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"This is it! This cape is so cool!"
"I, I see..."
Yunyun squealed as she pushed the cloak onto my shoulders, intimidating me. We were currently shopping for a new cloak at the most reputable armor shop in Axel. Yunyun was helping me choose a new cloak, but...
"No... the color is no good! Kazuma is green after all!"
This is the situation. For some reason, Yunyun's excitement was extremely high. However, Yunyun is very cute when she's excited, so I decided to leave her alone.
"Kazuma-san, please put on this green cloak!"
"Y-yes..."
As Yunyun instructed, I put on the cloak and checked it in the mirror. The cloak was longer than the ones I had worn up until then, reaching down to my knees.
"It's cool, Kazuma! But it's still missing something..."
After saying that, Yunyun went to the counter at the back of the store and began talking to the staff. Then, several staff members took out wooden boxes from the back of the store and came towards me.
"Kazuma-san! Try equipping this!"
"Hmm? Wait, what's going on?!"
The shop assistants around me began putting on armor, gauntlets, and other protective gear they had taken out of wooden boxes.
"I thought a cool armor would go well with a cape, Kazuma! What do you think?"
"Oh, yeah, I think so too, yeah."
"is that so!"
With that, Yunyun ran off to the counter. Damn, I got carried away and answered casually.
I once again check the armor Yunyun has equipped me with in the mirror. How should I put it, I look like the ultimate adventurer.
"Hmm, handling is no problem, my level has increased too."
I rotate my wrists and take steps to make sure that I can move around in the armor without any problems. In the past, it was so heavy that I couldn't even take a step...
Well, this armor is different from the last one, it's only partial armor, so it's probably lighter and easier to move in.
"I mean, this look is crazy! What the hell did Yunyun make me wear!"
Yes, my current appearance is quite dangerous in many ways. This armor is a dull black, but if it were green, I would have changed my job from Axel's Brutal Man to Brutal King.
"Kazuma-san, do you like the armor?"
"Oh, I can move around a lot more than I thought I would, so maybe I should buy it."
"That's good! I've paid, so let's go home!"
"That's right, I guess I'll call it a day for today..."
"yes!"
"Hmm...? Yunyun, what did you just say?"
"What?! You didn't like it after all?!"
"No, you didn't. Did you pay?"
"Yes! I want you to wear that armor, Kazuma!"
"Ah, ahhhh..."
That's no good, that's really no good...! Why would you do something like that with that smile on your face!
"By the way, how much is it...?"
"You don't need to worry about that, Kazuma!"
"I care! I care a lot! How much...?!"
"Kazuma-san, calm down. It was only about 1.8 million Eris..."
That statement was so shocking that I collapsed to my feet. It's no good! It's too late for Yunyun in many ways!
"Just kidding!"
"Kazuma-san?! Your speech is strange! Stand up, come on, stand up!"
Yunyun forces me to stand up. I look around again and see the other customers and staff staring at me like I'm trash. This is unacceptable, this is unacceptable...!
I flung my new cloak over and shouted!
"My name is Kazuma! Axel's greatest adventurer, the one who defeated the Demon King...!"
"Wow...cool! That's cool, Kazuma!"
The customers around me looked at me as if I were a pathetic person rather than trash. However, the store staff looked at me with shocked expressions. Yes, that's fine!
"Hey, store clerks! Bring me the most luxurious accessory in this store!"
"Y-Yes! Please wait, sir!"
Saying this, the clerk began arranging small items on the counter.
"Kazuma-san, do you still want something? I'll buy it for you!"
"Yunyun...just be quiet for a moment."
Ignoring Yunyun who was hugging me, I started looking through the small items the store clerk had lined up.
"Old man, what effect does this bracelet have?"
"Yes, that's a bracelet of power. It will increase your strength stat by 3."
"Hey, that's a bit of a strange effect... By the way, how much is it?"
"It will be 2 million eris."
That's too expensive! The effect is less than the stat increase from leveling up by one!
"Hey, old man! Are you ripping me off? I'm going to shut down this store!"
"N-No, that's not true! Just by equipping it, anyone's status will increase!?"
Hmm, it's true that if you think about it, it's amazing how just wearing it can increase your status. I continue looking at the other accessories lined up.
"Old man, what does this ring do?"
"It's a ring that increases all stats by 2. It also has a stretching function to suit the typical user!"
"Oh, how much?"
"15 million eris!"
