Chapter 8: Wiz, The Sole Designated Partner

The next morning, early at dawn.

Kobayashi and Kazuma Sato were tidying up the messy bedding, while also arranging their schedule for the day.

Aqua, sitting at the edge of the bed, suddenly spoke up: "Listen to me, I don’t have sleepwalking! I’m a goddess, a goddess! There has to be a reason why I wasn’t in bed at midnight. I guess it must be some evil lich-type villain stirring trouble in the shadows! Yes, that’s it! We’ll find that wicked lich and eliminate it!"

This girl was already acting crazy first thing in the morning and was blaming her mistakes on some imaginary lich. She didn't behave at all like a proper goddess.

Kazuma Sato’s disdainful gaze was openly clear.

But to calm Aqua down, he humored her.

"Yeah, yeah, you’re right. Now, goddess, could you please get off the floor? You spent the whole night sleeping on the ground. What’s the point of running back to bed so early in the morning?"

Kazuma’s words carried a mocking tone that was hard to miss.

"Usually, unless there’s a strong water aura, there’s nothing that could attract me!" Aqua protested anxiously, "I’m serious, I’m not joking!"

"Ah, right, right, you’re right."

"Hey—!"

Even though she kept explaining, Kazuma was too lazy to argue further, especially since Kobayashi said nothing.

Thinking of this, he asked, "Senpai Kobayashi, should we just wait for you at the guild?"

"Yeah, as we discussed before, please let them know about my intention to buy a house," Kobayashi replied.

"No problem, I’ll take care of it," Kazuma assured, patting his chest confidently and giving a thumbs up. "We’ll be waiting for good news from you, Senpai Kobayashi!"

"No problem, I’ll handle it," Kobayashi returned the thumbs up.

Then the three parted ways.

"Listen, I really don’t have sleepwalking!"

"Okay, okay, I believe you."

On the way to the guild, Aqua kept defending and proving herself about last night’s incident, while Kazuma gave only perfunctory agreement.

After seeing the two off, Kobayashi left the room.

He made his way to a secluded corner of the town, winding through an obscure alley, twisting and turning until he reached a somewhat rundown shop. Yet, the signboard atop the roof still gleamed as if brand new—a magic tool store.

"Every time I think about it, why is her tool shop so hidden away, not an oracle’s place?"

Indeed.

The one Kobayashi came to see was none other than Wiz, one of the secret big shots in the Axel beginner village.

Pushing open the door and stepping inside,

the bell hanging on the door gave a crisp chime, signaling the shopkeeper had a visitor.

"Welcome!"

A soft, gentle voice came from behind the counter.

Following the gaze,

she had long brown hair with a single cowlick on top, seemed about twenty years old, big almond-shaped eyes, a small cherry mouth contrasting sharply with her pale complexion.

Wearing a black-purple long dress trimmed with gold on the edges and cuffs, her curvaceous figure was emphasized by several leather-like straps binding her ample chest, which naturally drew attention.

Yet, for some reason, she exuded a weak aura, seeming easily bullied.

She was the owner of this magic tool shop, Wiz.

Upon seeing Kobayashi, her eyes lit up noticeably.

"Kobayashi, welcome!"

"Yo, Wiz, I’m here."

They had met about two weeks ago when the mid-level demon Horst was wreaking havoc in Axel. Many sought strong magic tools to fight him, so they turned to Wiz.

The magic tools sold in Wiz’s shop were powerful, wondrous items, effective both offensively and defensively.

In fact, most magic tools caused more harm to the user than others. Because of this, her shop was always deserted and ran at a loss every month.

"I’m working hard too, so why can’t I make money?"

"...Are you serious?"

Kobayashi wanted her to realize her flaws, but Wiz’s prodigious talent for wasting money was such that even if he explained, she’d immediately buy some outrageous item and squander all the funds.

Especially since the magic tools she bought were made by Komekko’s father, Pyosuke—it was a delicate matter.

After all, it concerned whether Komekko could survive.

"So, what brings you here today, Kobayashi?" Wiz’s big watery eyes sparkled with some hope.

Don’t misunderstand, she simply hoped Kobayashi would buy something.

