Note: This is the first fanfiction I ever wrote, I had simply decided to write this when I was bored. Considering this is my first story, there may be errors; grammar, spelling, vice versa.

This fiction takes place alternatively in which Kazuma have not died, so neither Kazuma, Darkness, or Megumin is aware of Aqua's resurrection abilities.

Additionally, it takes place during/after Season 2 of the anime.

I am getting used to writing fiction (also being my first), so I am open to criticism, and suggestions.

EDIT: (3/31) I remade the entire ending of this chapter, and partially the beginning, I felt that I had rushed it and was too short. I have much more inspiration now. Additionally, I am planning on remaking most of the second chapter. It should be coming later next week.

Third chapter should be expected in the next few days.

That useless goddess got us into another debt.

Ever since we all got back from vacation, she was hanging out at the guild much more often, performing her party tricks and drinking. She ended up destroying some chairs and tables, and going overboard with some of her tricks, and created a minor flood in the building. We really shouldn't be letting her on her own, but now we're in a debt of about 125 thousand Eris. It wouldn't be a problem if Vanir were to finally pay the three hundred million eris, but he said that it'd take another month or two, so that put pressure on us. I was really hoping that we'd be done with quests for a while and relax too. In hopes to pay off the debt, we went off to find some quests we could take, but all the high paying ones were difficult and the easy ones were paying so low.

"Did you guys find anything?" I asked,

"Hey Kazuma, how about this one?"

Aqua pointed at a quest that was to find some lost supplies that was left behind after a Merchant was ambushed by wolves. It appeared to be simple enough, and the reward was about ten thousand Eris. So, we decided to take it.

"Kazuma! Help me!"

However, on our way to find the missing cargo, we were attacked by the same vicious wolves.

"Why is it that I always have to do everything for you?"

I shouted at Aqua, as I pulled out my bow and sniped the two attacking wolves.

"T-thank you, Kazuma… Thank you for saving me."

"Ugh, let go of me,"

As I forced Aqua to let go of my shoulders I shouted towards Darkness to see if she was fine,

"Despite the large group of them, I will not fall victim!"

"Aqua, stop crying and go help Darkness. Megumin, how you hol- NO MEGUMIN DON'T CAST THAT-"

"EXPLOSION!"

"YOU IDIOT!"

A large crater was left at the center of the explosion, not only that, but I was sure that the sound would have attracted more to our location.

"I should have thought this through, now I am about to be attacked by wolves, Kazuma I would appreciate some assistance."

I quickly equipped my sword and sliced at the incoming wolves, it was the first time I got to use my new sword, and I was surprised at its strength. After the wolves were dealt with, I quickly grabbed Megumin and put her on my back.

I yelled back at Aqua and Darkness,

"Hey, we need to get out of here! We can't stay, there's too many of them!"

"KAZUMA! LOOK OUT!" Darkness shouted

I quickly turned around to see a wolf jump up at me. By reflex, I turned to dodge, but I wasn't fast enough. The wolf's claw scratched at my right cheek and I tripped backwards causing Megumin and I to roll down the steep hill.

By the time we hit the bottom, Megumin and I were in bad condition.

"If it wasn't for that stupid goddess getting us into debt, we wouldn't be in this situation." I mumbled to myself.

I quickly ran up to Megumin and started to transfer some mana into her so that she'd be able to run,

"I didn't think we'd get into this situation so I didn't get steal any mana from Aqua, I'll give you some of mine. Thanks to your explosion we attracted more wolves, we need to run." I told Megumin,

"But what about Aqua and Darkness?" Megumin quickly asked,

"God, can't you just listen to me for once? I doubt we'd be able to climb back up anyway. We can just hope they get out." I explained as I helped Megumin up,

In all honestly, I would be willing to abandon Aqua as she got us into this mess. I looked around to see for a way out of this forest when I had heard Aqua's voice from the top of the hill.

"Kazuma?! Megumin?! Are you two okay down there? I don't know why, but the wolves up here just ran away."

"Yes, we're fine, just go find a way out of the forest, we'll meet up with you two." Megumin shouted,

"If you say so. Kazuma, don't die." Aqua replied,

Great advice Aqua…

"Okay, Kazuma how are we going to get out of here?" Megumin asked me,

"Huh? How should I know, I never been to this side of the forest before."

"Great, so we're lost then."

By choosing to walk in a random direction, we eventually stumbled onto a road, so we followed it in hopes of it leading out of the forest, that entire time I've been on high alert with my enemy detection skill active to see for any wolves attempting to sneak on us.

"Kazuma? You okay?"

"Hm? Oh, yeah I'm fine, why?"

"Well, you seem to be limping, is your leg okay?"

I stopped walking, "I have one question, why do you care about my well-being?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, are you seriously asking why I am worried about my dear friends?"

