"Ugh… Ack…!"
"O-oi… Suiryu, you alright?"
As crimson liquid dripped profusely from his mouth, the bald guy in jumpsuit before him asked him. His ever present bland face took a shift of deep concern. Suiryu could only smile in response, enduring the pain that began to chew on his consciousness.
"… W-well… Never thought those bastards roughed me up this bad. I guess I'm really weak. Sorry, Saitama."
"Hey, you can't just say it like that. You've put a good fight. You also said you wanna be a hero, right?"
"Yeah… I'm glad I hear it from you– UghUEEEK!" Suiryu vomited more blood.
"O-OI!"
"Man… To think that I'll kick the bucket this soon… Guess I'm not a making of a… hero, huh?" His breath was haphazard as he snorted blood.
"H-hey, Suiryu, hang on there! I'll call an ambulance!"
"N-nah… I'm happy… I… finally meet a great hero like… you… T-t-thanks… Sai-tama…"
The once world-renowned martial arts champion let out his final breath. His face met the blood-smeared arena floor with a gentle thud. Meanwhile, Saitama could only stare at him, mortified. He slowly put his hand over Suiryu and shook him.
"Su-Suiryu…. Oi, oi, OI…!"
It was too late. The martial artist was dead.
One Punch Man belongs to One.
Rising of The Shield Hero belongs to Aneko Yusagi.
I own neither of them.
| Prologue: Spark of Doubt |
"Urgh…"
Suiryu slowly opened his eyes, groaning out a slight ache from his waking process. His blue eyes darted around wildly, scanning the place he was in. As his senses readjusting themselves, his mind flew back to the hazy image of the last moment that still stuck in his brain.
His memory almost failed to catch up since it clashed with his senses that delivered a rush of new information, mostly telling him that his body was perfectly fine. Soon, that piece of knowledge filled in the blanks, alarming him that…
"… I'm sure I was dead. My body was riddled with nasty wounds. I lost my arm. But… How–!?"
To add his bafflement, his clothes that should have turned to rags were intact. He didn't wear any shirt, bare-chested, but his black gi pants didn't show any sign of damage. They even looked fresh, as if they had just come out from the laundry.
"… Man, where am I?"
"Owow… My head..."
"Hmm… The hell's this?"
His musing ended abruptly when he heard groans from other people. He still held the belief that if people die, they suppose to end up in a realm other than world – an afterlife of sort. When he turned his gaze toward his surroundings however, the sight didn't strike him as what he might have imagined.
'Okay… So, I guess I'm not alone. There's no point to be tensing up, yet.' He calmly assessed the situation, nodding his head at the sight of three boys in casual clothes and four figures in ritualistic robes. 'These guys are as confused as I am. And this blue light? Where does it come from? Huh?'
His grip of his right hand found something unfamiliar. He clenched harder and felt something cold. His eyes landed on the object, blinking in perplexity. It was a spear, its length appropriate to his height. Its shaft was ivory-white with intricately ornate geometrical patterns that wrung its shank, gripping the base of its dull-black blade that housed a crimson sphere in its center.
"Wow… What's this?"
"The summoning is a success!" One of the figures exclaimed.
'Summoning? Sure we got some fancy symbols around us, but is that really true? Now this is getting weird.' A slight apprehension washed over Suiryu as he whipped his gaze at the surroundings.
"O~ Heroes, please save our world!"
"""What!?"""
The desperate plea of the priest met shouts of surprise from the people they summoned. Even Suiryu let his jaw hang loosely. He hovered over a fleeting belief that it was a dream. Even a pinch to his cheek was still not enough to convince him.
"What is that suppose to mean?" One of the boy, the raven-haired one who carried a sword, said as his eyes narrowed.
"Many complications happen in this situation, but to offer you the easiest answer, we have just managed to summon you through an ancient ritual, o Four Wise Heroes!"
Suiryu looked at the priest's eyes, trying to track any hint of lies, but none could he find. The guy really spoke the truth about their circumstances although their sudden invitation had added their confusion. That might indicate that their ritual was initiated haphazardly, or maybe due to something else. But above all else, he got some sort of new life, a second chance.
"Summoned?" The blond kid in school uniform muttered, glancing at his bow.
Suiryu veered his eyes again, trying to collect more chips of information from this situation. He looked at the boys, each bore their unique weapons.
The first one at the farthest left of his place got a bow. Judging by his look, the blond kid came from a well-off family. His delicate face almost didn't indicate any trace of struggle whatsoever. If there was something noteworthy from him, it was his posture that made a bowing as his instinctual habit.
'Either he's an addict gamer or bullying victim.' Suiryu made a vague guess as his eyes drifted off toward the boy at his left.
The next one was the swordsman. Suiryu glanced at the ornate sword in his hand and traced his vision up to its wielder's face. Much to his chagrin, the boy seemed to be the obnoxious type who thought of himself as a smartass. The way he carried himself in front of the poor summoners was an enough tell.
Suiryu turned to his right and raised his brows. This one looked older than the other two and despite in confusion, he showed a gentle disposition. He looked at this boy who carried a shield a while longer and the boy turned to him, casting a sympathetic look.
"Uh, hello?" The lad asked, then blinking in surprise.
