"Ugh." Naofumi groaned and practically slammed his head on the wooden table. Thanks to his high defense, it didn't hurt.

Damn Motoyasu and Malty. Damn this freaking world.

Across from him, Rachel and Elhart watched Naofumi wallow in his contempt.

"Cut it out, kid," Elhart said. "Count your blessings. At least you won't fight the Spear Hero until tomorrow night."

"Blessings?" Naofumi lifted his head. "What blessings? I still have to fight that prick thanks to that bitch." He put his head back on the table.

"Elhart is right," Rachel said, taking a sip of her ale. "If it weren't for Mina, you would probably get your ass kicked. Take this time to at least prepare."

Just the idea of fighting Motoyasu made Naofumi almost groan. Nothing was ever easy for him. If he hadn't attended that stupid party, none of this would have happened. He would've slept in for the night, wake up the next morning, and collect the reward for saving Lute Village. Instead, he got a fight.

A fight with a perv who wants to have his own harem.

Lifting his head, Naofumi reached for his glass of ginger ale and chugged it. That was the only good thing this alehouse had to serve other than the food.

When they left the castle, he and Rachel went to Elhart and told him what happened. Elhart, feeling sorry for them, took them to an alehouse and offered to pay for their meal and drink.

The alehouse was half empty with customers either sitting by the counter or in tables near the back. Their table was smack in the middle of the room, leaving all to see them. The gossip had already made it to the lower parts of the city, so it was no surprise that some whispered about his upcoming fight.

Naofumi opens his status menu and scrolled through his skill tree. Many skills filled the screen to which it was hard to keep track of which skill was which. Being at level 21 wasn't so bad. Then again, Motoyasu could be several levels higher than he was, maybe higher than Rachel.

But if playing hours upon hours of JRPGs taught him anything, it was that even an under-leveled character could defeat a higher-level boss. All he needed was a good strategy.

… or to play dirty.

"So, what are you gonna do, kid?" Elhart leaned back on his chair. "Where I see it, you got some real competition with that Spear Hero guy."

"I'm sure he's got this," Rachel interjected. "The way I saw him fight back in Lute Village, there's no way Motoyasu can defeat him."

While he appreciated the positive encouragement from them, he really did, that wouldn't be enough to defeat Motoyasu. This wasn't a cheesy anime where the power of friendship fixes every problem known to mankind.

The sound of the door to the alehouse opened and closed, distracting him from looking at his skills.

"Hey, is that…" Elhart's words died as he peered behind Naofumi.

"No way." Rachel's eyes widened.

Confused at their strange behavior, Naofumi turned, and he forgot all about his skills when he saw who was there.

"Well hello there, Shield Hero." Mina smiled at him, her gaze never leaving his.

She was still dressed in her dancer garb and Naofumi took in all the willpower he had to look at her face and not at her exposed tan skin. Or the way her legs were on full display with the high hilt of her skirt.

The way she presented her self and the way she spoke grabbed his full attention. Something about her was so captivating, he couldn't take her eyes off of her. Not only was she beautiful, but when she was dancing, she did with such grace it was hard to look away.

It took him a moment to realize he was practically gaping at her.

"Uh, w-what are you doing here?" Smooth. Very smooth.

"I was in the neighborhood looking for a good alehouse. When us dancers are done performing, we are free to explore the city we're staying at and indulge ourselves in what the city has to offer." Mina looked between him and Rachel. "I trust you two are doing fine after what happened?"

"Yeah, we are," Rachel replied, setting down her mug. "Thanks for saving our asses back there."

Naofumi continued to stare at Mina when he felt a strong kick to both of his shins. He turned and glared at Rachel and Elhart only to be met with their glares. Rachel gestured to Mina with her eyes.

Oh. He knew what she was implying.

He turned back to Mina. "Thanks. For saving us." It didn't come out as sincere as he wanted. Mina was a stranger, after all. It's not like they were friends just because she saved him.

"Think nothing of it," Mina said and patted him on the shoulder. "I was just there at the right time. Do you mind if I join you three?"

It was not like he could refuse her after all she's done for him. He patted the chair next to him and Mina sat down. A waiter came and she ordered a ginger ale.

