An Unforeseen Pact and the Pursuit of the Absent!

01

I took a deep breath, allowing a pause to stretch and magnify the already palpable silence in the room. The moment of truth had arrived. Words began to arrange themselves in my mind, configuring a torrent of thoughts that could no longer be contained. And so, I began to unravel the thread of my story, the same story I've shared with you so far:

I described my earthly life, the countless hours spent in front of a computer. I talked about our world, where their existence was confined to the pages of Konosuba, a literary work loved by thousands of readers. I discussed my obsession with such work and how I delved into every detail of the characters and the universe in which they lived. I recounted the day I woke up in a strangely familiar celestial dimension, my initial skepticism, and attempts to deny the reality unfolding before me.

The words flowed with ease as if yearning to be set free. The room remained silent, save for my voice. My words echoed off the cold, lifeless walls, creating peculiar resonances that seemed to give more meaning to each uttered phrase.

Yunyun's face was a canvas of conflicting emotions as she processed my narrative. Once stiff and cold, her eyes were now wide and curious, fixed on mine. They were like two lighthouses in the dark, guiding my oration, encouraging me to continue. Gradually, I noticed the suspicion in her gaze being replaced by a growing understanding, albeit still skeptical. I wasn't sure she believed me, but there was a possibility, and that was all I could ask for.

I revealed my story for nearly two hours while Yunyun remained silent. The room metamorphosed into a time capsule, isolated from the outside world. Once oppressive, the dim light hanging from the ceiling now seemed natural, filling the small space where our reality hung in suspension.

Finally, my voice stalled. The words faded, and I found myself back in the room, my gaze now fixed on the floor. The last remnants of my confession still hung in the air, blending with the almost tangible tension. For a moment, I feared Yunyun would reject my story, and who knows what would happen to me. Still, she remained silent, her hand resting on her chin as she contemplated what I had shared. For anyone who has experienced reading the manga Chainsaw Man, she exactly reminded me of Makima in her office.

02

After what seemed an eternal hiatus, Yunyun spoke. Her voice was soft but assertive, each word meticulously chosen. She raised questions, suggested hypotheses, and outlined theories. She was striving to understand, trying to harmonize what I had revealed with what she accepted as truth.

Although Yunyun's initial silence had caused a certain apprehension, when she finally spoke, her words filled the room with a quiet authority that spread through every nook and cranny. The leader of the Crimson Demons, still visibly skeptical, maintained a stern expression as she inquired, her words meticulously chosen, laden with hidden nuances and subtexts.

"How did you end up here, Vitor?" That was her first question, a hint of suspicion coloring her voice. Yunyun was looking for inconsistencies in my narrative, trying to discern if my arrival in this Konosuba universe followed some explainable logic.

I tried to elucidate as clearly as possible, describing the strange vertigo that hit me, the void that swallowed my vision, and the surreal awakening in this world, oddly familiar but, at the same time, unknown.

"Why you?" she pressed further, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly, her voice maintaining outward calm. Still, I could sense a vein of underlying confusion. "Why, out of all the fans of this Konosuba, were you the one chosen to come here? What makes you so special? You're not the first 'foreigner' from another world, so why only you know the Light Novel?"

Her string of questions caught me off guard, and I confessed that I didn't have the answers. I was just a boy in love with the Konosuba universe, but beyond that, nothing in me set me apart from the others. I spoke of my deep connection with the characters and admiration for the world built in the light novel. Still, I admitted I had no definitive answers.

That's when Yunyun started suggesting possibilities, her voice taking on a slightly softer tone as she built her theories. "What if there's something about your connection to Konosuba that brought you here? What if your passion and connection to this world were, in some way, a determining factor?"

Her suggestions provoked my thoughts but didn't offer clear answers.

Yunyun then turned her attention to the most delicate part of my narrative - the fact that I had been inserted into the very plot of Konosuba, with the events I transcribed in my light novel becoming my reality.

