a hospital bed though..


    I moved my arms around.


    This feeling..


    Grass?


    I decided to finally open my eyes.


    A clear blue sky with fluffy cottonballs of clouds greeted me immediately upon doing so.


    It was night when I defeated that hobo.. How long was I down? No, more importantly, where the hell am I?


    Gasp! That girl, Ueno! Did she just dump me in the outskirts of town after I saved her?! That ungrateful brat!


    I looked around me and saw cows, trees, and everything you would find in a rural field.


    It was really breezy though. Too breezy.


    ..


    Wait a minute..


    Gah! Why the heck am I naked?!


    No way! Ueno..


    Did she do weird things to me when I was passed out? I knew she was a douche, but I never knew she was a pervert! How dare she! If she took my first while I was unconscious, she''ll pay for that!


    "Oof.. Where am I..?"


    That voice beside me.. There''s no doubt about it..


    "Wh-where am I? What just happened? Did I fall asleep? No.. That can''t be it. Why am I in the middle of.."


    Oh. Oh my.


    "Huh? Aoki-kun? KYAH! Why the hell are you dressed like that?! You pervert! W-wait a second.. Where the hell are my clothes?!"


    Whoaaa...


    The school idol''s body is no joke! She''s not too busty, but she''s not petite either! I''d give her an A+!


    I wasn''t able to gawk at her for too long though, since she threw a rock at me.


    "Where do you think you''re looking at?!"


    "I-it''s not my fault! A naked woman is in front of me, how can a straight man resist?! Besides, you took away my first time so I can do what I want!"


    "I-I didn''t take away anything from you, you perverted NEET!"


    Despite the eye candy, I should focus on the problem at hand.


    "Aoki-kun! Where are we?!"


    Hmm..


    Even though my face was bleeding, I searched around the field. I spotted a wooden sign plucked into the grass on a wooden pole saying-


    "Sipalarg Hills.. Wait, why is that so familiar?"


    Indeed, the name rings a bell.


    "Sipalarg Hills? What kind of name is that? I don''t remember any place like that in Japan.."


    The blonde girl said while covering her body.


    Wait!


    "Now I remember!"


    Yes! There''s no doubt about it! This is the place where Hanzo first came into this world! That could mean only one thing!


    "No way.. No freaking way!"


    I started to shake, my body full of mixed emotions that I couldn''t comprehend at all at the moment.


    "Aoki-kun? What''s wrong?"


    After taking a deep breath, I joyfully yelled out to the world-


    "I''m actually in the same world as Bane of Tartaros! My dream of being transported to another world has been granted!"


    End of Prologue

 Volume 1: Chapter 1 - "Living the Dream"

    ~~Chapter 1~~


    "Living the Dream"


    Part 1


    "WOO! No! Freaking! Way! I''m actually in the world of Bane of Tartaros! Good bye old, boring, and dull life! Hello adventuring! I''m so pumped!"


    "Wait! Wait! Hold on! What did you just say?!"


    Ueno, who was still covering her butt naked body behind me yelled out.


    "Ueno-san! We''re actually in another world! Isn''t that amazing?!"


    I couldn''t even express half of the happiness I was feeling to Ueno, who immediately covered her eyes again as I approached her and held her hands.


    "What do you mean another world?!"


    With joy in every muscle of my body, I released a loud and lively shout-


    "This is the world of Ischyos! A world free of schools, taxes and most importantly, boring old work! Here in Ischyos, in order to earn money you get the option to become an adventurer so you could go on quests, hunt monsters, and-"


    "Hey! Hey! Hey! Pause right there, you shut-in slash pervert! What you''re saying is we somehow got transported to this new world?! Is that what you''re saying?! How in the world did that happen?!"


    Taking a quick stop from expressing my happiness, I put my hand on my chin and started to think.


    Oh! That must be it!


    "I remember fighting that homeless dude who tried to mug us back in our previous life! It''s odd, but he might''ve been stronger than he looked. That old bozo must''ve killed us or something."


    "Th-that can''t be possible!"


    Yes, everything''s clear to me now. I got killed by that man with the gun along with Ueno here. The gods must''ve heard my wishes and sent me here to Ischyos.


    You have all of my gratitude, dear gods! I''ll promise to make the most of this new life I have! I''m as joyous as a virgin in his first time!


    ...


    I can''t say the same about Ueno, though.


    She looked like she was on a breakdown, hugging her knees and all.


    "Then.. That means.. I.. Died?"


    Ueno.


    If I remember correctly, she was one of the foolish ones who loved the previous life we had. That must be why she''s so depressed. Ueno was a school idol, so she should''ve had plenty of friends. She strived hard in school. That means that she was intent on securing her future. I even remember her saying that she had a future to look forward to.


    I guess I should try to comfort her.


    I''m not really good at that though.


    "U-Ueno-san. Don''t worry. I guarantee that you''ll be able to make many more friends here! Please don''t cry! E-eh? Hey! Stop! Gah! Why are you crying even more?!"


    Crap! She probably got reminded of her friends back at her old life. She''s shooting out literal waterfalls now! What should I do?!


    "What''s the matter, Ueno-san?! What''s worrying you?! Are you afraid that the cuisune is gonna be different?! Oh! Maybe it''s because you can''t bring smartphones into other worlds?! Is that it?! No wait! Perhaps it''s because you''re scared of the monsters in this world! Don''t worry! As a man blessed with divine powers by the gods, I vow that I''d always protect you!"


    After scurrying around her in a panic, she suddenly stopped her crying.


    Thank gosh, it''s over.


    "Aoki-kun."


    "Yes-?"


    "Don''t give me that crap!"


    In an instant, she managed to send a flying kick straight to my head, knocking me multiple feet back.


    That freaking hurt! Has she always been this strong?! Come to think of it, I think she joined judo once! I think I loosened a tooth!


    "U-Ueno-san?!"


    She seemed to completely forget that the both of us weren''t wearing any clothes of the sort, and had pounced onto me to beat me up.


    "Huhhhhh?!" I''d vow to always protect you"?! Don''t give me that bull! This all happened because of you, you annoying NEET!"


    "The hell, woman?! How is this my fault?!"


    I replied, trying my best to keep her at bay.


    "I remember everything now! You provoked that homeless man into shooting! If I had just given him my wallet that didn''t even have anything in the first place he could''ve taken us off the hook! But you just had to trigger your eighth grade syndrome and mess things up, didn''t you?!"


    "Guh! Stop th- Ow! Well if only you hadn''t pushed me off the road you wouldn''t be in this mess, now, would ya!?"


    "Grrr! I''ll kill you! You couldn''t even beat that hobo! And now you''re blabbing about protecting me?!"


    "No wait! Don''t kill me yet! My journey''s still beginning!"


    "Oh!"


    Our wrestling match was put into an abrupt end as a short old man who looked like he was a farmer with his straw hat and overalls walked up to us.


    Ueno, who had just realized how inappropriate our position was, turned completely red and started to tremble in embarrassment.


    Serves you right.


    Part 2


    We got lectured by the old farmer for doing something indecent on his fields. In the end, I told him that we were robbed by bandits and that they took everything from us, including our clothes. Ueno couldn''t say a thing to explain herself though, because she got called out for her "fetishes" by the old man. Until now, she was still steaming red.


    Right now, we were at the old man''s farmhouse atop one of the many hills of this area. He gave us old robes to wear and a cup of coffee to drink. The three of us were all currently gathered at the dining table, talking about something important.


    I took a sip from my mug and continued the conversation.


    "So you''re saying that your livestock keeps on disappearing every night?"


    "Indeed. Sigh, it''s only to be expected. Ever since the new King of Hell took lead of the undead army, monster activity have drastically increased."


    Ueno looked at me in confusion.


    "The King of Hell? What''s he talking about?"


    "There was once a powerful hero named Hanzo who saved Ischyos multiple times from these monsters. However, after an encounter with a demon, he got corrupted and got turned into the King of Hell."


    I said.


    Ueno seemed surprised that I have knowledge of this. Fufu, I am the number one fan of Bane of Tartaros after all. I have rewatched the series and reread the manga dozens of times that I memorize the plot with the back of my hand.


    "As expected of a die hard weeb."


    I froze upon hearing that, since it took a take on my bravado.


    "Hanzo was our strongest adventurer. Even his companions got corrupted by the devil and are now leading his army. Right now, there isn''t anyone who is strong enough to put our faith into."


    Hmph!


    The old farmer and the blonde looked at me in surprise after I jolted up from my seat with a grin on my face.


    "Aoki-kun?"


    "Fufufu, you must''ve been blessed with immense luck by the gods, mister! For I am Aoki Kaito! The one who shall be the next best adventurer in Ischyos and defeat the army of Tartaros! I shall take out these monsters who are causing you trouble!"


    Unlike Ueno who looked at me with a disapproving face, the old man''s eyes widened in hope.


    "Ahh! You really mean that, young sir? I truly am grateful!"


    Yes! This is my first quest! I''ll use this opportunity to show the whole world of Ischyos my true power!


    After laughing proudly for a few seconds, I came to a realization.


    "Ah! Mister, do you have any weapons on you by any chance? Our high level gear.. Got taken by those bandits, yeah."


    "Ah! I think I have some in the storage! Please wait a moment!"


    Then, the old man got up his seat to fetch some weapons, leaving Ueno shaking her head while massaging her temples.


    Part 3


    "Moo..."


    The cows that were twice the size of the ones in the previous world prepared to rest the night away.


    The sky was slowly turning dark as the sunset was about to finish.


    This is going to be my first ever quest here in Ischyos. I''m so excited! I''ve never been this stoked up about something my entire previous life!


    The weapons the old man gave us weren''t what you would call a quality product.


    Ueno and I both received two long swords that weren''t exactly that impressive.


    Sigh, I guess this''ll do for the mean time. Hanzo started out like this, too. Then, he quickly made his way up the ranks and then he got amazing weapons.


    I can do the same thing! Just you wait, Hanzo! I''ll surpass you!


    "Hey, Aoki-kun. Don''t you think you''re being too overconfident?"


    "Nonsense. I''m one of the chosen few to be reincarnated in another world by the gods. There''s nothing to worry about."


    At the moment, Ueno and I were hiding in a pile of hay, on guard for any monster activity to take place.


    "Still, this feels stupid. Both of us haven''t even seen these monsters before. To think that we''re hunting them down.."


    "You need to have faith in me! And in yourself. But most especially me. Listen closely. The farmer told us that there haven''t even been traces of blood in the fields. That must mean that the monster drags its prey somewhere else."


    Right now, we were paying close attention to the cows by the forest nearby.


    If there''s anywhere to drag the cows to, it''s in there.


    "Well yeah, that''s why we''re here in the first place. Sigh, but that doesn''t change anything if we don''t have a plan, you know?"


    "Simple. When the monster takes its prey, we follow it and kill it."


    Judging from Ueno''s disapproving face, I guessed she''s not fond of my brilliant plan.


    "Okay fine, I''ll admit it. I can''t think of a plan right now. If I don''t know what kind of monster we''re facing, I can''t think of any ways to defeat it."


    Ischyos was home to thousands of species of monsters, so pinpointing a single kind with the amount of information we had right now was quite difficult.


    "Are we really going to pull an all-nighter? I''m getting quite tired~"


    Hearing Ueno''s puny yawn, I couldn''t help but laugh a bit.


    As a shut-in who watched anime all the time and only slept for an hour everyday in his past life, I call this child''s play. Pulling an all-nighter is nothing to me.


    "If you''d like, you can hit the hay."


    "That was a terrible joke. Well, even though I am super sleepy, if you manage to die while I''m dozing off, I''m going to be left all alone without anyone to guide me in this crazy world you dragged me into. That''s why I can''t leave you unattendeddd~"


    That yawn right now was trying to prove otherwise though.


    Her poor resolve and poor ability to stay up caused her this one.


    She looked hilarious with her head sticking out of the hay, snoozing.


    Now that Ueno''s asleep, there won''t be anything else to distract me and I can focus on this quest.


    To think that I''m actually hunting monsters right now.. I still can''t believe it until now! You wouldn''t be able to experience this back at earth! This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Oh?


    Sniff sniff.. Sniff sniff..


    Yes, there''s no doubt about it. This foul smell just screams it out loud.


    A monster''s nearby.


    I placed my attention towards a bush in the forest that started to rustle loudly.


    I glanced at Ueno.


    Should I wake her up? Nah, I don''t think she''ll be of much help anyway. There''s no need for her to help. I will be the one to succeed Hanzo as the best adventurer in Ischyos, after all.


    Suddenly, a long, moist, red object stretched from the foliage of the forest and wrapped itself around a nearby sleeping cow.


    That''s a long ass tongue.


    The poor cow was then quickly pulled into the forest and disappeared into the bushes.


    That''s an actual monster attack. It might be on an animal, but still! To think that I could witness it in personal..


    No, Kaito. You mustn''t be distracted in this situation.


    I bolted out of the haystack and started to pursue the monster into the forest.


    A powerful tongue that''s capable of carrying a giant cow could mean two monsters.


    It could either mean the giant frogs, but since giant frogs usually make loud noises whenever they''re around, you can cross them out.


    Or it could mean the death bats, and I''m absolutely sure that this is the one I''m facing.


    Death bats are human sized bats that have 30 feet long tongues that are used to catch prey. To compliment that, they have razor sharp teeth, capable of ripping flesh. Finally, they have giant wings so that they can fly like an actual bat.


    Yes, these creatures appeared in episode four of Bane of Tartaros, and right now..


    ..I was laying my eyes on one up close.


    Part 4


    Sheesh! The death bat''s foul monster odor mixed with the carcass of that cow it''s feasting on is alot for my poor nose to take!


    I continued to look at the winged brown beast chowing down on the giant cow with disgust.


    Okay, so here''s the plan, Kaito.


    Death bats are just technically giant monster bats. They have poor eyesight, but they use echolocation to see things. They also have amazing hearing and sense of smell.


    This bat''s enjoying its meal, so I doubt it''s using its echolocation right now. The smell of that dead cow has been dominant throughout the air right now, so I don''t think it can smell me.


    Hanzo defeated these bats by the sheer strength of his swordsmanship, but I have no idea what sort of power the gods bestowed upon me at the moment.


    Then I guess I''ll have to do this!


    I hurled a rock past the death bat, and upon hearing it, it started to slowly walk towards that direction.


    This was my cue!


    I quickly ran towards the bat that had it''s back turned towards me, and sliced my sword down onto it.


    "WAHAHA! This quest was a piece of cake for the great Aoki Kai.. to.."


    What the hell?! My sword didn''t impale it at all?! It didn''t even cause a wound?!


    "Guh!"


    I crashed my back into a nearby tree after being knocked away by that thing''s giant wings.


    "You''re stronger than I thought! Fufufu, this must be because the power the gods gave me doesn''t involve the sword."


    I snickered as I slowly got back up to my feet.


    Swordsmanship isn''t my niche, huh? Well, if that''s the case..


    ..then it must be magic!


    "Blazing Inferno!"


    ...


    What the hell is this?! Umm, gods?! I appreciate you sending me to this world and all, but what the hell are my powers?! See, look! Even the death bat looks confused as to what''s going on!


    No, no, it must be another spell, then!


    "Err.. Hydro Vortex! Lightning Strike! Uhh, Nature''s Fury! What the shit?! Gyah!!"


    I barely managed to keep my head on my body. The death bat pounced on me and pinned me to the ground, but luckily I was able to use my sword, holding it against it''s jaws.


    Th-this isn''t what I had planned!


    How can I surpass Hanzo if I can''t even defeat a D tier monster?!


    No, stay calm, Kaito! This is only happening because I have no freaking clue about what my divine power is.


    "Damn you, bat!"


    I don''t think I can put up against it much longer..


    This is bad.. I''m in a really bad position right now! If I lose force even for one second, I''ll be bat food! Not only that, I don''t think this weak sword that old man gave me can hold on any longer either!


    "Ngh! No!"


    The sword wasn''t able to last any longer and snapped in two, and then suddenly, blood was everywhere.


    ...


    ...


    Am I.. Dead?


    I slowly opened eyes. The bat above me suddenly stopped moving. After a few second, it toppled to its side, lifeless.


    What in the world just happened?


    "Aoki-kun! Are you okay?!"


    "Wha..?"


    I managed to land my eyes on Ueno, who was looking at me with worried eyes.


    "Ueno-san...?"


    I was left dumbstruck after witnessing something stupidly unbelievable.


    The death bat was right next to me on the ground, slowly flooding the grass with its own blood.


    "So these are monsters.. They sure look terrifying.."


    I don''t know about that, Ueno. I think the scarier thing is that you managed to strike down the death bat in one hit! And with that crappy sword nonetheless! What the hell are you exactly?!


    "U-Ueno-san. Thank you."


    Still shaking after these series of crazy events, I thanked Ueno, who, though I hate to admit it, had just saved my life right now.


    "Oh, and why exactly did you not wake me up? Did you think you could do this all by yourself? By the looks of things, you looked like you nearly wet your pants, hm?"


    I don''t care about gender bias, if I lose my patience, I''m going to punch this girl in the face.


    "Clam it! I just miscalculated a bit! Also, what the heck?! How did you defeat that death bat so easily?! It has a strong hide that even resisted a direct hit from my sword! Did you pull off some nasty tricks?!"


    "What do you mean? I didn''t do anything special. I just slashed my sword at it."


    ...


    Despite being pissed off and confused at the same time right now, I couldn''t take my mind off what Ueno just did.


    To think that she could easily kill that monster with a weak blade. On top of that, this is her first time hunting monsters.


    Could it be..?


    No, no, no, she probably just landed a critical hit or something. She is athletic after all.


    I really should stop overthinking things. What''s important is we finished the quest.


    "Oh? Aoki-kun, what''s that disappointed look on your face?"


    "Go die!"


    Part 5


    Tomorrow had arrived.


    I looked at Ueno who was humming softly while we walked down the path. On her arm was a basket of fresh cow''s milk that the old farmer gave us as a reward for slaying that monster that was pestering his cattle.


    She really took down that death bat last night, huh?


    Speaking of the death bat, with the help of the old farmer, we chopped it up to pieces, embued it in a special oil to prevent it from stinking, and wrapped it up in a sack that I was carrying behind me right now.


    The old man apologized plenty of times yesterday for not being able to pay a high price. It was totally okay with Ueno and I, though, but in the end, he suggested that we take the death bat to a guild at a nearby city so we can claim some bounty.


    That''s where we''re headed right now- the city of Oranea.


    "Whoa! It''s huge!"


    We laid our eyes on the gates to Oranea with amazement. The giant stone walls that protected the city simply towered over everything around the outside area, safeguarding its residents from monster attacks and raids from the undead army of Hanzo. I managed to catch a glimpse of a group of adventurers exiting the gates, probably to go on a quest.


    I still can''t fully fathom that I''m actually inside Bane of Tartaros!


    My amazement couldn''t rival Ueno''s, though. To me, nothing was really new since I knew all about this world.


    Ueno, however, who probably had never watched any kind of fantasy anime before was in complete awe. She was like a baby travelling the outside world for the first time ever.


    "See, Ueno-san? Being in another world isn''t so bad now, isn''t it?"


    "Huh? Oh! Uhh, though everything looks extraordinary and interesting here, I still really miss earth."


    I guess she''s a tough nut to break. She won''t stay like this for long though. Once you get sucked into the pit that is anime, you''ll never be able to get out. Plus, she isn''t just watching anime at this point. She''s basically in one.


    After entering the city gates, another grand scenery blessed our eyes that made Ueno gasp in amazement.


    Sandwiching the wide cobblestone road were brick houses of varying sizes. This was nothing like the city in Japan Ueno and I used to live in. This was on a whole different level of awesome.


    This world didn''t have any advanced technology, so, instead of cars, carriages pulled by horses served as the main mode of transportation. There weren''t any phones of any kind either, so if you wanted to send a message, you''d have to do it via letter.


    Although it''s a disappointment that electric powered appliances don''t exist in the world that I''m unable to watch anime or play games, it still pays off that I''m actually in Ischyos.


    "A-Aoki-kun! Look at that girl! She has cat ears poking out of her head!"


    "Yeah, that''s expected of another world."


    "Aoki-kun! Aoki-kun! What''s that man doing over there?!"


    I looked at the direction Ueno was pointing at.


    "That''s a blacksmith. He''s making armor for that adventurer next to him I guess."


    "Whoa, amazing! Oh! Aoki-kun, what''s-"


    "Ueno-san, you don''t need to be all formal with me. You should call me by my first name instead. Besides, we''re gonna end up being close friends now that we''re in this world together."


    "Ah. So.. Kaito-kun, then?"


    "Mhm! And I''m going to start calling you Sana!"


    Oh?


    "Hey, what''s with that reaction?"


    I glared suspiciously at the fidgeting blonde before me.


    "It''s just that.. Nobody''s ever called me by my first name before. It''s kind of new to me."


    The hell? I thought she had a bunch of friends before. It''s quite odd that none of them would call her by her first name.


    "Well, you''re going to experience alot of new things here with me, Sana-san!"


    The judo stance she put up made me think she got the wrong idea.


    "The hell did you interpret that to, you greenminded pervert?"


    I accused her.


    Ueno, err, I mean Sana then gave out a sigh of relief, looked at me and said-


    "Well, I guess I can''t do anything about that. We are stuck with each other I suppose."


    Wait, what am I supposed to do with that arm she stretched out to me just now?


    I''ve never been in this situation before, being a shut-in and all, so I spent a few seconds looking all awkward and not knowing what to do.


    Sana looked like she got impatient and grasped my hand on her own and shook it.


    Ah, so that''s what a handshake feels like.


    "I guess it''s time to go to the guild to collect the bounty for this death bat! It''s been a pain carrying it all this time.."


    "By the way Kaito-kun, I''ve been dying to ask. What''s a guild supposed to be?"


    Ah yes, she''s totally clueless about the fantasy genre. I guess I''ll explain it to her as we follow the main road.


    "A guild''s a place where adventurers gather to find work. Quests are requested by clients, and when they''re completed, they grant a reward."


    "Is that what it is?"


    "Uh-huh. The reward usually depends on the difficulty of the quest. That''s why we''re lucky to be blessed with divine powers by the gods who sent us to this world! We''ll finish all the difficult quests the guild has to offer!"


    "R-right. Kaito-kun, I still have no idea what divine powers you''re going on about."


    "Fufufu! The previous hero, Hanzo, you remember him right? He also used to live in Japan, but then he got sent here in Ischyos like us. The gods who sent him here gave him divine powers that made him unmatched when it came to combat!"


    "Does that mean your plan of getting killed in our past lives was from this mere anime?"


    Ignoring Sana''s comment, I continued walking.


    ...


    ...


    ...


    Ah, we''ve finally arrived!


    Sana and I gazed at the tall building that towered all of the surrounding structures.


    Yep, this is a guildhall alright.


    "Is this the place, Kaito-kun?"


    "This is it. Listen, listen. I know that you want to announce to the public about our divine powers given to us by the gods, but now''s not the time to reveal that, okay?"


    "Umm.. I should be saying that to you."


    Alright, Kaito, deep breaths.


    Trying to keep my excitement inside, I slowly opened the doors to the guild.


    "Fuahahaha! It is I! Aoki Kaito has arrived to start his journey to surpass Hanzo!"


    Ah crap. I couldn''t keep it in.


    Receiving unwarranted glares from the adventurers inside, I slowly turned my head to the facepalming Sana beside me.


    "You two must be new adventurers! My name is Macy, and I''m one of the guild staff here."


    We''re greeted by a busty, pink haired, busty big sister in a waitress outfit.


    Sana must''ve realized that I was too busy admiring her and replied for me.


    "Ah, yes, we are new here. My name is Sana and this perverted trash next to me is Kaito."


    "Gah! The heck you calling me a pervert for?! Don''t do that in public, people will get the wrong idea!"


    The pretty waitress lady chuckled.


    "My, my. Oh? And what is that you''re carrying behind you, Kaito-san?"


    "Ah yes! The loot of a death bat we defeated. We''d like to turn it in for bounty."


    "Is that so? Before that, you two should come with me to the office so we can register you first, okay?"


    Oh? Oh yes, that''s right! We have to complete a registration in order to officially become adventurers. And if I remember correctly, when registering, you had to..


    This is it! I''m going to find out my power right here and right now!


    Part 6


    After following the pretty guild staff lady, we arrived in a room with a magical crystal orb floating in the middle.


    "Ahh! I''m really exhausted from that fight with that death bat last night! To think that I had to kill it without a weapon.."


    I stretched my arms and faked a yawn in order to try and impress the hot lady with us.


    "What a giant liar."


    This blonde better not ruin things for me!


