I hope this chapter is to your liking! I hope I get to entertain all of you once more. Not gonna lie. I personally don't like writing authors' notes as I don't want to bloat the word count with stuff that isn't the story, but I wanted to give a shout out to the new cover image this story has. It was drawn by a close friend of mine who surprised me with it out of nowhere as a (late) birthday gift! What's even funnier is that I didn't even have this story planned back then, and now it came back with a clutch. He's JhonyferDev on Twitter and he's done a remarkable job with it. I didn't give any pointers, I didn't tell him what I was looking for and I didn't even ask him for me to do it in the first place, yet he still did. So yeah, I hope he gets the appreciation he deserves for his work. Thanks man! even if you'll probably never read this.
I can't help but muse to myself…
My mind travels, asking if the decision I made was the correct one.
Even though I already know the answer to it.
I didn't have money, I potentially risked myself to something worse than anything that Hagakure could have put me up to…
And I lowered to the deepest pits that this world could bring me down to.
Yet, I get the feeling that…
There was no correct choice.
That no matter what I did, I would still be faced with adversity. That there was no 'right' way to get me out of this mess.
So that eases my mind for the slightest bit.
Yet my brain doesn't stop there and goes to immediately ask something else.
"What would they think of this?"
My thoughts are interrupted though, as I hear from in front of me how the girl I "bought" was furiously munching down food down her throat.
–"Slow down. You're going to choke at this pace." I said half-annoyed, half-understanding. This girl probably hasn't gotten a decent meal in a long while. Yet that doesn't give her the excuse to eat like a troglodyte.
Reminds me of someone.
–"Here, drink."
I pushed the water cup I have been refusing to drink towards her, to which she promptly took a hold of it, quickly chugging it down.
As she does, my mind continues to drift, remembering just how this came to be.
I… really got a slave…
Once I had picked this girl, Beloukas had gotten her out of her cage and brought us both to a different section of his shop. He seemed to be preparing something.
When he returned, he asked for a drop of my blood to claim the "ownership" of this girl.
I was hesitant at first, a needle in this world? What were the chances of it being used to collect other people's bloods, ergo the possibility of contracting a blood-borne disease?
…Were there Blood-borne diseases in this world? I swear, the more thought I put into things, the more wary of everything I become.
–"If it's hygiene what you are worried about, Shield Hero sir, I promise you that this needle is a fresh one." Beloukas immediately noticed my stalling, grinning at it.
–"And I'm supposed to believe you outright?"
–"Yes!"
I sighed, I had gotten this far… If I get something out of this…
Haa… I can't even threaten to do anything… In the end, what can I do?
–"...Just get on with this…"
–"As you wish!" He excitedly grinned.
Once my blood sample was taken, Beloukas made a mix of it with some… ink.
Meanwhile, the restrained girl stood in place, shaking ever more as time went by. Once Beloukas finished with the preparations, he got close to the girl and with a special brush, he drew a circle of purple ink on her chest where some kind of purple tattoo was imprinted on.
Beloukas was using the same weird mix that my blood had for it.
–"What's–" I was going to ask about it, but got interrupted immediately.
The girl started wincing in pain as a barrage of purple shocks emitted from her chest. Taken by surprise, I immediately worried a little.
Half for the girl's wellbeing.
The other half…
–"What do you think you are doing? Trying to get away selling damaged goods?" I barked at the slave trader.
was louder.
–"It's nothing to worry about. The pain will dissipate soon."
He pointed towards the girl, her chest specifically.
–"That slave crest branded on her chest makes it impossible for her to defy you. I just needed it to link it to you with your blood."
–"Hmm… Sure…"
I wasn't sure if this guy was telling the truth or was bullshitting me.
Although, could you fault me?
The girl was of no use to me if she couldn't fight.
CONTRACT
[You have acquired a new companion!]
I had to blink multiple times to make sure I wasn't seeing things.
–"Companion?" I murmured.
I wouldn't be able to probe further just yet, as Beloukas proudly walked up.
–"Alright, good sir. She's all yours." I turned back to the slave trader when I heard his voice.
–"Thanks for your… 'services', Beloukas."
–"A pleasure to serve." He said with a bow and that grin of his.
At that, I walked closer to the girl. She had her head hung low, one hand tightened on her chest while she used the other to support herself from the floor.
There were multiple ways that I could have started this conversation.
Ask her if she was alright. Know if she was hurt. If I could help with anything. Things that a normal human being would do without second thought.
At least… One that had a heart at least.
I liked to believe I used to fill on the earlier category.
But right now?
–"What is your name?" I asked, straight to the point.
I would not play games.
If anything my past life has taught me was that, no matter what I did, I would suffer the consequences of my actions. Therefore, I would tread forward head on to anything that came my way, even if it was the last thing I'd do. And I did that to a fault, sticking to my morals all the way through.
But this world? If I was taught anything while here, it would be that there was no amount of kindness or hope that would get me out of this mess. What could I do to get out of this mess?
I couldn't think of anything. Everyone in these lands hates my guts, scoffs at my name and sneers at my form. No matter what I do, it would not matter.
So I wouldn't get out of this mess. I would just do what I was called to do, and as soon as I could, leave this hellish world.
This world didn't hold any empathy towards me. Why should I hold any to its inhabitants?
The racoon girl hadn't answered me just yet. A violent coughing fit invaded her lungs.
I did not care.
–"Well? Tell me your name."
Only after her coughs had died down, was she able to provide an answer.
–"I'm… I'm... Raphtalia."
–"Raphtalia?"
Wouldn't lie. It definitely sounds like a fantasy name.
I shrugged it off and grabbed the girl by her arm. She didn't resist in the slightest.
–"Let's go."
As we stood up, the slave trader spoke up once more with… a little excitement.
–"I look forward to your next visit! we're always open for you!"
Eye to eye with the man, my mind wanders a little.
This slave trader was one of the very few people that didn't immediately cast me away. So far, he's been the most willing to help me out, to the point that he even 'gifted' me this… slave.
I knew that it wasn't out of the kindness of his heart per se.
But it still doesn't go unnoticed.
Something was for sure happening behind my back. Yet I couldn't stop thinking of doing one thing.
–"Yeah… Beloukas?"
–"Hmm?"
With my free hand, I looked inside my bag. There I found my last remaining silver coin.
Pulling it out of my bag with my thumb, I flinged the coin towards the slave trader, who promptly catched it.
–"Thank you for everything. I'd like to keep doing 'business' with you in the future. But don't expect me to be this… 'eager' for your services as I was today."
The slave trader smiled at my comment.
–"But of course… Just remember… We do have that deal on board still."
We did… We absolutely did…
–"...I'll still pay you back. 30 silver coins?"
–"You don't have to worry about that, Makoto Naegi sir."
But I sure will...
After that It didn't take us long to leave that place.
Yet, all the way out, I felt that man's grin following.
Whatever he was thinking at that moment… I may never know...
–"Welcome!" The familiar voice of the blacksmith was audible.
–"Hm? Oh, it's you." Erhard didn't seem to forget me just yet.
–"Well, well. What's with the girl, boy?"
I decided to cut to the chase.
–"How much will a weapon for her cost?"
Erhard's eyes widened in surprise.
–"H-Huh? For the girl? Well, I-"
–"And some clothes would come in handy as well, if you have any."
Erhard slowly took in everything before giving us a full on reply.
–"...Let me check first. Let's talk numbers later…"
And, in due time, we were given the chance to try a couple of blades for Raphtalia. Erhard had also found some clothes for her to dress with, allowing her to use the dressing cabin I used first time I came.
Raphtalia took her time to get out, but I decided to not say anything. I too had some problems putting on the chainmail at first. But she will have to hasten her pace.
–"Does it fit you?" I quickly asked.
–"...Ye-…Yeah…"
–"Alright then, grab the knife on the counter."
She turned around to see the blade I had chosen from Erhard for her to practice with. She obediently retrieved it as she held it in her hands, sheathed and all.
I noticed that her hold on it was flimsy, shaken. What I expected.
Being honest, if I was in her shoes I would be the same.
But I wasn't, so it matters not.
–"Good. Now I want you to test it." I said as I moved my hand inside my cloak.
–"Huh?"
From there, I pulled out a grunting Orange Balloon monster that has been biting into me for an annoying amount of time by now.
*GRRR*
The balloon continued munching me. I was surprised when I learned that these guys weren't able to hurt me. Although that was a two-way street, as the damage I dealt to them was too low.
The little girl stepped back when she saw the monster, recoiling in fear.
