23

**Warning: Somewhere near the end of chapter there will be something about math equations. It’s best to close your eyes and move on.
 * TN: Skill Resistance(SS) changed to Tolerance(SS), Throwing(SS) changed to Fighting Skill(SS)

I was in a different class despite being Level 1—my Skills had been completely preserved with the Black-Box’s power. Thanks to that, the range of choices I could take had widened greatly.

… What to do? It was like, while in the middle of choosing between vanilla and chocolate flavor, I was introduced to an ice cream shop with 32 flavors. I began to feel a dilemma in making a choice.

▷Regret: They say promises are pitfalls for the foolish… I previously promised that I would not comment on Student Kang Han Soo’s development, but how? How has your Skills remained despite regressing?

‘Professor Morals. I’m the student who received an SS-grade. A veteran of a different league compared to a timid greenhorn hero who peeks at Lanuvel’s behind. It’s already my second time just regressing! My 3rd Playthrough! Wouldn’t I be a retard if I wasn’t extraordinary despite this?’

▷Perplexed: I, I do not know. How could such a thing…

Professor Morals left, muttering incoherently to himself. Apparently the teaching staff thought the mosaic Skill would also disappear if I regressed again; however, Black-Box had survived. Survived the tyranny of the arbitrary Fantasy God.

“Heheh…!”

The moment I left the audience chamber, I laughed holding my belly for a long while. It felt like a part of the stress piled up from the 2nd Playthrough was being released.

“Mr. Kang Han Soo. Did something amusing happen or…?” asked Sieg after seeing off Lanuvel with a regretful face.

Ah! Was I being too obvious?

“It’s just, this fantasy situation is too outrageous. And Sieg, call me casually without being shy, as Han Soo. We’re precious companions dreaming of returning to beautiful Earth where cultured folk live, after all.

He was an important friend who would allow me to embrace my graduation certificate, lacking in no way as a companion.

“Hm hm! R-, right. Companions! Then I’ll speak casually, Han Soo! But returning to Earth? I’m not going to, though.”

“What-?!”

“Keh-keh?! Let go and talk! I, I can’t breathe!”

“You won’t take down the Demon King?!”

This punk would be utterly useless in that case. It was bad enough I was pissed at the failed negotiation due to there being two heroes.

“I’ll still go after the Demon King!”

“… Is that right?”

I released my grip on the spot between Sieg’s 6th and 7th cervical vertebrae which I’d been holding as if by reflex. He collapsed to the ground, shedding a tear.

“Cough-cough! You’re strong, Han Soo.”

“Well that’s because…”

We were both Level 1 heroes, but the gap in our respective strengths was extremely large like comparing an anchovy to a cachalot. And that wasn’t all to it—this disparity in power would not lessen, but only grow further in higher Levels.

“You’re amazing even though you’re Level 1 and only have the Skill Interpretation(A) like me.”

“… Mm?”

What was this guy saying? Could this be…

“Seeing how you’ve got a good build too, you must have exercised hard on Earth.”

“A bit.”

Heroes could see the Status of others as they liked, and fellow heroes were no exception; however, Sieg was spouting nonsense despite having seen my Status. My only Skill was Interpretation(A)?

▷Race: Chaos Human ▷Level: 1 ▷Job: Hero(EXP 500%) ▷Skills: Battle Spirit(SSS) Evil Miasma(SS) Tolerance(SS) Chaos(SS) Deadly Venom(SS) Physical Strength(SS) Endurance(SS) Agility(SS) Fighting Skill(SS) Massacre(SS) Five Senses(SS) Boxing(S) Swordsmanship(S) Slaughter(S) Hand-to-hand Combat(S) Constitution(S) Fortitude(S) Destruction(S) Stamina(S) Judgement(S) Immortal(S) Oblivion(S) Breath(S) Recovery(S) Perseverance(S) Vitality(S) Tenacity(S) Resistance(S) Regeneration(S) Immunity(S) Calm Mind(S) Iron Wall(S) Indestructible Body(S) Spear Throwing(S) Roar(S) Taunt(S) Berserk(S) Tracking(S) Vigor(S)… ■■F ▷Status: Bewildered

He couldn’t see this?

It seemed that Sieg didn’t even know of Black-Box’s existence. I changed the subject to hide my puzzlement.

“Look here, Sieg. Why are you going to defeat the Demon King if you have no intention of returning to Earth? For what purpose?”

“Because they say the Demon King’s resurrection has put this world in danger!” answered Sieg without hesitation, clenching his fists hard.

