Chapter Text
—I'm back.
The words left Natsuki Subaru’s mouth, laden with a weight he had been dragging for months. He had just returned from the convenience store, ready for another night of shutting himself in, but upon seeing his mother, Naoko, washing the very mug he had promised to clean, something broke inside him. Instead of fleeing to his room as usual, he stopped.
—Mom... I...
There was a pause—a silence that wasn't awkward, but necessary.
—Thank you, Mom. By the way...
He forced the words out past the lump in his throat. His eyes were burning, but he didn't look away.
—I love you.
Naoko blinked in surprise before a warm smile, filled with relief, lit up her face. There were no reproaches, only unconditional love. With his heart pounding, yet feeling infinitely lighter, Subaru went up to his room.
He had planned to turn off his PC and go to sleep early; today had been a good day. However, as he sat down, he noticed his usual wallpaper was gone. In its place, a game window took up the entire screen.
—The Legend of the Four Cardinal Heroes? —he read aloud, frowning—. When did I download this?
Meanwhile, Makoto Misumi woke up after a restful sleep. He stretched, feeling that it would be a morning just as normal as any other in his ordinary life. Or so he thought.
—Huh?
As he got up, his eyes fell upon his desk. Resting there was an old book, bound in leather, that definitely hadn't been there the night before.
His father was a fantasy novel writer, so it wasn't unusual for him to leave a copy, but he hadn't heard his father come in to drop it off.
—A new book from Dad? —he murmured, approaching it with curiosity. He opened it, turning the pages carefully—. To save the world from the Waves of Calamity, four heroes from another world are summoned.
In another corner of Japan, the room was pitch black, illuminated only by the bluish glow of monitors. Kazuma Satou, sporting deep dark circles after a grinding marathon, returned to his chair holding a physical copy of a new game. But his screen was displaying something different.
—What is that? —Kazuma narrowed his eyes, the paranoia of a veteran hikikomori kicking in instantly—. Please don't tell me it's some malware I installed by mistake... No, wait, I'd better scan it first.
The antivirus came back clean. Kazuma, with his finger hovering over the power cord, ready to unplug the PC at the first sight of a CMD window, clicked. Text appeared. A lot of text.
— Each hero has their weapon: sword, spear, bow, and shield. No cute girl at the start, no cinematics... this game sucks —he complained, scrolling fast—. No wonder they installed it like malware. It's freeware trash.
The afternoon sun bathed the public library where Naofumi Iwatani was spending his time. He had run out of money for light novels, so he had resorted to the classics: old books. In his hands, he held a fantasy chronicle titled The Legend of the Four Heroes.
— A shield isn't a weapon. It's for defense.
The four realities began to synchronize through the words written on screens and paper.
Subaru, hand on the mouse, hesitated before closing the window. —The idea of four co-protagonists is quite attractive... though it sounds like a challenge to maintain narratively —he muttered, his otaku side analyzing the premise.
Makoto continued reading, already dressed in his school uniform, ready to leave, but unable to put the book down. —It doesn't have Dad's usual writing style, is it not his?
Kazuma snorted, reading the description of the royal family on his screen. —Although the princess has a bitchy face —he said with disdain, pointing at the pixelated illustration of a red-haired woman—. My trouble radar is beeping. She's probably the secret villain or something. How cliché.
Naofumi turned the page, looking for the continuation of the Shield Hero's story. —Let's see what the shield guy does...
Suddenly, the world stopped.
For Naofumi, the page was blank. For Makoto, the book seemed to absorb the light from the room. For Kazuma and Subaru, their monitors shone with a blinding intensity that shouldn't be possible for an LED screen.
—What the hell...? —started Kazuma, covering his eyes.
—Gah! —Subaru fell back, knocking over his chair.
—But what...? —Makoto felt the floor disappear.
—What is happening? —Naofumi felt a gravitational force pulling him, not down, but inside the book.
Gravity reversed. Reality fractured. And the four young men, from their separate lives, fell in unison toward a shared destiny.
The four boys suddenly appeared in a dark stone room. The air was charged with static and the smell of ozone, with the room being illuminated only by the faint glow of an intricate magic circle beneath their feet.
—We did it! —exclaimed a raspy voice—. The summoning was a success!
The voices bewildered them, pulling them out of the daze of dimensional travel, but they didn't have time to think about anything or process the change in gravity. The hooded figures surrounding them stepped forward.
—Oh, brave Heroes! Please, save our world!
Naofumi, who had fallen further in front than the rest, shook off the dizziness and was about to ask what the hell was going on when he heard movement and voices behind him.
—Excuse me? —someone said with disbelief.
Naofumi turned around and found a peculiar scene.
Subaru was getting to his feet using it as a cane: an elegant Spear with a bright red gem at the tip. Seeing it, his eyes opened wide, making the connection immediately. A wave of pure adrenaline ran through his body. —This is it! It finally happened! My isekai life starts he...!
But the excitement was cut short, as if a bucket of ice water had been thrown on him. The image of his mother's smile, Naoko, just a few minutes ago, and his own voice saying "I love you," flashed in his mind. They had just taken a step, a small and fragile step toward reconciliation... and he had just disappeared. —Mom... —he thought, feeling a suffocating lump in his throat—. Just when... Subaru shook his head violently, forcing a tense smile to bury that thought deep in his brain. He couldn't break down now. Not here. He had to be the protagonist expected of him.
Beside him, Kazuma buried the tip of a broad Sword with a blue gem into the stone floor to use as support to stand up. Like Subaru, his gamer brain connected the events instantly. Seeing that he had gotten the sword, the quintessential protagonist weapon, an arrogant and satisfied smile formed on his lips. —Heh. The sword. Of course —Kazuma thought, feeling that luck was finally on his side—. And if I'm the Sword Hero, my stats must be broken. Will I be able to use magic too? Magic sword, S-rank skills... Forget Japan, this is my place.
Makoto, who had already stood up with a serenity that contrasted with the other two, looked at the yellow gem embedded in the Bow he held in his left hand. He tensed the string slightly, feeling the familiarity of the weapon, considering it incredibly appropriate. But there was something else. —It's strange... —Makoto thought, closing and opening his free fist—. It's a new world, I should be scared, but... I feel good. Too good. In his world, he had always felt fragile, as if gravity weighed more on him than on others. Here, his body felt light, vibrant, overflowing with an energy he didn't understand (not knowing it was his immense mana reacting to the environment), as if he had finally taken off a lead suit he had worn all his life.
—Who are those guys? And wait... where am I? —murmured Naofumi, feeling out of place amidst the rapid acceptance of the other three.
Then he lowered his gaze to his own arm and saw that he also had something with him. Attached to his forearm, as if it were a second skin, was a small silver shield with a green gem in the center.
—What the hell is this? A shield? —he said with total disbelief and a hint of disappointment upon comparing it with the sword and the spear.
—What do you mean by that? —asked Makoto, with a calm but firm tone. As he spoke, he drew the bowstring to test its tension. It’s good quality, he thought, noting the perfect resistance of the wood and the string. Definitely not a toy.
Beside him, Subaru wasn’t even paying attention to the conversation. He was too busy twirling the spear between his fingers, admiring the shine of the red gem.
—It is a long and complicated story —responded the leader of the hooded figures, with a solemn tone—, but we have summoned the Four Cardinal Heroes using an ancient ritual.
—Four Cardinal Heroes? —Naofumi turned to look at the rest, seeking some kind of recognition on their faces.
He found it immediately. Subaru stopped his spear and Kazuma stopped posing with the sword; the three exchanged knowing glances and nodded slightly. They had reached the same conclusion: they understood what they were talking about, or at least, they knew the legend trope inside out.
—Our world is on the brink of extinction —continued the old man, with a pleading voice—. Please, lend us your strength, Heroes.
