"Megumi-chan, your face is so red. Are you feeling sick?"
Hiromi was aware of her little sister's near-invisible presence and her poker face, so she didn't immediately think it was from embarrassment.
"It's nothing, sis. I'm just a little hot."
Megumi Kato replied calmly.
"Well, the weather is pretty warm today. Why don't you take a bath?"
"Mm."
...
When Rei Ao arrived home, the chat group sent a new notification.
[Ding! Shizue Izawa has joined the chat group!]
[Ding! Suzairugirzegaruneru-
-buzegirureaguranzeruga Eruga has joined the chat group!]
New members had joined the chat group, but that name...
Mai Sakurajima walked out of the room with a perplexed expression. "Ao-kun, this new member's name... it's so long."
It really was long. Even the other members of the chat group started commenting on the name.
Stella: "Hey! What kind of ridiculous name is that? It's way too long!"
Stella: "I've met a lot of royalty and nobility, but I've never seen a name this long."
Frieren: "It's my first time seeing something like this too. Is it a fake name?"
Elf: "Please call me Elf."
Frieren: "? Are you an elf?"
Elf: "Yes, I am."
Shizue Izawa: "Elf... I have a Fire Spirit inside my body too."
Rei Ao: "Let's just call you Sui. Frieren is also an elf."
Rei Ao used his authority to change her nickname. He already knew who these new members were.
[Name]: Sui
[Level]: 25
[Abilities]: 'Elf Bloodline,' 'Elf Magic'
This was Sui from 'Uncle from Another World.'
[Name]: Shizue Izawa
[Level]: 22
[Abilities]: 'Elemental Magic,' 'Elf Magic,' 'Fire Spirit,' 'Demon Lord's Blessing,' 'Summon Magic: Flame Lord'
And this was Shizue Izawa from 'That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime.'
Two people from different fantasy worldswhat a coincidence.
Sui: "..."
The orange-haired elf girl sat by a campfire, staring at the chat group in a daze.
"Sui..." It was the first time anyone had called her that. Was it too familiar?
This chat group was amazing, with people from different worlds!
Saeko Busujima: "Do all the new members have elf traits?"
Frieren: "If you don't mind, could you send a picture? I'd like to see what elves from other worlds look like."
Sui: "A picture?"
Shizue Izawa: "A picture..."
Shizue sat up in her tent, removing her mask to reveal her beautiful face. She found the chat group to be quite peculiar.
"A picture?"
She quickly learned how to use the chat group, opened the camera feature, and sent a selfie.
Shizue Izawa: "[Picture]"
Shizue Izawa: "Sorry for the misunderstanding earlier. I am not an elf, but a Flame Lord, possessed by a fire spirit."
Sui: "Oh! I figured it out!"
Sui: "[Picture]"
Sui also sent a selfie, illuminated by the firelight.
Ayame Yomogawa: "So pretty."
Mai Sakurajima: "Indeed, very beautiful."
Shizue Izawa: "Thank you for the compliment."
Sui: "Please don't comment on my appearance. It makes me shy."
Frieren: "Sui does look quite similar to the elves in my world."
Frieren: "However, the Fire Spirit Shizue mentioned doesn't seem to be the same as the spirits I know."
Frieren: "If you don't mind, could you tell me more about the spirits and the demons from your world?"
Shizue Izawa: "..."
Rei Ao: "You don't have to answer if it brings up painful memories."
Rei Ao was familiar with Shizue's tragic past. She was a poor girl with a sad history.
"My past?"
Shizue's expression became distant.
Shizue Izawa: "Actually, I'm not originally from this world..."
She had been summoned to another world by the Demon Lord Leon Cromwell and given the name "Shizue." In order to survive, she had been possessed by the Fire Spirit Ifrit, transforming her from a human into a Flame Demon. After being rescued by the hero Chloe, she stayed in a town, helping people as an adventurer and teacher. However, due to losing control of Ifrit, she distanced herself from humans, seeking out Demon Lord Leon. This was her story.
Frieren: "I see."
Frieren: "Summoned to another world by a Demon Lord, with a Fire Spirit as a powerful entity."
Frieren: "Wait, Demon Lords? Does your world have demon races too?"
Rei Ao: "Alright, that's enough."
Rei Ao: "Her world is different from yours, with different concepts of demons and Demon Lords."
Frieren: "I just wanted to learn more..."
Rei Ao: "You'll have time to discuss this later. For now, as the group leader, I'd like to welcome you both to the chat group."
Rei Ao: "You're also free to make requests for help with anything you need through the group."
