Chapter 66: Minami Rika Becomes a Chosen One! Time to Start the Party!

"Place your hand on the device. It'll automatically assess your stats. The detailed info will be written into an adventurer card."

Following the instructions given by Guild receptionist Luna, Shirakawa guided Yumiko's operation. The seemingly ordinary device suddenly whirred with countless moving components as it began scanning her.

Pure blue mana emerged and engraved the data onto a floating adventurer card.

Once the scan was complete—

Seeing that Yumiko wasn't picking up the card, Shirakawa grabbed it and carefully examined the stats of his first chosen one.

Miura Yumiko

Class: Unassigned

Current Status: Chosen of the Pleasure God

Level: 1

Constitution: 2

Agility: 1.8

Strength: 1.7

Intelligence: 2

Mana: 40

Skills: None

A quick glance at the card showed Constitution and Intelligence were relatively high—an enhancement gained from becoming a Chosen of the Pleasure God.

She had plenty of job options.

Warrior-type classes requiring physical strength or mage-types needing high Intelligence—she could choose either. Shirakawa handed her the card with a smile.

"Your base stats are pretty good."

"Already above the average person. For job choices, you have access to many high-tier ones, like Cleric, Priest, or ArchPriest."

"Mage classes are an option too."

"So how should I choose?"

As a top-tier popular girl from Sobu High, Yumiko had no concept of adventurer classes. Seeing the list of options only left her more confused.

So she directly tossed the decision to Shirakawa: "I want a class that can fight evil spirits."

"Then go with something from the Holy line. Cleric or Archpriest will do."

"Then I'll go with Cleric!"

With a clear direction, Yumiko decisively chose her class using the card. A flash of light lit up before her.

The previously blank class panel now showed "Cleric" along with with some basic skills including—Purification and Blessing.

Though never taught, she instinctively knew how to use them.

"Holy Light!"

Without any weapon, Yumiko activated her skill. A pure and brilliant light shone from her palm, instantly illuminating the dim room.

"You've adapted to your role pretty quickly."

"If you want to level up, consider hunting wandering spirits. That's how you gain EXP."

"Leveling up gives you stat points and SP (Skill Points)."

Perhaps due to the Chosen buff, her base stats were quite high, letting her pick top-tier class. Shirakawa wasn't too surprised.

In the original Konosuba, the protagonist was a shut-in with zero training. Even after becoming an adventurer, his stats were ridiculously low.

He explained the purpose of the adventurer system and SP points in detail to help Yumiko understand her abilities. He had no plans to stay in that world.

In Konosuba's setting, undead creatures could technically be classified as undead-type beings. With the device in hand—

His next destination:

The Apocalypse World.

There, he'd help Saeko Busujima, Shizuka Marikawa, and others become adventurers, hunt zombies for experience, and raise their stats.

Same explanation he gave to Yumiko:

"This is how you awaken as an adventurer. I won't interfere with your class choices. Pick based on functionality."

He looked at the girls before him, all dressed in breezy summer outfits. First to awaken was Saeko Busujima.

Just as he expected—

With the Pleasure God's blessing, her high stats gave her access to every class. Being the captain of the kendo club, Saeko made her decision instantly:

"I want to become a Swordmaster!"

"Alright."

After the transfer, Saeko—already physically strong from years of training—now had the highest stats among the group.

Everything went smoothly.

Rei Miyamoto chose the Marksman class. The tsundere Saya Takagi went with a top-tier Elemental Mage.

As for the school nurse—

The gentle Shizuka Marikawa became a Nun-class adventurer.

Swordmaster, Marksman, Elemental Mage, and Nun—overall, a very balanced party.

"As for your gear," Shirakawa added, "I'll get beginner sets for each of you from other worlds. You'll gain EXP by hunting zombies—teamwork is crucial."

He helped them assess their stats and awaken their classes.

Now, the worries about the Apocalypse World had completely vanished. Shirakawa looked at Shizuka, whose hands glowed with gentle light, and Saya, now an adept of all elemental spells.

This was all he could do for now. The path to getting stronger lay ahead. The zombie virus would never truly end.

With so many monsters—

Shirakawa was curious just how far this adventurer team from the Apocalypse World could grow.

"..."

"So this is what it means to have a class!"

Saya Takagi looked at the pure water conjured from mana in her hand. Her lifted lips reflected her awe.

Completely surprised.

She never imagined she'd one day wield supernatural powers.

