Resilient Shield

Chapter 5

"Come on." He urged them to walk faster. "Let's see what other field had to offer. Maybe they have a better monster." He's grateful for Repeated Action putting the fine art of attacking into muscle memory, but he needs more variation in his life if he wants to survive.

He settled for a field in another direction.

The field they visited has more grass and fewer trees. And it also has a different brand of monster. Some kind of Egg monster which Naofumi found gross. And not only him. The kids positively loathe them.

Mostly because when they stabbed it, it cracked and splattered its content on them, which was Ewww. It even smelled gross. The kids spent an hour washing themselves in the nearby river while Naofumi washes the clothes. The next time they saw the thing, the kids pelted the monster with pebbles then stabbed them directly. It took quite a time but no one wants to get near the egg monster.

"If only my wings are working..." muttered Lucas, staring at his wings forlornly.

"They don't?" Whisper-asked Raphtalia.

"I've never been flying for a long time," Lucas whispered back. "I guess I'm lucky they don't break. They won't heal correctly if I leveled up before they healed."

"What are you brats talking about?"

"N-nothing..."

~X~

Nothing is interesting here. Only some balloons and Eggs. Naofumi almost chalked this field as a lost cause.

Almost, because suddenly a monster jumped out from behind the tall grass. A... rabbit-like monster?

"It's..."

"GNAAAAAA!!!"

The thing opens its mouth and revealing a set of sharp front teeth, before lunging at Raphtalia, who stood frozen in fear. Naofumi cursed before ran towards her. He put himself between the Rabbit of Caerbanog knock-off and Raphtalia. The thing hit the Holy Shield face-first, which was good, it got disoriented.

"Haaaah!"

Lucas swept in and stabbed the rabbit monster through the skull. Blood splattered everywhere.

Naofumi privately thought Lucas looks like a child-version of avenging fallen angel. With those black eyes and black wings and blood splattered on him. He then heard someone screaming. Oh... it was Raphtalia.

"B-blood... blood... Blood...!" She screamed and trembled. Looking traumatized and in hysterics.

It was not good.

"Raphtalia. Calm down." He commanded her. When she didn't show any sign of calming down, Naofumi has no other choice but snapped, "If you don't calm down in this instant, I'll activate the crest! Don't push me!"

That worked. Raphtalia still has this horror-stricken expression, but she clamped her hands on her mouth to muffle any screams that may escape.

Naofumi sighed and he approached her. "Oi. What's wrong? Are you scared of blood?"

Seeing Raphtalia nodded, Naofumi mentally scratched his head. Good grief... this is bad. He was aware that the monsters here bleed. The closer they are to animal or human-based, the more likely they're going to bleed. The ballons and small monster they used to encounter are item-based or plant-based. Plants did not bleed. Animals did.

He bought Raphtalia and Lucas to help him deal with the Monster problem since Naofumi had a weak shield with little to no attack power.

Raphtalia was scared of blood.

This is not good. He has to find a way to deal with it.

"Raphtalia. Listen to me. The world is not nice. It's a cruel, unforgiving place that keeps demanding and demanding. And Life is a Bitch that ought to get you just for kicks. Either you shape up and catch up, or you left behind. And if you left behind, then I WILL return you back to the slave trader. You too, Lucas."

"W-what?" Gasped Raphtalia, while Lucas gaped in shock and fear. "No! I don't want to go back!" She gripped at his cloak, terrified.

"Then get over your fear of blood. We are going to encountered Monsters. Monsters that will bleed. And I'm a Cardinal Hero. I definitely WILL be dragged into Wave of Calamity, and you two WILL come with me, so shape up!"

To make sure Raphtalia has the conviction, Naofumi deliberately lured another Usapill, and this time he made Raphtalia stabbed it. The raccoon girl does it with a heavy heart. Her face turned green when blood coated her weapon and her hands.

Did Naofumi feel bad? Of course. He is not heartless. But does he care? No.

As he said, he is the Shield Hero. He was summoned (without his consent) to deal with the Wave. He will get dragged on the Wave(s) whether he likes it or not. As his party members, Lucas and Raphtalia will tag along. And the monsters they will be facing are much stronger, much bigger, and much scarier than these small fries.

He will push them to the absolute limit and they will hate him for it because it will be hellish and borderline inhumane. And Naofumi doesn't give a damn.

Better jaded and distrustful than dead, after all. At least they won't be buried six feet under the ground.

~X~

Nighttime

Both Lucas and Raphtalia didn't immediately go to sleep. They huddled together, while their Master was busy compounding medicine.

"Nee, Lucas." Raphtalia whispered, "how did you kill it?" By it, she means the usapil and other monsters that can bleed.

"With sword and claw, of course."

"That's not what I mean." Pouted Raphtalia. "I mean, how come you didn't hesitate."

When the first Usapil shows up, Lucas didn't freeze. Didn't scared. He went for the kill. And when Raphtalia screams her head off, he just stood there, confused why she was screaming.

When Master threatens to return them to Slave Trader, Lucas was scared too, but it quickly replaced with determination. He got over things so fast. So unlike her who was still scared and freeze up.

Raphtalia wants that courage too.

Lucas was silent for a long time, Raphtalia thought he was asleep, but then he shuffles and replied, "because I want to live."

"?"

"Master was my second Master..." Lucas explained. "And unlike my first owner... he cares. I was on death's door when he found me. He can just ignore me and move on, but he didn't. He gives us medicine and food. He gives us means to fight, to live. And I... I don't want to lose that, you know? If I got returned... who knows my next master would be like." He chuckled. "It was a selfish reason... but if it means I live to see another day... then I'll be selfish."

He was grateful. Yes. And he doesn't want to lose this golden opportunity. If being loyal, if subjected to a tiring routine, means he will be better and have a higher chance to survive, then he will take it.

"...what would Master say if he knows?"

"I think he won't care."

He has a feeling Master doesn't give a damn what he planned or thought as long as it won't lead to betrayal in any kind or form. And since Demi-human is part animal, their instinct can be trusted.