Chapter 5 - Everyone's an Archetype

The group stared in anticipation.

The women already had her bow tightened, ready to fire her second arrow. I stood, festering in my anger as I contemplated my next actions.

“Tosh!”

The feminine voice from the cave yelled, gathering the attention of the group.

The Goddess slowly crept from the cave’s entrance, tears falling from her eyes.

“D- Don’t tell me your dead Tosh! I can’t handle that!” She cried, unable to open her eyes to the potential horrors above.

“I’m Toshiro.” I remind her monotone.

“Ah!” She smiled, still teary eyed and unable to open. I noticed some bugs were in her hair.

“G- GODDESS!?” The group shouted to her presence.

“Huh...?” I uttered.

The women with her bow loosened her bow string, the wizard lowered his staff, the strong man threw down his hammer and the scout flipped his hair ready to flirt.

“Goddess! How are you here?” The women asked as they all gathered around her, they group completely ignoring me now.

What.... What is this?

My mind and was thrown off.

“Huh?” The goddess finally opened her eyes. “Oh. Hello my champions. It is so great to see you all again.”

The group filled with glee to the Goddess smile, the way her demeaner changed was familiar.

“I still can’t thank you enough for this second chance Goddess. You must be here to bless our journey.” The brolic assumed.

“I guess you couldn’t get enough of me, I would love to show you our town.” The flirtatious scout held her hand.

“Don’t be a creep to her.” The women kicked the scout away.

“G- Goddess... W- W- What are you doing here?” The wizard stuttered.

The group feel into curiosity to the wizard's question, now wanting answers themselves.

“Well- Uh...”

“She’s here to check on your status.”

Everyone's eyes drifted onto me. The Goddess had confusion in her eyes.

“And... Who are you?” The women asked.

“I’m a fellow God.” I lied.

“EHHH!?!?” Everyone, including the Goddess, shouted.

“I- I’m so sorry for nearly shooting you Mr... God sir!” The women apologized, already forgetting I stated my name.

“H- How can we help God sir.” The wizard stuttered. “We’re doing our best.”

Hm.

Another itch appeared.

I took a moment, the group watched in anticipation, the goddess’s eyes stared.

“Firstly, we would like to see your town.” I stated confidently, recalling the scout's words.

“Uh- Certainly sir... If you don’t mind, could we take some time to cut the meat off the boar?” The brolic man gestured towards the beast.

I gave it a stare. I felt my insight kick in, remembering how there were scarred cuts across the boar’s body when it first appeared, and the fresh ones now matched the old.

The group grew anxious waiting for my decision. They appear to have been tracking it down for a while now.

“Make it quick.”

The group smiled.

“Thank you for your patience.” The women bowed as they proceeded to cut down the boar.

The itch grew.

As me and the Goddess sat back, presented a safe area to relax in as the group did their work, we stood in silence.

“Hey.” The Goddess whispered. I ignored her. “Hey.”

The Goddess continuously poked and prodded as I kept to myself.

“Hey!” She whispered loudly, slamming her sharp hell into my foot.

“Fuck!” I yelped, the group scared by my outburst.

I felt a strong urge to strike as the pouting Goddess stared me down, the group returned to their work.

“I already know what you’re going to ask me.” I stated bluntly.

“Why did you lie to them!?” She angerly whispered.

I sighed. “I’m not explaining my plans to you.”

“Plans!? What plans!? We just got here! Don’t act like you’ve figured things out already.”

I have.

“Stop bugging me while there's bugs in your hair.” I pointed.

“Huh? Bugs in my-”

The Goddess shrieked.

I toned out the Goddess’s panic attack as I watched the group.

Cutting of the board had been systematically tasked to each of the group's members.

The scout expertly cut the hide and skin, using a longer blade that I was unfamiliar with, not due to being unique but because I don’t know my knifes. The brolic man using his hammer either slammed down on the meat to squeeze it together or would hit the boar to knock out bone and strong ligaments.

The wizard scored the meat with his fire magic, turning it from fresh raw to a cooked state for transport. And the woman was managing the cut meat onto their horse drawn wagon.

They had broken down the process with skill sets in mind.

“Okay, we’re ready!” The woman called out to us.

The Goddess’s hair was a mess, centipedes and various bugs laid on the ground. “Don’t cause too much trouble, they’re here to do what I’ve asked of them.” She ordered, crying from the disgust of bugs.

I nodded in understanding, not being honest.