When the waiter left, Mina shifted her gaze to Elhart. "And who might you be?"

"Elhart. Nice to finally meet you." He held out his hand and they shook. "Rachel here told me about what you did."

"I'm glad I was there to step in." The waiter showed up with her ginger ale and she thanked him. Naofumi noticed how the waiter's face flushed. He looked back over his shoulder occasionally as he went back into the kitchen.

"Now," Mina held up her mug. "How about we toast to meeting new people?"

"So long as I drink, I don't mind." Rachel held up her mug.

"Why not?" Elhart followed suit.

All that was left was Naofumi. They waited for him to join.

He held up his mug. "New people. Sure." His deadpan words didn't stop them from clinking their mugs and drinking their ale.

Rachel slammed her mug down on the table. "Now that's some good ale right there."

"I must agree," Mina said. She lowered her mug to the table instead of slamming it as Rachel did. "It's nice to meet new people."

Naofumi wished he shared her sentiment. He remembered being excited when he first arrived here. How open he was to the new people and to Malty. And look where that got him. Yet, Mina didn't strike him as the naïve type. With how she acts, it's like she's the one in control.

The way she handled the King and the guards would've earned her an award if she was in his world. Everyone in the room was focused on her, and all she did was speak.

She gained nothing from that other than the King's ire. That wasn't going to get her anywhere other than being a pariah. From the looks of it though, she didn't care.

"Why?" The word came out quickly, Naofumi didn't even have time to at least think before speaking.

Mina glanced at him and raised an eyebrow. "Why what, Shield Hero."

"Why did you protect us both back there? You know nothing about me. And this could affect your dancing career. Why?"

The table was quiet. Rachel and Elhart watched intently between the two, waiting to hear what Mina had to say. Even Naofumi joined in on their staring.

Mina glided her finger along the rim of the mug, taking her sweet time until she completed the circle.

"It was the right thing to do, is all." Her reply came out… strange. The way she said it… she wasn't telling the truth.

"Well then," Mina stood. "I'm glad I got to properly introduce myself to you all."

She placed some copper coins on the table.

"This should cover my ale. I have to go now." She went to the door and stopped. She looked over her shoulder. "I wish you the best of luck tomorrow, Shield Hero."

Just as she came in all of a sudden, she left.

Naofumi wasn't good at reading people. But he knew she was lying.

When Mina entered the women's tent, she was swarmed by her fellow dancers.

"Mina! We heard what happened!"

"Standing up against the king?!"

"How was it?!"

"Weren't you scared?"

Mina raised her hand, silencing the dancers.

"Girls, let's all calm down. I'm sure Luca has told you all what had happened. What else is there to say?" She went over to her bed and began taking off her bangles.

"What do you mean?" A dancer dressed in red sat down next to her. "You practically ordered the King! No one can do that. Aren't you afraid you'll get in trouble?"

"Not really. Plus, it's not like the King will remember me when there are other dancers out there."

"You protected the Shield Hero." A dancer dressed in blue said. "Are the rumors true about him?"

Mina hesitated for a bit. Gossip had been a close companion to her ever since she became a dancer. Loose lips in alehouses and parties had the best gossip because some of those words turned out to be true.

She didn't pay much attention to the Shield Hero at first. When she was talking to the other party guests, she heard several remarks about the Shield Hero. Not so good ones. She and the other dancers knew about the supposed rape allegation. But since they weren't there performing at the time, all they heard were rumors.

When she saw the guards holding him and his companion, Rachel, hostage, she saw the fear in his eyes. One look into those eyes and she knew those rumors were false.

So she stepped in.

In the end, the Shield Hero and Rachel were able to get away.

She should be relieved. But she wasn't.

"Rumors are rumors," she responded. "Unless their lips are loose from alcohol, then we may never know if it's true or not."

This seemed to settle the other dancers as they calmed down a bit.

"Hey, girls!"

The women turned their heads to the front of the tent.

"Are you ladies decent?" It was the male dancers.

The red dancer stifled a laugh. "We are, boys."

"Are you sure? Last time one of you said that Ari was practically naked when we came in."