The trio's response was almost immediate.
—Well, I guess we can listen to what they have to say... —said Naofumi, shrugging with false indifference.
—Sure, why not? —added Subaru, puffing out his chest.
—I mean, since we’re here... —finished Kazuma, as if doing the world a favor.
Makoto looked at his three companions with a severe degree of disbelief. He had every intention of refusing, of saying they couldn’t just rip him from his home, kidnap him, and expect him to accept it with a smile. But seeing the instant acceptance of the other three, he felt completely out of place.
Am I the strange one here? he asked himself internally, feeling a drop of cold sweat on the back of his neck. Is no one worried about their family? Their studies? The fact that this is a kidnapping?
He sighed, lowering the bow. If they were going to act like kids in a candy store, he would have to be the adult, even though he looked like the youngest and shortest of all.
—Fine —interrupted Makoto with a dry voice, cutting the celebratory atmosphere—. But before taking another step, I want to know if I can return to my world. Oh, and what I get out of all this.
The silence that followed was painful.
Now, the three Isekai enthusiasts felt stupid. Of course they had forgotten those crucial parts due to the excitement of the adventure and the power fantasy. Suddenly, the bow guy seemed like the only one with common sense in the room.
—Ah, right! —exclaimed Kazuma, trying to regain composure quickly—. It is important to clarify that we aren't going to work for free.
—Yeah, exactly —supported Subaru, nodding vigorously, though his ears were red—. We aren't slaves or anything like that. We have labor rights... I think.
—Uh-huh, yeah, what they said —muttered Naofumi, looking away.
They tried desperately to recompose their image of competent adults (without any success), while Makoto looked at them with a silent and penetrating judgment in his eyes that seemed to say: You guys are pathetic.
The hooded man cleared his throat, a bit intimidated by Makoto's direct gaze.
—W-well, first agree to have an audience with the King of Melromarc —he said nervously, pointing to the large wooden door at the back—. We can negotiate the reward and details after that.
Naofumi thought the walk through the stone hallways to the throne room would be a torment of awkward silence after having been implicitly scolded by the shortest of the group. However, the spear guy was already talking as if nothing had happened, breaking the tension with the force of a nuclear icebreaker.
—Hey, bow guy! —exclaimed Subaru, approaching Makoto—. You really saved us back there! Thanks for that!
Makoto blinked, surprised. He didn't expect that positive reaction, much less such sudden familiarity from someone he had just met. He got slightly nervous, scratching his cheek.
—It's nothing... I just thought you were losing sight of an important point —he responded modestly.
—What can I say? All the parallel world excitement won me over completely —admitted Subaru with a frank laugh, unafraid to show himself vulnerable—. I almost forgot the basics because I was daydreaming.
Subaru gave him a friendly pat on the back, managing to make Makoto smile, relaxing his shoulders for the first time since he arrived.
—My name is Subaru Natsuki, nice to meet you.
—My name is Makoto Misumi. The pleasure is mine.
Subaru turned his gaze toward Kazuma, who was walking a step behind, still a bit embarrassed by his previous failed display of arrogance.
—Kazuma Satou —said the brown-haired boy, raising his hand in a casual greeting upon seeing himself included.
Naofumi, bringing up the rear, completed the circle. —And I am Naofumi Iwatani.
That guy is impressive, thought Naofumi observing Subaru's back. Not only did it cost him nothing to cut the distance between us, but he dissipated the heavy aura in seconds.
Passing by a narrow window in the hallway, Subaru stopped. The view wasn't completely free; thick iron bars stood between them and the outside, reminding them that, although they were heroes, they were still in an unknown space of a new world. Even so, Subaru peeked between the cold metal.
—I mean... this is incredible. Who wouldn't be excited about something like this? —he murmured, seeing the medieval citadel extend under the blue sky.
Makoto looked at the landscape fragmented by the bars and sighed with a resigned smile. —Well, looking at it like that... Now you make me look like the bitter weirdo here!
Everyone laughed lightly, but Kazuma took the moment to get serious, approaching Makoto.
—Hey, Makoto-san, I have a proposal —said Kazuma, lowering his voice so the guards in front wouldn't hear—. You should talk to the King.
—Eh? Me? —Makoto pointed to himself, confused—. Why me?
—Because you were the only one who didn't lose his head —intervened Naofumi, nodding—. We were too busy admiring the weapons and magic. You were the only one who thought about the return and the reward. You have the coolest head.
—Yeah, totally agree —supported Subaru—. If I speak, I'll probably start rambling about destiny or say something embarrassing out of excitement. You seem the most adult... even though you are shorter than me.
—Height has nothing to do with it! —complained Makoto, but then sighed, seeing the faces of his three companions. It was three pairs of eyes looking at him as if he were their social lifeline—. Alright. I will lead the negotiation. But don't leave me alone, okay? If you see something is missing or it's convenient to intervene, do it.
—Deal —said Kazuma giving a thumbs up, visibly relieved not to have that responsibility.
With the plan established, they continued up the stairs until they found themselves in front of immense ornamented double doors.
The guards opened them slowly with a heavy creak, revealing the opulence of the throne room. At the far end, seated on a raised chair and surrounded by nobles and knights, King looked down at them with an inscrutable expression.
—I am the King of Melromarc, Aultcray Melromarc XXXII. Introduce yourselves, heroes.
The first to speak was Makoto, taking a step forward and showing his bow with a calmness that clashed with his age, although his eyes scanned the room cautiously.
—Makoto Misumi, 17 years old. High school student.
—My name is Subaru Natsuki, 17 years old, also a high school student.
Subaru stepped forward with a confident smile, resting the spear on his shoulder in an almost theatrical pose, trying to project the image of a hero he had seen in so many anime.
—Kazuma Satou, 16 years old and a high school student, for a change —added the brunette while resting his sword against his shoulder.
Naofumi, seeing it was his turn, took a step forward to complete the group.
—Lastly me, I am Nao—
—Makoto, Subaru, and Kazuma.
The King's interruption was sharp, cutting Naofumi's introduction short. The name of the fourth hero didn't even resonate in the room. That set off a slight alarm in Naofumi's mind, but also in Makoto's; that treatment didn't seem normal, much less accidental. It was deliberate.
Naofumi frowned, feeling the snub, but he didn't cower.
—You are forgetting me, King.
—Huh? —The King looked at him sideways, with an empty expression, almost as if looking at an annoying insect—. Apologies.
Subaru, observing from the side, noticed something unsettling: the King didn't seem sorry for the oversight. Rather, he seemed annoyed at having to acknowledge it. It seemed extremely odd to him, but he decided to save that observation for later. Now, his priority was not letting the atmosphere turn hostile for his companion.
—Anyway... —Naofumi sighed, shaking his head and regaining his composure—. My name is Naofumi Iwatani, 20 years old. I am a university student.
There was a second of absolute silence. Kazuma blinked, processing the information, and then a malicious smile appeared on his face.
—Wait... university student? —Kazuma turned toward Subaru and Makoto with bright eyes—. So the grandpa is the oldest of us?
The comment broke the dam. Subaru let out a loud laugh, throwing an arm around Kazuma's shoulders.
—It's true! We are all high schoolers! —exclaimed Subaru, pointing at Naofumi with amusement—. You are a relic from a bygone era! You are old enough to drink legally!
—Don't call me grandpa! —complained Naofumi, offended but unable to hold back a small smile at the stupidity of the situation—. It's only a 3-year difference! I'm still young!
—Three years is a generational gap in internet time, old man —countered Kazuma, shaking his head dramatically.
—Calm down, gramps, think about your blood pressure —added Subaru, approaching Naofumi to pat him on the back with fake medical concern—. We don't want you to have a heart attack before the first mission. Do you need us to carry your shield for you?