"Hello. Um, are you alright?"
"Ehehe… I guess so." The boy let out a weak chuckle, rubbing the back of his head. "Though I'm not sure how I can be here."
"Our world is on the verge of destruction. We beg of you, heroes, please, lend us your strength!" The priest continued after a moment of silence.
"Same here." Suiryu flashed a smile. "But–"
"I don't think so."
"Yeah, me neither."
In that moment they exchanged little greetings, the conversation with the priests had rolled into a tense one. Suiryu knitted his brow when he saw the youths were shooting nasty looks at the robed men who were bowing in plea.
"Is it even cool to rope us into your trouble without our consent?" The swordsman asked coldly, pointing his blade at the priests.
"Besides, if we save your world and bring peace in the end, you'll just send us back home, right? Sounds like a job to me." The archer exclaimed as he glared, again, at the priests.
'Well, damn kids. I also got the same problem over here, but can you at least tone down your way of speaking? Geez…' Suiryu sighed, acknowledging how troublesome some teens might be.
"Alright." Suiryu took a step forward and tapped the floor with the butt of his spear, drawing all the attention toward him. "I wish I can speak with the person who ordered the commencement of this ritual. I'd like to know all the details and reasons behind this. Is that possible?"
The priests were taken aback, and so did the boys. They regarded him with a new light, almost like a bunch of disoriented subordinates seeing a new leader. The head priest gulped and bowed in reverence.
"But of course, Lord Spear Hero. We will lead you immediately to meet the king."
"Thank you." Suiryu nodded, smiling contently as he followed the priests out from the stone room.
The boys exchanged looks at each other, dazed by the eldest guy. As they remained stunned, Suiryu stopped in his tracks. He tilted his head over his shoulder, coolly giving a sideways glance.
"If you have any problem you want to speak out, save it for later. Now follow us."
The heroes tailed behind the priests, passing through a dark corridor that led them to an ascending spiral stairway. Most would know that they were climbing a tower, but they remained oblivious along the way, saving whatever thoughts to themselves.
The same went to Suiryu. As his large steps brought him along the silent path, he sunk in rumination. The suddenness of how the events flowed couldn't even let his mind catch what had transpired. He still had a hard time to cope with the fact that he was dead and got summoned as a hero. Even if he were dead, he still had a strong desire to return to his world, catching his dream as to be a hero, returning Saitama's favor. This turn of event had put him in unrest.
Still, if he got summoned as a hero, wasn't that the thing he wished for?
'They called us heroes, huh? Hero… Is this a second chance?' He pondered as his hand traced the stone bricks that made the wall. 'Do I really deserve this?'
He glanced at his spear, then at his fellow heroes. 'Spear, huh? I never learned soujutsu in the first place. So, why should it be this? And why it sticks with me?'
As his brow knitted, a gentle ray came through an opening in the wall. He ascended some steps and turned toward the source. His eyes widened upon seeing what laid beyond the barred window. It was a fascinating spectacle, fresh for the eye to behold, enamoring for the mind to think of.
"Wow, man! Look at this! This place is sure like a famous tourism spot!" The shield-bearer exclaimed in awe, marveling the scenery of the old-fashioned settlements in the walled-city. "But we really are in another world!"
"Hmm. I can say the same. I've never seen something as spectacular as this." Suiryu shared the boy's awe, halting his step near the window.
"Right!"
"Really? Is it that awesome? I think it's just like a Mediterranean resort area." The Sword Hero looked at his dazed companions in stupor that borders an irk.
"That sounds like you never went out for a trip." The archer gave a pitying look.
"Ah, sorry, guys. I guess I really lack experience in this kind of stuff." The Shield Hero smiled wryly.
"Well, I don't think so." Suiryu continued his ascent, taking one last glance at the scenery.
"What do you mean?" The swordsman quirked his brow.
"Appreciating things that fascinate us is a part of healthy life. So, if you can't even appreciate a little wonder you find around you, guess you're not happy."
"Ugh."
The Bow Hero recoiled in shock while the swordsman scowled. Suiryu caught their reaction, but he maintained a neutral smile, deigning any idea to tease the kids. Judging from their reaction, they were the type who sympathized others poorly, but got irritated easily.
"Talk about life? It's none of your business." The swordsman glared at Suiryu.
The Spear Hero only shrugged in return as he followed the priest's lead. He didn't have any intention to poke at a hornet's nest, lest he incurred a disaster.
After passing through a courtyard and a sunlit corridor that offered a glimpse of the grandeur of the palace, they arrived at the throne room. The chamber was properly decorated with tapestries, highly-guarded by knights wielding tridents, and fully attended by noblemen. At the end of the room, the supposed ruler of the county had been sitting in his throne.
"So, these are the Cardinal Heroes. Very well. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Aultcray Melromarc XXXII."
Thus the old man in his royal garb introduced himself, gazing at the heroes with appraising eyes. The boys weren't nervous at all, likely due to ignorance. However, Suiryu could tell that there was a remnant of a warrior in the old husk.
'Sure, I cannot compare him to Bang-sensei, but he might be a fighter worth his salt in his younger days.' He made a conclusion as he scanned his immediate sides. 'Quite an event, huh?'