    "Now, then. This magical orb here will tell you what class you''re best suited for. There are multiple classes of adventurers to choose from. You have the warrior, who specializes in melee combat. The mage, who uses spells to damage the enemy. The marksman, who''s in charge of attacking enemies from a far distance. The assassin, who lurks in the shadows before taking out an isolated target, and the support who provides heals and buffs to their allies."


    Thank you for explaining to the others, miss, but I already know everything about this world and how it works.


    The most exciting class is no doubt the warrior, since you''d be able to balance both offense and defense, making room for amazing outplays!


    Hanzo himself was a warrior too. I remember him taking out a hundred zombie soldiers singlehandedly with his trusty sword, Caesar.


    "Ah! Kaito-kun, I wonder what class I''ll get. This is surprisingly exciting."


    Today''s definitely a major moment in our lives here in Ischyos. I can''t blame her if she''s excited.


    "Place your hand onto this magic orb. After that, it will emit a projection showing the information it gathered from your body."


    Hearing that from the pretty waitress, I boldly stepped forward and said-


    "I''m up first! Don''t be surprised when you see my stats, okay girls?"


    I waved at Macy and Sana behind me.


    The latter was looking at me with disappointed eyes, but no amount of glares looking at me like I''m trash can ever ruin this important moment for me!


    "Here goes!"


    As instructed, I placed my hands onto the crystal ball. Suddenly, a bright blue light emitted from it. After a brief moment, a projection containing the characters from the language of this world was floating above it.


    "U-unbelievable! Kaito-san!"


    Hearing this from the pretty waitress, I nodded my head smugly.


    Yeah, as expected of a person blessed by the gods, right?


    "...you have the lowest stats I''ve ever seen before in my entire life of working here!"


    !?


    After hearing that from her, I turned stiff.


    Amidst the burst of laughter coming from Sana, I stared into space and started to think.


    She''s impressed..


    ..by how weak my stats are..?


    "Oh? Wait, hold on!"


    Yes! There''s still hope for me! After the waitress said that, I sprung back to life in enthusiasm.


    "This is amazing, Kaito-san! Your skills of healing are the most impressive I''ve ever seen before! On top of that, your mana is beyond the charts! You will grow to become a powerful support! This is truly spectacu- Kyah!"


    The waitress shrieked as I grabbed hold of her shoulders and started to shake her body.


    "Wahhhh! This has got to be a joke! This is a joke, right? Second option! There''s a second option, is there?!"


    "I-I''m sorry Kaito-san! But we''re only able to register you as the class the orb suggests you to- Yaaahhhhh!"


    "How old is this magical orb?! Maybe it''s broken after being used for so many years! There''s no way I''m becoming a support!"


    Supports literally have zero offensive capabilities and rely on other people in battle! Basically, they''re useless in a one versus one!


    The waitress was on the verge of crying after I shook her harder. Lucky for her, Sana slammed her fist onto my head.


    "Sorry about that, miss. Now can I have a go?"


    "Yes, please do, Sana-san."


    I sulked to the ground beside the pretty waitress, still depressed about everything that had happened in this room so far.


    To think I was even talking trash about supports and how bad of a class they are..


    Now I''ve become one.


    The pretty waitress must have noticed me crying on the floor and patted my head.


    "My, my, Kaito-san, it could be worse. Sana-san, are you ready? Just relax and place your hand on the orb."


    "Right!"


    I stared at Sana, not expecting that much.


    I doubt there''d be a class fitting for her. If there was a "demon" class, she''d be perfect for it.


    Judging from the blue light being emitted right now, I''m guessing she started already.


    Huh? Wait, this is..


    "S-Sana-san?! What''s happening? Are you okay?!"


    The blue light suddenly turned yellow.


    This is weird. Very weird. Even in Bane of Tartaros, this magic orb never turned yellow - not even when Hanzo touched it. Judging from Macy''s reaction, it''s confirmed that this wasn''t a normal occurance.


    What the hell did you do, Sana?!


    After a few seconds, the blinding light that lit the room faded, leaving a projection above the orb like mine earlier. Since I could not read this world''s language, I had no idea what it was saying.


    "Unbelievable."


    I looked at Macy, who had dropped the checklist she was carrying. The way she was looking at the projection made it clear that she was absolutely dumbstruck.


    "What''s wrong, Macy-san?"


    "SS class endurance, S class strength.. Sana-san, what are you?!"


    ...?!


    SS and S class?! Holy shit! Those are the highest grades an adventurer can get! Hanzo''s best grade was freaking S! What the actual shit?!


    "Sana-san, with stats like these.."


    Sana looked at the pretty waitress, completely oblivious to the grades she just got.


    "...you''re definitely the person who will defeat the King of Hell!"


    End of Volume 1: Chapter 1

 Volume 1: Chapter 2 - "Adventurers"

    ~~Chapter 2~~


    "Adventurers"


    Part 1


    "Eh?"


    "Eh?"


    "EHHH?!" x2


    Wait, wait, wait, hold up! Did I hear that correctly? Sana is going to be the one to beat Hanzo the King of Hell? That can''t be possible! I should be the only one capable of doing that since I know everything about this world! Sana is completely clueless about anything fantasy-like! There''s no way that she''s able to defeat the King of Hell!


    Not able to accept this, I ran to Sana''s side and pointed at her accusingly.


    "Wait just a minute! This girl here doesn''t know anything about this world! She''s totally incapable of taking down Hanzo! Don''t you think you''re just overreacting things, Macy-san?!"


    "Err, as much as I hate being somewhat belittled by Kaito-kun here, I''m also having some doubts, Macy-san. Me? Defeat the king of whatever you''re talking about? I-I really don''t see that happening."


    "Exactly! Macy-san, look! Even she''s admitting that she sucks at this!"


    "H-hey! If I hear anymore trash talk from you, I''m going to subdue you first!"


    At the corner of my eye, I noticed that the hot waitress looked quite uncomfortable as Sana and I clashed heads together in a quarrel.


    "My, my.. I should apologize for surprising you all of the sudden. It''s just that stats of these numbers have never been seen before. And when I say that, I mean never! Sana-san, with power like yours, I don''t think subduing the King of Hell would be of any trouble for you!"


    ... Stats so high that even Hanzo himself would have trouble with? Jeez.


    I glared at Sana who was in a deep thought.


    "Hmm. I suppose I can''t do anything about that then. I no longer have any complaints."


    She said.


    "I have complaints! A load of them! First off, Macy-san, are you one hundred percent positive that there aren''t any other classes that I can take?!"


    "I''ve already told you, Kaito-san. You''re only able to register the class the magic orb provides."


    "Seriously?!"


    "Sadly, yes. If you think about it, you have an amazing amount of mana. However, your magic power is really below average. Being a mage wouldn''t be possible. Then, with physical stats like these, becoming a warrior, an assassin, or even a marksman would be out of the question. But with the skills you''re good at, it''s like you''re built to be a perfect support."


    A-ah!


    I froze after every word Macy threw at me until I finally plomped to the floor when she stopped talking, depressed.


    "Kaito-kun, are you okay? Sheesh, why don''t you just settle for what you have now? What''s so bad about being a support?"


    Hearing these words that came from Sana''s mouth, I jolted back up to my feet to fight her. Even though she might not have meant it, I got insulted by what she had said.


    "Easy for you to say! You got the coolest class out there! Supports suck! All they do is heal, buff, heal, buff, again and again and again in an endless cycle! Tell me, what''s so fun about that?! On top of that, they have absoutely zero offensive capabilities! Warriors on the other hand.."


    Sana slowly backed away as I was gradually pushing my face towards her in a threatening way.


    I still couldn''t believe this stupid magic orb concluded that I''d be a great support.


    "You know, Kaito-san, if you don''t like the support role, you can always cancel the registration and find another occupation rather than being an adventurer."


    I felt like my heart was crushed after hearing that from Macy.


    I wanted to come to this world because I wanted to surpass Hanzo, didn''t I? That means I absolutely need to become an adventurer. Otherwise, everything would be in vain. After all, I absolutely love the idea of adventuring as well.


    Clenching my fists, I walked towards the hot pink-haired waitress.


    "I''d like to register right now."


    Yes, I need to surpass Hanzo. I''m going to be the adventurer who''ll defeat him and his army. Even if it means taking the most boring class, I''m up for it.


    Perhaps all of this is just a test given to me by the gods. They believe that I''m able to defeat the King of Hell even as a support!


    "Heh. I''ll take this as a flattering then."


    "Kaito-kun. You''re wearing that stupid smug face again."


    "My, my. Okay you two, please follow me to the registration room."


    We followed the pretty waitress lady to the next room to complete our registration. I kept stealing glances at Sana, who''s walking beside me. I was still super jealous that she managed to get the warrior class while I was stuck with this shit.


    As we arrived at the next room, we were handed pieces of paper by the pretty waitress lady.


    These printings written on this old paper.. Using a feather to write.. We truly are in a fantasy world. I still can''t believe it. Even if I''m stuck as a support, I''m still happy that I got sent here. Now, I''m able to officially become an adventurer.


    "Write your names and signatures on these papers. Doing so would make you proper members of the guild and you''ll be able to become official adventurers!"


    Sana and I looked at the papers handed to us by the cute waitress lady.


    "I don''t understand any of this.. Kaito-kun, I think we''re going to have to learn this place''s language ASAP.."


    This was one of the few times wherein I was able to agree with this blonde.


    "Yeah, you''re right there. Err, Macy-san? What does this contract say?"


    The pretty waitress lady looked at us in surprise, probably because she didn''t expect people of our age to be illiterate.


    "My, my! You two must be of another country, then. Okay, I''ll read the important parts to you."


    Glad she made an excuse for us herself.


    She then took my paper and started to read.


    ""By signing this contract, you hereby agree to join the Guild of Oranea. This contract holds until death or resignation. In order to maintain membership, the applicant''s team must take up a quest from the guild hall at least once every week. Failure to do so will result to a fine of 500,000 nillos. The Guild of Oranea is not responsible for any injuries, casualties, or losses that the applicant would encounter in a quest.""


    I saw Sana gulp nervously in the corner of my eye after hearing the last parts of the contract the pretty waitress lady read out.


    Hehehehe, to think that the "one who will defeat the King of Hell" is such a coward..


    I, on the other hand, already know about the dangers of being an adventurer! I''ll take any quest out there, no sweat!


    "So all that''s left is to put our name and signature, right? Hey, Sana-san. If you''re too scared to become an adventurer, why don''t you bail out while you have the chance and settle for waitress or something?"


    After taking back the contract from the pretty waitress lady, I taunted Sana who then quickly tensed up.


    "Huh?! What do you mean scared?! Weren''t you the one who nearly wet himself after almost being killed by that bat monster?!"


    "D-don''t make up false information! I didn''t even think of wetting myself! In my defense, I had to take care of everything myself because you dozed off on the job, you useless blonde!"


    Interrupting our transmission of death glares was the cute waitress lady, who chuckled softly.


    "My, my. By any chance, are Kaito-san and Sana-san dating?"


    ..!


    "Hell no!" x2


    The cute waitress lady looked surprised at our instant answers and slowly stepped back awkwardly.


    Back at my old world, all the guys in my school fell for Ueno Sana. They''re not to blame, since at school, she acted like a totally innocent goody-two-shoes. Her grades and athleticism boosted her charm even more.


    I, Aoki Kaito, however, am able to see through all that crap.


    This demonic reincarnation in this body of a cute blonde girl can be totally violent when she wants to. I''m proud to say that I''ve never ever fallen for her and I pledge that I never will.


    "Hmph! Don''t be delusional, Macy-san. Kaito here is a lazy NEET who knows nothing but lay around all day and peek into girls'' changing rooms. This man has absolutely zero good traits to make a girl fall for him. Also, his deep eyebags and fish eyes make him a thousand times more repulsive."


    ...This bitch!


    She even dropped the "-kun"! Is this the true personality of Ueno Sana, the school idol? How dare she insult my eyebags, the pride of an anime fan!


    I was rumbling with anger when the hot waitress lady took action and said¨C


    "Err, this situation is starting to get too tense. How about we continue the registration, yes?"


    Giving each other final death glares, Sana and I filled in the requirements for the registration.


    Part 2


    I walked back into the guildhall with the sack of death bat body parts behind me. Sana and the pretty waitress lady walked next to me.


    In my hand was my adventurer ID. It''s a card-like item that serves as proof that I''m an adventurer.


    As we were walking to the other side of the room to get to the counter and turn in these death bat body parts, a man with red hair and a dark coat blocked my path.


    He looked like he was an adventurer.


    I wonder what''s his business with me?


    "I remember you! You''re that squirt who proudly announced that he''d surpass the King of Hell, huh? Gutsy, aren''t ya?"


    Oh yeah. Earlier today, I accidentally told everyone that I was going to be the one to surpass Hanzo. Hmm, if that''s the case, then..


    "Oh, yes I am. Would you like my autograph or something? If you have a pen and paper, I wouldn''t mind. Or perhaps you''re one of those who''d like to be signed on their body parts.. Ngh!"


    My generosity was interrupted by the same man who wanted my autograph. As I was in the middle of talking, he grabbed me by the neck and started to choke me.


    "H-hey.. What''s.. the.. big.. idea..?"


    "You really know how to piss me off. For a new adventurer, you act like you''re so untouchable, ya know? I hate squirts who act like that! I hate ''em!"


    No way! Then that means..


    "..Y-you mean.. you didn''t want my autograph?"


    For some reason, he got even angrier now. Lowering his eyebrows, this confusing red haired mage tightened his grip on my neck.


    No, that''s not just it. Right now, my neck feels like it''s on fire! He''s casting a magic spell on me! This guy''s a mage?!


    Is he one of those so-called yandere fans?!


    "Wahahaha! Not so tough now, aren''t ya?! How''s my Flame Touch?! I''m not one of this guild''s best mages for nothing! Feeling the heat now, little rookie?!"


    "Hey, Tabaki! Don''t bully the newcomer too much!"


    An adventurer nearby yelled out.


    "Oh, shut up! I do what I want to do! Hm? And what''s this?"


    Even amidst the pain, I noticed him eyeing my adventurer ID I had in my hand.


    "Oh, this is rich! With all that big talk earlier, you ended up being a support?! Bahahaha! To think that you even considered beating the King of Hell alone! You''re hilarious, squirt! Wahahaha!"


    This man..


    How dare he make fun of me?! Damn it, I knew being a support was the worst thing ever! Now this guy''s looking down on me! I''ll show him what my divine powers can do once I break free from this strangling!


    "He''s not alone."


    A voice stopped Tabaki''s laughter. He turned his grip towards Sana, who had stepped up against him.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    "Huh? Who the hell are you?"


    "My name is Ueno Sana, and I''m accompanying that loser you have in your grip on his journey. Even though he''s a jerkwad, I''d appreciate it if you''d let him go."


    Oh?


    That was so passive-aggressive that I had no idea what to think about now.


    Well, all that matters was that I broke free from this asshole''s grip after he let me go.


    "Hehehe, bold of you to say that to me, rookie adventurer. Ueno Sana, was it? You''re a nice looking lady, so how''s about I let you go just this time? In return of course, you need to accompany me for a drink. How''s the sound of tha-"


    With a loud crash, Tabaki found himself launched into a wall that was literally meters away from where he was earlier.


    The guildhall fell silent.


    I looked at Sana in terror. She was breathing heavily with an annoyed face. By the looks of her position, she punched the poor unsuspecting Tabaki so hard that he''s now unconscious and drooling foam.


    So those stats weren''t fake after all.


    This girl''s a wrecking ball!


    "Everyone! I''d like to introduce to you the two newest members of the guild! Aoki Kaito and Ueno Sana! Kaito-san is a support who boasts immense mana and healing skills while Sana-san is a warrior with SS and S tier physical stats! Let''s give them a warm welcome!"


    After the pretty pink-haired waitress lady announced this, the guildhall erupted with excited noises.


    Looks like we''re finally getting the praise we deserve.


    "SS and S tier stats?! That''s unbelievable!"


    "She took out Tabaki with one punch! She''s amazing!"


    "With stats like those, she''s more than capable of defeating that jerk Hanzo!"


    ...It was Sana who was receiving all the praise though.


    I was glaring at the blonde who seemed to be enjoying the compliments she got from everyone when a short brown haired girl with cat ears running towards the injured Tabaki took my attention.


    The girl held her hands over him and started to chant something. After a short moment, her hands started to glow yellow.


    She''s a magic user? Wait, no, in further inspection..


    Tabaki started to weakly open his eyes. Noticing the girl beside him, he smiled and patted her head.


    She''s a support and she''s healing him.


    "Hey, Kaito-kun."


    Still on the floor, I turned to Sana, who was looking at me, crossing her arms.


    "I hope this situation helped you learn that you can''t do this alone."


    I widened my eyes a bit after Sana said that.


    It stings me so much when I know that she''s right.


    I smirked as I helped myself back on my feet. I looked at Sana, who looked like she was expecting an answer.


    Giving her a thumbs up, I said¡ª


    "You can bet on that."


    A curve formed on the corners of Sana''s mouth.


    You know, for a two faced blonde, she can surprisingly talk some sense into me quite effectively.


    "You would''ve looked cool if it weren''t for those fish eyes."


    I take it all back. I hate this bitch.


    Part 3


    "Where are we going, Kaito-kun?"


    Right now, Sana and I were strolling around the city to find an inn where we can sleep the night.


    Even though I memorize all the locations of this world, I''m completely uninformed on these minor areas.


    "We need a place to sleep right? With the money we got from the death bat, I thought we''d reserve a room and ready our stuff for a bit."


    I shook the pouch that I was holding in my hand that contained coins.


    Unfortunately, death bats are low tiered monsters, so we only got 300,000 nillos. This should be enough for a few nights though.


    I didn''t think Sana was thrilled by the idea though, because she instantly tensed up.


    "A-a-ah! Err.. Kaito-kun, with that track record of yours, I''m really not comfortable sleeping in the same roof as you are. If I find out that you do weird things to me while I''m asleep, I''ll ditch you without a second doubt, okay?"


    Honestly, does this girl think I''m some sort of rapist or something? Even I have boundaries to not cross.


    I stopped by a building that looked like an inn. Above the door was a banner with a moon and a bed on it.


    Yeah, this looked like the correct place.


    "Sana, follow me inside."


    We entered the building and were greeted by an old lady by the counter.


    "Welcome to the Heartspade Inn. Oh, what is this?"


    The old lady looked at the two of us closely from top to bottom.


    "Good day. We''d like to see your rooms please."


    "Ah! I knew it! I know exactly what you''re looking for! Please, please follow this old lady upstairs."


    That was quick. Didn''t know that my social skills were that good.


    The two of us tailed the short old lady up the wooden stairs. We walked through a corridor until we reached the first door of this hallway. The old lady then stepped into the room.


    "How about this one? It sets the mood just right and ensures that you two would have a great time."


    Wait a minute.. This is..


    The room contained a two person bed in the middle, with scented candles dotted around here and there while rose petals littered the floor.


    This was a room straight from a love motel.


    "This room boasts soundproof walls so a young couple like you''d be able to go all out. If you''d like, my inn also sells chains, ropes, and whatnot. You can buy them at the counter if you want to, hehe."


    What kind of inn is this?!


    Sana was steaming red behind me. Realizing the danger I was in, I swiftly turned to the old lady and started to yell in a panic.


    "No, no, no, no! This isn''t the kind of room we''re looking for! Listen lady, we''re not that, okay? How about we take a look at your other rooms?"


    "Hm? Is that so? Well then, follow me."


    We quickly left that nightmare of a room and followed the old lady to look at the other available options.


    Unfortunately, this lady always had the wrong idea.


    The next room she showed us was another wacked up room with magic infused neon lights and a stripper''s pole.


    "How about this room? It''s built for those who enjoy wild and noisy times that''d make you enjoy your youth, without a doubt! Surely this is the room you''re looking for!"


    "N-no thanks!" x2


    After that, she made us look at a room that had lewd maids everywhere.


    "This room is one of our finest! Of course, if you''d like to do it with the maids, then there''s an extra bill for that. Then again, the more the merrier, no?"


    "We''ll pass!" x2


    Finally, she made us look at a dungeon styled room with chains hanging from the walls and ceilings. Atop the two person bed was a whip.


    "This room is surely the one for you! It''s built specifically for those who enjoy dominance over the other! My, my, I was surprised on how high of a demand this room had last year.. How about it?"


    "What the hell?!" x2


    After that, I decided to directly tell the misunderstood old lady that Sana and I weren''t a couple and we only wanted an adventurer''s room that fit our budget. I sulked while doing so as Sana leaned her face on the wall, hiding her embarrassed red face.


    "Oh my! I''m sorry for misunderstanding. You should''ve told me sooner!"


    "Y-yeah.."


    Part 4


    We ended up finding a room suited for us. It was rather small, but it was all 300,000 nillos could afford for three nights.


    Looks like we''re gonna have to take on a quest sooner or later.


    "Sana-san, are you comfortable with this room? If we do enough quests, we''re going to be able to afford a bigger room. Let''s settle for this for now, alright?"


    "I''ll never be comfortable sleeping in the same room as you are. If we manage to earn alot from these quests, I''m not getting a bigger room, I''m getting a separate one from you."


    Not bothering to start another argument with her, I continued moving one of the beds to the other side of the room. The room initially had a two person bed like the previous ones, but Sana was extremely against the idea of sleeping together. So, she had me separate one of the beds.


    "Phew. Sana-san, I''m gonna go back to the guild to check on something. You good with staying here?"


    I said to the blonde who was sitting on her bed.


    "I don''t mind. I''m gonna hit the public bathhouse. It''s been a while since I''ve taken a bath. If you try and install hidden cameras again, I''ll kill you personally."


    "I never intended to do anything like that.."


    And it''s not like there were cameras in this world.


    Part 5


    After parting ways with Sana for the rest of the day, I walked back to the guild.


    That short brown haired girl from earlier was a support.


    Well, I''m still not a big fan of being a support myself, but I''m going to be totally useless if I don''t learn any support skills.


    That''s why I was here at the guildhall right now. I wanted to have that girl teach me some support skills.


    "Hello, Kaito-san. Is there anything you need?"


    I was immediately greeted by the cute pink-haired waitress lady the moment I set foot in the guildhall.


    "Oh, Macy-san. I''m looking for a brown haired cat girl, about this size.. I was thinking about asking her to teach me some support skills."


    I almost threw up after saying those last few words.


    "I see. That''s a great idea, Kaito-san. The girl you''re looking for is Mimi. She''s one of the guild''s very own healers. I believe I saw her walk into the guild infirmary."


    I looked at the direction the hot waitress lady''s finger was pointed at.


    "Ah. Well then, thank you, Macy-san!"


    "You''re welcome."


    I waved goodbye to the pretty waitress lady and walked to the guild infirmary.


    I peeked inside first, and saw a room with many beds. Most of the beds had injured people on them. They were probably adventurers who got injured in quests and had come to seek aid from the supports working in this guild.


    I looked around while walking to find the brown haired cat girl. Instead, while I was walking by, I saw the adventurer from earlier who assaulted me. The guy was covered in bandages.


    Tabaki was his name, right?


    He noticed me and instantly stiffened, looking at me with a terrified look.


    He must''ve been traumatized by the events that happened earlier..


    I couldn''t help but give him the middle finger though.


    Suddenly, the door to the infirmary slammed open and two adventurers rushed inside. Between them was an injured female adventurer who had injuries everywhere.


    "Where''s Mimi-san?! Mimi-san! We need you! It''s an emergency!"


    The cries of one of the people carrying the terribly wounded adventurer echoed throughout the room.


    Looks like they were looking for the same person I was.


    "Oh no! Please, please, hand her over to me!"


    The cat girl I was looking for revealed herself and, with a worried expression, gestured to one of the vacant beds.


    The two adventurers quickly carried their companion to the girl and placed her on the bed.


    The cat suppport looked around the injured adventurer''s body to pinpoint all the wounds and bruises. She then sadly shook her head and looked at the other two adventurers with sad eyes.


    "The wounds are too deep. There''s no chance that my healing magic can save her in time."


    The room immediately fell silent. The patients, who were mumbling and chatting with each other before stopped talking. The two companions of the adventurer burst into tears.


    "No way.. There''s no way.."


    "I''m terribly sorry, you two."


    This situation looks terrible for them.


    I took a deep breath.


    There''s only one thing to do in a situation like this, and that one thing is¡ª


    "Have no fear! For the great and powerful support Aoki Kaito is here!"


    ¡ªto take advantage of this situation to boost my cool points.


    Everyone shifted their attention to me. Seeing the urgency of the matter, I quickly stopped posing and rushed to the side of the cat girl next to the bed.