The blue dancer, Ari, couldn't hold back her laugh. "I've never seen so many red faces in my life. Best day ever."

Mina smiled and rolled her eyes. "We're dressed, gentlemen. Come on in."

The front flap opened and the male dancers crowded around Mina.

"Tell us," a man dressed in orange said, "did you really protect the Shield Hero?"

When she told them the same thing, she told the female dancers, they shared the same look of curiosity.

"You're made out of tough stuff for sure," the man said.

"Us dancers have to be strong, after all," there was amusement in her voice. The statement was true for all of them.

An hour later, the dancers retreated to bed.

Soft breathing mixed with the singing cicadas outside the tent. Each dancer was nestled in their beds, slumbering away.

All except for Mina.

She stared at the colorful fabric of the tent, trying to sleep but it was to no avail.

The Shield Hero was on her mind. More specifically, what he said to her.

Why.

Why indeed?

She wasn't lying when she said it was the right thing to do to step in between him and the King. She was no stranger to the rumors of how the King and the first-born princess, Malty, were abusing their powers while the Queen was away. It made sense to intervene to show that the King wasn't as powerful as he thought he was.

There was more to that. All she had to do was remember the look in the Shield Hero's eyes. She not only saw fear but loneliness.

She knew that look. She sees it when she looks in a mirror. By no means did she consider herself a lonely person. She cared for all the dancers as well as Luca and Lana. When she joined the troupe at eighteen, she was welcomed with open arms. She made new friends easily and couldn't be any happier.

But the loneliness would creep in sometimes. Especially when she looked at the photo. Or at her pendant.

Careful not to make any noise, she reached over to her bag that sat next to her bed and pulled out a folded paper. The paper had a detailed drawing of a man and a woman dressed in noble clothes. The man was looking down at the woman who was sitting on a chair. In her arms was a bundle of cloth. And in that cloth was a baby.

She reached back into her bag and pulled out her pendant. It was a simple silver pendant. Etched onto it was a peregrine falcon holding a dagger in each foot.

Her family crest.

Her eyes were beginning to droop. Tucking away the photo and the pendant, Mina pulled her blanket until it went up to her chin.

Why? The Shield Hero's question rang in her mind.

Because I know how you feel.

Beyond the wall, Naofumi could hear the audience cheering loudly. Motoyasu had probably entered the arena, their precious hero.

There would be no applause from him. Only jeers.

The waiting room he's waiting in was stocked with several weapons. Swords, axes, spears, greatswords, and much more. Naofumi tentatively reached for a sword and he was met with being shocked. It was fruitless, he knew, but it didn't hurt to try.

With the many skills his shield has, he did have some advantage over Motoyasu. Some.

He looked at the axes, which made him think of Rachel. When they had arrived at the arena, the knights escorted Rachel away from him. He was about to argue back with them but Rachel shut him up with a shake of her head.

I'll be fine, her eyes had said. He believed in those unspoken words. Another knight approached and guided Naofumi to the waiting room.

Rachel is probably out there, he thought. Watching from the audience or maybe a private box like in those fancy theaters.

The audience quieted down and Naofumi could hear the announcer explain the rules. He didn't bother announcing Naofumi's name. Which didn't matter in the slightest.

The doors creaked open, revealing a short hall flanked with knights. He walked forward and didn't look at any of the knights. Their faces may be blank, but all one had to do was look in their eyes to see their irritation and hatred.

At the end of the hall, the arena came into view. It was rectangular in shape, the walls high with the audience seated on balconies. The King and his advisors were in a private box. Naofumi could see Rachel sitting behind them surrounded by guards. She gave him a thumbs up.

Opposite to him, Motoyasu waved to the audience and they cheered again.

"Good luck, Sir Motoyasu!" Malty, who was standing in a corner of the arena waved at Motoyasu.

Great. Just what he needed.

The announcer held his hand up high and the audience quieted down.

"This duel will take place in the presence of King Melromarc and the Pope."

Pope?

Naofumi looked around at the audience and spotted another private box. There, an elderly man was sitting on a grand chair dressed in a red and white robe. He even wore a hat similar to what the actual Pope in his world wore.