"Do you truly believe you're living out the story of Konosuba? The same story you read?" she asked, a tinge of disbelief in her voice. However, she did not dismiss the possibility, maintaining a thoughtful, reflective gaze.

I sought to clarify that, as absurd as it might sound, this was my only explanation for my current situation. Even without proof, I was convinced that Yunyun's assumption made sense. Somehow, my obsession with Konosuba had catapulted me into this universe. This and the enigmatic yet unexplained fact of my death on Earth suggested more at play.

Yunyun was silent for a while after my explanation. She seemed to be pondering, her eyebrows furrowing as she considered everything I had shared.

Despite her incisive words and assertive tone, I noticed that there was a layer of vulnerability behind the image Yunyun tried to convey. The tension in her shoulders, and the hidden concern in her eyes, were indicative of the burden she carried, not just as the leader of the Crimson Demons, but also as a friend who cared about Megumin, as all this appeared to be about her. Between the lines of her questions and theories, I could perceive a delicate and fragile hope that I might offer some clue, some answer to the yet unrevealed mystery.

"Look at me, Vitor." The command was issued in a gentle yet authoritative tone. I slowly lifted my head, and our eyes met steadfastly. In Yunyun's eyes, a renewed flame shone, a glint that reflected the internal struggle between skepticism and the possibility of truth.

Yunyun's curiosity was piqued when we touched on the most intriguing topic of all: her existence, as well as that of all other inhabitants of Konosuba, was part of a light novel in my world.

"So, you're saying we are characters in a story in your world?" Yunyun questioned, her expression divided between disbelief and curiosity. The idea seemed even absurd to her, a sorceress in a world of monsters and magic.

I nodded, offering her a bitter smile. "It's hard to believe, isn't it?" I admitted. "But it's true. Konosuba, the Crimson Demons, all of you... you're a light novel in my world."

Yunyun shook her head, a frown forming on her face. "That doesn't make sense," she murmured, genuinely perplexed. "We live, we breathe... We have our own lives, our own problems. How could this all just be... a story?"

I noticed the struggle in her eyes. It was hard to grapple with the idea that her entire existence, everything she knew, all that she was, might merely be a plot devised by someone. However, in a world where magic is real, where fantastic creatures roam the Earth, why would the possibility of being characters in a story be so absurd?

"Perhaps, on some level," I ventured, choosing my words carefully, "our reality isn't as enchanting and enigmatic as yours."

My words seemed to amplify Yunyun's doubts, but I also noticed a glimmer of understanding in her eyes. She was considering the possibility, as unconventional as it might seem. After all, why would the impossible sound strange in a world that seemed to have been built upon the impossible?

Finally, she sighed, leaning back in her chair. "It's a lot of information to take in," she admitted, running a hand through her hair. "But, if it's true, does that mean that everything... all of us... are trapped in a story? And you, somehow, have managed to transcend that story and become a part of it?"

I could only shrug. "I don't have all the answers. I only know that, somehow, I ended up here. And if my arrival has any purpose, I would like to find out."

Yunyun nodded, her eyes still distant, lost in thoughts provoked by the revelations. Despite her constant effort to project skepticism and authority, it was clear that her mind was open to the possibility of the unusual, and that the Yunyun I knew from the stories was still there. She was trying to understand and reconcile what I had said with what she recognized as truth. After all, what is truth if not the version we choose to believe?

03

Yunyun remained silent for quite some time after my conclusion, as if submerged in deep contemplation. Her expression was thoughtful, processing every word I had said. Finally, she collected herself, drawing a deep breath before speaking.

"Vitor," she began, considering her words, "I can't deny that your story is... intriguing. I recognize that some aspects of the light novel's plot align with the reality of this world, although there are also significant differences."

Her gaze drifted as if revisiting distant memories. "I became the leader of the Crimson Demons not of my own volition, but out of necessity. As you mentioned in your story, the Crimson Demons are... a peculiar group. They need leadership to prevent them from causing too much havoc."