    "Erm, may I ask who you are?"


    "Fufufu, I am Aoki Kaito! I''m a novice adventurer who''s class is the support. I''m sure my services can be of use here."


    The look on Mimi''s face looked disapproving, so I handed her my adventurer''s ID.


    "So you''re a novice, huh? I''ve been a support for who knows how long and even I can''t heal wounds these deep. I doubt you''ll be able to¡ª holy mother of yarn what is this?!"


    I smugly crossed my arms at the cat girl who gawked at my stats, jaw dropped.


    "These stats are amazing! Are you sure that you''re just a novice?!"


    "That''s right. But please, save the autographs for later. Right now we have a dire situation at hand. Please, Mimi-san. Teach me how to use healing magic!"


    The cat girl jolted up from her previous kneeling position and nodded.


    "Right! Kaito-san, follow my lead."


    "Alright!"


    I mimicked the hand gestures Mimi did. I placed my hands over the injured adventurer''s stomach.


    "Now, focus all your mana into your hands."


    "Like this?"


    I already know how to focus mana throughout your body in this world. Hanzo was taught how to do so in episode one. All you have to do is imagine that every other body part of yours doesn''t exist.


    A yellow light then started to glow from my hands.


    Whoa, I''m actually doing it!


    "That''s it, Kaito-san! Keep going!"


    I noticed Mimi and the two adventurers looking at me with concerned and determined eyes.


    But still.. This girl I''m healing doesn''t seem to look like she''s getting better at all.


    "Err.. Mimi-san? I don''t think the wound is healing."


    "You''re right to notice that. With your healing magic, normally, you should be able to patch up these wounds without a sweat. You two! What caused your friend''s wounds?!"


    The two adventurer friends of the patient started to think until one of them spoke up.


    "We were fighting a pack of demon panthers, when one of them managed to badly injure our warrior here. She took the blow that was supposed to be for me.."


    That explains it. Looks like even Mimi here knows what''s up.


    Demon panthers'' bites cause wounds that slowly bite away your flesh.


    Healing magic that works over time wouldn''t be able to do anything since the flesh you heal back would be dissolved away by the bite, completely negating the heal effect.


    If this goes on, this green haired warrior girl wouldn''t be able to make it in time.


    Damn, and I thought this was a perfect opportunity to show how amazing I am, even as a support.


    "There''s a way to fix this. Kaito-san, please listen carefully."


    Huh?


    "I know of a secret healing technique called Instant Heal. It involves locating a vital spot in the patient''s body and then releasing all of your mana at once into it. I''ve read about it in books but I''ve never used it myself."


    Instant Heal?


    Oh yeah, now I remember! One of Hanzo''s allies was able to use this move late in the manga! No wonder I couldn''t remember it instantly.


    "So what do I have to do?"


    "First, you''re gonna have to find the vital point of the patient. Focus all of your mana into your eyes and look at the girl."


    "Got it. Here I go."


    I started to focus all of my mana into my eyes.


    Again, just imagine that all of your other body parts do not exist. Yes, I''m doing it. I''m focusing my mana into my eyes.


    ..


    Hey, what the hell is this?


    Why is there a glowing red aura in her breasts?


    "Kaito-san! Kaito-san! Have you done it yet? Have you located the vital point?"


    "W-well, yeah, but.."


    "That''s great! Place your hands onto it now and then unleash all of your mana!"


    There''s going to be problems with that plan. Multiple problems.


    "Kaito-san, why are you shaking? Hurry up! We''re about to lose her!"


    That''s right, Kaito, you''re doing this for the good of everyone.


    The girl would be back to normal, you''d be able to show your full potential, the adventurers would have their friend back, Mimi would be able to witness great healing magic..


    That''s right! I''m doing this for everyone''s sake!


    With my trembling hands, I grabbed hold of the girl''s soft and round vital point.


    "There! There! I''ve done it! Now what do I do?!"


    "Gather all of your mana into your hands and then release it all in one go!"


    "O-okay!"


    I needed to focus.


    Everything went blank except for my hands. Gradually, blue particles gathered into it.


    Don''t release yet, I''ll have to let all of it go in one shot.


    That''s it.. That''s it..


    "Now! Instant Heal!"


    After gathering up enough mana, I released all of it into the girl. Suddenly, a yellow light that was a lot more times brighter than the previous one shone throughout the room for a few seconds.


    "Unbelievable! You''re actually doing it, Kaito-san!"


    "Have a dose of my mana, cute green-haired warrior girl!"


    After a few seconds, the bright light faded out.


    We all looked at the injured adventurer. She slowly managed to open her eyes. Everyone gasped in shock and happiness when she did so.


    "What.. What happened? Where am I? Huh..?"


    Oh hey, it''s the clich¨¦ where the girl yells at the guy for groping her.


    "Huh?! P-p-p-p-pervert!"


    "Eh..? Gwah!"


    She wasn''t really happy that I was still gripping her boobs and punched me in the face, knocking me onto my back.


    "Annalea! You''re okay!"


    "I thought we''d never be able to see you again!"


    The two companions of the adventurer tackled their healed friend with hugs.


    "Woah there! Hey now, seriously, what happened you guys? Why are you two crying?"


    I groaned in pain after being punched by the very person whose life I saved. I noticed Mimi looking at the patient from beside me with wide eyes.


    "No sign of any pain whatsoever.. Kaito-san, you completely healed the entirety of her injuries. You truly are amazing."


    I looked at the cat girl with a surprised face. I quickly changed it into a smug one and stood up on my feet.


    "Well yes, as expected of the adventurer who shall surpass Hanzo."


    I looked at the two female adventurers bawling while hugging their confused friend.


    Maybe being a support isn''t that bad.


    ...


    ...


    No, who am I kidding? It still sucks.


    Part 6


    "Jeez, what a day.."


    Although I was exhausted to the bone, I was still wearing a large grin on my handsome face.


    Dang, I got called amazing today..


    While I was standing out in the hallway, a jingling noise rattled from my pockets as I reached into it to get the keys to the inn.


    Mimi-sensei instructed me to come over to the guild early tomorrow so she could train me to be a good support.


    Hey, I may not be super fond of the idea of me belonging to this class, but if I''m gonna be a support, I''ll become the best in Ischyos!


    "Oh? Welcome home. Please tell me you didn''t do anything strange while I was gone."


    The blonde was combing her golden locks with a brush that she probably bought with her share of the bounty from earlier as she sat on her bed.


    "Of course I didn''t! Sheesh, you should stop treating me like I''m some kind of criminal or something."


    "Well, with those clothes, you really do look like one."


    I opened my mouth to launch another attack on this annoying blonde, but before a word could come out, I realized that she was right.


    These old robes sucked.


    "Yeah, but I''m saving money and I don''t want to spend a lot.. Besides, you''re in the same boat as I am!"


    I pointed accusingly at the school idol in front of me. She was also in the old robes that the old farmer dude gave us back at Sipalarg Hills.


    The blonde reacted with an angry expression at first, but for some reason, she quickly regained her composure.


    "Why, I am also aware of the fact that we should save our cash for our daily expenses, so I didn''t buy any new clothes for now."


    That''s right. You''re a school idol with good grades. You should know about the value of money.


    "But while I was at the hot springs, the lady at the counter offered me a so-called Magic Massage! She told me all my problems would go away if I take the massage!"


    I spoke too soon, didn''t I?


    Frozen in shock, I asked Sana a question.


    "Sana-san. Did you take the massage?"


    The blonde sheepishly lowered her head.


    "Y-yes."


    "And how much did this Magic Massage cost?"


    "300,000."


    As a reflex, I dropped the keys I had on my grip, completely lost for words. Soon after, my knees themselves fell too.


    "K-Kaito-kun?! I-I''m sorry! I couldn''t resist! T-to be frank, that massage was magical."


    You know what else was magical? We needed that 300,000 nillos to pay for the rent.


    "I-I''ll make up for it! I''ll find a job and I''ll work hard! A-are you okay, Kaito-kun?!"


    No, Sana. My soul was escaping my body.


    I came here to defeat Hanzo and his army. How can I do that with this useless blonde tagging along?!


    End of Volume 1: Chapter 2

 Volume 1: Bonus Chapter - "The Catgirl"

    ~~Bonus Chapter~~


    "The Catgirl"


    Part 1


    With a swift slash of my legendary blade, I pierced through the side of Hanzo''s torso, causing a gush of blood to flow from his body. The King of Hell screamed in agony as he fell to the ground, while I, the great and powerful Aoki Kaito, gracefully placed my trusty silver blade back into its sheathe.


    "Kaito~! I knew you''d be able to do it!"


    Ah, that voice..!


    That sweet voice just now came from a beautiful white haired girl in a pink dress.


    With a worried look, she ran towards me. Behind her were the other nineteen members of my harem. All girls swarmed around me with concerned eyes as I shrugged the dust off my fully plated platinum armor.


    "A-are you alright, Kaito? I was so, so worried about you!"


    The white haired girl squeaked as she placed my hand onto hers.


    "No, no! I was worried about Kaito-sama even more!"


    The red haired busty woman beside her slapped her palm off of mine as she wore a visibly flustered face.


    "No, I was!"


    "No, me!"


    Before I knew it, all twenty chicas in my harem were all arguing over such a childish thing.


    "Now, now, my wives.. There''s no need to fight."


    I gently tried to calm them down. The moment I did, the tension between them all died out and they all bowed down to me at the same time.


    While I was chuckling heartily like the cheerful warrior I am, Hanzo''s dying voice called out to me.


    "Y-you.. Are truly a remarkable warrior, Aoki Kaito."


    With a smile, I slowly walked up to my long time idol and the main character of my most favorite anime series. I knelt down to look at him in the eye of his half-burnt face.


    "I''ve always looked up to you, Hanzo. Thank you for that thrilling fight. You are worthy of being my opponent."


    A curve pointing upwards formed on the side of Hanzo''s mouth.


    "I am honored."


    These were the King of Hell''s last words before succumbing to his wounds.


    I stood up from the stone floor of the King of Hell''s castle and walked back to my harem.


    "Now that that''s over with, what do you suggest we do, my wives?"


    I asked my ladies, since I was an advocate of democracy.


    Multiple hands rose up from the crowd of twenty. I pointed at the purple haired loli amongst the girls.


    "Yes, Fion?"


    I asked the shy little girl.


    "U-umm.. Kaito-sama.. How about an orgy..?"


    Again?


    I placed my finger on my chin to start thinking as the women around me all smiled in excitement.


    "Well, I suppose it is a special event.."


    And with that, the room of this castle started to echo with the joyous shrieks of my harem as I was pushed to the ground.


    "Whoa, easy now!"


    Chuckling, I relaxed on the stone floor as my lovely wives all began to strip me of my armor and clothes.


    I sighed, satisfied.


    "Ah, this is the lif-"


    "AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"


    I was woken up from my amazing dream by a horrendous shriek that sounded like it came from a banshee giving labor.


    I angrily turned at Sana, who was on her bed on the other side of the small room, bawling.


    "What the hell is the matter with you?! You disturbed my wonderful dream!"


    "I-I''m still here! Why on earth am I still in this place?!"


    I tilted my head in confusion as Sana started uttering out words that made no sense to me.


    "I thought that everything that happened yesterday was just a dumb dream! I thought this nightmare would end after a good night''s sleep and I would wake up back at home in Shibuya with my soft pink stuffed bunny!"


    I was speechless.


    She thought everything that happened yesterday; the first quest we had, the ruckus at the guildhall, and being transported to another world was just a nightmare..?


    "So that''s why you were so calm and collected yesterday.."This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    I muttered, now understanding the reason why.


    "This is horrible! I actually am stuck with this perverted NEET for the rest of my life!"


    "Hey, that one hurt! First of all, why are you so negative? Why can''t you take this as an opportunity to start anew? It''s not everyday you get to live in a fantasy world."


    I explained to the crying blonde who submerged her face into her pillow.


    "It''s easy for you to say. You didn''t have anything or anyone to come back to back in Japan, you weirdo."


    Though her voice was muffled due to her face facing the pillow, her words still reached me and offended me.


    "C-come on now. Don''t you worry. You have the great and powerful Aoki Kaito by your side to guide you in this new world."


    I said, putting aside my smart comebacks and witty insults and actually giving advice to this troubled school idol.


    Sana quickly rose from her pillow and for some reason glared at me.


    "Hey, what''s with that reaction?"


    I questioned the blonde''s eyes that showed doubt.


    "Are you really Kaito-kun? Why are you suddenly being sympathetic? What''s going on here?"


    "I-I can be sympathetic!"


    Sympathetic? What does that mean again?


    I mean, those "kind" things I just said right now was actually a quote from Bane of Tartaros as an advice to Hanzo the first time he got sent to another world.


    "You know what, that''s enough. Get yourself prepared, we''re heading to the guild."


    I instructed with a tinge of irritation in my voice. Sana eyed me curiously as I hopped off the white covers.


    "Why? It''s still early in the morning."


    She asked.


    She knows nothing, does she?


    "We''re taking on a quest. We''re adventurers living in a fantasy world now, so it''s best if we take on missions so we could earn some cash."


    I reached into my pockets to grab the loose change I had. These were the remnants of the bounty I earned from killing the death bat.


    "See? We are broke thanks to a certain someone who spent all the money on stupid things."


    "H-hey, in my defense, I don''t know anything about this weird world!"


    "D-don''t call Ischyos weird!"


    I scolded the blonde. If the citizens hear her calling the world weird, it''d spell bad news.


    "Anyway, we''re doing small quests now just as a warm-up. Our real goal is to defeat Tartaros and the King of Hell, Hanzo. Brace yourself for that, since you''re stuck with me."


    Narrowing her eyes due to possible uneasiness, Sana took a gulp down.


    "That does sound dangerous. Do we need to-"


    I quickly appeared before her and looked at her straight in the eye, our noses two inches apart.


    "We need to."


    As I went towards the door, the previously shocked blonde suddenly stood up energetically.


    "Wait. If we defeat this Hanzo person, will I be able to go back home to Japan?!"


    Hmm?


    Hanzo has nothing to do with our transportation to Ischyos. We were sent here by the gods due to my passionate prayers. I highly doubt slaying Hanzo would send us back to Japan.


    ..


    Then again, it''d be a perfect lie to give this unenthusiastic blonde a reason to willingly accompany me in my journey.


    "Ye-"


    "I don''t think so!"


    Sana and I both jumped back a bit as a familiar cat girl slammed the door open.


    "Mimi-sensei?!"


    The short brown haired cat person wearing a blue dress who was also my support tutor appeared all of the sudden.


    No way.. Did she hear us?!


    "I heard everything!"


    Damn it all!


    I was supposed to reveal the big secret of me coming from another world in the perfect moment after I have gathered enough popularity to boost my cool points.. This sucks.


    As I was crouching on the floor, depressed, Sana spoke up to the new visitor.


    "Uh, hi there. My name is Ueno-"


    "Ueno Sana! You''re the hot topic of town right now. News spread quickly about the female adventurer with super high stats. My name is Mimi, Kaito-san''s tutor. It''s an honor to meet you."


    The cat girl bowed down to the confused school idol, and this annoyed me.


    The image of my dream from earlier where everyone was bowing at my feet flashed in my brain.


    "D-don''t bow down to her, Mimi-sensei!"


    "The NEET is right, Mimi-san. Please, there''s no need for that, though I truly am flattered by your kind words."


    The cat girl followed Sana''s orders and smiled.


    "Y-you are so pretty as the rumors say, Ueno-san! Can we be friends?"


    "Sure, Mimi-san! You can call me by my first name, Sana!"


    As the background behind these two airheads became shrouded with pink flowers and bubbles, I yelled in aggravation.


    "Hold on a minute! M-Mimi-sensei, are there any rumors around me circling around town?"


    Mimi looked up to think.


    "No, I don''t think so."


    I heard the sound of broken glass echoing somewhere. It was probably from my heart.


    "Ah. I see."


    "No wait! I think there were rumors about the support who was beaten down by Tabaki and-"


    "Lalalala! I can''t hear you!"


    I didn''t want to hear anything more from this cat girl.


    "By the way, what are you doing here, Mimi-san?"


    Sana asked the cat girl.


    "I was going to fetch Kaito-san so we could begin our support training, but then I heard you guys talking about something interesting from the hallway."


    "Eh? You could hear us all the way from the hallway?"


    Replying to Sana''s remark, the tutor pointed at the fluffy brown twitching cat ears on the top of her head.


    "It''s all thanks to these. Cat people''s ears are super sensitive to sound!"


    "OH REALLY, NOW?!"


    After yelling really loudly straight into her fluffy ears, I began to laugh mischievously as Mimi fell to the floor, covering her ears and shivering.


    That was just a little comeback after barging in and-


    "Kwuh!"


    I was punched in the gut by the other girl in the room. Sana crossed her arms and looked at me, pissed.


    "Behave yourself."


    "Yes ma''am."


    I groaned, clenching my stomach in pain.


    Meanwhile, Mimi recovered from earlier and went back on her feet.


    "I-I deserved that. Anyway, cat people''s ears are sensitive to sound, so that''s why I heard you from outside the hallwa-"


    "Hey, Sana-san. Did you know touching a cat person''s ears is equivalent to touching her in the chest?"


    I started to splurt out the random trivia I knew from reading the information guides in the manga.


    "Eh?" x2


    Both girls said, although Sana looked disappointed while Mimi turned red.


    "Here, I''ll prove i-"


    Before I could reach out to Mimi''s ears to hear her cute reaction, I was once again punched in the stomach by Sana.


    "Is there no limit to your scum personality?"


    Sana glared at me before turning to Mimi.


    "Mimi-san, you were saying..?"


    "Uh, yeah. I was also confused as to why your stats are super high. To think that you came from another world.."


    The cat girl said in awe.


    "Yeah, about that, sensei.. Can you keep that a secret?"


    I groaned from my spot at the floor as I held my abdomen in pain.


    "Oh, I can do that. However, I doubt defeating the King of Hell would send you back to your old world. I''ve read about a similar case in a book from my late grandmother although I can''t remember the full details.."


    Sana''s purple eyes glowed in curiosity.


    "Oh?! Do you know how we''re able to go home, Mimi-san?!"


    "Sadly, no. I lost the book and the last time I read the thing was years ago, so.."


    Sana''s back drooped down upon hearing that.


    "I do know that it''s related to a summoning of some sort. It''s nothing related to the King of Hell. Defeating Hanzo won''t send you back home."


    Mimi continued.


    I took a glance at the sad blonde.


    She''s really intent on going back to Shibuya. I kind of feel bad for her-


    "Hm..? Why do I feel droopy all of the sudden..?"


    My senses were slowly going fading away. My head was starting to stop working. My eyes couldn''t help but close.


    I noticed Mimi grabbing the back part of my neck while casting a magic spell.


    "Sleep. Alright, Sana-san! I''ll be tutoring Kaito for the day now."


    Mimi''s voice echoed.


    "Eh? But what about our quest?"


    Sana asked.


    "I''m sorry, but I have a bone to pick with this perverted support. Good bye!"


    And with that, I was dragged along by the cat girl. I fell asleep soon after and couldn''t recall what horrors she did to me while I was unconscious.


    End of Bonus Chapter

 Volume 1: Chapter 3 - "Meeting the Marksman"

    ~~Chapter 3~~


    "Meeting the Marksman"


    Part 1


    It''s been six days since I''ve registered myself as an official adventurer. Although I was stuck as a support, I was still an adventurer nonetheless.


    Ever since that day, Mimi had been teaching me all of the basics of support magic. I''ve learned plenty of things from her, and we''re getting along pretty well.


    Today however, I ran into a crisis.


    It happened this morning-


    I entered the guild to continue my daily training with Mimi. As I did, I was approached by everyone''s favorite pink-haired waitress.


    "Hey! Good morning, Macy-san. Is Mimi-sensei here?"


    "Err, Kaito-san? I actually need to talk to you about something important."


    Oh?


    Whatever could this important thing be? Could it be that this pretty waitress lady wanted to confess her feelings for me, the best adventurer out there? Well, it''s only normal for someone to fall for a person with amazing powers such as mine.


    "It''s about-"


    "Shhh~"


    I softly placed a finger on her lips to stop her from talking. We stared at each other''s eyes for a moment. Her beautiful azure eyes locked onto my fish looking ones. I couldn''t help but notice the flustered look on her face.


    "Kaito-san, I.."


    "Shhh~ Macy-san, I''m truly flattered that you confessed to me first. Truth be told, I''ve also harbored feelings for you myself. I love the way you greet adventurers when they enter the guildhall, the way you serve drinks to the rowdy members of this community, and the way you say ''my, my''. Macy-san, I too would like to-"


    "Kaito-san, I just wanted to remind you of the 500,000 nillos fine if you and your team don''t take a quest from the board this week."


    I stiffened in an instant.


    "I''m sorry for keeping your hopes up, but I don''t feel that way for Kaito-san."


    I totally humiliated myself right there..


    ...


    -and that''s what happened.


    Right now, Sana and I were seated opposite of each other at one of the tables in the guildhall.


    "You''re an idiot for forgetting about the fine."


    "You''re one to talk, you useless blonde! Didn''t you also know about that stupid fine? What the hell have you been doing these past few days?"


    "Doing productive things of course, unlike you! I helped a lost child the other day find her mother, I volunteered in a feeding program held by this city''s church to help the poor, and worked part time in a cat-human grooming shop that was about to run out of business so we can pay for rent! Don''t you dare call me useless! All you''ve been doing was fooling around with that new cat friend you met the other day!"


    With the achievements that she claimed to have done, I fell silent.


    Even here in another world, she''s still helping out people?


    I slowly started to pull on my black hair.


    "Grrrr, even if we argue here, we still have a giant problem! There aren''t any quests on the board! How the hell are we supposed to take on a quest when there aren''t any available?!"


    "That''s what you get for waiting until the end of the week. Macy-san told me that all the quests are usually all finished when the end of the week comes because the adventurers all usually start to grind at this point."


    I stressfully groaned loudly. If we wanted to not pay the fine, we''d have to find a quest pronto.


    Darn it, Hanzo never faced problems like this in Bane of Tartaros!


    "Oh! There you are, Kaito-san!"


    A female voice called out to me, catching my attention. Standing before Sana and I was the green haired warrior girl I saved six days ago.


    "You''re that girl..!"


    "Y-yes, I''m glad that you still remember me! Let me properly introduce myself. My name is Annalea, of the warrior class. I''d like to apologize for only thanking you for saving me now."


    "Oh, no problem."


    Sana then looked at me with curious eyes and said-


    "Who is this girl, Kaito-kun? What does she mean when she says that you saved her?"


    "Ah! You must be Ueno Sana, the extremely strong warrior girl! Even though you''ve only just become an adventurer, I greatly look up to you!"


    I glared disapprovingly at the blushing Sana beside me. She was getting compliments again.


    "I-it''s an honor, Annalea-san!"


    The girl, Annalea''s face brightened when Sana smiled at her.


    "You see, Kaito-san here saved my life a few days ago. I would''ve died if it weren''t for him. He groped my breasts and unleashed his powerful mana into me."


    "Oh, is that so?"


    I spat out the juice I was drinking when I heard Sana chuckle scarily beside me.


    "Holy sh- Word choice please, Annalea-san! Word choice! Sana-san, this is a misunderstanding! I didn''t do anything to her!"


    "Of course it''s just a misunderstanding, Kaito-kun! I''m totally not grossed out by you because you dared to defile an innocent woman with your perverted NEET ways. Honest!"


    "Ow! Ow! Ow! Sana-san, let go!"


    The sarcastic Sana who was obviously mad at me started to hold my hands and then slowly tightened her grip.


    "K-Kaito-san! Sana-san! There''s actually something I need to ask of you guys.."


    Sana thankfully let go of my hands when Annalea said that. I started to heal my hands with my healing magic while Sana switched her attention to the green haired warrior girl.


    "I heard from Macy-san that you two were facing difficulties finding a quest to prevent yourselves from paying the weekly fine. Since I owe Kaito-san for saving me, I thought I could help in some way."


    The both of us gasped and widened our eyes.


    This is a blessing from the gods! Annalea, you''re a life saver!


    "Really?!"


    "Uh-huh. Here you go."


    We were handed a piece of paper by Annalea.


    It was a quest! So she went and made a quest in the guild just for us? That''s super duper helpful of her!


    In sheer happiness, I burst into tears.


    "Thank you Annalea-san! Thank you so much! Thank you so much! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!"


    "N-no, it''s the least I can do after you saved my life. I apologize if the reward isn''t that big."


    I was kneeling before this warrior girl who had just saved us when Sana spoke up from behind me.