–"I want you to stab this thing."
–"N-No…"
Seeing our… training session, the owner of the shop decided to speak up.
–"Since when have you had that balloon?" Erhard couldn't help but ask.
–"They are a real bother. They won't stop pestering me. This one's been gnawing my arm ever since morning. I essentially gave up killing all of them after boring one to death."
–"H-How does that–"
I didn't care. I held the monster with my other hand and pointed towards the slave girl.
–"Raphtalia! Stab this monster!"
She continued protesting.
–"No! I- I can't-"
–"Stab it now! That's an order!"
Right there, Raphtalia glowed in purple. Violet electricity bolts emit once more. The slave crest seal was working as intended…
–"Nnngggghh!" The girl fell on her knees out of the pain.
–"It won't stop until you do it. Stab it!" I shouted again.
This girl is my only chance at surviving this world. She has to fight monsters, even if I have to force her to do so.
The little raccoon girl slowly stood up once more through the violet sparkles. Unsheathing the blade and preparing herself, she ran towards me, prepared to thrust the monster with her new knife. Only once she obeyed did the shocks stop.
She successfully lunged at the monster, but it wasn't enough to kill it as it had managed to catch the knife with its teeth.
*RRAHHH* The monster through sheer force rejected the girl's attack, causing her to fall on the ground as the knife fell from her hand.
I calmed myself before I could speak up in annoyance. I needed to keep a critical mind.
–"Not like that! Put more weight into it! As if you desperately need to."
I'll refrain from making aggressive comments on her for now. I don't want to, but I'll do what I must if I have to.
–"Stand up! Come on! Once more!"
The girl flinched and collected herself once more. Once prepared to strike again, she marched with a scream of war.
–"EAAAAAAH!" It was a rather scared scream than one of war...
Although, once she hit the monster with the blade did I feel the shift in strength. I had to put a little more strength on my hands to avoid the monster slipping through.
With gritting teeth, Raphtalia stabbed through the orange balloon, being rewarded with a…
*POP*
Rewarding pop. The balloon gave in as it blew up, causing the little girl to fall once more.
[RAPHTALIA: 15 EXP]
[12 EXP]
[ALERT]
[Exp. Has Been Maxed: You are now Level 3!]
Makoto Naegi Lv.3 ⧗ Melromarc
H———————————
M————————————
S ————————————
Raphtalia Lv.1 ⧗ Melromarc
H————————————
M————————————
S ————————————
STATUS
Max HP 196
Max MP 36
Max SP 39
Shield Hero • • • 8
Makoto Naegi Lv. 3
— — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Age 18
Exp 0/50
— — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Status
— — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Physical Damage: 0.6
Magic Damage: 12
Physical Defense: 45
Magic Defense: 35
Agility: 10
— — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Attributes
— — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Fire: 0 ︎
Water: 0 ︎
Ice: 0
Wind: 0
Lightning: 0
Light: 0
Dark: 0
Ground: 0
Luck
— — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Equipment
— — — — — — — — — — — — — —
-Small Shield
-Ragged Clothes & Cloak
Huh?
–"Wait, Why did I get experience points for that?"
And why so many?! Every single Balloon I killed gave me one point! This girl kills one and gives me the worth of twelve of them?! AND SHE GETS FIFTEEN!? WHAT?!
Erhard seemed to know the answer to that as he stepped in after boredly observing us.
–"Probably because when you formed the pact, you set her as a companion… Oh, now wait a minute, don't tell me you didn't do that with the lady who was in here before."
My brow furrowed at the mere mention of her.
–"No… I didn't…"
Erhard recoiled from my tone.
–"Oh. Uh…" He was visibly staggered back.
I decided to leave that unpleasant conversation hanging. I turned to the girl on the ground.
–"Hey, Listen up! And listen good!" I spoke up, getting her attention.
The racoon girl looked at me with her big eyes, yet I stood unfazed.
–"From here on out, I'll make you fight monsters for me, you realize that, right?"
She slightly shuddered at the thought, but I digressed.
–"I used almost everything I had to pay for you, and I didn't even cover a fraction of what I owe to that man, so you will be working hard to help me cover the expenses. Is that clear?"
The girl didn't give me an immediate reply, or even a verbal one at that. She barely nodded for me to acknowledge as she looked down towards the floor.
–"Y'know what, boy? You're not gonna die a painless death."
–"Third time's the charm, isn't it?"
–"Huh?"
I shook my head, it doesn't matter anyway.
–"Whatever. How much will everything be?"
–"Well… As for the clothes… One silver should suffice. Consider that already paid."
–"Hmm… I wonder why."
–"...As for the blade… A couple silver is about right… I'm thinking three or…
I stared at him dead in the eye.
–"Give me the full price." I pierced through his soul.
–"…Six Silver."
–"Got it. Raphtalia, stand up and hand the man his knife back. We'll come back for it later when I have the money."
Raphtalia stood up as I ordered her to do, however, Erhard spoke before she gave back the blade.
–"Just… Just take it, boy. I know you will pay for it."
I frowned at that. There was… something in his eyes.
I didn't like that.
–"I don't need your pity, only your weapons." I bitterly told the blacksmith.
At that, the blacksmith gave a frown of his own, tired of being a pushover all along.
–"Listen up, boy. I don't know who you think you are or who you think I am, but I'm getting fed up with your condescending bullshit that you spew at me every time I do something for your own good. So either take that knife with you or bid farewell. I don't want to play these childish games with you anymore." He sternly said, glaring my eyes back.
We stood on a deadlock, neither flinching or giving in. We stared- glared at each other's eyes. We both refused to falter.
…
…
…
Until I did.
I had poked the bear too much… and too often.
That much I admit.
So I relent.
–"...Very well. We are off to work." I turned around, giving my back to the blacksmith, not even waiting for my newly appointed slave to follow me.
I didn't apologize, but neither am I a stubborn prick. I'll give the man some peace.
Who am I? Easy question. I'm Makoto Naegi,
What's that supposed to mean? I'm no longer sure.
Nowadays I feel that I'm just a fraction, a shallow part of who I once used to be. I no longer hope for a better tomorrow. I struggle to survive today. I no longer trust in those around me, I choose to distrust everyone I meet.
And it's hard to look at my past for clearance when I don't know if I'll even have a future ahead of me.
I hoped for a future.
Now, I survive to have a today.
I left the shop as I heard little footsteps following behind me.
We had things to do.
…
…
–"Haah…" The blacksmith sighed.
–"I no longer know whether the country's at fault or if the boy was just corrupted…"
–"Why, sir?"
–"Hmm?" I broke out of my thoughts. I looked across from me to see Raphtalia with food crumbs on her mouth staring at me.
–"Why… Did you buy food for me?"
Ah…
That's what.
It was true that I bought her the kid's menu with the last eight copper coins I had. It was more expensive than what I had the other day, but being honest, I wasn't going to eat here anyway.
I decided to bring the girl to the same restaurant I was kicked out the other day. The waiter from that time recognized me but didn't say anything. Either they don't have the balls to kick or ban me or I wasn't being blacklisted for something I didn't commit.
Would be a first around here.
Raphtalia's stomach had started grumbling only after a couple of steps we have gotten out of Erhard's shop. I wasn't going to let her starve.
She had work to do, afterall.
–"You were hungry. I'd apologize if it wasn't to your liking, but you munched it through anyway."
–"O-Oh… Uh…" She seemed a little insecure about that.
I grabbed a napkin and reached towards her the most I could. She seemed to flinch when I did, yet she didn't move. Perhaps she thought I was going to hit her or something.
I didn't though. I decided to clean off the scraps of food she had around her mouth.
–"Did your parents not teach you how to eat properly?"
–"Uh! Uh…" She struggled to come up with a reply, even blushing at it. She was almost adorable.
A familiar feeling went through me
'She almost reminds me of…'
…
…
I shook my head as I quickly got back to my seat.
–"We will be going to hunt for some monsters to level up. We may stay in an inn if you work hard and we can afford it."
–"Ye-Yeah…"
At that, I forced myself to stop thinking about it.
…
–"Now! Raphtalia!"
–"Y-Yes! EAAAH!"
*POP*
[RAPHTALIA: 7 EXP]
[5 EXP]
I decided to bring Raphtalia to the meadows to hunt some more Orange Balloons.
This time however… there were more of them. And not only Orange ones, but Yellow and Red ones. The one Raphtalia just killed was a Red Balloon, as an example.
With Raphtalia, these guys were now light work.
