[Kazuma's POV]
I did it.
I finally found a cheat in my second isekai.
With this, I reached level two in just four days.
Hehe, considering that adventurers here take decades to reach level 5, it looks like I'll soon hold the record for the fastest level-up.
Eina-san also mentioned that Familias have to report to the guild if there's a change in their members' strength. But for now, I won't report my level to the guild. I'll save this as a surprise for the upcoming War Game.
But who would have thought that magic stones could be used to upgrade my status like this? Unfortunately, I can't use this trick on others.
When I tried using it on Megumin and Darkness, their statuses didn't increase. That's because the magic stones I absorb have to pass through my body first before I transfer them to Megumin and Darkness, so they only get the magical energy inside the stones.
Besides that, I still have some leftover magic stones that I can use as a backup energy source to spam spells during the War Game.
Hehehe, with this, I'll be unbeatable.
By the way, I also got a new development ability called Mystery. According to the description, this ability lets me activate miracles and create magic items.
When I tried using it, nothing happened. Of course, that's how it is.
Creating a magic item out of thin air is like a dream within a dream. I can't just make magic items instantly. Instead, I need to gather the necessary materials and do something with them
Knock Knock Knock
"SATOU KAZUMA! SATOU KAZUMA! IS SATOU KAZUMA IN THERE?!"
While I was deep in thought, I suddenly heard knocking at the door and someone shouting outside my inn room. Even though I was a little annoyed at being interrupted, I got up and opened the door to see who was looking for me.
I opened the door and saw a dark-skinned woman with a large chest.
'Oh, she's the one whose underwear I stole yesterday. If I'm not mistaken, her name is either Tiona or Tione. I'm not sure which because they look similar, but she's definitely not Bete.'
"SATOU KAZUMA! LOKI FAMILIA HEREBY OFFICIALLY CHALLENGES AQUA FAMILIA TO A WAR GAME!"
"Oi... oi... there's no need to shout, I can hear you just fine. Don't you know it's already late, and my friends are asleep right now"
'She's mad. Of course she's mad at me. How could she not be after what I did to her? Just look at her face, as red as a chili pepper, like she's about to explode if you poked her with a needle.'
"GIVE THIS TO GODDESS AQUA. TELL HER TO ATTEND THE SPECIAL DENATUS TOMORROW AT NOON. THE GODS AND GODDESSES WILL DECIDE THE CONTENT OF OUR WAR GAME THERE."
After shouting, she threw a letter at me and left immediately.
'Geez, how rude. She must really hate me.'
Well, it's already late, and everyone's asleep.
I'll go to sleep and give this letter to Aqua tomorrow.
.....
.....
.....
"Aaaaaaaaahhh!"
I yawned while stretching my entire body. I slept really well.
I looked to the right and left. There was no one here.
It seems I was the last one to wake up.
I got ready, then headed out of my room and made my way to the cafeteria on the first floor of the inn. There, I saw Aqua, Megumin, and Darkness.
"Oi, Aqua, Megumin, Darkness, why did you guys eat without waking me up?"
"Oh, Kazuma, good morning. You looked so tired these past two days, so I thought it wouldn't be a problem to let you sleep in a bit."
Megumin answered my question without taking her eyes off her food.
"Good morning, Kazuma. Do you want something to eat?" Darkness greeted me and offered me some food.
"Yeah, thanks. I'm actually hungry too."
I accepted Darkness's offer and sat next to her.
"By the way, Aqua, here's an invitation from Loki Familia."
I handed the invitation letter to Aqua.
"Hmmm? What kind of invitation is this?"
Aqua tilted her head, wondering why she received this invitation.
"Don't you remember? Loki Familia challenged us to a War Game, and the rules will be decided at Denatus, the meeting of the gods and goddesses."
Seeing Aqua forget such an important thing worried me. I hope she doesn't make this War Game any harder.
"Hmmm, oh right, I just remembered something like that."
Aqua then opened the letter I gave her and read its contents. After she finished reading the invitation, I spoke to her.
"Aqua... make sure you set up the War Game to be more beneficial for us; don't make it harder."
"Kazuma, it seems you're underestimating me. Do you forget who I am? I am the Goddess Aqua. A War Game like this is my specialty. Even though they use a grand name like War Game, in the end, it's just gambling, right? And gambling is my expertise!"
"Ahhh, yeah... I hope you do well."
Seeing Aqua's carefree attitude didn't put me at ease. In fact, I was even more worried that she would make this War Game more difficult for me.
'Goddess Eris, I beg you, please help me'
......
[Aqua's POV]
I am the Goddess of Water.
I am the goddess responsible for guiding young souls who have died to the afterlife.
Even though I am a goddess, I don't live in heaven. Right now, I am living in the lower world with Kazuma.
Why?"
It's all Kazuma's fault.
If it weren't for him, I would still be living in heaven, enjoying myself while watching my adorable followers.