    "Don''t worry, 150,000 nillos is worth it! After all, it''d also save us from paying that 500,000 fine. Thank you so much, Annalea-san. It''s a simple quest, too. All we have to do is babysit your little sister for the rest of day?"


    "That''s right! I''m gonna go on a training session with my team later on. Oh, speaking of, there they are right now!"


    We looked at the main entrance to the guild. Annalea''s two teammates from before were waving at her.


    "Annalea-san! Hurry up! We''ll miss the caravan!"


    "Just a moment! So? Are you guys willing to accept?"


    "Consider it a done deal! Thank you so much!"


    I stood back up on my feet to deliver one final bow to the green haired warrior girl.


    This was great! We''ll be able to escape the fine! And all we have to do is babysit a little girl, too! How hard can it be?


    After Annalea left, Sana snickered at me.


    "Looks like you sexually harassing that girl paid off."


    "Hey."


    Part 2


    Knock, knock, knock..


    "Hello? Agame-chan? We''re the friends of your big sister who''ve come to look after you! Can you let us in?"


    At the moment, Sana and I were outside the address Annalea''s quest told us to be at. The house in front of us was a small wooden shack at the farmlands of the city. Not far from here were the Sipalarg Hills, the place where we first arrived into this world and where we fought the death bat that was terrorizing the livestock.


    We''ve been knocking outside for about ten minutes now, but nobody seemed to be answering at all.


    "Kaito-kun, what do we do? Nobody''s answering. Maybe Annalea-san''s little sister isn''t home."


    "That is a possibility. But we can''t just ditch this quest! We''ve already been given pity by Annalea-san, so the least we can do is complete her quest for us."


    I began to knock again. The blonde beside me was getting quite impatient and reached for the doorknob. Quickly, I grabbed her hand that was about to commit a crime.


    "Hey, what the heck are you doing? That''s breaking and entering."


    "Isn''t this a world of fantasy? Are there still laws like that?"


    "Of course there are! What, do you think Ischyos is a place where you can do anything you wanted to do? What the heck are you thinking?"


    "Grr, so what? We''ve been given a quest to babysit this girl anyway. We have the permission to go inside the house. Come on, let go! I want to meet the girl!"


    Wait, something''s up.


    I suspiciously glared at the blonde beside me who was breathing heavily with eyes of a predator.


    "Sana-san.. Could it be that you have a thing for little girls?"


    I managed to snap her out of her creepy trance. She swiftly shook her head and stepped away from me.


    "Wh-what the heck are you saying?! Don''t bring me down to your level! I''m just fond of little children!"


    I didn''t say anything. Instead, I continued staring her down.


    "Quit looking at me like that! I''ll knock you down!"


    Well, despite all of this, she was right in some points. We can''t complete this quest if we don''t babysit the child.


    I knocked one last time and yelled out-


    "Hello!? Is anyone home!? We''re coming in, okay?!"


    With Sana beside me, I slowly opened the door.


    The inside of the small shack looked normal, just like a regular small shack. It was minimilastic in general, but still came with a homey kind of feel.


    Suddenly, however-


    Swoosh!


    "Wha-!"


    I froze in my tracks when something shining bright white flew past me, just barely hitting me in the head.


    Shaking, I slowly looked beside me to see a shining white arrow impaled in a wall next to me.


    A drip of sweat flowed down the side of my face.


    A short green haired girl who looked like she''s about thirteen or so was pointing a white bow almost twice her size at us.


    Scars that looked like a scratch mark crossed through her left eye, while the remaining orange one glared at the speechless Sana and I.


    "Who are you? Why are you here in my house? Wait a minute, you were sent here by the capital to arrest me, weren''t you?! If that''s the case, then you''ll never take me alive!"Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    Right when the little girl who I assumed was Annalea''s little girl was about to run out the back door, I grabbed hold of her arm. However, she resisted greatly.


    "Hold on, little girl! It''s not like that! We''re friends of Annalea, your sister!"


    The girl continued to struggle with no signs of stopping.


    "You can''t trick me you capital scum! This bow is mine and there''s no way I''m letting you have it!"


    What the hell is this girl talking about?


    "Bow?! Why on earth would we want your bow?! We''re not from the capital or anything like that! Look! We took on a quest filed by your sister to watch over you!"


    I took the quest paper from my pocket and flashed it in front of the struggling little girl.


    "So you even created fake documents so you can catch me off guard, huh?! Your tricks won''t work on me! Let me go or I''ll scream!"


    This was bad. We got off to the wrong foot. Damn it, I knew breaking into this house wasn''t a good idea!


    If that''s the case, then I have no choice.


    While still fending off the flailing loli in my grasp, I placed my free hand onto the back of her neck.


    "Eh?!"


    "Sleep.."


    A small shockwave was emitted from my hand, and before I knew it, the once energetic little girl fell fast asleep into my arms.


    "Kaito-kun, what was that just now?"


    "One of the few support tricks Mimi-sensei taught me, Sleep. If I touch a certain area and unleash mana there, the victim would fall fast asleep. Don''t worry, the effect won''t last long. She''ll wake up after some time."


    Hehehe, and she insulted me for wasting time with my new cat human friend. All of that training paid off. Sleep is only one of the many skills she taught me!


    I smugly looked at the blonde haired school idol.


    "You''ve truly become a dangerous predator now, learning those skills of a sexual criminal. I want a separate room ASAP."


    I only blew a raspberry in response to Sana''s remarks.


    Part 3


    "Agame-chan? Hello? Agame-chan?"


    The little girl who was laying down on her bed slowly opened her eyes in response to Sana''s words.


    Almost immediately, the green haired little girl sat up in surprise.


    She''s still on her guard, huh?


    "What did you do to me?! You put your filthy hands on me, didn''t you, you capital scum?! Hey, wait a minute.. Where''s my bow? M-my bow, where is it?"


    Seeing that the little girl was starting to cry, I handed the bow that I was holding to her.


    "Oh!"


    "Ow!"


    The girl swiped the bow from me, but one of it''s ends hit me on the face. My face was swollen, but at least the girl had stopped crying. She started to cuddle the bow, which was cute, but also creepy and weird at the same time.


    "Ahh~ How adorable!"


    Sana was admiring the sight before her.


    She really does have a thing for little children, then.


    "You had the chance to take away my bow but you didn''t. You really aren''t from the capital then. S-sorry for the misunderstanding."


    Seeing the pouting little girl in front of her, Sana couldn''t conduct a proper conversation, so I talked for her.


    "That''s alright. You must be Agame then, right? Like I said earlier, we''re friends of Annalea-san. We''re adventurers who''ve taken a quest to watch over you."


    "Y-you guys are adventurers?! That''s so cool! Oh! Right! Yes, my name is Agame. I''m Annalea-nee''s younger sister."


    Now that the situation had calmed down, I took the opportunity to inspect this girl''s looks.


    She had long green hair like her sister''s bound in a long ponytail at the side of her head, a scratch shaped scar over her left eye, and she wore an oversized grey shirt with a big scarf over it.


    "Nice to meet you, Agame. The blonde over there who looks like she''s about to pounce at you any second is Sana, a warrior class. I, on the other hand, am Aoki Kaito! Ischyos''s best support and the adventurer who shall defeat Hanzo!"


    Agame''s expression lit up.


    As expected after having met such a great presence such as mine.


    "You''re a warrior class, Sana-san?! That''s just like my older sister! Warriors are said to be the best of all classes!"


    "Ah~! That''s right!"


    I gloomed before these two who were acting all chummy.


    "Umm, I don''t mean to be rude or anything, Kaito-san, but I don''t think a support is able to defeat the King of Hell."


    A vein popped on my head after Agame stuck her tongue at me.


    "Hey, now. Don''t get on my bad side, little girl."


    As we were arguing, a loud grumbling noise erupted across the room.


    Immediately, I took cover.


    "What was that?! Are we being under attack by a monster?!"


    Oh!


    There it is again!


    I turned my head to all directions for any signs of monsters until I laid my eyes on a blushing Agame, who''s holding her stomach.


    Sana giggled and said-


    "My, my, is Agame-chan hungry?"


    The green haired loli lowered her head in embarassment in an attempt to hide her red face.


    "I haven''t had breakfast today.. Annalea-nee was in a hurry this morning, so.."


    Grumble...


    "Well, it can''t be helped. Come on, let''s go back to Oranea to get something to eat."


    I suggested while Agame glowed red again. Upon hearing me say this however, she placed her face near me with an excited reaction.


    Okay, that''s too close, little girl..


    "Really?! I''ve never been to the city before!"


    "Y-yeah, sure."


    Part 4


    Right now, we''re on our way to the city of Oranea. Since Agame''s house was near Sipalarg Hills, it''s gonna take a while before we reach the walls of the city.


    I took in the fresh air of the grasslands around us.


    Today''s such a peaceful day.


    In front of me were Agame, who was carrying her white bow that was twice her size, and Sana, who was not acting like her age. Both of them were skipping childishly while humming.


    In Agame''s defense, she had all the right to be in a good mood. It''s her first time to travel to Oranea after all.


    Sana however was a different case. She was more of a nut case.


    "Hey, Agame."


    I called out to the joyful little girl in front of me. Hearing her name, she stopped humming.


    "Yeah~?"


    "What do you have against the capital? Why''d you assume they''d take that bow of yours?"


    "Oh, it''s nothing! Just a simple grudge, that''s all!"


    Her mood didn''t change at all while saying something like that. She continued to hum alongside the delusional blonde beside her.


    "Hey, Sana."


    This time, I called for the school idol.


    "Yeah~?"


    "What was it that you admitted earlier? That you were really fond of little-"


    I didn''t get to finish my sentence because I was beaten up to the ground in an instant. The two continued to skip along like nothing happened.


    Sniff.. Sniff..


    Hey, that smell..


    "A monster! Stay close you two, a monster''s nearby!"


    My warning reached the girls in front of me, and they quickly huddled together. After getting up on my feet, I joined them.


    "A monster, Kaito-kun? I don''t see anything."


    "I can definitely sense one. It''s near, too."


    I''m not joking, I really can smell one. It has the same smell as that death bat from before.


    For some reason though, even after looking everywhere, neither I nor Sana could find the foe.


    "Up there!"


    We looked at Agame who was pointing upwards to the sky.


    Yeah, that''s a monster alright.


    "Sana, get down!"


    I pushed the blonde aside to prevent her from being turned to yogurt by a ball of toxic sludge that was about to fall on her.


    I looked at the winged beast.


    It was a Flying Viper - a poisonous snake that had demon wings.


    With the rise of Hanzo to power, monster sightings have been more and more common. That death bat the other day was a result of that.


    This time, something is a bit off though.


    "Based on what I''ve read, Flying Vipers are usually afraid of humans. They won''t attack humans at all unless they''ve been threatened. Why does this one look so mad at us?"


    Sniff.. Sniff.. Sniff..


    "Hey, that scent.. Is that another monster? Wait, no..."


    "Oh! Maybe that''s my new shampoo? I got it from a merchant who showed up in our room the other day. He said that it''s made of aloe vera and snake oil, and that it''s one of the best brands of shampoo in the land. He offered a nice, cheap price too. Huh? What''s wrong, Kaito-kun?"


    She must''ve finally noticed me staring at her like I''ve gone mad.


    "Sana-san.. What did you say was in that shampoo?"


    "Aloe Vera."


    "And..?"


    "Snake oil."


    I gave off a sigh before placing both of my palms on her shoulders. Smiling, I looked at her and said-


    "YOU IDIOT! Who the hell said snake oil was good for the scalp?! You, the great Ueno Sana, known as the school idol because of her looks, athleticism and GRADES, fell for a scam like that?! That Flying Viper''s spitting poison at us because of you!"


    "Eh?! Well what would I know?! I have a zero clue about the shampoo in this world!"


    One day, I''ll have you traumatized, Ueno Sana. One day.


    "How about you stop blaming me for once and come up with a plan?! There''s no way I''m able to reach a target that high up! Wah!"


    Sana just barely managed to dodge another sludge attack from the flying snake.


    "How about we run?! My skills can only effect those I touch!"


    "You''re terribly useless, Kaito-kun."


    "Shut up! As if you''re of any help! Hey, where''s Agame? Whoa, mama!"


    I was taken aback when I saw Agame shrouded in white light. Her white bow glowed brighter than usual. She looked really powerful!


    "I pray to the gods that I, with this Holy Bow Apollo, am able to vanquish the enemy. I humbly ask you to guide this one arrow into the target and purify it''s filth! Take this!"


    The more Agame chanted, the brighter the bow she wielded glowed, until finally, she released an arrow that shot through the sky before piercing straight into the Flying Viper. As it did, another bright light came from the snake that covered the sky in white for a few moments.


    I could only look at the scene, completely dumbfounded and helpless.


    Once the light faded out, an arrow came falling from the sky right in front of me. I flinched as it did, since it nearly struck me in the head.


    "I''m speechless, Agame-sama. I really am."


    I cowered.


    Sana also had the same reaction behind me. Agame, chuckling smugly, slowly walked towards us to pick up the arrow that was on the ground in front of me.


    "That was the might of Apollo, the Holy Bow. With it, I''m able to hit any target. Amazing, isn''t it?"


    "Y-yeah. Really is." x2


    Sana and I still couldn''t completely comprehend the situation.


    To think that a girl as little as her had so much power..


    Grumble..


    "Sorry if I''m sounding like I''m pushing you guys, but I''m really hungry."


    "We shall reach Oranea without a moment to spare!" x2


    "Oh! That''s great, you- Whoaaaa! K-Kaito-san! What are you doing?!"


    Completely feeling like a servant right now, I lifted Agame on my back to give her a piggyback ride.


    "Sana-san! You heard the master! To Oranea!"


    "Not another moment to lose, Agame-sama!"


    "W-wait you guys! Oh? "Agame-sama"? I could get used to this. Hehe. Onwards, my followers!"


    "Yes, Agame-sama!" x2


    And so, with Agame on my back, we quickly ran to the city of Oranea.


    Part 5


    "Wow! So delicious!"


    Sana and I looked at Agame who was chowing down multiple meals like no one''s business with different expressions.


    Sana, who was seated beside me, looked like she was staring at an adorable baby animal learning how to walk for the very first time.


    I, on the other hand, looked like I was staring at an absolute glutton who took complete advantage of Sana''s thing for little girls.


    I leaned over the blushing blonde beside me and whispered-


    "Hey. Sana-san. Our savings."


    "Don''t worry, Kaito-kun! It''s all for a good cause."


    I could only grunt in response.


    I really wanted to chew her out though, but the little girl in front of me was a powerful bow user and I dare not to get on her bad side.


    "Err, Agame-sama?"


    I asked.


    "Hmm?"


    "That bow of yours is really something. With that precision of yours, you''d definitely become a great marksman when the day comes."


    "Oh! Thank you! Ever since I was little, I really wanted to become an adventurer, but big sister wouldn''t allow me to. She says I''m too young."


    "Do you have any sister issues, Agame-sama? I mean, you don''t need to answer that question but.."


    The loli with a mouth stuffed with food shook her head.


    "Nope. I know that Annalea-nee just wants to take care of me and keep me away from danger."


    She''s a more reasonable thinker than I thought.


    I then asked her one more question,


    "I''ve been wanting to ask, Agame-sama.. What happened to your eye?"


    "Oh! I''ve been wanting to ask the same thing."


    Upon hearing our inquiries, the girl before us swallowed the last bits of food in her mouth and crossed her arms proudly.


    "It was a dark stormy night. I was out in the forest to train archery, when it appeared. A forest dragon appeared before me. It was a tough fight, but with the help of my trusty bow, I was able to scare it off. However, it managed to scratch my eye. Hehehe, it was a tough opponent."


    My heart skipped a beat when I heard that story.


    "You fought against a forest dragon?! You truly are amazing, Agame-sama!"


    "No, no, it''s nothing."


    "I''ve no idea what a forest dragon is but you have my respect as well, Agame-sama!"


    "I shall give you the privilege of respecting me, then! However, that comes with a price."


    "Of course! Waitress, one more plate of back ribs please!"


    Sana.. Please stop that. At this rate, our money will all disappear in no time..


    This archer loli is really going all out in using Sana.. She knows her manipulation too well!


    Right when Agame was about to continue her buffet that was sponsored by us, the door to the busy restaurant opened. Two soldiers in full metal armor entered the building. Leading the duo was a female knight in metal armor with purple hair that was tied in a bun. The other was a short, plump man with brown hair.


    Oh? That crest on their chestplates..


    They''re White Soldiers! One of the king''s best military units in the entirety of Ischyos! They''re an independent squad of strong adventurers that take requests from the king himself!


    "Hey, look! White Soldiers. As expected of the best restaurant here in Oranea. See, Sana-san? These meals are gonna leave a dent in our savings. Hey, Agame-sama-"


    I turned around to ask Agame if she was full so that Sana can stop spending money on her, but in her place was a trail of dust.


    "A-Agame-sama?"


    In a panic, I stood up and looked around me to find the missing green haired archer.


    "Agame!"


    No, no, no, we were supposed to be babysitting her! We can''t lose sight of her! Not for one moment!


    Wait, there she is!


    I spotted her squeezing her way throughout the crowded place with her bow to the back door.


    Why the heck is she running away?!


    Then, to make things worse, the two soldiers that entered the restaurant both turned their attention towards her.


    "There she is, Miss Reyna! It''s the girl!"


    One of the soldiers pointed.


    They''re here looking for Agame? Wait, now that they''ve mentioned it, Agame attacked us earlier in her shack because she thought we were from the capital! Just what did this little girl do that pissed off these soldiers?!


    "That little brat. She dares steal my precious bow.. She''ll pay!"


    ....and there''s my answer.


    So that''s why that darn bow was so freaking powerful. It''s a weapon owned by one of the freaking squadron leaders of the White Soldiers! That girl looks pissed!


    The two soldiers both squirmed their way through the crowd to reach Agame, the sound of their armor clanging as they did.


    "Kaito-kun, what do we do?! Agame''s in trouble! I wouldn''t be able to sleep tonight if something bad happens to her! We were getting along so well!"


    Annoyed, I gritted my teeth at the crying blonde beside me who started to smack my chest.


    I''d love to tell her that she was just being used by that little girl for free food but now''s not the time.


    "Right. We''re on a quest to babysit her after all. Come on, follow me!"


    Part 6


    We went out the back door of the restaurant on the trail of Agame and the soldiers. We found ourselves inside a narrow alleyway.


    "We finally found you, thief."


    Keeping silent, Sana and I watch the scene from afar.


    Agame was currently being surrounded by the two knights.


    "You capital scum! I''m not a thief! This bow is mine! I was the one who found it!"


    "Don''t give me that crap! Do you have any idea how useless I was among the White Soldiers without my bow?! I couldn''t take part in any quests because of you! I''ll make you pay for what you''ve done to me! Dalmon! Hold her down!"


    "You''re not taking anything from me! Take this!"


    With the same white light from before, Agame shot an arrow at the girl soldier.


    However, the arrow simply bounced off the girl''s armor.


    "What the-?"


    "It''s useless, little girl! White Soldiers'' armor is heavily resistant to physical attacks!"


    What is she doing?! Why can''t she just aim another one at the unprotected head?! Why is she just standing there trembling?!


    I can''t stand to watch this anymore. I needed to reach both of the soldiers at the same time. But how?


    "Agame-chan.. I can''t bare to see her in pain! Kaito-kun, do something!"


    I shifted my attention to the blonde beside me who was at the verge of crying.


    That''s it!


    "Sana-san.."


    "..Yeah?"


    "You useless blonde. Haven''t you figured it out by now? Jeez, for a school idol, you are really dense. Agame is just using your thing for lolitas to get her free food. It''s been obvious all this time. I heard her talking to herself earlier when I was giving her a piggyback ride saying "Mm, that blonde is so easy. I''ll be able to manipulate her all I want so I can make the most of today!" Honestly, Sana-san. Aren''t you supposed to be smart? You have great grades don''t you? Man, you''re such a pushover."


    The blonde girl before me only wore an unreadable expression after hearing me casually say all of that.


    The next thing that happened was that she grabbed me by the collar in a rage and began to lift me up.


    "WHAT DID YOU SAY YOU SHITTY NEET?!"


    The White Soldiers took notice of our presence and ceased trying to pull on Agame''s bow.


    "Who..?"


    Just as planned, she threw me straight in the direction of the knights. Smirking, I began to channel my mana into my palms.


    "Wait a minute.. What are you..?!"


    With a crash, I landed on top both of the soldiers who were now clumped up below me. After placing both my hands onto their necks, I released my mana and chanted-


    "Sleep."


    "How dare you make light of us White... Sol.."


    That took care of them.


    Now, for the next bit..


    "Kaito-san!"


    A crying Agame rushed to my direction with open arms. I, however-


    Smack


    "Ow!"


    "You idiot! You stole from the White Soldiers?! Do you have any idea how much trouble you would''ve been in if it weren''t for me?! What do you have to say for yourself, young lady?!"


    "I-I''m sorry.."


    Like a father scolding his daughter, I chewed this little girl out after spanking her on the head.


    Regaining my composure, I took a deep breath.


    "At least you''re okay. Fufu, good thing Aoki Kaito, the adventurer who shall surpass Hanzo, was here to save you."


    "R-Right.. Thank you so much, Kaito-kun! Sana-san!"


    And so, after paying the giant bill Agame racked up, after yelling at them for doing so, after leaving Agame in the guildhall so Annalea could pick her up, we decided to call it a day and head back to the inn.


    Part 7


    Yawn..


    Today was exhausting..


    I climbed up the stairs, totally drained of all energy. As a NEET in my previous life, I wasn''t really used to this amount of physical activity..


    Annalea arrived late, so I asked Macy to tell her that we''d receive the reward tomorrow instead.


    The total bill Agame built up in that classy restaurant was 650,000 nillos. That means, if you think about it closely..


    I placed my hand on the doorknob to my room.


    ...it''s exactly the same amount of the weekly fine and the reward for babysitting the demon!


    With dark aura around me, I entered the room.


    "Ah?"


    "Eh?"


    Before me was a half naked Agame, who was in the middle of changing.


    I knew where this was going.


    She was tomato red and in the verge of screaming, so I rushed towards her, pinned her down to the bed behind her and covered her mouth.


    "Don''t scream! Don''t scream! I''ll be branded a pedophile if we''re caught in a situation like this! What the hell are you doing here in my room?! Didn''t I leave you at the guildhall?!"


    "Mmm! Mmm! Mmm!"


    Oh right, she can''t speak if I cover her mouth like this.


    I removed my hand over her mouth, and she was left breathing heavily. Looked like she ran out of breath.


    "Kaito-kun, look at these! I ran into a merchant earlier and he sold me these dragon scales! He told me it can be mixed with soap to make it more.. ..bubbly."


    I looked at Sana-san who had just arrived in horror.


    This is too clich¨¦.


    "Agame-chan.. Do you have 911 in this world?"


    I whimpered upon hearing that.


    "N-no, I have no idea what that is."


    "Is that so? Well how about I punish this pervert myself? Come here, Kaito-kun! Face your sentence!"


    ...


    I broke my arm that evening.


    End of Volume 1: Chapter 3

 Volume 1: Chapter 4 - "Witch Hunting"

    ~~Chapter 4~~


    "Witch Hunting"


    Part 1


    Stare..


    "Are you enjoying it, Agame-sama?"


    "Ahhh! Mhm! This cow''s milk is great!"


    Stare...


    "Agame-sama, do you want me to massage your back?"


    "Oh, please do, Sana-san!"


    Stare....


    "Ah! I have an idea, Agame-sama! How about we go out for a late night stroll? We can also go grab a bite while we''re at it!"


    "That''s a great idea, Sana-sa-"


    "HEY! WHAT DO YOU MORONS THINK YOU''RE DOING?!"


    This was a hopeless scenario.


    These idiots were fooling around at a time like this.


    I pointed a finger straight at Sana''s face as she tried to avert her gaze.


    "We''re brokest of the broke right now, and you want to spend the last of our money on your little girl fetish?! Let''s not forget that you''re the reason why we''re almost penniless in the first place! You just couldn''t keep your money in your pocket and your desires in your panties, couldn''t you?! You disgrace of a school idol! I expected much more from you!"


    Then, I turned towards the green haired loli on my opposite side who also averted her eyes from me.


    "And you! Our quest of watching over you has been long finished already! We don''t need to babysit your gold digging face anymore! Just because you''re a child doesn''t mean I won''t punish you for causing me troubles! You''ve got the nerve to break into my room and start taking advantage of this delusional blonde the moment you get here! And don''t you dare pull the "You saw me half naked" card on me! It was your fault for changing in someone else''s room in the first place!"