Still lacking a proper weapon, Rei Miyamoto already began anticipating what her Marksman class could really do.

If anyone felt out of place—

It was Minami Rika.

After spending yesterday with them, she gradually got to know Saeko and Rei. Initially, she hadn't noticed the difference being a Chosen One made.

But now... watching the others fluently use magic skills—

Minami Rika couldn't pretend she wasn't excited.

The most crucial part—

She had already rejected Shirakawa at the beginning, and now she wanted to become a chosen of the God of Pleasure? She really didn't have the shamelessness to go through with that.

"..."

Not realizing the atmosphere was getting a little strange, as a nun, Shizuka Marikawa acted like a child who had found a new toy.

Both hands were glowing with holy light.

She looked at her friend Minami Rika with delight and added fuel to the fire: "Rika, doesn't this profession look super amazing?"

"..."

Minami Rika could only respond in silence, just about to give a few compliments.

But then a middle-aged man's pleading voice came from outside the window. Curious, Saeko Takagi put on something more covering and walked over to the balcony.

The scene before her made her frown slightly.

A middle-aged man holding a little girl was begging for shelter, only to be heartlessly killed with a knife, leaving the girl alone.

She stood frozen in place.

Only six or seven zombies were slowly approaching the little girl—not a large horde, but enough to be dangerous.

"What's going on?"

Seeing there were no passersby around, Shirakawa casually fondled Saeko's large thunder—or rather, her chest—and looked in the direction she was staring at.

There was a young girl.

She was slowly being surrounded by the undead. Fighting off her fear, she covered her mouth with her hands to avoid making noise, guarding her father's corpse.

"..."

With his excellent vision—

Shirakawa clearly saw the trembling girl. She had short, reddish-brown hair and a cute appearance. As for her identity...

He recalled it instantly.

She was a character from the Apocalypse world: Alice Maresato. Her mental state and actions didn't match her age at all.

A loli to raise?

No, a prison-sentence-grade girl!

"Need help?"

Feeling a jolt of electricity through her body, Saeko didn't act rashly. After all, to survive in a collapsing world...

One absolutely couldn't be naïvely merciful.

"Sure, these zombies can serve as your training targets."

She had a good personality, and since the little girl was lucky enough to encounter them, Shirakawa wouldn't just let her die to zombies.

He gave the zombies a brief glance.

Their numbers weren't too high, just right for the new adventurer party to use for practice.

"Alright!"

"Leave it to us, then."

Saeko Takagi didn't hesitate. She and her teammates decisively jumped down from the second floor, drawing the zombies' attention with the sound of their landing.

They began the rescue of Alice Maresato.

For this level of battle—

Shirakawa had no interest in watching. Even if they weren't yet professionals, with Saeko Busujima's broken-level combat power in this world...

She could easily finish the rescue.

He sat down on the couch in the living room. The TV was useless due to the loss of signal, but Shirakawa didn't care.

He was about to put away his magical appraisal device—

When he turned his head and saw Minami Rika looking slightly uneasy. He could basically guess what she was thinking. Gaining supernatural power—

Nobody would turn that down.

But obtaining that power came with a price.

"Shirakawa... , if I want to become an adventurer, do I have to be a chosen one? Is there another way?"

From Shizuka Marikawa—

She had roughly learned the price of becoming a chosen of the God of Pleasure: offering body and soul, along with sincere faith in Shirakawa.

But something like that...

Was hard to accept for someone like Minami Rika, who had always acted like a strong, independent woman. After some inner conflict, she chose to ask directly.

"There is, of course."

"Actually, you can become an adventurer without being a chosen."

Shirakawa answered easily. He figured she wanted to find another way to skip the chosen process and gain superpowers.

And things went exactly as he predicted.

Getting a clear answer—

Minami Rika's expression became more serious. "The cost of becoming a chosen... I might not be able to accept it. Is there another way to compensate?"

"No."

"To be precise, I'm under no obligation to help anyone. They didn't choose to become my chosen—rather, I chose them."

Random nobodies with no connection to him—was he supposed to care about whether they lived or died?

Shirakawa shook his head with a smile. Besides, Minami Rika had nothing substantial to offer. She wasn't even worth using his appraisal ability on.

And he wouldn't offer help for free without a price.

"A god is merciful. To those who have faith in me, I give the chance to transcend and gain supernatural powers."

"..."

Hearing this made Minami Rika even more conflicted. To give up the most precious thing she had guarded for so many years...

