The next morning.
Chishiya opened his account.
[Chishiya Shuntaro]
[Account Balance: 100 million Eris (Convertible to Reputation Points at 100:1)]
[Remaining Reputation Points: 1.45 million]
Last night, he had made a decision—to head to the world of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime.
Mainly for staff recruitment.
With his own magic power, he might even be able to build a new faction by naming monsters.
In the anime, that adorable slime king expanded his influence by giving monsters names, turning them into loyal subordinates across multiple races.
If he copied that method, it might actually work.
Not only could he gather enough personnel, he might even establish a brand-new monster kingdom over there.
Chishiya rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
He still had 1.45 million reputation points left, which was just enough to unlock the Level 2 store.
[System Store upgrade requires 100,000 Reputation Points]
[Proceed with the upgrade?]
"Yes," Chishiya nodded.
Might as well upgrade the Labyrinth Store before heading out.
[Level 2 Store is now unlocked]
[Deluxe Architectural Blueprint Pack: 100,000 Reputation Points]
[Land Deed: 500,000 Reputation Points]
[Central Voice Transmission Pearl: 200,000 Reputation Points]
[Small Voice Transmission Bead: 1,000 Reputation Points]
Most of the deluxe blueprints were a hybrid of magical and modern architecture.
Like elevators powered by teleportation magic.
Magic street lamps. Stuff like that.
Definitely a major upgrade over the basic starter pack.
"What's this land deed?" Chishiya asked.
[Land Deed: Grants control over a 1-kilometer radius territory]
[Buildings within this territory are immune to destruction by external forces]
So by establishing a new territory, the buildings there become indestructible.
Wait…
If he had enough reputation points,
couldn't he technically claim an entire world?
Chishiya blinked.
Then glanced at the voice transmission beads.
[Central Voice Transmission Pearl: Collects data from small beads and broadcasts it outward]
[Small Voice Transmission Bead: Sends data to the central bead]
Communication tools, huh?
Perfect for setting up a communication network inside the Labyrinth.
Everything in the Level 2 Store was useful.
Not a single thing disappointed him.
And with a bit of spare reputation, it was time to make use of it.
"System, redeem everything."
"And add 50 more small voice transmission beads."
[Confirmed]
[Processing exchange…]
[Exchange complete. Items have been placed into the system inventory]
[Remaining Reputation Points: 500,000]
Looking at the land deed now resting in his system inventory, Chishiya wasn't in a rush to use it.
"When I reach the next world, I'll use this to establish a branch over there."
But that was later.
For now, his focus was recruiting more people.
And finding a way for the company to plant its roots in the Konosuba world.
Chishiya opened the door.
Just in time to see Megumin stepping out of the bathroom, drying her damp hair.
Steam still clung to her skin.
"Huh?!"
Wrapped in a bath towel, Megumin yelped and instinctively covered her chest.
She ducked behind the door with a tomato-red face, peeking out with just her head showing.
"Sensei… Sensei, when did you get back?!"
"Last night."
Chishiya massaged his temple.
Flat as a board, huh…?
"No, seriously—do you always walk around like this at home?"
Megumin stammered.
"How was I supposed to know you'd come back out of nowhere?!"
Chishiya looked around.
"Where's Rim?"
At that moment—
A barefoot pink-haired girl darted out of the bathroom and threw herself into his waist.
"Chishiya! You're back~!"
He looked down.
Then closed his eyes in silent resignation.
She wasn't even wearing a towel.
Being the Gluttonous Demon apparently came with zero awareness.
You're gonna get the wrong idea doing stuff like this…
Sure enough.
Megumin's face turned the color of a firework about to go off.
"Ah…!"
"Sensei, Sensei! You really are a pervert, huh?!"
"You brought two beautiful girls here and now the beast inside you can't be tamed anymore?!"
Chishiya silently took off his coat and draped it over Rim.
Then grabbed Megumin by the collar and hoisted her up.
"Ahhh! That hurts!"
He bonked her on the head with his fist.
"Quit saying nonsense, you brat!"
"Ow ow ow! Sensei! Mercy!"
He finally let go.
"It still hurts…"
Megumin crouched down, hugging her head and whimpering.
Chishiya sighed and rubbed his forehead.
"Come on, we're going somewhere."
"Where are we going?" Megumin asked.
"Crimson Demon Village. Time to visit your parents."
"Ehh?! Sensei, you're not… sending me back home, are you?"
"You're saying I cost too much in food expenses, so now you're kicking me out?!"
"Don't look at me like that. I can cry too, you know!"
"At worst, I'll just stop eating!"
Chishiya lightly flicked her on the forehead.
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
"You're with me now. That means I should visit your family properly with some gifts. It's called basic courtesy."
"…Oh."
Megumin clutched the edge of his sleeve tightly… then slowly let go.
So I was just overthinking it…
I thought I was getting abandoned again.
Rim came over and gently patted her head, like an older sister comforting a younger one.
"Don't worry, Megumin. Chishiya promised he'll stay with you all."
"Right, Chishiya?"
Rim looked up with that usual, blissfully clueless smile.
Chishiya blinked.
Even though her brain was basically made of food cravings, sometimes she said surprisingly sweet things.
He gave a small nod.
"Yeah. I'm not abandoning you. Relax."
Megumin lowered her head, discreetly wiping away a tear from the corner of her eye.
"…Really."
"Geez, you're making this sound way too emotional…"
She looked up suddenly, acting all tough.
"I wasn't even that worried! I'm a level 20 Arch Wizard now!"
She proudly showed him her adventurer card.
Sure enough, she had hit level 20.
With all the monsters roaming the Labyrinth and Rim helping to herd them,
Megumin had leveled up fast.
She'd completed Chishiya's goal for her in just a week.
"Not bad. Fast progress."
"In that case, I'll bring you with me next time."
"Really?!"
Her eyes sparkled like stars.
Chishiya nodded.
"Yup."
"Oh, and the mana ore I gave you last time. You still have it, right?"
"Bring it when we visit Crimson Demon Village. I'll have someone make you a new staff."
Megumin's face lit up like it was Christmas morning.
"A new staff?!"
"Sensei! You really are the best Sensei in the entire world!"
(To be continued.)
***
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