"Got any news for me?"
Naofumi stared down at the blacksmith. The Old Man, as Naofumi decided to call him, scratched the back of his head.
"Sorry, kid. Nothing new. Haven't heard of any jobs you can do."
"Perfect."
Naofumi slumped down in a chair. Yesterday was tiring and now it would be boring. What kind of hero sits on his ass not doing anything while the world was in danger? Maybe he wasn't the hero the kingdom needed. If that was the case, then he should just leave the saving to the other heroes.
"Don't look so sour, kid," Old Man said. "Just get up and look around. There are jobs even you can do."
"Such as?" Naofumi asked.
"Such as… hunting."
"Can't use other weapons, remember?"
"Oh yeah. Then how about…"
When he couldn't come up with an answer, Naofumi slumped even further in his chair.
"Kid," Old Man said, "I think it's about time you start searching for party members. You can't do this all by yourself. There are monsters and people out there who can easily take you down."
As much as Naofumi wanted to disagree on the idea of adding party members, Old Man did have a point. Then again, the last time he had a party member he ended up being accused of rape.
"No." He said. "Not happening."
Old Man sighed. "Keep up that lone-wolf attitude and it'll get you killed. At least go out and try talking to people. I ain't your babysitter. Think you can do that?"
Naofumi rolled his eyes. He wasn't some five-year-old who needed to have his hand held.
"Well then, Old Man, who should I talk to? Last I checked, practically everyone hates me and won't come near me with a ten-foot pole."
Old Man waved his hand dismissively. "Check the board near the entrance of the town, you'll find some people looking for jobs. Maybe someone's looking to go on an adventure and won't care who they're going with."
"And if they say no?"
"Quit being pessimistic, kid. It won't hurt just to look."
He was right. Naofumi stood and stretched his arm only to wince. They were still a little sore but compared to yesterday, this was a good day for his arms.
"You OK?" Old Man asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little sore, is all."
"Hmm…" Old Man began rubbing his chin. Naofumi knew he was thinking of something. Something good or bad, he didn't know.
Just when he was about to leave, Old Man snapped his fingers. "Why not get an apothecary to join you?"
"An apothecary?"
"Yeah! If you get hurt or sick, they'll treat you in no time. And the money they make while traveling will help if you need to buy things. Not a bad idea, huh?"
Except it was a bad idea. Naofumi remembered the woman from yesterday, Rachel. He knew little about what apothecaries do. Thanks to the number of video games he has played, they are good at making medicine and salves. And from what he saw, Rachel probably had many tonics and salves ready to go.
She did sound like a good potential member had it not been for what he had seen. He knew Rachel didn't give the man the proper tonic. The way she stilled at the nobleman's words, Naofumi put two and two together and knew she had given him the wrong medicine on purpose.
An apothecary is supposed to make people feel better, not worse. Rachel seemed like an honest person, but looks can be deceiving. All had to do was remember Malty. Ugly souls hiding behind pretty faces.
Still, Old Man was right. Having an apothecary would have its advantage should he ever need one. He still hasn't accessed most of his shield skills yet and having someone there to help him fight enemies could get them some EXP.
The question is, does Rachel know how to fight? She wasn't carrying any weapon on her, just her satchel. Unless she had a weapon hidden in her satchel or somewhere on her. He didn't look at what level she was. Probably high considering she travels a lot.
There was also the money an apothecary makes. She got seven silver coins for just one tonic. Just one! She might even get gold coins.
Tempting as it was, he still wasn't sure. After the ordeal with Malty, he couldn't trust women. There was no telling if Rachel was a Malty.
But he was out of options at this point. The idea of having a slave did cross his mind. But there was always the chance the slave could betray him. Even with a contract, there can be loopholes. And those loopholes could get him killed.
Like it or not, Rachel seemed like a good option. If she rejects him, he could always… convince her. Or rather, his balloon monsters could convince her.
That should work.
"Thank, Old Man." Naofumi headed for the door. "I'll take your advice."
"Stay safe, kid." Old Man called out.
Out in the streets, Naofumi took in a deep breath and exhaled.
"Alright Rachel Addlehart, let's see where you are."
The first place Naofumi went to was the post board near the city entrance. He found Rachel's ad and saw she was staying at Traverse Inn. After speaking with the innkeeper and finding out she was out in town, Operation Find Rachel was proving to be a bit difficult.
The woman had blonde hair and a dark red satchel. She shouldn't be too hard to find.
Two hours later, Naofumi was sitting on a bench near a bakery panting. Hours of walking around and he couldn't find her. Whenever he spotted long blonde hair, his hopes would go up only to disappear when they weren't carrying a satchel. Plus, two of them ended up being men with long hair.
