Chapter 10: WORLDS AT EASE
Barely a minute had passed in Tokyo since Takumi fell asleep on his bed and Kirino dozed on the couch. Yet, in the Chat Group HQ's dimension, days of calm had rolled by—ample time for training, laughter, and the mundane joys of coexisting in a realm so futuristic it bordered on magic.
Takumi found himself walking down a wide boulevard in the Chat Group city, sunshine glinting off immaculate metal spires that stretched toward a pale-blue sky. The road beneath him glowed with faint neon lines—a far cry from the asphalt of his anime-blended Tokyo. Overhead, sleek airships hummed along invisible flight paths. It was a tranquil slice-of-life moment in a dimension that defied normal comprehension.
He wasn't alone, of course. Kazuma ambled at his side, the newly bestowed Utility Belt of Mediocrity strapped around his waist, various pouches holding potions, snacks, and who knew what else. Kirino trailed behind them, still fiddling with her "Aegis Bloom" bracelet, testing its layered barriers in small pulses against her palm. Ruri walked at a measured pace, black lace swaying, her obsidian crystal clipped to a choker. She occasionally cast illusions of flitting ravens or swirling shadows to amuse herself—or maybe just to show off.
They were heading to one of HQ's busiest areas: the Grand Market, a sprawling network of stalls and shops selling goods from countless dimensions. The Chat Group system might have been primarily about missions and dimensional defense, but it had its share of everyday comforts. People needed to eat, unwind, and buy gear.
"Finally, a day off," Kazuma said, yawning. "We deserve a break after that fiasco in Fuyuki and all the training that followed."
Kirino shot him a playful smirk. "Weren't you the one complaining about your item being 'just a belt'? Now you won't stop talking about that belt's pockets."
Kazuma patted one of the compartments fondly. "This belt's super handy. I stashed a few potions… and some leftover takoyaki from last night's feast."
Kirino's eyes widened. "You carried takoyaki in there? That's so random—and gross."
"Hey, I'm a resourceful adventurer."
Ruri sighed, rolling her eyes. "Adventurer indeed." She conjured a faint swirl of illusions—a small black cat bounding at her feet—just for fun. "At least you're not complaining nonstop."
Up ahead, the wide archway marking the Grand Market entrance shimmered with holographic announcements: *NEW ARRIVALS FROM THE WESTERN GALAXY* or *MAGI-TECH DEALS* and so on. Throngs of Chat Group members (or affiliates from other worlds) milled about, some in futuristic suits, others in robes or casual attire.
Takumi pressed forward eagerly, scanning the booths. A sense of wonder washed over him. Here, you could buy potions that slowed time, space suits that braved solar flares, or enchanted plushies that glowed in the dark. It was a kaleidoscope of infinite possibilities.
---
They entered the Grand Market, weaving between stalls that displayed shimmering trinkets and curious gadgets. A catlike vendor beckoned them to sample luminous fruit from an alien orchard; a mechanical vendor hawked memory crystals that stored entire libraries of knowledge.
Kazuma flipped open a belt pouch, rummaging for currency accepted in the Chat Group realm—ArcCreds, an all-purpose digital coin. "This place is dangerous for my wallet," he joked.
Kirino peered at a stand selling dimensional postcards, each depicting scenic vistas of alternate worlds. "So cool," she breathed. "We can keep these as souvenirs."
Takumi smiled at her enthusiasm. "You want one?"
She blushed slightly. "Maybe. Let's look around first."
Ruri paused at a booth displaying black-lace accessories infused with magical runes. The merchant, a petite woman with fairy-like wings, greeted her warmly. Ruri's eyes sparkled at the sight of a midnight-black choker that radiated illusions of miniature galaxies.
Kazuma snickered. "Looks perfect for you, Dark Empress."
Ruri shot him a glare but didn't deny the allure. She haggled with the merchant in hushed tones.