Why was a Pope of all people here? Popes are supposed to be peaceful and nurturing? Not witnessing fights?

"Their presence here makes this fight legitimate and official," the announcer continued. "Whoever is incapacitated or gives up will be the loser. Let's have a fair fight, gentlemen."

The announcer stepped back into an alcove. He waved a red flag.

Naofumi and Motoyasu stood in their place, not moving. Motoyasu's mouth crinkled into a smirk.

"Remember the folktale about the irresistible Spear and the immovable Shield?"

So that's where he was going with. Well, two can play at that.

"Remember the folktale about the limp Spear and the sturdy Shield?"

Naofumi couldn't help but smile when Motoyasu's smirk faltered. Good. Let him have a taste of his own medicine.

Motoyasu drew his spear and twirled it expertly. With the spear in its original form, it didn't look intimidating. No doubt that he had skills too. Powerful ones at that.

"Naofumi!" Motoyasu gripped his spear tightly, the blade pointed directly at Naofumi. "Be a man and admit defeat!"

Like hell he would.

Opening his skill tree, he scrolled through the skills until he found the Crystal Shield. The shield transformed, turning into a crystal with spikes jutting out.

"Bring it, you bastard."

With a cry, Motoyasu sprung forward.

Naofumi raised his shield just in time to parry. He stepped to the side, just avoiding getting hit and pressed his shield forward. Motoyasu's eyes widened seeing the spikes and jumped back.

"Not bad, looks like you some tricks up your sleeves." Motoyasu's spear glowed and took on a new form. "But so do I."

Quickly, Naofumi changed his shield into something sturdier. And it was just in the nick of time.

"Chaos Spear!"

Naofumi braced himself when a flurry of magic spears pelted him. He staggered back, trying not to trip and fall. But he couldn't keep up. A spear grazed his arm, but it was enough to actually hurt.

He gripped his arm while taking a quick look at his HP. It was still high, but he couldn't let it get any lower.

With a cry of his own, he ran up to Motoyasu.

"Damn!" Motoyasu raced forward as well. He thrust his spear, aiming for Noafumi's side. Naofumi, in turn, pivoted to the left and punched him hard in the stomach. It was enough to lift Motoyasu off of his feet.

From her view, Malty scoffed. "He's using his shield to strike him? What is that fool… what?"

"Ow!" Motoyasu pushed himself back and looked to his side. An orange balloon monster had its teeth clamped on to him tight.

"What?!"

Naofumi then flipped his cloak back. Clinging to his sides were more balloon monsters. The audience gasped and a few women screamed.

Rachel, from her seat, wasn't as surprised as everyone else. "So that's why he woke up earlier this morning," she said out loud.

At dawn, she heard Naofumi leave their room at Traverse Inn. She slept for a bit more before waking and started to make more tonics. He came back hours later for breakfast and when she asked where he was, he said he was out by the field fighting monsters. Which explained the balloon monsters.

Down in the arena, Motoyasu pried off the balloon monster and popped it with his spear. "What the hell was that, Naofumi!"

Naofumi grabbed one of the balloons and bounced it on the ground. "Remember what you told me when we met? That shields are for losers? Well, if I can't fight, then I'll fight dirty." He threw the balloon at Motoyasu, who in turned popped it with his spear.

"You coward!" He wasted no time charging at him.

Naofumi brought up his shield just as it transformed. The spear collided with the shield. It had missed hitting the two ferocious dogs that were on display.

"What?!"

The dogs growled and extended from the shield, biting down on Motoyasu's arm.

"Let go!" He jumped back but the dogs didn't falter in their grip, biting deeper into his arm.

With no time to lose, Naofumi willed the dogs to come back and changed it to the rope shield.

"Air Strike Shield!"

The green shield materialized in front of him horizontally and shot at Motoyasu right in the stomach. Naofumi could see him spit out saliva from the impact.

The Spear Hero fell to his knees, gasping for air. With him now defenseless, Naofumi had the perfect opportunity.

"Shield Prison!"

The shield that struck Motoyasu glowed and multiplied, surrounding him in a sphere with chains wrapped around it.

