Kazuma Satou, 17 years old.
Once a shut-in, he had transformed into an 「Adventurer」 — a role he saw as both romantic and potentially legendary.
In fact, their party's name was none other than 『 Hero 』 Party!
What filled him with pride was their recent achievement:
Their leader had decisively defeated the Dullahan, one of the Demon King Army's Eight Generals, spreading their party's name throughout Axel and earning them widespread recognition!
Now, just walking through the beginner's town brought them praise!
This made him giddy with excitement. Even though their leader received most of the acclaim, wasn't this still a splendid debut for their 『 Hero 』 Party?
As a party member, his chest swelled with pride!
Surely this would be the beginning of their legend in this other world! The day they would defeat the Demon King seemed within reach!
However... reality wasn't so simple.
Three months had passed since his arrival in this other world.
His journey had transformed from one of nervous excitement and anticipation for adventure into a state of confusion and despair, his days now disrupted by a group of troublesome companions.
This stark contrast had nearly shattered his wonderful fantasies about this other world.
True, they had progressed from struggling to afford food and lodging to living comfortably in a suburban mansion without taking quests.
Their living standards had improved dramatically, but defeating the Demon King? That remained a pipe dream!
After all, they hadn't even left the beginner's town yet!
These problem children were simply impossible to manage!
The challenge was overwhelming! Only now did he truly understand their leader's daily struggles!
Without meaning to, his respect for their leader grew immensely.
While others might envy someone adventuring with beautiful girls, this had only led to trouble. Jealous adventurers spread malicious rumors about him, destroying his reputation in the community.
They mockingly called him "Scumzuma", "Pervzuma", "Trashzuma", and other cruel names.
Pure slander, all of it!
He, Kazuma Satou, wouldn't stand for such accusations. He was every bit as kind-hearted and upright as their leader!
It was almos— no no, let me correct it…
It was entirely because of these problem children!
"Let's raise a modified tentacle monster!"
The woman sitting before him was named Darkness, a 「Crusader」 and one of the problem children in their party.
Though she appeared to be a cool beauty of a female knight, she was actually a hopeless pervert. Lost in her fantasies, she could slip into an emotional state at any moment.
One had to wonder if her head contained anything but questionable thoughts. Even her current suggestion was difficult to address with a straight face.
What kind of woman would want to raise a tentacle monster — the natural enemy of women?!
"What is it, Kazuma?"
"Carter-senpai wouldn't allow the party to keep such a strange monster. When he returns, he'll be angry — he might even blast you with Explosion Magic right away."
Rather than showing disappointment at his blunt rejection, Darkness's face flushed red as she squirmed in her armor, clearly lost in another fantasy.
Was she imagining the sensation of Adam's〘Explosion Magic〙blasting her?!
This raised suspicions about her true motives — she likely wanted to raise the monster just to experience the thrill of being blown up!
"Let's buy a bottle of premium bubbly wine! It's only ξ300,000 — such a bargain!"
At the guild's bar counter, Aqua stood drooling at the premium bubbly wine on display.
This blue-haired fool was their party's 「High Priest」 and part-time Goddess of Water.
You might not believe it, but she was a genuine Goddess of Water!
Her lack of intelligence made everyone dismiss her divine status. In fact, none of the party members had ever treated Aqua as a goddess!
—Except for their leader, the honorable Adam Carter.
Of course, she was also a problem child.
"Hey, Aqua, didn't Carter-senpai tell you before he left that you wouldn't get any allowance for these few months?"
"Listen here, stingy Kazuma! I'm a Goddess, and as my believer, you should be making offerings to me!"
"Who'd be a believer of an idiot goddess like you?!"
"Eh—?! How can this be!"
"Face reality, you useless goddess! Who else would want you besides Carter-senpai?!"
Kazuma ignored her tearful tantrum as she rolled on the ground, throwing harsh words at her to keep the blue-haired fool from getting too full of herself.
She'd always been this way — the more attention you gave her, the more dramatic she became. Ignoring her would make her behave normally, though she'd inevitably revert to her foolish self.
"I can't hold back anymore, hurry and give me that thick, big one!"
"Hey, wait, stupid Megumin! Don't say things that people might misunderstand!"
Beside him sat a fidgeting Crimson Demon girl clutching her staff — the party's 「Arch-Wizard」. Despite her chuunibyou tendencies, her destructive power surpassed even their leader Adam's.
This was because she knew the extremely rare top-tier magic—〘Explosion Magic〙!
However, it was the only skill she knew!
No amount of persuasion could convince her to learn any other Magic. Rain or shine, she had to cast〘Explosion Magic〙once every day.
The party had paid countless compensation fees because of this!
Like the others, she was a complete problem child! No, her mental issues exceeded even those of the female knight and high priest!
"What is it, Kazuma?"
"During Carter-senpai's absence, you've been destroying farms near Axel, making livestock escape and causing us to pay lots of compensation... right?"
"And didn't Carter-senpai specifically tell you not to destroy any nearby farms before he left?"
Originally eager for Kazuma to take her out for a satisfying〘Explosion Magic〙session, Megumin now deflated at his words.
He was right. These past two weeks, she had repeatedly snuck out to cast〘Explosion Magic〙on suburban farms, causing significant damage. Every incident was traced back to her.
The party had paid dearly in compensation.
Despite it being entirely her fault, she couldn't help herself!
"As a Crimson Demon, I need one explosion per day!!!" Megumin proclaimed her life motto, "How can you call yourself the strongest Arch Wizard without casting daily!"
"Hey! Stupid Megumin, keep your voice down!" Kazuma tried to silence her, but too late.
Her outburst had caught every adventurer's attention in the guild.
When they spotted Kazuma, their curious glances transformed into looks of disgust and contempt.
"See what I mean?! It's because of you problem children that my reputation is in ruins!" he lamented, his face crumpling in distress. "Carter-senpai, please come back soon! I miss you!"
He looked completely pathetic.
But his despair vanished in the next instant.
"While I'm flattered to be missed, it feels rather strange coming from you, Kazuma-kun."
"Eh?!" Kazuma thought his ears were playing tricks on him.
Looking up toward the guild entrance, he saw a gallant young man in white knight's attire.
He called out joyfully, as the other three women brightened with delight.
"Adam! Welcome back!" x3
The young man called back: "Oh, I'm back!"
The 『 Hero 』 Party, assembled once again!
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