Naofumi pushed Subaru's hand away, chuckling. —Get lost, idiot. I can carry my own shield.
—Come on guys, don't be like that —intervened Makoto with his soft and polite tone. Naofumi looked at him with hope, thinking the sensible kid would defend him, but then Makoto completed the sentence with an innocent smile—: Didn't they teach you to "respect your elders"? We must take care of the elderly in this dangerous world.
—You too?! —complained Naofumi, putting a hand to his face at the betrayal, while the other three burst into laughter.
The scene was surreal. Four strangers who had just met less than an hour ago were joking and shoving each other as if they were lifelong friends at school recess. There was a natural chemistry, an instant connection born from sharing the same origin in a foreign place. It was the four of them against the world.
This informal and loud camaraderie visibly disconcerted the people in the throne room. The nobles murmured indignantly and the guards seemed confused. The King himself, losing patience at the lack of solemnity in his court, coughed loudly, a harsh sound designed to cut the fun.
—Ahem!
The group went silent, but the conspiratorial smiles remained on their faces.
—Then... —said the King coldly— I will have to explain the situation to you.
—Melromarc and the entire world are in grave danger —began the King with a solemn tone.
—And here we skip the boring explanation —interrupted Kazuma, turning toward his companions (and toward an invisible camera) to summarize the kilometer-long exposition—. Basically: Ancient apocalypse, generic prophecy, cracks in the sky called "Waves". They thought they could handle it alone, got their asses kicked in the first Wave, and panicked. In summary: they are pretty fucked and have less than a month for the second round. End of summary.
The King, ignoring (or deciding to ignore) the flagrant lack of respect, continued with his speech, confirming Kazuma's summary.
—We underestimated the power of the Waves. Witnessing one made us open our eyes to our own weakness. We need the Four Heroes to repel them. That is why we performed the summoning just as the myths indicated. There is no time to lose.
Makoto stepped forward, assuming his agreed-upon role. His posture was relaxed, but his gaze was firm.
—It seems you need support urgently —said Makoto, choosing his words carefully—. We empathize with your situation; no one wants to see a world destroyed. However, I hope you understand that we cannot do this out of simple charity. Besides, we do not agree with the option of being subjects of a kingdom that kidnapped us from our homes without permission or notice.
There was a murmur of indignation among the nobles, but the King raised a hand to silence them. He knew he was not in a position to demand blind loyalty.
—Naturally —conceded the monarch—. You will have freedom of movement throughout the kingdom and will not be treated as common vassals. Furthermore, you will be rewarded generously with funds from the crown after each Wave is repelled and will receive an initial payment to prepare yourselves. And regarding your homes... once the Waves end, the path will open for you to return, if you so wish.
With that deal on the table, Makoto nodded, satisfied. —Decided then. We agree to cooperate.
—Excellent —said the King—. Now, check your stats, heroes.
—Stats? —asked Naofumi and Subaru in unison, blinking in confusion.
Makoto sighed, pointing to his own eye. —Do you see that small icon blinking in the bottom corner of your peripheral vision? Just focus on it.
The two obeyed, focusing their attention on the blind spot. Immediately, a ping sound resonated in their heads and a translucent window unfolded before their eyes.
—Oh! —exclaimed Subaru, amazed, moving his hand through the projection—. Isekai with a GUI! How practical. It saves me from having to memorize spells.
—Don't use those technical terms, idiot! —scolded Kazuma, who was already navigating through his own menus—. You're breaking my immersion! This is supposed to be epic fantasy, not a cheap MMO.
—I can kick you in the shin, so you feel the immersion of physical pain if you want —responded Subaru with a mocking smile.
—Try it and I'll cut you with my holy sword!
While the comedy duo argued, Naofumi and Makoto reviewed the numbers in silence. Naofumi's expression changed from curiosity to concern.
—Anyway... guys, stop fighting —interrupted Naofumi, pointing at his level—. We have a bigger problem than immersion.
—What is it? —asked Subaru.
—Look at the level —said Naofumi gravely—. Being Level 1 is very worrying if we are supposed to save the world in a month.
—I agree —added Kazuma, crossing his arms—. Besides, we only have a month to improve that. If the experience curve is slow, we are against the clock.
—For that reason, you must embark on an adventure to polish and strengthen your Legendary Weapons —indicated the King from his throne.
Naofumi clicked his tongue, looking at his shield with disdain. —Tch. Not starting out OP is very disappointing. I expected at least an initial stat boost.
Kazuma let out a malicious chuckle under his breath. —Are grandpa's knees already creaking from the effort?
—I WASN'T SAYING IT BECAUSE OF THAT! —exclaimed Naofumi, pointing to his arm—. I say it because, to start with, I don't even have a real weapon! This is a glorified pot lid!
—Come on, calm down Naofumi —intervened Subaru with a relaxed smile, trying to look on the bright side—. Doesn't it sound more fun this way? Personally, I like exploration and open-world games more than linear combat ones where you win just by pressing a button.
—Although it would have been practical to have an advantage... —muttered Makoto, who deep down knew that, with or without level 1, he already felt strangely powerful.
—Look on the bright side, old man —Kazuma told Naofumi, adopting an expert mentor tone—. While you become useful with that, you can use something else. Something like a secondary weapon. A short sword or a mace should serve you for now.
Subaru nodded enthusiastically, putting a hand on Naofumi's shoulder. —Exactly. And while you get stronger, we, your team, will help you level up. Think of it like this: you are our Late Game tank. Weak at the start, yes, but you will be a solid and impenetrable wall later on. We will be your DPS until then.
The idea of working together, covering each other's weaknesses, seemed to cheer Naofumi up. He wasn't alone in this.
—I guess looking at it like that... it's not so bad —admitted Naofumi.
However, the King's voice cut the moment like a guillotine.
—Wait, Heroes.
The four turned toward the throne.
—I'm afraid you will have to set out on your journey separately.
—Huh? —the four said in unison, the smiles wiping off their faces.
—The Legendary Weapons reject the proximity of others by nature —explained the King coldly—. If you act together, you will interfere with the growth of your weapons and you will not gain experience. You must recruit your own companions and form independent parties.
—Is this a joke? —Kazuma looked at the King with disbelief—. Did we just put together the perfect party and the system bans us for playing together?
—It is the rule of this world —declared the King—. Tomorrow we will gather adventurers willing to accompany you. For now, withdraw to rest.
The order was final. As they were guided out, the group exchanged worried glances. Their plan of "power leveling together" had just died before it even began.
As the guards escorted them through the long stone hallways toward the guest area, the group maintained a prudent silence until they were far enough away from the throne room. Subaru, unable to contain the unease gnawing at his chest, decided to start a quiet conversation, leaning in toward the others to create a private circle.
—Hey... —whispered Subaru, glancing sideways to make sure the guards weren't listening—. Don't you think the King was way too rude to Naofumi? That was more than an oversight; it felt personal.
Naofumi let out a heavy sigh, relaxing the shoulders he had held tense the entire way. —Thanks for noticing —he said wearily, but with genuine gratitude in his voice—. I was starting to think I was imagining it or that I was being paranoid.
—Not at all, it was very obvious —intervened Makoto, frowning analytically—. I agree with you, Subaru. For someone who claims his world is on the brink of extinction and is in such need of help, antagonizing one of his saviors is illogical. His treatment is very suspicious, strategically speaking.
—Maybe he's just bitter —commented Kazuma, clasping his hands behind his head nonchalantly.
—Huh? What do you mean? —asked Subaru.
—Think about it —continued Kazuma, lowering his voice even more—. According to the story they told us, we aren't the first heroes, right? This has happened before. There is a legacy.
Subaru snapped his fingers, understanding where he was going. —Are you suggesting a previous Shield Hero did something bad to the King or his ancestors? An inherited grudge?