Takumi meandered to a neighboring stall, discovering an entire section dedicated to barrier enhancements—small crystals that could amplify or refine protective fields. He wondered if something here could complement Kirino's new Aegis Bloom. The thought made him smile—he liked supporting his friends' growth.
---
Midway through their shopping, they spotted Rimuru bounding toward them in human form, bright-eyed. "Hey guys! There's a new dessert stall by the west corner—milkshakes from a water-element world. You have to try them!"
Kirino brightened. "Desserts? I'm in!"
Kazuma eyed her. "You sure you can handle more weird dimensional flavors? Rimuru's cooking is one thing, but random stalls can get wild."
She stuck out her tongue. "I have a strong stomach. Let's go."
Rimuru led them through winding corridors of booths, each more colorful than the last. At last, they reached a small, futuristic stand with a swirling water motif. The vendor, resembling a tall amphibian with a friendly grin, offered shimmering pale-blue milkshakes topped with whipped cream.
Kirino took a tentative sip. Her eyes widened as a cool, refreshing taste flooded her mouth. "Whoa—this is… so good!"
Kazuma raised an eyebrow and sipped one. "Mmm… tastes like peppermint with a dash of who-knows-what, but it's not bad."
Ruri cradled her cup, illusions swirling around it in fascination. "Delightfully odd."
Takumi tried it too, a sweet chill dancing on his tongue. He smiled. "I could get used to this."
Rimuru patted their belly. "I'm buying a whole batch for later. Might see how it combines with slime-based dessert."
Mikoto arrived soon after, drawn by the group's chatter. Her new Conductive Aria armlet pulsed gently with each step. "Sooo, found anything interesting?"
Takumi grinned. "Plenty. This place is huge. Are you on your break from the simulation training?"
She nodded, sipping a borrowed milkshake from Rimuru. "Yeah, figured I'd join the slice-of-life moment before heading back. My new electromagnetic expansions are draining if I push them too hard."
Kirino nodded sympathetically. "At least we can rest for a bit. Not every day is a crisis—thankfully."
---
They wandered between stalls together, enjoying the casual camaraderie. The conversation turned to a comedic banter about daily life in the Chat Group world.
Kazuma groaned about how a drone spilled coffee on him earlier. Mikoto recounted an odd friend she made in HQ's engineering sector who builds robots shaped like giant cats. Rimuru tried to rally them to form a "weekly cooking circle" to test cross-dimensional recipes.
Kirino giggled, imagining Ruri chanting ominous curses over a pot of stew. Ruri merely huffed, swearing she wouldn't degrade her arcane arts for trivial cooking.
Takumi soaked it in, heart warm. They were still the same ragtag group of misfits—and that's what made them so endearing.
---
Eventually, they reached a sleek storefront with glass walls showcasing advanced Chat Group gadgets—personal hoverboards, wrist-holo terminals, spell-laced earphones, you name it. Mikoto pressed her face to the glass, intrigued by a fancy Ion-Slicer skateboard.
"I've always wanted to try one of these," she admitted, eyes bright. "Imagine zipping around HQ on it!"
Kirino nudged her. "Go for it. Not like we're short on ArcCreds after all these missions."
Mikoto pondered. "Huh, maybe. But I need something stable for all my sparks. Think it'd short-circuit?"
Kazuma, rummaging in his belt, whipped out a credit device. "If you buy one, we can do races through the HQ halls, haha."
Ruri rolled her eyes. "Must you two turn everything into a competition?"
Mikoto smirked. "Competition is the spice of life."
Takumi joined them inside the store, scanning rows of advanced devices. An unobtrusive booth in the corner displayed new energy synergy modules—small chips that could slot into powers like Takumi's teal orb or Kirino's barrier bracelet. The store clerk offered polite smiles, explaining features.
Kirino looked at Takumi, excitement dancing in her eyes. "Think we should upgrade our gear again?"
He rubbed his chin. "We just got them. Might be better to master the basics first. But we can keep an eye on these add-ons for later."
She agreed, though her gaze lingered on a module labeled *Multi-Shield Accelerator* with clear longing.