“Hmm… is that so.”

I took it as that he had no mind to returned to the home planet he was born and raised on, but would fight to protect this fantasy world where he would live in from now on. I decided to respect Sieg’s dream.

As long as he took down the Demon King with me! Then it wasn’t of my concern whether he refused graduation and kept remaining in ‘class’ or took a leave of absence.

We came to an agreement to meet again after 5 days, at Alex’s exciting orientation.

Sieg wanted to go outside the palace and freely tour this fantasy world, but I had lived over 10 years in this place; I was no different from a local instead of a tourist, and thus I refused to accompany him. What was the point of two grown males going around together like partners?

“Sir Hero~ Where are you going~?”

“… Lanuvel?”

“Yes! I’m Lanuvel!”

“Put down that cute ac… Anyway, I wasn’t making sure of your name. I was asking why you’re here. Aren’t you supposed to be chasing after Sieg?”

I had treated Lanuvel harshly ever since I was summoned, while in contrast Sieg was amiable towards her. She didn’t have any other options up to the 2nd Playthrough, as there was only one hero, but there were two as of present. Companion No.1 could choose the hero she would adventure with. It wasn’t even necessary to compare which hero she wanted to take care of more, and yet…

“Why would I do that?”

Lanuvel tilted her head to the side, acting cute.

“What about Sieg?”

“I wouldn’t know.”

“Lanuvel. He’s a hero too.”

Although Sieg did behave rudely by openly staring at the buttocks of a lady, the Lanuvel I knew was carefree and was very tolerant in that aspect. What, then, could be the reason? This Lanuvel who was loafing about before me had no memories of the 2nd Playthrough. She could even be called a different person entirely. We had not had any prior contact; we were strangers meeting for the first time today. However, she was standing before me.

Just why?

“I’m an archaeologist chasing after legends.”

“So?”

“I’ve researched the lives and achievements of past heroes who were summoned into this continent of Fantasia. Those heroes shared numerous common points, but something about Sir Hero Han Ssoo is different, while Sieg was the spitting image of a hero I expected.”

I could understand all too painfully well what Lanuvel was trying to say. It had to be why I couldn’t graduate and ended up on my 3rd Playthrough, a third-time student!

However…

“What does that have to do with you following me like a puppy?”

“Umm… because I find you novel?”

“Scram!”

“Ah! Don’t be like that and let’s go together, Sir Hero!”

I ignored Lanuvel and continued walking. My destination was the queen’s villa; a lavish wooden building constructed at the heart of a small forest, which strictly prohibited the entry of common folk due to it being a hunting ground exclusive to royalty.

Although it was an open secret I found out in the 1st Playthrough, the villa was designed by order of the Dumpling King due to his penchant for exciting outdoor action. He had initially gone in and out of the forest almost daily with the queen, but as their two sons and daughter grew up, it became difficult to hold those thrilling rendezvous. As a result, the king gave up and gave the resting area to the queen as a gift of nostalgia; however, because the entry prohibition remained in effect and the area became very much closed off…

In the end, it was abused as a secret meeting place.

“There are guard dogs as I expected.”

5 doggies guarding the villa. They were trained to unconditionally bark if anyone aside from the trainer, maids, or the queen approached.

“Excuse me, Sir Hero? This is a restricted area.”

“Go back if you don’t like it. By yourself.”

“Aww…”

Lips pouting like a goldfish, Lanuvel didn’t natter any further and instead merely observed me with an interested gaze. I ignored her and checked the direction of the wind, then exhaled.

“Huuu”

As a mere Level 1, it would be difficult for me to simultaneously deal with those 5 guard dogs quietly; however, it would become an entirely different story if a high-rank Skill was included in the equation—SS-rank Deadly Venom, also known as Hero’s Breath! Taking care of house guard dogs was easy as pie.

There was an instant response.

“Arf-?!”

“Au-au~?!”

2 guard dogs in the middle of patrolling were poisoned and died immediately. The remaining 3 dogs ran over upon hearing their death throes and suffered the same fate.

With this, all of the guard dogs were dealt with.

“Lanuvel. Follow me.”

Since she had come along anyway, I decided to use her as insurance.

“… Yes? Yes!”

While Lanuvel openly stared at me with round eyes, I broke the lock on the villa’s entrance and quietly snuck in.

I didn’t worry about being caught by the queen, as I had seen her at the king’s audience chamber a while ago. It was extremely unlikely that she would head straight over to the villa, raising her husband’s suspicion. She would likely have a comfortable meal with her family since they had all gathered and then make her way over here slowly, or come here around tomorrow dawn or morning.

