Ch.78Bitter Reality

Three minutes. Just a three-minute difference, and I almost died. If the fire at our school had happened at 3 o’clock instead of 11, I would have really died. But I survived somehow, so I guess it doesn’t matter?

Anyway, only the final trial remains now. The trial where I have to defeat the previous Hero.

It’s impossible. How can I defeat a Hero who fights seriously when they can single-handedly take down even the Demon King?

Still, I have to go. Otherwise, there would be no point in escaping from the other world.

I should tell Ju-an to let me go soon. I can’t move at all while he’s holding me like this.

But let me stay a little longer. Right now, I really want to feel human warmth.

While I was enjoying the comfort and warmth of Ju-an’s embrace, Ha-eun spoke up.

“Um… Senior Ju-an? How long are you planning to stay like that?”

“…Oh.”

Ju-an hurriedly pulled away from me. But it still wasn’t enough…

…I must have really missed the warmth of a real person, not a doll. Anyway, Ju-an cleared his throat a few times and said:

“S-Should we go take on the next trial?”

“Uh… yeah, let’s do that.”

Ju-an and I awkwardly moved forward. Seriously, what were we doing in front of others…

***

When we arrived at the location for the final trial, a voice was heard.

“The final trial is to defeat the previous Hero. But that would be impossible for you. So I’ll give you a special opportunity.”

Suddenly, two swords appeared before our eyes. A sharp dagger and a rusty greatsword.

“The moment when the previous Hero first arrived here, and right after the previous Hero defeated the Demon King. Choose the opponent you think you can handle.”

And a door where we could insert the swords appeared. It seems we need to choose our opponent and insert the corresponding sword.

“Wouldn’t it be better to just choose the moment when he first arrived?”

An inexperienced opponent is much better than a skilled one. So there’s no need to even think about it. But Ju-an and Ha-eun seem to think differently.

“I think the latter would be better.”

“I think so too.”

“Why? Isn’t an inexperienced opponent much better?”

“If it’s right after defeating the Demon King, he must be extremely exhausted. So we could win easily.”

I guess I was thinking too simply. Well, that does change things.

The previous Hero would have taken significant damage and used up a lot of energy fighting the Demon King.

“Still, wouldn’t an inexperienced opponent be better?”

“I don’t have confidence in defeating the previous Hero when he first arrived here.”

“Can’t you just stop time and cut his throat?”

“If the opponent is much stronger than me, even slowing down time would be difficult.”

“Then what about overwhelming him with skill or strength?”

“Do you know how the previous Hero passed this trial?”

Surely by overwhelming power…

…I almost made a terrible mistake by choosing the first option. If I had, we would have died without being able to do anything.

“So we’re going with the latter?”

“But unlike the former, the latter is completely leaving it to luck, which makes me uneasy.”

“We can’t win with the former anyway. So it’s better to at least take a chance with luck.”

I’m neutral. Ju-an leans toward the latter, and Ha-eun is completely for the latter. I wonder what Tae-yang thinks?

“Tae-yang? What do you think?”

“I just want to run away right now.”

“But if you had to choose, what would you pick?”

“I would choose the former.”

That was an unexpected answer. Does he have some secret plan?

“Why would you choose the former?”

“Do you know that becoming a Hero gives you an advantage in all matchups?”

“Yes. But why?”

“Then the effects of supernatural powers are also reduced. But in the former case, he doesn’t have the mark yet.”

“So neither of us can stop time, it’s the same.”

“…Do you know what my ability is?”

It was definitely an ability that could interfere with the mind. Since Leo is also human, that ability would be fatal to him.

Anyway, Tae-yang continued speaking with a confident voice.

“If it’s the former, if I can just grab him, I might be able to subdue him immediately.”

“By interfering with his mind and ordering him to stop?”

“Would such a thing work on someone much stronger than me?”

“Then how are you going to subdue him?”

“I’ll just completely destroy his mind. That’s easier and more effective than giving orders, so it will definitely work.”

That does give us a reason to choose the former. If we can create just one opening, we can win.

Anyway, I distanced myself from Tae-yang for my safety. Tae-yang shouted as if he felt wronged.

“It’s not even real, it’s fake, right? So it doesn’t matter what I do to his mind…”

“Um… it’s a bit scary, so could you not shout?”

