The plains outside Melromarc stretched wide and golden under the sky.
In the distance, bursts of light flashed.
Steel clashed.
Laughter carried on the wind.
The other three heroes were already at work.
A spear cut clean arcs through the air.
A sword moved in precise, efficient strikes.
Arrows flew with steady rhythm.
Beyond them, small round creatures bounced erratically across the grass — orange, fuzzy spheres with tiny faces and stubby limbs.
Balloon monsters.
Beginner enemies.
Myne placed her hands on her hips. "Perfect. We'll start small."
Flint watched one of the creatures bounce toward them.
It squeaked loudly.
Then launched itself.
He didn't move until the last second.
The creature hit the shield with a dull thud.
And bit down.
Hard.
Flint blinked.
"…You've gotta be kidding me."
The creature's tiny teeth clamped onto the metal rim.
It shook violently.
The shield absorbed the impact, but the sensation traveled up his arm.
"Shake it off!" Myne shouted.
Flint tried.
The monster clung stubbornly.
Shiva yelped and backed away.
In the distance, Motoyasu laughed loudly after skewering three at once.
Flint grabbed the creature with his free hand and tried pulling it loose.
It stretched comically.
But didn't release.
He scowled.
"Fine."
He raised his arm and slammed the shield downward against a rock.
The balloon monster burst with a small pop, dissolving into particles of light.
A faint warmth pulsed through the shield.
Experience gained.
Flint stared at it.
"That's how this works, huh?"
Another balloon bounced closer.
This time Flint braced himself.
He planted his feet.
The creature leapt.
It hit the shield and stuck again.
Flint stepped forward instead of back, driving his shoulder into it and pushing forward.
The shield glowed faintly.
A small notification flickered before his eyes.
Shield Skill Unlocked: Counter Bash
He smirked slightly.
"Now we're talkin'."
When the next monster lunged, Flint angled the shield and slammed forward deliberately.
The impact sent the creature flying backward before it burst midair.
Myne clapped lightly.
"See? You're learning."
Her tone was encouraging.
But her eyes were elsewhere.
Watching.
Measuring.
Across the field, the other heroes were already clearing dozens effortlessly.
Flashy attacks.
Elemental bursts.
Applause from their party members.
Flint's progress was slower.
Methodical.
Defensive.
Shiva crept closer behind him as another balloon approached.
This one bounced toward her instead.
She froze.
Flint moved instantly.
He stepped between them, shield taking the hit.
The balloon latched on again, gnawing uselessly.
Flint grabbed it and crushed it against the ground.
He looked back at Shiva.
"You don't freeze," he said calmly. "You move. Got it?"
She nodded quickly.
Fear still in her eyes — but also something else.
Trust.
After several more encounters, Flint stood breathing steadily.
Not exhausted.
Just thinking.
The other heroes were farming experience quickly.
They attacked.
They dominated.
They shined.
Flint endured.
He absorbed.
He protected.
The system rewarded impact.
But it also rewarded survival.
He glanced at Shiva again.
A thought formed.
If he couldn't deal damage easily—
He'd need someone who could.
Someone loyal.
Someone who wouldn't turn on him.
His eyes drifted briefly toward Myne.
She smiled when he looked her way.
Too sweet.
Too perfect.
In the distance, Ren's sword flashed brilliantly as three balloons fell at once.
Cheers followed.
Flint turned back to the field.
"Alright," he muttered.
"If I can't swing the weapon…"
He raised the shield again as another monster bounced toward them.
"I'll be the wall."
The balloon hit.
Flint braced.
And behind him, Shiva took a hesitant step forward.
The training had only just begun.
After several more encounters, Flint stood breathing steadily.
Not exhausted.
Just thinking.
The other heroes were farming experience quickly.
They attacked.
They dominated.
They shined.
Flint endured.
He absorbed.
He protected.
The system rewarded impact.
But it also rewarded survival.
He glanced at Shiva again.
A thought formed.
If he couldn't deal damage easily—
He'd need someone who could.
Someone loyal.
Someone who wouldn't turn on him.
His eyes drifted briefly toward Myne.
She smiled when he looked her way.
Too sweet.
Too perfect.
In the distance, Ren's sword flashed brilliantly as three balloons fell at once.
Cheers followed.
Flint turned back to the field.
"Alright," he muttered.
"If I can't swing the weapon…"
He raised the shield again as another monster bounced toward them.
"I'll be the wall."
The balloon hit.
Flint braced.
And behind him, Shiva took a hesitant step forward.
The training had only just begun.