Sui: "A trade Hmm, I don't really need anything right now."
Stella: "@Shizue Izawa, didn't you mention you were having trouble controlling the fire spirit?"
Shizue Izawa: "Yes, but... wouldn't that trouble Rei Ao?"
Stella: "He's probably hoping someone would trade with him!"
Shizue Izawa: "..."
Shizue Izawa: "No, it's fine. The Fire Spirit Ifrit is too dangerous."
Mai couldn't help but comment.
"It's clear that Shizue-san is a kind person."
Rather than burden others, she chose to bear the risk of the fire spirit's power alone. Even in difficult circumstances, she didn't want to inconvenience strangers.
Mai looked at Rei Ao. "Shouldn't you help her?"
Rei Ao shrugged. "You saw it yourself. If she doesn't want to trade, there's nothing I can do."
"Besides, are you really so eager to offer up your boyfriend to someone else?"
He teasingly ran his hand along Mai's waist, making her giggle.
"Stop~"
"There's more to trading than just the body."
Seeing Rei Ao about to act mischievously again, Mai quickly pulled away from his hand.
"I'm going to make dinner!"
Rei Ao didn't stop her. He didn't actually plan to get too handsy in the doorwayat least not against her wishes.
But as he watched Mai busily moving around, he stroked his chin and casually remarked, "Mai, maybe you should try cooking in nothing but an apron someday?"
"Wham!"
Mai's hand holding the knife froze. She turned slowly, her eyes scanning Rei Ao's lower half with a dangerous glint. "Don't distract me while I'm making dinner."
Rei Ao raised his hands in surrender, but there was a playful smile on his face. After all, Mai hadn't outright rejected the ideathere was hope!
...
Next door to Rei Ao's house, Gabriel was having a troubled day.
After returning home, she immediately turned on her computer and opened her game, eager to continue saving the suffering game world. Yesterday, after spending money to buy a powerful staff, she had successfully healed and saved many lives. The gratitude she received made her feel fulfilled.
But now, she had encountered a problem. Her staff's power wasn't enough to save someone.
"Angel... your staff can't heal me... I... I'm going to die..."
An elderly NPC spoke these words, gravely wounded.
Gabriel urgently tried using her staff's healing power again and again, but the green light flickered, and finally, a message popped up on her screen:
[Mars is under a high-level demon's curse. Only the highest-level healing magic can save him!]
"!!!"
Gabriel immediately understood the problem. She checked her equipment, seeing that her current staff only had "Basic Healing Magic."
"How can I get the highest-level healing magic?"
Frustrated, Gabriel clicked around until she found the solution.
"Found it!"
She spotted a magnificent staff in the shop, even more extravagant than her current one, with the ability to cast the highest-level healing spell.
Its name? The Staff of God.
~~~
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Chapter 66: Gabriel Depravity, Esdeath's Challenge
Gabriel's eyes lit up with excitement.
She was convinced that acquiring this staff would definitely save that character. She clicked to get it.
'Biu'a new screen popped up.
It was a lavish purchase ad, and then Gabriel saw the price of the staff.
Tens, hundreds, thousands"9,999?!"
(Note: Prices in this book are based on RMB; currency conversions are too much trouble.)
"That's so expensive!"
Gabriel almost jumped out of her seat. She remembered her angelic staff had only cost 6 yuan. Over time, she had also bought some smaller items for a few dozen or hundred yuan. How could this staff suddenly cost 9999?
Her monthly living expenses, including rent, only came to 3000 yuan. Even though doing good deeds increased her allowance, she simply couldn't afford it!
"Sigh."
Just as she was about to close the purchase screen, a sorrowful voice came from the screen.
"Angel... I'm dying..."
'Beep beep beep!'
Her angel radar went off like crazy.
As an angel, how could she stand by and let someone die?!
Gabriel bit her lip, now in a dilemma. Should she ask Raphiel or Vignette for a loan? But then she dismissed the thoughtboth Raphiel and Vignette didn't have much money either.
In heaven, angels had to do good deeds to increase their monthly allowance. Demons, on the other hand, needed to do "bad deeds." However, the underworld had evolved over time. While demons still needed to commit "bad" acts to keep their demonic status, the severity had lessened considerably. Nowadays, something like showing up late for school could count as a serious misdeed. Vignette, who was kind, beautiful, and always willing to help, could have easily been an archangel if she weren't a demon. But because she was a demon, her allowance was pretty limited.
Gabriel pondered. "Maybe Satania would have some money?"
But she shook her head at that idea too.
"No way. That idiot would look down on me if I borrowed from her."
