"I don't want to wait around again. So make sure you can do the rest in one go."

"Gotcha, I think I need just a few more minutes." After the hour or so that you have been laying, you didn't move an inch. You've gathered most of your strength back. Megumin hasn't moved either. The weight of her boots bear down on your back and head. Its not physically heavy, but it feels like a mental weight. You can't put your finger on why it bothers you so deeply, its just something she didn't need to do but did anyway. Your gut is telling you that this action is a bad omen for this 'partnership' she spoke of. 

The pony ride should have been hint enough, but if that's all you're doing you could bear that. Your gut however is screaming that this is just the beginning. 

 

Another few minutes pass and you life yourself up, raising Megumin's legs higher before she pulls back. "Im ready to go." You drop to your hands and knees once again. "Awesome." Megumin slowly returned to her feet, walking over and plopping down on your back. You almost fall from her slamming down.

 

"Onward!" Megumin takes a few locks of your hair in either hand and flicks them like reigns. Following her command, you move your yourself. Trudging under now setting sun is a lot easier than before. The cool breeze keeps you refreshed and maybe it was the wind keeping it away, but your couldn't smell Megumin's B.O.. Not as much anyway, you hope this was a one off thing and she isnt usually this bad. 

As Axel comes closer and you start to approach a gate, it starts to dawn on you that she expects you to crawl through town like this. You thought your reputation among the guild couldn't get lower but if Megumin was going to ride you there too, you'd never recover.

As you approach the wall your head is help low. You pass some workers swinging hammers and pickaxes drudging up rocks to repair the wall. "PSKSKSKSKSKS HOW PATHETIC!" Your eyes dart over to a woman with blue hair in a tank top wielding a pickaxe you might be able to swing 6 times before giving out.

Megumin chuckles and waves with one hand while patting your head with the other. "Don't worry about it. I know you're probably feeling humiliated right now, but you're saving me from that feeling." You can't imagine that reaction from you carrying her on your back, but its best not to argue. You press on to the center of town where the guild lies.

As you approach the doors Megumin reaches her hand out and holds it open as you crawl in. You make eye contact with Luna, the receptionist who always seemed concerned for your safety. She gives you a sympathetic look as your crawl over to let Megumin collect the reward.

The noisy guild quiets down just enough for you to know that this hasn't gone unnoticed. As you approach the desk you can see some women by the quest board hiding their quiet giggles. Once you get to the desk Luna's voice overtakes the giggling. "H-hello. Umm... he agreed to this correct? Bullying and hazing aren't tolerated by the guild" Luna had constantly suggested you find new work, thinking you'd either be killed or bullied. "Yes, I agreed." You yell over the counter. Your view is just of the base of the desk and Luna's shoes through its supporting beams. "The deal was I kill the troll and he carries me back, speaking of which." Megumin tries clearing up the confusion but Luna doesn't seem to buy it. 

Megumin hands over the completed paper and receives a bag of golden coins. "Lets go to a table to work out the split, I want some food too." This line seems to convince Luna who watches you crawl off. At least you were getting paid. Thankfully its only around 4pm. Most adventurers aren't done their quests and most workers aren't off for a few more hours. That's all to say the tavern wasn't crowded, though everyone there noticed your predicament.

You crawl to a table and finally, Megumin slides off your back and onto a bench. You wore a light grey shirt today, so a darker grey butt imprint left by Megumin's sweaty ass was on display as you stood up and sat down.

Megumin spilled the coins onto the table and divided them up as you agreed earlier. "I know you probably wanted a 50/50, and probably feel you earned one today. I just want you to understand that today was the just above bare minimum of service I will expect. And thank you Sam. I appreciate you carrying me back"

"No problem, I mean. I don't think I've seen this much eris at once. Not on my end of the table at least." Megumin chuckled. "Get used to it, I want to make a name for myself. I cant do that without a partner to carry me back." You grin a bit, she was calling you her steed earlier so this is an upgrade. Even if functionally you're her pony.

"So why dont you do manual labor. Surely farming or wall work would be easier than what you did today?" You wordlessly hand over your adventurer card. "Oh my god, I didn't realize stats went this low."


"Yeah, most people dont realize that simple tools like pickaxes have a minimum strength requirement. They tire me out 10 times as fast." If you were just a bit stronger, you wouldn't have act as this girl's pony. At least she's nice.

After a nice meal you collect your earnings and are about to depart.

"Wait up Sam."

172 views
·
September 27, 2025
Back
Read the story up to this chapter. Choices along the path will be highlighted, even on the Outline.
Start with the first chapter:
Start with a later chapter:
Outline
Collect