"Ready for round two?"

    Ryuji didn''t have a shred of fear or remorse as he raised his axe and rushed toward the wounded Kobold.

    He didn''t know when he''d lost the fear of these monsters. The thought that normal people would act like Ryo did passed through his mind. However, the rush of fighting a death match and the thrill of a battle against a strong opponent had awakened a hunger inside him that couldn''t be ignored.

    ''Mother, what would you think of your son now? What would you think of me becoming a monster who loves to kill like this?''

    Ryuji didn''t stop, and the kobold couldn''t run.

    It fought desperately as Ryuji''s axe sliced down; the Kobold held the Warhammer high while channelling the flame magic once again.

    "GRU! GRUUU!"

    The flame magic surged through its weapon and the gemstone, the flame surging at the head, flaring and growing bigger.

    The kobold had a manic grin, its fangs on full display, and its eyes wide and crazed.

    ''Is it planning on blasting its body away to kill me too?''

    Ryuji realised his thoughts weren''t far from the truth. The kobold planned to explode and take Ryuji with him.

    He had no time to spare as his axe collided with the Warhammer. The impact caused the weakened kobold to slide through the dirt, his feet digging a path.

    A flash of red-orange flames surged forth, enveloping the two as a fiery explosion occurred.

    ****

    A few minutes ago, Yumiko stood at the entrance of the boss''s room, watching the fight unfold.

    However, a loud blast shook the ground and the cave walls. A massive, red-orange flash of flames exploded from the entrance, followed by the kobold''s scream and a wave of heat.

    "Ryuji!"

    She could no longer see his figure or smell his scent because of the acidic and disgusting flames and smoke.

    "Wait, Yumiko, what are you doing?"

    "What am I doing?" Yumiko''s ears twitched.

    She noticed that Akari''s hand held her back as she was about to enter to help Ryuji.

    "I''m going to save Ryuji. What if he''s injured?"

    "But..."

    Yumiko growled, her canine teeth flashing, and the two were shocked. Her pupils were dilating, and her iris changed from blue to golden while shrinking.

    "If he dies, Aren''t you both trapped in this cave and probably starve to death? Or maybe you''ll leave and become slaves of the kingdom; that''s how they treat useless heroes."

    Her words caused the pair to shudder; with a sharp voice, she clearly seemed annoyed at them. "Or should I just kill you both now?"

    "We will wait, we''ll wait."

    Ryo panicked, seeing her serious expression. He didn''t know she was this loyal. Or that she was this scary when angry. When with Ryuji, she acted gentle, like a tame beast.

    "Hmph! Coward."

    She turned around to enter the room, only to be shocked by the intense and visceral scene in her eyes.

    "Sorry," he said finally.

    "Don''t worry, I enjoyed it. I liked how intense you were." She smirked while rubbing her nose against his, the blood from her neck dripping onto his exposed chest, the armour slowly repairing.

    "But next time, please be careful; I''m not as strong as you. We should also consider the other two. If we were alone, it would have been great. Those two are here, so we had to stop." She added, smiling gently.

    Ryuji closed his eyes, the red finally fading, and smiled, "I will."

    Yumiko sighed in relief, only to be lifted into the air; Ryuji suddenly broke free of her mount and lifted her with both hands holding her buttocks.

    "Ah!"

    "Thank you," he said, kissing her softly on the lips, her eyes wide open.

    "You''re welcome."

    Yumiko smiled and returned his kiss.

    ****

    Akari and Ryo watched from the entrance.

    Their faces seemed to show a sour look. Akari wistfully gazed at Ryuji and the tent in his pants while Ryo saw the beautiful Yumiko now kissing Ryuji in his muscular arms.

    "It''s not fair," Akari sighed, and Ryo patted her shoulder.

    "I am sure you''ll find a nice guy... don''t be upset."

    "..."

    She looked at him with an odd look and shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips.

    "Thanks, I guess. But you don''t get it, do you?"

    "Eh?"

    "A guy like that, in this kind of world. Even if he had a hundred women, Ryuji would be more appealing to any woman with half a brain."

    "..."

    Her answer caused Ryo significant mental damage. Because of the situation, he seemed to have grown a crush on Akari, but her eyes and thoughts were too logical and calculated to make him fear her.

    ''I wonder if my life will be any different from before? Will I always look at the world and be second fiddle or side character B?''

    Ryo sighed and shook his head.

    ''It seems the hero party isn''t as strong or united as I thought it would be. Since they are suffering, but why does this fucking hooligan seem just fine?''

    He looked at Ryuji''s calm face, his hands rubbing the fox girl''s ass as they exchanged kisses, tonguing each other that it made anger well up inside Ryo, who could do nothing but cook in this world.

    Ryo didn''t want to feel this way, but seeing these two always so positive and happy made him frustrated, especially since everyone else had been suffering since coming to this world!

    ''Just how strong is he, and will we get any stronger by being with him? If so, should I try to help more? Or does he really view us as nothing more than torch carriers?''

    Ryo contemplated this silently as he waited for the couple to finish their deep kiss and emerge from the boss''s room.

    Ryuji walked out of the room, his hand still firmly attached to Yumiko''s waist, her face flushed red as she held a small golden chest and beckoned the others towards the room, since the exit opened up.

    Neither of them realised Yumiko had heard their many brief exchanges and times they badmouthed or spoke of Ryuji. One day, they might just regret these selfish deeds caused by their fear and terror from the scenes of Ryuji brutally killing monsters in the dungeon.