8. Final Day

Location: Eris' place

A jagged portal appeared right outside an elegant door. A shiny metallic boot emerged from it.

"Finally, got the coordinates right this time," Seth spoke as he arrived in front of a door. He knocked and shouted, "Eris! You there?!"

"Coming!" rushed footsteps could be heard, and the door opened. As it did, Seth wanted to say something but stopped midway at what he saw.

Eris looked like a mess, with unkempt strands of hair all over and her headwear askew, almost falling off. Seth instantly materialized a brush. Eris blushed, accepting the item, "Thank you, aren't you gonna get dizzy?"

"A bit, though it's fine, Anyway, who's the blond girl?"

"Oh, you mean…" Eris jolted in shock. Seth pointed behind Eris, and she followed his gaze. In a corner, a floating video screen displayed a girl praying.

"AAHHH!!!" Eris instantly tried to slam the door, but Seth shoved his metal-protected foot between the door, stopping her.

"Uhh…" Eris hunkered down, her cheeks turning pink as she struggled to hide her embarrassment.

"So you watch over your believers?" Seth asked.

"yes…" She answered, fidgeting with her fingers

"That's nice." Hearing this, Eris' mood rose a bit.

"Can I?" Seth indicated that he wanted to watch closer. Eris nodded and followed.

They watched as a voice arose from the screen. A girl prayed alone inside a cathedral. "Oh Goddess Eris, I give thanks for granting me my wish for a true friend and adventure. These last few weeks, fraught with challenges, have also been one of the happiest days of my life..." 

Seth watched this and also glanced at Eris. He saw Eris wearing a radiant smile, the kind that only blossoms when someone finds true joy in witnessing the happiness of others.

Seth decided not to ruin the moment and decided to watch with her for a while.

—

A blue-haired goddess was sipping on vodka in a displeased expression. A man with stars in his eyes finally arrived, Aqua drunkenly grabbed the man's collar with a glare.

"TOOK YOU FOREVER! What took you so long, huh?"

in a flurry, a White-haired goddess arrived, "Aqua! Please forgive Seth; It's my fault this time."

"Well, be grateful that I'm in a *hick!* good mood today…" Aqua released her grip on Seth and swaggered back to her place.

As they saw Aqua was preparing herself like usual, Seth and Eris decided to go back to their usual hidden mirror dimension, this was the final time before he did it himself.

—

Location: Aqua's place

White light flashed in front of Aqua.

"Satou Kazuma, welcome to the after-life. Unfortunately, you died moments ago. Your life might be short, but it is still over." Aqua sat casually as she watched a teenager emerge from the light.

"... Can I ask something?" the teenage boy asked.

"Sure, go ahead." 

"That girl... that I pushed away from a truck, is she okay?"

"She lives, though with a broken leg. She wouldn't be hurt in the first place if you hadn't pushed her away."

"Oh thank goodness… Huh?"

"That tractor would have stopped before hitting that girl."

"Chotto matte? A tractor?"

"Yes, a tractor," Aqua confirmed.

"Wait, did I die from being run over by a tractor?"

"No, no, no. You died from shock. You know, like thinking that a truck ran over you and going into full-blown shock! puh, HAHAHA."

The teenager Kazuma just stood there at a loss for words.

"I have been handling reincarnations for ages, but yours? it's like THE WEIRDEST DEATH I'VE EVER SEEN! PFFT HAHAHA!" Aqua couldn't contain it and lost it.

"LISTEN HERE! YOU WERE SO TERRIFIED THAT YOU WET YOURSELF! When they rushed you to the nearest hospital. The doctors and nurses laughed while trying to save you from a heart attack! PFFT HAHA! THEY CAN'T CONTROL IT, SAYING THINGS LIKE 'WHAT'S WITH THIS LOSER'!"

"STOP! I DON'T WANNA HEAR IT!" Kazuma just cupped his hand around his ear almost in denial.

Aqua walked closer, leaning in to whisper into his ear, "Your family rushed to the hospital after hearing this, when they found out how you died, they had to burst out laughing before even bothering to grieve."