"Correction. Your only friends."

"What do you mean? I have other friends."

"Like who?"

"Like… Um… Yunyun is one."

"And?"

"That's all."

"Exactly."

As we continued walking down the road, I noticed that my enemy detection skill is picking up, but I had no idea where it was coming from. I looked around to see if I could trace it back.

"Kazuma, what's wrong?"

"My enemy detection is picking up."

Wolves then started to walk out from bushes from in front of us and behind us, until they surrounded us both. We were both in no condition to continue fighting.

"This is bad," I said as I pulled out my blade, "There's nothing you can do here, you've already exhausted your mana, and I can't run."

Is this how it is going to end? These wolves are going to kill us, and it is all that stupid goddess' fault. If I were to go out, I'd like to do so fighting, chances are slim, but I could potentially get at least Megumin out of this.

"Kazuma? What are we going to do?"

"I am going to see if I can find an opening and distract most of these wolves, then you make a run for it."

Megumin quickly revolted, "What? No way I am just going to leave you, I always thought of you as crazy, but that's insane, even for you!"

"Hey, if we're both going to die, I at least want to die fighting, and I don't like the idea of you joining me in the afterlife,"

"I'm not leaving you, there's got to be anoth-"

I snapped, "DO IT"

Megumin quickly gasped at my outburst, I felt a little guilty at that but it had to be done.

A wolf quickly lunged towards Megumin, so I quickly pushed her out of the way, and penetrated its chest, but it ended up clawing at my shoulder. I had no idea where all my strength came from, but I used it to my advantage, all the wolves seem to be focused on me. Good, that what I wanted to have happen. I quickly looked at Megumin, "Now, Run!"

She hesitated at first, but followed instructions,

"You better get out of this alive. I won't forgive you if you don't." I heard her say,

I quickly turned my head back to the wolves. Oh, what have I gotten myself into.

"Well? Bring it on!" I shouted as I raised my sword ready for the wolves' attack, I felt all this adrenaline surge throughout my body and as wolves I manage to dodge and swing more easily. Many lunged at once and bit at my arm and leg. I quickly stabbed at them and shook them off. I was unable to run even if I could, so I stayed where I stand bracing for impact.

Megumin's Perspective

I ran. I ran as far as I could have.

Kazuma. That idiot, why would he sacrifice himself for me? This is all my fault, I used explosion and attracted more wolves. I only made the situation worst. I could've learned advanced magic, magic that could've helped Kazuma, something I could cast more than once, instead of explosion magic that I can only cast only once. I should have listened to Kazuma instead of being so stubborn. I could've learned much more useful skills, but it doesn't matter now. He could be dead. All the times I confidently boasted about my explosion magic. But what does all that answer? Absolutely nothing. I couldn't do anything. I was as weak as a civilian in that situation.

I didn't have any more strength to run. This is my fault. Mine. All mine, and he blames it all on Aqua. Maybe, there's a chance. He's still there. Alive. I quickly got up and went to run back in the direction I came from. That's when I heard rustling in the bushes.

"Who's there?" I got nervous.

I saw a head lean out from behind a tree. I recognize that face.

"Yunyun? Is that you? Have you been following me here?"

"Um…"

I quickly grabbed Yunyun's arm, "We've got to go back! Kazuma could be dying we need to help him!"

"Wha-? Kazuma's dying?" Yunyun asked,

"There's no time! We need to go now!"

Kazuma's Perspective

I looked around. All the wolves were lying around me. Dead.

I don't know how I managed to inherit such great strength. Must be that "Overpowered Strength During Near Death Situation" cliché.

Either way. I was hurt. Bad. With what strength I had, I limped towards a nearby tree and sat leaning on it. I was bleeding badly and overwhelming pain surged through my body every second. But I was so numb and exhausted, I was unable to scream or do anything else but to sit. I was slowly losing conscience. I want this unbearable pain to leave. I felt that death could be better than this torture I felt. I wondered if Heaven would not be so bad after all. But it was all put off once I heard footsteps. Great, a wolf has come to claim my life. I was ready for it.

"Kazuma! Don't you die on me just yet. Yunyun don't just stand there, help me! Use some healing magic or something just save Kazuma!"

Megumin? Damn it, that kid came back for me. I don't know whether I should be disappointed or in relief.

"Kazuma. Please don't die on me, I swear I'll get you out of this."

Those were the last words that I had heard before darkness consumed me, and I fell unconscious.

First chapter remake done. Although I know that some of you have already seen this chapter already. I feel that I did better now. This was just the first chapter, so some parts were mostly rushed when the first version was made, but now, I put actual work into it. I am also planning to remake the second chapter as well, but do not worry, as the third chapter should be coming out this weekend. Stay tuned.

As always I am open to suggestions, criticism, and I would also appreciate some compliments as well.