–"Come on! They are getting away!" I said, quickly giving chase
to another group of balloons.
–"W-What?!"
Our work dynamic has been like this ever since. She attacks, and I defend. Killing Balloons had never been this efficient.
It was a restless hunt, grinding through levels as quickly as we could.
Once the sun settled did we stop to rest for a bit. I asked Raphtalia to help me fish some… fishes, to cook for our meal.
I have no idea what I am doing. This was the first time I tried to light a fire in the woods. The only previous experience I had was after watching a slasher movie called "Camp of Horrors" that I had gotten curious to try lighting a fire with only branches. Mostly to calm myself after watching said movie, I wasn't able to finish it.
This time however, I had managed to find a flint rock near the river and decided to try for myself if I could light a fire.
I tried messing with some branches and stuff, but making friction was difficult as everytime I tried every piece I held would just crumble. I had to be doing something wrong.
I was about to give up, crossing my arms in thought to think what could I try.
At that, a dim reflection went to my eye, making me glance at the shield that was reflecting the sun's glow towards me.
Then… I had a questionable idea.
'This… Shield…'
I gave two knocks on it, the shield emitting the familiar panging sound of metal, steel…
'It is… made out of steel, right? Couldn't I…?'
With my free hand, I brought the flint close towards it
I gave it some thought. It sounds both possible and stupid.
But I don't see any alternatives around…
–"Raphtalia, step away. I'm going to try something dangerous."
–"Huh?" She left out, but complied without probing further.
Once she was relatively away and I was mentally prepared, I placed the flint on the shield. I aimed the shield towards the used twigs on the ground and struck it as I swinged the flint down hard, hoping that my idiocy could work.
And it did.
A small shower of sparks flew, but no flame.
The act alone had surprised me, I wasn't even angry that it didn't work in one go, I was rather speechless to see the strange phenomenon I just made. I think I even heard Raphtalia gasp for a short minute.
I gave it another try, almost unconsciously, and again, yet another shower of sparks went off, but still, no fire was made.
I frowned and concentrated
Why do I get the feeling this is gonna end badly?
And it did.
Finally, a small flame caught on the twigs…
But I almost caught my sleeve on fire. I quickly patted it down, not wanting to burn myself or lose the only clothes I had.
"M-Master!" Raphtalia shouted, hearingly worried, yet I managed to extinguish the flames before anything happened.
…
…
'I could have burnt myself doing that…'
'Guess that answers Komaru's question as to why women live longer than men…'
I turned to the little girl at that.
–"Bring the fish over. We'll try to cook them."
Somehow.
As we had dinner, or late lunch, or… whatever, I used the moment of tranquility to continue studying the… 'screens' that I was able to see.
In depth, it all looked like RPGs menus, which yeah, I've played Dragon Quest, I just never finished any…
Or passed the tutorial for some.
It was… concerning to see how 'gamey' it all seem.
Yet the world… The world felt… real, as if thrown to medieval age real.
In any case, I was now studying a bunch of skills that I had unlocked thanks to today's grind.
I was proudly sitting at Level 4,
Which meant…
0.6 on attack still.
At the very least I got some new skills and shields.
–"Blending?" I read the newest unlock entry.
That's something that might come in handy…
–"Master? Sir?" I heard Raphtalia's voice.
I turned towards her, she was eating the first batch of cooked fish, holding two of them, one in each hand.
She seemed to like the food, which makes me look forward to it as well. I haven't eaten anything decent since… that night…
Back with the racoon girl, she wanted to ask something.
–"Who are you? And what I mean is, who are you really?"
–"Hmm…"
This is probably the quietest moment we've had today. It makes sense that she's curious about me. Afterall, I'm her new owner, and from what I heard, the previous one wasn't a very kind one.
I guess she wants to know if she'll have the same fate with me.
As to which…
–"I'm… a 'hero'..."
–"Huh?"
–"The Shield Hero. That's how they were calling me."
The girl seemed to react at that comment.
–"W-Wait, do you mean... The Shield Hero from the Four Cardinal Heroes?"
I think they called us like that at the castle.
Or at least with Ren, Itsuki and Motoyasu…
–"From what I've heard, yeah."
After that, I glanced at her and the girl seemed a bit… different. She wasn't as lifeless as she had been until now, and she seemed to brighten up for the slightest bit.
I guess that the heroes here were of folklore, that would explain how she knows of The Cardinal Heroes, but not 'know' know them, if I make sense…
–"You're really the Shield Hero…" I heard the girl mumble as I continued with my work.
'Or the Shield Villain, for other eyes…'
Raphtalia then realized her composure and got out of her stupor.
–"Please, sir. What do I call you?"
Sir? That's weird.
But I guess it makes sense that she wants to know my name.
That much I can give.
–"My name is Naegi Makoto…"
A quick thought came to mind.
–"...Or should I say Makoto Naegi? I don't know how names work here…"
I glanced at the girl, who didn't seem to catch what I was saying.
I wouldn't like for everyone to think that my last name is my first...
…Or would that be a good thing?
Questions for later.
–"Makoto is my name, Naegi is my family's."
–"Makoto… Naegi…" Raphtalia repeated my name in… awe? To which… I didn't know how to respond.
At that, she threw a coughing fit, her illness acting up.
That was no good.
I reached towards the girl to hand her a beverage I've been working on.
–"Drink." I said as I handed her a leaf cup. Who would've guessed that all the useless handcrafts I did with Komaru would end up paying up.
The girl eyed the cup and then to me unsurely, doubt filling in.
Mind you, she was still holding onto her two fish sticks.
I spoke, hoping to quarell her worries.
–"It's medicine, I just blended it. It should help with your coughing."
I held it closer to her.
–"Drink."
At my insistence, she moved one of her sticks to her other, with a new free hand, she reached for the cup.
A couple of seconds later did she start gulping it down.
It was but a moment that her eyes widened.
–"Bluuuugh" She spat the medicine to the ground.
–"Hey, Hey! Don't waste it!"
–"It's so bitter!" She whined.
–"Good. Then it should works as intended."
I grabbed the cup on her hands, making sure she doesn't spill it.
–"Now, Drink!"
–"BLUUUUUUUUGHHHHHHH" An echo resounded through the forest.
Once that was finished and Raphtalia cleaned her mouth with some clean water did I get a chance to taste my cooking.
–"Kids…" I thought out loud as I reached for another stabbed fish that was left to cook on the fire.
Visually, it seemed fine, a bit well done compared to Raphtalia's that were rather rare, eager to munch as soon as possible.
I gave a bite of my own on the cooked fish. Finally having something to eat that was free from those people's hands, unable to tamper with.
…
…
It's not as good as I expected.
No, rather, it was still as regurgitating.
I still gulped it down, as I didn't want to leave a bad impression on Raphtalia…
…
…
Why do I care about that?
–"Hmm?" The racoon girl hummed in confusion.
–"Nothing. It's nothing." I said as I threw the cooked fish to the river next to us, Raphtalia seemingly winced to see the fish go.
–"Don't worry. It didn't taste good." I said, so she wouldn't worry about wasting food.
–"But it looked… delicious…"
–"It wasn't." I shrugged.
I started preparing our camp for the night.
–"I'm still a novice cooking out in the wild. I'm honestly surprised that those fishes were to your liking."
–"O-Oh, uhm…" Raphtalia mumbled a little.
She twiddled her fingers with one another.
–"I was… hungry."
I stopped to process that statement. It made sense. This girl hasn't been getting any decent food for, who knows how long. She would crave for anything that some sloppy cook like me could give her.
That made more sense than me cooking a good first meal with nothing but wood and fire for the first time. Coming to this world wouldn't give me cooking skills out of nowhere.
–"And I had never tried anything like that…"
–"I see." Was all that I answered.
Silence immediately fell after that, to which the girl seemed uncomfortable by it.
–"I-m-I'm sorry, sir."
–"What for?"
–"For speaking up. I didn't mean to say things like that."
I was a little confused by that.
–"Like what? You didn't say anything wrong."
–"Th-Then why did you stay silent, sir? Were you not angry?"
I shrugged.
–"I'm just tired, I want to get to rest for the day."
–"Oh…"
As we spoke, Raphtalia saw me prepare what would be our makeshift beds, and with makeshift, I meant just the grass. Had to move some rocks to get out of the way in case we rolled on our sleep. After that, I got the idea of untying my cloak for it to be used as a sheet. It was already big enough for me and without question it would be big for Raphtalia, but of course, there was only one.