"AAHHH! SHUT UP! NO MORE!"

Aqua laughs out loud as Kazuma squirms in cringe and embarrassment.

—

Seth and Eris watched the whole show in the mirror dimension.

"What Kazuma went through is sad, I pray he will be happy in his new world," Eris said as she wished the best for the teenager.

Seth stroked his chin, "He is quite smart, and has potential. sadly, a few setbacks made him give up society to become a NEET. Those setbacks are quite painful for the young him, though he shouldn't just give up with no effort."

"Seth don't judge him by your standard; everyone is different. Plus you laughed at him with Aqua in the first place"

"Yes, for a few seconds. I can't help laughing at hearing how he exactly died. You are quite a woman to be able to not laugh at him at all." 

Eris smiled at the compliment.

"Anyway, it looks like it is almost time. Kazuma is selecting his 'cheat'. Usually, it took a while because Aqua usually explained it in a grandiose manner. Now she just goes to the point since her image as a goddess is already ruined." Seth pointed at the papers being spread out for Kazuma, which he had to pick one.

"I wonder what he will pick." Eris wonders.

"He is quite smart; he could use and beat the demon king with any of the decent choices." They sat back and watched the show.

—

Aqua was munching on potato chips as she watched Kazuma deciding what 'cheat' to go with him to a new world.

"Come on, choose already, what's the point? you're just a useless otaku anyway." She took a potato chip and ate it.

"I'M NOT AN OTAKU, I DID DIE OUTSIDE MY HOUSE!"

Yes, you are. One god and two goddesses thought at the same time.

"Come on! hurry up! you're wasting my time. I still have, like, a ton more souls to deal with." Aqua complained, her annoyance evident.

D*mn this Egotistical pretty face. Kazuma gritted in his mind. "You want me to choose right? Then I choose you." 

"Ok then, off you go." Two glowing circles formed under Kazuma and Aqua.

"Hold up…" Aqua suddenly realized something.

An angel descended and announced, "Satou Kazuma, we have heard of your request. Your wish has been granted. To comply with the request, another god named 'Seth' will take over Aqua's post." As those words were spoken, a pillar of light arose from the circle, illuminating and encapsulating both Aqua and Kazuma.

The Angel continued, and a spatial rift formed. From it popped out a handsome man in a white coat/cape, looking somewhat unprepared.

IKEMEN! WHOA! What's with those eyes? Kazuma thought as he stared at Seth's galaxy-like eyes.

"Uhhh… greetings Sir Satou Kazuma, this self is named 'Seth', I am ahh… a god who was once under the tutelage of Aqua. For what awaits your future, best of luck to you, sir Kazuma." Seth says, implying a deeper meaning because of Aqua.

He turned towards Aqua, "Aqua... senpai, may your journey with Kazuma be… smooth sailing." Seth did a small bow.

"Wait a minute, seriously? this has to be a joke, right? TAKING ME, A GODDESS AS A CHEAT! NO WAY! WAI-WAI-WAIT! PLEASE!" Tears and snot gushed out in divine distress.

"Safe Travels Aqua, you can come back if the demon king is defeated." The angel replied.

"Have a safe trip, I'll take care of the reincarnation thing while you're gone." Seth waved goodbye without any expression.

"WAIT! I have zero fighting skills! How in the world am I supposed to take down the DEMON KING!" She started floating.

"Kukuku, How does it feel to be dragged away into another world by the guy you view as sh*t? You're the 'thing' I'm bringing along. So with those godly Powers of yours, either start making miracles or make my life as easy as possible!" Kazuma spoke with greed.

"NOOO! I refuse to be sent to a world with a sc*m like this!" She wailed, with more tears and snot streaming down her face.

"HUAH HAHAHA!" Kazuma Continued to laugh, sounding like a third-rate villain.

THINK AQUA, THINK! HOW COULD I LET MYSELF BECOME LIKE THIS? THERE HAS TO BE A WAY OUT OF THIS MESS! Aqua thought frantically as her eyes darted around to figure out something.