—Exactly. Maybe the previous Shield was a jerk —theorized Kazuma—. When he apologized to you, he didn't do it out of carelessness. He did it because he was forced to, almost annoyed because he was corrected. It wasn't a mistake, it was a deliberate snub.
Naofumi looked at his shield, confused. —But what could my predecessor have done for them to hate me by default? Steal the royal treasure? Lose a war?
Kazuma paused for a moment, a malicious and perverted smile curling his lips. —Maybe he cucked the King.
The group stopped dead in their tracks. —Huh? —said Naofumi.
—You know, NTR —explained Kazuma with total seriousness—. Maybe the previous Shield Hero hooked up with the Queen, or the princess, or the King's grandmother. And now the old man sees a shield and gets reminded that he's a cuckold.
There was a second of stunned silence before Subaru let out an explosive laugh that echoed in the hallway, forcing him to cover his mouth. Makoto tried to maintain his composure but ended up snorting, looking away while his shoulders shook. Even Naofumi, who was worried just a minute ago, couldn't help but smile at the absurdity of the idea.
—You're the worst, Kazuma —said Subaru, wiping a tear of laughter—. You can't say that about the monarch who just summoned us!
—But it makes sense! —defended the brunette, laughing too—. It would explain why he hates you without knowing you! It's pure jealousy.
—God, I hope it's not that —said Naofumi, shaking his head, but feeling infinitely lighter.
Those shared laughs in an unknown hallway did more for their morale than any promise of reward. They were no longer four strangers forced to work together; they were four guys sharing a stupid joke at the expense of authority. A real complicity had been forged.
—Anyway, whether it's cuckoldry or politics —said Makoto, catching his breath—, the important thing is that we'll watch your back, Naofumi. If the King doesn't want to help you, we will.
—Yeah, count on it —affirmed Subaru.
—As long as they pay, of course —added Kazuma, winking.
Naofumi nodded, feeling that, despite everything, maybe this Isekai wouldn't be so bad with this group of idiots by his side.
Once in the safety of the guest room, the atmosphere relaxed considerably. Without the King's critical gaze or the solemnity of the guards, the four boys collapsed onto the sofas and beds, letting out their held breath. Subaru's first thought was to seize the moment to get to know his fellow unfortunates better.
—By the way, Makoto —began Subaru, leaning back in a chair and playing with a piece of fruit from the bowl—, I noticed you seem pretty familiar with the bow. The way you drew it wasn't like a rookie. Do you happen to practice it?
Makoto, who was inspecting the string of his weapon, looked up and smiled slightly. —You have perception that scares me, Subaru. But yes, just as you say, I was in the archery club before coming here. It's the only thing I really excel at.
—Awesome! —exclaimed Subaru—. You know, I was in the Kendo club, so I thought logically I'd get the sword. But being honest... the spear is way cooler. It has style.
The comment hung in the air for a second before Kazuma jumped off his bed as if he had a spring.
—HEY! —he shouted indignantly, pointing at Subaru with an accusing finger—. May I ask what that means?
—Nothing personal, Kazuma —responded Subaru with a mocking smile, enjoying provoking him—. It's just that, you know... spears are objectively better. Range, zone control... it's a superior weapon.
—Say that again, moron! ¡I dare you, i double dare you motherfucker! —Kazuma was red with anger.
—Calm down, Kazuma, no need to get like that —intervened Makoto with his usual serene tone—. After all, at least militarily speaking, Subaru is right. In a real battle, the spear beats the sword because of reach.
That was the last straw. Kazuma looked at Makoto with bloodshot eyes, feeling the betrayal.
—Yes, maybe according to the boring standards of our world —spat Kazuma, jumping onto the central table to gain dramatic height—. But this is fantasy! Protagonists carry swords by default! It's the law of the universe!
Kazuma started counting on his fingers, shouting each name with religious passion:
—Ichigo Kurosaki! Himura Kenshin! Kirito! Inuyasha! Yato! Clare! Shana! THE GODDAMN GUTS!
—Big deal —responded Subaru, crossing his arms, unimpressed—. There are also cool protagonists with spears.
Kazuma stopped, arched an eyebrow and looked at him defiantly. —Oh yeah? Name them. And Balsa from Moribito is excluded.
Subaru opened his mouth. Then he closed it. He looked at the ceiling seeking inspiration. —Uh... there's... you know... the guy from...
There was an awkward silence.
—Lancer ga shinda —muttered Makoto under his breath, quoting the Fate/stay night meme.
Subaru turned toward him with an expression of absolute horror. —WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON?! That was a low blow!
Makoto shrugged, holding back laughter. —I'm just telling the truth. Lancers usually have "E-rank Luck".
—Pretty brave for someone with a bow, Hawkeye! —counterattacked Subaru, trying to return the blow.
—Hey, Hawkeye is cool and you know it! —defended Makoto, although the reference to the Avengers didn't bother him that much.
—Yeah, in the comics —interrupted Kazuma, getting off the table to join the attack against the archer—. But we are talking about anime. There, archers are: Yona, Madoka Kaname, and Kagome.
Kazuma made a dramatic pause. —Basically, magical girls or damsels in distress. Your weapon is for waifus, buddy.
—HAHAHAHA! —Naofumi, who had been listening in silence, burst into laughter—. Maybe we should get a frilly dress for Makoto to match his class!
Makoto turned red, opening his mouth to protest the mental image, but Kazuma turned quickly toward the university student.
—YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO MAKE FUN OF ANYONE WITH THAT SHIELD!
—Hey! —Naofumi stopped laughing abruptly—. We were attacking Makoto!
—At least Makoto has a weapon! —shouted Kazuma, pointing at the shield—. You have a glorified manhole cover! Your closest reference is Captain America and you can't even throw the shield like him!
—Mash Kyrielight is cool! —shouted Naofumi in his defense.
—A waifu! We're back to Makoto's point! —finished Subaru, falling to the floor laughing.
The room filled with shouts, friendly insults, and laughter. For a moment, in that small room of an unknown castle, they weren't legendary heroes with the weight of the world on their shoulders. They were just four geeks discussing their favorite anime, forging a bond that, without knowing it, would be the only thing keeping them sane in the dark days to come.
The next day, the heroes were lined up in the throne room, looking at a group of adventurers in a row in front of them. Those strangers would join their parties, and the atmosphere vibrated with expectation.
—Some of them will be on my team —thought Naofumi to himself, with his heart beating fast and his hands sweaty from excitement.
He wasn't the only one. For Subaru, the sensation was overwhelming; he wasn't just looking for companions, he was looking for brothers in battle, people with whom he would risk his life and forge those unbreakable bonds he admired so much in manga. Kazuma, for his part, scanned the line with predator (or pervert) eyes, stopping on the red-haired princess. She seemed cute to him, undoubtedly, although a small alarm rang in the back of his brain reminding him of the image of the "princess with a bitchy face" he saw on his PC. He decided to ignore the alarm; after all, she was a princess!
—Depart, future heroes! —commanded the King.
The adventurers broke formation and walked to position themselves behind the hero they wished to serve.
—Do they choose? —muttered Makoto to himself, frowning.
It seemed like a terribly impractical system. If, for example, only supports or ranged classes approached him, they would be easy targets for heavy enemies. "Team balance shouldn't be left to chance," he thought. Kazuma had a similar thought, though less tactical: "The RNG of this world is shit. If I get nothing but dudes, I quit."
Finally, the footsteps ceased. The heroes turned around to meet their fate.
Kazuma was the first to look. He had five members, the largest group. —Yes! —he thought at first, but his smile froze upon seeing the breakdown: A green-haired girl (good), a gigantic man in full plate armor (useful, but meh), a mage looking like a pompous noble, a guy looking like an assassin, and a blonde rogue. His blood boiled. —Where are my waifus? This is a sausage fest! —he screamed internally, feeling scammed.