"Oh!? But I bought it!"
I took out some money from the coin pouch in my pocket and slammed it down on him.
"Wow! A large platinum Eris… just right! Thanks as always!"
"Yessss! Let's go home, Yunyun!"
"Kazuma-san, you really shouldn't be carrying around that much money!"
"Shut up! Let's go!"
I left the store as if I was running away. I seem to spend a lot of money impulsively lately...
Then, a few minutes after we left the store, Yunyun came up to me and looked at me worriedly.
"Kazuma-san... why have you been so angry since earlier? Do you not like the armor after all?"
"You idiot!"
"Ouch! What are you doing?!"
Without thinking, I gave Yunyun a chop on the head. This girl is really...!
"Hey Yunyun! Do you know what you did?!"
"Huh? Did I do something?"
"You idiot! You gave money to a man! Do you understand that?!"
"air…"
Yunyun's puzzled expression suddenly changed to one of blushing.
"That's not true! I just want Kazuma to be happy...!"
"Isn't that the mindset of a woman who gives money? No way."
"N-No!"
Saying this, Yunyun looked down and I stroked her.
"I'm happy, I'm certainly happy! But please only give to me. Otherwise, you'll end up ruined one day!"
"Yes! I only give to Kazuma! So it's okay!"
You don't deny giving...
Or rather, don't look at me with those sparkling eyes...!
"Hey Yunyun! Give me a hand!"
"What is it?"
I forced the ring I had just bought onto Yunyun's outstretched finger.
"Kazuma-san, this is..."
"Don't get the wrong idea, Yunyun! I just want my teammates to become a little stronger!"
"Y-yes..."
"We'll continue our adventure from tomorrow! Besides, we can easily earn 15 million eris. Feel free to use it!"
"That's right! Kazuma-san, you'll be with us tomorrow too...!"
"That's right! See you tomorrow then!"
"yes!"
I rush to the mansion as if I'm running away. I've done some pretty stinky things. But it can't be helped. The other person is Yunyun. It can't be helped!
"I mean, I've also given money to the woman..."
"Fufu, it's beautiful."
As I rolled around on the bed at the inn, I stroked the ring. The ring was made of simple silver and had a beautiful engraving that looked like an ornament. Perhaps this engraving held the secret to increasing my status.
Even so, I'm so happy! This is a present from Kazuma!
I move the ring from my index finger to my ring finger.
"Do I like Kazuma...?"
I muttered to myself, asking myself questions. I love Kazuma. That's what my own feelings tell me. But looking at it objectively, he's using my best friend as a shield to play with my body. Frankly, Kazuma is a terrible man. Maybe I'm just deluding myself into thinking I like him because I don't have much experience in relationships.
"Besides, I can't betray Megumin."
Kazuma is the man Megumin loves. There's no way I can tell him how I feel. But if he says he loves me, I'll gladly accept it. That's his wish. In that case, it's not a betrayal. That's right, I haven't betrayed Megumin!
"So, I'm still here."
I put the ring back on my index finger and pull the covers over me.
Tomorrow I'll meet Wiz and the others and go on an adventure with Kazuma!
"I'm looking forward to tomorrow too. Good night, Kazuma."
I stroked the ring in my futon.
And then, the morning comes as usual. I get dressed and get ready to go out. Let's go to Wiz's place in the morning!
I rushed out of the inn and headed to Wiz's shop! A few minutes later, I was knocking on the door of Wiz's Magic Item Shop.
"Good morning, Wiz-san and Vanir-san!"
When I greeted them, they both smiled back. I think that having friends is a really good thing.
"Yes, welcome Yunyun."
"Hey, little girl... oh! I see, I see! Come in!"
Vanir-san is staring at me. Is there something strange about me?
"I'm in a great mood today! I'll do anything, like cleaning or organizing the items!"
"Thank you. Yunyun, could you help me make some potions today?"
"Yes, I'd be happy to help!"
As I approached the brewing stand, Vanir spoke to me.
"You! You look different from usual, especially that cloak! It suits you!"
"Oh, really? Thank you!"
Now I'm wearing the cape that Kazuma gave me. It suits me so well. I'm very happy about that!
"Vanir-san praised someone?!"
"Shut up, poor shopkeeper! I'll organize the goods, so you can keep the little girl company!"
With that, Vanir began arranging the shelves. I sat down at the brewing stand too. Just because we're friends doesn't mean I can just stay in the store. I'm helping out with potion making, cleaning, and so on.
