episode_0035

*****

There is a man before my eyes. My greatest and strongest nemesis, stronger than any enemy I have faced so far.

The former leader of Genesis, he called himself ‘Odin’.

I know full well how terrible power is hidden in one eye hidden by long white hair. I lunged at Odin before the power could fully erupt.

“────.”

Through divine prophecy, miracles that tore up mountains and burned oceans occurred everywhere. If it is a true attack, no country will be safe from it. However, my senses, trained to the limit, avoided all the attacks.

“Oooot─!”

Okay. An arm made of strong muscles pierced his heart. When he saw that, he shook his head and quietly closed his eyes as if there was nothing he could do.

“Why on earth do you not follow the prophecies of the Bible?”

──I didn’t.

“What!?”

The development was different from what I remembered, and the fur all over my body stood on end. Even with blood dripping from the corner of his mouth, Odin had a puzzled expression on his face.

“I’m trying to save this world. Why are you interfering with it?”

“Don’t be funny! No one asked you to save it!”

that’s right. I answered that way. Although the order has changed, I still remember these questions and answers. I answered with as much confidence as I did then.

“You are always like that. Don’t doubt yourself. As if he knew everything in this world. As if I was even aware of the results of my actions.”

“It’s obvious even without looking at that! You think I’ve seen one or two guys like you!?”

“No, you already saw it. This world as a story.”

“ugh… !?”

This was also something I didn’t remember. Odin still spoke with a calm expression on my face as I was embarrassed.

“So how do you feel?”

“What a feeling… !”

“You killed me and saved countless people. You are truly a person worthy of being called a hero. Many people survive and those people live their own future. Even if you save just one person who was about to die, many things will change, but wouldn’t it be amazing if you saved tens of millions of people?”

“What on earth do you want to say!”

“Didn’t I just say that a moment ago? I asked how I felt.”

Originally, I would have ignored such nonsense. But somehow my mouth was moving to answer the question.

“Of course it’s awesome! How much better it has become compared to the world I knew!”

Smartphones came out. The game is coming out. Cafes and restaurants open on the streets, and people enjoy leisure and daily life. Heroes help people, and people admire such heroes.

This is truly the future we were aiming for.

“I see. Then let me ask you something else. How does it feel to completely erase someone’s life?”

“… !”

I widened my eyes at Odin’s words. But this was also something I did not remember. Of course, there was no answer I could give with confidence.

“Not just one person. Two people, three people, tens or even hundreds are not enough. How many people have you connected with the people you saved? How many people did you kill that you saved? As a result, how many people were unable to connect with the people they were supposed to connect with?”

“Shut up… .”

“Would we have had the same children just because we were with our original lovers? What if the date of the relationship was postponed by a month and a year instead of a day or two, and all existing relationships and relationships changed as a result?”

“I told you to shut up!”

“Can you handle the future ahead of you?”

I couldn’t listen to that nonsense anymore. I didn’t want to hear it. I was filled with an unprecedented killing intent and punched with all my might.

But that fist did not reach Odin.

“What… !?”

“Are you not aware of it?”

Odin, who was shorter than me, was suddenly looking down at me from above.

It was natural that my outstretched hand couldn’t reach. Before I knew it, my iron arm, which was full of muscle, had become the arm of a white and slender girl.

“This, you bastard! What have you done!”

“Nothing.”

He continued to throw punches from bottom to top, but it had no effect on Odin. Odin’s size began to grow. Or was I becoming smaller?

“Wow, the number… .”

My voice had suddenly become completely thin. It’s a girl’s voice. Not only the voice, but also the height, body, and hair had become completely that of a girl.

Odin, now a giant, reached out to me. One of his palms was bigger than my entire body. A huge palm was crushing me like catching an insect.

“You’re weak.”

The expression was still expressionless, but it also seemed sad somehow.

Kwasik.

***

“… Ah, dog dream.”

When I opened my eyes, the familiar ceiling of my room greeted me.

As I looked around, holding my dizzy head, the room was dark. What time is it? I checked my watch and it said 5 o’clock. Even if I wake up, they make me wake up at this odd time.

… Should I wash my face?

“Puha.”

After pouring cold water on him, he woke up a little. When I thought back on the dream from before with a slightly calmer head, I realized that it wasn’t even a dog dream. I think it might be because of the thoughts I had before going to bed.

“A character from the original work… .”

In fact, if it is new, it is new. I’ve changed the content of the ‘original work’ more than once or twice.