---
As the day wore on in HQ's dimension—still mere minutes in real-world time—they decided to visit a newly opened "Pleasure Garden" in HQ: an indoor park with lush greenery, artificial sunlight, and tranquil ponds brimming with fish from different dimensions. The Chat Group city wasn't all metal spires and neon—some areas recreated natural beauty from various worlds.
A broad walkway encircled a crystal-clear pond where fish shimmered in pastel tones. Giant lily pads drifted lazily, occasionally glimmering with faint magical lights. Overhead, artificial sun beams cascaded from a radiant globe that mimicked a mild midday sky.
Rimuru crouched by the pond, enthralled by the multi-colored fish. "Reminds me of a slime-lake I visited once. So calm."
Kazuma stretched out on a bench, eyes half-lidded. "This is paradise. I could nap here for a week."
Kirino, equally mesmerized, snapped photos on her phone to show her friends back in Tokyo—though she'd have to be careful not to reveal the Chat Group's biggest secrets.
Mikoto found a vantage point atop a smooth boulder, gazing at the artificial sunshine. "It's so real. You'd never guess we're inside a giant city dimension."
Takumi joined her. "After all the battles and training, it's nice to just breathe."
She nodded softly. "Yeah… we don't often get to just hang out. Usually, we're dealing with crises."
Kirino overheard, adding, "And it's only going to get tougher once new missions appear." She turned to Takumi. "We should enjoy these quiet moments while we can."
He agreed, letting the serenity seep into his bones.
---
After their stroll through the garden, they ended up at HQ's Game Corner, a leisure zone equipped with illusions and advanced tech that allowed immersive gaming experiences. It was a cross between a VR arcade and a fantasy simulation chamber.
"Now this is more my speed," Kazuma said, eyes shining. "We can blow off steam in some co-op VR quests."
Kirino perked up. "Wait, you're saying there's a VR game that simulates a fantasy dungeon or something?"
Mikoto shrugged. "I tested it once—swordfights, puzzle rooms, giant boss monsters. Might be fun."
Takumi laughed. "A game that simulates basically what we do for real? But sure, why not."
They hopped into a 4-person scenario—Kirino, Takumi, Kazuma, and Mikoto—while Ruri and Rimuru opted to observe from the control panel, occasionally throwing illusions or commentary into the mix.
In moments, they were transported to an illusory medieval keep, armed with conjured weapons. Kazuma brandished a broad sword, ironically labeling it "Sword of Mediocrity." Kirino held a staff that conjured protective wards. Mikoto manipulated electric-laced daggers, while Takumi used a teal-energy bow.
The next hour was a blur of playful banter and comedic brawls with illusory goblins and puzzle traps. Kazuma triggered half the traps by rushing ahead. Kirino shrieked when a giant spider leapt out, flailing her staff to cast random barriers. Mikoto teased them relentlessly, unleashing lightning strikes. Takumi tried to coordinate them, but chaos reigned.
They eventually reached the boss—a hulking troll mage casting illusions. Kirino deployed her multi-layer shield to guard the group, while Mikoto hammered the troll with electric daggers, and Takumi fired shimmering energy arrows. Kazuma—ever the comedic hero—kept shouting about loot.
When the troll fell, they collapsed in laughter, the illusions dissipating to reveal the Game Corner's sleek chamber.
"Now that," Kazuma wheezed, "was a good time."
Takumi wiped sweat from his brow. "I think we did more yelling than strategizing."
Kirino smiled wide. "But it was so fun. I needed that."
---
As the "day" in HQ stretched into evening (though only an instant in Tokyo), they decided on a communal dinner in a lounge overlooking the city lights. A large, domed window showed the futuristic skyline, now illuminated with neon hues and drifting airships.
Rimuru volunteered to cook again, conjuring new recipes with their Alchemist's Cauldron set. This time, the meal included spicy slime stew with magical peppers that flickered in color, plus a side of fluffy bread from a dimension of wheat-based magic. Everyone took seats around a circular table.
