The Hunters, as a Hero?

Entering the portal, a white light blinded me, and I closed my eyes.

After what seems to be minutes did the light dimmed down, and I began to hear voices before opening my eyes.

"Fantastic! The summoning was a success!" Someone said in a joyful voice.

Opening my eyes fully, I found myself, as well as three other people, in a center of a stone room. People in white robes and hoods looked at us joyfully. I looked down, there was a magic circile beneath the four of us. That's when I noticed what the other three had. A shield, a spear, and a sword.

'No way...' I thought. I transmigrated once more, into what seems to be the Rising of the Shield Hero universe? What the heck is happening?

"Hey, what's all this?"

My line of thought was interrupted when the one holding the spear spoke up. I looked at him, and saw the other two clearly. The spear guy was blonde, and wearing red. The sword guy had black hair, and wearing blue. And finally...the shield guy. I looked at him with more focus than the other two. He had a naive smile, messy black hair, and regular clothes from our original world.

'....Naofumi Iwatani.' I thought his name. The main protagonist of the story. I should leave him alone, so he can do grow into the hero that he was in the novels.

While I was thinking, the conversation in the room hadn't stopped.

"Please, oh brave heroes! Our world is in dire need of your help! Won't you please heed our call an save us from the evil?" one of the men in robes asked.

"That doesn't excuse you from taking us away from our homes without consent."

The guy with the sword, I think his name was Ren, said that.

"Yeah, what he said. Not only that, even if we follow as you say, you might throw us away at the end."

Motoyasu, I thought. That's his name. It came up after hearing him speak.

"If your world is at stake, I guess you guys are willing to accomodate us if we are needed. We may end up as your enemies, depending on your answers of course."

The sword and spear heroes kept talking and complaining, while Naofumi looked anxious.

While they were speaking, Naofumi wanted to speak up, but couldn't put a word in. He sighed, and turned to look at us, trying to talk, only to stop when he saw me.

I ignored his look. I didn't even need to speak up, let alone actually talk, so I go along with it, trying to blend into the background. That is, until Motoyasu turned to speak with me.

"What about you...huh!?"

Listening to him complaining, and then stopped all of a sudden, the rest of the people in the room turned to look at me, and most of their eyes bugged out.

It was expected, after all. I was the only unique looking one in this room. Holding a large, blue branch looking bow with several tufts of pink petals sticking out, wearing a short pink colored kimono, white fur wrapping my shoulders and wrists, long purple hair, a mask, and two ram horns really makes me unique looking.

What a pain. I just wanted to blend in.

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[Naofumi] POV

I was reading a book in a library about the Four Heroes, and a bright light shined upon me. The next thing I knew, I was in this room. As I was looking around the room, the spear and sword guy still complaning, my eyes landed on what seems to be a girl.

I staring at what seems to be a female child with horns. A demon? I don't know. She was ethereal looking, with beautiful clothes complimenting her appearance, and her unique looking bow glowing blue.

She was standing on one leg, the other one placing her feet, no 'hooves', on her thigh. Hooves...huh.

Though I wonder, what does she look like under her mask. A demon, or a girl?

Anyways, as I was thinking, the blonde guy with a spear walked up to her, the girl's height not even reaching his chin, knelt, and smiled, asking her for her name.

"May I know your name, miss...?"

The girl looked at him, and didn't bother to respond at all.

Awkward silence filled the room, until one of the priest-looking guys coughed and spoke up.

"Uh-Oh heroes! Our king asks for an audience with you great heroes! He will discuss your situation there!"

"Well, I guess we can see what he wants," the sword guy said.

The blonde spear guy coughed, nodding, and stood up, and just said sure.

I also nodded, and followed the two as they were guided out of the room by the priests.

The girl followed behind me, not making a sound.

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[Lamb] POV

What a pain. To be asked by that naive harem-seeking guy. How disgusting.

I was following the rest of them a few feet behind, through a corridor made out of stone. As I followed them, I felt through my bond Wolf. He was in the walls, not making an appearance, and watching us as he flew threw the walls and above into the ceiling.

