= [Chapter 04] =
...
The room had gone quiet after Bow Brat let out his thought about Sword Boy getting the privilege of having his system.
Saying that Sword Boy is a cheat and has the Admins backing him up. Ignoring that I'm the one who had said it!
But when I pointed this out, he accused me of being in cahoots in this unfairness.
So, I started explaining it to him. Gently. Like the way one talks when one wants a child to understand what you are saying. Didn't go well, he felt insulted.
Had anyone ever tried explaining something to a child and said child keeps rebutting you and calling you a liar?
If Yes, then I'm now a member of that imaginary club. It's not a fun one.
As even though Bow Brat is no longer a child, by society's standard, his personality was a mixed bag of both. With the bad or irritating childish behavior remaining.
"Wait! So, you're saying that our Weapons has a different system from each other?"
"Well... not exactly..."
The power-up methods are the difference, not the system. But even then, with the Shield's core method all of us can use each other's method.
"Where did you get that stuff?"
"It's from a VRMMO. Great Oblivion Online: Ends Commence." It's a completely made-up game.
"What is that? Cut the Sci-Fi bullshit and tell me already!"
See what I mean? He doesn't listen!
"I had already told you! Why won't you believe me!"
"Nothing you have said has anything to do with Dimensional Wave! There is no World Collusion, no master schemer, and not multiple worlds origin! Stop Lying to me and tell me why Shirou has his system!"
We both ignored Spear Guy yelling the system works like Emerald Online, or it was just me. Because it is possible that Bow Brat just tune out everything else.
"I am not lying! Talk with him and compare your power-up methods. You'll know that I'm not lying!" I shouted at him before pointing out toward Spear Guy to back me up.
"Tsk! Like I would believe what he'll say. He could be an accomplice of this whole scheme!"
My brows started to twitch in frustration and irritation.
But before I can even hurl any curses at Bow Brat, Sword Boy intervenes and move between us.
"Stop it! This is getting us nowhere." He then looks pointedly at Bow Brat. "Please, settle this at a later date and let Satou explain. If not, then believe what you will. His knowledge is valuable to us."
While the three of us are having our problem, Spear Guy was there looking like he was left out and awkward.
With both Swo... Shirwo and I, Bow Brat unwillingly concede and drop the problem for now.
Thanking Sword Boy for his assistance, I then continued telling him the power-up methods. I purposely whispered very quietly about the weapon copy method. Don't want to have Bow Brat know that Sword Boy can copy his Projections.
Though, all of them do have requirements for it to be of use. Even the fine-crafted 'ordinary' Claymore has a lot of it.
He can't copy Katana type though. While Ren from the novel can... well he was able to after around volume 15 or 14... or maybe even 16. Can't remember the right number, but it was implied or outright said that "Ren was now able to use Katanas."
I then told him, slightly loud for the others to hear, about core power-ups.
"You see, all of these weapons have their unique power-up method. With the vassal weapons or star weapon having only one unique power-up, while the legendary cardinal weapons have four."
I raised three fingers in front of him.
"Three active and one passive. With the passive method being the core."
Now, this got their attention fully.
"The Sword's Core is a level link. The higher your level, the stronger all your weapons will be."
"Isn't that the basic of things?" Spear Guy commented.
I shake my head at that and told him that it was the status boosting the weapon. And that level link 'upgrade' the weapon itself.
I also started his passive being Familiarity. Which he confirmed. But we didn't explain what it'll do.
Bow Brat look at me with an expectation of what I'll say about his, but I didn't. I ignored him for now.
Not much of an adult in the group, right? But I have my rights and I shall use it.
He noticed what I was doing and grip his Bow tighter before turning his back on me then dropping on his bed. Mumbling something about showing what he can do.
"Hah..." I look at him in disappointment.
"Don't worry, we have a lot of time. I'm sure you two will get along not long from now."
Spear Guy consoled me. Not that I needed it. I'm just disappointed at Bow Brat for not proving me wrong on calling him a brat.
"Yeah, let's just get to sleep. We'll be having our party members tomorrow and I for one don't want to be unpresentable."
"Ooh! You're right! I hope there are some pretty ladies with them!"
"Hehehe..." Sword Boy just awkwardly laughs at his antics.
But before we do get to sleep, I voice out that we should go all to the temple to register before moving on our own. They all agreed, with Sword Boy being the most insisted on the idea as he doesn't know where it is.
Well... I also don't know where it is.
.... X ....
