**Author's Note:**
I slightly modified chapter 1, since I wanted to add more details and correct a small but significant inconsistency.
What inconsistency?
The protagonist gains 3 stat points with each level up, while Kazuma only gained 1 with each level up.
You see the problem?
As for the small addition, it explains certain elements in more detail.
Personally, I find these negligible.
However, some readers have expressed their desire to know more about the individual behind the protagonist's misery on the KonoSuba Earth.
…
"Not bad…"
"Drol, how much are these equipment worth?"
After the agreement with Kazuma, I ended up going to sleep.
Unfortunately, I didn't have any surprise guests during the night. An unfortunate absence of feminine presence, but understandable.
I can only curse those annoying ghosts.
As for the reason for my presence with the blacksmith Drol?
I had to properly equip Kazuma.
The poor guy barely bought his iconic equipment, but he doesn't have any real armor or decent sword.
This explains my decision to dip into the money meant for adventuring, with Megumin's agreement, to prevent him from dying stupidly.
Some will tell me: Kazuma was able to beat formidable enemies with his basic defensive and offensive equipment.
Isn't that right?
Actually… yes.
Honestly, I have no scientifically logical explanation about that.
Maybe his extremely high luck stat? Or his ingenuity? Whatever.
It's a mystery.
However, I prefer to avoid completely believing in plot armor.
Especially since I haven't been able to determine the existence of this thing yet, and I doubt "a little" its non-existence.
Why?
I was able to "remove" Megumin from Kazuma's team, and I even managed to recruit the individual himself under my orders.
The only reason that prevented me from completely dismissing the idea of the existence of this metaphysical factor is somewhat absurd:
The luck stat hypothesis.
It's the only thing preventing me from rejecting Kazuma as being without protection of the "causality manipulation" type.
"It's standard equipment that I slightly modified during my spare time. I think 500,000 Eris is okay."
Taking another look at Kazuma, who was "playing" with his two-handed sword, I paid the bill.
"Uh… Drol, I know this is a bit rushed, but how is my special bow coming along?"
My visit to this forge isn't only related to Kazuma's equipment, but also to the desire to learn more about the compound bow.
I need this weapon for my return to Shinsenkyō Island.
"Oh… about that, I've already been able to design promising prototypes, but nothing finished."
At first, he showed a certain level of pride.
Yet he quickly became demotivated at the end of his remarks.
It seems that creating a modern object from simple rough descriptions isn't enough to guarantee quick manufacturing.
Drol just got the inspiration, but the rest depends greatly on his personal skills.
I'll have to buy a more powerful bow for now.
"No problem, I can still wait."
"This old man won't let you down. I'm sure I'm touching on something revolutionary in the bow field…"
Drol started mumbling technical terms and craft-related remarks that I don't understand.
Finally, I fled with Kazuma, away from this elderly man too zealous about his work and the inspiration he got thanks to his project with me.
…
After escaping from Drol, Kazuma and I met up with the others to take a trip to the adventurers' guild.
It was time to reap the fruits of our hard work with Megumin.
"Say Kazuma, why does your new outfit give me bad vibes?"
On the way to the guild, Aqua's paranormal intuition seemed to activate for some unknown reason.
Kazuma sketched a "mysterious" smile and waved his cape in an attempt to be cool.
"Bad vibes? My poor idiot, you have no taste."
A false statement, since Aqua has complete artistic talent in the field of object creation.
It's just unfortunate that her lazy nature prevents her from fully profiting from it.
"Forget it Aqua, I suggested the other armor but he found this one more… original."
Kazuma's armor resembles that of a suspicious protagonist from my past life, but it's surely a coincidence.
(Image)
Personally, I recommended Naofumi's armor to him, right next to this one.
"I think it's cool."
Surprisingly, Megumin seemed to appreciate the cape added to Kazuma's armor.
It seems Crimson Demons have a small obsession with capes.
Should I add one to my personalized armor?
It's not finished yet, according to Drol.