The good guys who would have died originally were saved, and the villains who would have lived were punished. I also defeated the dark final boss of the original. Wasn’t the reason he became this bastard in the first place because he had an accident while trying to stop the evil dragon that was causing trouble in the original work?

Of course, I know that this world goes somewhat as planned. Hwain, Raon, and Jeongyoung are all born and living according to the settings of the original work.

Well then, if the person who should have been born from my knowledge was not born. If you are not enjoying the life you deserve as a human being. Is it my fault?

“… … .”

… Maybe so. If dreams are a reflection of the unconscious, then that dog dream could be evidence that I also think that way, either consciously or unconsciously.

But still, we can say for sure.

I have absolutely no intention of taking responsibility for that.

There is no way to take responsibility in the first place. Who can say that I am evil? Do you mean to leave the person in front of you now for the sake of someone who may or may not be born in the future?

If there is such a person, I would like to see it. When people are screaming and clinging to you for help, can you tell them to die there because they can’t change the future?

It’s too much for me. There’s no way you can calculate the results of your actions one by one. I just kept reaching out to someone suffering in front of me.

Because a hero is someone who saves people.

“Because I am a hero.”

The girl’s mouth in the mirror moved exactly like what I said.

I thought I was pretty used to it until yesterday, but today the girl in the mirror felt unfamiliar. In the bathroom with the lights off, only the eyes in the mirror were strangely red.

The vertically slit pupils clearly revealed that this was not the body of an ordinary human girl.

Can this body really be me?

“… … Phew.”

I sighed and calmed my agitated mind. As expected, things are a bit strange today. No, was it from yesterday evening?

Sigh. I tapped my cheek hard. All my tangled thoughts were blown away by the tingling pain.

It’s not like me to worry about useless things. If you’re a hero, shouldn’t you be able to laugh off most things? I smiled mischievously while rubbing my red cheeks.

“Haha!”

The girl in the mirror was smiling full of herself.

It seemed similar to my smile when I was Asura, so I was quite satisfied.

Okay, let’s do our best today.

***

“Hey, Amiya. What’s going on? His expression doesn’t look very good.”

“Hwain must have said something strange again.”

“I haven’t done it yet today!”

Lunch hour. While we were having lunch together, Raon expressed concern. hmm. I tried to hide it, but did it show?

“Do I look that bad?”

“A little? I guess the mood is down, or I feel like I’m holding back a strange frown.”

“If your health is not good, you can rest at the infirmary. Since there are a lot of battles at our school, they take care of those things.”

“Isn’t it because you’re upset by Hwain’s slow progress?”

“Sorry… .”

“Don’t worry. Because it’s not really like that.”

Hwa-in had special training all day yesterday, but was unable to create any shape with his acting. Of course, that was because I originally planned to invest quite a bit of time into it. I didn’t expect much to change in just one day.

“I just had something to think about. And, I guess I ate something wrong in the morning and my stomach is starting to hurt.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to go to the bathroom? If you’re a high school student, you don’t really care about that kind of thing──”

“Jungyoung, don’t you have any consideration for girls?”

“Ah! ah! Hey, wait, it hurts! This is not a girl!”

The hammer created with Raon’s magic struck Jeongyeong’s head mercilessly. Next to him, Painter was looking away with an expression that said, ‘It was a good thing I didn’t say it first.’

It’s true that I’m tired because I didn’t sleep well, and my stomach hurts around the time I go to school. It doesn’t seem to be a stomach problem, so I’m seriously wondering if I really ate something wrong. Neither Sia nor I check things like expiration dates, so milk is the most suspicious.

My stomach hurts, I’m tired, my body is lethargic, I have no energy, and in many ways, I feel like I’m dying.

“Are you okay? Should I ask the teacher to skip training today?”

“Well. After looking at the situation a bit more──”

[Emergency situation occurs. Emergency situation occurs. Prediction of small to medium-sized dimensional cracks occurring in protection area 17. The team in charge of that branch will be dispatched immediately and the reserve team will also be on standby──]

I covered my face as the broadcast suddenly rang out. While I was contemplating whether to skip training or not, a crack opened up in my area of responsibility. It really makes me wonder what day it is today.

“If you don’t feel well, you can rest. If it’s a small or medium-sized business, it’s okay even if it’s just the three of us.”

“No. I really just have a bit of a stomach ache. There is no problem with fighting.”

“If you are. Be careful though.”

Even though I wasn’t feeling well, I didn’t want to give up my activities as a hero even though I could fight well. We fought even when things were much worse than this.