It's not an issue though, we would be sleeping in shifts to avoid surprises. A couple of Balloons wouldn't be a problem, but we haven't faced anything other than that just yet, so we had to keep watch.
That meant that we could lend the cloak to each other once the other's turn ended.
Once everything was settled and the dark was approaching, I turned to Raphtalia once more.
–"I'll take the first shift. You can rest, I'll wake you in around… five to six hours. Rest for now."
I told her, but it honestly felt more like an order or declaration, as Raphtalia didn't even reply. Neither did I wait for an answer from her, as I immediately grabbed my pouch and emptied the contents of it to list everything that we had.
After seeing me do all of that, Raphtalia decided to bid me goodnight. I replied with a silent nod and allowed her to drift to dreamland. And once more, I was left alone with my thoughts.
…
…
And I have not much to say.
I now have a slave. I don't know what to say.
I'm hungry as hell, and I don't know what to make of that.
And I'm alone as… I always was, I guess… It was only during Hope's Peak that I started gathering more friends.
Never was a loner, but neither a people's person. I was just, y'know. Just a guy.
I only ventured to be more outspoken once I met them. I felt that I had to try harder.
And now, none of them are here. Half of them perished and the other half believe that I'm dead.
And again. I don't know how to take that.
I wanted to be hopeful at the beginning, inspired to see them once again, even after death.
If I died that is, I no longer know what to make of my last moments with Hina and Kirigiri-san. Did I really die? Was this some kind of afterlife? Or rather, hell?
But just as soon that I started having those thoughts did my stomach start rumbling, feeling how famished I was.
This, at the very least, felt real. So no matter what I say or how I coped, nothing would stop me from having this much hunger that I did.
But I will have to persevere until I learn how to properly roast fish or, admittedly less enjoyable, allow myself to indulge in the townsfolk delicacies, even if they were tampered with.
Wouldn't be surprised to get food poisoning at this rate.
…
…
I'll just put my mind into the items that I have…
That is, at the very least, productive. So I can prepare myself.
I began searching through everything.
The most abundant of what I had was a lot of unsold grass, some of which I used to make Rapthalia's medicine. If I did things properly and the Shield hasn't been leading me off, then it should help her with that.
I can't have her around being like that.
If she's sick, she can't fight.
If she can't fight, she's of no use.
So it's in my best interest to keep her healthy.
Next were a couple of rocks that I was keeping around. Some I bought to the people from before, at the shop district, others I found and kept around. Perhaps I can ask Raphtalia if she can discern something useful out of these.
Next were some Balloon skins. I had a bunch of Orange ones, but those were not just the only ones I had anymore. With Rapthalia, we hunted Yellow, Blue, Red and even Green ones. Now I have a collection of these.
I had: Three Yellow Skins, Three Red, Two Blue and One Green. After that we easily got like fifteen of the Orange ones.
It's crazy to think that it took me hours to get, maybe a dozen of these. Today we worked for just an hour before the sun began settling, and we easily got the double of that.
Once more, I felt the familiar feeling of the Shield craving for a snack, and out of sympathy, I complied. Handing it the three Yellow skins from the fallen Balloon monsters.
Last time, I gave it one and nothing happ–
[UNLOCKED]
[New Shield Unlocked: Small Yellow Shield.]
[Description: A lightweight shield made from toughened material. While it may not offer the best protection, it possesses a unique property when put under pressure.]
[2 DEF]
[New Weapon Skill Unlocked!]
[Yellow Small Shield Skill: Reception: Temporarily enhances the shield's absorption, allowing it to absorb incoming attacks.]
…Well that's new.
So to unlock a shield I need to fill a certain criteria? So getting X amount of something to receive Y?
It gets more bizarre everytime I see something that is similar to a video game in this world…
So, the Small Orange Shield took… How many? I think it was four? Or was it more? Yellow was four without a doubt… Then I doubt that the Orange Shield took me four… Do these scale with rarity or is it just random?
…Are there rarities in this at all? I don't see anything that suggests that the Yellow Shield is rarer than the Orange one. In fact, I think the Orange Shield is just better?
I'll have to test that new skill. On paper, it just sounds like an upgrade to protect something with the shield, but…
–"Yellow Shield." I summoned the newly unlocked shield and it appeared on my arm with no problems.
It's what I expected. Identical to the Small Orange Shield, only yellow and a tad bit smaller.
The skill sounds good, but the shield itself?
I touched the part of the shield made out of the balloon skin, and as I expected, it felt almost identical to the Small Orange one.
The only key difference that I could tell was that this shield wasn't as elastic as the Orange one.
And with 'as elastic' you can probably say that almost not at all.
It moved enough for you to realize what material this was made of, Yellow Balloon Skin, but other than that, it doesn't… act the same way the Orange shield did.
Do they have any difference? The monsters seemed identical to one another at a glance, I can't think of what would make them differ for this to happen.
I decided that enough probing on the new shield was enough. I eyed the other Balloon skins and I immediately went on a debate.
To absorb or to not absorb.
On one hand, other than the yellow skin, I didn't see any of these being sold or bought. Perhaps they are rarer and have a larger value?
On the other… getting these was not any more difficult than the yellow or even orange balloons were. They just seemed to be less frequent. I don't know if this means that they are rarer to come by, or if they even have a demand.
In the end… I ended up absorbing every single one of them other than the Orange peels, as I doubt my shield would get any further use out of them. That and we really needed the money.
…
…
How often can we get attacked by monsters?
Now that I remember, I didn't keep watch on my lonesome, I would just sleep and shrug it off if monsters came by.
Is this really needed?
…Probably, wouldn't want to be ambushed by a… bear or something…
…
…Are there bears in this world? As in, bears like mine, or rather monster versions of them?
I'm really scraping the bottom of the bottle, am I?
Other than keeping watch, I really don't have anything else to do. It was tiring, but not an all nighter that I hadn't pulled off previously.
I glanced at the form of the little girl sleeping with my cloak.
Leaving… everything aside… I do have to wonder.
How did things come to be this way?
How did she end up like this?
Where are her parents?
Do I even want to know?
I shook my head, trying to dismiss the questions I wasn't ready to face. My eyes drifted aimlessly to a nearby tree, its branches swaying quietly in the night. The silence around us should've been comforting, but instead, it felt... unsettling. Like the calm before a storm.
Just as I was lost in those thoughts, a piercing scream shattered the stillness.
–"NNOOOOO!" A terrified scream echoed out of nowhere.
I shot up from the dirt I'd been sitting on, heart racing, expecting a monster to attack us. My eyes darted around, searching frantically—but nothing. No monsters in sight.
I exhaled sharply, frustration rising.
I turned toward my slave, the source of the scream.
–"What the hell is wrong with–"
But the words died in my throat.
–"They're dead! They're dead!"
The little girl, who was sound asleep just moments ago, was thrashing wildly, her arms swinging through the air as if trying to grab onto something—or someone—who wasn't there
A panging grew deep within me as I rushed to her side.
–"Hey, Hey! What happened? Can you hear me?"
But it was no use. She was trapped in whatever nightmare gripped her. Desperate, I pulled her into an embrace, holding her tight.
–"Just calm down. Everything's okay." I cradled her hair furthermore.
–"Father… No! My mother…"
–"...Don't cry." I pitifully asked. I wasn't exactly sure what to do in this situation.
–"...they're both gone." She finally "calms" down, murmuring almost into whispers, I was unsure if she was saying that to me or… to herself…
–"It's… all right." I tried to comfort her by brushing her hair. I never was good in… these situations.
–"It'll be all right…" were my concluding words for the night.
Neither of us will be able to sleep, it seems.
The next morning was, if anything, awkward. But we didn't have the luxury to stay idle like fools and do nothing, so after enough dilly dallying, I just packed everything and told the girl to follow me without making any questions.
To which… I have to say.
I didn't ask any questions after that.
It wasn't my place to probe into her life.
And neither do I have to.
Ergo, I just wouldn't ask.
We continued the day lightly, grinded through some more levels, killing more balloons and we eventually returned to town.
I paid a visit to the apothecarian again. I brought him more herbs this time, thanks to the help of Raphtalia, we now had the power of four hands to carry them. I managed to make quite the profit thanks to that. I also showed him the handmade medicine I made for Raphtalia. I had made more after last night for her, but thought to ask if they had any value, to which he was impressed by. So thanks to that, I have another fund of income to look up to, yet I still want to expand my horizons. I can't sell everything to the apothecarian, he will eventually run out of money.