As she glanced at Seth, a metaphorical light bulb flashed on top of her. "AH HAH! Seth, do you honestly believe you can just snatch my post away, right here, right now!?" Aqua shouted.

Seth felt a dread premonition, but alas, it was too late, Aqua announced with flair, "I HEREBY EXERCISE MY DIVINE RIGHT AS SETH'S MENTOR TO ALSO BESTOW SETH AS KAZUMA'S CHEAT!"

Seth's eyes widened at what she had spoken.

"REQUEST DENIED!" A solemn voice echoed throughout the room.

*Phew* Seth sighed in relief.

"THEN I DEMAND A WAY TO INVOLVE SETH! I DON'T CARE HOW! BRING HIM WITH ME!"

Oh no! Seth has a bad feeling about this.

"REQUEST APPROVED!" Seth panicked, thinking it was nonsense.

"SORRY SETH! I DON'T WANT TO BE STUCK WITH A LOSER!"

"Hey!" Kazuma protested.

"Processing… A solution has been found to fulfill said request without breaking the rules: Individual Satou Kazuma will receive a tool to contact Aqua or Seth. Individuals Aqua and Seth will be given a tool that will teleport to Kazuma's or each other's location." a resonant voice sounded. A gem magically embedded into Kazuma's right fist, while two rings manifested, one landed on Aqua's hand, and the other on Seth's.

"YES! Now Seth, as your Senpai, it's time to fulfill your obligations and protect me from this trash!" Aqua smugly ordered, expecting obedience.

Both men showed disgruntled faces, Seth looking annoyed, Kazuma looking resentful.

Aqua confidently slipped the ring in and commanded, "Now ring, bring Seth to me." The ring glowed briefly, but a second later it dimmed with a *PUUOOT* sound.

It failed, everyone just stared at her in disbelief.

"Hey! Why isn't this working!?" She banged on her ring.

"Umm… Lady Aqua, due to the power of each 'cheat', we have them sealed during the 'isekai process' to avoid any form of accidents." The angel virtuously explained.

"What?! But I want him here now! You know what, I'll do something about it." Aqua threatened.

Seth shouted, "Aqua! Calm down, just use that ring when you get to your destination!"

"SHUT UP! I can't escape from being sent to a mortal world because of him! I'll at least drag you down with me." Aqua, frustrated, gathered power from her fist to do something stupid.

"PURIFICATION! PURIFICATION! PURIFICATION!!!" Aqua chanted dramatically, attempting to break the ring's seal.

Uh oh… Seth and the angel thought at the same time

"LADY AQUA! Unsealing the ring could lead to jeopardy!" the angel warned, but it was too late.

A white flash blinded everyone, and Seth, the first to open his eyes found himself in a transparent barrier next to Aqua. He was teleported inside the pillar of light. 

Eris emerged from a portal and shouted, "Miss Angel! Report this IMMEDIATELY! We have a dire situation!" Her voice filled with panic. The alarmed angel instantly teleported away to report.

OOH! Who's that lady? Kazuma wondered in his mind.

Aqua hid behind him, using him as a shield, "SETH! Protect me at all costs against this NEET!"

Seth stared at Aqua as she smoldered his back with her snot and tears, and then at Kazuma.

"Dude, it's not my…"

"AHHH!! OW OW OW! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" Aqua screamed in pain. Seth had his two hands on her cheeks, pinching her."

"SETH! How could you do this to your SENPAI!" Aqua complained as if she had been wronged

"Do you know what you have DONE!" His grip tightened.

Eris, standing outside exclaimed, "Seth! Enough! This won't change the situation!"

"CAN SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT'S GOING ON?!" Kazuma shouted with worry.

Eris explained, "Satou Kazuma, this 'isekai' magic circle is currently overloaded and very unstable! It can barely 'isekai' one god, but not two!"

"What would happen if this continued?" Kazuma nervously asked.

"If our estimates are correct, it could… *gulp* cause an explosion big enough to obliterate a pantheon, or roughly about five earths for comparison..." Eris answered with anxiety. Kazuma reacted with an 'OH SH*T' face.