“Then, I will chant the flight magic for 4 people. ────”

Raon’s flight magic moved us to the area in charge at a decent speed. I landed in the middle of an empty city street.

“This time, there was enough time in advance, so the protective barrier and evacuation would have been completed. But just in case, Raon, return the search magic once more.”

“Okay!”

“Me, Jabberwock, and Fafnir wait here. In addition to us, heroes from classes B and C and freelance heroes will also come, so don’t overdo it.”

Hwain said, “It’s okay to not overdo it,” and his gaze was focused on me. what the. Who is worried about whom?

“You, be careful not to use Levatein in this fight. It’s only been a few days since I used it, so if I use it again, I could really end up in the hospital.”

“That too. Phew. The results of the special training should come out quickly.”

As we chatted for a moment, a purple crack opened in the sky and monsters fell out. The forecast of small to medium-sized monsters seemed to have been correct, so no particularly strong monsters were seen.

“Okay, let’s go wild!”

Exercise is the best way to relieve your tired body! Strengthening my body using the magical power I had amplified in advance, I jumped into the midst of the monsters.

Punch, and kick! Outstretched fists and kicks instantly turn a centipede-like monster into minced meat. The magic amplification value was much smaller than when dealing with Chimera troops, but it was not a big problem as the enemy level was low.

Rather, what worries me is that even after strengthening it with magical power, my stomach still hurt. Do I really need to go to the doctor after this fight?

“Inhale!

While I was thinking, I struck down a werewolf that rushed towards me with my fist. The werewolf fell to the ground, causing cracks in the asphalt, and stopped moving.

As I was putting my foot down to finish, I saw that all the other kids were fighting well too. What was especially noticeable was Jeong Young’s growth, as if he had learned something from the previous melee, and was fighting monsters at a considerable speed, flashing back and forth.

The reason why Hwain did not give instructions as a leader may be because he judged that this small level of individual skill was sufficient. The painter himself was immersing himself in the monster, one by one, even without a flame. Although the pace was slow, progress was steady.

“It’s dangerous there!”

“Ah, thank you!”

Because it was a fierce battle in the city, Raon was focusing on backup this time. Raon’s talent of being able to use all types of magic was very useful in this regard as well. It filled in the gaps of people in Class B and freelancers who had relatively low skills.

If things continue like this, it won’t take that long. After holding on to the monster for a while, as if my thoughts were correct, one of the freelance heroes shouted.

“It’s coming, it’s a key monster!”

“Mooo──!”

Key monsters, simply put, are boss mobs. A huge minotaur nearly 4 meters tall was howling and holding an axe.

“Minotaur… !?”

“Don’t be scared! That’s just an ordinary minotaur! It can’t be compared to Doctor Goe’s.”

“But it’s much bigger than the last one?”

“It’s so big, but even if dozens of minotaurs attack it, that small minotaur will blow them all away, right?”

At that time, I think the monster’s Minotaur, which did not flinch despite my full-strength attacks, was quite impressive to Surtur and Jabberwock. But Surtur seemed to have come to his senses a little by my story and quickly gave instructions.

“Other heroes, please get out of the way, our team will take care of this! Fafnir stands in front, Raon chants! Jabberwock to the side!”

“Okay!”

“Leave it to me!”

“As much as you want.”

In the case of hero schools, Class A has priority for combat instructions, and freelance heroes generally tend to follow the instructions of the school heroes. Although they expressed concerns about whether 4 people would be enough, everyone stayed behind for now.

“Now, now, swing it a little better!”

“Mooo!”

The ax hit was powerful enough to get stuck in the asphalt, but to me it only seemed like he was struggling.

Instead of getting stuck in the asphalt in the first place, I avoided being hit by an ax that destroyed the asphalt and everything else. Although there was a slight difference in horsepower compared to then, it wasn’t a big problem.

“Definitely. This guy is full of loopholes.”

“Hwaap!”

Jabberwock and Surt cut down the Minotaur at the right place. The wounds on the Minotaur’s body increased and its movements became sluggish.

Unable to withstand the continued accumulation of damage, the Minotaur launched a large charge. Of course, because I had already noticed it beforehand, I easily dodged the charge and tripped the Minotaur.

When the rolling minotaur adjusted its posture, Raon’s magic was already flying right in front of him.

“Flare Spear!”

A huge fireball with a diameter of 5 meters completely burned the Minotaur. The Minotaur’s fur has some resistance to magic, but it is torn considerably by Surtur and Jabberwock’s attacks, so it will not have much effect.

“Mooo──!”