Kazuma was quick to taste-test, praising the stew's flavor. "Hot, but not overwhelming. Good job, Rimuru."
Kirino broke off a piece of bread, nibbling thoughtfully. "I've never had such an exotic meal. It's… weird but in a great way."
Ruri sipped a dark tea, illusions drifting around her. "A calm dinner with friends. I suppose the forces of darkness can wait."
Mikoto tapped her new armlet absentmindedly, eyeing the city below. "You know, I used to think the Chat Group was all about missions and saving worlds. I never realized we'd get downtime like this."
Takumi nodded. "Me neither. But I'm glad we do. It makes everything more… balanced."
Rimuru lifted their teacup. "To a well-deserved respite!"
They clinked cups in agreement, the gentle hum of the city outside a comforting backdrop.
---
As they finished dinner, Kazuma rummaged in his belt for dessert. "I stashed some pudding from that milkshake stall earlier," he announced triumphantly. "Anybody want a taste?"
Mikoto wrinkled her nose. "That's been in your belt all day?"
"It's a magical belt—temperature controlled," he insisted.
Kirino tentatively took a spoonful, bursting into laughter when it turned out to be delicious. Even Ruri caved, sampling a bit after initial skepticism. The table filled with chatter and laughter—a slice-of-life moment bridging countless realities.
Takumi watched them, heart warm. The Chat Group was more than an organization—it was a surrogate family. They protected each other, teased each other, and found genuine companionship in the swirling chaos of their multi-dimensional tasks.
At length, Kirino yawned, pressing the back of her hand to her mouth. "I think I'm about to pass out from food and exhaustion. Time difference or not, my body's saying it's bedtime."
Mikoto nodded in agreement. "Same. Let's head back soon. Another day of normal life awaits, I guess."
Ruri flicked her hair over a shoulder. "I have illusions to perfect in the simulation chamber tomorrow morning. Mustn't be late for my own training."
Rimuru waved them off. "I'll clean up here. Thanks for the company."
Kazuma, half-lidded eyes, smirked. "Don't get too comfortable, folks. Next mission might pop up any time."
Takumi grinned. "We'll be ready."
---
In a swirl of system energy, they found themsPokemon back in Takumi's apartment—mere seconds after they'd left. The clock barely advanced. The city outside was still caught in the same early evening glow.
Kirino shook her head, marveling. "Every time… it's like time travel."
Takumi stretched. "I know. It's both convenient and disorienting."
Mikoto brushed imaginary dust off her uniform. "Well, I'm off to find a capsule hotel or something. I want to explore this city's arcades tonight, see if they differ from my dimension's."
Kazuma shrugged. "I'll teleport back to HQ soon. Got my own place there. But maybe I'll poke around for some local cuisine."
Kirino parted with them, saying she'd head home to check on personal errands. "I have a modeling gig tomorrow," she reminded them. "But text me if something happens."
They each filed out into the hallway, bantering quietly. Soon, it was just Takumi in his apartment, quiet settling over the space once more.
He wandered to his bedroom window, gazing at the Tokyo skyline. Neon signs glowed in the distance, hawking new anime releases and pop idol concerts. His phone buzzed—a simple text from Kirino: *Thanks for the slice-of-life day. I needed that.*
He replied with a smile: *Me too. Rest well.*
Then, setting his phone aside, he let the day's events wash over him. The calm, the shared laughter, the knowledge that they stood stronger together after so many trials. A day of rest in the Chat Group dimension had done wonders for their spirits.
Though new challenges were surely on the horizon—dimensional rifts, unknown enemies, further training—for this brief interlude, they'd tasted a normal, almost carefree existence.
Takumi climbed into bed, a slight grin tugging at his lips. In a world where five minutes spanned a week in another dimension, time was both an ally and a puzzle. Yet, as he drifted into sleep, he felt a rare sense of contentment.
They might be cosmic defenders, but they were also just friends seeking moments of joy in between crises.
He wouldn't trade it for anything.