"Then, Heroes, I would like to know your names."
"Ren Amaki." The black-haired swordsman introduced himself. "Sixteen-year-old. High-schooler."
Came his turn. He lowered his gaze, making a short bow to show a little bit of manner. Even if it was just an acting, he still believed that it wasn't a bad idea.
"I am Suiryu." "Twenty-three-year-old. I was a martial arts champion."
His answer triggered gasps of surprise from the audience. They murmured, looking at him with intense leers of skepticism. The king who shared their surprise raised his hand and the hall once again turned quiet.
"Martial arts champion?"
"Well, a kung fu fighter?"
"Is he Brute Li or something?"
Even the other heroes also failed to stomach it, their whispers echoed around their spots. Suiryu's neutral expression didn't help but stack a doubt over their disbelief.
Telling them that he was a champion that excelled in martial arts turned out to be outrageous. Did even martial arts exist in that world? If not, was it even a taboo to say something that they didn't know? He calmly observed the situation and found the king showed a hint of restrained interest his subjects didn't share.
"Martial arts champion, did you say?" Aultcray frowned in suspicion. "Would you like to elaborate what kind of conduct that earn you such a title?"
'Figures.' Suiryu cracked a smile.
"I fought in arenas to earn that title and won many times. I earned some money as the prize."
The old king finally found his statement as something convincing. His gaze met no falsehood on the Spear Hero's mien.
"Hmm…" The king hummed and his lips curled up ever so slightly as the crowd of nobles buzzed again. "Intriguing. And how reassuring. Then I would like to see how you prove your worth."
"I'm honored." Suiryu flashed a confident smile.
'I mean, I'd had said 'leave it to me,' but… nah.' He shook his head, bitterly recalling his miserable defeat. 'We still haven't even begin. I haven't figured out what kind of destruction they are facing.'
Aultcray nodded. He tilted his head to the next hero in line, signaling to continue the introduction.
"Oh, I'm next." The baby-faced archer spoke broke out from his stupor. "Itsuki Kawasumi. Seventeen-year-old. High school student."
"Ren, Suiryu and Itsuki."
The moment the king repeated the names without so much as taking a glance at the last hero, Suiryu's forehead wrinkled. He glanced at the Shield Hero who sported a look of shock. He returned his gaze to Aultcray. Neither a trace of care, nor apology sprung up on the ruler's face.
"Wha–! My King! What about me?!"
Even the look of desperation and surprise on the shield-bearer didn't move any muscle fibers on the king's face. He gave an indifferent look, likely result of arduous training through diplomatic affairs along his life in dealing with enemies. However, his eyes couldn't hide a glimpse of contempt when he regarded the Shield Hero.
'Now this is something I don't like. I've watched a bunch of movies about vile employer and I can guess where this will go.' Suiryu quietly observed in anticipation, fixing his gaze on Aultcray.
"Apologies. Then, your name?"
"Naofumi Iwatani. Nineteen-year-old. I'm a university student." The Shield Hero introduced himself with so much innocence a young man his age could ever have.
The king nodded briefly, a false acknowledgment playing over his face. Suiryu mentally noted this ill-sign, taking everything into account. He glanced at the kids, but they didn't show any speck of alert on their faces.
'They couldn't catch signs of hostility. Well, so green. Guess they came from peaceful societies.'
"Heroes, now allow me to explain about the grim situation this country, and the rest of the world is facing…"
The king proceeded to recount the lurking threat that prompted him to summon the heroes. Well known as the Wave of Calamity, it swept over the lands, pouring out monsters along the way, wiping out lives. The abominations that came in droves ravaged many countries, eventually exhausting their military power.
Worse, it was just the beginning.
'So that's why they summoned us? Still, my world also got the same trouble. Not that I hate to do a hero job. There, I was dead, after all.' Suiryu mentally shrugged as Aultcray's story went on.
The king also explained about the existence of a priceless artifact that told them about the coming of the next wave. All of the ritual stuff and the account was laden with their belief on the legend. At that point, Suiryu had likened this desperate situation with his own world's predicament.
Monsters came out of nowhere and began their rampage, pushing humanity into the corner of near extinction.
"Then I believe that is all I can tell. What is your take, Heroes?"
"That surely is a convenient excuse for dragging us here. And you got the guts to command us?" Ren coldly flung his insult at Aultcray.
"Same here. All this sounds pretty self-centered to me. If your world is on the verge of doom, the let it be. It has nothing to do with us. Gehhh…!"
Itsuki's nasty reply made something snap inside Suiryu. He shot a homicidal glare at the kid, flinching him. It didn't last more than some seconds and Suiryu recomposed himself, drawing a breath to sooth his rushing blood.
'Kids… You'll never know until you're put in our place!'
"As you've heard from them, we have no responsibility to help you. If we dedicate time and lives to bringing peace to your kingdom, do we get anything besides 'thanks and see you later?' And is there a way for us to get home?"
Suiryu gave an appreciative smile after he heard Naofumi's piece of thoughts. He threw a glance to see the king's reaction. In response, Aultcray turned at him.
"Spear Hero, do you perhaps have any words you wish to convey?"