There was only one person watching the villa.

▷Race: Human ▷Level: 34 ▷Job: Maid(Owner→Charm↑) ▷Skills: Charm(C) Chores(D) Evil Miasma(E) Constitution(F) ▷Status: Relaxed, Resting

The queen’s personal maid. She spent all her days in the villa and took care of all the housework alone. One might think the workload too severe for a delicate female, but an individual at Level 5 possessed the stamina of an athlete on Earth—Level 34 equaled the ability to really fly around like a Hong Kong movie actor.

‘She even has Evil Miasma. Oh? It’s E-rank.’

This maid was far stronger than the usual Level 34 individual because she borrowed the power of the demon she contracted. She was just so-so to me, though.

The moment the maid showed her back to me, still unaware of the intruder’s presence, I leaped as lightly as a feather.

I didn’t make any sounds of footsteps or leave any traces of my movement, because my assassin-type Skills were at least A-rank and adding to that, my basic Skills which had achieved SS-rank caused a synergistic effect. It was with this combination that I killed even the Elf King in the 2nd Playthrough. A maid was really nothing at all. Although it would have been good if I could quietly deal with her using poison like with the guard dogs, I chose the certain method as, no matter how superior the Skill, it was simply too precarious at Level 1.

Crack.

I struck the Level 34 maid’s slender neck with the back of my hand, not giving her even the chance to resist. My abilities already far surpassed that of someone at Level 1, but this was but the beginning.

Level 1→Level 12

Following the rise of my Level with the EXP obtained from killing the maid, the efficiency of all my Skills rose slightly. Normally, this would be the end of it, but I had so many high-rank Skills that my combat ability surged to the extent that it couldn’t be measured simply by several multiples.

‘Let’s use a math equation like an educated person!’

Sieg: Level 1, Interpretation(A) (9+1)*(10+6)=160

Maid: Level 34, Charm(C) Chores(D) Evil Miasma(E) Constitution(F) (9+34)*(10+4+3+2+1)=860

Me: Level 1, Alot of Skills At Any Rate (9+1)*(10+9+8+8+8+8+8+8+8+8+8+8+7+7+7+7+7+7+7+7+7+7+7+7+7+7+7+7+7+7+7+7+7+7+7+7+7+7+7+7+7+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6+6…+1)=???

Combat ability isn’t actually calculated like this. Livelihood-assistance Skills such as Sieg’s Interpretation(A), the maid’s Charm(C) and Chores(D) had to be excluded, while the synergistic effect of similar skills acted as a variable, and the values of Skill ranks weren’t exact like in a computer game. It was merely an example that showed it was something like this.

“Very nice.”

It felt like playing a role-playing game on a GM’s account.

“… Uh, Sir Hero? You are Level 1, right?”

“No. Level 12 now.”

“…”

Lanuvel rolled her eyes, at a loss. She wasn’t capable of seeing the Status of others, but she had identified the black energy seeping out from the body of the maid who had died with her neck twisted in an abnormal direction—the power of a demon, Evil Miasma. She seemed surprised that a Level 1 Hero had managed to kill the maid despite this fact.

I decided to take the initiative before she asked anything.

“Lanuvel, if you’re going to keep following, then shut it. Don’t ask.”

“Aww… okay.”

There were magic circle traps set up in various places inside the villa; however, the remarkable genius magician Lanuvel naturally didn’t fall for them, while I treated them like air since I had SS-rank Immunity and Tolerance.

Our destination was decided from the beginning.

Click.

I opened the lock of a purple closet and went straight along the secret passage within. My goal was the demon worshipers’ meeting place—the cultist leader was in the middle of holding a speech.

“Hi?”

I feigned acquaintance first.

“Who, who are you?! How did you enter?!”

I activated Evil Miasma(SS) at the cultist leader’s question. That in itself was answer enough.

▷Race: Demon ▷Level: 194 ▷Job: Magician(Age→Magic Power↑) ▷Skills: Evil Miasma(B) Magic(C) Magic Power(D) Transformation(D) Preaching(E) ▷Status: Fear, Confused

The demon who had transformed into a human cultist leader trembled all over the moment he felt my SS-rank Evil Miasma. It made for a good ID card.

“Listen up, B-rank. I’m taking over here from today on. You’ll deal with the bothersome management, I’ll give out the easy orders. Got a problem with that?

“I, I do not! Oh great demon archduke!”