In the end, in less than 5 minutes, the Minotaur was completely blackened and collapsed.

It looks like it’s alive because it’s still twitching, but it will die even if I leave it alone, and I have no intention of leaving it in the first place.

“Hey, Surtur, can I hit you at the end?”

“You too… . Yeah, I guess it’s revenge for the last Minotaur.”

No matter how much it was weakened, it was a bit prideful that it could not land an effective hit on the Minotaur. Of course, this minotaur is a far lower level than that minotaur, but isn’t that what anger is all about?

“Okay, then──”

“Wait a minute, there! It’s dangerous!”

While I was twirling my arms and thinking about how to deliver the finishing blow, several freelance heroes were running towards the Minotaur.

Are you greedy for the proportion of extermination? Or monster material? I don’t care either way, but it’s not polite behavior.

“Mooo──!”

At that moment, the Minotaur, who was thought to be dead, suddenly stood up. You survived that fireball!?

I reflexively looked at my opponent, but I wasn’t able to completely withstand it. Almost half of the Minotaur’s upper body was completely ashes. It was completely unexpected to see that level of movement in that state.

“Aaagh!?”

And it must have been like a thunderbolt to the freelance heroes who were approaching the Minotaur.

“Raon!”

“No, I just blew something big so it’s impossible to do it immediately!”

I threw myself away while leaving Surtur and Raon’s conversation behind. The Minotaur’s fist was already flying towards the heroes.

Oh really, why are those heroes blanking out!

“Go away from the rain──Ugh.”

The direction of the Minotaur’s fist was not good. I had no choice but to block the punch after pushing the heroes in its path.

Fortunately, it wasn’t too late, but it was impossible to completely throw away the Minotaur’s huge fist while my posture was broken. The fist smashed through my guard and landed in my lower abdomen.

Ah, paaat… !

“Fafnir! Damn that damn cow!”

I slowly got up from being stuck on the exterior wall of the building. From beyond, Raon’s flame magic was seen once again hitting the Minotaur surrounded by the Jabberwock’s shadow. That would probably completely suffocate me.

Ouch… . I got hit knowingly, but it hurts quite a bit. Still, I was able to absorb a lot of the impact while jumping backwards, so there wasn’t that much damage.

“Fafnir, are you okay!?”

“Ah, ah… . how how. Blood… .”

“Damn. I just remembered those two people’s faces. No. I’ll catch them both now.”

However, somehow the kids’ reaction was much more serious than expected. Guys? I wasn’t hurt that bad?

Only then did I notice that Surtur and Raon’s gaze was slightly lowered. What on earth are my legs like? .

“Wow, what is this!?”

It’s so bloody!

“This is strange? The impact must have been properly reduced, right?”

“You fool! There’s no need to brag at times like this!”

“That’s right! There’s so much blood! Ah, what should I do, really… .”

I didn’t feel the need to wear a suit, so I was fighting in my school uniform, but the gym pants I wore under my skirt were completely covered in blood. To be honest, I’m a little scared too.

No, but there’s no way it would bleed like this, right? My stomach still throbs, but most of the damage from the attack has long since disappeared. But then where on earth does this blood come from?

… ah. no way.

“Uh, wait a minute. Guys. Will you listen to me?”

“I’m sorry, even as a team leader, I can’t just ignore this incident. Please rest for now. please. Raon, please give me recovery magic first.”

“Ah, yes! that’s right. I’ll chant right now. ────”

“No, this is not an injury─”

“Sorry, someone please call the association’s medical team! hurry! There is an injured person!”

“Heel! heel! Uh, uh… ? Why doesn’t the bleeding stop!?”

The two made all kinds of fuss and informed the surroundings of the current situation. No, this is the correct response when a patient occurs. That’s true, but… .

“What’s going on?”

“I think I was hit hard by the Minotaur’s struggle. I think I’m bleeding. Is there anyone who can use recovery magic?”

“Oh my god, such a small child… . Pity me… .”

Of course, the heroes around me gathered around me to see what was going on. Among them, there were people who saw my condition and whispered.

So this is not bleeding! No, that’s true, but it’s not the bleeding!

“Sorry, Fafnir. Even if it hurts, please be patient just a little longer. Because I called the medical team.”

“… okay. Now let’s just leave it at that. No, just kill me here… .”

Ah, how did things end up like this… . I wonder what day it really is today. Ah, what day is right? haha.

I felt as if my face was on fire, and I prayed and prayed that no one would discover the true nature of my injury until the association’s emergency team arrived.

*****