Suiryu sucked a deep breath and exhaled it slowly. "My world also faced a similar catastrophe where monsters spring out from almost everywhere, on daily basis."
His answer elicited murmurs among the audience. He paid no heed to it, maintaining a straight face under the king's intense gaze.
"Heroes are the vital part who protect people, and well, they exist to protect people. They fought monsters and we were paid them. So, like what the wise Shield Hero has implied, I believe that you would grant us some compensation for our service."
"Naturally, as the employer, we are obliged to give you requital. Fear not, for we have made arrangements to support you financially. We would also provide you with whatever support you need in your endeavor." Aultcray's voice was even, flaring a just and dignified impression.
The heroes looked delighted upon hearing that. On the other side, Suiryu tried his hardest to stifle a sigh.
"Sounds cool to me. As long as you keep your promise, I don't see any problem with that." Ren stated, nodding his head as if he drew a winning card over the negotiation.
"Still, don't think you've bought us off. Though, as long as we aren't enemies, I'll help you out." Itsuki threw the spice, forcing Suiryu to facepalm.
Suiryu turned to his right side, finding Naofumi was also at a loss for the kids' brazen, standoffish insolence. Not that he held any high regard towards Aultcray, but those kids couldn't play tact at all. They should have known that a foreign area was practically an enemy territory, but they ran their mouths to their heart's content.
'Their words might be the dead of them.' Suiryu noticed some noblemen were scowling.
"Spear Hero, is that condition agreeable to you?"
"With all due respect, until I see for myself what you promised us, I would treat this as a glimpse to a contract."
"A cautious one, I see." Aultcray gave a satisfied smile.
"And to the second point, can we, heroes, return to our respective worlds?"
"As far as the legends tell, there is no story of any previous hero who went back to their original world."
"Dead men tell no tales." Suiryu shrugged his shoulders in disappointment, drifting his gaze at Naofumi who looked mortified by the revelation. "I've figured as much. Then we have no choice but to fight."
"Sadly, that is how that should go." Aultcray's grave tone sounded more apologetic than pitying.
The king gave a sidelong glance to one of his aides. Registering the signal, a man with a slightly hunching back stepped forward, standing some steps away from the heroes. This sly-faced minister in a robe smiled hollowly at the heroes.
'This creep…' Suiryu flashed a ridiculing frown at the sight.
"Then allow me to explain further, heroes. But first, we would like you to open your Status."
"Status?" Naofumi cocked his head.
"You didn't recognize it? You should've realized it when you arrived." Ren said, his eyes trained at a floating translucent display in front of him. "Can you see a small icon on your bottom right of your peripheral sight? Just focus your eyes on it."
Suiryu found the icon. He actually knew that the tiny dot had been obstructing his vision whenever he darted his eyes around. At first, he thought that perhaps it was due to exhaustion from the summoning. He focused his vision at it and a holographic display appeared before him.
SUIRYU
Age: 23
Hero of Spear
Level 1 | Max HP: 2780 | Max MP: 72 | Max SP: 965
Status:
Attack: 398 | Magic: 12 | Physical Resistance: 387 | Magical Resistance: 23 | Speed: 391
Special Abilities:
[Void Fist]
Void Sky Dragon Fist | Void Shivering Tiger Fist | Void Ascension Phoenix Fist
Elemental Resistances:
Water: 21 | Wind: 19 | Thunder: 24 | Light: 31 | Dark: 17
Equipment:
- Clothes from another world
- Equipment from another world
'Hmm… Now I'm not sure whether this is real or not. This kinda reminds me to the Virtual Reality system at the game exhibition I visited, though.' He caressed his chin, opening the menu with glances and his eyes narrowed. 'And what's this? It lists my Void Fist techniques as skills? This thing sure is terrifying for one hell of a tech!'
"Well, we're still level 1, huh? That's awfully painful." Itsuki commented, scratching his head.
"I doubt we can even fight with our stat like this." Ren thoughtfully hummed.
"What's all this?" Naofumi seemed confused as he frantically checked his menu window.
"Do these things not exist in your worlds, Dear Heroes? What you are experiencing at the moment is called Status Magic. Everyone in this world can see and use it." The minister shortly elaborated as he let the heroes familiarize themselves with the system.
Suiryu also took his time, momentarily checking over at his sacred weapon. He nodded, grasping the general function of the system.
"Then since we are still relatively weak now, what are we supposed to do?" Naofumi followed with a question, expressing his concern.
"You would go on a journey to gain strength, hone your abilities, gain new skills and strengthen the Holy Weapons each of you has been bestowed upon."
"So we still have some time to prepare for the incoming Wave. How generous!" Suiryu remarked, earning Ren's frown.
"We cannot afford to delay the summoning any longer. You would have approximately one month before the next Wave comes. Please, use that time wisely to power-up your weapon and gather necessary skills." The minister suggested, putting on a grim look.
"Otherwise, we cannot fight the Wave." Ren curtly quipped.
"Correct."
"Now that we're still this weak, why don't we just party-up? The four of us." Naofumi proposed as he faced everyone.
'Still, I'd prefer going solo.' Suiryu quietly hummed. 'But getting a company is a better idea.'