The B-rank demon prostrated himself as if in submission.

“Oh great one!”

“Oh great one!”

The demon worshipers who had been standing blankly also caught on and followed the cultist leader in prostrating before me, one after another.

“Uh, Sir Hero?”

“Hey. Get a clue and zip it, will you.”

“…”

After silencing Lanuvel, I stood before the B-rank demon and his worshipers, and began to give a speech.

The key point was to speak in a lowered voice.

“All of you listen! You maggot-like followers! We will rule this kingdom from within the darkness of chaos. To take the first step to that end, I’ll explain in detail what you lot will have to do.”

“Ooh!”

“Oooh!”

There was something I’d realized while observing Sieg in the audience chamber, and it was your reputation would rise in leaps if you worked for free. Therefore, as a seasoned hero on his 3rd Playthrough, I decided to labor for no cost with a magnanimous heart, so that the Dumpling King could rest easy.

“I’m taking over this kingdom.”

=============================================== ==

This kingdom was a playground for the B-rank demon and its worshipers before I was summoned as a hero, but they were easy to collapse. The cult would immediately fall like dominoes as long as the B-rank demon which provided Evil Miasma to its ardently loyal worshipers was taken out, and so I tried taking the opposite approach.

I forced the B-rank demon into submission, and the demon worshipers came with it as an added bonus. I had obtained a toy that was the kingdom in but moments, and even this private conversation which was taking place somewhere in the royal palace was one of the results following what I did.

The queen goes bark.

“Oh my beloved. I think we must aid Sir Hero by providing funds for his activities.”

And the king’s response?

“Activity funds? Why put money towards such a useless…”

“I beseech you.”

As the kingdom’s number one beauty hugged the king’s forearm and begged him, his expression eased in an instant. The change wasn’t simply because he was in a good mood—his eyes were slack as if hypnotized.

The king replied in an even voice.

“… It can’t be helped if my queen says that much.”

“And Your Majesty, he is not a useless hero, but a great individual whom we must hold in high esteem. Please bear this in mind.”

“… I understand.”

Having finished her business with her potbellied husband, the queen sent me a wink.

▷Race: Human ▷Level: 36 ▷Job: Queen(Favor→Devilishness↑) ▷Skills: Devilishness(B) Charm(B) Evil Miasma(C) Elegance(C) Sociability(E)… ▷Status: Corrupted, Passion, Horny

The B-rank demon’s joker card was none other than the queen of this country. She was the demon worshiper who needed to be watched the most.

I had enhanced the Evil Miasma of this joker card. Following the rise of her Evil Miasma from E-rank to C-rank, her Devilishness which was deeply related to the former also rose from D-rank to B-rank. Devilishness was the power to bewitch the opposite sex.

The Dumpling King handed over to me a bag of money like he did in the 2nd Playthrough. He did so peacefully, neither of us fighting with flushed faces. There would be no problems in my character grading with this. It was proof that I had grown compared to how I was in the 2nd Playthrough.

“I’ll use it well, Your Majesty.”

“It is my humble joy to be of help to you, great hero. Please tell me whenever you need more.”

“I’ll do that. Beautiful queen? I hope that your beauty will be unfading and long-lasting in the days to come.”

The queen’s dream had already been achieved—her Evil Miasma had risen from E-rank to C-rank with my help. She had become more bewitching and lustful than before.

“Hehe! To be of help to Sir Hero is my very joy. I wish to treat you to some tea in my villa later on.”

It likely wouldn’t end at some tea.

“When there’s time, Your Majesty.”

I took my leave after bidding the Dumpling King farewell.

Although there was also the method of collecting money from the demon worshipers, I couldn’t lay a hand on the money they had obtained through illegal means: drugs, human trafficking, murder, blackmail, loansharking… My character grading would only go down if I were to use money earned through all kinds of vile deeds, and that was why I returned all of it to the populace. In exchange, I legally received activity funds from the king.

Rattle!

The sound of the money bag full of gold coins was truly pleasing to my ear. Perhaps it was all the more satisfying since it was a service received after working hard.

This money wasn’t salary paid to me—I was still doing volunteer work. The difference was extremely big.

“Sir Hero-! Sir Hero Hans Ssoo-!”

I saw a palace knight running towards me in a straight line from the other side of the palace. He didn’t look like he was intending on picking a fight.

“Hmm. Has something happened again?”