To which…
–"Do you happen to have any tools you don't need? I'll buy them."
I had an idea.
Progress was made today. From literally running out of money, to making ten silver, and one hundred forty copper… the difference was day and night.
First thing I'm doing is paying Erhard back. Perhaps that will ease him.
After that, I'll be allotting some of these earnings to pay back Beloukas. He offered Rapthalia for thirty coins, and I gave him one. Twenty-nine silver coins.
That is… if he doesn't ask for any interest…
I'll go prepared.
I walked out of the store, outside awaited Raphtalia, she had stayed behind saying something that 'her kind wasn't allowed' or something. I'd have to ask more about that.
She was distracted seeing a couple of kids playing around, kicking an orange ball, strangely reminiscent of the Orange Balloon Monsters.
She was completely lost in thought while following those kids with her gaze…
…
–"...Raphtalia?"
She didn't seem to hear me out.
–"Raphtalia."
–"Huh?!" I finally burst her bubble of thought.
I stood a second just gazing at the girl… She still seemed a little off, but…
–"...Would you like a ball like that?"
Her eyes widened, but her body trembled first.
–"No, I don't!" She said as she got off the boxes she was sitting atop.
–"I'd never want a ball, not at all!" She said, but her tail wagging uncontrollably sold her out…
I can't help but shake my head, this takes me back to…
…
Nevermind.
At that I turned around towards the kids once more, and I ended up seeing a familiar face over there. The ball-maker was doing business around here, how convenient.
Guess we can finally have some profits out of the balloon skins that we've been collecting…
…
…And now that I think about it…
Since we had to free some space in our bags for the next time we hunt for experience and materials, we would have to sell most of our stuff. We also needed the money, so we'd be doing that anyway.
It was… pleasurable doing business with someone that didn't outright hate my guts. Both the apothecarian and ball-maker were professional enough, if not neutral alright, to not let my "reputation" among the population of this city interfere with our businesses. Something that was… hard to come by when you are openly labeled as a rapist…
The ball-maker can't buy much from us, but we get better prices from him. And at that…
–"Huh?" Raphtalia asked in question as to why the ball-maker was giving me one of his balloon skin balls that he makes.
–"Pleasure doing business with ya." He said with a smile.
–"...Same…"
I can't get the feeling that everything that everyone says around me are just lies. That everyone tries to deceive me so I can lower my guard down…
But I know the ball-maker isn't one of them… or at least, I should know…
But I still can't get it off my chest…
After we finished our business and we made a couple of steps away, did I hand over the ball to Raphtalia.
–"This is yours now. You can play around with it after we're done with work." I said as she locked eyes with the ball in question.
Her mouth was agape, uncertain, but had a tinge of happiness brewed within that mix of emotions.
She quickly shook her head, clearing her confused state.
–"O-Of course!" She hastily replied, perhaps not wanting to keep me waiting for an answer, or fearing I'd be angered if she didn't give me one…
With that done, I can start to calm down about her depressed state. Some recreation will do wonders for her mental health.
I can't have her biting her own tongue to death because of it.
I have, no, need to find a way to survive before the next Wave of Catastrophe hits.
Right now, I'm completely dependent on Raphtalia, and she is still weak. Not as weak as I am, but I doubt that we'll be able to fend off these waves if we stay like this.
We need to grow stronger.
We need to prepare ourselves for the worst that's to come.
We need to survive.
–"Raphtalia!"
–"Yeah!"
*POP*
[RAPHTALIA: 3 EXP]
[1 EXP]
*POP*
*POP*
[RAPHTALIA: 4, 2 EXP]
[2, 1 EXP]
Things have been going better so far.
After selling all the balloon skins that I didn't use for my shield to the fat merchant from the other day (At worse prices mind you, but at least acceptable.) I had decided to just go out once more to level up some more.
Back in the forest we usually went in, this time we had been more daring than before, reaching parts we haven't ventured in just yet. To which…
–"Very well… I believe we can probably go deeper into the forest now. Don't you think, Raphtalia?"
To which, the racoon girl barely mumbled.
–"I-I…"
–"RIIIII"
We heard a sudden noise. We both turned around in unison, spotting a white bunny coming out of one of the bushes from the forest.
–"Is that a… rabbit?"
Said rabbit menacingly showed its fangs as it lunged towards Raphtalia.
My eyes widened as I quickly moved in front of her.
–"Watch out!"
*MUNCH*
The rabbit fiercely bit into my arm. This was the strongest bite I've felt so far, but it thankfully didn't hurt as much as I'd expect it to.
With gritting teeth, I grabbed the rabbit by its long ears and removed the thing from my arm before it could bite into it even further. WIth my other hand, I grabbed the back of its body, holding it high in place, now immobilized to escape or defend itself within my grasp.
–"Got it! Raphtalia! Now, stab it!"
But the girl… hesitated.
She shook in fear.
–"Hurry up! What're you waiting for?"
She wasn't obeying.
–"Raphtalia, what are you doing?! Stab it!"
The girl flinched, yet she still didn't move.
–"B-But I can't… It'll bleed if I stab it."
…What?
–"I hate blood!" The girl declared, almost pleadingly so.
And right there, I don't what or why I was compelled to do so.
But I snapped.
–"And you think I don't?!" I roared, my voice echoing through the forest. My grip on the rabbit tightened as I wrestled with its relentless struggle, even if fruitless.
With a surge of frustration, I turned and slammed the rabbit against a nearby tree. It thrashed harder, refusing to give in, but I refused to let go either.
My outburst seemed to shake Raphtalia to her core, her trembling growing worse. But I couldn't stop now.
–"I never asked for this!" I shouted, slamming the rabbit again.
–"I never wanted blood on my hands or its smell burned into my nostrils!"
I slammed the rabbit once more as it writhed in pain, surprisingly. its movements slowed as I continued to hold it in place.
–"But you know what? It doesn't matter what I want anymore!" My voice cracked, my emotions boiling over.
–"There's no choice but to adapt! That's how I've survived, and that's how we'll both survive!"
I turned my head to her, my voice quieter but no less intense.
–"If you can't fight, then step aside. I don't have time to babysit someone who refuses to help. If you won't face this world, I have no use for you."
The finality of my words hung in the air like a blade, cutting deeper than I intended. I could see the pain in her eyes, but I couldn't back down now. We didn't have the luxury of kindness or hesitation, not here.
Not now.
–"There's another Wave coming, and I don't even know what those are, but from what I've heard, that could end everything."
With gritted teeth, I can only imagine what awaits us. This world was not kind to me. Not to many.
My mind flashes the memories of the last days. How I was deceived, mistreated and betrayed for being the Shield Demon. The worst.
The weak.
–"I don't have much time, but I need to get strong, stronger than I've ever been, as soon as possible. Otherwise, we're all wiped out."
And as I said that, pushed the rabbit further, squashing it against the tree harder and harder, yet it was of no use.
–"But my attack is lacking. No matter how hard I try, no matter how strong I may be, no matter how long I do, I can't even strangle this fucking rabbit!" I shouted, slamming some force onto it, but it felt like I did no damage.
My eyes glance down at my arm, the one forced to carry this… 'Legendary Weapon'.
–"My shield only serves to protect, that's all I'm good for, and probably all thay I'll ever need... *Tch* How ironic…"
In my search to protect those around me, it left be defenseless by myself…
Truly useless…
–"I need someone to fight for me. I need someone that can fight. If you can't, I'll find someone else, but I don't have many options…"
Those last words that came out of me left with little hope remaining. I said that, but, what could I possibly do? Buy another slave? With what money? I haven't even paid for Raphtalia yet…
–"Y-You… You'll fight the Waves of Catastrophe?" Raphtalia asked, her voice still quivering, yet she asked nonetheless.
–"I have to. That's what I was… summoned for." I answered.
Even if I like it or not…
–"I-I understand…"
I was confused by that, but when I turned once more, I saw Raphtalia grasping the hilt of her knife once more, ready to strike again.
–"T-Then I, too, have no choice…"
With realization hitting me, I moved the rabbit towards her, holding it in the air once more. At that, with renewed confidence, Raphtalia struck and stabbed the rabbit dead center, blood gushing out. I got surprised with how much came out, yet
The rabbit's corpse, unlike the balloon's, didn't pop or disappear. We were left with its entire lifeless body at our disposal… As if it was truly…
That's when it hit me, all these menus, and all these… game-like elements… they are a farce, because as much as I could see and feel, this was real life, not a game.