Then he looked at Subaru. The black-haired boy had four people.
—H-hello... —said Subaru, visibly nervous. Behind him were: The red-haired princess (Myne), a mysterious girl looking like a witch, a short-haired swordswoman with a serious gaze, and an adorable priestess.
—ARE YOU SERIOUS?! —Kazuma felt a vein throbbing on his forehead. The contrast was insulting. Subaru had the complete Harem Protagonist starter pack without even trying.
Makoto looked at his group. He had three members (more balanced): An agile girl with twin daggers, a guy looking like a spy or assassin, and a fairly muscular warrior with an axe. —A fast DPS, a stealth specialist, and an off-tank/brute force —analyzed Makoto—. They will cover me well while I charge my spells or use the bow. Approved.
Then, everyone looked at Naofumi. Behind him... there was only air. No one. The silence in the room was sepulchral. Naofumi looked to his left, then to his right, and his face paled.
—Huh? —Naofumi let out, his voice cracking.
The King, from his throne, let out a sigh that sounded terribly fake. —My, my... That had never happened before. You must be very unpopular if this occurred, Shield Hero. Well, perhaps it is due to the "rumors" circulating about your class...
Naofumi felt the ground opening up. Shame and confusion threatened to drown him. Was he going to start his adventure completely alone?
—Wait a moment!
Two voices resonated in unison. Subaru and Makoto stepped forward, breaking protocol.
Both already had in mind that the King's hostility wasn't natural, but this was too blatant. However, their motivations were different: for Subaru, it was an unbearable moral injustice to see a friend being excluded; for Makoto, it was an unforgivable tactical inefficiency. If his main tank couldn't level up due to a lack of offensive support, the entire hero team would collapse in the next Wave.
—We are supposed to save the world together, right? —said Subaru, looking at his own female companions pleadingly—. I know you don't have to do it, and sorry for asking this when we just met, but... please! Could one of you go with him? He can't fight alone.
—It is a matter of logic —added Makoto, turning toward his group—. The Shield has no attack. If he dies, we lose our defense. He needs someone to kill the monsters for him.
Kazuma, seeing the situation (and seeing a golden opportunity to get rid of the male competition in his group), also raised his hand. —Hey, you guys! —he shouted to his group—. There are too many of us here, we're going to trip over each other! Someone move with the shield guy.
There were murmurs among the adventurers. The King seemed visibly annoyed, his fingers drumming with anger on the arm of the throne, but he couldn't forbid it without appearing like an irrational tyrant in front of everyone.
Finally, from Subaru's group, a hand went up. —I will go —said the red-haired princess, Myne, with a sweet and charming smile—. I cannot let the Shield Hero go alone. It would be cruel. Subaru sighed in relief, though he felt a pang of regret for losing the cute girl so quickly. Kazuma, seeing her go with Naofumi, narrowed his eyes remembering his "bitch radar," but said nothing.
From Kazuma's group, the blonde rogue shrugged. —Whatever, five's a crowd. I'll go with the Shield. —Yes! Less competition! —celebrated Kazuma internally.
And from Makoto's group, the man looking like an assassin nodded silently and walked toward Naofumi. —My skills work better in small groups —was all he said.
In a matter of seconds, Naofumi went from being alone to having three companions: Myne (Mage/Swordswoman), the rogue, and the assassin.
Naofumi, who a second ago was on the verge of despair, looked at his three fellow heroes. —Guys... —he said, with misty eyes—. Thank you.
Subaru gave him a thumbs up with a radiant smile. —That's what we're here for!
Makoto nodded seriously. —Now you have a functional team. Don't get left behind.
King Aultcray observed the exchange with a barely disguised grimace of disgust. His plan to isolate the "Shield Demon" had failed thanks to the interference of the other three.
—Now, the heroes will receive a small monetary aid for their preparations —announced the King, gesturing to his treasurers—. However, we have decided to make an exception in the distribution. Knowing that the Shield Hero lacks offensive capacity and will need to hire more support or specialized equipment at the start, he will receive more than the rest.
That visibly disconcerted Subaru and Makoto. They exchanged a quick glance, full of doubt. It wasn't out of jealousy, of course; it was because it broke their theory.
Were we wrong? thought Subaru. We were sure the King hated him. I thought they would give him less, or maybe nothing. And yet... is he being sensible? Is he being fair?
Makoto also relaxed his defensive posture a bit. Maybe he's just a strict ruler and his previous attitude was just stress. Allocating resources where they are needed most is the logical decision. Maybe we judged him too quickly.
—Give them the money and be careful with it —ordered the King.
The servants handed heavy leather bags to each of them.
—The Shield Hero receives 800 silver coins. The rest will receive 600 silver coins.
Naofumi weighed the bag in his hand, feeling an immense relief. With this, he could really equip himself and his new companions. —Thank you, Your Majesty —he said, feeling a bit guilty for having suspected so much along with the others.
—Use them to buy equipment and start your journey —concluded the monarch with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
—Yes, Your Majesty!
Minutes later, in front of the imposing palace gates, under the midday sun, the four heroes gathered in a tight circle. Their respective groups of adventurers waited at a prudent distance, giving them space to say goodbye. They assumed it would be a long month before they saw each other again.
—Well, things aren't exactly as we would like... —started Naofumi, putting away his money bag—, but I hope you guys do well. Really.
—Same here —replied Makoto, adjusting his archer glove.
Subaru looked at the map he had been given and then at his friends. —We'll keep in touch. We can't blindly trust official information. If we hear of any problem where we need help, or discover something weird...
—How about two weeks from today? —proposed Makoto—. Right here, at the fountain plaza in front of the castle. We'll come, share our progress, findings, and levels. If someone doesn't show up, we'll assume they are in trouble and go look for them.
—Sounds good to me, but... —Kazuma nodded, but suddenly, with a fluid movement, he took his sword and brought the edge dangerously close to Subaru's face.
—Whoa?! —Subaru jumped back—. What the hell dude!?
—Listen to me well, Subaru Natsuki! —said Kazuma with a dark gaze full of envy—. If I find out that you, you bastard, used these two weeks to build a harem with those cute girls you got, you'll pay for it!
—What the hell is wrong with you?! —shouted Subaru, indignant, pushing the sword away with his spear.
—Come on, Kazuma —intervened Makoto calmly, although a mocking smile crossed his face—. Are you really worried about him? With those eyes? A harem? Please, the girls will run away before he says hello.
Subaru turned toward Makoto, betrayed.
—Pretty brave of you to say that... —muttered Subaru—. Pretty brave for someone with a Kobold face!
—EXCUSE ME?! —Makoto opened his eyes wide, touching his face instinctively—. Take that back! I am an average human! Average!
Naofumi let out a laugh, seeing how his three friends insulted each other with the confidence of brothers. —You guys are a disaster. All three of you.
After a while longer of jokes and shoving, the atmosphere turned serious for a second. The four looked at each other with friendship and genuine camaraderie. Instinctively, they brought their weapons (the shield, the spear, the sword, and the bow) together in the center of the circle.
—You better come back in one piece —said Kazuma, sheathing his sword—. I don't want your stinking selves polluting this world if you die, plus it would be boring being the only Japanese person here.
—Same goes for you, idiot —responded Subaru, smiling.
—Take care —added Makoto.
—See you in two weeks —concluded Naofumi.
With that oath, the four turned around and walked toward their respective groups, ready to face a world that, unbeknownst to them, was about to show them its fangs. Especially to one of them.
As Makoto's group moved away from the castle and entered the cobblestone streets of the capital, the young archer walked with an expression of deep concentration. He didn't look at the food stalls or the gleaming armories; his attention was turned completely inward.