I know Tae-yang is a good person. But when a blonde, tanned tough guy says he’s going to destroy someone’s mind, anyone would be scared.

I’m not the only one reacting this way. Ha-eun has also subtly distanced herself, and Ju-an is also somewhat wary of Tae-yang.

“…I really feel wronged.”

“I understand, so let’s keep some distance for a while.”

“I can understand Lite, but Senior Ju-an and Senior Ha-eun, aren’t you being too harsh?”

“I’m… sorry. But that ability is really dangerous…”

“I’m really sorry too. But like Senior Ju-an said, you have a very dangerous ability. So please understand.”

They say they’re sorry, but Ju-an and Ha-eun are still wary of Tae-yang. Then Tae-yang took out a scroll from his pocket and said:

“I’m just going to go back.”

And everything froze. When will he actually go back?

After about 2 minutes, Tae-yang spoke with a slightly tearful voice:

“…You’re not even trying to stop me anymore?”

“No… we’re respecting your choice! Right, Ju-an?”

“Uh… right. Forcing you to come might backfire.”

“Besides, we kind of forced you to come with us in the first place, right? That’s been bothering me. So I won’t try to stop you anymore.”

Ha-eun didn’t say anything and just remained silent. But she was avoiding Tae-yang’s gaze.

Seeing all this, Tae-yang laughed dejectedly and said:

“I’m really going back. Please don’t ever look for me again.”

And Tae-yang unfolded the scroll to really go back. If things get any worse here, it could be really bad.

“Um… I really believe in you! You don’t have the nerve to do something like that anyway, right?”

“I know Tae-yang well, and he’s definitely not that kind of person.”

“That’s right. Do you even know how kind Tae-yang is, senior?”

So the three of us desperately tried to explain. Then Tae-yang asked us with a tone full of dissatisfaction:

“Then why are you still being wary of me?”

We couldn’t give any answer. I mean, how can you resist when your instincts are screaming danger…

Anyway, we started to form a plan. Still keeping our distance from Tae-yang.

***

While forming our plan, we discovered an unexpected fact. Ju-an had awakened his second supernatural power when he almost died at the hands of a demon before.

Anyway, Ju-an’s second ability makes opponents slow down more and more as they get closer, until they eventually appear to stop.

That sounds like Zeno’s paradox. Anyway, while Ju-an holds the opponent in place with that ability, Tae-yang will make contact with them.

And immediately destroy their mind. That’s the temporary plan we’ve established.

“So I’m inserting this?”

I said, holding the small dagger. Once I insert this, the final trial will begin.

As I inserted the dagger into the door, it opened, and someone’s voice was heard again.

“What would you do if the plan you’ve carefully crafted completely falls apart? I suppose a true Hero would be able to adapt flexibly to such situations.”

The mysterious voice continued, giggling as if amused:

“The Hero right after defeating the Demon King. That’s your opponent. Good luck.”

And Leo appeared before us. To make matters worse, Leo is standing there without any injuries.

We’re screwed.

“Calm down! Even Heroes aren’t completely immune to supernatural powers, so let’s stick to the plan!”

Ju-an shouted urgently. According to the plan, when Leo charges at us, Ju-an will intercept him.

So Leo began approaching us.

“…What’s wrong with him?”

But Leo’s condition seems very strange. His gait lacks power, and there’s no vitality in his actions.

Anyway, Leo walked up to us without any fighting spirit. And Ju-an attacked Leo according to the plan. Then…

Squelch.

Ju-an’s sword pierced Leo’s heart. And Leo, with lifeless eyes, muttered softly with what seemed like genuine happiness:

“Zoe… finally… to your side…”

And so Leo died. With a truly happy expression on his face. And from somewhere, the mysterious voice was heard:

“Boring. But you passed the trial.”

“…What exactly happened here?”

“You defeated the Hero right after he defeated the Demon King. That’s it.”

“No, why is Leo like this?!”

“I guess the Demon King cast some curse before dying.”

Suddenly, four emblems fell in front of us. And from somewhere, a voice that sounded bored was heard:

“The trials are over now. Take those and go back.”

And so the Hero trials ended. In a truly bitter and empty way.