"Shichen, you're back! Where did you go? Why did it take so long?"
As soon as Shichen returned, Aqua rushed up and asked.
"I went to see someone. Don't worry about it."
"Really? Oh, look—Kazuma's already revived. I finished what you asked. Can I have my drink now?" Aqua pointed at the now-awake Satou Kazuma, proudly angling for credit.
"…I'll give it to you when we get back."
Shichen looked over at Kazuma, who was sitting motionless in the snow. He walked up and asked curiously, "Kazuma, you okay?"
"I…"
Kazuma's eyes were vacant. He hugged himself and started trembling. "So that's what dying feels like… it's terrifying!"
A moment ago he'd been in a soul state and felt nothing about death—it was like falling asleep.
After all, the Winter Shogun took his head clean off with a single swing. He didn't even have time to feel pain.
But now that he was revived, it was different. The fear of death, the body's response to dying—all of it came roaring back into his brain.
His thoughts turned to mush.
He couldn't handle it.
Kazuma hugged himself tight, curled up on the ground, shaking all over.
"Uh… what's wrong with him?" Megumin came over, puzzled.
"If you'd experienced death, you'd get it," Shichen replied.
"Seeing him like that… yeah, no thanks. Even if I can be revived, I don't want to die."
"Relax. With me around, you won't."
"Mm…" Megumin blushed.
"What about him, then?" Darkness asked.
"Let's head back first. Let Kazuma rest a few days and see if he recovers."
With that, Shichen gathered everyone and teleported them back.
Back at the villa, Kazuma went straight to his room alone, shut the door, and locked himself in.
What Kazuma was feeling wasn't something Megumin and the others could really relate to—and honestly, they weren't that interested in how he felt. They weren't exactly close. As long as he wasn't dead, fine.
Shichen planned to report the quest himself. Megumin and the others were tired, so they went to his room to read manga.
At the guild, Shichen took a look around, then glanced toward the bar—he didn't see the person he was waiting for, so they probably hadn't arrived yet.
He went to the counter to report to Luna.
"Shichen, you're back."
Listless a moment ago, Luna lit up with a dazzling smile the instant she saw him.
"Yeah. Check the quest log for me," Shichen said, handing over his adventurer card.
"Sure, let me see… huh?"
Staring at the card's record, Luna gasped.
"What is it?"
"If I'm reading this right… did you subjugate the Winter Shogun?" Luna asked in disbelief.
"Yeah. The guy suddenly showed up, so I had to take care of him," Shichen nodded.
"What? You really took down the Winter Shogun?" Luna exclaimed, loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Huh? The Winter Shogun? That Winter Shogun?"
"He got subjugated? For real?"
"The Winter Shogun's been defeated? Who did it?"
"Look who's over there."
"Oh, it's Shichen. Figures. As expected of our starter town's hero."
"Does that mean we can finally take snow sprite hunts again?"
"Oh right!"
Luna's outburst set the whole guild buzzing. Adventurers started getting restless.
The Winter Shogun was a special bounty posted by the kingdom—proof of how tough he was. Tons of adventurers had died under his blade.
That's why no newbies dared to accept snow-sprite extermination quests lately.
Now that Shichen had taken him down, of course it was going to cause a stir.
"Nice work, Shichen!"
"Awesome! We can go after snow sprites now!"
"At least we won't have to worry about surviving this winter."
"Idiot, did you forget about the White Wolf packs and One-Hit Bears?"
"You're the idiot—Shichen's party already dealt with the White Wolves and the One-Hit Bears."
"What?!"
"Hurry up and grab the quests before they're gone!"
"Move, move!"
Adventurers who'd been idle a moment ago suddenly scrambled to the quest board to accept jobs.
The counter staff got busy too, though no one bothered Luna.
"Shichen, you're incredible—actually taking down the Winter Shogun," Luna said, eyes sparkling, a faint flush on her cheeks.
