Journey to Godhood Begins in Frieren

"Hmm? You know me?" Aqua raised her head and looked at Shichen in confusion.

"No, I only heard your name from this guy over here," Shichen explained, pointing to the young man next to them.

"'Bro'…?" The man blinked, then couldn't help but ask, "Are you saying we're the same…?"

"Probably." Without letting him finish, Shichen nodded in affirmation.

"Whaaat? Seriously?! A fellow traveler from Earth? Nice to meet you!" The man got excited and rushed over to grab Shichen's hand, shaking it vigorously.

"Well, I can't say we're from the exact same place. We're from different regions."

"Huh?" The man stared in confusion.

"It's simple: I'm from China, and you're from Japan, right?"

"What? There are also Chinese people getting isekai'd here? Seriously?" The man looked over at Aqua for confirmation.

"What's so strange about that?" Aqua was still sizing up Shichen, not even turning around.

"I handle the Japan region, but obviously there are other gods who handle other parts of Earth."

"Ah, I see…" The man turned back to Shichen.

"Hey, I'm Satou Kazuma. Even if we're from different countries, we still come from the same planet. Guess that sort of makes us hometown buddies." He offered his hand again.

"Fair enough. My name's Shichen." Shichen smiled and shook hands with him.

"Damn, you're handsome! I guess it makes sense you're not Japanese," Kazuma said enviously.

"Huh? Dude, I like you already." Surprised by Kazuma's bluntness, Shichen clapped him on the shoulder in a friendly manner. "Brother Kazuma, huh?"

"Shichen-senpai…" Kazuma began.

"Call me 'Big Bro.' I got here a bit before you did."

"Sure thing, Big Bro Shichen." Kazuma agreed without hesitation.

"Then I'll just call you Kazuma."

"Go for it. Call me whatever you want," Kazuma replied casually.

"Well, let's not go overboard." Shichen shook his head with a laugh.

He actually had a good impression of Kazuma—despite his flaws, he was at least straightforward. His "bad traits" weren't anything serious.

"So, Big Bro Shichen, how long have you been in this world?"

"Not long. Got here, what, two days ago?"

"Only one day earlier than me?" Kazuma looked surprised. "Then how are you gonna 'look after me'? That was kinda what I was hoping for…"

"Hah, you're already planning to cling to me?"

"No choice," Kazuma replied, shrugging helplessly. He shot a side glance at Aqua, who was still circling Shichen. "I came here with zero cheat abilities… just Aqua."

"You actually managed to bring a goddess down with you?" Shichen pretended to be astonished.

"Don't even get me started. I totally regret it. She's useless—an actual goddess costume would've been more helpful."

"But she's a real goddess, right? And you only just arrived here…"

"You don't get it, Big Bro. Aqua's a total airhead—no dignity of a goddess at all, and she just drags me down!" Kazuma's expression was one of pure despair.

"Is it really that bad?"

"If you want, I can hand Aqua over to you for a day—then you'll understand," Kazuma said.

"Heh, no thanks. She's your goddess; I won't steal her away."

"Big Bro, I think you've got the wrong idea here." Kazuma frowned, looking uncharacteristically serious.

"What do you mean? If not, why'd you bring Aqua down with you?"

"She scammed me, all while making fun of me! I got pissed and told her I wanted to drag her here too. And unbelievably, it actually worked!"

"Wow, that's impressive."

"I'm serious, Big Bro!"

"I believe you. She's standing right here, isn't she?"

"Well, all I'm saying is: don't assume she's awesome just because she's a goddess. She's basically like a kid—she can't do anything without whining or crying. She's totally helpless."

"No, no, no. She's still a goddess, so she must have some decent powers."

"I can't even register as an adventurer properly… dammit!" Kazuma muttered in frustration.

"You can't become an adventurer? You didn't go sign up at the guild?"

"I did…" Kazuma looked like he was about to cry. "But my stats are pathetically low—no suitable job except for the lowest-tier 'Adventurer.' And now I'm broke, so I can't even buy any gear to do quests!"

It wasn't that Kazuma hadn't tried picking up minor quests, but Axel was super safe and had almost no monsters nearby. Collection quests for herbs, for example, got snatched up the moment they appeared. He simply couldn't manage to grab any work in time.

"What's wrong with being an adventurer?" Shichen patted Kazuma's back. "I'm the same as you—I picked Adventurer too."

"Huh?" Kazuma was dumbfounded. "Big Bro, what did you say?"

"You heard me. I'm an adventurer—just like you… hey, what's with that look?"

"No… I was just thinking: guess I can't rely on your cheat and I'm doomed to sleep in the stables again."

"Haha! You're really underestimating me."

"What do you mean?"

"You've seen how stats work when you register, right? Well, all mine were at max."

"What? Seriously? You're not messing with me?" Kazuma looked disbelieving.

"Why would I lie about that? See for yourself." Shichen handed him his Adventurer's Card.

"Holy crap! That's insane! Big Bro, I'm sticking with you from now on!" Kazuma only needed one glance at Shichen's card before immediately pledging his loyalty.

Being a modern guy, Kazuma totally understood how broken maxed-out stats could be.

"Can you have a bit more backbone?" Shichen rolled his eyes.

"What's backbone? Can I eat it? I already know I'm not the hero; if I can just follow you, Big Bro, that's enough for me."

"I swear, you're also from modern Earth—weren't you taught to believe in yourself? To think: 'My life is my own, not decided by fate!' or something like that?"

"Nah, I was a shut-in back home. I just wanna win easy mode. You're not going to abandon me, right, Big Bro? I'm even willing to give you Aqua. Sure, her brain's no good, but physically she's still a legit goddess."

"Why aren't you interested in that?"

"I can't have any desires for her. I've been sworn enemies with Aqua since day one—and these two days have been too hectic for me to think about that anyway," Kazuma replied wearily.

"Sounds rough."

"Exactly." Kazuma flung his arms around Shichen, practically on the verge of tears.

"Hey, don't hug me…" Shichen shoved him away, grossed out.

"That's so heartless, Big Bro… sniff." Kazuma looked all pitiful, sniffling pathetically.

"Knock it off. Fine, fine, I'll look after you. But you can't just do nothing. 'Adventurer' can be strong. With your wits, you'll be fine. Leveling up will only make you better."

"R-really?"

"You've played RPGs, right? You know how important levels are."

"Yeah, you've got a point."

"So let's team up. I'll help you level, and you can stop living in the stables."

"Awesome! You're the best, Big Bro!"

"By the way, I already have two teammates. They're both pretty strong."

"They…?"

"Yeah, two girls."

"Oooh…" Kazuma's face lit up with interest.

"Don't get the wrong idea."

"I get it, I get it," Kazuma said, a mischievous grin on his face.

"…Whatever. Aqua, come with us?" Shichen turned to Aqua.

"Ah! You have the same aura as me!"

Suddenly, Aqua shouted and lunged at Shichen, wrapping her arms around him.

"?"

~~~

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