To someone she wasn't even that close to.

Even if he was a god from another world, it was still hard to accept. But when she looked at things from another perspective—

This was an apocalypse.

No one could see the future. Romance? Even more unreliable. And the cost of becoming an adventurer and gaining supernatural power...

Was the thing she held dearest.

After hesitating—

Minami Rika finally made her decision. She took a deep breath to calm down, though her gaze was still evasive. She said seriously:

"Lord Shirakawa."

"I... I want to become a chosen one. Do I still have the chance?"

"Just as I said earlier, gods are compassionate. For those who want to grow and become adventurers, I won't ignore their wishes."

He hadn't expected Minami Rika to agree so readily.

Well then—

It looked like a new job class was just around the corner. He already had a good impression of her, and she fit the requirements of his god profession perfectly.

Shirakawa gave a calm smile and nodded gently.

"Then have you truly made up your mind—to offer me everything, including your loyalty?"

"...Yes."

With Shizuka Marikawa and Saeko Busujima still in the house, Minami Rika's face felt like it was burning. It seemed her own bedroom was the only option.

She slowly stood up.

Took off her black outer coat, and wearing only a tight-fitting tank top, Minami Rika revealed her flawless body to Shirakawa.

"Please..."

"Please, Lord God, come with me."

As for letting his little brother rest—Shirakawa had no such thought. After all, he had the Max [Stamina] skill and was a godsent beast of a man.

He followed Minami Rika upstairs, to the largest bedroom on the second floor. The lights were off, but with the moonlight pouring in through the windows, he could see her movements.

She slowly pulled off her tank top—

Her fair, flawless back showed signs of training. She didn't look back at him as she quietly removed her robe.

She sat quietly at the edge of the bed.

When Shirakawa picked her up, Minami Rika shut her eyes tightly and pleaded softly, "Please... be gentle."

"I've never done this before."

"Of course."

Wanting to reduce her pain and help her grow stronger, Shirakawa wasn't worried about a cooked duck flying away.

He decisively invoked divine authority—

And granted her the status of a chosen of the God of Pleasure. Divine energy filled the room with a seductive aura, and their gazes grew hazy.

Already influenced deep in her heart by the divinity, her lust magnified to the extreme.

Lying on the bed, Minami Rika proactively wrapped her arms around Shirakawa.

Just as they were about to begin, the bedroom door quietly opened—

And the other girls, dressed in revealing bikinis, entered the room.

Saeko Busujima and Rei Miyamoto had no objections.

The first to speak—

Was Shizuka Marikawa, who sounded surprised. Rather than feeling like Minami Rika had "taken" Shirakawa, she indignantly grumbled:

"You actually thought about monopolizing Shirakawa-kun? That's way too selfish!"

"..."

Being called out like that by her close friend, Minami Rika didn't even dare to open her eyes. In the beginning, she clearly had a chance to become one of the Chosen of Pleasure.

And yet now...

She was the one who had willingly thrown herself at him. Just thinking about it filled her with shame.

"That's right! Lord Shirakawa's time is extremely valuable. What you did, Rika-san, is really too much."

This time, it was Saya Takagi who spoke up.

Especially after gaining the adventurer class with elemental magic, her feelings toward Shirakawa had become absolutely sincere—so strong that they surpassed all else.

She sat at the edge of the bed.

Though she wasn't making any particular move, the gazes from everyone in the room left Minami Rika utterly unsure of what to do. Gritting her teeth, she turned her passive state into action.

"..."

Minami Rika—she took hold of her future with her own hands!

This kind of scene didn't particularly faze Shirakawa. At most, it was just a rigorous test of his Max [Stamina] skill.

From the standpoint of a professional—

There was still a lot of experience he hadn't passed on to the girls.

"Alright then, let me teach you what makes an adventurer special!"

"..."

"Lord Shirakawa, I want to improve myself!"

[Detected: godhood profession– Chosen of Pleasure: 10 people]

[This class cannot be upgraded.]

[Blank profession panel has been activated.]

Seeing the notification on his Goldfinger panel, Shirakawa suddenly felt a sense of accomplishment. All the labor day and night had finally paid off. Though he didn't have any specific plans for the blank profession slot yet—

One thing was clear.

There was no limit to the Chosen's potential. That meant there would be plenty more things for him to "work hard" on in the future.

"As the God of Pleasure..."

"Starting a proper training session should be perfectly understandable, right?"