If it weren't for the counter between them, Shichen might've wondered if she was about to leap over it.
"It wasn't much. The Winter Shogun isn't as strong as the Headless Knight," Shichen said casually.
"No, no—the Winter Shogun's way tougher than the Dullahan. At least that's how I see it."
"Yeah?"
"Mm. But that's not the point. I need to notify the kingdom so they can grant you the special reward."
"No need to make it a hassle. The standard pay is fine."
"No way. This is a big deal—and it's good for you, too. You also took out one of the Demon King's generals. The kingdom will reward you handsomely."
"Is that so…?"
"Mm-hm. It'll take a little time, though. I'll give you the regular reward first."
"Alright."
Snow sprites paid decently, but the Winter Shogun's bounty was the real prize. Not that the amount meant much to Shichen anymore.
After collecting his reward, Shichen remembered he'd be leaving Axel for a trip, so he asked, "Luna, when will the kingdom's reward arrive?"
"About a month, probably."
"That long?"
"They're busy repelling the demon forces."
"In that case, no problem. My party and I are heading out on a trip soon anyway."
"Huh? Where are you going?" Luna asked blankly.
"It's pretty cold here in Axel, so we're thinking hot springs for a few days."
"Hot springs… I'm so jealous…" Luna stared at him with longing.
"Uh… Luna, do you want to come? You could come with us."
"Really? That's grea—actually, maybe not. I've got a lot of work right now."
"I see. That's a shame."
"Boo hoo…" Luna looked like she might cry.
There wasn't much Shichen could do. After saying goodbye, he headed to the bar, ordered a fruit juice, and started waiting.
He didn't have to wait long. A short-haired tomboy in white walked into the guild.
She came in looking wary, glancing around nervously—including toward the bar. When she spotted Shichen, her face fell, and she reluctantly walked over.
"Chris, long time no see." Once Chris sat down across from him, Shichen greeted her with a smile.
The scar on Chris's face was a lot more noticeable now, though it didn't ruin her looks. Compared to her original appearance, sure, it was a step down—but she was still plenty cute.
"Yeah… long time no see…" Chris mumbled weakly.
"What's with the reluctant face?"
"What do you think?" Chris pouted.
"Don't be so put out—I just haven't seen you in a while."
"Tch~ We literally just saw each other."
"Not the same. This look—that's the real you, isn't it?"
"How do you know?" Chris shot back.
"Did you forget you just jumped into my arms?"
"T-that was an accident! And only because what you said was infuriating," Chris retorted, flustered.
"I was just curious." As he spoke, Shichen's gaze couldn't help drifting to her chest.
"Where are you looking!" Chris immediately crossed her arms to cover herself.
"Ahem, sorry—couldn't help it… But you're not padding again, are you?"
"You're so annoying! Didn't we agree not to bring that up?" Chris's face turned beet red.
"I can't help it… I mainly want to know if you're using the same pads I, uh, just took."
"…," Chris fell silent.
"Don't tell me you really are?" Shichen blinked.
"So what! Is that not allowed? I only have that one pair! What else am I supposed to do!" Chris huffed, exasperated.
Good thing there weren't any adventurers around right now.
"Of course it's fine. I don't mind," Shichen said.
"Y-you perv! How can someone who looks like you be such a perv!" Chris snapped.
"Because I'm a man."
"Tch~"
"Anyway, you don't need to pad. Small can be cute too."
"You don't understand girls at all… Can we not talk about this? Why do you always bring this stuff up with me?"
"You're a goddess. Teasing a goddess is fun."
"Shh! What if someone hears?" Chris sprang up, clapped a hand over his mouth, and darted her eyes around.
"Relax—no one's here," Shichen said, moving her hand away.
"Huh? Where did everyone go?"
"They all went to hunt snow sprites."
"Hunt snow sprites? Are they crazy? What if the Winter Shogun shows up?"
"I already took care of the Winter Shogun."
"Huh?"