Since the last battle against the mid-level demon Horst, some adventurers had doubts about the magic tools sold at Wiz’s shop due to some near-fatal mistakes.

As a result, Wiz’s already meager sales took an even bigger hit.

"No, I’m not here to buy anything this time."

"Then..."

"I have something to discuss with you."

"I’m not teaming up with you—I’m no longer an adventurer!"

Before Kobayashi could explain, Wiz had already refused.

Indeed, Kobayashi had invited her to join his party.

Wiz was a lich and a great mage who had mastered advanced magic and explosion spells, strong and experienced—an extremely reliable teammate.

Being rejected at first was understandable, but Kobayashi thought she was soft-hearted and would relent after some earnest pleading.

Unexpectedly, after all this time, she showed no sign of wavering, which was a bit discouraging.

"Is that so? It’s a shame not to team up with Wiz."

"Not at all, you’re exaggerating."

"After all, you’re the super martial arts mage, the Ice Witch, Miss Wiz."

"Stop exaggerating."

"And one of the Eight Generals of the Demon King’s army."

"Wha... huh?!"

Wiz was stunned; she seemed to have heard some secret keyword.

"What did you say?"

"Isn’t that right? The lich in charge of maintaining the Demon King’s army’s barrier, one of the Eight Generals, Miss Wiz?"

"Wh-why..."

She couldn’t understand how Kobayashi knew she was a lich, and even more incredibly, that she was a general responsible for the Demon King’s castle’s barrier!

"Hehehe, who knows?" Kobayashi smiled mischievously and slowly approached her.

When he stopped, the two were very close, even able to smell each other’s scent.

Wiz’s body gave off a faint fragrance, without the usual decayed smell of a lich.

Leaning his upper body forward, he whispered devilishly in her ear, "Miss Wiz, you wouldn’t want your identity as a lich and a general of the Demon King’s army to be exposed, would you?"

"Eh, how could that be..."

Wiz panicked.

She quickly grabbed Kobayashi’s arm, hiding it within her modest bosom, begging, "Please, I’ll agree to anything—just don’t tell anyone!"

Wait, wait! This sounds just like something out of an adult book?!

"You misunderstand, I didn’t—"

"In that case, I have no choice."

Saying that, her hand reached towards her chest.

It looked like she intended to unbutton the front.

What were you trying to do?! Wait, wait, you misunderstood! I’m not that kind of person!

Kobayashi instinctively turned his head away.

Rustling sounds kept coming, making him restless.

However, things did not develop as he imagined.

"Like this, you’ll keep my secret, right?"

Wiz timidly pleaded in a small voice, handing over a shriveled little pouch.

"This is my long-hidden secret stash of money. It’s all yours. Please, don’t tell anyone."

"Uh..."

Looking at the pouch carrying the same faint fragrance as Wiz herself, Kobayashi was at a loss for words.

That’s it? That’s it?! He had expected some exciting scene, but it turned out she just wanted to bribe him with money?

By the way, the contrast between that shriveled pouch and her ample chest was just too stark!

Kobayashi didn’t know what to say for a moment, so he composed himself and explained his purpose.

"Wiz, I’m here to discuss a partnership."

"Eh? Partnership...?"

"Yes, a collaboration that’s mutually beneficial—I call it a 'win-win.'"

This and that, so and so.

As he continued explaining, Wiz’s eyes grew brighter.

"Wonderful! This method will definitely improve the poor state of the shop’s business!"

...No, probably not, if you don’t stop buying strange items all the time.

"Then it’s settled."

"Alright! I’ll prepare the necessary materials."

The cooperation was successfully concluded, both Kobayashi and Wiz smiling.

After sitting a while longer,

"Time’s almost up, I have to go."

Kobayashi stood up, opening the door and said to the lich behind him, "Wiz, you’re too kind-hearted. You need to always be suspicious of others—even of me."

"But Kobayashi, you’re a good person."

"Hmm..."

Kobayashi’s mouth twitched—was this a good person card he’d just gotten?

Well, whatever, as long as she was happy.

With mixed feelings, he closed the door.

——————

P.S.: Thank you for your continued reading and support! (Squirming, twisting, climbing, roaring)