2

Comrades

At a Certain Inn

Mark just woke up at around 5 am. He was currently wearing black shorts, a gray T-shirt and wore black running shoes. He was able to produce these with his new skill. It was the skill, "Soldiers Daily Needs". He can create new clothes and basic needs as long as it is military related stuff. It only cost him one skill point.

After leveling up to lvl 7, he got access to a few more skills and weapons. He also learned that he had a passive ability called "Sadist", that can recover mana on enemy kills. The mana depends on how strong the enemy is and mana capacity he has. If he already has full mana it will not add more.

Mark also unlocked a default useful skill called, "Refill Ammo". Like the name suggests it refills the ammo of the weapon he is currently equipped. He used his extra points on the skills at the Equipment Armory category, "Frag", "Flash Grenade", and "Claymore".

Claymores are motion detonated explosives. Any enemy that comes close to the front of it will set it off. The explosion will blast in a forward motion, killing anything close to it. He produced 5 claymores, 4 frags and 4 flashbangs.

His remaining mana was used to create the M4A1 he wanted. He attached a "Holographic Sight" on it for better aiming. It also required a skill point to unlock and mana to produce. But thankfully his leveling increased his mana pool a bit.

Mark was just finished warming up before going for a jog. His route was around the edge of the town Axel. As he left his room, he took a glance at the door on the next room beside him.

'I bet she's still sleeping huh? I hope someday I can try and invite her on a jog.'

The boy started jogging. As he passed by some houses, he saw some people were already fixing up their shops. He breathed through the freshest air he ever felt. The air back in his world was nothing like this.

The reason for him was not only because he was used to it, but because of the new skill category that was unlocked. It opened up the perks that can be learned through skill. But what is more interesting about these skills is that they can be upgraded through a certain condition. For example the perk "Extreme Conditioning". It requires sprinting 20 miles for it to unlock "Extreme Conditioning Pro".

The "Extreme Conditioning" perk allows him to run twice as long as the usual. Having the pro version makes him climb over things faster.

Unfortunately, He only had enough to unlock two perks. The other one was the "Sleight of Hand" perk. This allows him to reload weapons faster. The Pro version can make him swap between his primary and secondary weapons faster. It requires him to kill 120 enemies while using this perk to unlock the pro one.

After jogging for about one hour, he sprinted back to the inn as one last spur. He was thinking of cooling off before taking a bath. When he was about to open the door, the door next to his opened up and revealed a little sleepy Yunyun in her pajamas.

"Huh? I thought I heard someone but it was just you. What were you doing this early in the morning" She said as she was on the verge of yawning.

"Ah, Sorry if I woke you up. I just finished my morning jog, you can go back to sleep if you want to."

"Y-Yeah…" was all Yunyun said before coming back inside her room. Mark also went to his room and prepared his stuff. What the boy didn't know is that the girl didn't go straight for her bed. She rested her back against the door she closed and thought,

'I wish you could've invited me. I guess you haven't trusted me yet…'

At the Adventurers Guild

It was still early in the morning, the two decided to come to the guild together. There were only a few people inside when they came in. They two ate breakfast before checking any new quest. Mark was thinking of taking an easy one for today. He wanted to test his M4A1 for the first time in this world.

"Oh, that gun is different from the one yesterday Mark." Yunyun said before taking another bit on her food.

"You noticed? Yeah, this one is much more convenient than the shotgun. It has more range, fires faster and holds more bullets!" Mark informed in a proud way.

Yunyun looked at the gun carefully, but still couldn't grasp how it was any stronger than the other one. She saw the shotgun kill a rookie killer with one shot.

"Hmm… I wish I could know more about these "guns" you call."

Mark immediately stopped eating upon hearing her say that, as if it triggered something within him. He grabbed both her hands and looked her in the eyes with passion.

"You could! I could teach you about these guns and even train you how to use it! It's quite easy to use if you get used to it!"

"R-Really? But why would you do something so troublesome for me?" The mage girl was surprised with the soldier boy's sudden actions but didn't mind much.

"You see, I would like to share my passion with guns to others. And I think I would feel better if you have something to defend yourself when you're out of mana." Mark informed while scratching his head and continued, "But I couldn't just give guns to anyone. I need to trust that person a lot."

"H-Huh? y-you trust me?" Yunyun's voice was weaker than usual.

"Of course I do. We fought beside each other against dangerous beasts and…"

Mark stopped talking when she saw tears flowing down her cheeks. He panicked, thinking that he said something that offended her. "I'm sorry! Did I say something weird?"

