Fuck. This. World.

Naofumi had many words to describe Melromarc. And they weren't nice ones. Ranging from terrible to cluster fuck of a shit world.

And yet here he was, back in the city with the castle looming over, as if watching him and the people.

It's not like he wanted to be back here, but he needed money. And a place to rest.

Earlier, he'd been hunting for more balloons. If punching those things for hours would get him any experience, then he would gladly do it. Now he was dead tired. Tired physically and mentally.

He'd give anything to go back home. Fuck the hero business and everyone else in this godforsaken world. What reason did he have to be here if everyone treated him like a criminal?

And it was that stupid bitch's fault.

What he wouldn't do to gouge her eyes out. A cruel thought to have, he knew. But she deserved it. And so did the king. They deserved the worse.

He found his way back to the herb shop. He carried with him a small sack filled with whatever herbs he could gather. They weren't the best quality, but they were far from being considered bad.

Entering the cramped shop, Naofumi didn't bother to look at the stock and went straight for the counter where the shop owner was. The man was reading a book and only looked at him briefly before putting the book away.

"Got some stuff for me?"

"Sure do." Naofumi dumped the sack onto the wooden counter. There was no small talk between the two. They understood he only came here for business and nothing more. That was how he did things now. Unless he needed to scare his clients with the monster balloons.

The owner opened the sack and began taking out the herbs. He hummed as he turned over each plant, carefully inspecting them. Naofumi didn't know anything about plants, especially herbs and such, but he knew they had to be in good condition to use for medicine.

"Well," the owner reached down and pulled out some coins. "You brought back some good ones. I can give you seven silver coins for all of these."

Naofumi held out his hand and the owner deposited the coins. He intended to leave the store and go back to Traverse Inn and get a cheap room… but he didn't want to walk all the way over there. And the last time he was back here, he remembered the owner would sometimes take in sick people to rest in the back room.

"Listen…" The owner raised an eyebrow at his word. "Do you mind if I take a rest back there? I'm tired after punching those balloon monsters." More like his arms were tired.

"And here I thought the heroes didn't tire so easily."

"Guess you thought wrong."

They stared at each other for a while, the silence thickening as each second passes.

Finally, the man signed. "Go on and rest. There's someone else resting there, so you have to pull the curtain."

"Got it." Naofumi nodded and made his way to the back. Compared to the shop, this room was more spacious. Spacious enough for there to be two twin beds. On the left side the bed was empty save for the blanket. On the other side, the bed creaked as a man groaned. He looked somewhat fancy in his clothes. Definitely a nobleman.

Between the beds hung a curtain that divided the room.

Naofumi pulled the curtain and flopped onto the bed. It wasn't the most comfortable mattress, but it would suffice until he was well rested.

Putting his hands behind his head, he stared at the ceiling. This was his life now. Or at least until he finds a way back home.

Even now, he still couldn't believe he was in another world. This was something straight out of an isekai light novel. He thought he'd been dreaming when he and the other heroes arrived. But after a few hours, he knew this wasn't a dream. Everything was too vivid, too real.

He'd been scared, of course in the beginning, but he was starting to enjoy himself. He was a hero! Or at least, somewhat of a hero. He still hadn't figured out how to use his shield yet, but a hero.

Then… she appeared and that's when shit hit the fan.

Naofumi couldn't help but scowl at the mere thought of that bitch. That was what he decided to call her from now on. She didn't deserve to be called by her name. Bitch suited her just fine.

Thanks to her, he was now an outcast. A nobody. Back home, he at least had parents and a brother who loved him unconditionally. And maybe a few online friends he would play with. Here, however, he had no one. He couldn't tell if he was sad or angry at that idea of having no one. Maybe both.

No matter the cost, he will get back home. This place can rot and die for all he cares. The question is, how can he go back? What methods were there he could use? Even if he found the answer, the king wouldn't let him leave. He was a hero, after all. A hero who needs to protect the kingdom from these waves.

Maybe he'll just hide and let the waves kill the other heroes. If that were to happen, then he would have no reason to be here. The shield hero is a worthless hero. Surely the king would send him back.

At this point, he would do anything to go back home.

For now, he just wanted to rest.

The nobleman coughed as he tossed and turned. Thank goodness a curtain divided the room. Naofumi wasn't sure if heroes were immune to diseases, and he didn't want to test out that theory with the nobleman.

Pulling up his shirt until it covered his mouth and nose, Noafumi closed his eyes.

A bell jingled from the front. He could hear footsteps.

"Hello there," The shop owner said. "Here for more herbs, Ms. Addlehart?"

"No, thank you," a woman said. She sounded young. "And you can drop the pleasantries. It's Rachel."

"Sorry, Rachel. Just trying to be a gentleman."

"Thank you. I'm here because I heard you have someone who's sick?"

"Yes. He came by earlier and he wanted to rest. Thank the gods you came here on time. I was about to send someone to get you."

"No need to do that now. Can I go see him?"

"Of course. Go right ahead."

Naofumi opened one eye and looked at the door. About a second later, a woman came in. She was dressed in a white shawl opened at the chest which revealed fitted sleeved black corset with red laces, a light purple skirt that ended just below the knees and a brown belt. Her boots were brown and her satchel was a dark red.

She looked pretty. Blonde hair tied in a ponytail and blue eyes.

The woman, Rachel, unshouldered her satchel and put it on a table near the door. The curtain didn't divide the whole room. Space was left for Naofumi to see the door.

"Hello sir," Rachel says. "How can I help you?"

"You can help by curing me." The nobleman coughed as he spoke.

"And I will, sir. Just tell me your symptoms and I'll have a tonic ready for you."

The man listed off his symptoms and Rachel nodded along.

"I got just the thing for you." She reached into her satchel and Naofumi guessed she was looking through her tonics.

"Hurry up will you!" The man said. "I'm getting sicker and sicker by the minute. Can't you apothecaries move faster?"

Rachel had just pulled out a vial when she stilled. Though Naofumi couldn't see her face, he could tell she was irritated. He would be too if some asshole noble ordered him around.

"And don't give me any crap medicine." The nobleman continued. "All your stuff is bitter. I can make better, tastier medicine."

Naofumi waited to see what Rachel would have to say. Instead, he saw her put the vial back and took out another one.

"Here you are, sir. This one doesn't have that much bitterness to it." Rachel stepped out of view into the curtain.

Naofumi heard the sound the cork being pulled from the bottle.

"How much will this be?" The nobleman asked.

"seven silver coins," Rachel replied.

Rachel came back into view. She stuffed the coins into a sack attached to her belt. She shouldered her satchel and looked in the direction of the nobleman.

"Drink half of that now and the rest of it before you go to bed. There's a cough going around so be sure to avoid any sick people. Stay indoors and drink plenty of liquids."

She thanked him and left. When the jingling bell signified her leaving the store, Naofumi closed his eyes again and shifted until he got comfortable.

Interesting.