The Rising Of The Shield Hero

Chapter 8: Disgrace

A week passed.

In all that time, I had yet to leave the area directly around the castle.

"Yo, shield brat."
"Ah!?"

I was walking around town half-naked when the owner of the weapon shop called out. Well, it was true that I had wandered in front of his building, but what business could he possibly have with me?

"I heard you tried to rape your comrade. I'm gonna hit you now."

He walked right up to me in a rage, fists clenched, with no intention of hearing me out first.

"Even you!?"

It was the same everywhere. Nobody wanted to listen to me.

As a foreigner to this world I might not really know what passes for common sense, but clearly sexually assaulting an unwilling woman was absolutely impermissible.

Still, it was strange. Even looking at this old guy preparing to beat me to death, I couldn't see anything but that bitch's face.

I clenched my fists and defiantly stood my ground.

"Ugh... you..."
"What's wrong? Weren't you going to hit me?"

The shopkeeper relaxed his fists and sighed.

"I changed my mind."
"Oh. Guess it's my lucky day."

No matter how low my attack score was, I was sure I could fight a normal person well enough. However, hitting people for no reason wouldn't do me any favors. If I had the time to waste on something as unproductive as that, it would be better to go out and make money to fund my future activities.

Plus, beating up on some balloons should be enough to make me feel a little better.

"Wait a minute!"
"What!?"

I had started walking to the castle gates, but the shopkeeper called out again. When I turned around, he tossed me a small sack.

"You look ridiculous like that. Consider this a parting gift."

Inside the bag were a slightly stained cloak and some cheap, hempen clothes.

"...How much?"
"Five copper coins. It's on clearance."
"...Understood. I'll be sure to pay you back."

I had been worried about wandering around in my underwear, so naturally I accepted his offer.

"You better come back safe, now. Since the only thing I believe in is money!"
"Of course!"

I changed into my new clothes, and headed to the plains to hunt Balloons.

"ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA!"

Though it still took five minutes to kill one, the fact that I wouldn't take any damage no matter how much they attacked me meant it was relatively easy work. I ended up spending the entire day fighting them just to take my mind off things, and accumulated a fair amount of balloon scraps in the process.

Level Up!
You have reached level 2.
Orange Small Shield and Yellow Small Shield Unlocked!

I also prepared and investigated various things. By evening, though, I realized I was starving, so I reluctantly returned to town and found my way to a merchant that dealt in monster materials. As soon as the plump little man behind the counter saw my face, he broke out into a broad, silly grin. He was obviously planning to rip me off.

There was one person in line in front of me, selling various materials.

"Hmm, yes... how does one copper coin for two pieces sound?"