Resilient Shield

Chapter 3

If he didn't unlock Shield and training those skills, he won't be able to level up quickly. If he can't level up, he won't be able to tackle harder monsters or unlock Shields with Level Requirement. If he can't do both, his chance of survival in the next wave is damn near Zero.

But dropping stuff onto the Shield won't always give him what he wants. Most of his Shield has non-combat stuff, with the only combat stuff was Monster Lure, Monster Detecting (the Orange Yellow Shield (Small) allows him to detect Balloons and small, weak monster), and misdirection skill in form of Leaf Storm.

Not enough. Not good enough.

What should he do? Should he take a leap of faith and aggravate a powerful monster? But where can he find those?

"You seem troubled, sir."

"Huh?"

Naofumi didn't expect people to talk to him, much less in a business manner. Most people talk to him with a sneering arrogant condescending tone which made him want to punch them, or better yet, unleash balloons on them. Even the Old Man Weapon Shop and the Pharmacist at the beginning (after unjustly framed) give him a cold hard look. As such, Naofumi can't help but pay attention to this... man...

The hell I'm looking at? Naofumi thought, can't help but gawk.

Because, honestly, the man who stood before him stood out like a sore thumb. No. Make it a sore thumb made out of neon cactus. The man is fat, or it might be his robe, but he dressed more like the early industrial era, about the 18th century or something, rather than renaissance era Melcromarc had adopted. Even more, Naofumi swears the feather collar make it looks like the man wearing Boa Feather of all things. Add with the round glasses and... well...

It can be worse.

"What do you want?"

"Straight to the point eh? He he he. I like your style." The obese gentle(?)man bowed grandiosely. "I've heard about your problem. You need people. Your attack stat is pitiful. No one wants to team up with you. You can't trust people."

Naofumi clenched his fist because...

All of those are true.

And the truth hurts.

"Get to the point!" He barked.

"Alright, alright, hold your horse, Mr. Hero." Laughed off the man. "After all, I have a solution to your problem."

Naofumi was a skeptic. He crossed his arms and stated, "if you think you can convince some adventurers wannabe to team up with me, no thanks. Not going to happen." He sooner threw himself off the cliff than setting up for another betrayal.

"Adventurers? Ahaha. No no no. I can supply you with something far more useful."

"Something more useful?"

"Hehe... are you interested?"

"Fuck off. You're too close." Naofumi growled and pushed the man away. Ew, he felt dirty. "I'll reserve my opinion until I see it."

"Hmm... very well. Very well. A man with eyes, indeed." The man nodded. "Follow me then."

The man led Naofumi down to the back alley, to the place where the conditions were worse, with air filled with shouting, cursing, and the stench of alcohol. Slums, Naofumi thought. Huh. Who knew this country has slums located in the middle of the kingdom? Isn't it supposed to be on the side of the town? Think again, the path in and out was that back alley...

They stopped in front of the mockery of a circus. Except without all the joy and laughter, and the colors were drained out leaving only gloom and dark humor.