My eyes landed on a panting Raphtalia, trying to scrub some blood off of her face. My fist tightened at that.
–"Master, I'll fight for you. Just don't-don't throw me away!"
I didn't answer her… I didn't promise that I wouldn't. I didn't tell her anything after that.
But one thing was clear.
We needed to survive, we have to.
And I'm afraid that it'll only be able if we do so together. The two of us.
This world… I'll rise up in this world. I'll overcome anything thay is thrown at me and change my flaws if need be.
No matter the costs.
I will prevail.
Once we had finished with our grinding session, we made another visit to Erhardt.
Even if still bitter about last time, he still helped out.
Now, with enough funding, I was able to pay back Erhardt what I owed to him. Afterwards, I asked for a legitimate blade for Raphtalia to wield.
Due to her size, Erhard gave us a shortsword light enough for her to carry and use. He sold it at a cheaper price and I, begrudgingly. accepted his deal. I didn't want to make yet another scene.
After that, I asked him a question I had in mind for a while. If he recommended us to go to another village for us to make more money.
And he did answer. He told us of a small village called Lute that wasn't too far from here. I believe it was the same village that… she, was talking about that nigut.
On foot, was quite a hassle, but we got around paying a carriage that was passing by.
We had finally arrived. We walked around the village to spot what was around until I found a street merchant sitting on the ground, he seemed to be a leatheworker, kind of like the ball-maker.
–"How much for it?" I asked as he inspected the rabbit fur I had skinned.
It was the first time I had done anything like it, believing it to be a rather sloppy job of mine, but…
–"I'd say... about two silvers, give or take a copper."
–"Really?" I was pleasantly surprised by the pricing around here.
Looking around the street and not finding anything of interest, I decided to try my luck.
–"Would you happen to know of any spots here to make some money quickly nearby?"
–"Hmm…" I wasn't expecting much, but the merchant went into deep thought.
–"Well, now that you mention it, the ore coming out of the mines outside the walls."
–"Mines?" I dumbly repeated after him.
–"Yeah, but you oughta fetch a decent amount, but…"
–"But…"
The merchant looked up, gazing back at me.
–"Ever since the first Wave came, it's become home to a bunch of dangerous monsters. These days nobody wants to go anywhere near that place."
–"I see… And nothing has been done about it?"
–"Uh-huh." The merchant replied with a nonchalant hum.
He seemed genuinely bothered by my last statement though.
–"I don't know what our summoned "heroes" are doing, but if you ask me, it isn't much."
I wasn't exactly sure how to reply to that. I was one of those heroes he was talking about, but…
I really wasn't inclined to justify nor defend them…
Well, there wasn't much that I could have done in the past few days about it…
But I can do something about it now.
–"Thank you for the information." I thanked the merchant as I stood up, Raphtalia followed behind me.
From what I could see, this town was rather a modest one. Not too many people, but not desolate. It doesn't seem to have any specialty attached to it, it was just that, another town.
I haven't been scoffed or glared to shreds around here, and the merchant that mentioned the heroes didn't mention anything about the 'blasted Shield Demon'... yet… It didn't seem like those rumours had spread around here.
How long will that be though?
In any case, we now had an idea of what we could do to get some money.
We trekked through the town just to get an idea of what was around and what not, however, what we were here for was clearly obvious now.
The mines.
So after renting a room and leaving there any items that wouldn't be of use to us during our time in the cave, we went straight to it.
I was worrying about how we could get some pickaxes and tools to work with, so I decided that we could first make a small detour to scout the insides of the mines a little. I would be pleasantly surprised to see that, at the entrance to the mine, the makeshift warehouse that was now abandoned still had some functioning tools, albeit a little rusty.
"Don't eye the teeth of a gifted horse they say… consider me blind then."
I grabbed one pickaxe and some rope and, when I did, I felt how my shield yearned for a piece of them.
I couldn't give it the pickaxe, we needed it and I don't quite… think it would absorb it? The rope was fine enough though.
And, as per how I should be used to it now…
[UNLOCKED]
[New Shield Unlocked: Rope Shield.]
[Description: One shield roped together. Mostly unconventional for defense as it's made from softer materials. However, it holds a 'power that comes with great responsibility', or something like it is what your people say.]
[2 DEF]
[New Weapon Skill Unlocked!]
[Rope Shield Skill: Air Strike Shield: Temporarily summons a barrier with the shape of a shield to protect from afar!]
Well, yet another exclusive skill.
...hold on, "my people?".
I just shake my head to brush it off. Not the time for this.
I haven't tried all of my skills but… this one sounds different from the ones I had before.
As my shield morphed into it's newly acquired form, I raised my hand and aimed in front of me.
–"Air Strike Shield!" I shouted, and to lo and behold, a green "air" shield appeared.
I… wasn't expecting something so literal to be the case. Most things have been more cryptic so far.
And this… this looked like real magic…
–"Anything wrong, sir?" I heard Raphtalia beside me, realizing how she was staring at how I stood in awe like a fool.
I broke my concentration and pulled back my arm, doing so, the shield too ceased to exist.
–"No, it's nothing. Let's move on." I trekked forward, and the girl yelped to catch up to me.
She was handing the pickaxe now, and we were going straight to the mines now.
At it, the little girl seem to not want to keep the peaceful silent we had, so she asked…
–"Um… sir?"
–"What is it?" I asked.
She fidgeted, but dared to ask.
–"I was just wondering about… I mean, how should I address you?"
Address me? Like master or that?
Ugh, that sounds horrible.
–"Call me whatever. I don't care."
Not like it'll change anything…
–"A-All right then…"
After that, it was just silence between the two of us.
We reached the cave without issue, and luck seemed to be on our side—we had already spotted the ore we were looking for. The soft glow of the mineral reflected off the damp cavern walls, pulsing faintly...
Not a single monster in sight so far. That was good.
–"Raphtalia."
–"Y-Yeah!" She stepped forward, gripping the pickaxe tightly, ready to swing.
But before she could, I stopped her.
–"Give that to me. You keep watch."
She blinked, taken aback. I could tell she hadn't expected that. Maybe she thought I'd make her do all the heavy work. And I could—that was the way this world worked, wasn't it? But this was something I had to do myself.
I wasn't about to risk her messing it up.
I took the pickaxe from her hands, adjusted my stance, and swung.
CLINK
CLINK
CLINK
CLINK-KREH
That should do it. My arms burned from the effort, but I had managed to break some of the ore free from its stone prison. I reached out, grasping the chunk in my palm. The closer I looked, the more mesmerizing it became—glowing with an almost ethereal light, like it didn't belong to this world.
–"Good start. While we're at it, save this, Raphtal—"
–"No!"
Her voice cut through the air, sharp and trembling with fear.
I turned just in time to see it.
A massive, two-headed beast was slinking toward us from the darkness, its glowing red eyes burning like embers. It looked like a cerberus that had been plucked straight out of hell, its black fur matted and bristling with hunger. Saliva dripped from its twin maws, and somehow, we felt each step it made on the ground.
It had been waiting for us.
–"Raphtalia!" I called, but she wasn't moving. She was frozen, her eyes locked onto the beast, her breathing shallow.
I barely had time to react before it lunged.
I threw myself in front of her, bracing as one of its heads crashed into me, slamming against my shield. The impact rattled my bones, my boots skidding backward against the rock. But I held my ground.
The other head, however, wasn't so easily stopped.
It twisted its thick neck, jaws snapping toward my throat with terrifying speed. I barely managed to jerk to the side, feeling the rush of air as its fangs missed by inches. One bite—that's all it would take. One mistake, and I was dead.
I gritted my teeth, anger bubbling inside me, raw and unrestrained.
The shield hummed against my arm, a faint glow sparking to life. Energy swirled in my chest, something primal, something furious.
I wouldn't let this thing take us.
–"GET AWAY!"
[Skill Activation: Rejection!]
The hound-dogs winced as they were pushed back by the force of my skill. Then, I grabbed Raphtalia and began running
I ran while carrying her, however, it was obvious that the twindog would outrun us eventually. I looked around, to see if I could do something, but other than fight, I couldn't come up with anything.
And with the trembling racoon girl in my arms… I don't think that's an option.
–"Raphtalia?! Can you stand?!"
But she didn't reply. She didn't listen.
With gritting teeth, I kept running, I ran as much as the ground would allow us to, as we were quickly to meet with a cliff.
I looked around for anything. ANYTHING to do. Somewhere to jump, somewhere to land, somewhere to stand, but I was out of reach from ALL of it.
