Journey to Godhood Begins in Frieren

The "giant black monster" the demon was hunting wasn't that so-called newbie-killer at all—it was Megumin's familiar, the little black cat Chomusuke.

Chomusuke was no ordinary kitten. The tiny wings on its back were proof enough.

In truth, it was the split-body monster of Wolbach.

Wolbach—goddess of Wrath and Sloth, a being with true divinity, the same order of existence as Aqua. Long ago the Axis Church unilaterally branded her as an "Evil God" because she served in the Demon King's army, and eventually she adopted the title herself out of necessity.

Back on the road to Axel, they had met Arnes, one of Wolbach's followers.

Years earlier Wolbach had actually saved young Megumin, and by casting Explosion right in front of her, turned the girl into a lifelong Explosion fanatic—the ultimate culprit, really.

…

Back at the inn everyone gathered in Shichen's room, and Satou Kazuma blurted the question on everyone's mind:

"Big Bro, are you serious? We're really going after a High-Rank Demon? Just the name sounds nasty!"

Because the demon had appeared only moments ago, the guild had not yet posted a formal bounty. Shichen had no desire to work for free, so he'd brought the party home first.

Besides, that demon's personality was fairly mild: it attacked people only in passing, mainly searching for the big monster, and hadn't killed anyone yet. No rush.

And, frankly, this world never felt especially dangerous.

"Of course I'm serious," Shichen answered with a grin.

"C-can we win?"

"Relax. Even without me, Megumin and Aqua could finish it."

"Really?" Kazuma stared at Megumin. These two days she'd done nothing but watch—he had no grasp of what Explosion could do.

"What's that look for? Don't you believe in me?" she huffed.

"N-no—I trust Big Bro."

"Which still means you don't trust me!"

"Then let's show him," Shichen said soothingly.

"Right! I'll prove my power—let's go demon hunting!" Megumin cheered.

"Is that wise?" Yunyun fretted.

"What, you think I can't handle it?" Megumin pouted.

"If anything happens Aqua's there," Shichen reminded her.

"Aqua?"

"She's a High Priest. Debuff the demon, buff Megumin—simple."

"Feels like you're raising a flag…"

"What's a flag doing in this world?" Kazuma blinked.

"Our teacher taught us the term," Yunyun replied.

"Huh, neat."

"A lot of otherworlders have come through," Megumin added.

Kazuma nodded, "Right—almost forgot."

Megumin looked puzzled. "Otherworlders?"

"Never mind," Shichen cut in. "Once the bounty's posted we'll take it. Aqua debuffs, Megumin nukes. If that fails, then I step in."

"What— you won't fight at all?"

"If I go first the battle ends instantly. Better you gain the experience."

"Uh-huh…"

"Don't believe me?" He raised a hand menacingly.

Megumin sniffed and shuffled back. "Hmph."

"All right, break it up. Lunch soon."

Kazuma slipped out first. Megumin and Yunyun lingered, eyeing Aqua sprawled on Shichen's bed.

"Aqua, aren't you leaving?" Megumin frowned at the half-exposed goddess.

"Mmm?" Aqua opened one eye, then closed it. "Just staying here a while."

"Why not go to your room?"

"None of your business."

"What was that?" Megumin huffed, tossed her staff aside, and flopped onto the bed as well.

"Megumin, what are you doing?" Yunyun asked.

"Don't just stand there! Get up here!"

"Eh? I, uh…" Yunyun glanced at the empty spot, then at Shichen.

Shichen sighed. "What now?"

"Hmph! I can't leave Aqua alone with you—you might try something indecent!"

"Does your butt itch again?"

"Threaten me all you like—guilty conscience!" Megumin countered.

Shichen rolled his eyes and walked out. "Room's yours. I'll take a stroll."

"Wh-where are you going?" Yunyun called.

"Just out. Back soon."

He closed the door behind him.

Inside Megumin patted the mattress. "Come on, Yunyun—the bed smells like Shichen. Don't you want a whiff?"

"Stop talking nonsense!" Yunyun flushed.

"Better hurry or Aqua'll hog the whole spot."

Red-faced, Yunyun clenched her eyes and leapt onto the bed.

"That's more like it," Megumin giggled.

"D-don't misunderstand—I'm only here to keep you company!" Yunyun stammered.

"Sure, sure. Nap time."

…

Outside, Shichen spotted Kazuma sneaking off like a thief. Concealing his presence, he tailed the boy and ended up at the Succubus Café. So Kazuma already knew about this hidden spot—women never learned of it. Watching Kazuma grin and slip inside, Shichen just walked away; the café only sold dreams, and he'd already tasted the real thing. Let the guy enjoy himself—it was his money anyway.

Shichen finished touring the rest of Axel: the bumbling lich's magic-item shop, the haunted mansion, the public graveyard, the jail… and finally the Dustiness Mansion. Yet he never bumped into the masochist lady knight, Darkness.

Returning to the inn he found the three girls sound asleep in his cramped bed. He woke them, they ate, and Kazuma reappeared wearing a satisfied grin. Shichen chose not to comment.

With nothing to do that afternoon, Megumin dragged Shichen out to fire one more Explosion. The blast startled the town—people thought the demon had attacked—so the bounty was posted the very next day.

…

The next morning, guild counter

"Shichen-san, are you sure you're taking the demon-hunt request?" Luna asked, worried.

"Don't fret, Luna-san—we'll be fine," Shichen assured her.

"But—"

"I know High-Rank Demons are dangerous, but I'm more dangerous. Trust me."

"…All right," Luna relented. "Good luck, then."

Outside town Shichen warped the party straight to the forest—only to find an unexpected scene:

The demon stood right at the forest edge, badly battered, wounds everywhere.

Facing it was a blond female knight in armor—clearly the one who'd done the damage.

~~~

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