Imagination Is My Weapon(Rising of the Shield Hero Fanfic)

Chapter 23: The Spear Hero Thinks (Or Not) So Close! *Rewritten*

Mirai Iwatani Level: 41

Kenta Level: 44

"Mirai, wake up." Kenta nudges. I groan in response and slowly lift my head. "Look up ahead." I sit up and rub my eyes. In the distance, in the valley before the stone gates, some electric force field surrounds a group of people.

"What the heck is that thing?" I ask.

"You'll find out soon enough," he responds as he quickens his pace. A beam of water and wind crashes into something on the other side of the circle. Upon arrival, I slid off Kenta's back and ran toward it. Motoyasu and his party let out grunts as they dropped from the sky.

"Damn," Motoyasu grumbles as he gets onto his knees, grabbing his spear.

"You haven't upgraded your class. How can you possibly be this strong," he inquires, "Does the brainwashing shield make you more powerful, too?"

"While you and your party have been having fun playing superheroes, we've been out here doing the grunt work to clean up after you. And by doing so, we've acquired new skills." Naofumi explains. I look around for any way into the center.

"Liar, do you expect me to believe it's as simple as that?" Motoyasu argues.

"Believe it or not, it's the truth. We do what we must, no matter how trivial it may seem. That's why you lost to us," Motoyasu glances away, gritting his teeth; he spots me, and his demeanor changes, "Mirai?!" he shouts; I return his gaze, "Mirai, you're-?!" he stumbles to his feet as he runs over. He runs to the edge, grips the magic bars, and pulls them apart, disabling the cage. I back away as he wraps his arms around me. I slap him, and he falls onto his backside, looking at me in disbelief.

"What do you think you're doing?" I ask.

"You're alive?! But how I was told that Naofumi killed you along with the others."

"What kind of bullshit is that?" I cross my arms, "How and why would Naofumi kill me?"

"Mirai," Naofumi and the others run over.

"Hi guys, sorry I'm late." I apologize.

"You're back, haha!" Filo says happily and gives me a brief hug.

"We were so worried that you were killed." Melty comments.

"Yeah," I reply.

"We're glad to see you," Raphtalia adds and glances over to Kenta, who hangs back from us. You as well, I suppose." He turns away.

"Mirai," Naofumi says as he approaches me.

"Naofumi, I—" I start. Naofumi glances at me, "I'll tell you later." I turn to Motoyasu.

"So why the hell were you two fighting? And what's this about the others being killed?" I ask.

"Spear guy attacked Master Naofumi to avenge Ren and Itsuki's honour." Filo wrapped it up.

"Motoyasu, what does he mean by that?" Motoyasu stands up, taking a defensive position.

"I was told that Naofumi killed you, Ren, and Itsuki, so I confronted him," he states.

"Ren and Itsuki were killed?" I think to myself, "And who told you this information?"

"Myne," Motoyasu says, 'Figures.' I glance over and find her and the other members of his party out cold. 'But before taking a stance, I need to know everything. Thankfully, that vixen is down for a bit. I can't let this opportunity pass by.'

"What was Naofumi's response to your accusation?" I continue.

"He refused, saying he didn't know anything about that nor the fact that the three of you were killed." Motoyasu answers.