A cracking sound was heard. The pillar of light enveloping Seth and Aqua showed cracks.

"Uhh… guys, I think it's STARTING NOW!!!" Kazuma screamed, panicking at the unstable pillar of light. Distress showed on everyone's faces.

"EMERGENCY! ALL PERSONNEL WITH SKILLS IN REINCARNATION CIRCLE MAINTENANCE IMMEDIATELY COME TO XXX! WE HAVE AN OVERLOAD!" An elder angel descended in a rush, followed by the previous younger angel who had just left to report.

"Can't we pull one of them out?! The male one got dragged into it?" Kazuma shouted.

"We can't! It can't be stopped to prevent someone from changing their mind and bailing, even if a god got in, he can just come back after being teleported to his destination!" the elder angel replied.

"Then what can we do? will this thing explode?" The younger angel asked.

"NANI! ANGEL-SAMA, DON'T JINX IT!" Kazuma screamed.

"Sorry!" the younger angel still apologized since she 'is' an angel.

Multiple angels descended, and the elder angel signaled them, "GO! GO! GO! SUPPORT THE REINCARNATION CIRCLE! STABILIZE IT!"

They instantly circled Seth and Aqua's circle, performing magical tasks to stabilize the pillar.

"How can I be of assistance?" Eris approached.

"Just supply us with energy and put defensive measures around it!" one of the angels spoke.

Eris obliged, creating a magic wall for protection and channeling energy to the angels.

"You two! Sorry to bother your bonding, but are any of you capable of the runes and enchantment of the ****** System?" The elder angel asked.

Seth finally released Aqua and said, "I can do it. What do I need to do?"

"Now, you use the…" The elder angel directed Seth and the other angels to stabilize the magic circle pillar of light.

—

Moments passed and the angels struggled, "COME ON MEN! IT FINALLY WON'T EXPLODE! BUT WE CAN DO BETTER!"

The lights are changing, signaling the imminent journey to another world.

"ALMOST THERE! THREE! TWO! ONE!"

A big flash spread out of it, both magic circles vanished, and the reincarnation was miraculously a success.

Everyone sighed in relief, the elder angel tapped Eris's shoulder.

"We are gonna make a report; we need your input." the angel informed.

Eris nodded.

—

"Sir we have a situation. A catastrophe almost happened but luckily it was averted." Reported an angel to an old-looking man"

"We all saw it; that single destabilized portal disrupted this whole sector's 'isekai' process. We had to stop everyone from sending people to other worlds for a while just because of it," the man spoke.

"Sir, here is the detailed report we got from the eyewitness, technical data, and video footage on the place of the incident." The angel handed over a slightly thick reportbook.

The man read it for a few minutes and then sighed, "So this was all caused by her. She removed the seal on the ring. The ring then reacted toward the magic circle and pillar of light, causing a glitch in its system, which then forcefully teleported Seth inside the pillar of light."

The old-looking man couldn't help but ask. "Seth was supposed to be able to reject that teleportation, right? But that glitch circumvented it right?"

The angel nodded and asked, "May I ask sir, what will 'they' do about what had just transpired?" 

"Don't worry, they already have countermeasures in place. Anyway, where's the damage report from this mess?" the man asked.

"Oh right here sir, sorry I forgot," another thinner report emerged from the angel's hand.

The old-looking man received it and started reading it, his expression becoming more helpless by the second.

"*Sigh…* luckily it's still manageable, could have been worse." the man let out a dry laugh at his current predicament.

"Then what will we or 'they' do to her, sir?"

"Her? We can't exactly kick her out but momentarily relieving her of her post should be enough."

"Understood sir." the angel bowed, then left.

Silence descended throughout the room. The old-looking man opened one of his cabinets. From it, he pulled out a note and a photo.

He first stared at the photo, reminiscing about this whole thing, "Aqua, what have you brought yourself into? I knew from the beginning you couldn't even grasp the regulations for this job, but this..."