Alex’s exciting orientation had been postponed due to the big and small scandals that popped up in the wake of my controlling the demon cultists to completely take over the kingdom—the queen, a demon worshiper, and the king, a puppet. Even below them, among the influential families and nobles, some were demon worshipers or related to them in one way or another. A one-party dictatorship, perhaps it should be called.

“Sir Hero Hanssoo! Please help! Trouble broke out between Sir Hero Sieg and a noble, but they simply won’t talk it out.”

Not the palace knights including Alex, though. They weren’t so easy as to be beguiled by Evil Miasma; however, considering that they absolutely obeyed the orders of the one king they swore loyalty to, they were puppets of a puppet.

“Sieg, you say?”

What nonsense was this?

I decided to go to the scene of trouble.

* *  *

The nobles of this barbaric world, where feudalism and hierarchy was prevalent, were no different from living grenades. If they became upset because of a commoner or slave, they would pin some truly ridiculous crime and either beat them or send them to jail. And those nobles still wouldn’t be punished…

Unless they committed murder, that is—there were frequent cases of nobles intentionally killing commoners and slaves, aiming for EXP. That was why murder was the one thing strictly watched out for in all countries. Yes, murder only.

It was truly everything goes apart from apart from murder. The fact was that the country was also aware of the tyranny and atrocities committed by the nobles and some of the royals, but turned a blind eye as the loss would be greater if the matter escalated into a political problem. Those governing the country were nobles, to begin with—it was impossible for nobles to establish the law in a way disadvantageous towards nobles.

However, there was always bound to be that meddlesome guy overflowing with justice. Hot-blooded, were they called?

“I saw it clearly! That pig grabbing the lady’s hand and dragging her away by force!”

Sieg was in the middle of quarreling with a palace knight.

“Sir Hero Sieg, please look well and calmly. How did it seem forced? This lady was following the lord baron because she truly likes him. Didn’t you even ask her directly because you insisted on disbelieving?”

The palace knight tried to persuade Sieg in a weary tone, but it didn’t have any effect.

“She must have been threatened to say that! Isn’t it obvious? Because she’d get payback if she exposed the truth. What do you mean she started dating that pig from yesterday? It’s suspicious just hearing it.”

“Haah…”

The mediating palace knight heaved a deep sigh. Behind him, the noble who was being continuously insulted as a pig by Sieg was shaking hard as if suppressing his anger.

“Just what wrong did I do to suffer such insult…”

“I’m really sorry this happened because of me, lord baron.”

The pretty miss hugging the thick forearm of the baron was fretful, at a loss as to what to do.

“… I’ve roughly grasped the situation.”

I was also familiar with the chubby baron who had been continuously insulted as a pig by a hero from a while ago. He didn’t know me, but I knew him…

▷Race: Human ▷Level: 21 ▷Job: Noble(Ancestry=Elegance↑) ▷Skills: Business Management(D) Etiquette(E) Bingeing(E) Elegance(E) Evil Miasma(F)… ▷Status: Obese, Furious, Humiliated

… because he was an F-rank demon worshiper.

He was the legitimate heir of a count’s family. Unable to restrain his appetite due to the stress brought on by the lessons of an heir in a wealthy family, he was struck by severe obesity and various other complications all at once: diabetes, hyperlipidemia, arthritis, gallstones, cancer… Even fantasy magic wasn’t omnipotent.

The baron who fell ill turned to Evil Miasma—it was the start of a tragedy. The baron, whose nature grew violent by the B-rank demon’s wicked designs, committed all kinds of vile deeds and drew public criticism: assault, rape, abusing power, arson… until he received judgement by the hero. That’s how it went in the 1st Playthrough.

“Sieg. What are you doing here?” I first asked Sieg, pretending to not know the baron.

“Ah! Hansoo! You say something too. I clearly saw this pig molesting that lady, but he keeps on denying it.”

“What about proof?”

“I have it! You can see it too, right? This pig has the Skill Evil Miasma(F)! It means he’s a demon worshiper!”

I gently pressed on my throbbing temples. What was he saying in front of my Evil Miasma(SS)?

“Sieg. Possessing Evil Miasma doesn’t necessarily make someone a demon worshiper. Evil Miasma is permanently formed in one’s body upon consuming the heart of a demon, and there are other ways as well be it through training or elixirs. The methods to obtaining Evil Miasma are various.”

That didn’t mean Evil Miasma was a good thing, however; Evil Miasma not controlled by a demon would run amok. It would change the personality of its host to become like a low-class demon: cruel, arrogant, insolent, obsessive, obscene, greedy, violent… yet despite this, many would lay their hands on this power.

