Hajime goes to sleep again, his lullabies are the screams of tortured souls echoing from the dungeon halls. Zeus has found a corner of the room to settle in. Hajime, long accustomed to dealing with farm animals in his original world, finds the cow’s presence oddly soothing—reminding him of long-forgotten dreams and hopes.
A night passes, and he wakes to a new nightmare.
Hajime sits up and immediately discovers his next problem: What to feed Zeus?
Valiant says: “Are you really adopting the cow Hajime-san?”
Hajime replies: “His name is Zeus, and yes.”
Caladblock says: “Hajime… how are you going to feed that thing?”
Hajime: “There’s grass in the vases… what do cows in this world eat anyway?”
Whalescalibur: “They eat grass, leather product and hormone-enhancement ads.”
Hajime groans: “Of course they do.”
He pats Zeus. “You’ve never had any real food in your life, have you bud?”
“MOOOOHHH.”
Hajime decides he needs to steal and gather some grass for later.
He leaves the room with Zeus on a miasma leash and heads to the elevator.
They ride towards the Mortal Tier floor. Hajime steps out of the elevator, to hear the whiny voice of a noble girl arguing with the receptionist.
“What do you mean the premium room has not been processed accordingly?!”
The receptionist, sweating: “I’m sorry, but some people yesterday insisted on receiving this premium room, and they paid triple the original cost—”
The girl explodes:
“Who dares pay triple the premium cost for a room that I, the Grand Duchess Lucretiad of the Magicad Imperium, reserved?!”
Hajime: “…Another one.”
He makes a U-turn and slams the elevator button to the Angelic Floor.
Lucretiad sees the doors closing.
“Hold the door!” she shrieks without gravitas.
Hajime presses the "Close Door" button repeatedly, with increased speed and precision beyond his mortal limits.
The girl instant-casts a magic arm that catches the Open Door button. Hajime unsheathes Caladblock and slices the magical arm cleanly. Just before the door closes entirely, Lucretiad jams her foot in, forcing it to open with unnecessary pain.
Hajime sighs deeply.
Lucretiad gasps for breath:
“What is WRONG with you peasant?! Why didn’t you hold the door?!”
Hajime: “Peasant? You talking to me Miss?”
Lucretiad: “Of course I'm talking to you!”
Hajime:
“I’m a proud Burgue man, my lady. I’ve lived a life of luxury you wouldn’t experience in your lifetime. I'm insulted with you're lack of manners Duchess of the Magicad Imperium.”
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Valiant: “I’m not entirely sure if you’re lying on that one, hero-kun…”
Whalescalibur: “That may explain why my offers never land with him—he must be extremely picky!”
Caladblock: “A world without ad supremacy must have been truly a luxury…”
Valiant: “Yeah… that checks out for Hajime”
Lucretiad stares at Zeus.
“Then why are you walking around with a cow?”
Hajime: “His name is Zeus. We are a fateful pair that have soul bonded since our first meeting.”
“MOOOOHHH.”
Lucretiad pauses, processing the insanity.
“…I see. My apologies for the misunderstanding.”
She stays quiet, eyes glittering with curiosity. The elevator opens at the Angelic Floor.
“Now—whose career must I destroy to get a premium room?!?” she declares, storming off like a professional Karen.
Hajime mutters: “She’s pretty nice.”
Valiant: “How can you tell?”
Hajime: “Anyone who can swallow my bullshit must be nice on the inside.”
Caladblock: “As expected of you, hon!”
Hajime tries to return to the Mortal Tier, but instead the elevator rises to the Top Floor—the Office Lobby of Deus. He waits silently, assuming someone will take the elevator down, but five minutes pass without any sign of movement.
Adael approaches and waves:
“Your appointment is due, Hero-kun. Please enter Deus’ office.”
Hajime: “I never did scheduled an appointment.”
Adael checks a floating display.
“The predictive algorithm scheduled it for you. Since you’re here, please proceed.”
Hajime sighs. “Fine…”
He enters the door.
Deus: “I’m pleased you made it in time for your appointment, Hajime-prop-kun.”
Hajime: “I didn’t schedule anything Deus...”
Deus: “I did send you an appointment message. Let me check.”
She checks.
“Ah—my mistake. Let me correct it now.”
She sends it again.
Hajime: “Still didn’t get it.”
Deus: “It wasn’t for you, prop. I sent it to yesterday’s Hajime, and he declined with extreme prejudice. Explain yourself now!”
Hajime: “Yeah that checks out, I would’ve declined too. I was really busy yesterday.”
Deus notices Zeus.
“Why did you bring your dinner into my office?”
Hajime: “He’s not dinner. He’s my fateful companion.”
Deus freezes.
“…Are you insane?”
A slow blocky smile spreads on her face.
“This unorthodoxy.... I approve! The marketing opportunities will be glorious.”
Hajime get nervous: “That can’t be good.”
Divine energy bursts from Deus, transforming Zeus into a golden cow, his black spots replaced with glowing cash symbols.
Deus: “There, here's my dowry. Upgraded to maximum cow level possible. You’re welcome prop!”
Hajime stares in horror.
“WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ZEUS?!”
Deus: “He now requires premium-tier products to eat. With great power comes great consumption.”
Hajime: “I… can’t afford him…”
Deus: “Don’t worry. Elnora will support the both of you in you're happy future.”
Hajime: “…Of course she will.”
He feels wrinkles forming on his left arm.
Valiant: “Hajime—snap out of it!”
Deus narrows her eyes.
“Strange… why is your time all over the place?”
She examines him.
“Interesting development.”
Hajime: “So you noticed.”
Deus: “It’s a self-limited consequence. I wouldn’t worry about it.”
Hajime: “Then why are your blocky eyes lighting up?”
Deus: “Nothing. I’m just excited for your next chapter.”
Hajime thinks: Of course you are. You won’t fix it because that would be boring, right?
Deus grins:
“Correct. Also—after this whole hero arc ends, I may hire you as the VP of our esteemed corporation.”
Hajime: “…Why?”
Deus: “No one has ever understood me better than you, such excitement!”
Hajime instantly grows several gray hairs.
