Journey to Godhood Begins in Frieren

"Shichen, why do you want to learn thief-type skills?"

Across the table from him, Chris tilted her head in curiosity.

After Luna had verified the newbie-killer's corpse and paid the reward, Shichen, Yunyun, Chris and Darkness took a table together to discuss the "favor" he wanted.

Shichen and Yunyun sat on one side, Chris and Darkness on the other; platters of fried toad meat and drinks lay between them.

"Is there something wrong with thief skills?" Shichen asked in return.

"N-no, nothing wrong… it's just—" Chris fumbled for words.

"I—I thought you wouldn't touch that sort of ability."

"And why would you think that?"

"Well, look at you—you're handsome, everyone calls you a hero… I never imagined you'd pick up thief skills…" She trailed off.

Shichen laughed. "You're idealizing me, Chris. I'm no flawless paragon."

"Really?"

"I believe it!" Darkness suddenly raised a hand, eyes shining. "Shichen must be the type—after all, he's the famous loli-con!"

"Will you shut up?!" Shichen glared. "Since when were we on close terms?"

Darkness only grew more excited. "Yes—scold me harder! Huu~"

"…Don't look," Shichen muttered to Yunyun, covering her eyes.

"Okay." Yunyun nodded obediently.

Since their return Yunyun had been exceptionally quiet and docile—almost as if she now centered her world on Shichen. He couldn't help noticing: she felt like a traditional woman who'd already chosen her man.

He slipped a hand down and clasped her slender fingers, playing with them on his knee—small, smooth, impossible to release. Yunyun ducked her head so the others wouldn't see her blush.

"Darkness!" Chris sighed. "Could you not?"

"A-ahem. What?" Darkness coughed and tried to look prim—as if nothing happened.

Amazing, Shichen thought. She can flip the switch on her kink as though it never existed. Must be steel-nerved fetishists.

(Unlike me… I mean, I'm not a loli-… cough-cough, nothing.)

Chris returned to business. "Anyway, if you want thief skills there's no issue. My price: let Darkness join your party."

"Fine by me. But you're not suggesting that just because of her… tastes, are you?"

"Ha-ha, of course not!" Chris laughed loudly.

"Ha-ha, figured," Shichen echoed.

"What's with you two?" Darkness asked, puzzled.

"None of your concern."

"Ah…!" She squirmed, cheeks aflame.

After finishing their snacks they left the guild to do the training.

…

"Big Bro, where're you off to?" Kazuma called.

"Chris is going to teach me some thief skills."

"Thief skills? I'll pass."

"Suit yourself. Be back for supper." Shichen clapped his shoulder and left.

Kazuma nodded.

…

Behind the guild, in a quiet alley, the four faced each other.

Hands on her hip, Chris smiled. "Proper introductions: I'm Chris—yes, a thief."

Bright, silver-haired, a scar on her cheek that somehow made her prettier—she was the sort of lively girl the anime crowd adored.

"I'm Shichen, profession Adventurer—new in Axel," he replied.

"Know all about you, little bro," she grinned.

"Little… bro?"

"You're probably older than me, but we're friends now, right?"

"Call me whatever you want."

"Then 'little bro' it is! Your turn, Darkness."

"I'm Darkness, class Crus—"

"Stop." Shichen cut her off. "No need; not helpful."

"Ahh!" Darkness hugged herself and writhed.

"Shichen…" Yunyun whispered fearfully.

"Don't look," he said, shielding her eyes.

"This is Yunyun, a Crimson Demon wizard."

"I know; Crimson Demons have such interesting names," Chris chuckled.

"Interesting? I think hers sounds nice," Shichen remarked.

Yunyun beamed.

"Oho—little bro's quite the flirt," Chris teased.

"Enough—teach me."

"Right. Adventurers pay little skill points for thief moves—and you've got plenty, yes?"

"Plenty."

"Want the whole set? Trap Disarm, Enemy Sense, Sneak, Steal…"

"All of them—points aren't an issue."

"Then let's start with Enemy Sense and Sneak. Darkness, turn around and walk that way."

"Hmm? All right."

Darkness dutifully turned and strolled off.

Chris glanced around, hopped into a wooden barrel, lobbed a pebble at Darkness, then ducked back inside.

Darkness wheeled, silently marched to the barrel.

"Enemy Sense! Enemy Sense! I can feel it—Darkness is angry! N-now, Darkness, you know I only did it for the lesson, so please go easy— Aaaah!"

Crash!

The barrel toppled; Chris's shriek echoed through the alley.

Shichen winced. Right—goddess or not, no one in this world is "normal."

Still, his card now showed Enemy Sense and Sneak. That was almost too easy.

"O-okay," Chris wheezed, climbing out. "Next is my specialty—Steal. It snatches a random item carried by the target: weapon, wallet, anything. Success depends on Luck… and you've got max Luck, correct?"

"Correct."

"Perfect for you! Even if you never need it, you can nab any weapon you fancy." She twirled smugly. "Now, I'll demonstrate—ready? Steal!"

She thrust out a hand; starlike sparks flashed—then… nothing.

"Eh?" Palm empty, Chris blinked. Impossible. That meant his luck exceeded hers—a thing she had thought impossible.

"Huh, looks like you failed," Shichen smiled.

"Why?"

"My max Luck, remember? Normally you can't beat it."

"But—"

"Now it's my turn. Steal!"

~~~

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