    While I was in the middle of calling these two idiots out, a knock came from my door. We all turned to see Annalea at the door.


    "Annalea-san!" x2


    "Annalea-nee!"


    The warrior girl who had just arrived looked relieved as she saw her little sister.


    "Oh thank goodness, Agame, you''re here. When I arrived home, I couldn''t find you anywhere. Then I tried the guildhall but you weren''t there either. Luckily one of the waitresses told me where you were. Oh! Kaito-san, Sana-san! Thank you so much for watching over my little sister for me."


    "Ah, it''s our pleasure."


    "I hope she didn''t cause you that much trouble."


    The smile on my face froze in disdain.


    "N-no, not at all."


    That was a lie. It''s been hell.


    Though I was putting on a smile right now, I couldn''t help but recall how I nearly got shot by her arrow at her home, how I got attacked by a Flying Viper, how I had to bail her out of the fight with those White Soldiers, and how my savings got completely drained.


    "Ah, thank you, Annalea-san."


    In my trance, I was handed a pouch full of coins by the warrior girl.


    "Again, I''m sorry if it''s too little."


    "Don''t sweat it, it''s alright! Hahaha!"


    No, it''s not alright. This is only a tiny fraction of the bill your demon sister had us pay in that restaurant, Annalea-san.


    "Okay then. Agame, let''s go."


    "No."


    The room fell silent in reaction to the blunt response Agame gave to her older sister. Everyone''s look on their faces went unreadable.


    "Uhh, Agame? What did you just say?"


    "I said no."


    Well, I wasn''t just hearing things. She really just did reject her older sister''s invitation to go home.


    "Also, why are you acting this way, Annalea-nee? You''re acting differently than how you do at home."


    "H-huh? What are you talking about?"


    Hmm?


    Hearing that from Agame and seeing a flustered Annalea''s face, I got really curious. I glared at the troubled looking Annalea beside me.


    What does Agame mean by "different"?


    "Instant Heal!"


    "Kyaaaahhhhh~~~~!!"


    Completely driven by my curiosity, I quickly groped one of Annalea''s breasts with one hand and started to use my magic.


    Despite the trashy look I got from Sana who covered Agame''s eyes and ears, I continued what I was doing while Annalea continued screaming.


    "Yahhhh~~~! Yes! Oh yes, Kaito-san! Give me more~~~!"


    "Okay, that''s the line!"


    Surprised by Annalea''s reaction, I quickly removed my hand from her. She then fell to the floor on her knees, breathing heavily.


    Glaring at me, Sana commented from the sidelines-


    "Kaito-kun. You''re despicable."


    ..and she was scary.


    "Don''t worry about it, Sana-san."


    Sana and I were both confused by what Agame, whose eyes and ears were being covered by the blonde behind her, was saying.


    "Annalea-nee is a huge pervert. She always pleads for me to whip her when she arrives home, and forces me to call her names when we''re at home."


    We were speechless.


    "Sometimes, she''d even let me tie her up from the ceilling for an hour. I don''t mind though, because at the very least, she''ll quit telling me to shove a-"


    "Okay, these guys don''t need to know about that, Agame!"


    Staring with judgemental eyes at the warrior girl who was covering her little sister''s mouth with her hand, I began to think to myself-


    This girl is not only a huge perv, but she also raised her little sister to become a complete asshole. No wonder Agame is such a demon. What a terrible older sister.


    Under all of the judging stares she''s getting, Annalea slowly stood up on her feet, slowly regaining her composure.


    "Agame, what do you mean you''re not coming home with me?"


    "I made up my mind. I''m going to become an adventurer and join Kaito-san''s team!"


    "What?!" x2


    Hey hold the phone! I did not agree to that!


    Wait a minute, is that why she brought some luggage here?!


    "What the hell are you saying, you little brat?! Who the hell gave you that idea?!"


    The fidgeting blonde girl behind the little archer gave it away.


    "You shitty lolicon!"


    I yelled as I pointed at the blonde.


    Judging from her reaction, I could tell that Annalea also wasn''t keen on the idea. She walked closer to her little sister and tried to reason out.


    "Agame, the life of an adventurer is dangerous! I can''t let my little sister do something that could hurt her! What if something happens to you?! Besides, you''re too young!"


    Why do I get the feeling that Annalea''s just gonna miss being able to get whipped by her sister everyday..?


    "You keep saying that but I''m already thirteen! That''s the age of consent!"


    I noticed Sana whose expression changed when she heard that.


    "Don''t even think about it."


    "Ngh! I wasn''t thinking about anything!"


    Annalea, who was teary eyed, looked like she was about to give up.


    "Well, I suppose you really are a proper lady now. I can''t keep you in our house forever, too. I suppose I could allow you to-"


    "Whoa, Annalea-san! Are you really gonna give up just like that? Your little sister''s life''s gonna change the moment she starts adventuring! Are you really okay with that?! Not only that, who do you think would give you punishment every day once Agame is gone?!"


    "Oh!"


    There''s no way I''m letting Agame get her way just like that. If she becomes an adventurer, Sana would stop at nothing to have her join our team, and knowing this archer, she''d probably keep taking full advantage of her! I can''t let that happen! She''ll damage our wallet and funds!


    "K-Kaito-san! Why does it feel like you''re against me becoming an adventurer?"


    The observant Agame caught up to me quickly.


    "No, it''s just that.. Do you really wanna waste your talent on just being an adventurer? With your greatness, you could pass to be part of the king''s army or something like that!"


    "Kaito-san, the bow my little sister owns was stolen from one of the White Soldiers. With her track record, she can''t possibly- Kyaaaaahhhhhh~~!!"


    "Instant Heal! Shut up, you disgrace of an older sister! You knew that she stole something yet you didn''t do anything about it?"


    "I-I''m sorry~~~!!"


    As I was performing Instant Heal on Annalea, I noticed Sana whispering something to Agame. The little girl in front of me then cleared her throat to catch my attention.


    "Kaito-san, the moment you saved me from those capital scum, I instantly knew how powerful you were. Even though I wield Apollo, a holy weapon that boasts great power, I dull in comparison to you! You''re definitely the person who shall surpass the King of Hell!"


    Oh!


    Agame.. You..


    You...


    "You fake douchebag! How easy do you think I am?! Do you seriously think I''m that type of person who''d fall for such half meant flattering?! To hell with you!"


    "Ow! O-ow! Sana-san, help me!"


    I started pulling on Agame''s ear after her sorry attempt to butter me up.


    "Good night to you!"


    "Ah!" x2


    I tossed the two sisters out the room. Tidying my hands from touching those two problematic girls and ignoring the sobbing blonde, I walked over to my bed so I could call it a day.


    Part 2


    The next morning¡ª


    I decided to take on small quests so I can slowly gain money back. Also, I was getting tired of Sana chewing me out, saying that she''s the only one working between the two of us.


    Her part time job at that cat human grooming shop was nifty, but she''s right, it''s insufficient for the both of us.


    That''s why I was currently looking for jobs here at the guild quest board.


    "Oh? Looking for jobs this early in the morning, Kaito-san?"


    "Macy-san! Yep, sure am. Hey, are there any quests that a support like me can take on by myself?"


    "My, my, that''s going to be a problem. I don''t think there are any quests of the sort available right now."


    Darn, that sucks. I came here real early too.


    "Kaito-san!"


    Huh? Hey, that voice..


    I couldn''t help but gulp down nervously when I landed my eyes on the little archer girl in front of me holding her giant bow just now. It bothered me even more that she''s flashing an adventurer''s ID straight at me.


    "A-Agame? Th-that''s a.."


    "Right! I, Agame, am now officially an adventurer! My class- marksman! Wahaha!"Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    I only stiffened like a statue in response to hearing that.


    "My, my, what a lovely reunion. Kaito-san, Agame here boasts incredible stats for a marksman. Her accuracy is SS tier- the first of her kind!"


    SS tier..?


    Well, I''m not that surprised anymore. She does own a holy bow after all.


    "Is that so?"


    "Ah! I know! Kaito-san, you wanted to go on a quest, right? How about you have her join your team?"


    "She''s right, Kaito-san! I''m a marksman with top tier accuracy! Everyone in this guild would die for me to join their team! Come on, let''s be teammates!"


    "No thank you."


    I left the guildhall to go do something else for the day and probably wait for another quest that''d fit me tomorrow, leaving behind Agame, who, in a rage, was being held back by the cute pink-haired waitress lady.


    Part 3


    "Still nothing, huh?"


    As promised, I returned the next day to find a quest that I could do on my own. Earlier today, I tried taking Sana with me but she said she can''t leave her part time job that easily. Talk about useless.


    "Kaito-san!"


    "Ah, it''s you again. Oh?"


    I was greeted by a smug looking Agame holding a pouch full of money that she shook around in an attempt to taunt me.


    "Hmmm? Are you looking at this? Well, I took a quest by myself yesterday to dispatch an orc in the forest, and look at this sweet bounty! Kaito, with me in your party, you''d be finishing quests and making money in no... ..time.."


    Agame''s voice trailed off after I blatantly ignored her, took a quest paper from the board and left for the counter.


    "Hey! Quit ignoring me! Hey, you! Grrr!"


    Part 4


    That quest I took was to dispatch a pair of vultures by the cliffside. The vultures in this world were about the size of a fully grown man.


    "Wahhh! Damn it, my plan didn''t work!"


    Right now, I was being chased by the two death birds. I tried to put them both to sleep while they were roosting in their nest so I could cut their heads with my sword afterwards, but they probably sensed me coming and started chasing me before I could cast my spell.


    "Wahhhh! I knew it! Being a support sucks!"


    As I was running, I started to sense a strong magic presence. I looked at the source and saw Agame, who was chanting and aiming her bow. After being engulfed in white light, she shot a white arrow that managed to impale both of the vultures. With a thump, the giant birds fell to the ground.


    "There you go! I saved your life right there, Kaito-san! That means you absolutely have to let me join your team! Huh? Hey come back here!"


    I was already long gone after I chopped the heads of the vultures so I can take them back to the guild to collect the bounty.


    "You ungrateful jerk! Get back here now!"


    Not even guilty. I didn''t ask for her help in the first place. What''s important is I finished my quest.


    Part 5


    "Here you go, Kaito-san. 200,000 nillos for finishing your quest. Congratulations!"


    The cute pink-haired waitress lady handed me a pouch of money after I turned over the bounty for those vultures.


    It''s a mere blade of grass in the garden of money we lost the other day but it''s one step closer to regaining that amount of money. Plus, Sana won''t be able to chew me out for not being able to make money anymore. It''s been a productive day.


    "Thanks, Macy-san."


    "Mhm! Eh? Umm, Kaito-san, your friend over there looks terribly exhausted. Is she okay?"


    "Huh?"


    I looked behind me, in the direction where the hot pink-haired waitress lady''s finger was pointing at.


    The scene was priceless.


    Agame was crawling on the guild''s stone floor with her giant bow, looking like she''s been drained of all energy.


    That''s what she gets.


    She followed me to the edge of the mountains to the place of my quest, didn''t she? Unlike her, I could cure my fatigue with my support magic. That''s why I wasn''t currently a moving raisin like her.


    "K-Kaito-san.. Please.. I''ll do anything.. Please.."


    I was trying my best to hold onto my laughter when three guards entered the guild hall in their light metal armor and spears. All the adventurers went silent.


    Guards? What the hell are they doing here?


    "Someone informed us of a dirtbag who''s been molesting a child and works at this very guildhall! Has anyone seen a suspicious figure that fits that description?!"


    All of the adventurer''s heads all turned towards me at the same time for reason.


    Hey-


    "Whoa! What are you all looking at me for?! I haven''t molested anyone! Huh?"


    "...Kaito-san.. Please.. I''ll do.. Anything."


    I shivered when I heard Agame say that out loud.


    "It''s not like that! I haven''t done anything to this girl yet! Hey, get your hands off me! I demand a lawyer! I''m the one who shall defeat Hanzo! Who''s gonna beat him if you take me to jail?! Gah!"


    Right as the guards were about to take me away and right as I was about to have a mental breakdown, a voice called out-


    "Wait!"


    Everyone looked at Agame, who fidgeted with her bow and looked around different directions uneasily.


    "I''ll forgive you, Kaito-san. I was the one who called for help from the guards. I''ll call off the case if you.. Let''s say.. Let me join your party?"


    "You-!!!"


    This girl''s the demon incarnate. Forget Hanzo, she''s more befitting of the title of King of Hell!


    "You planned this all along?! Well shame on you because there''s no way I''m falling for your tricks, demon!"


    "Officer, what''s the sentence of a pedophile sex offender?"


    "Death sentence, ma''am."


    ..!!


    "Okay fine, you win! You win! I''ll let you join my team!"


    And so it was.


    I was played by a little girl.


    On top of that, I''ve been receiving death glares from the other adventurers at the guildhall.


    I cried myself to sleep tonight.


    Part 6


    "Wahhh! Kaito-kun! My bonus! I won''t get my bonus if I skip one day of work!"


    "Don''t give me that crap! We''re adventurers, aren''t we?! Don''t get riled up over that stupid part time job of yours!"


    "Take that back! Take that back! The store is slowly booming up in business ever since I started working there! I''m even close to getting a promotion! Wahhh, let me go, Kaito-kun!"


    As I dragged along the wailing Sana behind me, we were greeted by Agame by the entrance.


    "Good morning, everyone! Ready to take on our very first quest together?! Oh? You two got new clothes?"


    "Glad you noticed, Agame! Those old robes that old farmer gave us weren''t exactly fitting for the team that''d take down Hanzo, right?"


    With the money I got from subduing those vultures yesterday, I decided for a change in wardrobe. I bought a neat looking red jacket with yellow details, and a white shirt underneath.


    Sana threw a tantrum at me yesterday night the moment I came back to the dorm with my new outfit and demanded that I give her budget to go shopping for new clothes too, so here she is now white a white and pink sleeveless turtleneck and one shoulder plate.


    ?


    "Ah! Agame-sama! How do you like my new look?"


    "Woah! It looks great on you, Sana-san! But why only one shoulder plate?"


    "Fashion sense, of course! This world''s fashion is kind of new to me, but I think I did well with this style!"


    "Wow!"


    ...She''s saying that, but she could only afford one shoulder plate with the budget I gave her.


    Anyways, I decided to walk into the guildhall to look for any good quests that might''ve popped up.


    "Any quests you fancy, Kaito-san?"


    "Mm.. No, not really."


    "Eh? What do you mean? This board is filled with quests and they all have decent rewards! Look at this! "Strong adventurers needed. Subdue a death goat that''s been scaring the livestock." See? Here''s another one!"


    I ignored the excited Agame and started to scan for more quests in the board.


    I decided to be more picky with the quests I''m gonna take.


    Since we''re a team of three adventurers with different classes and amazing stats, I''m aiming for the more difficult quests.


    Think about it, even though we each have our flaws in our own way..


    First off, we have a very powerful warrior. Even though she''s an amateur and completely clueless about the world of fantasy, she wields godly physical strength that even puts the King of Hell to shame.


    Next, we have a great marksman. She''s a sadistic, manipulative brat but she is currently in the possession of a Holy Bow that can hit any target possible.


    And then there''s me, the world''s best support.


    "I''ll take this one! Subdue one of the heads of the King of Hell''s army!"


    I raised the quest paper I took with a grand pose. Everyone in the guildhall turned their faces towards me with shocked expressions.


    "Did you guys hear that? They''re taking that quest!"


    "No way! A head of Hanzo''s army.."


    "As expected of the team consisted of the powerful warrior and marksman.."


    Hey now, you''re skipping me again.


    "K-Kaito-kun, judging from the looks we''re getting from these adventurers, I think that''s a really dangerous quest you plan on taking."


    "Don''t be bothered by them, Sana-san. Our team is super strong. If we work together, then we''ll be able to- Hey, get back here!"


    I grabbed hold of the flailing Sana''s arm when Agame started to shiver rapidly beside me.


    "Huh? Hey, Agame, don''t tell me you too?"


    "Waaahhhhh! To think that I''d be able to face a powerful opponent such as a head of the King of Hell''s army! I was right to join this team! Come on, let''s go, Kaito-san!"


    Ah, well at least this one doesn''t need convincing unlike the blonde I have locked into my grip.


    "Kaito-san.. Are you really planning on taking on this quest? This quest has been sitting on the board ever since Hanzo took over Tartaros. Nobody dared to touch this quest since everyone fears his army. Oh?"


    "Shhh~"


    I placed my finger on the cute pink-haired waitress lady''s lips and looked at her straight in the eyes.


    "Macy-san, the reason I came to this world was because I wanted to defeat the King of Hell. If I take down his allies one by one, I''ll finally be able to reach him and save you and everyone in Ischyos from his wrath. Please, believe in me."


    "K-Kaito-san.."


    "Shhh~"


    From the sidelines, I could hear my other two teammates talking crap about me.


    "Has he always been like this, Sana-san?"


    "He''s a delusional NEET who rarely steps outside. He probably thinks girls all fall for him after watching anime and all that."


    "What''s an "anime"?"


    "No idea."


    Remind me to cast Sleep on them before they get to eat anything for dinner later today.


    Part 7


    Hoot hoot! Hoot hoot!


    "Errr... Kaito-san, this place is terrifying."


    "Agame-sama''s right, Kaito-kun. Why do we have to be in a place like this?"


    "Would you quit your whining and help me look for the witch hut? Jeez."


    The 30 foot tall trees that surrounded us all looked the same. This place is called "The Forest of Lost Spirits" because of how creepy looking it is. It''s a literal haunted forest you''d find in fictional books, but spookier with all the monsters lurking around.


    Damn, I mean, I know that this place exists. After all, I know about all the places in Ischyos. It''s just that I don''t know how to navigate through it. It''s a good thing we came to this place in broad daylight. If we don''t want things to get even more difficult than they are now then we need to finish this quest before the sun sets.


    We were looking for a witch hut.


    The quest paper didn''t really have any details that could help me identify who we''re dealing with here. It would''ve been a huge head start if I could pinpoint the opponent we''re facing.


    All I know is that each leader of Tartaros, Hanzo''s army used to be a part of his giant harem. Who knows who we''re facing?


    "Kaito-kun, I wanna go back home!"


    "Get a grip, you blonde bitch! The sooner we finish the quest, the sooner we get to go home. Now quit your crying and help me find the witch hut!"


    Sana continued crying even after I chewed her out. Agame, on the other hand-


    "You seem very confident that we''re able to finish this quest quickly, Kaito-san."


    I only shrugged smugly in reply.


    "Well but of course. I am the best support in the world after all."


    "At the end of the day, you''re still a support."


    "Hey, now."


    As I was about to continue the argument, I started to sniff out some bad news.


    Sniff sniff..


    A monster? No, two.


    "Guys, we have company. Get ready!"


    "Right!"


    Agame started to aim her giant white bow at the direction we''re facing while Sana started to wipe the tears off her eyes.


    All of the sudden-


    "Yaaaaahhhh!!!! Save me!!!"


    "A rabbit?"


    A tiny white rabbit jumped out one of the bushes. It looked like it was running away from something.


    Sana widened her eyes at the appearance of the rabbit.


    "It talked?!"


    "Sana, the rabbit looked like it was being chased. There''s probably a monster nearby, so go all out. I''ll use my healing magic if you get injured."


    "Eh?! Sure, but are we really gonna ignore the fact that that rabbit just talked right now?!"


    "What are you talking about, Sana-san? It''s normal for rabbits to talk. Hurry up and take the front lines, Sana-san. My bow will back you up."


    "The heck do you mean it''s normal?! Ahh, this new world is crazy."


    While Sana was experiencing culture shock, the rabbit started to get closer. Accompanied by loud stomping noises, two monsters came running out of the bushes in pursuit of the rabbit.


    "What in the world are those?!"


    Sana was the first to scream. The monsters'' orange bodies and green hair could only mean one thing.


    I pointed at the orange creatures and explained-


    "Those are death carrots-"


    "Huh?!"


    "-the rabbit''s natural predator!"


    "It''s the other way around?!"


    Sana shrieked.


    Yes, in this fantasy world of Ischyos, death carrots, giant carrot like creatures that run on their hind wobbly legs, hunt down the rabbits in this world as prey. They normally don''t attack humans, but since they''re coming straight our way, we might as well..


    "Agame! Can you shoot?!"


    "Are you kidding me?! I was born to shoot!"


    With this remark, she started to chant. The more she did, the brighter the glow from her bow became.


    "I pray to the gods that with my Holy Bow, Apollo, I''m able to cleanse this world by taking down these monsters who defile it! Now!"


    A bright arrow came flying from Agame''s bow and straight into the forehead of one of the death carrots.


    That''s one down!


    "Way to go, Agame! Can you take on the other one now?!"


    I glanced at Agame who was stiffening for some reason.


    "Hey, what''s wrong?"


    "K-Kaito-san.. Can you bring back that arrow for me? It''s the only one I have."


    I was left speechless.


    "Agame."


    "Y-yes?"


    "Screw you."


    "Yeah.."


    This loli had been acting all high and mighty this whole time to the point where I was actually intimidated by her! She only has one arrow on her?! What kind of BS is that?! This girl reminds me of that one anime character from another anime show who can use deadly magic that destroys everything in its path but can only be used once every day! Without her archery skills, she''s useless!


    "K-Kaito, I''m scared."


    And now, the once confident and powerful Agame''s personality had gone through a drastic change. It was as if her attitude shifts whenever she loses the ability to fire her bow.


    She''s bipolar.


    "Sana-san! Agame''s useless! How about you take on that carrot monster?!"


    The blonde haired idol took a gulp down after I called out to her.


    "I don''t know, Kaito-kun! What am I supposed to do?!"


    "You have bullshittingly overpowered stats! Use them! Damn it, do I have to do everything myself?!"


    "K-Kaito-san, can we go home now?"


    "What''s with the personality change after you lose your arrow?!"


    "Please! Save me!"


    The rabbit yelled as it and the carrot were getting close.


    I guess it really is up to me now.


    Agame can''t do anything without her bow and arrow. Sana is just a wuss.


    This is the time for me, Aoki Kaito, the adventurer who came to this fantasy world to defeat the King of Hell, to show my true powers!


    "Now! Slee-"


    I tried to touch the death carrot to put it to sleep but with its speed and strength, it trampled me to the ground.


    "O-ow.."


    As it ran past me, I heard the screams of Agame behind me.


    "Yahh! It''s getting close!"


    "Agame-sama! Get out of the way!"


    I witnessed Sana punch the death carrot straight in the face just barely before it trampled over Agame as it was chasing the rabbit.


    In just one punch, the death carrot went blasting off into the depths of the forest, most likely out for the count.


    "Agame-sama! Are you okay?"


    "Was that your doing, Sana-san? Wow! You''re amazingly strong!"


    "Oh, now, now.."


    ...


    This girl..


    After having healed my injuries with my magic, I slowly walked towards Sana-


    "Oh? Kaito-kun? Are you here to apologize for badmouthing me earlier? Well, I suppose after witnessing how great I am, you''re to get to your senses, no? Yow!"


    -and smacked her on the head.


    "Piss off! You could''ve used that abnormally powerful strength you have a bit earlier before I was trampled to the ground, you lolicon idol!"


    "Oww, that hurt, Kaito-kun! Hm?"


    Standing before us was the rabbit that we sort of just saved.


    "Th-thank you so much for saving me back there!"


    Part 8


    Agame picked up her arrow from the corpse of the death carrot she shot down earlier and gave a sigh of relief. The archer loli then walked back to me and Sana who are currently having a casual conversation with the talking rabbit we just saved.


    ..


    There''s a sentence I never would''ve thought I''d ever say in my life.


    "Whaaat? You guys plan on taking down one of the heads of Hanzo''s army?"


    "That''s right."


    "Hmm.. You are a weird bunch. But I like you! I know the way to the witch''s hut. I can take you there. It''s the least I can do to return the favor."


    We all gasped in joy.


    "Really? For a rabbit, you sure are helpful."


    Suddenly, I felt a tug on the back of my shirt. It was Sana, who started whispering to me.


    "Kaito-kun? Should we really trust this rabbit?"


    "Why not? We did save it''s life and all. We don''t have any leads to the witch hut either, so we can''t pass on the opportunity. Besides, he''s a rabbit."


    Sana looked at the rabbit who was chatting with Agame behind me suspiciously.


    "Hmm. By any chance, are there any were-rabbits of any sort in this world?"


    "Were-rabbits? Now that''s just stupid."


    "Right..."


    After she glared at me uneasily, she walked away and started to talk to Agame.


    "So shall we go? I''ll lead the way."


    "Yes, please lead us the way mister rabbit."


    Again, a sentence I never thought I''d ever say in my life.