“That pig is a demon worshiper.”

Sieg began to be persistent. No, this guy’s words were right. Although the baron hadn’t committed any wrongs yet, he was a demon worshiper without a doubt. This was definitely true, but…

This wasn’t the moment to support him—the gazes of the onlookers were extremely ugly.

“Accusing the kind lord baron as a demon worshiper…”

“His Lordship, a pig? He’s a regular patron of our restaurant!”

“That person’s a hero of legend? Haha! It’s the end of the world.”

The young lady who was the cause of all this put a full stop to the matter.

“My father, a restaurant owner, twisted his foot and ended up spilling food over Lord baron’s head and clothes. What a shocking moment that was… but what came next was even more surprising. His Lordship said it was fine and forgave my father. I felt so grateful about it that I stuck to His Lordship from yesterday. I’m really sorry! My Lord, if it wasn’t for me… sob!”

He was in trouble now.

He had made a woman cry.

He had reached the point where public opinion couldn’t be turned around.

Clap!

The palace knight heavily placed his gloved hand on Sieg’s shoulder, saying, “Sir Hero Sieg. Is there still something you have left to say?”

“…”

“If not, then let us return. We’ll promise an adequate apology and compensation for His Lordship Baron, so you don’t need to worry about that.”

“I, I…”

“You two, politely escort Sir Hero Sieg to the royal palace.”

Sieg was dragged off by two apprentice knights like a criminal.

“Really now…”

As I looked at the receding figure of my companion, leaving the scene in a pitiful manner like a defeated dog, my thoughts became complicated like a tangled ball of yarn.

Was that punk really capable of letting me graduate?

* *  *

Sieg recovered his vigor in but moments, as if I had been anxious for nothing. Although I didn’t have a hobby of observing the private life of a man, I was helpless as Professor Morals had told me to learn from this guy. Don’t they say when in Rome, do as Romans do?

The very first thing Sieg would do upon waking up was to wash. Despite that it would be comfortable to leave the cleaning of his body to the carefully selected maids of the kingdom, he would wash himself with the obvious demeanor of a cherry boy.

After that he would go poking his nose in around the kingdom’s capital. His first reaction upon seeing someone in plight was to rush in and, without even checking the truth of the situation, he would run errands or help with work for free. The individuals he helped were mainly female. Sieg was an omnivore who didn’t care for race nor age. Perhaps this showed he too was a male…?

“Master. Do you have any other orders for me?”

The beautiful woman who was calling me “master” in a pleasant tone and natural manner was the mother of this country, the queen. The identity and status of those drunk on a demon’s power were meaningless; their minds would be controlled by the drug-like addiction to the power. This was why demon worshipers were dangerous.

I shook my head at the queen.

“No. Keep observing Sieg like now and report to me.”

“I understand.”

“Go.”

“Yes. Call me whenever. Even at night.”

The queen turned around and took her leave with confident footsteps, her hips swaying left and right as if to seduce me. I rested my chin on the frame of the window, looking outside from within the palace.

“Hey! Stay right there!”

“Meow~!”

I saw Sieg in the middle of playing tag with a baby kitten. As there were no real incidents of note, he was wasting his time doing things like finding the lost pet of Kid A, and this was only to be expected too.

This kingdom which had fallen into my hands was extremely peaceful, just like the calm before a storm. And that wasn’t all—I was in the midst of mobilizing all the demon worshipers active in the kingdom to raise my reputation bit by bit, and was promoting an anti-royalty sentiment in the public. All so that the Dumpling King could rest for eternity.

“As for Sylvia, she’s nothing to be concerned over.”

The future Elf Queen who carried out a raid on the black market was captured alive as predicted. Unless a hero buys her when she is put up for auction ten days later in the black market, she would be sold to a perverted noble. I was, naturally, not going to go, and Sieg who didn’t know the ‘promised code’ which was recognized in the Dark Commerce wouldn’t even be able to enter the black market. I had already closed off the shortcut I used in the 1st Playthrough.

Sylvia would naturally be out of the game. With this, even Professor Morals wouldn’t be able to say anything.

And as for what remained?

“Alex.”

The future Sword King. He had dropped out a little early by my hand, because he was neither useful, nor to my liking. In this 3rd Playthrough, however, I left him in one piece for the time being as I had discovered Alex’s use.

▷Greatly Pleased: So you finally acknowledge the worth of a companion?

‘Of course, Professor Morals. Didn’t they say even dog shit was used in medicine? (Grin).’