We sat in the wagon, given special treatment as the group of adventurers walked on its sides. Only the scout was on the wagon with us, but he was in charge of the horses.

I noted his versatile skill set.

“Psst.” The Goddess once again poked and prodded.

I sighed, knowing she’ll probably hit me again if I ignore. “Yes?”

“IS this why you called yourself a God? TO get a ride back?”

“Huh? You really think I would fake deity status for a wagon ride?”

“Oh... Sorry.” She apologized for her assumption.

She’s not entirely wrong.

Staring at the various adventures it was clear they were put off by me. They only had their sights on the Goddess.

I felt a devious smile forming.

After some silence the woman made her way to the Goddess.

“It really is great to see you, Goddess. I hope we have been doing a suitable job to your wishes.” She bowed again.

“You all have been doing an amazing job. The task I had given is understandably difficult. But with you efforts I have no fears you’ll get it done!” She flexed her confidence.

The group was in awe to her charisma.

As they fawned over the Goddess, I studied her. Her demeaner, her cheery voice, that smile... Most of all, those eyes.

I kept quiet, observing the characters interact and show who they are.

“We’re coming up now!” The scout shouted.

“Oh, thank God- I uh, didn’t mean any offense by that.”

“None taken.” I forgave the wizard.

“I hope the springs haven’t been taken over yet. I would love to wash of this boar’s blood.” The woman wined.

“I- I’m sorry, I thought I charred it real good this time.” The wizard stammered.

The woman immediately comforted the wizard.

I watched in intrigue to the group's dynamics. Their archetypes were pretty clear, but what had my interest was the fact they were fellow reincarnates.

I could tell from a glance the type of people they were before being brought here.

The only ones I really cared to note was the scout and women. The brolic man bored me, too stereotypical for a big guy. The wizard was thin and young, he was a highschooler who was anxious, it is interesting to the fact if he’s similar to Imani, as in he’ll have a strong outburst soon being brought here.

Ooh, that’s and interesting thought I just had.

I nearly got distracted from my train of thought over the nerd.

The two who had my attention was the scout and the woman. The scout clearly has various skill sets. I can’t figure him out past his typical hot boy charm. Why is he good with handling knifes, how does he know how to horseback carriage?

These questions gave him a depth.

A far away wall can be seen, this must be the town closing in.

In the woman's case she’s cut and dry. Strong minded and willed, her skills are as expected from an archer, perhaps she’s trained a lot whether it being school or being brought here. Her voice, her way of thanking and apologizing tells me she held a customer service job in her old life, habits that have engrained into her soul transcend reincarnation, I relate to that too well.

I’m fine that these people are reincarnations. It did bore me at first but the potential of their interactions with this world has me intrigue. The idea they’ll traverse these lands together knowing they came from earth, or at least a modern equivalent, has my mind racing.

The unmatched potential for a story unfolding with this group and my deception has my heart beating!

“Entry payment.” A guard stood at the town entrance. The woman handed a slice of meat on which they put a few cuts onto a side wagon to the gate.

I couldn’t see the guard's eyes which made me nervous. No matter, as long as I could read these guys, I know I’ll stay entertained.

Passing under the wall, I realized it was pretty thick. The town must be wealthy. Excitement brewed more than the landscape I saw when I appeared here.

I stood. The Goddess was put off by my demeanor as I overlooked the stack of meat.

We crossed the walls boundary, the light blinding me as the town came into view.

I’m so excited!

It’s a fantasy world. There must be all types of humanoids from dwarves to elves! The potential for countless new personalities and narratives with each soul here has my mind going haywire.

How will our group fair among the residents of this world!? Will they rise as the heroes that will save them from the demon king!

My heart grew in anticipation. The world came into view.

The buildings were awe inspiring.

They lined the cobble road with medieval aesthetics. Their windows were cross hatching with wooden panels. Flowerpots rested near their entrances, as if it were tradition.

Various vendors of carts and stalls took control of an open area, selling their goods. All types of adventures wandered the streets... Actually...

I noticed almost everyone was dressed like an adventurer, most notably they all were all unique in their approach. As if they were falling in line of what they were meant to look like.

The archers looked like archers, similar to the women. The wizards dressed like wizards, similar to the nerd. The party that found us were just as much of adventurers as the rest of the town.

I sighed.

I’m a bit disappointed these guys aren’t a standout to the crowd, even more so I noticed there was no other races. We were all equally human.

That’s fine!