    Part 9


    "Whoa, that''s a creepy looking hut. This is sure to be the place."


    It was getting dark out too. The sun was slowly setting. It took surprisingly long for us to get here, especially since Sana needed a bathroom break halfway and demanded that I walk to a really far away location so she can go.


    "This is the witch''s hut. Why don''t you give a knock at the door and see if she''s home?"


    The rabbit squeaked.


    That was a dumb idea. The witch would surely kill us the moment she would lay her eyes on us.


    "Agame. I''m gonna go in, so cover me."


    "I gotcha."


    "What should I do, Kaito-kun?"


    "Nothing. That''s the only thing you''re good at."


    "H-hey-!"


    Ignoring the blonde who was about to throw another rant, I slowly crept up to the door of the witch hut.


    Sigh.


    Here goes.


    Kaito, you''re about to face one of the heads of Tartaros. If you''re able to subdue her, you''re gonna be one step closer to your mission of surpassing and defeating Hanzo.


    You''ve got this.


    "Come at me, you witch! I am Aoki Kaito! The greatest support in Ischyos and the one who shall surpass Hanzo! Today will be your last day! Cower in fear against my almighty.. Wait a moment."


    I rushed back outside.


    "There''s no one here!"


    As I said that however, I began to feel goosebumps.


    Yes, there''s no doubt about it. I can feel intense magical power. It''s really close too.


    "K-Kaito-san, are you feeling this too?!"


    "Wah! What''s this feeling?! Kaito-kun, what''s happening?!"


    Even these two can sense it. That means I''m not just imagining things.


    "Ahahahaha! You all fell right into my trap, petty adventurers!"


    The rabbit that we helped earlier began to be engulfed in light. In fear, Agame and Sana ran towards my side.


    "So it was the rabbit all along?!"


    "Wasn''t it obvious, Kaito-kun?!"


    Sana was unnecessarily killing the mood.


    "Bold of you to come looking for me. At the same time, I thank you. It''s been a while since I''m able to let loose."


    The white light slowly faded, and in place of the rabbit earlier was a silhouette of a girl in a fur coat.


    "I''m known as the greatest mage in Ischyos. Now that I''ve joined Tartaros, everyone fears me as the "Witch". Yes, it is I-"


    With her long white hair, silver eyes, and a huge bust, there''s no doubt about it. It''s definitely her.


    "-one of the leaders of Tartaros, Angellica!" x2


    End of Volume 1: Chapter 4

 Volume 1: Chapter 5 - "Facing Against the Witch"

    ~~Chapter 5~~


    "Facing Against the Witch"


    Part 1


    In front of us in the middle of this dark forest was one of the leaders of Hanzo''s army, Angellica.


    She was once part of Hanzo''s harem as one of the main characters of Bane of Tartaros. In the series, she was an immensely powerful mage who knew a hundred different spells, which is absolutely bonkers.


    Back in the anime, she was known as the "Divine Wizard". That''s why I didn''t think of her when I found out we were facing the "Witch". That''s probably a nickname she adopted after getting corrupted by demonic magic.


    Yes, her eyes are red. There''s no doubt that she''s being corrupted.


    "Tee-hee. A bunch of low level adventurers like you dare to challenge a high level mage like me?"


    Looks like she still retained her bitchy attitude from the anime.


    "Ah, I see you''re all at a loss for words. That''s understandable, considering you''re in the presence of the Angellica, after all!"


    "Who the heck are you?"


    Sana''s oblivious question, although it meant no harm, somehow managed to strike the Tartaros mage right in the pride.


    "Y-you must be joking, right? Surely you must''ve heard the tales of the Angellica, the most powerful mage in the land, right?"


    "Err, no."


    "E-eh?!"


    I deepened my eyebags at this anticlimactic scene when Sana shifted her question to me.


    "Seriously, Kaito-kun, who is that? Is this weird feeling that I''m having coming from her?"


    Sana must be talking about this stupidly strong presence of magic power.


    "Yeah. Her magic power is insane. Listen you two, our opponent right now is one of the leaders of Tartaros. Angellica is basically the strongest mage in Ischyos, so we''re gonna have to come up with a plan. Sana, since you''re the warrior, you''ll be going in the front line while I support you from the back. Both of us will try to distract her until the perfect time arrives. When it does, Agame, you-"


    "With the power of the gods, I shall cast divine judgement onto you, foul being! Be purified in the name of Apollo, my Holy Bow!"


    "-You moron! Wait for my signal, you impatient little..!"


    It was too late. Agame had already finished chanting her dumb spell.


    "Take this! Hyah~!!"


    "Oh-ho? Is that a divine weapon? My, my."


    An arrow flew straight from Agame''s bow and landed directly onto the Tartaros member and caused a flash of white light to engulf the area.


    ..or so it seemed.


    "Wahahaha! Puny weakling! Your rank means nothing to me, Agame, the wielder of Apollo, the Holy Bow! Kaito-san! Kaito-san! Look! I took her down! Aren''t I awesome?"


    I showed her how impressed I was by strangling her.


    "Yeah, I''m left without words, Agame-sama! Your Holy Bow is awesome! Oh? Hey, look at that! The light''s fading! Whoa, Angellica is standing still like nothing happened! Total shocker! Did not expect that coming! You are really amazing Agame-sama!"


    "B-b-b-but how..?"


    "Idiot. You don''t just shoot an arrow at a powerful target who''s standing still, expecting an attack. She obviously had a trick up her sleeve. Angellica knows a hundred different spells so she probably used holy magic herself to cancel out your arrow."


    "Wha-? A hundred?!"


    The bodacious Tartaros member in front of us laughed out loud in reaction to our conversation.


    "You seem to have done your research, boy! I''m impressed. Then again, my name is known all throughout the land."


    Okay, now''s not the time to be fooling around, Kaito. Your enemy is the most powerful mage in Ischyos.


    "Enough games. Now''s my turn to attack. You, archer girl."


    Agame flinched when Angellica called her out. She was at the verge of tears.


    Damn it, the gap in her mood change when she''s unable to fire her bow is too large. She''s such a cry baby!


    Can I kick her out of my team? I wanna kick her out of my team! I don''t give a crap if she''s the wielder of a Holy Bow! This bipolar attitude of hers is too high maintenance of a task for me!


    "Bold of you to use a Holy Weapon on me. Unfortunately, your weapon is too weak. I''ll give your other friends here an example of how terrifying I can be by turning you into ashes first, okay~? Here I go! Fireball!"


    No, that''s-!


    "Agame, get out of there!"


    That''s a high level spell, Fireball! Despite the plain ass name, it''s still a giant ball of flames that could instantly disintegrate that archer girl. I won''t be able to heal her with magic if only her ashes would remain!


    Crap, she''s just standing there, crying! Move, damn it!


    This Agame! This bipolar disorder of hers could be the death of her!


    "Good bye~!"


    A stream of blonde hair passed by my eyes, and right before Agame was burnt to a crisp, Sana had pushed her out of the way. The giant fireball flew straight forward, leaving behind a burning wake in the forest until it disappeared from plain sight.


    "Fooey. I thought I casted "Fireball", not "Farball". Hmph!"


    Ah yes, I also forgot about how this girl also has the habit of making terribly bad puns.


    Damn it, I should really focus some more.


    "Agame-sama, are you okay?! Are you hurt?!"


    "S-Sana-san.. Thank you. No, I''m fine."


    Right when things were getting warm, I noticed another burst of magic being cast. I looked towards Angellica, and she was casting a Lightning attack.


    "Hey, you guys-!"


    "I might''ve missed earlier, but this time you''re sitting ducks! Lightning Strike!"


    I tried running towards them to push them out of the way, but the lightning strike was too fast for me.


    A direct hit on Sana.


    Part 2


    "Gaaaahhhhhh-!"


    "Tee-hee! This time, you moved too late-ning to dodge my strike!"


    Sana, no! If I rush to cast Instant Heal on her, will I be able to save her at all?!


    Sana..


    Saddened, I got down to my knees and started to pray.


    You were useless, but you were also a-


    "-ahhhhhhhhhh...huh? It doesn''t hurt at all."


    "Huh?" x2


    Both Angellica and I were dumbfounded, surprised that Sana wasn''t damaged one bit.


    I thought she would''ve died for sure!


    "Y-you''re immune to magic? No way! Could you possibly be a half dragon?!"


    What?


    "Oh, I get it now. Dragons are one of the most powerful creatures in this world. They''re giant flying beasts that can breathe different kinds of elemental magic, while being resistant to magic themselves. It''s understandable if Angellica came up with that theory."


    However, I know for sure that Sana isn''t a half dragon. She''s a blonde highschool student who had boring dreams and wanted to have a boring life. She''s no dragon.


    "Dragon..? What are you talking about? Oh! I have been using the soap an old man sold me made of dragon scales for 800,000 nillos. I never knew it''d help me resist magic. I just thought it''d give me softer skin."


    Hearing this stupid yet helpful comment from Sana, everyone else in the area fell silent.


    I don''t even know anymore.


    So not only does she have insane physical stats, now she''s also immune to magic?


    She''s become too overpowered.


    ...


    "Hey, aren''t I supposed to be the main character of this story? Why am I stuck with stupid support spells? In this scenario, I feel like I''m more useless than Agame, who''s hugging her knees over there!"


    Nobody was listening to my rant but I kept going anyways.


    "So you used soap infused with magic proof dragon scales in preparation to face me, huh? I applaud you for going that far."


    I''m sorry, but that''s not the case. Our blonde is just clueless, that''s all.


    "I also applaud you for your bravery of using yourself as a meatshield to protect your fellow teammate. Such a strong friendship you must share."


    Again, I''m sorry, but she doesn''t view Agame as a friend. Our blonde is just a lolicon, that''s all.


    "Things have gone sud-denly tricky for me! Mhm, I guess I''ll have to clean up this battle quicker than I thought. I''ll have you bathe in your blood, warrior girl! You''re a worthy opponent! Come, face me!"


    I screamed in aggravation.


    I was already feeling down because of how Sana has suddenly become way stronger than me, and how much better of a class Agame has than I do, but the fact that she acknowledged Sana''s strength on top of those terrible puns made me snap.


    "Gahh! That''s enough! My name is Aoki Kaito! The strongest support in the world! I shall be the adventurer who shall defeat Tartaros and surpass Hanzo! You dare fail to notice my mighty presence?! For that, you''ll pay!"


    A brief silence followed my introduction.


    "...Have you been here this whole time?"


    "O-of course I have!"


    She really did fail to notice my presence! That''s rude! Plain rude! Even for a corrupted host of a demon!


    "Fufu, I''ve been sent here by the gods to defeat your army! I have accepted my destiny so you Tartaros scum should accept yours! I applaud you for fending off for yourself against my two minions here, but now-"


    "Kaito-san, I''m not able to be of much help without any arrows on me so I''ll be in the witch hut to drink some tea, okay?"


    "Sure, sure. But now! You''re gonna have to face me, the leader of this team! I suggest that you give yourself up right now and let us subdue you, otherwise I''ll-"


    "Kaito-san, there''s enough tea for the three of us in here. Want me to brew you a cup for later?"


    "Oh, thank you. Otherwise! I''ll unleash my wrath onto you and I promise you I''ll show you no mercy!"A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ...


    Oi, why is she wearing a blank expression even after my badass speech?


    "Hey, warrior lady. Let''s get on with it."


    "Stop acting like you didn''t hear me!"


    I shouted in frustration.


    "Oh, I heard you. It''s just that your joke wasn''t funny, so I didn''t laugh."


    "I wasn''t joking! And I don''t want to hear about jokes not being funny from you!"


    This stupid Tartaros member! Just because she''s hot and has huge breasts, she thinks that she can treat me like one of her corny jokes? I''ll show her..


    "Hey, Angellica-san."


    "Hm?"


    I took a step forward.


    I know everything about Ischyos. I know all about the cities, the monsters, the dungeons, and the characters.


    And you, Angellica, are a main character of Bane of Tartaros. That means I know a whole bunch about you.


    "It''s June, Angellica."


    "Yeah, so?"


    "Aren''t you leaking some red?"


    "..!!"


    I hit a mark.


    Yes, that red face of hers is priceless. Mhm, it''s weird for the fansites to provide even the smallest details like the female characters'' period schedules, but I sure am glad that I memorized everything.


    "What are you saying, you mere perverted support?! I-I''m not leaking anything!"


    I''m just getting started, Angellica-san.


    I eyed the black bra strap that was slightly overlapping from her clothes.


    "Oh, what''s this? Are you still wearing the same daring underwear you bought from that shady shop that one time? You know, the ones you bought because you thought you could seduce Hanzo. Hm?"


    "Wha-? Hey! How do you know about such things?! I mean- I''ve never tried to seduce his majesty all my life! Stop making up false information!"


    She covered her body with an absolutely red face.


    I don''t care if I''m getting trash looks from Agame and Sana, I''m having lots of fun tormenting this chick.


    "That''s right, you didn''t get to! That''s because the moment you came into his house, you saw him with.. What''s her name? The other side chick.. Oh yeah! Lucy! Oh damn, you cried so much that night too!"


    "Noooooo!!!! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!"


    I laughed maniacally while the white haired girl in the fur coat in front of me was shaking her head rapidly with her hands covering her ears. I heard Agame and Sana conversing in the witch hut behind me.


    "How does he know about these things, Sana-san?"


    "He told me that he reads the manga."


    "What''s a "manga"?"


    "Beats me. What matters is that person is trash."


    Oh? What''s this? Angellica looks really pissed right now. Serves you right for insulting me.


    "You''ve embarrassed me in my own territory, you little squirt! Don''t you dare think I''m letting you go this time! Fireball!"


    That''s scary, Angellica-san.


    However, unfortunately for you..


    "What?! He passed right through?! That''s... A shield spell?! No way! There shouldn''t be a shield spell in the world that can block the strength of my magic!


    ...you''re facing the greatest support in Ischyos.


    "This shield spell that I can cast on myself that Mimi taught me is created by using a varied amount of mana. The more mana I use, the bigger the shield. Since I have a stupid amount of mana, I''m able to create a thick ass shield that can even withstand your spells. How''s that for a mere support?!"


    I ran straight towards the panicking Angellica.


    "You think that shield makes you a man-a steel huh?! It''ll wear out eventually! Hydro Vortex!"


    Heh! Not even this rushing water can penetrate my protection!


    "N-not even a dent?!"


    "I don''t like being underestimated, Angellica-san."


    I approached her with a clenched fist.


    "Take this! Blazing Inferno!"


    "You can use magic, too?!"


    She fell for the bluff and put on a defensive stance.


    "Of course I can''t!"


    "Wha-?"


    Right as it seemed like I was about a throw a fist of burning flames at her face, I reached for the silver arrow that was by her feet and threw it to Agame.


    "Agame, now!"


    "Wahh! Good job, Kaito-san!"


    "N-no! He was aiming for the arrow this whole time?! No matter.. All I have to do is cancel it out like earlier-"


    Toot.


    "Kyaaaaahhhhhh~! Where do you think you''re touching you pervert?! Only Hanzo-sama is allowed to- H-huh? I-I can''t move!"


    By touching her soft tushy, I managed to cast another spell Mimi taught me, Stun.


    If I touch someone at a certain part and suck out some mana, they lose the ability to move for a moment.


    I don''t know why all the vital points are lewd areas but I''m not complaining. It''s times like these that I''m happy that I''m a support.


    "With this Holy Bow gifted by the powerful gods, allow me to purify this corrupted soul! Hyaaahhhh!"


    With Angellica not being able to move, this battle was as good as over.


    "No! Hold on! It''s not my time yet!"


    A shriek echoed throughout the area after the shining arrow pierced right into Angellica, covering the forest in a bright light once again.


    As the light faded-


    Clank


    Along with the silver arrow, an object that looked like a blue earring fell to the ground in place of Angellica, who was nowhere to be found.


    As expected of that freakishly overpowered bow.


    Agame and Sana walked towards me soon after. Laughing, Agame picked up the arrow with a smile and said-


    "This quest we had was a blast! Kaito-san! How''d I do? Did I do good?"


    "You did great, Agame."


    I patted her head and smiled. If she doesn''t act like a manipulative douche, she can be really adorable.


    "How about me, Kaito-kun? Compliment me too!"


    "Piss off, you didn''t do anything this quest."


    "Ehhh?! I did save Agame-sama from that fireball earlier! Hey! Compliment me too!"


    I''m losing my patience for this blonde..


    "Huh? Hey what''s that blue thing over there?


    Agame pointed at a sparkling blue earring that had little white wings at the sides. I picked it up and placed it in my pocket, which made Sana frustrated for some reason.


    "Huh?! Why do you get to keep it?! If you''re gonna sell it, at least split it up between the three of us!"


    "I''m not selling it! Since Agame obliterated Angellica, this earring itself should help us confirm we completed the quest at the guild."


    "Oh.."


    "Come on, let''s head back. It''s getting late."


    With Angellica the Witch slain, I have taken one step closer to defeating Tartaros and surpassing Hanzo.


    I actually had a blast today.


    This fantasy world''s amazing.


    Part 3


    Later that night...


    Back at the inn, I started to divide the hefty reward of 3,000,000 nillos between the three of us.


    It was late out, so Agame decided to spend the night here rather than at Annalea''s place much to the delight of Sana.


    We actually managed to defeat a Tartaros member.


    I mean, I was sure that our power was efficient to finish the quest, but I had doubts about our teamwork. Things went surprisingly well between the three of us.


    Hah, I still remember the faces of everyone in the guild when we announced that we defeated Angellica. They were all speechless. It just sucks that I overheard comments saying that I was a freeloader who relied on Agame and Sana though. Meh, those guys must still be having a nice Sleep now.


    "A million for Agame, a million for Sana, and a million for me. There you go."


    "Wow! I''m finally gonna be able to afford one of those quivers! I''m so happy I joined this team!"


    Agame said with a wide smile. Everyone was happy tonight. We scored a huge bounty and now we''re finally back on track on the financial side.


    "Hey, why don''t you buy some ammunition instead? What good is a quiver if you only have one arrow?"


    "Huh? What are you talking about? Normal arrows can''t be used on Apollo. It can only use specially made silver arrows. There aren''t any available in town."


    Well there''s that.


    I stood up from the bed we were all sitting on.


    "Where are you going, Kaito-kun?"


    "Man''s business. You guys sleep on ahead."


    Sana looked at me with a pout.


    "You better not do anything to Agame while we''re sleeping."


    "I should be saying that to you, you lolicon."


    And with that, I headed to the restroom downstairs.


    Part 4


    I closed the wooden door behind me so I could start to pee.


    Zip..


    Ahhh.. That''s much better. I''ve been holding it for hours already.


    Huh? Hey, what is this sensation? I''m not supposed to feel this while urinating.


    No, this isn''t normal! This is magic power!


    Wha!


    I yelped a bit after I noticed that my pocket was glowing a bright blue.


    Damn it, of all the times for something weird to happen, does it have to be at this moment of urgency?!


    "Tee-hee-hee. Finally, I''ve restored enough magic power so I can go back to my physical form. Sheesh, that was tire-earring."


    That voice..! No way..!


    As the light started to fade, Angellica sat before me on the toilet seat with her head down, eyes closed and arms crossed.


    "Impossible..! You''re alive?"


    "That''s right. I''m not the strongest mage in Ischyos for nothing. I hid myself in my earring. Clever right? You thought I was dead? Well, I''m alive and kick- k-kick.. ki.. k-ki.. kick.. ki.. k-k-k-ock.. kock.. ko.."


    She finally opened her eyes and started trembling at the thing that was right in front of her face.


    "Are you okay?"


    Before I knew it, she collapsed on the bathroom floor, as red as a tomato.


    You could say that she was flushed red.


    Part 5


    Outside the bathroom in one of the corridors, Angellica and I were facing each other, leaning against the opposite walls. Her face was still red after that unfortunate incident earlier.


    Both of us have been silent for about five minutes already.


    "Did that turn you on?"


    "Shut up, you pervert! It did not! If anything, it grossed me out! Gah! Let me forget about it, please!"


    Angellica rapidly slammed the back of her head on the wall she was leaning on.


    Anyways..


    "So? Are you here for revenge or something? If that''s the case, my team and I can always defeat you all over again. I''ll warn you, that wasn''t my full strength."


    "I''m not here for revenge or anything trivial like that! Here! Take a look!"


    She pointed at her eyes.


    Oh, what''s this?


    The red eyes that she had earlier.. It''s been replaced by the yellow ones that she originally had in Bane of Tartaros! Does that mean..


    "The demonic magic that corrupted you.. Has the curse been lifted?"


    "That''s exactly it. I''m no longer under its mind control. I''m not a hundred percent sure of what triggered it, but I definitely think it was that arrow from Apollo."


    That makes sense. Demons are weak to the "Holy" attribute after all.


    "Your name was Aoki Kaito, right?"


    "That''s right! My name is Aoki Kaito, the world''s best support, and the one who shall subdue all of Tartaros and surpass Hanzo! Huh?"


    At the middle of my awesome pose, Angellica knelt down to the floor and did a full bow.


    What was going on?


    "Please. I beg of you. Please don''t kill any of the remaining members of Tartaros. You managed to help me break free from the corruption right? You purified me right? That means you can purify them too. You don''t have to kill them. They''re good people and they''d never do anything evil if it wasn''t for the demonic magic that''s corrupting them."


    ..


    Angellica..


    "I know it''s hard to believe, but I never wanted to hurt you or your friends. I know that even if I say sorry, you won''t forgive me. But at the very least, please believe that they''re good people underneath the demonic magic. They''re.. They''re my friends."


    I had nothing to say.


    She''s trembling, shaking, crying on the floor, pleading with her life to me.


    I''m not good at comforting people but..


    "Hey, stand up."


    "H-huh?"


    Yeah, those tears in her eyes are no good.


    "I know that they''re good people. You don''t have to pleade for their lives to me."


    Flashbacks of the main cast of Bane of Tartaros who''ve all been corrupted by the devil came to my mind.


    They were all weird, but they were all good people at heart.


    Even Hanzo. No, especially Hanzo.


    "I also forgive you, Angellica-san. I knew from the very beginning that you couldn''t do anything against the corruption. Don''t you worry. I won''t kill any of your friends. I promise that I''ll purify all of them."


    "I.. I.."


    And then, the now defected Tartaros member burst into tears.


    ...


    Scoreeee...! Plus one to the harem!


    Part 6


    "What?! What did you just say?!"


    Back at the room, Sana stepped back in shock, not believing what she just heard.


    "Angellica here is gonna join our team. Why, do you have any complaints?"


    I gestured to the bowing girl in the fur coat beside me.


    "Duh! Of course I have complaints! Have you forgotten that she''s the very same girl who tried to kill us earlier?!"


    "In her defense, it was us who tried to kill her first.. Besides, she was being corrupted by demonic magic that time. She didn''t really want to hurt us."


    "Ugh.. Sigh, I don''t understand anything about corruption or demonic magic or whatever so I can''t really judge."


    I then looked at Agame, who, like Sana, was in her pajamas and was aiming her large bow at Angellica the moment she stepped in. I tried to get her to lower her weapon.


    "Agame, you understand right?"


    "Kaito-san, I don''t know what''s gotten into your mind. There''s a possibility that that woman used magic to recolor her eyes. We can''t be fooled easily."


    "Hey now."


    I was about to chew her out, but then I noticed Angellica wanting to say something.


    "Agame-san.. I.."


    The three of us looked at her in expectation.


    "I.."


    A drop of sweat came sliding from the side of Agame''s cheek.


    "I Apollo-gize. WAHAHAHAHAHA!"


    As Angellica was rolling on the floor laughing at her own joke, the three of us stiffened, not knowing what to think.


    I decided to kick the idiot who was making a fool of herself in front of everyone.


    "The hell are you doing?! How are you supposed to get their trust when you act like that?!"


    "Guh! Hey, why did you kick me, you mere support?!"


    "What the hell is your problem?! You were supposed to make a good impression!"


    "I-I''m.. Pfft.. Sorry! Nah, it''s alright. That arrow can''t hurt me anyway."


    ?


    Agame, who was insulted by the remark Angellica gave, put on a pissed look on her face.


    "Oh? Is that so? So you wouldn''t mind me using you for headshot practice, you mammary monster?"


    "Oh-ho, Agame-chan, don''t drag my breasts into this. You''ll lose the argument."


    "What did you say?!"


    Ah, these two are gonna end up bickering a lot.


    Sana and I just chuckled, avoiding the dangerous battlefield.


    "Are you sure it''s a good idea to have her aboard, Kaito-kun?"


    "Don''t worry. They''ll get along. Sooner or later."