* *  *

As the kingdom, which had been in disorder due to the demon worshipers’ movements, became stabilized, Alex also returned to the royal palace from his outing. And then that day arrived.

“Haha! Heroes, welcome to the royal palace training grounds! Looking at your skins so unmarred like a pansy’s, it seems you’ve never received proper training before. But worry not. The number one sword of the kingdom is going to raise you into an excellent Hero! And in no time at that.”

Alex’s heart-racing orientation had begun.

“I’ll give it my all! Instructor Alex!”

“Same here.”

Sieg was brimming with motivation. After casually echoing Sieg, I awaited Alex’s next words.

“But before we begin training, Her Majesty the Queen has specially come to observe. She seemed to be eagerly looking forward to the two heroes’ sparring.”

“… Say what?”

“Well if that’s what Her Majesty wishes for then…”

‘Can’t be helped even if I don’t wanna fight with a friend!’

“Since that’s how it is, give your best against each other. By the way, my fist will not forgive any disgraceful behaviour such as surrendering or fleeing before Her Majesty.”

Alex moved back after making that threatening remark.

“W-, wait… Hansoo? We’re friends, right?”

Sieg anxiously called out my name as he backpedaled.

“Come at me already. If Her Majesty wishes for us to spar, then we have to voluntarily do so for the kingdom. Sieg, isn’t this what you wanted?”

“I—guegh?!”

‘Hooheheheh-… Ahem! This isn’t it.’

“I’m really sorry! My friend!”

Although I did see it coming, it was extremely agonizing whenever I landed a punch on the lower jaw of Sieg who had spouted crap about doing charity work straight from day one.

Smack! Wham!

Managing the look on my face was deathly tiring.

============================================== ==

“One, two, one, two~𝅘𝅥𝅮”

This sensation of fist meeting flesh! This feeling of rhythm that encourages ass to shake left and right!

Sieg’s screaming so refreshing like cider!

There was no reason to be reserved since this was a fantasy world native’s request. I would find the cat lost by Kid A for free, so how could I not listen to a single request of the lovely queen who had come in person.

We were carrying out the duty of a hero right now, and this for free too. I would have started on it a little quicker had I known how enjoyable and rewarding it was.

“St, stop—kugh?!”

“Sieg, you should attack all you like, too.”

I thrashed Sieg all over his body using my hands and feet. I was really going easy on him. I’d have to clear away his corpse if I were the slightest bit serious and so, I handled Sieg as carefully as I would glassware—my reputation points were precious, after all. But even so, I had no thoughts of ending it so simply.

I kept a fine balance while beating Sieg so that he wouldn’t collapse. Whenever he looked like he would fall left I would strike at his right side, vice versa.

‘… Uh? Looks like his legs are giving way?’

Lunging in, I grabbed Sieg by his hair with my left hand so he couldn’t fall down, and then rammed my knee up into his face.

“Euaghh-!?”

Sieg’s head flung straight backwards.

“Oh? Dear me.”

Perhaps I was too unrestrained in my excitement—the bunch of hair I’d gripped onto was ripped out, and on Sieg’s head appeared a bright white bald patch!

He wouldn’t die with that only that much, however; I continued with the duel.

“Sieg, how long are you going to only defend out of consideration?”

“Euaagh~”

Sieg’s eyes were unfocused as he howled like an animal. Perhaps his mind was muddled from the slight concussion to his head. It wasn’t a problem to be worried about much; I knew from having often experienced it before at Alex’s hands.

He could be healed as much as needed by using magic and healing blessings of this fantasy world. When you reached the standard of someone like the Saintess, my 1st Playthrough companion from the Holy Kingdom which neighbored this country I was in, you could raise the dead with a single prayer, just like that. On this aspect, this fantasy world was fantasy indeed.

▷Race: Arch-Human ▷Level: 3 ▷Job: Hero(EXP 500%) ▷Skills: Interpretation(A) Stamina(F) Endurance(F) Fortitude(F) Keen Realization(F) ▷Status: Critical, Confusion, Sprain, Dislocation, Shock, Fear…

Sieg’s Status was being added to one after another in real-time. His condition was also a colorful line-up like a menu at a buffet.

Curiously, he wasn’t Level 1. According to the queen’s report, Sieg hadn’t so much as shown up near the hunting grounds after being taught a lesson by a wild boar’s tackle, yet he was Level 3. Maybe he had taken out a hundred rats in some storage or stable?