It was with several random thoughts in my mind that I finally reached the adventurers' guild.
"Hi Renji, you seem to be in good shape now."
I returned the greeting to the blonde receptionist with a nod, before giving her confirmation of my health status.
"Indeed, my body and mind no longer have the shadow of any aftereffects," I said in a friendly tone.
Involuntarily, we began exchanging small talk about the guild and complaints from certain adventurers.
It seems my last quest reduced the overall population of Toa giants in the region.
A morally just action, but one that decreased the income of certain beginner adventurers.
Here I am with a bad reputation among my peers in our professional environment.
"I'd like to collect the money concerning the quests completed by me and Megumin, but also information about my recruitment offer."
Luna listened attentively to my requests, before taking a moment to begin the procedure.
"Actually, how much do you think we'll get paid?"
At Megumin's question, I began adding up the quests we accomplished together.
We killed far more than necessary for the Giant Toa quest.
Many thanks to Wiz's alchemical bombs.
Of course, the Manticore was also eliminated.
There are only two unresolved quests:
One concerns a bear specific to this world, and the other, a simple lost wolf…
Shit, I almost forgot the wyvern.
This quest won't be easy, but I have enough confidence to finish it, with or without my party now.
As for the price of the two resolved quests:
"The Manticore was worth 85 million, but I don't know the total value of the Giant Toa."
We did eliminate a large number of them.
As if understanding the heart of the problem, Megumin didn't pursue the subject.
It took Luna about ten minutes to bring back our quest rewards, accompanied by interesting information.
"Here's the money from your last adventure. And about your potential new recruit… a Crimson Demon matching your criteria responded to the recruitment announcement."
Luna seemed to hesitate talking about Yunyun, but she remained professional.
Her hesitation seems related to adding female members to my party, but she surely decided to put that aside.
How do I know it's Yunyun, when she hasn't yet revealed her identity?
There's literally no other Crimson Demon in Axel at this point in the timeline.
Of course, it's possible that my knowledge is lacking, or that my presence created a butterfly effect.
However, I'm sure of myself.
"Thank you for your hard work, Luna. You're truly a blessing."
"It's just my job."
Surprisingly, my compliments had the effect of water on duck feathers… in other words, totally useless.
I should reduce the dose of compliments toward Luna, as it seems to reduce their effectiveness.
It seems that all excess is, indeed, harmful.
"We have another new member?"
Megumin's slightly pouty voice pulled me from my philosophical thoughts about balance in nature.
I turned toward her, as her scarlet eyes seemed to contain a certain level of annoyance and reluctance.
"Don't worry about it. This won't affect your pay, just like with Kazuma and Aqua. Besides, we need another rear support during battles."
Megumin's Explosion magic is powerful.
Many extraordinary people in the original work have declared that her level of understanding of this spell is abnormally high.
Yet I can't fully profit from it because of her limited mana reserves.
Kazuma was able to temporarily compensate for this thanks to the undead skill "Drain Touch," but that's not an efficient solution.
The other option is the magical ore called Manatite.
Unfortunately, Megumin wouldn't be profitable with this option because of the absurd price of this magical ore.
To give an example: the highest quality Manatite is as expensive as a house, and Wiz sells this stuff for 10 million Eris.
That's why I need Yunyun.
"Sigh. Okay. If it doesn't affect my pay, I have no reason to complain."
I patted Megumin's head after this small interaction.
Even though she displayed a displeased look, she didn't move away or push me away either.
"Oh, I almost forgot. Luna, when will this person be available for an interview?"
Luna put a finger on her lower lip in a thoughtful pose, before finally answering.
"She mentioned coming back after her quest. So, I estimate it'll be possible to have a meeting in the afternoon."
Enough time to buy some trinkets in Axel and find Wiz to obtain some skills.
Now that her identity has been discovered by Kazuma and Aqua, it will be easy for me to lead her to a more interesting negotiation.
Today is officially a day without adventure, but nothing prevents me from strengthening myself, right?