    I noticed Angellica looking around the room curiously.


    "So all three of you sleep in this tiny room?"


    I laughed in reply.


    "Kinda. Agame usually sleeps at her own home by the fields with her older sister though."


    Seeing the opportunity to tease Agame, she immediately turned to the loli.


    "Ahh, Agame-chan is a big sister kind of person? That''s so cute~"


    "Shut up! Stop pulling my cheeks! And get your fat breasts off of my face!"


    Honestly, these two..


    I turned my attention to Sana, who was looking out the window. Judging by the way her face is, I say she''s missing home.


    Sucks to be her though, she''s stuck here.


    "Hey, Kaito. I have an idea. Back when I wasn''t corrupted yet, I owned a resort house here in this city. How about after I register at the guild hall tomorrow, we pack our stuff and move there?"


    That''s right! I remember! Angellica was a super rich girl here in Oranea before joining Hanzo in his journey!


    The blonde was the first to react.


    "Wah! A resort house?! For real, Angellica-san?!"


    "That''s right."


    "Oh my gosh, I love resort houses! I used to enjoy spending my vacations in them with my family back home!"


    ...


    Still, she''s stuck here. Nothing she can do about it.


    "What do you say, Kaito?"


    "Rent?"


    "Free of charge."


    "It''s a yes for me."


    Hey. Dont call me an easy man. If you were given an option to stay in a resort house for free with a bunch of girls, would you refuse? Resort houses and girls are an amazing mix. I can already imagine the boing boings.


    Agame, being the only one who hasn''t agreed yet, sighed in defeat.


    "It can''t be helped. Majority wins."


    With this, Sana and Angellica all hugged her and placed her in a sandwich of breasts, much to her annoyance.


    "Thank you, Agame-sama!"


    "I promise to buy you a swimsuit so we can swim together, Agame-chan! I can already picture you in a cute bikini!"


    "Get off of me you perverts! Wahhh, this isn''t the kind of attention I want! Kaito-san, save me!"


    The sight before me reminded me of something.


    I never got to socialize with anyone in my previous life, not even with my family. But now, I''m living with three girls who all treat me like I exist. Perhaps it was really for the best that I got sent here to this amazing world.


    I smiled.


    "Shut up and turn off the lights, I''m going to bed."


    End of Volume 1: Chapter 5

 Volume 1: Bonus Chapter - "The Archer and the Mage"

    ~~Bonus Chapter~~


    "The Archer and the Mage"


    Part 1


    Ugh..


    This feeling of warmth hitting the side of my face.. I can assume that it''s the sun''s rays.. Is it morning already?


    I''m too tired to open my eyes. Damn this NEET body. Since I''m living in Ischyos now, I should really start working out.


    Squish


    Wait, what''s this feeling of softness sitting on my stomach..? It''s still pretty early..


    Hold on a minute.


    I am an anime protagonist. What''s the clich¨¦ that happens to anime protagonists when they wake up early in the morning?


    That''s right.


    A girl is probably sitting on top of me.


    As my heartbeat started to pulsate a billion times faster and as my face started to boil, my brain started to paint different scenarios.


    Who could it be? Agame? Angellica? Could it even be Sana?


    It''s pointless to keep wondering about it. All I''m doing is wasting time in this precious moment!


    I opened my eyes to see a¡ª


    "W-WAAAAHHHH!!"


    What the hell?! A corpse of a deceased death bat was sitting on my stomach and holy shit, why was it there?!


    "Good morning, Kaito-ku¡ª"


    Infuriated, I ripped off one arm of the demon bat in front of me and threw it at Sana who was standing by the foot of my bed.


    "Don''t ''good morning'' me! What the hell is this thing doing in my bed?!"


    I yelled, but then I realized that I was still near the corpse, so I kicked it off me.


    "Bah!"


    The blonde was knocked over by the dismembered arm I threw at her. With a wounded and angry face, she slowly got back up to her feet.


    "D-don''t ask me! I was also in for a spook the moment I saw that thing!"


    "Y-you didn''t place it here? Then that must mean¨C"


    "Good morning, you two!"


    Instantly, I jumped from my bed and pinned Angellica and Agame to the floor the moment they stepped into the room.


    "Explain yourselves this instant, you two! What in the world was that monster doing on my bed?!"


    The mage and the marksman both turned their heads towards the death bat on the wooden floor a few feet away from them.


    "It was Angellica''s fault."


    "E-eh?! Hey, stop lying and tell him the truth, you little brat!"


    The two were bickering as I held them down by their necks but they stopped the moment I tightened my grip. Choking, both of them started to flail their hands.


    "A-alright, I''ll talk! I''ll talk!"


    With this coming from Agame, I let them breathe. After giving them a few seconds to normalize their lungs, the archer loli began explaining.


    ..


    ..


    ..


    "Last night.."


    I peeked my one eye open to see Sana-san''s face right in front of me. This of course shocked me a bit, but if I was to make any noise, the people around me would wake up.


    "I needed to use the bathroom, so I got up."


    I mean, I tried to, but this blonde in front of me was hugging me like I was some sort of body pillow.


    I grunted in irritation.


    Like a worm, I began to squirm my body down the bed to escape Sana-san''s clutches. The moment I was free, I hopped off the bed.


    I smiled as I looked back at the sleeping blonde.


    She saved me earlier from Angellica''s lightning attack. It made me really guilty knowing that my initial plan was to squeeze the money out of this lolicon.


    You have my respect, Sana-san. I won''t let you spend that much on me.


    I then turned my head to the other bed where Kaito-san was snoring loudly.


    This guy is unpredictable. He''s this proud sack who pays no attention to gender differences but gets beat down by Sana-san easily, yet he has already managed to defeat powerful opponents such as Reyna and Angellica.


    I have such cool team members.


    "I went outside and towards the bathroom. But unfortunately.."


    "Eh?! Out of order?!"


    My jaw hung out wide as my eyes looked up at the sign posted on the locked bathroom door.


    "S-since my legs were beginning to shake and all, I knew I had to go quick. So, I didn''t have any other choice."


    With Apollo, I bolted out of the inn and began running down the streets.


    "I knew of a restaurant nearby that had a restroom, so I decided to make a run for it."


    Thankfully, the restaurant was still open. After I did my business inside the restroom, began to walk towards the exit.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    "There weren''t that many people since it was probably midnight already, but there was a familiar face sitting at one of the tables."


    "Agame-chan?! Is that you?!"


    Our new team member Angellica waved towards me with a wineglass in hand.


    "I had no choice but to walk towards her table. It was a pain, really."


    "Hold up, so that''s the reason why you were at that restaurant that time! You said that you were on your way to kill monsters and stopped by to get a quick bite!"


    "Sh-shut up and let me finish my story!"


    After I lied to Angellica, saying that I was on my to defeat monsters with Apollo and had stopped for a quick snack, I began to turn my back towards this annoying mage, but her sudden laughter distracted me.


    "You wish to defeat monsters on your own during midnight?!"


    "Yeah, is there a problem?"


    I glared at the putrid sight of Angellica cackling. She was holding a wineglass, so she had obviously been drinking, but she didn''t look completely wasted either.


    "N-no, it''s nothing."


    "No, speak up. Tell me exactly what you were thinking just now."


    "Ah, you''re so cute when you''re mad, Agame-chan."


    These words pissed me off. Blushing in frustration, I began to make my exit, but the mage grabbed my arm to stop me from doing so.


    "I can''t let you go, Agame-chan. Not alone, that is. The monsters will destroy you."


    I narrowed my eyes hearing this statement.


    "You are underestimating me. Just to remind you, I wield Apollo, one of the Holy Weapons. I don''t need help taking down a few monsters."


    "But did you really plan to defeat monsters at that hour? You probably didn''t want Angellica to come because you were going to go back to the inn to sleep, right?"


    "S-stop butting in my story, Kaito-san!"


    "Even if you wield the Holy Sword, the Holy Mace or whatever, stepping out the city gates at this hour especially during Hanzo-sama''s reign would be really dangerous. Come on, let me go with you."


    "No, just stay here and finish your wine! That''s an expensive brand, isn''t it? Don''t put it to waste!"


    "I am the Angellica. Wine of this caliber of fanciness is just like orange juice to me. Quit whining and let''s go!"


    I took a step back, annoyed at how persistent this big breasted woman was.


    I didn''t really want to defeat monsters. Not at this hour, at least. Ugh, I really shouldn''t have lied! I just wanted Angellica to think that I was a badass!


    "F-fine. Come on, let''s get this over with."


    "Atta girl."


    "Thus we left the city gates and kept walking down the path until we could find a monster. That was when.."


    "The death bat attacked?"


    "Not just a death bat, Kaito-san."


    Our pupils flew out of our faces as we stood there at the middle of the grassy plains, face to face with about a hundred or so death bats.


    "It was a whole army of them."


    Just like how I was holding my pee earlier, my legs started to shake again. This was the first time I''ve seen so many monsters before!


    "We should get out of here, Agame-chan."


    As much as I hated agreeing with Angellica, I heeded her suggestion. If I was going to fire my arrow, I''d have a hard time retrieving it with all these bats.


    "You''re right. Let''s g¡ª"


    My face froze when I saw that Angellica had disappeared from beside me.


    Sh-she was here just a second ago..


    "Kyaahhh¡ª! A-Agame-chan! H-help me!"


    My eyebrows began to shakily lower as I took in the sight of Angellica being carried by a death bat in the sky with its long tongue.


    Unbelievable.


    "A-Agame-chan! This tongue is gross! It''s slimy, sticky, and it''s putting me in a lewd position! Please hurry up!"


    I was debating if I should ditch her or not.


    "Agame-chan~!"


    "Since I knew it''d sadden you guys if our mage was eaten by a death bat before we could go on a quest, I decided to save her."


    I began to gather all of my focus into my hands as I gripped Apollo and began to connect the channel between me and the gods of Ischyos.


    "With the power of the gods, allow me, the wielder of the Holy Bow Apollo to destroy this darkness that taints the land! You foul creature! Be cleansed by the point of my arrow!"


    The gods had answered my calls and filled Apollo with magic power. This shockwave signalled me that it was good to fire.


    "Take this!"


    The white arrow that was now shrouded in magic power was shot straight at the bat that was taking Angellica hostage. As the bat was impaled, Angellica started to scream as she began to fall down from the night sky.


    Oh, shoot. What now?!


    As I rushed to try and catch her, my running stopped when I noticed that a giant bubble began to form beneath her, cushioning her fall.


    "Th-that was close!"


    I fell silent. How could I have forgotten that she knew a lot of spells..?


    "Agame-chan, thank you so much for shooting down that bat! Aww, you really do care about me!"


    "Sh-shut your yammer, you! I just didn''t want you to die if I could have done something about it."


    This mage was really starting to get on my nerves.


    I picked up the silver arrow that had fallen to the ground after it had killed that death bath. However, as I did¡ª


    "Eh?"


    I felt something moist wrap around my torso. Suddenly, I found myself being pulled backwards.


    W-was a death bat pulling me with its tongue?!


    I shrieked as this happened, when a flurry of white feathers passed right beside me.


    Hearing an explosion soon after, I looked back to see a huge crater on the ground. A few death bats were on the ground, lifeless, while the one whose dismembered tongue wrapped around me belonged to was completely disintegrated.


    I turned back once more at the smug looking Angellica.


    "Y-you''re amazing, Angellica-san!"


    "Aww shucks, Sana-san!"


    "Anyways.."


    "It''s my turn to save you, Agame-chan. You see? If you went out on your own tonight, who knows what would''ve happened?"


    "Y-yeah.."


    I never intended to do so in the first place.


    ..


    But she did save me. I guess I am grateful.


    "Thank you, then.."


    "What was that? I didn''t hear you!"


    "Don''t push it!"


    I angrily shot at the mage beside me when the shadows of the remaining death bats flying in the sky took my attention.


    "There''s still like, fifty of them."


    "What should we do, Agame-chan? I''m feeling really weak for some reason. Is it the wine?"


    "You drunkard! Has the alcohol affected your mana?!"


    The bats all lunged themselves at us.


    "I dropped Apollo in fear and all Angellica and I could do was cover our faces with our arms. When suddenly.."


    All of the bats froze mid-air at the same time, and I had no idea what was going on.


    "What in the.."


    Even Angellica was confused, so it wasn''t her doing, then.


    In an instant, blood suddenly came gushing out from all of the bats'' bodies. The blood came from slits on their bodies, like they were cut or slashed. Angellica and I were speechless. Once the bleeding ceased, all of the bats fell to the ground, dead.


    "What.. just happened..?"


    "I don''t really know."


    We paid no attention to the gooey green blood that we were covered in, because we were too shocked to even let out more words.


    In the corner of my eye, I noticed a black human-like silhouette.


    "Who''s there?!"


    I yelled, but the figure immediately disappeared into black smoke.


    "Was that thing responsible for this massacre..?"


    "Probably."


    I replied, looking at the bodies of the death bats.


    "These aren''t death bats. These are dead bats."


    "Hey, should we bring one corpse to Kaito-san as a gift? He could use it to collect bounty at the guild."


    "Good idea, Agame-chan! Come here, let me hug you!"


    "Stop being unnecessarily moe and let me go so we could head back home, darn it!"


    ..


    ..


    Part 2


    "..and that''s what happened."


    I held my chest after hearing that ending of Agame''s story.


    "Aww.. You got it for me as a gift? I''m touched, you guys!"


    I was feeling warm inside for some reason. Suddenly I didn''t feel as mad anymore. So, I grabbed the two by the arm and pulled them towards me for a big hug.


    "E-eh?! Err, Kaito-san..? What are you..?"


    Agame whimpered.


    "Thank you so much, you two! Let''s head to the guild to collect the bounty right now!"


    "You''re saying that, but it doesn''t look like you''re going to let go for some while. Can you stop now? You''re gonna wrinkle my coat."


    "Nope! This hug is a symbol of our friendship! Get in here, Sana!"


    I called out for the blonde who happily skipped to my direction to join in.


    "Ah, might as well enter the frey! For friendship!"


    As Sana cheered out loud, the other two looked at each other and chuckled awkwardly.


    Part 2


    After Sana and Kaito left the room first, I turned to Angellica and whispered.


    "Should we have told him the truth that we placed the bat on his bed not as a gift but to prank him instead?"


    "I really think we should''ve."


    End of Volume 1: Bonus Chapter

 Volume 2: Chapter 1 - "Moving In"

    ~~Chapter 1~~


    "Moving In"


    Part 1


    It was a nice Monday morning.


    Right now, Agame, Sana and I were eating breakfast while waiting for Angellica to finish her registration as an adventurer. She was one before she got corrupted, but after she defected to Tartaros, the contract got broken, so she had to register again.


    Agame looked at me with her one orange eye while munching on the piece of steak on her fork.


    "Are you really sure it''s okay to let that woman join our team, Kaito-san?"


    "This again? Didn''t I tell you that Angellica doesn''t plan to hurt us at all anymore? Loosen up."


    Besides, Angellica is the most powerful mage in Ischyos. Once she joins our team, we''ll be an unstoppable force. Think about it-


    Angellica; a mage who knows a hundred spells, Agame; a marksman with a Holy Bow that can strike down any target, Sana; a warrior with insane physical strength and resistance to magic, and of course, me, the strongest support in the whole world.


    Who wouldn''t cower in fear if they knew this party was full of monsters?


    "Hmph. Fine then. How about you buy me some orange juice then, Kaito-san?"


    "Huh? Why should I? You have a million nillos on you after defeating Angellica right?"


    My eye bags deepened after hearing Agame order such a request.


    "You''re a support aren''t you? You should make yourself useful and support me by buying me some drinks, then."


    Hmph.


    "Wah! K-Kaito-san! Give that back! G-give Apollo back! Kaito-san! Wahh~~!"


    This little girl.. She acts so high and mighty, but if you take away her bow, her personality goes a full 180.


    I was holding back Agame''s head with my free hand to prevent her from reaching the bow that was in my grasp when Sana intercepted.


    "You really shouldn''t bully Agame-sama, Kaito-kun. Agame-sama, I''ll buy you your orange juice so stop crying, okay?"


    And the lolicon saves the day.


    "R-really, Sana-san? Then can I have some giant turkey legs too?"


    "How can I refuse such a cutie like you, Agame-sama? Waitress, over here please!"


    This little girl is gonna plow through our funds..


    "Hey, archer loli. How about you lessen the spending a bit? Even though we''ve received a hefty bounty, that doesn''t mean you should casually spend all of the nillos you got on you."


    I pointed accusingly at Agame.


    "Eh? But a great and powerful marksman like me needs to eat and eat and eat everyday in order to maintain my skill level!"


    "Oi, don''t start that crap. Your skill level is only because of that stupidly overpowered Holy Bow you stole from the capital. Without it, you''re a useless little girl who starts to bawl in the middle of battle. Tell, me where''s the greatness in that?!"


    Agame fell silent the moment I yelled at her aggressively.


    "Hmph! Bawl, huh? I''ll have you know that the moment I received Apollo, I''ve never let out one tear in my whole life!"


    Yet yesterday she was left crying the moment she lost her arrow.


    It was unhealthy to argue any further at this point so I continued to drink from my morning coffee, when suddenly-


    "Kaito! Over here!"


    We turned our attention to Angellica, who''s waving around an adventurer''s ID in her hand. Following her was a troubled looking Macy.


    "A-Angellica-san! You bolted out the room before I was able to tell you something important! Please, listen to m-"


    The cute pink-haired waitress lady was interrupted by Tabaki, the mage adventurer from before who picked a fight with me, who had ran towards Angellica.


    "You''re really the Angellica-sama! You really are her! Amazing! M-my name is Tabaki! I''m one of this guild''s most powerful mages! I''m a big fan of yours! Please! Shake my hand!"


    "Oh-ho? Why, it''s only right for me to heed my fan''s needs."


    "I-I''m never washing my hand for the rest of my life!"


    As Tabaki was walking my way after conversing with Angellica, I licked my hand and forced it onto his.


    "Hey! No! Stop that!"


    I smugly crossed my arms as Tabaki sulked down, drooping back to his seat, his hand full of saliva.


    That was revenge for the last time.


    Mm, it looks like Angellica has a lot of fans, doesn''t she? As expected of a powerful mage like her. She''s really pretty too. She''s like the Ischyos equivalent of a famous idol.


    "Tch. She''s hogging all the attention in the guild to herself."


    Agame viciously snapped on the carrot she was munching with an irritated look on her face. It looked like she was jealous of all the recognition Angellica was suddenly getting in the guild. All of the sudden, a bunch of adventurers crowded around her.


    "Angellica-sama! Please, show us some magic!"


    "Yes, please do! I want to witness your power with my own eyes!"


    "Angellica-sama! Please demonstrate your greatness!"


    Sana patted the back of the archer loli beside her, who was shaking with anger. Meanwhile, Angellica was proudly waving at her admirers.


    "A-Angellica-san! Please! Listen to what I have to say! It''s really important!"


    "Can that wait, Macy-chan? First, I''ll have to put on a show for all of my fans here! Tee-hee! You''re all about to witness the might of the beautiful and powerful Angellica, the undefeatable number one mage in the land!"


    She''s really getting full of herself.. I might need to smack her to remind her that she got demolished by our team.


    Amidst the expectant eyes of the adventurers, Angellica began to perform a spell. With a snap of a finger, a rainbow suddenly appeared out of nowhere amd started to fly around the guildhall, creating magical glitter-like particles in its wake.


    Hey, that''s actually pretty cool.


    "Wow, that''s beautiful, Angellica-sama!"


    "You''re amazing!"


    "Tee-hee-hee! There''s more where that came from! That was merely an appetizer! Feast your eyes on this! Blazing Inferno!"


    Whoa!


    She created swirling flames around her that moved with such grace. She then started to move it around her body while graciously dancing.


    What a show! Blazing Inferno is an offensive spell too! To think that she could use it for mere entertainment.. That means two things!


    One, she''s extremely adept at handling magic that she can use high class magic spells for tricks like this.. And two, to have actually practiced doing something like this..


    She''s a complete attention whore!


    "Spectacular!"


    "Angellica-sama, please show us some more!"


    Meanwhile, Agame was still being a grumpy loli opposite my seat at the table. Suddenly, she looked down in sadness.


    "I-it''s because of her boobs isn''t it?"


    "Huh?"


    "If only.. If only.. I''d have fans too.."


    I left the comforting of the depressed little girl to the blonde beside her so I could enjoy Angellica''s little magic show from here.


    "Mhm! Because it''s been a long time since I''ve performed in an audience after being corrupted and all.. I''ll prepare a special treat for everyone! Just for today, I''ll give you all the blessing of witnessing my greatest magic trick of all!"


    Oh? This got my attention. What could she mean by that? With her being an amazing magic user, I have high expectations.


    "...Sparkling Fantasy~~!"


    ...


    Huh?


    Everyone in the guildhall looked confused, even Angellica herself, who started sweating. She stood there with a pose, but nothing happened.


    "Ehem.. Sparkling Fantasy! S-Sparkling Fantasy! Hey, what gives? Sparkling Fantasy! Wahhh! What happened?! Hey! Don''t leave! I''m not finished yet! Wait! You dare call yourselves fans?! Don''t abandon me like this!"


    The crowd slowly started to clear itself, leaving the flustered Angellica, who was reaching her hand out to her audience, all alone. The pink-haired waitress lady approached her from behind.


    "Angellica-san, I was trying to tell you. Somehow, your mana stat had dropped to a low E class, which is the lowest tier for that stat. This had probably something to do with the corruption you experienced some time ago.."


    Angellica''s face froze upon hearing that.


    "..I''m sorry, but that means you''ll only be able to cast a few spells everyday until your mana depletes."


    "..."


    What a twist.. The once most powerful mage in Ischyos is now the most useless mage in Ischyos.


    "Hehehe! That''s not funny, Macy-chan! Please don''t joke around like that! I-I''m Angellica! I''m the best mage in the land! My mana stat was an A class, if I remember correctly.. Yes! Yes! There''s no doubt about it! Huh? Ehh?!"


    She glanced at the adventurer ID she had in her hand, only to scream in shock.


    "You see, Angellica-san? You didn''t even look at your stats after you registered. It''s right there on your adventurer''s ID."


    Macy borrowed the ID from Angellica''s and took a glance at it.


    "O-oh my! I''m mistaken! It''s not E class!"


    The waitress lady''s words reignited the enthusiasm in Angellica''s yellow eyes.


    "S-see?! We were worried for nothing!"


    The mage, regaining her calmness confidently crossed her arms.


    "Angellica-san, your mana stat is F class. The lowest of the low."


    And with that, the sound of a young woman''s soul being crushed to nothing but shards echoed throughout the guildhall.


    Wait a minute.. If she''s a useless mage then that means..


    Maybe I should just...


    "Wahh! This is impossible! M-my beautiful mana stat! What happened to it?! This is a nightmare, it has to be! H-huh? Hey! Kaito, where the heck are you sneaking off to?!"


    Crap, she spotted me slowly tip toe out of the guild..


    "I-I think I left the microwave on.."


    "What the heck is a microwave?! No, that''s not important. You were trying to ditch me, weren''t you?!"


    The girl in the fur coat in front of me put her red face closer towards me. I turned my head to Sana and Agame for help, but they immediately averted their gaze after meeting my eyes.


    Those two.. Remind me to cast Stun on them later.


    "Ditch you?! What gave you such an idea?!"


    "You think I''m a weakling now, don''t you?! You think I''m just gonna be a burden if I join your team, don''t you?! You think I''m useless, don''t you?!"


    Yes, that''s exactly it.


    "N-no no no no! It''s just that after witnessing your great magic tricks, I thought to myself "Whoa, this girl is too good for us!", so please, find a different party that matches your strength!"


    "No way! I''m joining your team and that''s final! You''re the only team I know who stands a chance against Tartaros! Also, you promised to me! You promised to me that you''d purify them all, didn''t you?! Let me join your team, damn it!"


    Crap, she''s pulling on my leg!


    "Nngh! Let go of me! I''m telling you, I will purify Tartaros, but I don''t need your help to do that! My answer is no, and that''s final!"


    "Wah! You''re so mean, Kaito! Even if my mana stat is terrible now, I still have powerful magic power! My spells would still heavily damage the enemy!"


    "Yeah, but that doesn''t change the fact that your mana is shit! Damn it, let go!"


    "How dare you! How dare you insult my precious mana like that!"


    As I was starting to drag the crying Angellica who was clinging onto my foot across the floor, Sana approached the two of us.


    "Kaito-kun, please think about your decision more thoroughly."


    "What? Sana-san, this lady right here is a mage who can only use like two spells a day. That''s like the worst kind of mage. I''m not letting someone like that join our team."