Since he set foot in this world, something was... wrong. Or rather, it was too right. In Japan, Makoto had always felt heavy, as if gravity pulled on him more than on others. But here, every step was light, as if he had been wearing a lead suit all his life and suddenly took it off. His blood hummed beneath his skin and his senses were eerily sharp.
—Bow Hero-sama —said the muscular warrior of the group, a man named Ake who carried a large axe—, the armory is over there. If you want to survive, you'll need chainmail better than that school uniform.
Makoto shook his head gently, opening and closing his hand, feeling that static energy running through his fingers.
—Physical defense is important, Ake, but there is something more urgent —responded Makoto, frowning—. Since I arrived here, my body feels... strange. I'm not sick, on the contrary, I feel too energized. I think it has to do with the magic of this place.
—Magic? —asked the girl with the daggers, confused—. You mean you feel the ambient mana? That is normal for mages, but you are an archer.
—That is why I need to investigate. Take me to the nearest magic shop. I want to see what happens if I interact with something magical.
The group exchanged doubtful glances, but obeyed.
Upon entering the magic shop, the smell of incense and old parchment filled Makoto's nose. He approached the counter, where an old woman was cleaning some transparent crystal orbs.
—Welcome —said the owner—. Are you looking to enchant weapons?
—I seek... to understand —said Makoto, pointing to one of the orbs—. What do those spheres do?
—They are magic capacity gauges, young man. If you put mana into them, they glow according to your affinity and volume. They are for apprentices.
—Perfect. Can I try?
—Go ahead, it's free to try —said the old woman with a toothless smile—, but don't expect much if you haven't trained your...
Makoto placed his hand on the sphere. He didn't know how to cast spells, so he simply tried to push that strange sensation he felt in his stomach toward the crystal ball, hoping to see a small colored glow.
CRACK.
There was no glow. There were no colors. There was a dry sound, like a bone breaking, and the crystal sphere exploded into a thousand pieces of shining dust before the old woman could finish her sentence. An invisible shockwave shook the shelves, knocking several books to the floor.
The silence in the shop was absolute. Ake's mouth hung open. The owner stared at the dust on her counter with wide eyes.
—Uh... —Makoto pulled his hand back slowly, just as scared as they were—. Is that... is that normal?
—Normal?! —shouted the old woman, catching her breath—. Son, you just saturated a medium-grade crystal with a single touch! What kind of mana monster are you?!
Makoto looked at his hands. So that was it... he thought, feeling a mix of relief and terror. In this world, I'm like an overloaded battery about to explode. If I try to shoot a magic-imbued arrow without control, I could kill my own teammates by accident.
He turned to his group with a serious expression.
—Change of plans. We aren't going hunting yet —ordered Makoto—. We are going to buy every basic magic theory book you have: "Mana Control for Dummies" or whatever. I need to learn to close this tap before I blow up the city by mistake. You guys will help me practice in an empty field... and far away from people.
On the other hand, Kazuma entered the Adventurer's Guild. Although still frustrated by the lack of cute girls (except for the healer, who was cute but looked terrified), looking at his four companions, his gamer brain analyzed the situation coldly.
He scanned his party: Volkan, the gigantic knight in full plate armor; Gaston, the mage with the monocle and the air of a pompous noble; Rina, the green-haired novice cleric; and Dorgon, a forty-something assassin with a thick, graying beard and the look of having seen too many wars.
Okay, calm down Kazuma, he thought. You are Level 1. They are veteran adventurers of this world, probably Level 30 or 40. Physically, I'm the weakest link. If I try to play hero, I'll die. My job isn't to fight, it's to manage them.
He stopped in front of the board and ripped off a paper: Prairie Lupus Hunt.
—Alright team, gather round —said Kazuma, bringing them together at a table. His tone was respectful but firm—. Look, I'll be honest. You are the pros here, you have the experience and the levels. I just got here and I'm Level 1. Basically, I'm a burden in direct combat right now.
Volkan, the armored knight, nodded, appreciating the honesty. His voice boomed from inside the helmet. —It is good that you acknowledge it, Hero-sama. We will protect you.
—I know, and I trust you —said Kazuma—. But I have something that you perhaps don't: tactics from another world. I want to try a strategy to raise my level as fast as possible without risking ourselves.
He turned toward Gaston. —Tell me, what kind of spells do you know? Do you have any that cover a large area? Explosions, fire, ice? Since I come from a world without magic, I don't know what to expect.
Gaston adjusted his monocle with pride. —Of course. I specialize in intermediate fire magic. I can conjure "Firestorm", it covers a radius of about ten meters.
—Perfect —Kazuma's eyes shone—. That is what I needed to hear.
Then he looked at Volkan. —You will be the key. I know you can take hits that would kill me. I need you to gather the wolves. Don't kill them one by one, that is slow. Provoke them, make them follow you, group them into a single point.
—You want me to group them? —asked Volkan—. It is risky, but my armor holds.
—Exactly. Once they are all on you, Gaston will drop his Firestorm right there.
—But I will hit Volkan! —protested the mage.
—He'll take it —said Kazuma, looking at the knight—. Right? Besides, Rina will be ready.
He turned to the green-haired girl. —Don't waste mana on scratches. Only heal Volkan right after the explosion. Efficiency is key.
Finally, he looked at Dorgon, the bearded assassin who was cleaning his nails with a knife.
—And you, Dorgon. You stay in the shadows on the flank. If any wolf tries to escape the fire or goes for the mage, you intercept them. But listen closely: do not kill them. Hamstring them, cripple them, leave them unable to move, but leave them with a sliver of life.
—Why? —grunted Dorgon, frowning.
—Because that is where I come in —said Kazuma, resting his hand on the pommel of his sword with a grin—. I need the experience to level up. Once they are burned by the mage and crippled by the assassin, I will go in and deal the final blow to each one. I will be the executioner. That way, I get the kill credit and the XP.
The four veterans looked at each other. The strategy was aggressive and optimized. It was unusual for a rookie to want to treat combat so mechanically, essentially using his team to serve him up kills on a silver platter.
—It is a solid plan —admitted Dorgon, his voice rough like gravel—. Using the tank as bait and the assassin for crowd control so the leader can farm safely. Ruthless, but very efficient.
Kazuma smiled, feeling in his element. —Let's show them that, with your strength and my brain, we are the best team. I'll show that harem bastard that my intelligence beats his stupid luck. Let's go!
—Achoo!
A violent sneeze shook Subaru's entire body just as they were crossing the city's drawbridge. He rubbed his nose vigorously, feeling a sudden chill run down his spine, a freezing and malicious sensation.
—Are you alright, Hero-sama? —asked the group's priestess, a young girl with a kind appearance, stepping closer.
—I'm fine, thanks —said Subaru, sniffing loudly—. It's just that... I felt a great disturbance in the Force. As if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror... or just one very annoying voice named Kazuma plotting against me. I bet my dinner today that it was him. That bastard...
Subaru clenched his fist, looking at the horizon with determination (and an unnecessarily dramatic pose).
—Well, I won't let him win! The Dark Side won't tempt me! Team, let's go! The grind starts now!
Subaru's group —now three members after the princess's departure: the short-haired swordswoman named Elara, the mysterious girl in witch robes named Lia, and the gentle priestess named Mina— followed him toward the grasslands. The three veteran adventurers exchanged amused glances. They were used to serious leaders or arrogant nobles, but Subaru was... different. He was like a child with a new toy, vibrating with pure energy.
—Hero-sama —intervened Elara, with a serious and professional tone, her hand resting on her hilt—, are you sure about going out like that? We didn't buy armor. That... strange cloth suit you're wearing is very flashy, but I doubt it will stop a fang.
