Chapter 254: No Hope For Kazuma

Aqua's face was full of confusion. She couldn't quite understand what Takumi was saying. But whatever. She was too lazy to try.

Just as she was about to speak, a figure in a nun's outfit suddenly appeared. She rushed over, and upon seeing Takumi, bowed respectfully.

"My lord, I've come under orders from the Sea Goddess. I am here to follow your command."

Aqua was stunned at the sight.

"Eris?"

Aqua's eyes widened in disbelief. Wasn't that her junior, Eris?

"Aqua-senpai!"

Eris smiled and nodded in response.

"No need to follow my command or anything like that," Takumi said casually. "Looks like you've already been briefed. Go explain things to your dumb senpai—I'm not going to bother."

Since Eris was here, Takumi didn't feel the need to explain any further. She could handle it.

"Kazuma, let's go. Take me for a walk. I'm really curious about this world."

Takumi invited Kazuma along. Although Kazuma had just arrived, he had a basic understanding of the city.

"Let's go! My dude, I'll treat you to a meal!"

With that, Kazuma cheerfully took the lead.

"Treat me to a meal? You mean I have to pay, right?"

Takumi rolled his eyes. If Kazuma actually had money, he wouldn't be doing so badly. Takumi saw through him in an instant.

"Hehe~! What can I say, I'm just too broke!!"

Kazuma shamelessly admitted it. Yes, he was hoping Takumi would foot the bill.

Takumi might not have local currency, but he surely had something that could be exchanged for it. As for world fusion? What did that have to do with a small fry like Kazuma? He'd just sit back and watch. Takumi and his group were here to save the world anyway—they'd take care of it when the time came.

The group headed into the city.

As they entered, Kazuma began introducing Takumi to the local delicacies. Listening intently, Takumi rubbed his chin.

"Got any stir-fried pork with snow peas? Or maybe sour mustard greens with beef stir-fry?"

He asked this with a completely serious expression.

Kazuma was totally lost. What the hell? What kind of dishes were those? He didn't understand a word. He was completely baffled.

The others following behind, including Bronya, were speechless. What on earth was Takumi talking about? Don't say such things out loud. You'll get this chapter 404'ed.

"Your tastes are really weird," Herta couldn't hold back. She immediately roasted Takumi.

What kind of bizarre craving was this? As someone well-read and widely experienced, of course she knew what he meant.

"Hehe, just messing around," Takumi chuckled. "Food isn't a big deal—we're just exploring." "We won't have time to goof off later." "Who knows what kind of world will merge with this one."

Even though this world was comedic in nature, it still had real gods. Any incoming world was unlikely to be ordinary. Probably something with gods or other supernatural elements. There had to be some sort of link.

Just like how the Gourmet Hunter and Shokugeki worlds merged—both were food-themed. Perhaps all the tasks they'd get from now on would be based on such links.

If two worlds shared a theme, could they just fuse together? Who could say?

Just then, Ais—who hadn't joined any mission—suddenly spoke up in the group chat.

Ais: [!!!!!!] [Why am I listed on the mission?!] [I didn't sign up and I didn't go anywhere.] [Why is my name there?!]

Ais was currently resting. She had just opened the chat to check the mission details. And saw her name listed in Takumi's mission party. She was totally stunned. She was still in the dungeon and had no clue what was happening.

Takumi and the others were just as surprised when they saw her message.

Fujiwara Chika: [Oh man, maybe your world is about to fuse with Takumi's?]

Bronya: [That actually seems likely.] [Remember how Alice didn't sign up either, but her name still showed up?]

Bronya pondered aloud in the group chat. She recalled how Alice didn't register for a mission either. After all, the task occurred in her world—why register? So maybe, for tasks that happen in your own world, you're automatically enrolled? That must be it.

Takumi was also a bit surprised. Ais's world and Konosuba's? It might actually happen.

Takumi: [That's probably it.] [So don't go on any more expeditions. Get back now.] [When two worlds fuse, things get really unstable.] [And that's not even counting other worlds possibly merging.]

He immediately warned her. Right now, the fusion hadn't started, so it was fine. But once it began, things would get messy.

Their dungeon might blow wide open. Monsters could pour out. And the whole world would descend into chaos. If she was still deep in the dungeon, that would be suicide.

Seeing Takumi's message, Ais grew anxious.

Ais: [I'm going to tell Finn right now!!]

She closed the chat immediately. If she hadn't glanced again, she might've kept pushing on. But now wasn't the time to hesitate. She needed to leave the dungeon and return to the surface. If the fusion started while she was still down there, it would be a disaster.

Takumi glanced at Ais going offline and didn't dwell on it. He resumed exploring the city with Kazuma.

As for money? Takumi casually created a bunch. This world's currency was gold, after all. And forging gold was child's play for him.

With a flick of the hand. Done.

Kazuma nearly wept with envy.

"Teach me, Daddy!!!"

The shameless Kazuma actually called him dad.

Takumi rolled his eyes hard.

"Get lost."

Teach you? No way. You wouldn't learn it anyway.

In dreams, anything was possible. But in real life? Even if you call me Grandpa, it won't happen.

"No, please!! How did you do that?! Tell me!" "I'm serious—I really want to learn." "Can I use skill points to learn it?"

As he spoke, Kazuma pulled out his Adventurer's Card. Clearly, he was hoping Takumi would demo it again and pass the skill to him.

Seeing this, Takumi was speechless.

This guy... is really beyond saving.