I felt relieved knowing he's still there. I'll never be lonely after all.

Walking behind Naofumi, I can tell he's sweating and anxious. I guess some of it was from this situation, and the other from me. I snickered mentally.

After a few minutes, we arrived at what appears to be a large door. A priest opened the door, and what seems to be a throne room appears, with an old looking reagal guy sitting on the throne, looking down on us with arrogance. His sight landed on each of us as we four stood before him.

His gaze passed from Motoyasu, then to Ren, then to Naofumi...and then to me. His gaze lingered on Naofumi with disdain, but when he gazed on me, his eyes widened, and glistened with surprise, confusion, anger, and then confusion once more.

As expected of the king of a pro-human kingdom. He hates demihumans with a passion, and anyone looking like one is placed under his blacklist, the shield hero being a close second.

After examining me for a while, he coughed into his hand, and started speaking with a booming voice.

"I am King Aultcray, the thirty-second ruler of Melromarc. Raise your heads, brave heroes."

None of us were bowing, so we also didn't even bother to raise our heads, since we were already looking at him.

"Now then, let us explain the situation of what's happening in the world., This country, moreover this world, is facing it's demise, it being called the Waves of Calamity-".

I tuned out that part of the conversation, and began to think of what I should do. I already knew the situation of this world, even if the waves appear in other countries, not just in Melromarc.

Ren then spoke after listening to Aultcray.

"I understnd your dilemma, however, what gives you the right to summon us without our permission? Are we just working for you for free?"

"I think we should help-," Naofumi started to talk, only to be interrupted by Motoyasu.

"Even if was true, this isn't me being selfish and all, but with the world being destroyed, this doesn't concern us at all."

I said nothing.

"Of course, we plan on fully rewarding you brave heroes for your efforts deeds," Aultcray responded.

The three of them smiled with triumph, Naofumi also smiling with relief. I didn't even move at all, just standing with my usual stance, the bow being held sideways in front of me by both of my hands.

Ren spoke after thinking for a bit.

"Hmm...well, those are good promises and all."

"Yeah, just don't think we'll be tamed with only this much though. You'll have to cooperate with us, and continue to do so unless we turn rogue", Motoyasu said right after.

Naofumi and I were still silent, watching this drama playing out in front of us.

Wolf was still in the walls, watching this with boredom.

"Now then, oh brave heroes, let us hear each of your names," Aultcray said after a brief moment of waiting.

"My name is Amaki Ren, 16 years old, and in high school."

Ren, the smart one amongst the group. He's acts likes a lone wolf, and also appears to be calm.

"Next up will me yours truly, Kitamura Motoyasu. I'm 21, and am in college."

"My name is Iwatani Naomi. Age 20, and an university student."

Aultcray looked over him casually with a glance, not even bothering to hide his irritation, and looked at me finally.

"...and what is your name," he said with curiosity, and a little annoyance.

I looked up at him, not saying anything.

After a few seconds, when he finally started to look irritated did I open my mouth beneath my mask.

"We are Kindred."

...

A soft, yet ethereal feeling voice radiated around the throne room.

There was silence in the room. The king and the other three heroes looked at me with confusion.

Motoyasu started to speak after thinking.

"'We'? Why do you speak as if you're more than one-".

Then Wolf appeared.

...

His larger than average head flew from the walls and into the air, dancing and flowing through the pillars holding this room up, and flew around the three heroes and the king. They were frightened, and each had their own unique reactions. Motoyasu tried to back away, only to fall down onto his back. Naofumi just stared and quickly fell into a stance, while Ren fell into a practiced stance, both trying to be calm. The king stood up and readied his cane, looking angrily at Wolf, who snarled at him.

After several seconds of flying around, Wolf laughed and floated down to my side.

"Hahaha, look Lamb! Look at these fools being frightened! Their fear makes me excited!"

"Hush now, dear Wolf."

I chastised him, and he had the concious to look embarassed, but deep down we enjoyed their reactions.