That just means I’ll find entertainment in the solace that our group is unique. I hope we’ll be the underdogs of the story, maybe they’re hated by the citizens for being different.

“You guys finally got the boar this time, huh?”

“Eh?” I stuttered.

“Hello!”

“Hi!”

“Congrats on the hunt!”

Various citizens stopped by and were giving pleasantries to the group.

They aren't the underdogs.

In fact, they seem to be well revered here. Passing gazes onto the boar haul had the citizens in awe. Though the amount of people noticing the Goddess and gossiping had me curious.

“Where are we going to drop this off?” I asked the nerd.

“D- Drop it off? Now?” He stuttered, my brow raised.

“We’ll worry about that later.” The woman chimed in, wary of my question. “With the Goddess here, we first need to go to the church.”

Church?

The itch grew.

Making it to a grand staircase made of marble, I studied the architecture.

The pillars were magnificent, the carvings, the lined metals on the roof showed amazing craftsmanship. This town is blessed in wealth and skill, I am amazed.

I noticed a beautiful sculpture.

It was made of pure white, taking center stage of the stairs as people worshipped it. I studied its structure.

Being thin build, the craftsmen was most definitely inspired. With the most luscious legs, contain in thigh high socks, her skin bulged at the tops, emphasizing her thick hips.

Thigh highs?

Her panties also looked pretty familiar. Her mini skirt looked as if it was caught in dead wind, forever caught in a breeze. Her kimono style topped hid her breasts but left the impression they could burst out at any time.

The Goddess began to tremble as I stared at the statue.

Its long hair flowed all around, her eyes were deep, a gem representing its deep blue shined brightly.

“Goddess...”

She trembled next to me, her face beet red.

“Why does he know how my panties look?” The Goddess dropped to her knees, shaking from embarrassment.

I stared down pitifully. Was I not the only man she tried to seduce.

Wait... How would someone know the Goddess of reincarnation’s panties?

“G- GODDESS!?”

Oh shit.

A man stood up from his worshipping. The woman archer looked in disgust as he approached.

I studied the man, his fat rolls bouncing with each decent of the stairs. His glasses thick and sweat already begun to fly off his face, he barely made it down 5 steps.

“Goddess! I’m so glad to meet you again.”

The fat man let his sweaty palms encase the Goddess’s, her smile stays all the same, but with her eye’s closed I could get the full picture.

“It’s so good to see you again. You’ve such beautiful buildings." She praised.

“What.” I couldn’t hold back my tongue.

“It was all for you, my Goddess. I wanted to express my undying loyalty. The whole town is my devotion”

“That’s so nice.” The Goddess tried to slip her hands away, using the man's sweat as lubricate.

“Wait... This fatty made the city?”

The atmosphere went silent, I could feel all eyes on me

“T- Tosh! That’s incredibly rude!” The Goddess expressed, I could see thankfulness in her eyes as she managed to escape the sweat cage.

“D- Do you know how much this man has done to help us make this city work?” The woman defended.

“W- Who are you!?” The fatty expressed angrily.

“He claims to be a God.” The sly scout threw that in.

The fatty held back a tear, he looked as though he was ready to cry.

“W- What kind of God would be so mean.” The nerd asked whimpering.

As everyone called me out, I stood strong, crossing my arms in defiance. I studied the stout-built man.

He appeared to be near his thirties, still relatively young. The woman's earlier distaste but now offended stance shows she has her own opinions but outweighs his work to overlook them.

He clearly idolizes the Goddess to a dangerous degree. Considering how well portrayed her panties are and having no reason to believe she would have willingly showed them to him.

Credit of the city's buildings from his words and those around show this isn’t a lie and is revered. But nothing about him tells me he is capable of either schematizing or executing the building process in any way shape or form. Other than his own imagination.

Imagination?

I looked to the beautifully crafted Church. The metals and carvings show attention to detail, ones that would take years of focus and dedication to achieve.

No one in the town appeared over thirty, in fact, there was a lack of younger teens, the wizard just hitting the youngest mark around 15.

“Is... Is this entire town full of reincarnates...”

My sudden question had the crowd puzzled. The Goddess’s eyes reflect a glimmer, one of intrigue.

“Y- Yeah. You're a God, how did you not know that?” the brolic man asked.

Oh shit.

“Goddess. Who is this man?” The woman interrogated.

“Uh- Well- Um...”

The stuttering of the Goddess sealed my fate.