Then, after a while of me making potions while talking with Wiz, she spoke to me with a surprised look on her face.
"Yunyun! What's with this ring? It looks quite nice!"
"Is this it? I received this yesterday."
"Huh? This is quite expensive!"
"Well, it seems so..."
I was very happy that she noticed the ring. Wiz asked me with great interest.
"W-Who gave it to you?!"
"This is... well..."
"Now who is it?! Who gave it to you?!"
Wiz's breathing became heavy, and I blushed. I felt very embarrassed for some reason. But at the same time, I wanted to show off this ring.
"This was a gift from Kazuma!"
"Huh?! Kazuma-san?!"
Wiz-san's expression changed completely from before, and she asked with a worried look on her face.
"Um, Yunyun? He demanded my body as payment..."
"Vanir-style death ray!"
"Waaaaaaah! Wiz is charred to a crisp! Vanir, what's going on all of a sudden?"
"Shut up! Leave that poor shopkeeper alone!"
Vanir said as he approached me. I wonder what's wrong. I feel like Vanir is paying more attention to me than usual.
"You! That ring was given to you by the boy! It suits you very well!"
"Is that so, Vanir? Does this look good on me?"
"Yes! And don't mind what the poor shopkeeper said! The boy may be a beast, but he's very kind to his family! You can rely on him in the future!"
"Fufu, I know that without you having to say it."
The ring Kazuma gave me looks good on me. Hehehe...
"The potion is already made, right? Why don't you go to the boy?"
"R-Right... It's a little early, but I'll be going now!"
"Yup! Have a nice trip!"
I rush out of Wiz's shop. It won't be a problem if I arrive a little early. Unlike the guild, waiting for Kazuma at a cafe isn't painful at all.
"Ouch, what's going on all of a sudden, Vanir-san... Wait, Vanir-san!? A lot of water is oozing out of your mask!"
"Oh, what a thing... I, the Demon Duke, am feeling joy and all...!"
"What!? Are you crying!? Is it possible that Vanir is crying!?"
As I was walking briskly, I noticed a crowd of people gathering on the street. I was curious, so I decided to join in and watch.
"Wow..."
I couldn't help but groan at the sight I saw there. There were many police officers in the center of the crowd trying to block the view, but the devastation could be seen through the gaps. There were many women crouching there, crying bitterly. But still, why were women's underwear scattered on the ground?
"Ah, Yunyun!"
"Eh? Yunyun? There's someone with the same name as me..."
"What are you talking about, Yunyun-san?"
"Yeah!?"
To my surprise, it was a voice calling out to me. The one who spoke was a female Dark Hunter, the other half of the female adventurer who often hugs Kazuma.
"W-What can I do for you?"
"Well, there's something I'd like to ask you."
"What is it about?"
No way, my friend...?!
"Could you please pick up Kazuma..."
"Kazuma-san?"
"That's right! I just can't keep my hands off of this thing."
Saying this, the Dark Hunter stroked the girl next to him. The bird girl being stroked was also the one who always hugged Kazuma. She had a huge grin on her face and was occasionally making a disgusting "hehehehe" noise.
"Where are you going to pick me up?"
"Ah, the police station."
"Yeah!?"
Kazuma, what have you done...?
Shortly before Yunyun arrived at the scene of the incident, Kazuma was surrounded by dozens of female adventurers.
"Hey you guys! I came along because you said you'd buy me some snacks, but did you trick me!?"
Saying this, I glared at the female adventurer who was hugging me as usual.
"No, I don't know either..."
"Kazuma-san! I'm not deceiving you! Believe me, believe me!"
"Got it! I get it, so don't try and climb on me, loli!"
I hold the lolita's head in my hand as she climbs up, and look at the female adventurers around me. I don't recognize any of them. Are they new adventurers?
Meanwhile, one of the people surrounding me spoke up.
"You're that brute Kazuma, aren't you?"
"Ah, it's already firmly established... That's right."
The moment he answered, the encirclement narrowed in an instant.
"We are all indebted to you, Yunyun, but recently, rumors have spread among us that you have been deceiving her."
I couldn't help but shiver. I don't know what it is, but I'm starting to sweat!
"...Wh, what is it about?"
"Haven't you heard that you've been bringing Yunyun back to the inn every day recently?"
Oh no! It's completely obvious!
"I will remain silent."