I couldn't reach there… I just couldn't…
If only I had that–
[New Weapon Skill Unlocked!]
[Rope Shield Skill: Tether Grab: Throws out a rope to grapple around with–
–"THAT'S IT!"
[Skill Activation: Tether Grab!]
As if I was some arachnid hero, I managed to grapple us away from the cerberus monster just in time before it struck us down to fall to the subterranean waters around here. We swinged out, crossing the rock to the opposite mount were had been standing on.
With that moment of relief, I tried asking the girl again.
–"Are you alright?! Can you breathe?"
–"Dog... monster…" Her lips trembling.
She was speaking again.
–"It killed all the villagers- even my… mother and father…
My eyes widened, realizing how she was probably reliving her nightmare.
–"During the first Wave?"
She didn't answer, as only her ragged breaths came out.
I slowly but surely climbed back up to land. However, I quickly noticed how the monster was still giving us chase.
–"Is that the same monster that killed your parents?"
–"No…" She meekly answered.
I was going to ask something else, but the monster had arrived, it was now waiting for us at the other side of the rocks.
It seems that this monster is smarter than what it looks, If it jumps up to us, he'll fall. He's giving us just enough space for us to jump, so we can believe we can outun it again…
But that won't happen… he won't allow it…
I grumbled, as I turned back to the girl behind me,
–"Listen, Raphtalia!
–"H-Huh…?"
–"I need you to take that thing out here and now.
–"Wh-What?!"
I gritted my teeth, but pushed further.
–"Only you can fight here… If you do and you make me stronger… then we can fend off all of these monsters, along with the Waves of Catastrophe!
I heard her mumble something, but I didn't care.
–"That way, we'll make sure nobody goes through the same things again."
I didn't want to say this… but I have no option.
–"I can't bring back your parents… Nor can I change the past…"
My fists tightened up as I prepared myself, changing my shield to the Small Yellow Shield
–"But we can make sure that no other kids lose their parents like you did! We can change their future! And ours as well!"
This was it, all or nothing.
–"We can do it!" I screamed, as I lunged through the rocks and landed in front of the dog monster. Who didn't doubt to chew me down.
[Skill Activation: Reception!]
I stayed put and my shield glew up in a yellow light. Even though I expected the shield to not be as resistant to the orange one, it's skill definitely helped up, as it held itself very well against the bite the first head of the dog had for me.
The beast's jaws clamped down on my shield with a sickening crunch, the sheer force rattling my bones. My feet slid back against the rock, but I planted myself firm, pushing forward with every ounce of strength I had left. The shield glowed, the yellow light flickering under the strain, but it held.
Then, another set of teeth.
The second head lunged around my defense, sinking into my exposed arm. Pain shot through me like a lightning bolt, white-hot and searing, but I gritted my teeth and bore it. The fangs dug deep, flesh tearing, blood soaking into my sleeve. My arm shook, threatening to break my guard, but I couldn't. If I faltered now, Raphtalia and I were as good as dead.
–"Master!" Raphtalia's voice cracked, panic thick in her tone.
I couldn't turn to her—I couldn't let her see the agony twisting my face. All I could do was stand my ground. Endure.
The monster tightened its bite, bone grinding against bone. My vision blurred. The pain threatened to steal the breath from my lungs.
–"I can only… protect…" My voice was hoarse, barely more than a whisper.
CRUNCH.
Another bite.
–"...That's all… I can do…"
CRUNCH!
Blood dripped from my arm. Each time it bit me, more and more blood fell, staining the ground beneath me. The shield's glow flickered again, weaker this time. My strength was failing—I didn't know how much longer I could hold out.
–"Raphtalia…" I forced myself to look at her, my body trembling under the strain. "You gotta… kill it!"
She flinched, stepping back, shaking her head violently.
–"I… I can't…"
–"Then we're both dead!" I snarled through clenched teeth. The monster jerked me side to side, trying to rip me apart. My shoulder felt like it was seconds from being torn from its socket. "If I die, you're next! This thing will kill us both!"
The words barely left my mouth before—
CRUNCH!
A guttural scream ripped out of me as the monster's jaws clamped down harder, the pressure unbearable. My vision darkened at the edges. I could feel the last of my strength slipping.
–"Raphtalia…" My breath was ragged, my voice desperate. "That's… an order!"
The slave crest flared to life.
Purple electricity crackled around her, forcing her body to comply. She screamed, her small frame writhing in pain, but—even then—she didn't move.
Even as the curse tore at her, she refused to lift her sword. To even move…
I saw it then. It took me all this time, but I did.
The sheer terror in her eyes.
The pain.
The suffering.
The wish for it all to be over.
And her unshakable will to defy the magic forcing her hand.
She was sold to me as a slave.
She was from a fantasy race. A racoon girl for god's sake!
But she was still… human.
Human like me…
And I was forcing her into this. Treating her like a mere tool.
I clenched my jaw, tightened my fists and… while closing my eyes, I decided to give in onto the fate that I was being given.
–"...Raphtalia." My voice was barely audible now. "Stop… just stop."
The magic faded, the glow dissipating. Raphtalia collapsed onto her knees, gasping for breath, her whole body trembling. But she still looked at me—pleading, desperate for an answer.
–"If you can't fight," I said, my voice hollow, "then just get the hell outta here."
She sucked in a sharp breath, eyes wide with disbelief.
–"B-But what about you, Master?"
"I'll—"
CRUNCH.
The monster bit down again. My shield flickered—then the glow died completely.
One more… just one more bite, and I was done.
–"...buy you time to escape…" My words slurred, the pain overwhelming now. "You gotta run… I don't… I can't…"
She shook her head frantically.
–"No… Then that'd be just like my parents…"
–"Just GO!" I roared, using the last of my strength to hold the monster back. "HURRY UP AND RUN!"
I felt my grip weaken. My fingers began losing strength… soon, it would be my arm next, and the dog would have free reign on me.
That was it, wasn't it? The sign that it would all be over soon.
I turned to face the beast head-on, staring into those glowing, predatory eyes. The other head was still feasting on my arm, the wet sound of tearing flesh making me sick to my stomach. Even with the Shield's defensive bonuses dulling the pain, it was unbearable.
At the very least, if I died, it would all be over.
No more struggling. No more suffering.
No more being hated.
No more failing.
To meet my end here… after everything… would that be so bad?
Even hell would be better than this…
I deserve it anyway.
The monster growled low, sensing my weakness. Its jaws tensed around my arm, preparing to rip away whatever was left.
I didn't resist. I just stood there, letting it happen. My body trembled, but not from fear—just exhaustion. My legs felt like they were about to give out. My mind was numb.
I'm giving in.
I'm giving up.
Let this torture end… I want it to end…
But… Raphtalia hasn't moved yet… I haven't heard her since…
Why…
Just…
Why?!
Why is everything I do pointless?
Were…
All of my struggles…
In…
vei–
–"HYAAAAAAAA!" I heard a scream.
Raphtalia's scream.
The air split with the sound of metal cutting through flesh.
The beast jerked back, howling, blood spraying into the air. Its head snapped away from my arm, releasing me, reeling from the force of her strike.
I barely had time to process what happened before I saw her—Raphtalia, her sword buried deep in the monster's flank, eyes blazing with a determination I hadn't seen on her before.
She wasn't running.
She wasn't giving up.
She was fighting.
For me.
The monster roared, both heads turning toward her now, ready to tear her apart, and my instincts took over.
–"Air Strike Shield!"
[Skill Activation: Air Strike Shield!]
A translucent barrier materialized between Raphtalia and the lunging jaws, intercepting the attack. The impact sent her skidding back, but she quickly regained her footing.
But I wasn't done.
The beast recoiled, shaking off the stun, and I knew the shield wouldn't hold for long. I reached to it, my shield morphing into the Rope Shield—
–"NOT YET!"
[Skill Activation: Tether Grab!]
The rope shot out like a striking viper, wrapping around Raphtalia's wrist and yanking her toward me just as the monster's fangs snapped down where she had been standing.
–"Go!" I shouted, using all my strength to throw her into the air—above the monster, right between its two heads.
She understood immediately.
Mid-air, she twisted her body, gripping her sword with both hands.
A single moment of stillness.
Then—
With only one stab, she plunged her blade deep into its chest. Plunging hard to stab it's heart.
The monster howled in agony, its body convulsing violently—then, with a final twitch, it collapsed.
Silence filled the air, as I stood watching how the beast fell…
I saw how Raphtalia fell on her butt as she landed in front of the monster, breathing hard, covered in blood.