Why was this so hard? It didn't help that most of the people steered clear from him with fear in their eyes. She must've heard about what happened. Of course she did. Maybe that's why he hasn't seen her; she was avoiding him.
Groaning, Naofumi leaned back and looked up at the sky. This was going to take forever.
A bell jingled. "Thanks again for coming." The scent of sweets hit Naofumi's nose. The bakery.
"You're welcome!"
That voice.
Naofumi looked in the direction of the bakery and the first thing he saw was the dark red satchel. The owner of said satchel was finishing what looked like a meat pie.
Rachel.
Well that was easy.
He stood and followed Rachel. She was going to the market district, no doubt to try and get attention from people who have seen her ad. This was his chance. There was no telling when she'll leave and if she'll ever come back here.
They entered the district and people went to and from different stalls. Vendors were shouting out their wares.
"Beautiful silk scarves for ten silver coins!"
"Freshly made meatballs on a stick! Three for 8 silver coins!"
"Newest make-up all the way from Silvershore!"
Naofumi ignored them and kept up with Rachel's pace. She stopped in front of the stall selling meatballs. Now.
Before she could place her order, Naofumi called her out.
"Rachel."
The apothecary looked to her right and saw him. Her gaze shifted to his shield and her eyes widened slightly.
She stepped away from the vendor and stood a few paces from him.
"Hello, Shield Hero. What can I do you for?"
The words Naofumi wanted to say died in his throat. He should've practiced what he wanted to say to her. He can't just say, "Join my team," and have her agree right on the spot. To get her on board, he needed to play his cards right. Two cards, specifically. One of them blackmailing her. The other his balloons.
"Can we speak somewhere quiet?" He tried to keep his voice even. Not annoyed or irritated. This was his only chance and he didn't want to fuck it up by sounding irritated or even looking mad.
Rachel stared at him, no doubt contemplating if she wants to go anywhere with him. She looked to both sides and gestured to an alleyway.
"Did you need my services, Shield Hero?" Rachel asks once they enter the alleyway.
"Something like that."
She raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to explain.
"I need a party member to help me with healing. And you're just what I'm looking for. You have tonics and salves. Or maybe I can be one of your clients and buy stuff from you regularly? What do you say?
In video games, anytime the protagonist needs a party member, they usually do something for said member to gain their trust. Or they would need the protagonist's help to complete their goal and join them.
Since this wasn't a game, Naofumi had to rely on words. No promises of completing tasks. The other three heroes could easily get party members since they were looked up to and weren't accused of any crimes. With him, he needed to convince people to join him.
Rachel's reply came quick. "I'm sorry, but I have to decline your offer."
Alright then, plan B.
"I'm sure there are other apothecaries who are-"
"I saw what you did to that nobleman."
Rachel looked surprised at his words.
"I'm sorry, w-what are you talking about?"
He had her right here he wants her. Naofumi smirked. "I saw what you did to that nobleman at the herb shop. You switched tonics. You gave him the wrong tonic on purpose. And don't say you got confused. You apothecaries are experts at your craft. Let me guess, you were tired of his shit and you gave him the wrong tonic to make him sicker so you could get more money? Am I wrong?"
This was too easy. He hadn't been here for more than a week and already he's got someone wrapped around his finger. There was no way Rachel could get out of this one. He just needed to cement the threat.
"It'd be a shame if I found the nobleman and said you intentionally made him sick. Or maybe I'll tell the herb shop owner? You'll never buy anything from him again after he finds out."
Naofumi didn't care if this made him more villainous than before. If the people thought of him as scum or worse, he would prove them just how evil he can be if needed. There was no room for compassion or honesty.
Honest work brought in more success. In this world, however, lying and using force brought success.
The two stared at each other, not moving. A mouse scampered by and the shouts of vendors echoed through the alley.
Finally, Rachel moved. Or rather, her face did. She frowned and her expression hardened like she was dealing with an impatient customer. She reached into her satchel and pulled out a long smoking pipe. She put the lips of the pipe to her mouth and held a thumb underneath the bowl. A flame flickered from her thumb.
Fire magic, Naofumi thought. He'll keep that in mind.
Rachel shook her hand, extinguishing the flame and inhaled. She removed the pipe from her mouth and blew out smoke in Naofumi's direction. He coughed and waved away the smoke. Oddly, it didn't smell like tobacco.
Rachel put a hand to her hip while still holding the pipe. "What do you want?" There was a bluntness to her voice. Earlier, she was soft-spoken and gentle. Now she's hard and angry.
"I said what I needed," Naofumi said. "I need you on my team. I'll keep your secret if you'll join me-"
"No."
Her bluntness made him stop speaking. The only time he has ever heard anyone speak like this were professors who were strict on not giving students second chances.