"Yeah, that sounds good to me." Itsuki nodded in agreement.
"Dear Heroes, unfortunately, that is not possible since fighting together for heroes might incur an adverse effect." The minister interjected before anyone could give their thought. "Naturally, they cancel each other's growth, resulting in a stagnation."
A notification window appeared before their eyes, telling exactly what the minister had spoken. They read the letters and expressions of disbelief floated on their faces.
"Then, are we going to fight alone? That's awful." Naofumi complained.
"Worry not, Heroes, for we will provide you with the best of companions Melromarc can provide to aid you in your quest." The king announced reassuringly, prompting the heroes' face to brighten up save the spear-wielder. "The night is falling soon. Rest well and restore you strength. Your journey would begin in the morrow."
Thus the audience with the king ended. A maidservant guided them out from the room. As they stepped outside, Suiryu sent one last glance at the throne room. His face scrunched into a grimace.
'I got a bad feeling about all of this.'
"Man… The dinner's sure extravagant." Itsuki exclaimed, taking a bite-sized cookie from a plate as he leaned against a sofa. "Hmm… And the snacks are tasty."
"True, despite the fact that they only reserved us the knight's dine house." Naofumi said in accord, letting his gaze wander around the guest room they were in. "What do you think, Suiryu-san?"
"Me? Hmm, for the level of a country, or a kingdom in this case, I actually expected a more lavish welcome. A royal family can throw in a feast, right? We are heroes, after all. Sure, we got VIP suites for tonight, but I think it still lacks in hospitality."
Suiryu's assessment garnered Ren's interest. The Spear Hero turned out to be more than just a dense muscle-mass of a man with lady-slaying face. Fortunately, that giant mass of a chiseled, well-toned body had gotten a cover called a shirt. His almost ever present scowl bent into a look of curiosity. Still, that expression appeared more like a suspicion rather than a hint of interest.
"You've got a point. Heroes, especially those who are summoned from another world, normally got more extravagant treatment."
"Oh! Right! Come to think of it, we didn't even get a warm welcome. The atmosphere was also rather tense. It's far different than those fantasy stories from novels." Naofumi chimed in, earning Suiryu's nod. "Heroes at least get more than this."
"Yeah. Even for people like diplomatic ambassadors, I also think this is pretty bland." Itsuki shot a weird look at Naofumi. "Wait. So you like reading light novels?"
"Ehehe… Pretty much." Naofumi gave a bashful look.
"Regardless, we got a new, clear objective once we arrived." Ren tilted his head, looking at Suiryu. "Speaking of heroes, you seem like a tough guy to begin with. And a martial art champ to begin with. You sure are lucky, huh?"
"You can say so." Suiryu shrugged. "Still, I'm not that confident since this is a whole new different place."
"Wow! So you really have experience in fighting, Suiryu-san. That's impressive!" Naofumi gave a compliment, looking at Suiryu with glimmering awe in his eyes.
"I'm not that great, you know." Suiryu smiled wryly.
"You look like a genuine soldier for a martial arts champ. Talk about the manner of your arrival here, was that KIA?" Ren shot an inquisitive look at Suiryu.
Suiryu was taken aback. This kid could lightly ask a matter of people's demise like it was nothing of a big deal. For a moment, he wanted to lash out at the swordsman, but he dismissed the idea, remembering the fact that they came from totally different societies. Counting in the sight that Ren tended to be a snappy one, it would be better that he played along.
Moreover, they likely wouldn't believe his story. He sighed inwardly, keeping the torturous moment of beating from Gouketsu and Bakuzan into his mind. It was the thing that delivered him to his demise, after all.
"Oh, come on, call me a martyr, would you? I died, trying to save people." Suiryu gave a strained smile. "Then what about you, Ren-kun?"
Suiryu's smile wavered when he noticed a clear discomfort on Naofumi's face. As he had expected, the Shield Hero was the healthiest among the kids. For a second, he regretted for not ceasing their talk about death.
"I… Guess I was murdered. When I was trying to save my friend, I suddenly found myself lying on a pool of my own blood." Ren's face folded into a grimace as he pressed his hand into the side of his torso.
"I'm so sorry to hear that." Suiryu gathered his palm as if in prayer, solemnly looking at Ren. "A blessing upon your soul, fellow hero."
"Thanks, I guess. Though, it doesn't change the fact that I got killed." Ren's face made a faint smile as his eyes veered toward the next hero.
Noticing Ren's gaze, Itsuki pointed at himself briefly and chuckled awkwardly. "Ah, in my case I wasn't as flashy as you were. I got hit by a truck."
"Oof!" Naofumi flinched in his seat.
"That's… Pretty cliché. That reminds me to the stale trope of how people got transported to another world." Ren quipped without an ounce of sympathy on his face.
"Ehehe… Yeah. That's also what I thought." Itsuki scratched his head. "Kinda lame, huh?"
Before anyone could ask the last person, Suiryu's smile returned. It looked so ominous that Naofumi saw the faintest hint of a smirk on the Spear Hero's face. However, it didn't look like it was a harmful sign. He took it as a friendly gesture.
"Firstly, Naofumi-kun, we're so sorry since we lump you into this talk of dead men."