Yunyun wiped her tears and said, "No… I was just happy that you said that. No one has ever said that they would trust to that extent. But still, this is your fault."

"Eh! R-Right it is my fault. How could I make it up to you then?" Mark was thinking how making her happy was his fault.

"Then… You could try to invite me when you go on a jog again." Yunyun requested. Mark didn't expect to ask that, but still he was happy she did.

"If that is what you want, then I'm more than happy to do so." Mark replied with a smile. They continued eating breakfast, but something was on Yunyun's mind.

'Why did I do that?! That wasn't like me! I was really pushing it this time, he could have been weirded out by me… but I feel like that won't happen, I think I could trust him too.'

After finishing their meal, they headed to the quest board and took the easiest one. It was to kill five or more giant toads. Mark was curious on how big can toads grow here.

Just outside the town of Axel

Mark was admiring how big those toads are as it hopped towards them. 'Now that is a giant toad.' he thought. They were at an open field with a few toads in sight.

Not wasting any seconds, Mark aimed at its head fired, hoping to somehow hit the brain. He was on semi-auto, not wanting to waste too much bullets. A deafening crack of thunder was heard throughout the plains as he took the first… second… shot and so on. It took five to six bullets to take one down.

With the noise the gun made, more toads were attracted to them and attacked. But the two wouldn't let them close to them by a long shot. Especially Yunyun, who started to cast a spell.

"Light of Saber!"

In an instant, five giant toads exploded and were killed in a glorious manner. Mark was impressed but wouldn't let her out shine him. He continued picking them off, one by one.

Crack…

Gunshot and spells were heard for a couple of minutes before all of the Giant Toads in sight were gone. They at least counted 20 of them. The two made a high five to celebrate their accomplishment. But Mark wasn't finished, he still had plans for today.

"Uhm, Yunyun. It's still early, why don't we use this free time to train on how to use a gun."

"Really?! If it's alright with you then sure!" The girl liked the idea. She thought that if she could somehow master it, she could be more of a useful partner to Mark. The set up at the edge of the open field, near the forest.

First, Mark taught her the skill "Gun", which allows the use of guns. Next, Mark set up a shooting range for her with wood and some paint. After that he explained to her the basic safety use of a gun and it's mechanics.

The first gun was the Five Seven. Yunyun held the gun while Mark fixed her stance.

Bang!

The mage girl was surprised by the recoil but didn't affect her that much. She kept shooting until the 16 round magazine was empty. After that, she removed the magazine and gave the gun back to the soldier boy.

"That felt good!"

"I'm sure it did. Here's another mag." Mark gave the gun to Yunyun again, and loaded it with another magazine. They kept on practicing and ran through six whole cartridges. Her aim improved with each one.

After the pistol, Mark then lended her the M4A1. He explained how the rifle works and how it is different from the pistol. Explaining that it had three modes: Safety, Semi-Auto, and Full-Auto. Yunyun understood quickly and was excited to shoot it.

Crack…

The mage girl first started with the semi-auto. She felt more kick to it than the pistol, but was much easier to aim. Two magazines were spent with her practice at that mode. She was enjoying it more and more.

Next mode was the Full-Auto. Mark heavily emphasized Yunyun to hold the gun firmly with this one. She nodded and aimed ahead. As she carefully squeezed the trigger, a continuous shot fired.

CRACKsss CRACKsss CRACKsss…

Yunyun's aim went up as she fired six shots. She wasn't expecting to be a little uncontrollable. Her heart was beating fast and she was a little shaken. But she still continued to fire until she used all of the bullets in the magazine.

"One more time." The mage girl wiped her sweat as the barrel let out smoke at the end. The soldier boy gave her the magazine and she inserted it by herself.

While she was doing that, Mark was thinking something important. 'Hmm… What gun should I give to her? It must be something cool and iconic while at the same time reliable and easy to use. Something that matches her… Yunyun… Yunyun… Union… Ah. That's it! Soviet Yunyun! (Soviet Union)." He laughed at his own joke. "A russian made gun, An AK-47! That would be perfect for her. But I need to be level 24 to unlock it…"

"Firi…" was all she could say, before a large tongue wrapped itself around her and pulled her and the rifle to the forest. A giant toad hiding in the woods manages to take Yunyun and eat her upper body, making her legs stick out.

"Ah. Yunyun!" Mark was shocked himself as he was snapped out of his thoughts. 'Dammit! If I was just more cautious…' He ran towards and saw the giant toad slowly devouring Yunyun.

Mark brought out his pistol and pointed at the stomach of the toad before realizing he spent all of his rounds. He was just about to use the "Refill Ammo" skill when he heard gunshots inside the amphibian.

