NOVEL NEXT Chapter 12: Chapter 12
Under the night sky, with the moon hanging high and casting a silvery glow across the land, a sword light flashed as Hiroshi landed on the edge of what used to be the teleportation array. Two figures, Luo Xiaobai and Kazuma Satou, appeared beside him.
Kazuma rubbed his head, slightly dizzy from the ride, and when he realized he was standing at the edge of an unfathomably deep pit, he leapt backward in fright, letting out a yelp.
"How did things go on your end?" Hiroshi asked, visibly relieved to see Luo Xiaobai and Kazuma unharmed.
Luo Xiaobai, tail twitching unconsciously, gazed at the massive crater before them. Hearing Hiroshi's question, he suddenly remembered something terrifying, and the fur on his tail stood on end. "When the explosions died down, Kazuma and I went over to check for any remaining enemies, but when we arrived, there wasn't even a single body left—everything was buried. The basin had completely disappeared, leaving only ruins."
"Exactly, exactly!" Kazuma nodded in agreement, then turned to Hiroshi, looking exasperated. "Why do all the lolis he know also loli from other worlds love explosions so much? Megumin is a total explosion maniac, and now this Blonde-haired loli you brought is even worse—she's an explosion demon lord!"
"I didn't think Klee's special bombs would be that powerful." Hiroshi scratched his head as he looked at the pit. Hovering into the air, he motioned to the two of them and flew into the crater. "The chat group already says the mission is complete, but I want to double-check if we missed anything."
Spreading his Divine Sense, Hiroshi scanned every part of the pit carefully. He found nothing out of the ordinary—only soil, debris, and water seeping from the ground. Satisfied, he returned to the others and nodded before stretching, relieved.
Kazuma watched Hiroshi return safely and glanced at the crater, still uneasy. "The mission is finally complete. You have no idea—I nearly wet myself with all those extra explosions at that spot afterward. Klee's bombs are way too much." He winced, his hands instinctively covering his lower body.
Seeing Kazuma's legs still trembling, Hiroshi gave an awkward smile. "If you're talking about the later explosions, those were actually from me," he admitted sheepishly.
Kazuma's eyes flared with anger as he turned to glare at Hiroshi. "So you were the one who scared me later?!"
"Wait a minute! I didn't see anything about explosion-type abilities on your skill list!" Suddenly recalling something, Kazuma scratched his chin thoughtfully.
"It must have been the metal attacks dropped from high altitude," Luo Xiaobai said, recalling what his master Wuxian had taught him. "I remember my master mentioning this kind of attack before."
"Falling metal attacks with that much power?" Kazuma exclaimed in surprise, raising his fist in excitement. "That means once I learn how to fly, I could bombard enemies like that too! Woohoo, my mission success rate would skyrocket. I can already see my glorious future!"
Seeing Kazuma's silly grin, Hiroshi rolled his eyes and grabbed Luo Xiaobai before taking off.
Kazuma, still laughing like a maniac, suddenly realized he was alone. He shouted after them, "You two! Take me with you! I can't fly!"
Hearing Kazuma's shouts behind them, Hiroshi and Luo Xiaobai exchanged a glance and burst out laughing, finally releasing some of the day's tension.
In the end, Kazuma had to hitch a ride on the flying sword, trembling as he held onto Hiroshi's arm, looking terrified.
When they reached the cave, Kazuma's face showed sheer relief, as though he had just survived an ordeal.
Hearing the commotion, Barbara emerged from the cave and smiled brightly, her hands clasped in prayer. "Thank the Anemo Archon for your safe return."
"Big brother, you're back! Did you defeat all the enemies?" Klee emerged from behind Barbara, running toward Hiroshi with her short legs, looking eager.
Hiroshi knelt down and patted Klee's head, smiling warmly at her rosy face. "Yes, we defeated them all. It was thanks to you that we were able to defeat so many enemies. Are you feeling better? Is there any discomfort?"
Klee hugged her Dodoco tightly, shaking her head energetically. "Klee feels great now!"
"That's wonderful." Standing up, Hiroshi turned to Barbara. "Thank you so much for helping out, Klee and you. Without you, I wouldn't have known how to deal with these monsters from another world. Truly, thank you."
Barbara shook her head modestly, looking serious. "It was our duty to help. But Honorary Knight, you and your friends took on the task of eliminating these monsters for us. We are truly grateful."
Barbara bowed deeply to the four of them. "May the Anemo Archon bless you all."
Seeing Barbara's sincere gratitude, Luo Xiaobai, Kazuma, and Kuroneko scratched their heads, blushing as they returned the bow. Kuroneko then turned to Hiroshi. "Now that the mission is complete, we should head back."
"Yes, you guys can head back now." Hiroshi waved them off, and in a flash of white light, the three of them disappeared.
Barbara watched in amazement. "They vanished… Honorary Knight, did they return to their own worlds? This chat group truly is a magical thing—it must be something only the gods could create."
Hiroshi chuckled but didn't argue with Barbara about whether or not gods could create chat groups.
Barbara looked at Hiroshi, her finger tapping her chin. "Honorary Knight, can you also use the chat group to return to your own world?"
Hiroshi looked toward the horizon, where dawn was beginning to break, and sighed. "If only I could return. I want to see my familiar home again. After all, 'falling leaves return to their roots'—it's a tradition where I come from."
Seeing the hope in Hiroshi's eyes, Barbara sincerely prayed, "May Lord Barbatos bless you with the chance to return home."
"Big brother, can I join the chat group too?" Klee tugged on Hiroshi's pants, her face full of anticipation. "Kuroneko told me a lot of interesting things. Big brother, can I join too?"
Seeing Klee's expectant face, Hiroshi knelt down and looked toward the sun, now beginning to rise. He nodded. "Once I get permission, you'll be the first person I add."
"Then let's make a promise." Klee held out her pinky finger.
Looking at Klee's small hand, Hiroshi extended his own pinky, linking it with hers as they recited together:
"Pinky promise, no changing for a hundred years. If you lie, you're a puppy."
Klee laughed happily. "Big brother, you better not lie, or you'll be a little puppy!"
Seeing Klee's cheerful laughter under the morning light, Hiroshi couldn't help but laugh along with her.
"Big brother doesn't want to be a puppy, so I definitely won't lie to you. Besides, you learn quickly, Klee. I only taught you that a couple of days ago, and you already remember."
"Of course! Klee's a genius!"
In the chat group, a notification appeared.
**[Group mission completed. Teleportation array destroyed. All members have returned. Rewards have been distributed.]**
**[Kazuma Satou received 20,000 points. Luo Xiaobai received 20,000 points. Kuroneko received 10,000 points. Hiroshi received 30,000 points.]**
**[Kazuma Satou received 10,000 experience. Luo Xiaobai received 10,000 experience. Kuroneko received 5,000 experience. Hiroshi received 15,000 experience.]**