During the duel, an accident happened. Motoyasu's spear pierced Naofumi's abdomen. Naofumi coughed up blood as he bled from the wound.

Motoyasu froze, his eyes widened in horror at what he's done. The spear bloodied with the shield's blood.

Ren and Itsuki rush towards them, equally shocked but wanted to help.

They pull them apart, the spear slowly pulling out of Naofumi's body before dropping onto the ground. Naofumi fell unconscious, falling to the ground himself as the blood seeped through his wound.

"Healers! Get the healers!" Someone shouted.

Ren picked up Naofumi, who was surprised at how light he was.

The nobles were all gossiping as the shield hero was taken away by Ren while Itsuki tried to calm Motoyasu down.

Ren glares at Myne, "I hope you're happy," as he rushes past her, missing the shocked look on her face.


Later, in a room…

Naofumi's wounds were healed and bandaged up, but he was still unconscious.

Motoyasu, Ren, and Itsuki were at his bedside, scared out of their minds.

'He was right…this world is real,' Ren thinks to himself.

'Damn it! This wasn't how it was supposed to go! I never wanted this to happen!' Motoyasu grits his teeth in anger.

'Don't die on us, Naofumi. Please,' Itsuki clenches his fist.

That was when the shield glowed black as black cracks appeared on Naofumi's skin. It transformed into a pure black shield.

[Cursed Series: Shield of Despair Unlocked]

Then, it suddenly unleashed a wave of black flames at them, causing them to stagger.

The black flames were absorbed into their weapons.

[Cursed Series: Bow of Despair Unlocked]

[Cursed Series: Sword of Despair Unlocked]

[Cursed Series: Spear of Despair Unlocked]

Their eyes widened, 'Cursed Series?' as their weapons also transformed, turning pitch black.

"Ugh…"

They looked at each other, then at Naofumi.

Blinking himself awake, Naofumi slowly opened his eyes. He tries to sit up but falls back into the bed. Itsuki and Ren help him sit up.

"You OK?" Motoyasu asks, looking grim, bags under his eyes like he hasn't slept in days.

Naofumi just looks at him, no light in his eyes, like he's…lost his will to live, "I… don't know."

Then, there was a knock on the door.

Myne comes in the room, but the three just glare at her with hostility.

"Get out," Motoyasu coldly growls.

"But… we're all worried about you. You've hardly slept and-"

"Don't make me repeat myself. Get. Out," Motoyasu glares coldly at her before she reluctantly obeyed, closing the door behind her.

Sighing in relief that she's gone, they all huddle by Naofumi's bed.

"What do you remember last?" Ren softly asks.

"The duel…then a whole lot of pain and… The notification that said: [Curse Series Conditions Met.] Then…it went to black. Did I pass out?"

"Yeah…" Itsuki nods, "You unlocked a cursed weapon…and so did we."

Naofumi checked, "Shield of Despair, huh…"

Motoyasu bows before him, "I'm sorry! It was never supposed to happen! I'm truly sorry!"

"Motoyasu…"

"Me too! I'm sorry for not believing you!" Itsuki bows, and so does Ren.

"Itsuki, Ren…" Naofumi softly smiles, a bit of light returning to his eyes, "Did I…at least win?"

Ren and Itsuki lift their heads and smile, "Yeah…you did."

"Good…" Naofumi sighs in relief.

Then, there was another knock at the door. Motoyasu went to get it, but as soon as he saw who it was, he slammed the door in her face.

Naofumi raises an eyebrow, "What's gotten into you?"

"I just remembered something… it's not like I could forget it anyway," Motoyasu sighs.

"?" Naofumi tilts his head to the side. It was kinda cute.

Motoyasu softly smiles, "I remembered how I died the first time… I got stabbed to death."

Ren blinks, "You too?"

Motoyasu looks at Ren in shock, "Y-yeah. I kinda two-timed a couple of girls, and they stabbed me."

Ren nodded, "I…got stabbed saving my friend from a serial killer."

Itsuki was livid, "Damn! I just got hit by a truck!"

"…Guess I'm the only one who didn't die then. I just got sucked into a book," Naofumi sheepishly smiles.

"What book?" They ask at the same time.

"The Records of the Four Holy Weapons. The book about us," he answers.

"Seriously?"

"Seriously."

The three sigh.

"Motoyasu…"

"Yes?"

"Do you really trust Myne now?" Ren asks.

He scoffs, "Of course not. Who knows when she'll stab me in the back like she did to Naofumi. No offence."

Naofumi glares, "Uh-huh…"

"But I don't know what to do with her now," he sighs.

"Right now…just keep an eye on her," Itsuki suggests.

"OK."

"Naofumi…"

"Hm?" Naofumi tilts his head cutely towards Ren.

Ren smiles, "We'll get through the Waves together, alright?"

"Yeah," Naofumi smiles, a bit more light in his eyes.

Itsuki smiles, "Second!"

Motoyasu smiles, "Me too!"

They all agree and shake on it, promising to have each other's backs and protect each other.


Omake:

As they take turns caring for Naofumi as he recovers, they also get him a monster egg. Hopefully, it'll hatch into a good companion for him.