That wasn't the only thing Naofumi did. He waited until he started to hear Motoyasu cry out.

"Cut it out! Stop that! It hurts!" The prison moved around a bit from his struggles.

Thank you, balloon monsters.

"Nice one, Naofumi!" Rachel shouted.

Her praise, however, did not cancel out the murmurings from the audience.

"Is that legal?"

"He truly is monstrous."

"What does he think he's doing to the Spear Hero?"

"Have you no sanctity for the rules!" A man shouted, not caring to be quiet.

Naofumi shot him a glare which made the man flinch and sit back down. He should be used to this by now. After so many days of scorned looks and gossip, this shouldn't sting him. But it did. Each insult bounced off of him, but a few managed to penetrate his armor.

Monster. Liar. Devil.

Ignoring them, Naofumi went up to the prison. "You gonna give up yet? Or do you not want to disappoint your adoring fans?"

The prison vanished, revealing somewhat defeated Motoyasu.

"And w-why would I?" He asked, grunting as a balloon was still biting him.

One rolled away and stopped at Naofumi's feet. He picked it up and grabbed another one that was still attached to him.

"Alright, then," he lifted both of them up, all while smiling, "Then I guess you won't mind if I aim for your pretty face and precious manhood of yours, huh?" He reared back his hands, ready to throw them. "After all, I'm nothing but a cheating coward!"

"Wait! NO!" Motoyasu raised his hands to his face.

Naofumi would be lying if he didn't take pleasure at Motoyasu's fear. This was it. He would finally teach this prick a lesson.

However, it seemed that life was out to get him. Or rather, someone was out to get him.

A powerful force of wind struck him from behind, throwing him across the arena. Winded, he pushed himself up, confused at what hit him. It wasn't regular wind. He looked behind him and immediately, his blood began to boil.

There, smirking, her eyes as cold as steel, Malty's hand was glowing purple.

"Oops."

"Fuck you, bitch! That's cheating!" Rachel stood and shouted, only to be forced down by the knights. "Fuck off assholes!"

Naofumi was stunned. His anger grew and grew until he thought he would combust into flames. She was doing it again. She was making his life a living hell. Again. Again. Again.

"You… YOU BITCH!"

POP!

Naofumi spun. Motoyasu had popped the balloon that was biting him and charged. Naofumi brought up his shield but was pushed back by Motoyasu's strength.

He went at it against his shield, never relenting. Naofumi had no choice but to jump back. His arms were starting to get tired. Each time the spear struck his shield, his arms vibrated.

This wasn't good. If he didn't do anything-

The spear took on a new form. The red crystal at the center of the blade glowed, surrounding the blade in a red aura.

The red turned into blue, sparks flying out. From his place, Naofumi could feel the electricity coming off of the spear. The hairs in his arm beneath his sleeves rose.

Motoyasu lifted his spear high into the air. A pillar of blue lightning flew upward.

"Lightning…"

As fast as he could, Naofumi looked through his skill tree in hopes of finding something to either reflect the magic or something that is strong enough to resist it.

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

This was it. He was done for. There was no way he could dodge this attack, let alone guard against it. Motoyasu would win. Rachel will be taken away from him. Just like at the beginning. Alone.

"Spear!"

Naofumi closed his eyes and braced himself.

"Argh!"

Huh?

Opening one eye Naofumi saw Motoyasu stagger back. His spear was no longer emitting electricity. He was clutching his left shoulder.

A dagger was sticking out.

The audience gasped collectively. They looked around to see who had thrown the dagger from such a vantage point.

Their answer came when a person dropped between Naofumi and Motoyasu.

Naofumi inwardly gasped when he saw who it was.

"Mina?"

Mina didn't look at him. Or at Motoyasu. Her eyes scanned the audience. They were all looking at her.

She remembered what Lana had taught them.

"Remember, you are all dancers. Meaning you must capture the audience's attention. Their eyes must never leave you. If they do, you are not dancing to your heart's content."

She did exactly just that.

With all eyes on her, she drew a dagger from her leg strap.

"Shall we dance, Spear Hero?"

The dancer has entered the stage.