The shopkeeper and alleged diviner, Meera, joins our group, along with a tiny helmet-wearing cat that might as well be just named Meow.

I will never be using its full name.

That is not happening.

It looks and me and gives a single dismissive meow, as if it knows this.

Then, as it realizes I'm watching, it leaps off of Meera's head and into Elara's arms.

Elara does not seem surprised by this tortoiseshell cat leaping into her arms, and immediately catches it, petting under its chin.

"The little angel!" Meera coos and reaches toward the cat, only to get smacked with its tail.

I never had pets, before, so I'm not quite sure what this is supposed to be like.

But I doubt it's that.

Elara sighs. "Be nice to your mommy." She scolds the cat, and it rubs its head against her, almost as if apologizing.

This...

I don't like this.

This feels like...some feelgood JRPG party, not a hardcore challenge game party.

Those...don't often have parties, given the inherent 'challenge' part is always better if you don't have a party with you - either they make things easier, or they're a pain and nobody likes them.

But even still, if they do have them they're not...Miss Meowkins the silly cat and the four slapstick companions.

Well.

To Arin's credit he doesn't really get involved in the absurdity that unfolds in front of him, not even to snark at it like Kael does.

But he also did get slapped across the room by a lich. Hard to forget that image.

But that's not the point!

The point is that I'm not feeling greater confidence in the challenges ahead the more that I see the things foisted upon me.

"Master~!" That annoyingly chipper voice in my head pipes up. "You're so smart, but have you considered that you will need such happy and friendly people in your party to offset how grim and dark this world will be outside of the starter town?!"

That's...

That's a good point.

Better than one I expect from System Helper.

"Cissy!"

I ignore her interjection.

But I can't ignore her point. Even if I have my doubts that it's genuine.

It would be nice if this is a portent of just how difficult things would be and not in the bad way I'd been picturing it. Even if I know I'm being played right now, I can't help feeling a little bit excited at that prospect.

My anticipation grows, my mood improving as I move back over to the racks of swords.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

The sight of them, gleaming in the torchlight of the shop, fills me with a sense of joy.

If it is hard, and I'm forced to fight monsters and demons that I have no hope against, while still trying to master skills and spells to further grow my power and talent, and eventually meet the demon king at the end...

That's what I want.

If I don't have that, I'm wasting my time here.

I'd rather fight the demon king now, and die alone so I can try again elsewhere, than waste my time on easy things.

And...I won't die, anyway.

Those stupid abilities won't let me.

"I'll support you to my very limits, Master!"

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I'm not over it.

I'm not happy.

But I do have some hope.

I swing a simple looking sword in my hand. I don't want anything complex. Nothing too shiny or magical looking. I'm basically going to be intentionally handicapping myself just for the hope that I won't get disappointed.

"I'll take this one." I say, firmly.

"But Master-"

'I did not ask your advice!'

Elara clears her throat and stands a little straighter, still holding the cat. "Right. Shopping. I have my things picked out, too. Arin?"

"Done." Arin replies.

Elara then glances over and points out several sets of light armor and a variety of other materials on display. "And then these are my suggestions."

"What...?" I frown and look them over.

They do look pretty good.

I guess it doesn't matter anyway beyond aesthetics, which I've never really cared about except to flex. Barring some godforsaken blessing-curse that somehow gives me even more powers, the armor isn't going to matter compared to the Absolute Defense anyway.

And Meera would probably have that for herself.

...I hope.

I stretch and make my way over to the armor. Meera isn't jumping up and down out of excitement, and the price sounds...normal? Not that I can tell, given I don't know this world's economy, but it's not really any different from the rest of the things picked up.

In fact, everything goes pretty smoothly.

We make our purchases, equip our things, and head out of the garish shop reasonably quickly, and without any more slapstick events.

Miss Meowkins eventually hops back onto Meera's shoulder, as well.

I have to admit that that helmet...sort of fits, with her weird outfit.

I just don't know if the cat appreciates this or not.

...It doesn't matter.

I should stop being so distracted by a cat.

As we walk through the town, Elara gives a slow breath, as if she's trying to calm herself from something.

"...So we're really heading out to fight the Demon King now. This is it." She says quietly, looking toward the towering mountain range in the distance. "There's no backing out now. No returning empty handed. If we die..."

She shakes her head. "No. It won't happen. We won't die."

Meera grins. "We can't die because it's fated that we won't, anyway! We have to destroy the Demon King and save the world."

"Is that another thing your stars said?" I can't help but ask.

She turns her red gaze toward me with a curious little look on her face, but her eyes brighten with a smile. "You believe me? Most people laugh."

...That doesn't surprise me.

Especially since I was mocking her just now.

But I'll feel like a dick if I say that.

So I sigh and shake my head. "The voice in my head says you're a diviner."

Have I mentioned having one before?

Doesn't matter. It's not like the party deciding I'm crazy and leaving me is something I'll mind.

Her eyes sparkle. "Voices, too?!"

"I didn't say voices."

I'm not crazy.

There's just a very annoying voice in my head telling me things I never asked in the first place.

She squeals, covering her face. "Oh! Oh! My new companion is going to be super exciting to get to know~!"

I.

Feel uneasy.

What a horrifying thought.

Before that conversation can get any longer, Elara cuts in with the rescue of a subject change.

"...The journey to the Demon King isn't short by any means." She shakes her head. "The supplies we bought won't take us there. And our money won't last to get enough supplies. We'll need to find ways to make money for more supplies."

I shrug. "If we run out we can clear out a dungeon again."

I'd rather not waste my time with such trivial trash mobs, but a quick grind when we need the drops...

It's something every hardcore gamer has had to accept at some point.

The fact is, a lot of money and resources come from farming for stuff you could sell to NPCs.

That's just part of the experience.

Kael looks to Elara as she raises her arm up dramatically and points to the sky.

"That's right!" She proclaims, a glint of determination in her eyes. "We won't be swayed or slowed by such minor setbacks. Together, we'll free this world from the Demon King and be remembered by everyone forever."

Well.

Not really 'together'.

It's probably going to mostly be me.

But she's at least right they'll be remembered too if they manage to survive it.

Kael stares at me for a long moment and then shakes his head. "You're a dick, you know that?"

...But I didn't even say anything?!