After a few seconds the toad died and fell over. Mark used this opportunity to pull out Yunyun with her legs still sticking out, revealing a slime covered mage girl holding the M4A1. Yunyun silently stood up and looked at the dead toad.

"Uhm, Yunyun?" Mark said but didn't get a reply. Yunyun however grunted and stared daggers at the toad before firing at it again.

"Why you!" The girl shouted with teary eyes. She emptied all the rounds until she calmed down.

Mark slowly approached her due to the fact that she went berserk at the amphibian. He can understand why, being eaten alive by a giant toad and being covered in smelly slime. I mean, who wouldn't?

"Sorry, I went overboard there for a second. I think I'll head for the baths now." Yunyun said as she was trying to hand over the also slimy rifle.

"W-Why don't you keep that for now, and maybe try to wash it with you. I'll go to the guild and turn in the quest while you rest." Mark felt sorry for the girl, experiencing something horrifying.

"Yeah, see you later then." Yunyun replied in a dead tone. They walked back to town while Mark kept his distance. The smell was just too much.

At the Adventurers Guild

Mark just finished reporting the quest and got the reward. He decided to give the half to Yunyun later. It was still around lunch, so he decided to eat. As he was looking for a table, he saw a little girl, dressed up as a wizard, sitting alone. She looked depressed and starving, considering how she looked at those who are eating. The soldier boy decided to talk to her.

"Hello, My name is Mark. I can't help noticing that you looked kinda sad. Can I help you in anything?" Mark said politely, hoping that he can have a new friend.

"Ah… Do you mind treating me to lunch? I bet you wouldn't…" The girl gave up on the idea.

"Sure. Why not? Order anything you like" Mark confident with his money. Thanks to the last quest he had, he had at least half million eris. He would have had more if he didn't insist Yunyun to take half of the reward.

The girl didn't hesitate and ordered as fast as she could. She ordered all the food that she could. When the food arrived, Mark was thinking on how she could eat all of that. If she could, where did all the food go.

While waiting for her to finish, the boy looked at his status again. He was now level 10. He got a few skill points and a few new skills were available for unlocking. The ones he unlocked are "Body Armor", "Air Strike", and "Silencer".

The "Body Armor" skill is from the equipment armory category, which can make him create body armor just like what he is wearing. It acts like a magical armor instead of a normal one, able to take all the damage the user receives without injuring them. Has a hitpoint and can break.

'Well I don't need it for now because the one I'm wearing is still functional. Maybe I could give one to Yunyun for protection. That would be nice.' He thought while imagining the mage girl in body armor.

The "Airstrike" skill is from the equipment air support category. The user must throw an Air Support Marker to mark the target for an AC-130 above. After marking, the AC-130 gunship will fire a barrage of explosives in the marked area.

'Again, where the hell will that plane come from! I really must check it some time.'

The last skill was an attachment called "Silencer". Self explanatory, It can be attached to any suitable weapons. Mark then remembered that guns can level up too as long as they use them on the enemy. The guns also have their own skills called, "Proficiencies". His Model 1887 leveled up to 6 and equipped it with "Damage" and "Classic Camouflage". Also self explanatory.

After fixing his skills up the little girl also finished eating. Mark looked at the girl carefully and kinda reminded him of someone. The girl then stood up, grabbed her staff and did a pose, which made Mark remember who he was reminded of.

"My name is Megumin! My calling is that of an arch wizard, one who controls explosion magic, the strongest of all offensive magic!" She introduced as her eyes glowed vibrant red. The boy was thinking if all magic users were like that. "I offer my thanks to you for your kindness." The girl bowed.

"Your Welcome. Hey, Are you perhaps a Crimson Demon?" Mark asked.

"Indeed I am. So then, what do you need? Clearly you wouldn't treat a girl for no reason. Unless you're after my body, then I must politely decline."

Megumin words made Mark shiver. Making moves on a little girl is a serious crime. "Nothing like that. I treated you hoping that we could be friends. You see, I don't really have that many."

The girl looked at him as she was thinking of someone that she knew. Someone who also treated people hoping that they will befriend her. She then grabbed the boys shoulder and said,

"Let me give you a piece of advice. Don't treat people just so you can be friends with them, they might take advantage of you. Trust me, I know someone like that. Pitiful child."

"Noted. By the way, what are you doing here all alone?", Mark curious on the girl's situation.

"Oh that. Some of my party mates were too lazy to go on a quest today. And I haven't even used my explosion today! I could die if I don't release my load today!" Megumin exaggerated.

