Rise of the Shield Bearer

Chapter three: A Hero with No Home

Rain lashed against the rooftops of Erenthia, turning its cobblestone streets into rivers of mud. The city that had once cheered for heroes now recoiled from him as if he carried plague.

Kael Ardent walked through the storm with his hood pulled low, his soaked cloak heavy against his shoulders. His shield glowed faintly under the gray sky — a reminder of the curse that bound him. Every merchant stall he passed closed its shutters; every innkeeper’s eyes went cold the moment they recognized him.

He stopped before a small tavern tucked between an apothecary and a pawn shop. The wooden sign above the door read The Broken Fang.

He pushed the door open. The smell of ale, sweat, and burning wood washed over him. Conversations faltered.

“That’s him,” someone hissed. “The Shield Bastard.”

Kael ignored them and walked to the counter. The bartender — a stout man with a scar down his cheek — eyed him warily.

“No rooms,” he said flatly.

“I just need information,” Kael replied, voice low. “Is there work for someone who can fight?”

The bartender snorted. “Not for you. Nobody wants the Shield Hero around. They say you cursed the kingdom the moment you arrived.”

Kael’s hand tightened around the edge of his shield. He opened the system interface again — its cold blue light reflecting in his eyes.

[Main Quest: Survive.]

[Side Quest Available: Defend the Village of Karth from Bandit Raid. Reward: 20 Silver, 300 EXP.]

[Warning: Hostile Reputation affects quest rewards.]

He accepted without hesitation.

The bartender frowned. “You heading to Karth? That’s suicide, boy. Those roads are crawling with raiders.”

“Good,” Kael said simply, and turned toward the door.

The road to Karth stretched westward through dark forests and broken farmlands. Each step felt heavier than the last, but the shield pulsed faintly, feeding him system messages with every small fight.

[Giant Rat defeated. +3 EXP.]

[Slime defeated. +2 EXP.]

[Defense +1.]

He had no sword, no magic, only the shield’s growing instinct. It began to react on its own — vibrating just before ambushes, redirecting blows that should have broken bone.

Hours later, he reached the edge of Karth. Smoke billowed from the fields, and distant screams tore through the night.

Kael sprinted toward the sound, his boots splashing through puddles.

Bandits — nearly a dozen — had descended on the small farming village. They set houses ablaze, dragging villagers into the mud. A child cried as one raider raised his blade.

Kael’s body moved before his mind caught up. He slammed into the attacker with his shield, the impact cracking ribs. The man flew backward, landing hard.

[Critical Block! Counter Damage: 150%.]

The system flared again.

[Skill Unlocked: Shield Bash.]

[Effect: Converts defensive impact into 1.5x retaliatory force.]

Another bandit lunged. Kael spun, deflecting the strike, and brought the shield up under the man’s chin. The crack echoed like thunder.

He fought without grace but with precision — every movement calculated by instinct and the quiet hum of the system. His shield drank in the violence, glowing brighter with every strike.

Then came a voice behind him.

“Didn’t think the cursed hero would actually help anyone.”

Kael turned. A mercenary stood at the edge of the flames — tall, armored in patchwork leather, a sword slung lazily over her shoulder. Her sharp green eyes studied him with a mix of curiosity and disbelief.

“I’m not doing this for them,” Kael said. “I’m doing it because it’s the only quest that didn’t lock me out.”

The woman smirked. “Whatever your reason, you hit hard. Name’s Lyria. I’m collecting bounties on these scum.”

They fought side by side, wordless and efficient. Lyria’s blade cut through raiders like silver lightning, while Kael blocked and countered, his shield absorbing the blows meant for her.

When the last bandit fell, the rain began again — gentle this time, cooling the fires.

The villagers emerged slowly from hiding. No one cheered. They only whispered.

Kael stood amidst the ashes, staring at the bodies. His interface glowed faintly:

[Quest Complete: Defend the Village of Karth.]

[Reward: +20 Silver, +300 EXP, +5 Reputation with “Commoners”.]

[Level Up: 3 → 5.]

[Skill Gained: Shield Counter Lv.1.]

Lyria sheathed her sword. “You’ve got skill, even if the world hates you. Ever thought of working for coin instead of glory?”

Kael glanced at her. “I’ve got no one left to fight for. Only what’s next.”

She nodded slowly. “Then you might survive this world after all.”

He turned to leave, but the village elder stopped him, pressing a small, charred pendant into his hand. “For saving my grandson,” the old man said softly. “Even a cursed hero deserves thanks.”

Kael said nothing, only bowed his head.

As he walked back toward the forest, the shield pulsed again. A new message appeared:

[Emotion Detected: Resolve.]

[Skill Unlocked: Shield of the Forsaken.]

[Effect: Converts pain into increased defense.]

For the first time since his fall, Kael allowed himself to breathe. The path ahead was still dark — but now, it was his.

Behind him, Lyria watched with quiet intrigue.

The world had turned its back on the Shield Hero. But the system — that cold, impartial machine — had not. It watched, learned, adapted.

And somewhere deep within its endless code, a faint pulse glowed crimson.

[New Hidden Title: The Exiled Guardian.]

[Effect: +10% EXP Gain when fighting alone.]

Kael didn’t see it.

But the world had already begun to change because of him.