—Nonsense, Elara! —exclaimed Subaru, twirling his spear with flourishes (and almost hitting his leg in the process)—. In games, the best defense is not getting hit. Besides, this tracksuit is my holy armor from another world. Look at that!
Subaru pointed at some round creatures bouncing in the tall grass. They were orange balloons with aggressive painted faces, biting the air with a "chomp chomp" sound.
—Balloons? —Subaru blinked, visibly disappointed—. Where are the Slimes? The Goblins? The Dragons? This looks like a kid's birthday party gone wrong.
—They are Orange Balloons —explained Lia, the witch, adjusting her pointed hat with a playful smile—. They are the most basic monsters in Melromarc. They bite hard if you're careless, but they are ideal for beginners.
—Perfect to test the system! —Subaru launched into the charge without waiting for formation, shouting as if facing a demon lord—. Here I go! Natsuki Style, First Form!
He ran toward the nearest balloon. The creature jumped at his face, gnashing its teeth. Subaru, with reflexes heightened by adrenaline (and perhaps a little help from the Hero stats), dodged to the side and thrust quickly.
POP!
The spear pierced the balloon with astonishing ease, causing it to burst into pieces of orange rubber that dissolved into light.
—HA! —shouted Subaru, raising his arms—. First blood! Did you see that, Mina?
—Good thrust —admitted Elara, relaxing her stance—. You have good reflexes.
Subaru crouched down to pick up the remains of the balloon skin left on the ground. Immediately, the red gem on his spear glowed intensely.
[Do you wish to absorb the Orange Balloon remains?]
—Oh, yes! Feed, my precious! —Subaru brought the remains closer to the spear, and they were absorbed by the gem as if it were a magic vacuum cleaner.
[New Weapon Unlocked: Orange Balloon Spear] [Equipment Bonus: Agility +2]
—Wait a minute... —Subaru froze, his eyes scanning the holographic window with intense focus. His brain shifted from "combat mode" to "gamer analysis mode".
—Is something wrong, Hero-sama? —asked Mina, the priestess, clutching her staff nervously.
—"Wrong"? No. It's perfect —murmured Subaru, a wide, mischievous grin spreading across his face—. It's a collection system! I don't just get stats; I get forms.
He looked at his companions with eyes shining like stars.
—Listen, girls! Change of plans. We aren't just going to kill things to level up. That's for barbarians like Volkan or straightforward guys like Kazuma. We are going to prioritize versatility.
Subaru pointed his spear at a patch of medicinal herbs, then at a pile of rocks, and finally at a strange-looking bug.
—I need to absorb everything. If a balloon gives me Agility, what does a leaf give? Poison resistance? Cooking skills? What if I absorb a rock? Do I get a heavy spear?
—You want to... feed trash to your Holy Weapon? —asked Lia, raising an eyebrow, amused.
—I want to unlock every single option in the skill tree! —Subaru declared—. Strength is fine, but utility is king. If I have a tool for every situation, we can't lose. Elara, you handle the killing blows if they get too close. Lia, Mina, help me find anything loose—plants, monster parts, weird stones. We are going to break this system wide open!
—At least he has enthusiasm... and a strange definition of "heroism" —whispered Mina to Lia.
—Hey! —Subaru shouted to them while picking up a handful of grass to feed his spear—. While we hunt and loot, tell me about yourselves. What is your favorite food? Do you have dreams, goals? If we are going to be the best team, we need chemistry! I want us to be friends, not just coworkers!
Lia let out a soft giggle, finding the foreign boy fascinating. —Friends, huh? That is a rare request for a Holy Hero.
But Subaru, oblivious to hierarchies and focused on outsmarting the game mechanics (and not dying), only felt that, for the first time in a long time, he was having the start he always dreamed of. No jealous witches, no horrible deaths. Just adventure, a broken game system to exploit, and a blue sky.
Naofumi’s party entered the shop. The smell of cold metal, tanned leather, and industrial oil permeated the air, a scent that promised adventure. Naofumi got straight to the point, with the adrenaline of the "start of the game" running through his veins. He remembered Kazuma's practical advice about not depending only on one class and using a secondary weapon.
—I need to equip myself —he told the owner, a large, bald man with a scar crossing his face—. And I need to test something before spending money. Give me the cheapest sword you have.
Erhard, the blacksmith, arched an eyebrow but asked no questions. He bent down and took a short bronze sword out of a box, simple but functional. Naofumi gripped it firmly, feeling the weight of the metal in his right hand. A smile of triumph crossed his face; the hilt felt right. With this, he could fight, he could cut, he could not depend only on passive defense.
But the instant he tried to wield it with combat intent, closing his fingers around the handle, the world seemed to reject him.
ZAP!
A violent electric shock, much more powerful than a simple cramp, ran up his arm from wrist to shoulder.
—Gah! —shouted Naofumi, recoiling.
The shield attached to his other arm glowed with a pulse of aggressive light, like an immune system rejecting a virus, and an invisible force repelled the sword from his hand. The weapon flew off and hit the ground with a dry and pitiful metallic sound.
—What the hell...? —Naofumi held his numb wrist, pain pulsing in his fingers while the invisible smoke of rejection dissipated.
A system window appeared before his eyes, red and blinking, blocking his vision with its sentence: [ALERT: Violation of Legendary Weapon rules. Only the use of the Shield is permitted.]
—Are you serious? —muttered Naofumi, pale, feeling his plans crumble—. Does it not admit any other weapon? Not even for self-defense? Am I... defenseless?
The silence in the group was heavy. The Rogue bent down slowly to pick up the sword. He weighed it in his hand, spun it deftly, and then looked at Naofumi. His expression changed quickly from initial surprise to one of opportunistic calculation.
—Wow, Boss... that is a serious problem —said the Rogue, sticking the tip of the sword into the wooden floor—. If you can't attack, you are basically a glorified punching bag. A wall that doesn't hit back doesn't win fights.
—That puts us in a difficult situation —added the Assassin, crossing his arms and leaning on the counter. His voice was cold and analytical—. Experience is gained by killing, not blocking. If you can't kill monsters, we will have to do all the dirty work. We will have to kill for you and for us. Our workload just doubled.
The Rogue took out his own dagger, a nicked and rusty blade the guild had given him as starter gear, and looked at it with theatrical disgust.
—And with this rusty trash... we aren't going to get very far. It will take twice as long to kill anything. And listen well, Boss: if we don't level up fast, neither do you. If we fail, you die.
Naofumi felt cold sweat on his back. They were right. Without offensive capacity, his life was literally in the hands of these strangers.
Myne intervened then. She approached him, not with the coldness of the others, but with an enveloping warmth. She put a hand on his shoulder and spoke to him with a soft but persuasive voice.
—They are right, Naofumi-sama. But do not worry. Remember that the King gave you more funds specifically for this reason. —Myne smiled, as if she had deciphered a riddle—. He is wise. He knew the Shield Hero had no attack, so he gave you extra money not to spend on luxuries, but so you could arm your "swords". We are your weapon now.
Naofumi touched the bag with the 800 silver coins. A moment ago it seemed like a fortune to him, a treasure to start a life of adventure. But now, under the crushing logic of Myne and the pressure of the other two, he understood that it wasn't a gift. It was an operating budget. It was a necessity.
—If you don't invest in us —continued the Rogue, pointing with his chin to a row of shiny daggers on the wall—, we won't be able to protect you.
Naofumi felt the pressure. The logic was crushing. He was useless offensively; they were his only hope of gaining experience.
—Alright —sighed Naofumi, defeated but determined—. Uncle, give them what they need. And give me the best defensive armor I can pay for with what's left.
What followed was authorized looting.
Myne chose a high-quality light metal breastplate and a fine sword, arguing she needed agility.
The Rogue and the Assassin equipped themselves with reinforced steel daggers and new leather armor.