Mark was a little uncomfortable with her wording. But he was curious about how strong that explosion that she kept mentioning. It can't be that strong. "I have explosives too, but I don't die when I don't use it. Is your explosion that special?"

"What?! I can't remain calm now that I heard that. Come with me and I'll show you its true glory!" Megumin then started to walk out of the guild and signaled me to follow.

Far Outside of the Town

After a few minutes of walking, the scenery started to show a broken down castle built on top of a mountain from a distance. The half of the mountain looked like a cliff and the castle was at the edge of it. They agreed to used the castle as the target. (Verdias castle, And yes he was already defeated)

"Let me go first. I want to check something out." Mark said before pulling out his laptop.

"You may. But don't get too surprised when you see the major difference between our explosion later." Megumin replied. She was curious about what the boy brought out but didn't pay too much attention.

Mark then operated the device and the monitor turned on. Immediately he looked up at the sky to see the predator drone. And there, as if it appeared out of nowhere, the predator drone flying high above the clouds.

Megumin checked to see what he was looking at and saw the plane too, "Hey. What's that flying thing?"

"That's my predator drone and…" Mark said after setting his target, the abandoned castle. "firing at the old castle now."

From what Megumin can see, the strange object above let out something that went straight to the castle before exploding. The explosion left a small smoke trail from their perspective. The laptop disappeared and the predator drone vanished. 'I should make one again.'

"Wow! That's cool! Can you do that again!" Megumin asked excitingly, before composing herself. "Ahem. But let me show you something Much Cooler!"

Megumin then made a pose again before she started chanting. The air around her started to change.

"Crimson-black blaze, king of myriad worlds, though I promulgate the laws of nature, I am the alias of destruction incarnate"

A red magical circle appeared on her staff as she pointed at it at the castle.

"in accordance with the principles of all creation."

A larger magical circle appeared under her feet as the winds blew harder.

"Let the hammer of eternity descend upon me!"

"Explosion!"

Mark's mouth was left wide open as he witnessed a spectacular explosion. He never thought it would be this strong, 'That's crazy! It's like a small tactical nuke! This girl is dangerous!'

"Amazing! I have no words to describe it. It's my loss today." Mark raised his hands in defeat while Megumin fell down the ground, face first. "Uhm. What are you doing now?"

"While my explosion possesses tremendous power, it also uses a tremendous amount of mana. This also exceeds my magical capacity, making me not move for a while." Megumin said while the ground muffled her voice.

Mark crouched down and offered help for the girl, "Want me to carry you back? Monster might come for you later here."

"Yes. please do."

Back inside the town

Mark carried Megumin back to the Adventurers Guild. On their way, the girl mentioned that she was at a party of four. They were composed of a Crusader, an Arch-Priest, a normal adventurer and her, an Arch-Wizard. She told him how they defeated a Demon General with their awesome teamwork.

"That's a great team you have there. I'm sure you'll have more wonderful adventures." Mark said as she let Megumin due to her able to move again.

"By the way. Do you have any party members?" The wizard girl asked.

Mark had a faint smile before replying, "I do. But it's just the two of us for now. Even so, I enjoy my time with her. And oh yeah, she's a Crimson Demon like you! I met her when she was playing checkers by herself. Such high level thinking."

Megumin had the look of someone that had realized something. She felt that she knew who the boy was talking about but decided to keep quiet. She then started to walk on ahead.

"Thank you, I can go on by myself now." She paused for a second before continuing what she was saying, "And please, be a good friend to that party mate of yours. She might really need it."

The wizard girl left, leaving Mark thinking, 'Huh? Does she know who Yunyun is? Maybe, they are both from the same clan after all.' Mark then decided to go back to the inn.

On his way to his room, Yunyun just came out of hers and was holding the M4A1. She was delighted that she bumped in to Mark at this time.

"Mark! Great timing. Here's your rifle back." She said as she handed over the gun. It was clear that it was washed thoroughly, but Mark knew this was not enough to clean it.

Mark held the gun and verified it more, 'I guess I have to disassemble and clean it properly later.' Not knowing why, he reached for Yunyun's head and gave her a pat.

"Thank you." His actions made the girl's face a little red. He came in closer to her face and asked, "Huh? Did you get sick of something?"

"No. It's nothing." Yunyun replied softly.

Mark then realized he was still patting her head. He immediately took it off, knowing he was the cause for her redness. 'What the hell was I doing! That must have felt irritating for her.' The soldier boy then thought of a way to change the mood.

"Oh yeah! Earlier I met another Crimson Demon. I was surprised, she casted the largest explosion I've seen in my life."

"Ah! You met Megumin?" The girl replied.

"Eh."