Resilient Shield

Chapter 4

Berry Mix Juice (Herb Medicine)

Quality: Good

Medicine made from mixing berries known as medicine ingredients. Will recover HP.

He totally can use this in the future.

That's why once the boy finished his dinner, Naofumi went back to compounding. Refill the vial with another Berry Mix Juice.

Some times later, he unlocked new shields after accidentally knocked off some vials off and it splashed across the Shield.

Medicine Shield (Small) conditions meet

Poison Shield (Small) conditions meet

| Medicine Shield (Small)

Attack: 4
Defense: 5

Ability:

· ??? (Locked)

Equip Bonus:

· Medicine Efficacy Up (Small)

| Poison Shield (Small)

Attack: 5
Defense: 5

Ability:

· ??? (Locked)

Equip Bonus:

· Poison Resistance Up (Small)

Naofumi ponders on it. Medicine Efficacy... huh? Does it mean he can make better quality Medicine? Worth a try.

To his delight, it did. The Quality for the first-time recipe was Fair, with most recipes become Good or even Above Average. Soon, he runs out of Vial. Naofumi dumped out the medicine with Poor Quality and fill them with a superior version.

Raphtalia had fallen off sleeping sometimes when Naofumi was busy preparing medicine. It was peaceful, really. Naofumi had initially hesitated when he choose children. Children and Teenagers are so handfuls and annoying. He knew. Who do you think helped his brother from rock bottom, rebellion-induced depression after he breaking from all pressure and expectation? Him. So yes, he knew first-hand how awfully hard raising children can be. Teenagers just are children in a bigger package.

These two, however, are blissfully quiet. Well, the boy was still unknown, he spends most of his time sleeping.

The only reason why Naofumi bothered with him because the boy has the drive to survive and having an aerial combatant is a good thing. Not because he cares or because he saw himself in the boy's position. Totally not.

However, when Nafumi was packing the stuff, having filled the vial until there's none empty left and used up his resources, he heard Raphtalia screaming.

Naofumi quickly ran inside and checks on her.

"NOOOOO!!! NO NO NO!!! NOOO!!"

Raphtalia was turning around and trashing all while screaming on top of her lungs, Her eyes were shut but she definitely struggling.

"DADDY! MOMMY! NO DON'T--!"

Nightmare. A terrible one at that. Naofumi thought. His first instinct was to get water out and splash her. A cruel, but effective way to wake someone up. Except he had used all water he had to make potions which were—ugh. Bad. So he has to go the old fashioned way. Shake Raphtalia awake without making everything worse.

"Raphtalia, wake up." He avoided the flailing hands and shaking her to no avail. She screams louder.

"GAAAHHH!"

Her screams attract the monsters.

Naofumi cursed his luck. Of course. Of course, things were never simple for him. Now he had to choose, to comfort the girl or to fight the monsters. If he comforts the girl, that leaves them open for attack. Naofumi would be fine, the other two would not. If he fights, that leaves the kids. Rock and a hard place, everyone.

~X~

"M-morning... *cough* M-Master... a-are you alright?"

Naofumi, with dark eye bags under his eyes, glanced at his status window.

Name: Iwatani Naofumi

Class: Shield Hero | Level 5

STR: 8
END: 28 (15 + 3 + 10)
AGI: 12
WIS: 20
INT: 23

Status

· Cardinal Hero – Shield Hero (True): Granted Full Usage of Legendary Weapon – Shield and the perks that come with it.

· Dishonorably Dishonored: -75% Cooperation Efficiency with [Cardinal Heroes], -95% Cooperation Efficiency with [Melcomarc Royal Family], -50% Cooperation Efficiency with people who believe in the Lies, [Betrayed] Status

· Betrayed and Slandered: -50% Cooperation with people, +40% of Distrust, +50% to Paranoia +70% Difficulty in recruiting people from Melcomarc, Numb to Taste, and Flavor

· Fatigued : -50% Battle Efficiency, [Sleepy] Status

· Sleepy: +70% chance of dropping asleep

"Yes, Raphtalia." He replied blearily. "I'm fine, peachy even."

He makes a quick breakfast with spare berries before dropping dead asleep.

TBC