Well, after living with Kazuma for over a year, I feel like this isn't such a bad thing either. We often argue and fight every day, but that doesn't mean our relationship is bad. We rely on each other a lot. But, I just wish he could show me a little more respect.
After all, I am a goddess. I've brought him back to life countless times, but he never treats me like a real goddess.
Right now, I'm in this situation because I've been thrown into another world for the second time because of Kazuma. If it weren't for him, I would have already returned to heaven and be relaxing there.
But right now, I have to attend an event called Denatus. They say it's a special meeting for gods and goddesses, though I don't remember much about it. What I do know is that this event will discuss the War Game between my Familia and Loki Familia.
Tch, that Kazuma! He's already caused a huge problem in just a few days. And now I have to attend this event to sort out the mess he made.
Once I get back from this, I'll make sure he respects me more.
"Aquaaaaa!!"
On my way to Denatus, I heard someone calling me.
"Aquaaa!!!"
I turned around to see who was calling me. It was Hestia, the first goddess I met in this world.
"Oh, Hestia, how are you?"
"That's not important. What's more important is, have you thought of anything for the War Game against Loki Familia?"
"Of course! I've got a great idea."
"Really????"
"Huh? Hestia, are you doubting me? Just wait and see!"
...
...
.....
We walked together to the Denatus event.
During our walk, we talked about many things, but most of our conversation revolved around Loki Familia. According to Hestia, Loki Familia is very wealthy and has a huge house in the northern part of Orario.
I've made up my mind. I will challenge Loki Familia to stake their house in the War Game.
We were so focused on our conversation that we didn't realize we had arrived at the location where Denatus was being held.
As I entered, I saw many gods and goddesses I didn't recognize. To be precise, I didn't know any of the gods and goddesses here.
As I expected, they were all minor gods and goddesses with only a few followers. The major gods and goddesses wouldn't be so irresponsible as to descend to the lower world to have fun with humans.
Of course, I'm different from them; I came to the lower world not for enjoyment, but to defeat the Devil King who terrorizes humans and spreads fear. Even though I, along with Kazuma and the others, managed to defeat the Devil King, I still can't return to heaven.
The hall for the Denatus event was arranged like a colosseum. In the center of the room, there was a table with two chairs set up for the main participants of the Denatus. Meanwhile, the other gods and goddesses were seated on stone benches arranged in a rising, circular pattern.
In the middle of the room, I saw Loki sitting and waiting for me with a broad smile.
Without hesitation, I walked gracefully to the center of the room and introduced myself to all the gods and goddesses present.
"Hello everyone, I am the Goddess of Water, Aqua. I am the goddess who guides young souls who have died to the afterlife. It's a pleasure to meet you all."
After introducing myself, I sat down across from Loki.
Next to us, there was a small stage. On the stage stood a god wearing an elephant mask, acting as the MC for this Denatus.
"Alright everyone, all the main participants for this special Denatus are present, and I hereby declare that this special Denatus has officially begun!!!"
.....
"Then let's hear the bets from each Familia."
The MC of the event had invited us to speak. Since that was the case, I would take the initiative first.
"Aqua… if Loki Familia wins, Satou Kazuma will belong to us!"
But before I could speak, Loki had already jumped in ahead of me.
"Hmmm... I have no objections. In exchange, if we win, your house, Twilight Manor, will become mine."
Without hesitation, I stated what I wanted from Loki Familia. I wanted Twilight Manor.
Earlier, when I was selling Jagamaru-kun with Hestia, I had a chance to see Twilight Manor. It wasn't far from the Jagamaru-kun shop. The manor was magnificent and large, definitely a fitting place for a goddess like me.
"No way... Satou Kazuma isn't worth that much for me to stake Twilight Manor."
Loki slammed both hands on the table. It seemed she was not pleased with the bet I had proposed.
"Eeeh, but we only have three adventurers, and we've only entered a dungeon once! Don't tell me you're afraid of losing, pffffffttt!"
I tried to provoke her.
"Alright, consider this a mercy from me. But still, the adventurer named Satou Kazuma isn't worth Twilight Manor to me; you'll need to add something else for me to agree to your bet!"
"Eeeh, really? Are you serious?"
"Aah, of course! As long as what you propose is reasonable, we will accept it. Furthermore, we from Loki Familia will allow you to set the rules for this War Game."
"In that case... for this War Game, I will only send Satou Kazuma alone, while you from Loki Familia can send as many adventurers as you like."
As I said this, all the gods and goddesses were taken aback. They looked at me as if I were crazy.
"Oii, Aqua!! Are you out of your mind?! Don't joke around in such a serious situation!!"
Hestia shouted at me, trying to advise me, but I ignored her.
"Hehehe... hehehe... very well, we from Loki Familia will stake our Twilight Manor! Next, you can decide the type of War Game: duel, survival, capture the flag—you're free to choose!"
Loki smiled widely; I was sure she already believed in her mind that she would win.
"In that case, for this War Game, I want rock-paper-scissors."
(To Be Continued)