Gabriel didn't even notice that her attitude had changed from before, and her angelic halo seemed to dim slightly.
"Is there anyone else I could ask?"
Just then, an idea flashed through her mind.
"Rei Ao!"
Oh right, she almost forgot. She knew a real human, and he lived next door.
Glancing at the screen with the coughing old man, Gabriel made up her mind.
"Don't worry. I'll definitely save you!"
...
'Ding dong!'
In the end, Gabriel nervously rang Rei Ao's doorbell.
After a moment, 'click'the door opened, and Rei Ao appeared, looking puzzled.
"Gabriel, is there something urgent this late?"
She was clearly fidgeting, her fingers nervously twirling. Anyone could tell she had something heavy on her mind.
"Uh, um, Ao-san, could I borrow some money?"
Gabriel stammered, embarrassed as she voiced her request.
"Hmm?"
Rei Ao raised an eyebrow, giving her a once-over.
"Even angels can run out of money?"
"Well, heaven provides us just enough for our needs," Gabriel said, scratching her head in embarrassment.
"Then why are you short this time?"
Rei Ao narrowed his eyes. He already had an idea of what she was up to.
"Uh..."
Under his scrutinizing gaze, Gabriel felt even more uncomfortable. After a moment of hesitation, she took a deep breath and bowed deeply.
"Ao-san, please come to my place. I really need your help with something important!"
"Alright."
Rei Ao agreed without hesitation. Turning back, he called out to the dining table where Mai was seated.
"Mai, I'm going over to Gabriel's place for a bit. I'll be back soon."
"Okay, don't take too long, or I'll eat everything," Mai teased.
Though she was joking, she knew her boyfriend was a bit too fond of women. However, she didn't think he would make a move on the angel next doorat least not easily.
"Here are the slippers, please come in."
Gabriel handed Rei Ao a pair of slippers and led him to her room. As Rei Ao took in the simple, neat decor, he noticed it was still tidy and clean. This suggested that Gabriel hadn't fully descended into laziness yet.
Gabriel sat him down in front of her computer and pointed to the screen.
Seeing what was on it, Rei Ao wasn't surprised. In fact, he had already expected this.
"So, you're borrowing money to buy this game item?" he asked, pointing to the screen.
"Uh..."
Gabriel felt awkward but nodded seriously, hands clasped together in prayer as her wings unfurled and she radiated holy light once more.
"..."
Rei Ao's expression turned strange. She was seriously trying to "save" an in-game character designed to bait people into spending money. He thought it was absurd.
Seeing her persistence, Rei Ao came up with an idea.
"Ahem."
He cleared his throat and said, "I can lend you the money."
"Great! He will surely thank you for saving him!" Gabriel's eyes sparkled with excitement, eager to get her divine staff.
"No."
Rei Ao shook his head.
"You'll be the one saving him, not me. I'm just lending you the money, but you have to pay it back."
"I will! I'll pay it back as soon as I can!" Gabriel quickly promised.
Rei Ao pondered for a moment. "I trust an angel's word. But, I'd still like to have a contract, just to be safe."
"A contract?"
Gabriel thought for a moment, then conjured a beautifully ornate piece of paper out of thin air.
"This is a three world contract. It holds significant power. You can write your terms on it."
"Impressive," Rei Ao said, taking the contract and sensing its unusual power. He believed Gabriel wasn't lying and began drafting the terms.
After a while, the contract was ready.
"Huh?"
Gabriel was surprised when she saw the terms:
[1. Gabriel can borrow money from me anytime.]
[2. Each borrowed amount must be repaid within three months.]
[3. The total amount Gabriel can borrow cannot exceed 150,000 yuan.]
[4. If Gabriel fails to meet the terms of #2 or #3, she must unconditionally agree to one request from Rei Ao.]
"The first, third, and fourth terms seem a bit unnecessary," Gabriel said, thinking she only needed to borrow once and could easily repay it within three months.
Rei Ao, however, didn't share her optimism. Considering how addictive these kinds of games were, he knew she was headed down a slippery slope.
"Just think of it as my safety net," Rei Ao said with a shrug. "Agree, and I'll lend you the money."
Gabriel hesitated, but just as the elderly character on the screen pleaded for help again, her resolve strengthened.
"Okay, I'll agree."
Driven by impulse, Gabriel signed her name and pressed her hand to the contract, confident that she would repay the loan.
"Great, hand over the contract."
After pocketing the contract, Rei Ao smirked, satisfied that his plan was now in motion. He transferred the money to Gabriel.
