"All right then, Hero. Shall we be off to battle?"
"Right on!"
Upon exiting the castle, fields of grass extended in every direction.There was, at least, a cobblestone road meandering over the scenery, but once we left the town, it seemed like the world was nothing but green and green and green.
"Now then, Hero. This land is filled with rather weak monsters, and battling them should make for very good practice."
We poked around in the fields for a little while before spotting an orange balloon."There's one now, Hero. We call these 'Orange Balloons,' and they are rather easy to defeat."
severe lack of creativity.
"All right then, its finally time to use the dagger"
"Woah!"
Just like last time, as if receiving an electric shock, the Dagger I was holding flew out of my hand.
"Legendary Weapon specification: a weapon besides the assigned equipment was held, violating the rule."
"The Heroes may not hold a weapon, aside from their assigned Legendary Weapon, with the intent to fight with it."
For now, I just need to show Maine that I can't use the dagger
"Huh? What happened Mr hero?"
"Well, It looks like I'm only allowed to use a shield…"
"Lets ask about this from the shop owner when we get back."
"Alright. By the way mine, since we've already came, can u help me in leveling for now?"
"Okay, but how?"
"Since your level is much higher than mine, you just have to hold the orange baloons and I will kill them. I'll also be able to see how strong you are" since you've already become my party member, why don't you help me a bit.
"Fine by me"
These Orange Baloons can't do much damage, and she can't act weak right now, because she was the one who said that she was much stronger. She knows if she acts weak, I will leave her.
The orange baloon came at us
"Gah!"
It let out an angry cry and flashed aggressive eyes at me, confirming its enemy status. rushed to attack me.
But before it could, mine grabbed it and I killed it by attacking it with the edge of my shield.
With a soft puff of air, the Orange Balloon popped. I heard a persistent beep, and saw that my experience meter now read: 1.
Meant I earned one EXP point.
"Nice job, Hero."
Myne was applauding me.
The Orange Balloon had left behind Orange Balloon's skeleton. Upon touching it, my shield began to beep. The skeleton enveloped in a soft light and absorbed into the shield's gem.
Orange Baloon acquired
The words flashed before me, and the weapon book icon began to glow. I looked inside and saw a small, orange shield icon.
"it seems that to power them up, they need to absorb certain items."
"I see."
After that, myne explained me that one skeleton could be sold for 1 bronze coin, and 100 bronze coins equal to 1 silver coin, which I already knew.
In the span of about 30 minutes
Level up!
You are now level 2
It was much faster than last time. Last time, it took a day to level up. Myne was also doing her best for obvious reason.
I heard footsteps, it was Ren. Two Orange Balloons appeared in front of Ren. Ren swung his sword in a large arc, and all two enemies burst instantly.
We stayed in the fields until the sun started to slant downwards in the sky. We fought any Orange Balloons we came across, and also discovered some Yellow Balloons.
My level was 5 now. I also acquired yellow shield along with orange shield.
"If we pressed on a little further, we'd encounter some stronger monsters, but we'd better head back if we want to be in the castle by dark."
"Well, I kind of wanted to fight a little bit more"
"Let's head back early today, and use the extra time to revisit the weapon shop and ask him about the dagger."
"I guess you're right."
IN THE WEAPON SHOP
Can you let me see that?"
I held my shield arm out to the erhard(weapon shop owner), The old guy chanted something, and a small ball of light shot toward my shield, only to bounce off harmlessly. "Well," he said. "It certainly looks like a normal Small Shield… but it behaves…"
I already know what he's going to say
"I feel a great amount of energy emanating from this jewel of the Shield. I tried looking into it with my appraisal magic but was unable to glean any information. If it was somehow cursed, I should have known that instantly."
"Well, you've certainly shown me something interesting. I will take that dagger back. Also, I guess you'll be wanting some defensive goods?"
"well, since it's the first weapon I bought, I want to keep it as a memory. Also, I don't need any armor, I'm fine by myself"
"Really kid?"
"of course. Also, stop calling me kid"
"Haha, ok Mr Naofumi"
Bi*ch looked upset, but I acted as if I didn't noticed.
I told bi*ch that I'm too hungry, so we'd better something first and then we will look for an inn.
dinner for one cost us 5 bronze.
"Please don't drink wine right now. I want to talk about something important to the other heroes, so it would be better if you don't get drunk" I told her and started eating.
"Alright shield hero" said bi*ch
After eating, I started waiting for other heroes, and I know that they will definitely come here.
I heard some footsteps. They were here.
Guess it's time for some real work.
I got up and sat down in an empty chair at Motoyasu's party table, bi*ch followed behind me.
"Hey Naofumi, what's up?"
"I'm good, the shield is as you said, trash"
His other party members started laughing
"Oh, that's bad"
"Hey motoyasu, can I ask for a favor?"
"yeah, why not?"
"Can you take Myne with you?"