"When my father, the former leader, perished in a battle that nearly devastated our entire village against a general of the Demon King, I was the only one who could assume the role of leader. I had to learn to be strong, authoritative, and even intimidating when necessary. It's not an easy task, but it's a role I perform for the sake of my people."

Her eyes had a distant sadness as she spoke, recollecting her hardships. "And as for Megumin... Well, her departure was a blow to all of us, especially me. We were always rivals, but we were also friends in our own way. She was the only one who understood my struggle and supported me in hard times. Her departure... left a void... a void in me."

She repositioned herself in the chair, crossing her arms over her lap. "She was always headstrong, eager to prove her worth, to stand out. The last time I heard from her, she told me she had an idea to become known, feared, something grand and dramatic. But after that... she simply vanished."

Yunyun's words painted a dark picture of Megumin, a very different view from the joyous, spirited explosive archmage I knew from the books. "And the characters that were with her in my story? Kazuma, Darkness, and Aqua?" I asked, wondering how they fit in with Megumin in this present.

"They... should be here," Yunyun said slowly, weighing her words. "I've heard of Kazuma and Aqua, they are part of the same adventure group, they are real people in this world, just like me and Megumin. As for Darkness, I've heard of a crusader with the same characteristics you mentioned, from what I know, she's the daughter of a very noble and wealthy family, that's why there was a big commotion and uproar when she was reported missing."

My heart sank at her words. "Missing?" I asked, fearing the answer.

"Yes," confirmed Yunyun. "Five years ago, shortly after Megumin left, news of the disappearance of Lalatina, a daughter of high nobility, spread. Since that time, there has been no news or trace. It's as if they had simply... evaporated."

She stood up and began pacing the room, her stiff posture and movements indicating the seriousness of the situation. "Of course, attempts were made to find them. Megumin is one of us, while the reward for any hint of the noble is extremely high, and their absence is a great loss. But all attempts to locate them have been fruitless. They simply disappeared without a trace."

She turned her gaze to me, her expression grave. "I never thought about a connection between the disappearances, but after your explanation of how the story unfolds in the book you read, I believe that Megumin's and her disappearance might be somehow related. Therefore, it seems possible that you could be the key to solving this mystery."

"As for your alleged offense," Yunyun began, reclaiming her seat, "it will be overlooked, the Crimson Demons are known for their exaggerated reactions. And considering your story and knowledge, I believe you are not a threat to us, in fact, you might be a valuable ally."

I sighed with relief. Being considered an ally instead of an enemy was a significant step forward. But still, the weight in her words was undeniable.

"In return," continued Yunyun, "I will need your assistance. Your understanding of the light novel, this world, and its inhabitants may be crucial. I imagine they could be the key element to unravel what happened. And as you acknowledged, you are just as interested as I am in deciphering the truth."

There was a moment of silence before she resumed, "I need your help, Vitor. You assured me that you want to contribute, and this is your chance. By cooperating, we might be able to unravel the real sequence of events."

My feelings were a mess. The prospect of possibly helping find the two main characters was both terrifying and electrifying. However, I knew I couldn't refuse. It was an opportunity to make a difference and potentially alter the course of this world.

I looked at Yunyun, seeing an unwavering decision in her eyes. She was willing to face any obstacle to seek answers, no matter how hard they resisted. I could see the long worn-out determination being renewed in her gaze.

"I agree," I finally declared, a renewed sense of determination welling up within me. I would help Yunyun unravel this puzzle, whatever it may cost.

The room remained silent for a moment, the words still hanging in the air:

Then, a satisfied smile began to form on Yunyun's lips. She concluded, "However before you can do all of that, you'll need to gain some skills and undergo some training since you're quite weak..." Her voice trailed off as she glanced around the room, then straightened with resolve. "But first things first, let's make a start by stepping out of this gloomy room, shall we?"

End of Volume 1.