The heroes, after knowing they aren't in any danger, relaxed a bit, but stood a bit farther away from us, especially Motoyasu.

After gathering his wits, Aultcray sat down on his seat, and spoke to me with a strained voice.

"What are you...Kindred?"

"Spirits and hunters of death. We kill those meant to die, and hunt down those who are unwilling."

"Uh...spirits? Not demihumans?"

"..."

*Cough*

Aultcray coughed into his hand.

"Well then, Ren, Motoyasu, Naofumi....and 'Kindred'. Now then, please confirm your own status."

"Status?" Naofumi asked.

"You guys didn't even notice after coming to this world? Sheesh. Just focus your mind on the icon in the corner of your vision. Then you'll see your status." Motoyasu explained.

I focused on the icon.

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Kindred (Lamb and Wolf)

HP: 100/100

MP: 120/120

-𝐎𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Hero of the Bow Level 1 / The Eternal Hunters ???

-𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Bow of the Hunter (Legendary Armament) / Spirit clothes

-𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥: Lamb's Respite: Creates a sanctuary surrounding you that allows absolutely nothing to die. Nothing.

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 of the Kindred: Lamb and Wolf can places a mark on any living creature that exists in the word. Killing that creature will increase the marker's strength and accuracy. Permanently.

-𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜: N/A

STR: 19

VIT: 10

DEX: 50

INT: 12

LUC:15

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Hmm. As a spirit and a hero, we seem to have higher than average stats compared to the normal humans, and my stats reflect off me. My dexterity seems to be quite high after all.

Looking at my skills...looks like my 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 skill still exists, even if it did reset. The 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 will give me strength after killing the hunted permanently. Perfect.

"Brave heroes, us normal humans have an average of 5-10 in each stat, but as heroes, you should have better stats than ours, complimenting your legendary weapons. I shall also explain each stat.

He coughed to clear his throat.

"STR is the stat that allows us to deal more powerful moves, as well as lift weights. VIT is how much damage we can take. DEX is the stat to move faster, as well as dodge things quickly. INT is the how much magic we can use, also speeding up MP rates and raises its capacity. LUC is just how lucky one can be, to find treasures and to do critical hits.

Just like a game huh? Still though, us, heroes? That's quite funny. Also, it seems like the status of Wolf and I are also combined. Who would've thought that.

Ren spoke up after examining his status.

"Level 1 huh? That's quite troublesome."

"I know, right? We aren't even that strong right now," Motoyasu facepalmed.

"Tools like these don't exist in your world? Status magic exists for everyone in this world, allowing us to improve exponentially," Aultcray told us.

"Really? Our current level feels rather troublesome," Ren said with frustration.

"From now on, you brave heroes shall venture forth into the world, allowing you to both hone and strengthen yourself, as well as your legendary weapons."

Motoyasu swung his spear back and forth.

"Well, it's fine not to change your weapons as long as its properly functioning, right?"

Ren shook his head.

"That doesn't matter right now, we'll leave it for later, anyways, what's really important is to gain and improve our abilities."

"So now we just party up, the four of us?" Naofumi finally spoke up at this moment.

As the other three started discussing, we being silent and watching them, Aultcray started speaking once more.

"Please wait, oh brave heroes. There is a legend that legendary heroes are not able to grow stronger when there is another nearby. So you should all prepare to move seperately."

At that moment, words appeared before us.

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[𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐱𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫.]

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I of course, already knew that, but the other heroes, mainly Ren and Motoyasu, started complaining. I also tuned them out at that moment.

"Oh heroes, you all need to recruit your own companions, and go on your adventures seperately. Tomorrow, I'll have gather up the best of comrades, and allow them to join your parties. The day is about to end, so please rest for the entirety of today. In the morning, I'll have your future comrades ready."

More like rigged comrades, I know none of them except that blasted Malty Melromarc, first, now second princess, will join Naofumi in order to frame him.

Disgusting.

Being excused, we all left the throne room, and were guided to our guest room.