    The mage below me stiffened after I said that.


    "H-hey! I''m right here, you know!"


    I honestly didn''t think Sana would understand anything about mages and spells and whatnot, so I continued making my way to the exit while slowly dragging the wailing mage with me.


    "No, Kaito-kun. I''m serious when I say that you should rethink your decision. Remember, Angellica-san is.."


    The Sana today was surprisingly serious about this. I wonder why?


    "..the owner of a resort house here in Oranea!"


    ..!!


    H-how could I have been so blind?


    I ignored Angellica''s most important perk. I feel like such a fool. If we don''t let us in her team, I wouldn''t be able to live in a resort house alongside these beautiful girls.. My harem would also suffer a big blow! That''s not what I want at all. I can''t let that happen!


    With tears in my eyes, I apologetically looked at the confused Angellica before me and placed a hand on her shoulder.


    "I''m sorry. Welcome to the team."


    "Wh-wha-?! I''m very insulted! So you see me only as a sponsor, is that it?! I''m a powerful mage too, you know!"


    "Alright! Sana! Agame! Let''s head home and pack our bags! We''re moving out!"


    "Hey, don''t ignore me! Agh, this is such a bad day!"


    Part 2


    "Whoaa! It''s huge!"


    Before us was a large white building surrounded by giant walls. In order to get it in, we''d have to enter through the giant blue gate in front of us. From here, I could smell the scent of chlorine from the swimming pools inside.


    This is an amazing resort house!


    "Mm.. It really is big. But, I''m still not comfortable with her around."


    "Aah, don''t be like that, Agame-chan! Why don''t we just get along? Besides, this is my resort house. If you don''t want to make a pool of yourself here, then I suggest you make friends with me. Mhm!"


    Ignoring the fist clenched Agame beside her, Sana, who was carrying her luggage with her like everyone else, excitedly asked Angellica.


    "A-Angellica-san? Are we waiting for someone to open the gate for us?"


    We''ve been standing out here for a few minutes already, so that''s what I also thought.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    "Oh no. You see, this resort runs on a magic generator. Everything runs on a magic crystal that''s hidden within the household. That''s why I''m pretty confident that this place''s squeaky clean even if it''s been unoccupied for a few months. All you have to do to open the gate is do this, see?"


    With a snap of her finger, the gate slowly opened by itself.


    "Awesome! We really are in a fantasy world!"


    After marvelling at this resort''s amazing features, I followed the other girls into the resort house.


    First we entered the resort house itself. We immediately started to gasp in amazement after witnessing such luxurious interior.


    "It really is tidy! Not a single cobweb in sight! How is that possible, Angellica-san?"


    Sana seemed to be the most excited of the bunch.


    "Like I said, this place runs on a magic generator. Look over there."


    We turned our attention to a broom that was sweeping the floor on its own. Everyone besides me and Angellica stepped back in surprise.


    A magic generator is basically this world''s replacement for electric generators. It''s a magic crystal that had magic power poured into it by a magic user. Once that happens, it emits a magic pulse into the air that affects the things around it. The broom over there right now is under the influence of that magic pulse.


    "I-I''m not sure I understand, but okay."


    Sana''s still completely clueless about this world though.


    "To think that the generator is still running after all this time.. Your magic power back then must''ve been off the roof, Angellica!"


    After hearing my praise, Angellica proudly crossed her arms and stuck her chin up.


    "I must emphasize the "back then" though."


    She stiffened after hearing that from me however.


    "Wh-whatever! Everyone, go upstairs and find yourselves a room!"


    And so we did.


    Part 3


    I gave out a long sigh of relief while I laid down on my white bed.


    Ahh, feels good to have my very own room now. I''m gonna miss sharing a room with Sana, but I prefer this lifestyle. I wonder what the others are doing? Knowing them, they''re probably gonna hit the pool at the backyard.


    A knock came onto my door.


    I wonder who that is?


    Yawning, I got up from my bed and opened the white door. Angellica was waiting at the other side, looking quite troubled.


    "Angellica..? What are you doing here?"


    "I.. I need to talk to you about something."


    She wants to talk?


    "Yesterday. It''s about yesterday. You for some reason knew about my dark secrets."


    Hmm.. She must be talking about me knowing about her period, lingerie and whatever else I said yesterday. Mhm, that flustered look on her face confirms it.


    "Kaito, this is my question. Who exactly are you? You and your team appeared out of nowhere with spectacular stats and now all of the sudden you''re on a quest to take down Tartaros. Only a fool wouldn''t notice how ridiculously odd this is."


    I wonder.


    Should I reveal to her all of my secrets? That me and Sana are from another parallel world? Agame doesn''t know anything about this too, so should I tell her too?


    Angellica is my teammate so I''m guessing she deserves to know.


    Alright then.


    "Angellica. Please listen to me closely. Also, this may also end up to be a shocker so please don''t act rashly once this is over.."


    I walked over to the glass window that had bright sunlight passing through. Slowly, I dramatically turned back to Angellica and said-


    "I''m from another world."


    There you go. There''s my explanation.


    This must be too much for Angellica to take in so I had the room in silence to make room for her thought process.


    I would be speechless as well if I was in her shoes.


    I closed my eyes amidst the silence and chuckled a bit.


    "Oh, okay. That explains it."


    Ha?


    "Wait a minute. You seem surprisingly calm about this."


    It was I who was shocked the most after witnessing her reaction to my big secret. All she did was shrug and walk to the door.


    "You''re from another world, I get it. Hanzo was from another world too so it''s not unbelievable."


    I turned into a statue hearing that.


    It felt like I was slowly dissolving into salt.


    After putting so much effort in making that scene as dramatic as possible..


    "Oh? By any chance is Sana from another world too?"


    Not being able to talk due to utter shock, I could only nod.


    "Ah, that makes sense too. Alright, I''ll be hitting the spa."


    After she left, I fell to my knees, feeling like it was me who got played.


    Why?


    Why can''t I experience these epic main protagonist moments?


    Part 4


    "W-Waaahhhh~!"


    That loud shriek that came from the room next to mine triggered my trouble senses and so I quickly rushed to the scene so I could see what was going on.


    "What''s wrong?!"


    My voice came out of my mouth loudly, and I gaped my jaw wide open at what was in front of me-


    -something completely normal.


    "K-Kaito-kun! What in the hell is that thing?!"


    The blonde was leaning back against the wall of the bedroom to keep her distance from the six-foot tall cockroach that was scurrying around the floor.


    "Scared of roaches, huh?"


    "H-how can you be so calm about this?! There''s a giant roach standing right in front of you!"


    "Aren''t you just overreacting?"


    Sana widened her eyes at me like I''ve lost my mind, but I was dead serious. The average size of a cockroach in Ischyos is about five to seven feet in height.


    "What do you mean I''m overreacting?! Can you not see that.. that.. thing?!"


    "Stop being a little girl. This roach is nothing out of the ordinary."


    "What kind of world is this?!"


    I shrugged off Sana''s complaints and walked towards the oblivious roach. I slowly took off one of my shoes to prepare to kill it quickly.


    "D-do you seriously plan on squashing that monstrosity with your shoe?!"


    "Well how do you kill roaches?"


    The overreacting blonde in the room was being annoying, so I really wanted this to be over quickly.


    However, as I crept closer-


    "Gah!"


    The roach must''ve finally noticed me and scurried out the door, pushing me aside as it did.


    Ugh, killing roaches is always such a chore.


    "Well, it got away.."


    "Don''t just stand there! I don''t want that thing in my house! Run after it!"


    Okay, Sana was being really irritating. Before I could argue with her-


    "What was that shriek?!"


    "Yeah, I heard some commotion here. Is everyone okay?"


    Agame and Angellica both arrived at the room with concerned looks on their faces.


    "Nothing, really. Sana just got spooked by a little cockroach."


    "Stop dismissing the matter like it isn''t a big deal!"


    The blonde beside me was fuming, but I remained unfazed. She was really just overreacting.


    I noticed how Angellica and Agame''s faces wrinkled, as if they were absolutely disgusted.


    "Roaches.. I hate those things with a passion! I do my best to keep this house super squeaky clean but those insects always mess with the furniture placements!"


    "Exactly. Sometimes they even block the hallways with their bodies. I''ll enjoy shooting them down with Apollo."


    "Err, those aren''t really the reasons why you should hate roaches, but that works too, I guess.."


    Sana slouched down, scratching the nape of her head at the words coming from Angellica and Agame respectively.


    "Are we seriously going to maks a big deal out of this dumb bug? I''m the one who''s going to surpass Hanzo, and yet we''re hunting down a roach."


    "I do not stand for bugs in my household! They always bug me out! It''s best to dispose of them before they cause too much damage! Hang on, I''ll fetch for some extermination equipment!"


    The white haired mage quickly bolted off on her own.


    "I-I''ll get Apollo real quick!"


    The archer loli ran off right after.


    I sighed.


    Are we really doing this? This is so annoying.


    Part 5


    Right now, Sana and I were at the living room downstairs waiting for Agame and Angellica who said they were going to fetch for things that''d help in this stupid cockroach hunt we were having.


    "I still can''t believe that we''re doing all of this for a single cockroach."


    "Well it''s for the greater good! You saw how huge that thing was! It''s unsafe to have that thing running freely in the house!"


    I was already in a bad mood so I wanted Sana to shut up quickly.


    "Listen up, you annoying blonde! You''re in another world now, and this world works differently than the last! Roaches of that size here are completely ordinary, so quit acting like something big''s happened! You''re in Ischyos, damn it! Expect for things like this to happen!"


    I raised my voice a lot at Sana''s face, and that made her tremble.


    Good. Hopefully she shuts up now.


    "Well, sorry for being dragged into this mess, you stupid NEET! You were the one who dragged me here in the first place, so who are you to lecture me?! Also, this world is stupid! First monster carrots and now six foot cockroaches?! What kind of sicko place is this?! If we don''t kill this roach, I''m going to squash you, you got that?!"


    "Y-yes, Ueno-san."


    I-it''s amazing how fast it took for her to turn the tables. Sana is scary when she''s mad. She''s scary. Really scary.


    While I was holding my heart filled with hurt feelings, Angellica and Agame arrived in the living room with some tacky outfits that raised my mood a lot.


    These two were wearing Ghostbuster-ish outfits, and it took a lot of effort for me to hold in my laughter.


    "Are you ready for bugbusting, you two?!"


    Angellica confidently announced with two spraying cans that looked like bug exterminating spray. Beside her was an equally smug Agame with her white bow that was almost twice her size.


    "I''m sorry miss, but I''m afraid we don''t have any ghosts here."


    "What do you mean ghosts, Kaito? We''re hunting a criminal cockroach!"


    Angellica placed her hands on her hips as she gripped the two spraying cans. I was about to ask her what those things were for when Sana asked for me.


    "Are those insect repellants, Angellica-san?"


    "Eh? These are potions toxic to bugs I bought from the plaza earlier, but I like that name! "Insect repellant"! It really does have a nice ring to it! Isn''t that right, Agame-chan?"


    "Hmph! That''s a pretty impractical way of killing bugs, Angellica-san. I shall make sure that Apollo would be the one to deliver the killing blow onto that cockroach!"


    After Agame announced this taunt, she and the mage beside her started to clash heads with each other.


    "Oh? Is that a challenge?"


    "Surprised that you understood what I was implying."


    "You''re lucky I don''t have mana to cast spells, Agame-chan. Otherwise, not only the cockroach would be in trouble, but you would too."


    "With you around, I wouldn''t even know who the roach is."


    This was pointless.


    Not only am I wasting time that I could spend on resting, but I''m having my patience suffer whenever these guys are bickering.


    So, I decided to slowly make my escape up the stairs to lock myself in my room.


    Well, that would''ve been the plan, but-


    "Agh!"


    My body was suddenly crushed by what I could assume was multiple legs.


    I could only assume because I was left laying down on the floor with broken bones.


    Sana was the only one to shriek.


    "I-it looks even scarier when it''s trampling over the NEET!"


    Okay, don''t be worried about me. Insult me instead, that''s alright with me.


    "Fwahaha! It''s finally arrived! Now- Gwah!"


    Angellica didn''t get the opportunity to attack the cockroach since she was shoved aside by a confident Agame.


    "This is my kill! With the lights of the heavens and the guidance of Apollo, may this impure creature be purified from this earth! Take this~!"


    Hm?


    "E-eh? T-take this!"


    But nothing''s happening.


    "Wh-why won''t my Apollo fire?!"


    Agame was on the verge of tears when the white haired mage smugly let out a chuckle.


    "Silly Agame-chan. Did you forget? This place runs on a magic generator. These generators emit pulses that block unregistered magic. Unless you get a pass from me, then you aren''t firing Apollo anywhere near the house! Bow-hoo!"


    "Th-that''s low!"


    Since Agame was out for the count, the white haired mage ran towards the unaware cockroach that was lazily scurrying around the living room floor.


    "I am the Angellica and this is my resort house! Sorry, but roaches aren''t allowed in here because you guys make me in-sick''t-"


    The white haired mage suddenly toppled over and fell to the ground. Agame had tackled her from behind and pinned her down.


    "What gives?! Let me go, you brat!"


    "Register my Apollo! Register my Apollo this instant!"


    "D-do you seriously think I can do that when you''re pinning me down the floor?!"


    I finally managed to finish healing my broken bones with my magic and had stood up.


    "Okay, what''s happen-"


    I didn''t get to finish my sentence because this motherfucking cockroach trampled me with its six heavy legs again.


    As I groaned in pain once more, the other two continued to wrestle while the blonde was watching the scene from a few feet back.


    "If you don''t register Apollo, then I''m going to rip these breasts right off of you!"


    "A-Agame-chan! Please, stop that!"


    Because of all the fuss Agame and Angellica were making, one of the insect repellants Angellica had in her hand flew out of her grip and landed on the cockroach, spraying the chemicals at it.


    As per proper reaction, the poor bug started to blindly crawl around the room. It bumped into a lot of furniture, a lot of walls and a lot of me in the process until-


    "E-eh?!"


    It made its way towards Sana.


    "S-stay away from me!"


    A splattering noise echoed throughout the room and in the place of the cockroach before it could reach the blonde were green slime. Brown limbs and a few puddles of green liquid were scattered all around the living room.


    Sana held her fist forward, breathing heavily. This very fist also had a lot of green slime on it.


    Well, I guess that takes care of the cockroach problem.


    The only problem left is how long it would take for these broken bones to heal.


    Part 6


    It was nighttime.


    The girls spent their time today using the resort house''s facilities like the hot springs and the pool, while I, on the other hand, just like in my previous life, spent my day in my room, taking the rare opportunity to rest my tired body.


    There''s really no rush to peek at them while they''re changing. I can do that another time.


    I couldn''t sleep however.


    Maybe it''s the new room or if I''m just restless, but I really don''t enjoy this feeling of not being able to hit the hay.


    So, I decided to get up and head downstairs to the bathroom so I could wash my face.


    As I approached the door to the said room, my brain came up with a quick realization.


    I am basically a harem protagonist. If you omit the part where none of the girls have feelings for me, (which I think should happen soon as the plot progresses), I am definitely a harem protagonist!


    Fufufu, and what usually happens at a time like this, where the main protagonist lives together with three girls? That''s right, there''s a big possibility that an amazing clich¨¦ would occur where I open up this door and one of the girls is inside, completely naked after a nice shower. Oh, my body is trembling just thinking about it!


    I can already picture the scene, the moment I enter the room, I freeze in shock, then the girl inside turns completely red while covering her body! After that, she would begin to either violently throw stuff at me or hit me with a dropkick that would blast me across the house while saying "Kaito, you pervert!" or "Kaito, you idiot!".


    Meanwhile, the main protagonist would be groaning in pain, but that pain would pale in comparison to the beautiful scene that had just unfolded before his very eyes!


    That very protagonist is me! This suspense is killing me! Gods of clich¨¦s, I shall proudly be your next victim!


    "Oh?"


    "Ah?"


    Both parties stiffened in reaction to seeing each other.


    What kind of crap is this?


    "W-wait! I can explain, Kaito!"


    Before me was a panicked Tabaki kneeling on the floor while going through the laundry basket inside the bathroom, with white panties in his hand.


    I was kind of mad that my expectations were cut short tonight, but I understood this man''s situation.


    Closing my eyes, I patted Tabaki''s shoulder while giving a thumbs up.


    "K-Kaito.."


    "I fully understand your predicament, Tabaki. I''ve done plenty of panty raids myself, and I can sympathize with you. However, you must leave before Angellica and the others find you snooping around here."


    "You''re a kind soul, Kaito! I promise that I''ll repay you one day!"


    After that moment of what seemed to be a beginning of a friendship, I helped Tabaki sneak out the house without being seen.


    "Thank you, Kaito. Here, take this as a token of my gratitude."


    I felt a soft cloth being put into my hand by the red haired adventurer who I''d just acquainted with.


    "This size.. It looks like it belongs to Agame."


    "Yeah, I figured you''d be into those of her kind."


    Hey, do you want me to get arrested? No, is your perspective of me someone who doesn''t mind getting arrested? Jeez.


    "Anyways, I''m off! Thanks for having my back, bro."


    Sheesh, he was a douche, but he was also a complete mad lad, sneaking into this house full of dangerous adventurers just to steal panties.


    "Mmm, what''s with all of this noise in the middle of the night?"


    Oh?


    Coming down the stairs with a lantern were Agame, Sana and Angellica in their pajamas.


    "Kaito-kun? What''re you doing in this hour? We thought you were a burglar so we came to inves... ti.. gate.."


    Eh? Why''d Sana''s voice trail off all of the sudden?


    ...!!!


    I realized the pink panties that Tabaki gave me were still visibly in my hand.


    Oh no.


    "No, wait! This is-!"


    I began to flail around in panic when I noticed Agame beginning to cry.


    Gah! She doesn''t have her bow on her, so she''s in her cry baby mode! No, I''m feeling really guilty now!


    As I stood there with my legs shaking, I was slowly approached by the other two scary looking girls who''re both clenching their fists together


    "Sana, must we teach this pedo a lesson?"


    "With pleasure."


    Rot in hell, Tabaki. This is all your fault.


    "S-Sana-san.. Angellica-san.. Have mercy on my soul.. This is a misunderstanding.."


    That night, the living room became a complete mess.


    This wasn''t the clich¨¦ that I wanted to happen.


    Part 7


    Groan...


    It was the next day.


    The downtown plaza was as busy as ever. Demi-humans and humans crowded the streets either selling, buying, or just strolling about.


    Right now, Angellica and I were accompanying Sana to her part time job at that cat human grooming shop. Agame was still mad at me for last night so she refused to come along.


    "Oh! That''s the super strong new warrior girl in the city guild!"


    "You''re right! I heard she has sky high stats capable of defeating that jerk Hanzo!"


    "She''s really pretty, too!"


    My day was quickly ruined upon hearing those dumb words from the cityfolk as we were passing by.


    We stopped at a building that had many cat humans inside.


    "Oh? I don''t remember this store being as popular as it is now the last time I visited."


    Angellica looked surprised at the amount of customers the store was getting.


    "I actually helped the owner of this store with a few things so it could reach what it is now."


    "Really? That''s impressive, Sana."


    I''d also be impressed but must I remind Sana that she''s an adventurer and not a full time clerk in a parlor for felines?


    Before we could depart with Sana, we were greeted by a familiar cat girl running our way.


    "You guys! Good morning!"


    "Ah! Mimi-san!"


    "Sana-san!"


    I narrowed my eyebrows in confusion.


    I didn''t know Sana was close with Mimi. I mean, I spent a lot of time with this cat girl at the guild''s training grounds, having her teach me support skills and all, and I don''t recall her saying anything about Sana.


    "Good morning to you too, Kaito-san! Ah! And could you be the Angellica-san?"


    As if completely triggered by the "the" in "the Angellica-san", the white haired mage beside me immediately raised her chin and held her hand pretentiously on her chest.


    "That''s right! That''s me, the greatest mage in Ischyos!"


    And a giant sham.


    "Anyways, Mimi-sensei, what are you doing here? How come you and Sana are so close with each other?"


    Sana nudged herself closer to the short brown haired cat girl beside her.


    "Mimi-san is the daughter of this store''s owner. She helped me with the ropes of this business."


    Ah, so that explains it.


    "Anyways, I''ll be off to work you guys! See you!"


    "Good luck, Sana-san! Anyways, I must ask. Do you two have any plans for the day?!"


    Angellica and I exchanged glances in confusion after hearing that from Mimi.


    Part 8


    Currently, we were following Mimi''s lead to what seems to be the guild training grounds.


    I glanced at Angellica disapprovingly as she seemed to have trouble walking on her high heels.


    Why did she even wear those to begin with if she has problems using them? To look more attractive? Jeez, if she really wanted to attract attention then all she has to do is remove her top and reveal her real magic.


    "We''re here!"


    Mimi stopped right at the middle of the grassy training grounds.


    "Say, Mimi-sensei. What''re we doing here in the training area? Also, why are you persistent on having Angellica here? Is it because you''re "blinded" by her greatness? Well listen up, she is a total failure of a mage who can only cast magic twice a day."


    What I said struck the number one mage in Ischyos''s pride.


    "Y-you! Stop calling me a failure of a mage!"


    Mimi let out a short hearty laugh that took our attention.


    "Actually, that''s exactly the reason why I brought you two here. Macy already informed me of your condition, Angellica-san. I know of a way for you to cast more spells per day."


    What Mimi said just now had the two of us wide eyed.


    This was great news!


    If Angellica is able to actually use spells, then I wouldn''t be stuck with a mage who becomes useless after the second cast! This would actually be beneficial for me! Not only that, it''d ease the difficulty of our quest to defeat Hanzo too!


    Angellica was also super enthusiastic and put her face closer to Mimi''s.


    "A-are you serious, Mimi-san? You''re not kitten me, are you? You mean I can actually use my spells as much as I want again?!"


    "Y-yeah. However, we need Kaito for this to happen."


    Oh?


    "Me?"


    "Yep. You''re actually perfect for this job. You have plenty of mana, don''t you? And Angellica-san here lacks mana. It''s like you complete her."


    Err, no matter how much you sugar coat it, in the end, you''re saying that I''m merely a reserve tank for Angellica''s mana, is that it?


    Yeah, that stings my pride a bit. Stupid support role.


    "I''m going to teach you a new skill today, Kaito. It''s called "Mana Transfer"."


    "Hm? Judging from its name, it involves me transferring my mana to Angellica, is that right?"


    "You catch on quick!"


    Uh-huh, you''re definitely saying that I''m just a mana reserve for Angellica.


    I took a deep breath.


    "It can''t be helped. If I wanted to actually have a useful mage in my party, then I''d have to lower my pride a bit. Although it''d be so much easier to just kick her out and replace her with some other mage like Tabaki, the free place to live in she''s offering is too good of a thing to have to throw her out that easily."


    Angellica winced at my statement, obviously insulted. However, before she could say anything else with her fuming face, Mimi spoke first.


    "Alright then. How should I do this?"


    I walked closer towards Angellica and Mimi.


    "Can you find Angellica-san''s vital spot?"


    "I can do that. Hold on."


    I focused all my mana into my eyes like before so I could find the white mage''s vital spot.


    Ah, just my luck.


    "Here it is. Should I touch it now?"


    "That''s the next step."


    "With pleasure."


    "Yah-!"


    Hehehe, Angellica may be a useless mage, but this feeling of her breasts is just amazing! She''s definitely at least a G cup or maybe even more! Ooh, so soft and bouncy! It definitely matches Annalea''s! I must be dreaming!


    "Hands off, you predator!"


    "Gwah!"


    I found myself blasted into the ground, completely charred. Looks like Angellica casted a fire spell on me it seems.


    "I-I''m sorry, Mimi-san, but this technique is too much for me! I can''t have that man touch me so lewdly like that!"


    "What are you saying, you useless mage?! You''d be helpless in quests if we don''t do something about that mana problem of yours!"


    "Quit being a hot headed pervert or I''ll cast another spell on you!"


    I looked at Mimi to reason out with her, but she looked depressed for some reason.


    "Why.. Why are mine so small..?"


    ..!!


    No! Don''t fall into the abyss of depression, sensei! Someone save her!


    "Mimi-sensei! Don''t leave us! They''re great the way they are, sensei! Wah! Something''s coming out of her mouth! Damn it, Angellica, this is all your fault!"


    "My fault?! How is it my fault?!"


    "Your presence is at fault!"


    "That makes no sense!"


    "M-maybe I should just give up.."


    "Mimi-sensei, come back!"


    The sun started to set on this stressful day.


    End of I Want to Die, Lets Isekai Volume 2: Chapter 1