This was not what he needed. Not another woman to piss him off. And why isn't she scared?
"Look," Rachel capped her pipe and put it back in her satchel. "I have a job to do and that job doesn't involve going on an adventure. Especially with someone who is on the ass end of the kingdom."
Naofumi didn't expect her to curse so easily.
"And," Rachel continues. "You'd think anyone would believe you, over me? You can't prove shit, Shield Hero. Go find someone else. I'm out of here."
Well then, Plan C it is.
"You sure about that?" He challenged her.
Rachel's eyes never left his. She was watching, waiting to see what he would say or do.
On his sides, Naofumi could feel the balloons getting ready to attack. He lifted up his cloak revealing the balloons. Rachel didn't even flinch at their sight. If that's the case, maybe she'll start crying out when they bite her.
"Get her!"
Two of the balloons pounced, their mouths wide open.
It won't take less than ten seconds for her to ask him to get them off of her. This was going to be a piece of-
POP!
The popping sound startled Naofumi. The fleshy rubber fell to the ground.
What the…
He looked up and in her right hand, Rachel was holding an ax. Its silver blade shone brightly even in the darkened alley. Rachel's eyes went from an inviting blue to a cold steel blue.
She's pissed off.
Naofumi didn't get to move an inch before Rachel rushed him and kicked him in the crotch. Hard.
Air was knocked out of him. He tried to cover his crotch but Rachel brought up the ax's silver handle to his throat and pushed him against a wall. She pressed hard to the point where Naofumi couldn't breathe. He couldn't even raise his shield.
"Listen you piece of shit!" Rachel spat out. "I am not someone who scares easily. It's a tough world and I have killed before. You're lucky the world needs you otherwise. But know this, next time you cross someone, they won't be as forgiving as I am."
She released him and Naofumi fell to the ground gasping for air. Tears leaked, trailing down his cheeks. He was gasping for air, crying, and holding his crotch. He was the epitome of pathetic.
Holding on to the little strength he has left, Naofumi looked up and saw Rachel tucking her ax underneath her shawl. She made her way out before stopping the mouth of the alley.
"Word of advice, Shield Hero. Don't mess with anyone who looks defenseless." With those words, she left.
Naofumi curled into a ball, hiding his face. What did he do to deserve this? Crying in an alleyway.
Fuck this world.
Fucking stupid Shield Hero.
Rachel never expected to cross paths with the Shield Hero. And she never expected to be threatening one of the Four Cardinal Heroes.
From what she has heard, the Shield Hero was just some enthusiastic boy when he first arrived. Clearly, after being accused of raping the princess, he changed. A lot.
But Rachel didn't expect him to be so… scary wasn't the right word. He tried to be intimidating but she has met bandits and puppies who were more intimidating than he was. Whatever he was, he was just some kid trying to be scary.
What's worse is that he saw what she did to that nobleman. She didn't bother to check if there was anyone else in the room which was the biggest mistake she has ever made. Well, it's not like she'll get in trouble. She was right about people not believing the Shield Hero over her.
She knew the Shield Hero didn't rape the princess. He failed at trying to be intimidating and there's no way someone like him would commit such an act. Especially since she knew the princess could use magic.
Why she lied about it? Rachel didn't know. All she heard was from gossip and she never believed any gossip. That didn't stop the Shield Hero's name from getting dragged in the dirt. She did feel kind of sorry for him. But that was before he tried to attack her. He even used those stupid balloons a four-year-old could pop.
Today was not a good day for her. It started out so well. The nobleman called her again because his cough got worse and she conned him out of 40 gold coins. It was supposed to be a good day of eating fancy food and indulging in fine wine. Not kick the Shield Hero's ass.
Rachel found herself at the entrance of Traverse Inn. After what happened with the Shield Hero, she just wanted to make some salves. She was running low and she couldn't leave without making some more.
She trudged up the stairs, mentally tired from having to deal with what happened.
Entering her room, she went straight for the table.
She took off her satchel-
-rough hands grabbed her from behind.
"What the-" Whoever had her lifted her up. She flailed her feet, hoping to land a good kick. She could feel the belly of the person on her back.
"Let go of me you fat fuck!"
She landed a hard kick on the man's shin. He cried out but still held Rachel in a strong grip. She struggled more only for a hand to appear under her nose. In that hand was a vial and she could smell something sweet yet bitter.
Oh no. She knew what this scent could do.
She tipped her head back but it was too late. Her vision began to blur and her limbs grew numb.
The last thing she hears before losing consciousness was her satchel hitting the floor.
Thank you all so much for reading!
SS-Ninja221: Thanks for the comment. To answer your question, Naofumi won't be OP at the beginning. He'll get some upgrades that will power him up but not OP. There will be monsters and people who are stronger than him.