[Riyute Village]
After several hours in the mine extracting minerals and clearing out monsters, Ichigo now finds himself in front of the Merchant. He hands over a pouch containing three Claws potions, five Fangs from the Two-Headed Black Dog, and a small fragment of Light Metal ore as payment. "With this, we are even, right?" Ichigo asks. The merchant opens the bag, nods, and replies, "Yes, everything is paid for. Come back soon." Ichigo nods and jogs off toward Naofumi and Raphtalia, who are already moving ahead.
"HEY! GUYS, WAIT FOR ME!" Ichigo shouts, running to catch up. Naofumi glances back over his shoulder, his expression neutral but focused. He doesn't stop, his pace steady. "We don't have time to waste, Ichigo. If you're coming, keep up," Naofumi says, his voice blunt but lacking the cold edge of anger. Raphtalia, seeing Ichigo catch up, gives him a bright, relieved smile and a small wave. "I'm glad you made it back!" she chirps, her tail wagging slightly.
"Sorry, sorry!" Ichigo pants, falling into step beside them. "Just had to settle a debt. Wouldn't want a merchant chasing us across Melromarc, happily we got a lot of things in the mine".
[Flashback Begins]
Earlier that day, under Ichigo's guidance, the trio worked with surprising synchronization. Naofumi pointed toward a vein of glowing purple mineral. "What was this one for again?" Naofumi asks, holding a shard.
"That's Mana Flow Ore," Ichigo explains as he helps Naofumi chip it away. "Magicians and alchemists use it to analyze and channel energy. It's quite a find." Ichigo grins, playfully nudging Naofumi's shoulder. "Be thankful I'm your guide, Naofumi!"
Naofumi rolls his eyes but doesn't pull away. "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say." He lets his shield absorb the mineral, unlocking a new power. As the shield pulses with a deep purple hue and amber glow, Ichigo leans in curiously. "So, Naofumi-sama~, what kind of boost did we get?"
Naofumi shudders as Ichigo speaks right into his ear. "Don't do that! You're too close!" he exclaims with a flustered look. Ichigo laughs, raising his hands in apology. "Okay, okay! But seriously, what does it do?"
Naofumi checks his status, revealing the new shield:
Mana Shield
Unlocked by absorbing Mana Conductor Ore.
Equip Bonus: Magic Boost 1
Special Equip Effect: Mana Resonance (Small)
Description: Allows the shield to act as a channel for magical energy. Increases the efficiency of nearby allied spells by 5% and slowly restores the wearer's mana by absorbing ambient energy.
"That's perfect," Ichigo notes. "It means you can channel magic without a separate catalyst. Now we just need to figure out something for Raphtalia."
The peaceful moment was shattered by a chorus of low, vibrating growls. From the darkness, five pairs of crimson eyes ignited like embers. The creatures crept forward—slender, muscular hounds with jet-black fur and bony protrusions along their spines that buzzed with an ominous warning.
"Are those more Two-Headed Dogs?" Naofumi asked, his voice steady as he shifted into a defensive stance, his Light Metal Shield gleaming.
"Lower-ranking ones, a scouting pack," Ichigo replied, unclopping the two metallic disks from his belt. He let them drop, the Light Metal humming as it caught the torchlight. "Think of them as the pack's skirmishers. Five of them... just enough for a warm-up. Let's show them how we work."
The pack attacked simultaneously. Two lunged at Naofumi, their fangs bared. Clang! The Shield Hero stood his ground, the impact of their bodies vibrating through his arm, but his defense remained impenetrable. "Raphtalia, Ichigo, focus on the eyes! That's the weak spot!"
Raphtalia, despite her fear, moved with newfound determination. "Understood, Naofumi-sama!" She lunged with her short sword, catching one beast across the flank as it bounced off Naofumi's shield.
Ichigo, however, was a blur of motion. He launched the right Yo-Yo with a snap of his wrist. The disk whistled through the air, tracing a lethal curve that bypassed the lead hound's guard and struck its temple. Clack! As the beast stumbled, Ichigo flicked the braided magic yarn, the string wrapping around the creature's throat. With a violent pull, he swung the monster like a flail, slamming it into a second hound that was preparing to leap.
"One down, one grounded!" Ichigo called out, his eyes sharp and focused.
A third hound saw an opening and bolted toward Raphtalia's blind spot. "Don't get cocky!" Naofumi warned, thrusting his hand out. "Air Strike Shield!" A translucent green barrier erupted in the air, the hound slamming into it with a dull thud. The impact left the monster dazed, suspended for a split second.
"Got you!" Raphtalia cried. She seized the opportunity, spinning low and driving her blade straight into the creature's crimson eye. It let out a final, strangled whimper before collapsing.
The remaining two hounds, sensing the tide turning, tried to pincer Ichigo. He didn't flinch. /I need to keep the momentum going./ Holding both disks, he crossed his arms and then threw them outward in a "X" pattern. The disks spun around the monsters in a dizzying orbit, the magic yarn creating a web of shimmering threads.
With a sudden leap, Ichigo pulled the strings tight. The Killer Yo-Yo Style showed its true lethality as the two hounds were jerked together, their necks entangled. Ichigo landed gracefully, giving the threads one final, powerful tug that sent the disks flying back into his palms. The monsters hit the floor, motionless.
Within minutes, the cavern returned to a heavy silence, save for their labored breathing.
"You're pretty good with those things," Naofumi admitted, glancing at the disks now resting perfectly in Ichigo's hands. "The movement... it's unusual. It's not just a weapon; it's like you're controlling the space around you."
"It's all about the momentum and the tension of the yarn," Ichigo said, the magic thread disappearing as it wound back into the Light Metal housing. "They aren't standard weapons, but in the right hands, they're faster than any blade."
[End of Flashback]
Back in the present, as they walk away from Riyute Village, Ichigo looks at his two partners. "So, where to next, General? More mining, or are we looking for a blacksmith for Raphtalia's catalyst?"
Naofumi looks ahead toward the horizon. "We need to get stronger before the next Wave. That means better gear and more experience." He looks at Ichigo, then at Raphtalia. "We'll keep moving. But Ichigo... try not to wander off to talk to merchants every five minutes."
Ichigo laughs, clasping his hands behind his head. "No promises! But as long as we're a team, I've got your back."
TO BE CONTINUED
[Party Status]
Naofumi Iwatani – Shield Hero (Lvl: -)
Raphtalia – Sword Wielder (Lvl: -)
Tatsuo Ichigo – Killer Yo-Yo User (Lvl: -)
[New Unlocks]
Pickax Shield: Equip Bonus: Mining 1
Whetstone Shield: Equip Bonus: Sharpening 1. Special Effect: Automatic Sharpening (8 hours).
Rope Shield: Equip Bonus: Skill "Air Strike Shield". Special Effect: Rope.
Light Metal Shield: Equip Bonus: Agility Up (Small).
[Bestiary Entry]
Black Shadow Hound: A smaller, single-headed relative of the Two-Headed Black Dog. They hunt in packs and use their vibrating bony protrusions to signal others. They are agile but less durable than their larger counterparts.