"A… Ah, I-I think it's okay, really." Naofumi smiled nervously. "Don't sweat it!"
"Nope. That's definitely not okay." Suiryu leaned closer towards Naofumi. "Because you were still alive when you got summoned, right?"
The Shield Hero gasped. His face reflected a mortification upon Suiryu's sharpness. As he stayed petrified in his seat, he could see Suiryu's smile didn't wane. He felt like he was seen through.
'Oh, dear. Did I do it too far?' Suiryu got a surprised look when he saw the way Naofumi reacted poorly to the revelation.
Suiryu stood to come over Naofumi and patted his shoulder. "Your reactions earlier proved that you didn't go like what we did. You sympathized us so much. Otherwise, you're a pure, kindhearted person. So, rejoice, Naofumi-kun~!"
Suiryu's overly friendly gesture prompted an awkward smile on Naofumi's face. The boy let out a wry chuckle as he scratched his cheek.
"Ehehe… I guess you're right, Suiryu-san. Weirdest thing is, I was sucked by a story book when I read it in a library."
"You found a portal to this world? That sounds scary." Ren blandly remarked.
"Yeah. That's just bizarre." Itsuki nodded.
"But I think it's your luck." Suiryu made a finger gun.
"Yeah. Maybe." Naofumi rolled his eyes, signaling a change of topic. "Oh, yeah. By the way, what you guys think about this world?"
"What do you mean?" Ren knitted his brow.
"Well, I mean, about the overall system."
"I think it's like a game. Brave Star Online in my case."
"Huh? Shouldn't it be Dimension Wave?" Itsuki quirked a brow.
"No. Brave Star Online. You must have mixed it with another title." Ren retorted, shaking his head at Itsuki.
"Oh, really? I think it's Dimension Wave, I'm sure of it. Then what about you, Naofumi-san?" Itsuki shifted his gaze to get a second opinion.
"Eh? Um, I don't really know, but I think the closest is Fantasy Moon Online, maybe?" Naofumi tilted his head to look at the last person. "What about you, Suiryu-san?"
'Good. Now they liken this environment with some PC games.' Suiryu inwardly sighed.
"I guess this resembles a sophisticated VR system. However, I don't think this is a game. I think it's real."
"Virtual Reality environment, huh?" Ren mused aloud and shot a rather accusing look at Suiryu. "And it's not like that we treat this as a game, mind you."
Suiryu wanted to rub his forehead, neatening the wrinkles from dealing with the snappy swordsman. He only let the thought pass as an idea glimmered at the surface of his mind.
"Yeah, alright. Just spare me from this talk about games cause I wanna find out about it. I'll go out for a stroll. Anyone wants to join?" Suiryu coolly offered as he rose from his seat, ignoring the swelling irk on Ren's face.
The boys exchanged some looks. Ren and Itsuki shrugged their shoulders as Naufumi hesitantly stood.
"I pass."
"I'd rather stay."
"Uh, can I join?"
"Sure. Be my guest, Naofumi-kun." Suiryu gestured with a slight tilt of his head towards the door. "It's not like there's a curfew. The night's still young."
The pair of young men strolled around the castle, marveling the splendor of the place under the night sky. As they had a trivial chat along the way, they sometimes met some guards who bowed in salutation as they passed. Their leisure walk finally led them to an wide balcony that overlooked the courtyard below.
"I see. So you came from a country called Japan, huh? And it's a peaceful country." Suiryu nodded, taking a seat on a stone bench.
"Yeah. It's a peaceful place. The last war that involved my country happened over 70 years ago. You might say I lived in a peaceful era, though on some parts of the world, conflicts never ended. Huuuh~" The younger boy plopped down beside Suiryu. "Oh, and you said that your world only had one supercontinent. Why I have a thought that there should be more that that?"
"That's the truth. Though, the others had sunken. Either caused by great wars or devastating catastrophes. Well, maybe both." Suiryu nonchalantly said.
"Wh-what?!" Naofumi almost jumped from his seat.
"Hey, that's what the school textbooks and history teachers told us, you know. I've heard names of old continents like Asia and Europe. They all had vanished, leaving behind a single country on that supercontinent."
"F-for real!?"
Naofumi's jaw would have hit the cold cobblestone floor should human anatomy allow it. Looking at Suiryu in mortifying exasperation, his brain slowly worked itself to restore his composure. He wanted to shout and smash the bench under his ass if possible, but the guy didn't look like he was joking. His face got a grimace as he readjusted his seating posture.
"Naofumi-kun?"
"Oh, uh… I think that's too much for a fact I can take. My brain's toast for just trying to believe it. It's just… totally crazy." Naofumi shook his head.
"Can't deny it, can I? Almost all in my world are insane. Believe it or not."
"Still, it's pretty reassuring that you have experience under your belt. I feel like ordinary civilian like us won't stand a chance." A self-deprecating smile rose on the Shield Hero's face.
Sensing the younger man's dropping morale, the Spear Hero gave a reassuring pat to his back. Suiryu put on an encouraging smile – the smile he wore as a champion who found a good rival.
"You know, Naofumi-kun, experience isn't the sole factor that brings success. Things like talent and luck also play great role. But more than that, in the end, it's a matter of how hard you push yourself. It's your effort that drives you forward towards your goal."
