Dear father and mother, your son has really made it.
For the first time in three different worlds, I, Satou Kazuma finally have a decent job.
Not a Hiki-Neet.
Not a broke adventurer with unstable income.
But a normal honest safe decent job.
Kitchen staff.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I reflected on my life. On how much suffering, how many absurd events, and how many times I have to die just to get here.
This world finally show me a shread of mercy.
Hiks...
My day starts early in the morning.
I walk into the tavern, ready to work.
Greeted by my lovely coworkers. All of them are beautiful women. Which, obviously, helps boost my mood in the morning. I'm not shallow—just a normal man.
What started as simple greetings turned into casual chats, then friendly jokes, and before I knew it, actual social interaction.
Just so you know, I draw a very clear line for myself. No dirty jokes. No weird nicknames. No "accidental" groping. No {steal} show. I am reformed. I am mature. I am... restraining myself. Somehow.
Later I realized. They are surprisingly kind people, so I got close to them easily.
Even the fierce elf girl in the beginning—Ryuu Lion.
Yesterday, when I made a breakfast for the staff, she complimented my food.
"It was edible." She said as she looked at my eyes.
Which, in elf languange obviously translated as marriage proposal.
I'm flattered, Ryuu, really. But let's take it slow, okay? You're rushing things.
Anyway, I still have no clue how to go home, but...
This is peace.
This is the life I always wanted.
This is—
…Wait.Oh no.Oh crap!That was a flag, wasn't it?!
***
After one weeks of peace daily life.
It was a normal night, Tavern was closed due to some damaged buildings caused by some drunken customers.
Technically, Big Mia is the one who damaged the buildings to intimidate the drunken customers, but she said it was the drunker's doing so let's keep it a fact. History is always written by winners. Not something surprising anymore.
Then, she said she had something for the girls and they went out together. Leaving me alone.
I do some cleaning and check the remained ingredients when it happened.
The bell above the tavern door jingled, as it always did when customers walked in.
But this time… something was different. Not because we are basically closed but I can feel something deeper.
The air shifted.
Temperature? dropped to zero.
My sense told me to run immediately, but I still have to act calm.
"Umm... Sorry... But we actually closed now. You can see it's only me here now."
There they were. Standing in the doorway a group of people who radiated power like a dragon breathes fire.
Loki Familia.
And not just the average members. This was the main party.
Finn Deimne.
Riveria Ljos Alf.
Gareth Landrock.
Bete Loga.
Tiona and Tione Hiryute.
Ais Wallenstein.
Lefiya.
After my clash with Bell, I gathered information about some powerful adventurers, and Loki Familia is considered the strongest in Orario.
I hoped this was just a coincidence.
I really hope that's the fact.
Maybe they just don't see the sign 'closed'? Or just wanted to have a drink.
Finn looking at me then made an understanding smile.
"Is that so? How unfortunate..."
"Ahaha... How about you came back tomorrow?"
"... How about you just came with us?"
"Eh, what?"
Then before I could understand what he meant. Finn raised his hand and clapped.
"Tiona! Tione!"
"Understand."
"Okay, captain."
The amazon sister rushed to me in no time.
"{Lurk!}" My body vanished instantly as well as my presence– or that how it was should be.
Tiona's kick obliterated the space I had just occupied. The shockwave alone knocked over three plates.
Then Tione followed with a palm strike that split the counter like a firewood log.
HOW CAN THEY SENSE ME THROUGH {LURK}?!
They couldn't see me. But they felt me. Adventurers at this level could do that.
Basically they are cheating.
Fine.
Time for countermeasures.
I dove toward Tiona and grabbed her neck.
"{Drain Touch}!"
A surge of energy transferred instantly.
"Kyaa!!!" Tiona's eyes widened. Her knees buckled—but she didn't fall.
Tione charged from behind but I dodge her attack.
I used her momentum to go behind her and grabbed her neck.
"{Double Drain Touch}!"
Both of them rolled their body then took two steps back.
"W-w-what did you do to me?" Tiona asked as she touch her neck.
I deactivated my {Lurk} then take Vanir mask from my pocket into my hand.
"That's my question, Loki Familia. What exactly are you doing now? Even though I tried to live a normal life." I said as throwing a glare towards them.
"Let's call it off, I have no intention to fight you."
Just when I offer a peace proposal, Bete charged towards me with intense speed "Weakling like you have no rights to order us!" He aimed a sharp kick straight at my face..
Thanks to my {auto-evade} skill I managed to dodge it.
Bete barked and planning to to give another strike.
"{Steal}" A flash of light come emerged from my hand.
"Heh, a mere magic light like that can't possibly hold–"
He lunged towards me but suddenly slipped, his face is the first touched tavern floor.
He can't understand what is happening, but the moment he saw himself he realized his pants fall to his calf causing him fall forward.
"{Create water} then {Freeze}"
First make his pants wet then freeze it.
"I will give you some advice, Bete. You better not try to forcefully break the ice if you don't bring a spare of pants... Oh, wait! forget about what I said before. You can try it if you're into that kind of thing. You know... the one that feeling from showing their private parts to others."
Bete gritted his teeth and cursed me.
Of course he would.
Not like I cared.
I used {Lurk} to move some steps from him.
"Sigh... You are really a pain in the ass, Loki Familia."
After I defeated Bete, the members of Loki Familia instinctively shifted into battle stances. Their eyes told me they weren't planning to talk.
"If this is what you want... Then allow me to be serious."
And just like that I put on the the Vanir Mask.
Time for round two!