Chapter 0 – Prologue

Martial artists are idiots.

No, wait.

Since the word “idiot” is used for humans, those martial artist bastards don’t even qualify as idiots.

Monkeys, apes, chimpanzees.

Beasts that mimic humans.

The difference between such beasts and humans is clear.

It’s whether or not they can use tools.

By now, that difference has become even more apparent.

Swordsmen wield swords.

One guy I know can split the earth and cut the sky with a single swing.

Mages use magic.

Similarly, one mage I know can twist the very principles of the world. And that bastard even put a hole in my stomach. Damn him.

Saints can reattach severed limbs.

I’ve seen them save people on the brink of death.

Archers shoot down dragons with their bows.

So, what about martial artists?

They use their fists.

Oh, and they use their feet, too.

Apparently, according to them, if they reach a certain level, their body, including their fists, becomes the ultimate weapon.

But wouldn’t it be easier and more convenient to just grab a weapon and get stronger that way?

When I say that, the martial artist retorts that they can just break the weapon.

Then I counter again.

I’ll just carry more weapons, like me.

At that point, the martial artist can’t argue back and just sulks.

They sulk and whine about not wanting to carry the luggage.

The chimpanzee sniffling beside me right now is exactly like that.

“Stop sniffling.”

“Sniff… sob… What do I do… what do I do… It’s because of me… Because of me, Ronan… sniff, I’m sorry, I’m… I’m sorry…”

“Urgh… Pff, what the hell are you talking about? Why would I die because of you?”

“When Kaloso shot that spell, Ronan… you took it instead of me…”

That’s right. I did take the hit for this chimpanzee.

I tried to block it, but since it was a sneak attack, it just blew a hole right through my stomach.

Even though I tried to hide it so she wouldn’t notice, she figured it out somehow. Has her intelligence improved from hanging around with us?

But that doesn’t mean I want to agree with Arisa, this chimpanzee.

Because it’s coming from her.

“It’s not because of you, so stop crying and wipe your nose. It’s dripping all over your face. Ugh, seriously.”

“Oh, what should I do? An elixir… the elixir… No, Luna! Luna! Please, please, do something. If Luna prays…”

“…Alright, alright. I’ll do what I can for now…”

“Luna, what are you talking about? Don’t waste your divine power on someone who’s already dead. Save it. And if you’re going to use it anyway, wipe that snot off her face instead.”

“…Shut up, Ronan.”

Well, look at that.

Now even that crazy saint is crying.

She didn’t shed a single tear when all those people from the Holy Kingdom were slaughtered, but she cries when someone like me is about to die?

I wanted to snap at Luna too, but the blood kept bubbling up in my throat, making it hard to speak.

When there’s a big hole in your stomach, shouldn’t the blood pour out of the hole? Why the hell is it coming up my throat?

Grinding my teeth in frustration, I exhaled. Along with the breath, a spray of blood spurted out.

Seeing that, Arisa started bawling even harder, tears and snot dripping onto my face.

But now, I don’t even have the strength to get mad.

Even that sticky feeling is fading.

My body, sprawled out on the ground, sinks lower. My eyelids grow heavy, and my jaw trembles.

Damn it.

I forced myself to turn my head and looked at Paulo, who was standing there, trembling, his teeth clenching hard enough to click together.

The Hero.

The first Hero chosen by the Holy Relic, Paulo.

“Hey.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Why the hell are you apologizing? No, fine. If you really feel sorry, do me one favor.”

I took a deep, strained breath.

“That bastard Kaloso, who betrayed us. Rip him apart and kill him.”

I’m sure my eyes are still wide open, but my vision is going dark. My breath is fading, and my voice is weakening.

“And kill the Demon King, too.”

Each word feels like I’m spitting out nails, the pain sharp in my throat.

But still, I have to say this one last thing.

“Hey, Arisa.”

Cough. A jet of dark blood surged up.

At this rate, I won’t be able to say what I want.

Damn Kaloso.

I forced my failing organs to wake up, pushing out the last words I could manage in this situation.

“Stop crying.”

I used to always tease her for being ugly when she smiled.

But she looks even uglier when she cries.

“Chimpanzees don’t cry.”

With those words, I died.

Or at least, I should have.

***

“I’m sorry, could you repeat that? What did you say your specialty was?”

“Martial arts.”

“Martial… arts?”

“Yes.”

“…I see. Please wait a moment.”

Click-click, scribble-scribble, bang!

“All done. The date for the entrance exam is written in the second section, so please check it and make sure you arrive on time. Thank you.”

“Yes.”

I took the paper handed to me by the receptionist, who was looking at me with pity.

A large picture of a girl with pink hair in pigtails was printed on it.

The application form for Karela Academy.

The applicant’s name: Eliaernes Eustetia.

Specialty: Martial Arts.

I, who died facing the Demon King, was reborn.

As a chimpanzee… no.

As a martial artist.