Nearly an hour had passed since our talked and yet I still can't sleep. The same goes for the others. Even though all of us are in bed and eyes close.
The stress, even small, is making us a bit wary about the place... or it is just me.
Since none of them had a possible shadow agent working for a way to off me!
With a sigh, figuring that sleep will elude me tonight, I get up from my bed and whisper call the others.
As expected they didn't respond. With another sigh, I walked around the room and look for any materials to be absorbed for my Shield.
Didn't get many but it is enough. Tried getting the window but it didn't work.
On the good news, I finally unlocked the ability of the [Small Pillow Shield], a shield that I had unlocked after absorbing a pillow as an example of the absorbing ability of the weapon.
It's just a small brown pillow with a handle on the back, which is made out of some cloth, and the Shield Spirit orb at the center of the body.
... it's very comfortable, to say the least.
It has 'lesser stamina up' as a bonus. Nice, but not much of change. But still... Small things stack.
Two more small shields got added to my weapon tree after my room scouting. [Small Wax Shield] and [Small Bronze Shield].
Unlocked from feeding my Shield with a candle lamp. The bonus is just a Defense 1 from both of them. Nice, less pain to get if my Defense keeps increasing.
The defenses or defensive rate of the shield also varies. With all four of my current set having 10 at their base defense defensive rate.
This would also explain why Naofumi-senpai likes to change Shield and not just rely on the Equip Bonus. The shields have their own merits of use, other than the special effect bonus of course.
I experimentally change the shield to all four forms. Default, pillow, wax, and bronze repeatedly. Familiarizing myself with the 'feel' of the weapons.
I nodded in appreciation after a straight five minutes of shifting. Then walk out the room's door. Before going left.
I remember that during our tour, there was a shield hanging on the wall that we pass by.
I didn't hide and let myself naturally make noise. It spooks a few guards but I didn't give them much mind.
Though I did note that they seem to be moving away from our chamber. Probably to change shift. Nice to know that we are important enough to be guarded during our sleep... or was it only the three? Not that I expect much from them anyway.
I finally reach where the Shield was.
Hanging on the side of the wall with two swords at the back. It's a Kite Shield. More ornaments than actual Weapons but it'll do.
I carefully take it off the wall and held it close to the Legendary Shield. Which prompt the weapon to copy the target?
.... [System] ....
[Knight Shield] - (0/10) - R - Locked
Equip Bonus: Defense 28, Magic Defense 13
Mastery - 0
.... [System] ....
The bonus is very nice, but it would seem that for me to able to use it. I at least need to be at level 7.
"Tsk!"
This thing has a defensive rate of 80. High enough to tank a shot from Bow Brat. Yet I can't imagine this one being my main Shield. The [Chimera Viper Shield] has over a hundred-base defense and that is my comparison target.
I walked back to our room was slower, taking my time to cool and organize my head.
The thought of me being stranded here and never getting back home was a push at the very back of my mind. It was easy to do so, as I don't have that much memory in my world that I can remember.
On the way, I marveled at how beautiful the place is. Even though it is pale in comparison with modern architecture, it still has its beauty.
Then my eyes landed on a knight armor on the side.
I carefully checked it out. Remembering that the Shield Hero before Naofumi-senpai and now me wore a knight-like armor. Compensating for his lower Defense Stats compare to Naofumi-senpai.
"Ha..." I let out in confusion. Before taking in hand what had caused it.
"A sheath without a sword... This is just bad presentation."
Someone might have taken the sword from this set and forgot to bring it back.
Without much thought, I brought the sheath to my Shield, and it absorbs it!
"Sheath Shield... Bonus, Defense 2 and Special Effect, Sword Hold? What is that?"
Well, whatever it is I don't care. But I'm grateful that I now have an incognito form. No one would expect the Shield Hero to carry any sword...
(Wait! That might be it!)
It can let me uses Sword!
"..."
Nope! It doesn't! Though it can stop a sword from moving much. So, more or less an anti-blade weapon. But the size is too small for me to feel safe.
Along the way, I manage to see many things. Like that very serene garden, the family portrait of which I glared at and spit on. Don't worry, I clean it afterward, but not after cursing all of them... except for the blue-haired girl. Surprised me that there are four royalties... wait, ah yes. There are four of them. That girl was the true successor to the throne. Can't remember her name though.
Anyway, I also manage to find the food storage. It was all preserved with static magic with a bit of cold magic. Yes, cold magic and not, ice magic. They are categorized as two different elements.