Naofumi fell in silence, deep in contemplation. Suiryu's piece of motivation was something he found many times in manga and tons of medias he had consumed along his life. It wasn't a foreign thing at all to the point that it got stale, remembering the fact that it was one among many pieces of Japanese work ethos. However, that piece of wisdom oddly felt refreshing.
Nevertheless, a doubt struck him when his eyes darted toward the weapon he carried. The prospect of a shield-wielder doing a great achievement felt like a distant dream.
"Yeah, I know. But… I got a feeling that I won't be able to meet that expectation."
"Is it because you got a shield?" Suiryu's face made a mild grimace.
"Uh. Partly, yeah."
A look of sympathy graced the Spear Hero's face. He caught the boy's anxiety. Living and growing up in a world where there were no threat of calamitous disasters, it truly was unimaginable for people like Naofumi to bear this kind of task. Normal people would have been shaken the moment they found themselves being summoned.
Suiryu also finally understood why the other kids inclined to compare this new environment with the games they played. It served as a means to dampen the shock of the new reality.
Or it was a new freedom they wished all along since the reality in their old world was too tough.
He was also aware that he was far from being a hero. He was not Saitama, the one great hero who had saved his insignificant life. His change of heart had not happened but a mere moment ago. He felt like hypocrite to force his new ideal into someone, but the kid before him was in need. He couldn't leave Naofumi in that struggle with anxiety.
"Sorry if I sound rude and kind of forcing a lecture on you, but… you can take it as a little advice." Suiryu inhaled deeply as he placed his hand over Naofumi's shoulder. "Believe in yourself, Naofumi-kun. You know what you can do better than anyone else. Hmm… Right! A hero is also the protector of people, meaning that a shield is the very essence of being a hero itself. Just put more faith in yourself. I'm sure one day you'll be a true hero. The Shield Hero!"
As Suiryu closed his speech with a wink, Naofumi's jaw slackened in utter bewilderment. His comprehension went into a halt for a brief moment, trying to let every bit of that advice sink into his skull.
'This guy… I feel like I've seen that line in a manga. Sounds like a bullshit moment, but why I got the impression that he really does what he said honestly. His young mafia-boss-like face also surprisingly doesn't strike me as those of nasty liars. He looks too honest to be a conman.'
The Shield Hero might be innocent, but he wasn't dense enough to believe something as fantastic as Suiryu's tale. Up to a certain point, he still thought that Suiryu was jesting in which he treated all this talk as nothing but a hollow pleasantry and blank entertainment. After hearing that advice, however, his view changed a little bit. He couldn't put his finger on it precisely, but Suiryu looked like someone people could trust. A speck of shame occurred in him as he realized it.
"Thanks, Suiryu-san. I guess you're right. What I'm dealing now maybe is my issue with confidence. I… I'll try my best."
"That's the spirit!"
"Still, I hope you don't bring up all those philosophic stuffs about being a Shield Hero." Naofumi bashfully spoke as he tilted his head.
"There your issue with your confidence." Suiryu pointed out. "You still need to come to terms with your new status. A hero needs a strong conviction. That conviction comes from how you view yourself."
'Dang! This guy started to creep me out!' Naofumi shuddered on the inside. 'But, seriously? He knows this thing about hero. I guess he's really a hero, huh?'
"Well, yeah. But I'd rather we don't talk too much about this deep stuff."
"I see. Then as you wish." Suiryu shrugged his shoulders in grandiose surrender.
"A-anyways, thanks, aniki." Naofumi said as he turned his head away.
"Eh?"
It surprised him that of all people, the shield-wielder was the first person in this world who called him a brother. Even when he on a mission with his men, no one ever called him that although he often made all this brotherly approach to break the tension his underlings suffered. A new soothing warmth invigorated his heart, shaking off the crusts on it.
"Heh! Then count on me, ototou-yo!" Suiryu jabbed his thumb over his chest in full confidence.
At first, Naofumi made a weird look. As seconds rolled however, a smile rose on his face. A hearty laughter soon followed as he looked at Suiryu like he was an idiot. Suiryu didn't look offended at all and instead joined the chorus of chuckle in response.
Little did they know that in the close stretch of future, a disaster was revealing its repulsive face. Its presence grew stronger, brewed by the evil that hid withing the castle wall.
'How? Just how it turns out like this? Could it be… Ah. So that geezer has a grudge on Naofumi, huh?'
The second day had come. On this day, Suiryu finally stumbled upon the source of his anxiety. As he had suspected, Aultcray Melromarc XXXII stored a flame he wished to hurl at the Shield Hero. His alibi by saying that the Shield Hero was the least popular among the heroes couldn't masquerade his raging contempt.
The reason of that burning hate...?
'This is where I don't get it. Naofumi is a recently summoned hero. How can he hate a person he didn't even know? This doesn't make sense unless Naofumi was summoned once before this. Either way, Naofumi resembles someone who he really resents so much.'
Suiryu quit his musing as he regarded the dreadful predicament Naofumi should face. Of twelve people the king had summoned to the meeting, none took the Shield Hero's side. The boy was shocked, trying desperately to get any help in acquiring the promised companions, but almost all batted cold eyes, even the Bow and Sword Heroes.