Silver coins flew from Naofumi's bag. Each purchase was a blow to his economy, but his companions kept reminding him: "It's for the team, Boss", "It's so you level up faster".
In the end, with the bag considerably lighter, Naofumi bought himself a "Barbarian Armor", a robust set of chainmail and furs. He looked in the mirror. He looked strong, intimidating. But he knew that, without his companions, that armor would only serve to prolong his death.
—Thank you, Naofumi-sama —said Myne with a radiant smile, caressing her new sword—. With this, no monster will be able to resist us.
—You better be right —grunted Naofumi, feeling a mix of gratitude and of having been scammed—. Now let's go. We've lost a lot of time and I want to hunt something before nightfall.
The group left the shop, with Naofumi's companions sporting new and gleaming equipment paid for by him, while the Shield Hero walked in front, convinced he had made a smart investment for his future, not knowing he had just armed his own executioners.
—If you don't invest in us now —continued the Rogue, pointing with his chin to a row of shiny daggers on the wall—, we won't be able to protect you when something stronger than a balloon appears. Do you want to risk dying on the first day to save a few coins?
The pressure was suffocating. The logic was irrefutable. He was useless offensively; they were his only hope.
—Alright —sighed Naofumi, defeated but determined to do the right thing for the team—. Uncle, give them what they need. Make it good. And give me the best defensive armor I can pay for with what's left.
What followed was authorized looting.
The Rogue and the Assassin were not shy. —I want those twin daggers of tempered steel —said the Rogue, testing the edge with his thumb—. And I need reinforced leather boots for mobility, these sandals are going to kill me. —I need a camouflage tunic and balanced throwing knives —added the Assassin—. Quality is vital for my work.
Myne was the most demanding, although she disguised it as a tactical necessity. —Since I will be in the magical and physical vanguard, I need something light but resistant —she said, choosing a polished metal breastplate with elegant engravings that cost a small fortune—. And this longsword... it has good mana conduction. It is essential for my fire spells, Naofumi-sama. It is for your safety.
Silver coins flew from Naofumi's bag and piled up on Erhard's counter. Each purchase was a physical blow to his finances. Two hundred... three hundred... five hundred... The bag felt lighter and lighter, almost empty. But every time Naofumi grimaced in pain while paying, his companions were there to remind him: —"It's for the team, Boss." —"It's an investment, Naofumi-sama. This will pay for itself with the loot we get thanks to this gear."
In the end, with the bag considerably lighter and only a handful of coins remaining, Naofumi asked for his own armor. He could no longer afford the knight plate armor he had looked at initially.
—With what you have left... —Erhard scratched his head, looking at the boy with a mix of pity and professional respect— you can afford this.
He showed him the "Barbarian Armor". It was a robust set, a mix of functional chainmail and monster furs. It wasn't elegant, it didn't shine like Myne's, but it looked tough.
—I'll take it —said Naofumi.
He looked in the bronze mirror of the shop. The reflection showed him the image of someone dangerous, almost wild. He looked strong, intimidating. He looked like a bandit villain. But deep down, he knew the truth: without his companions and their shiny new weapons, that armor would only serve to prolong his agony a few seconds more.
—Thank you, Naofumi-sama —said Myne with a radiant smile, caressing the pommel of her expensive new sword as if it were a pet—. You are very generous and a great leader. With this, no monster will be able to resist us.
—You better be right —grunted Naofumi, feeling a strange mix of gratitude for having them and the bitter sensation of having been scammed—. Now let's go. We've lost a lot of time here and I want to hunt something before nightfall to prove my investment was worth it.
The group left the shop. The contrast was visually painful: Naofumi's companions sported new, elegant, and gleaming equipment, walking lightly. Naofumi, carrying his shield and his rough-looking armor, walked in front with an empty bag, convinced he had made a masterstroke of resource management, without knowing he had just armed, dressed, and strengthened his own executioners.
By the time Naofumi's group finally exited the capital gates, the sun was already starting to turn orange on the horizon. They had wasted too much time in the armory discussing budgets and testing gear, so the meadows were strangely silent.
—It seems we arrived late to the party —commented Naofumi, looking around. He saw remains of orange balloons scattered on the grass and fresh tracks—. Subaru and the others must have already finished and returned to the city. That hyperactive idiot surely cleared the zone.
—Better for us, Naofumi-sama —said Myne, unsheathing her new sword elegantly—. That way we won't have competition and can concentrate on our coordination.
They began the hunt. At first, it was clumsy. Naofumi tried to hit an Orange Balloon with his fists, but the damage was laughable: 1 point. The creature didn't even flinch and lunged at him, biting his arm.
—Damn it! —Naofumi braced himself for the pain, closing his eyes.
But the pain was... minimal. Barely a pinch. He opened one eye and saw the creature trying uselessly to pierce his skin and his new armor.
—It doesn't hurt? —he was surprised.
—Hold it there, Boss! —shouted the Rogue.
The blonde launched himself forward and drove his dagger into the balloon attached to Naofumi's arm. POP! The creature exploded. Experience flowed toward them.
—Hey, that works —said the Rogue, cleaning his dagger—. You are the perfect bait. The bugs focus on you and we burst them without risk.
Naofumi smiled, feeling useful for the first time. —Good. Then I catch them, you kill them.
They continued like that for an hour. Naofumi ran, provoked the monsters, let them bite him, and his companions finished them off. It was dirty and unglamorous work, but effective. However, in the pauses between fights, doubt assaulted Naofumi again.
—Hey —said Naofumi, taking advantage of a moment of rest—, I wanted to ask you something. In the team selection... no one came with me at first. And I've noticed weird looks in the city. Do you know why people hate the Shield Hero? Is there a story behind it?
The Rogue and the Assassin exchanged a quick, almost imperceptible glance. A silent signal.
—Hate? —The Rogue put on a face of genuine confusion, scratching his head—. I don't know what you're talking about, Boss. I'm not from the capital, I'm from a rural village. City people are always weird and stuck up. Maybe they are just jealous because your defense is impenetrable.
—But... —Naofumi frowned—. If there is no stigma, why didn't they choose me? You went with Kazuma and you —he pointed at the Assassin— went with Makoto.
The Assassin, who was sharpening his dagger, replied with his monotone and calm voice. —Pure tactics. The Bow Hero (Makoto) is a ranged attacker. He needed a vanguard or someone to eliminate threats stealthily in melee. I thought my skill set fit better with him. It was nothing personal against the Shield.
—Exactly —added the Rogue—. And I went with the Sword (Kazuma) because... well, there were a lot of people crowding around and I just went with the flow. You know how it is. When I saw you needed help, I came without hesitating.
The explanations were logical. Too logical. Makoto is an archer, needs defense. Makes sense, thought Naofumi, wanting to believe them. Kazuma had a crowd, it's easy to get lost. Makes sense.
—I see... —muttered Naofumi, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders—. I guess I'm a bit paranoid being new to this world. Thanks for being honest with me.
Myne, who had been observing the interaction with a satisfied smile, approached and sheathed her sword.
—You shouldn't worry about such nonsense, Naofumi-sama. Rumors are just wind. The important thing is that we are here now, together. We are your team.
She pointed to the sky, which was already darkening rapidly.
—We should go back. It's getting late and night monsters are dangerous for our level. Besides, you've earned a good dinner and rest in a soft bed.
—Yes —Naofumi nodded, looking at his three companions. He felt exhausted, but satisfied. He had leveled up, he had a team, and his doubts had been "cleared up".— You're right. Let's go back. Tomorrow will be another hard day.
The group began the return to the walled city. Naofumi walked in front, head held high, feeling that he finally fit in. Behind him, in the twilight, the shadows of his companions stretched out, hiding the mocking smiles they shared behind his back.
Naofumi didn't know that this would be his last night of peace.