A big chunk of what is inside is now securely resting in my inventory. I don't care if what I'm doing is robbery. They're rich, they can live with a few things being taken.
Just like a few clothes and kitchen wares. A sofa was also taken, but that's just a footnote compared to the collection of gems in a pot that I found when I stumble upon a secret room.
Needless to say, I left the room with my greed satiated.
The guards are weirdly all gone though. Well, they are probably sleeping. Can't expect them to stay up all night. They're probably slackers and had gone to a pub or something.
"Lucky, Lucky Me! Shishishi!"
Ah... what a wonderful night. Looks like my Lucky star is shining at me with full power this time.
I just feel like nothing can wrong in my way!
.... X ....
Rule Number 12 of a person living in a fictional world.
Do not tempt Fate, Ever.
Something so simple and yet so meaningful that it had caused many casualties that had numbered millions.
A rule that was based on some scientist of the past that I very much don't remember.
It isn't that big of a deal to many. But it is to me. Because as of this moment, my life is in a possible danger!
(How could I forget something so important!?)
Here I am now in my bed with the blanket cover my body and my back at the would-be assailant!
A man garb in a night blue suit, a dagger gleaming dangerously at his hand.
Murderous intent is not emitting from him as he considers taking me as nothing but a chore!
(Waa! My Lucky star had left me!)
Scary! How come I would be encountering this level of threat this early!?
I was just daydreaming... night-dreaming about what'll I'll do from then on when this bastard of a shadow pops his head out the now missing door.
I kind of take it off and had the shield absorb it. I had gotten a wood, small iron, door, and lock shields.
He was confused about the missing door, which had given me a chance to pretend to be sleeping!
And now he's behind me about to enact his malicious plan!
"Die you filthy Demon!" He shouted before jumping at my form!
But when his blade was about stab at my exposed neck, it stopped. Just two centimeters away from the target.
(Waa! Thank the Lord it worked! Thank you! Thank you!) I celebrated in my mind after a successful deployment of the 'Sword Hold' Ability!
Before the assailant can even add more pressure to the blade and cut me off, I jump out the bed and bolt my way out the window!
"Hu-what?" The bastard let out before I started falling.
Whoosh!
He quickly followed my action and jump out, dropping to the ground without any injury at all.
He looked around the place, then looked back up at the window where we jump off... No, not exactly at the window. But the window below it, which is where I am peeking out.
"Shit!" I cursed then started running out of the room I got in.
Just in time when I heard him entered the room via jumping from below!
That was 6 floors down! and considering that the scale of this castle is 1.18x much bigger than an average same-numbered-floored modern building, I say that was such a flex of power!
I was about to turn a corner when a blade run just past my ears!
tsu-wang!!
I stop going in that direction run towards the opposite. Which after a minute of running led me to wall a dead end?
"Fuck!"
He had intentionally lead me here!
Fearfully turning around, I saw my now current nemesis.
"Ca-can I help you?" I ask and he answered with a dagger tossed that I thankfully had prepared for and thus was able to raise my [Sheath Shield] and activate its ability.
Stopping the blade, a centimeter away from me, then dropping to the floor.
"Ok, that was a stupid question," I murmured taking a stance to have a better defensive position.
(The Sword Hold drains too much SP!) I complained after noticing how much I got left.
I willed my shield to switch to the [Door Shield]. From a small sheath that is stuck on my arm to a wooden door shield that is almost the same height as I.
"Your tricks won't help you here, Demon." He said, taking a stance where he can pounce at any given moment.
"Killing you would bring honor to me and give salvation to this nation. And I would enjoy every moment of you slowly bleeding..."
Dagger in both hands coated with black liquid, a very powerful poison no doubt, was played between his hands while blabbers about what he'll do.
There is also about how he was curious how I wasn't affected by the knockout gas he had released in that room. Said knockout gas can even take down a level 36 nocturnal beast.
Hearing about that made me thankful that I move out of our room for a walk as I am pretty sure that was when he dropped that gas.
"For a Shadow, you sure can talk. Why don't you come here to test that blade of your!" I said this while drumming my shield in a taunting manner.
"I'm not the Church's dog! My name's Heiber!" He roared sounding offended.
Holding both his hand in front of him, he started to murmur something.
"... Flashing might of the sky.... False Light..."
Sparks started to swirl around his open palms.
"Oh, boy..." I said in worry, raising my Shield in preparation for a magic strike!
"Heed my call and smite down! Zweite Thunderbolt!"