And that was when Aultcray dumped the seemingly convincing reason to aggravate Naofumi's anguish.
'This geezer… I can't stand it anymore...'
"Your Majesty, is it okay if I begin my journey without any single companion?"
The king frowned sternly at Suiryu, clearly taking his proposal as an insult. "Your reason?"
"On my duty, I often went alone. I guess it wouldn't be painful if I do so." Suiryu shrugged his shoulders, stifling a smirk when he caught a whiff of Aultcray's ire.
"Are you going to betray the trust of the people who have chosen you?"
Suiryu turned around to have a look at the four people who had chosen him. Just when he thought that he could scratch a sense onto Aultcray, much to his annoyance, this schemer of a king was careful enough to pinch up people who were eager to follow their heroes. The looks on these youths told him that they would make things harder for him.
"Please consider, Lord Spear Hero. We came here to dedicate ourselves to support you." A boy in a nobleman attire said, facing Suiryu as his face went sourly sullen.
"Are you going to dump us? How cruel of you, Sir Hero!" A girl in a dancer outfit blurted out, shoving herself in front of him.
"Declining us is not an option." Another girl in a wizard get-go stated coldly, glaring at him. "Or are you that shameless to refuse our sincere offer, Lord Spear Hero?"
'These kids… Crap." Suiryu pinched his bridge. 'I'm already running on fume of my patience.'
"Aniki…"
"If you are that concerned about the Shield Hero, your worry is in vain. We would provide additional fund should no one choose him."
"How reassuring." Suiryu dryly remarked. "Still, is it too much if I want to help him when no one even cared?"
"Are you trying to vex me, Spear Hero?" Aultcray's frown dented deeper.
"No. I was just saying what I found. As a hero, I also have the responsibility to ensure the safety of my fellows. The ones who ultimately benefit from it are you and your people, after all."
"Your reasoning is as clear as daylight itself that I am afraid that we would find nothing should we prolong this talk. Then I take it as your compliance to this arrangement."
"What's with the haste in changing the topic? We haven't done here, yet. Look, the Shield Hero is still alone." Suiryu calmly gestured with his thumb.
"Aniki…"
"In that case, Lord Spear Hero, please allow me to accompany him."
A red-haired girl from Suiryu's party who remained quiet during the argument stepped out. The slim chick in a leather armor cast a beatific smile at him, her pale green eyes glancing at Naofumi, prompting his delightful smile. Suiryu knitted his brow at her in return.
Something felt off. He got a sensation that all of this was a drama. A farce. But he couldn't follow it.
Despite the haunting queasiness, Suiryu mustered a smile in response. "My lady, are you certain that you wish to accompany Sir Shield Hero in his quest?"
"Eh?" The girl was taken aback by Suiryu's shift in his manner of speaking.
'She's too scrawny and her skin is too bright for an adventurer. Sheltered life? Should be some sort of princess.' Suiryu's eyes darted swiftly, comparing her with the joiners who had settled with their heroes. 'Well, might as well pull out my untouched ability I once polished for becoming an actor.'
Suiryu mentally shrugged as he saw her reaction. The girl however was also an actress of her own. She swiftly donned in her mask, putting on a plastic smile.
"That is my decision, Lord Spear Hero. Shouldn't you be happy?"
"Oh, of course I am." Suiryu turned at Naofumi who gave a hopeful look. "It is my utmost joy to help my fellow heroes, especially if I can offer more than one companion."
The girl's smile slightly twitched. "Please do not worry about that, Lord Spear Hero. I can guide Lord Shield Hero to secure the best companion that he can ever get."
"Oh, how relieving! Then surely I can leave him in your gentle care, can't I?"
"But of course!" She said with forged excitement.
"A-aniki… Thank you so much!" Naofumi bowed deeply in gratitude.
"Oh, come on, Naofumi-kun, don't be so formal." Suiryu replied as he stole a glance at Aultcray. "Still, are you okay with this? You only got one person for your party."
"It's alright. I'm sure I'll manage, somehow."
"Well, if you say so." Suiryu swept his gaze at the crowd of nobles.
"Then I believe this matter is settled." Aultcray announced as soon as the girl moved to Naofumi's side. "Now to support you, heroes, you will be given 600 silver coins for now, each. And Shield Hero, as for you, we grant you 800 pieces. Every month, you will receive our funding. Spend it wisely, Heroes. Now, you may begin your journey!"
And that's how Aultcray kicked out the heroes.
With meager intel to study on.
Without any proper preparatory training.
With a bag of hard cash they didn't know how much they could afford with it.
Followed by people whose motives were still unknown.
Armed with weapons they should discover their functionality on their own.
The heroes marched off.
As they left the castle, the Spear Hero's uneasiness worsened.
Author's Note
Been a while, huh? :-3
The second season of Shield Bro is out, but not even my Void Shield Hero has reached a quarter of its first season. Well, whatever. Right now I'm really board. For real. So here, after nibbling Rifujin na Magonote's newest series, a feral idea sparked in my head.
Hope you like it. Thanks and see you on the next story. ;-)