I could barely stand, barely breathe. But I was alive.
She saved me.
We were alive.
Because she chose to fight.
I swallowed hard, my voice weak.
–"Raphtalia–"
–"Don't…"
She turned, her expression breaking, as her eyes filled in with tears..
–"Don't leave me, Mater!"
I had to blink to process it, and before I knew it, she was right back with me, clutching tightly and fierce.
–"I won't let you die! Not ever, Master Makoto!"
I exhaled, a shaky breath escaping me. It hurt, but… It wasn't a bad thing…
Maybe… just maybe…
I didn't deserve to die after all…
–"For… For as long as we fight… like how we did just now…" I breathed out, patting her head.
–"Then we won't die… I won't… let you die either, Raphtalia…"
Her sobs overcame her, and she cried on my shoulder.
–"Yes! I'll fight, Master Makoto! I'll fight!"
–"That's… Good…"
I felt weak. Weaker than even before. Perhaps it was my low health points, perhaps I was bleeding out, or it was just the adrenaline leaving my body as I relaxed with Raphtalia on my arms.
My world… became… black…
–"M-Master Makoto?"
–"MASTER MAKOTO!"
I gasped, feeling my lungs burn as if I had been drowning, my heart slamming against my ribs. My body lurched forward on instinct—I had to move, had to stand—but the second I did, I realized something was wrong.
Raphtalia was gone.
The mines were gone. So was the beast and… everything.
I was… nowhere.
A never-ending black void stretched infinitely in every direction. There was no up, no down, no sense of balance. Just emptiness.
Had I died? Had my body finally given out? Was this what REALLY came after?
I took a step forward, but my feet found no ground—only the sensation of movement. Then, a voice cut through the silence like a blade.
–"What did you do?"
Cold. Accusatory.
I turned, my stomach knotting in recognition before I even saw her.
Kyoko Kirigiri stood a few feet away, her back facing me.
I blinked, my breath catching. She was here. Why was she here?
–"…Kyoko?" My voice wavered. "What's going on? Where are we?"
She didn't answer right away.
Slowly, she turned to face me.
And my blood ran cold.
Her eye—
Just like before. Just like that day.
Purple. Swollen. Corrupted. Ruined.
Poisoned.
A fresh bruise stained the skin around her eye, raw and dark, as if time had never moved past that moment. As if it had never healed.
No—this wasn't right. That injury had long since faded. Hadn't it?
I swallowed, trying to force words out.
–"Kyoko… your… eye… Its–"
She tilted her head slightly, as if mildly surprised that I had even noticed.
Then, she smiled.
Not her usual, unreadable smile.
A mocking one.
–"Oh? You just noticed?"
The way she said it—like she was amused at my delayed realization—sent a shiver down my spine.
"I—" My throat felt dry. "What happened to you?"
Her expression didn't change.
–"Isn't it obvious?"
I shook my head, not making sense.
–"No… this isn't right. You were fine before. Why does it look fresh? Why do you look—?"
–"Like this?" She gestured vaguely to herself.
I nodded hesitantly.
She let out a quiet, bitter chuckle.
–"I wonder…" She looked at her wrist.
Something was wrong.
Kyoko wasn't like this. She wouldn't toy with me like this. She was… always calm, always rational. But now…
There was something in her gaze.
Something sharp.
Something hateful.
A lump formed in my throat.
–"…Kyoko, just… tell me. What happened?"
For the first time, her smirk faltered.
Then, her voice dropped.
–"You happened."
The words landed like a punch to the gut.
I flinched.
–"W-What…?"
She sighed, as if she were tired of explaining something obvious.
–"You still don't get it, do you?"
She took a step closer.
I stepped back.
She took another step.
I stepped back again.
There was nothing beneath me, nothing holding me up, and yet I felt like I was being backed into a corner.
–"No matter how many times you screwed up." Her voice was steady, emotionless.
–"No matter how many times you failed. No matter how many times you stood around and did nothing—you still walked away. Unscathed."
The cold accusation sent ice through my veins.
–"That's not true—"
–"Isn't it?"
I opened my mouth—but nothing came out.
Because I didn't have an answer.
Because she was right.
I had survived.
Again. And again. And again.
Even when I shouldn't have.
Even when others didn't.
I clenched my fists.
–"That's not … Y-You know I never wanted anyone to—"
–"And yet… they all did."
My breath hitched.
Kyoko sighed again, like she was disappointed.
–"You were never good for anything."
The words cut deeper than any blade.
–"Yet so many fell before you did. You kept walking forward while others were buried behind you. Beneath all your rubble… Guess you really were lucky after all."
I shook my head. Clutching it.
–"No… No, I—"
Her lips curled into that mocking smirk again.
–"But even luck eventually runs out."
Before I could process it, another voice tore through the void.
–"What are you?! Some goody-two-shoes bitch?!"
I barely had time to turn before the impact came.
BLAM
Mondo's fist connected with my face.
It was just like before—just like when we first "met".
And my world turned dark once more… Like it always did…
The dull sting on my face pulled me back to consciousness.
I groaned, my body feeling heavy, my limbs sluggish. Everything ached, my arm pulsed with a deep soreness, and my face—
–"Ughhh…" I grumbled, wincing at the throbbing pain. It stung like hell.
I shifted slightly, only to realize just how exhausted I was. My body begged me to stay still, to sink deeper into the soft comfort beneath me.
Soft?
That was when it hit me.
Where was I?
Blinking a few times, my vision adjusted to the dim light. Wooden walls. A familiar window to my left. The scent of slightly aged linen.
…Our room.
The same inn we had checked into before heading to the mines.
I exhaled, relieved, but as I tried to sit up, something held me down—a small, warm weight pressing against my chest.
Confused, I looked down.
Raphtalia.
She was curled up against me, her tiny hands gripping my shirt tightly, as if letting go would mean losing something precious. Her breathing was slow, steady, her face peaceful despite the dried tear tracks on her cheeks.
Did she… carry me all the way back?
The thought of her struggling to drag me—injured, unconscious—back to this room made my chest tighten. She must've been terrified.
I hesitated, then gently raised a hand to her head, running my fingers through her soft, slightly messy hair. She stirred at the touch, but didn't wake.
Then, I noticed it.
A faint dampness against my side.
Ah….
I knew exactly what this was.
I didn't react. Not with disgust, not with frustration—just… quiet understanding.
I knew this feeling. The shame. The helplessness. The silent, gnawing fear that someone would find out and shame you for it.
Carefully, I continued stroking her head, my fingers threading through her hair in slow, comforting motions.
–"It's… alright… It will pass…" I murmured softly.
Her ears twitched, and slowly, her eyes fluttered open.
For a moment, she looked disoriented, blinking up at me in sleepy confusion.
–"M-Master?" She asked, and I didn't know if I should've laughed or not.
It was cute seeing her fight her sleepyness, however she quickly regained focus and smiled with relief.
–"I-I was… I was so scared master, I thought you died… I carried you here as fast as I could and then I–"
Her words died on her throat.
Then, I saw it—the flicker of realization, the way her tiny body tensed as she became aware of her surroundings...
Shame flooded her fragile gaze and red filled her every feature.
But I didn't let her sink into it.
Before she could recoil or shrink away, I gave her a small, reassuring smile.
–"Don't worry… It won't be like this forever…" I said, my voice steady, certain. "Things will get better…"
Her lips parted slightly, as if those words were foreign to her. As if she didn't quite understand how someone could just… say that.
I let my hand rest lightly on her head, warmth in my touch.
–"You'll see." I continued brushing her hair.
For a long moment, she just stared at me. Confused, disbelief, as if a third head suddenly had grew on me.
Then, slowly, her grip on my shirt tightened again—not out of fear this time, but something softer. Something… desperate in a different way.
She didn't say anything.
But she didn't need to.
And I didn't let go.
I'M SO SORRY!
MAN! THIS ONE TOOK A LOT MORE THAN I WOULD HAVE LIKED IT TO… YOU GUYS HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH I WANTED TO UPDATE THIS STORY. In any case, I've had enough holidays for… a while. I'm back into writing in full force!
Red to Z chapter 2 had my full attention after I posted the first chapter, i kept this story on hold until I "published ONE chapter" but that never came to be, so I decided to end this chapter as I was actually closer than I realized to do so and… yeah. In any case, if you read this, thank you for reading. I hope this was to your liking and… probably not but, worth the wait.
Again THANK YOU Jhony for the new portrait! And thank YOU for reading!