Every creature gave different amounts of EXP. If all creatures gave a fixed amount of EXP equivalent to one Level, then the Level of farmers and fishermen would be unbelievably high.

“Sieg, what is with you being Level 3. You should have gone hunting diligently.”

“…”

The EXP given by ordinary animals and plants was infinitesimal, so much so that it wasn’t worth diddly squat even with a Hero’s fivefold EXP perk; however, Sieg had wondrously raised his Level in a city without monsters in a short period of time. If not rats, then maybe he had killed some petty thieves.

In any case, it was meaningless before me.

“Hey? Sieg, look me in the face, will you.”

“…”

Sieg had lost consciousness after being beaten black and blue, bloodied all over. His face was as pale as a corpse’s, bloody froth dripping from his mouth.

‘He’s in this shape after a mere 3 minutes? God, not like he’s instant food or something…’

I relaxed the tension in my hands, and Sieg, who had become like a minced squid seasoned with chilli, collapsed to the ground swaying.

Thud.

“H-healer! Quickly go to Sir Hero…!”

“Heavens! Lord above!”

The rescue team that had been waiting on tenterhooks for the heroes’ spar to end moved swiftly, putting Sieg on a stretcher and moving him outside the training grounds. Immediately, the effect of magic and blessings was put to display.

Whiing—

As light permeated the injuries all over Sieg’s body, his wounds closed up at a quick rate. The swelling of his blue bruises disappeared, while new flesh appear to cover his ripped skin. His twisted bones became set to how they were, too. There were some parts that couldn’t be fixed right away, however—the teeth, and hair. Only these two things required steady treatment.

Ah! And there was one more.

“Ahbuh, aeugh…”

Psychological trauma was also a problem that needed be overcome alone. His recovery would hasten if a ‘Heart Elemental’, which could influence the spirit of the living and the dead, were to help, but even among Elves, Shamans who could handle those Elementals were extremely few.

With this, my business with Sieg was finished.

Next was Alex.

“Look here, Hero. Can’t you even differentiate between sparring and real combat? It looks like you’ve got a nasty hobby of tormenting the weak, but I’ll carve into your body what a truly strong individual is like.”

He took long strides towards me, admonishing me as he did.

I couldn’t even snort at what he said—what? Hobby of tormenting the weak? Did this punk even have a conscience?

▷Race: Human ▷Level: 291 ▷Job: Swordsman(Stamina=Swordsmanship↑) ▷Skills: Swordsmanship(S) Stamina(A) Iron Wall(B) Tolerance(B) Fortitude(C)… ▷Status: Entertained

Alex’s Status hadn’t changed from the start of the 1st Playthrough, but even so he couldn’t be completely ignored, the reason being that someone like Alex was very much at a high standard in these peaceful times when war wasn’t rampant and people weren’t at each other’s throats for EXP. That didn’t matter to me, though.

I had properly experienced those war-torn periods. Together with the Oblivion Dragon King I scorched the half of the middle continent in the 2nd Playthrough, and massacred the demons including the Demon King Fedornar. I started a war by myself and even grasped hold of victory. EXP, proficiency, I had monopolized these two things to an unmeasurable extent; although, my Level ended up being reset.

“Is this deja vu?”

I didn’t dodge Alex’s fist that was aiming for my abdomen, but instead likewise threw a punch at his belly.

You get a hit, I get one too.

Alex responded at this with a ridiculing expression. This guy who had a whopping Level of 291 packed strong power behind his punch without conscience.

‘Let’s get it on, is that it? Oh I welcome it.’

Smack!

Wham-!

“Kugh-?!”

I was as sturdy as an iron wall, being stacked with countless Skills, but Alex who wasn’t like me clutched at his stomach and fell to his knees. his fist which had struck my abdomen was all bloodied.

Looking up at me, Alex’s eyes were asking this—how did you do it?

Thwack!

I had no obligation to answer, and my attack had yet to end; I launched a forceful kick at the Level 291 Alex’s head. It felt even more pleasant than when I was facing the Level 3 Sieg, as I didn’t need to adjust my strength as much.

“This, this… ack?!”

“Here I come again.”

Was he unable to consider he himself was weak, too? After grabbing hold the short hair of Alex who had fallen into a panic, I whirled him round in circles as if throwing a shot put and hurled him far.

Crash-!

The noise made by Alex’s landing was as loud as he was big.

“By the likes of a hero—kugh?!”

“Call me respectfully with a sir, you trifling small fry.”

I targeted the middle of his 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae for the finisher. With leap high into the air, I slammed my knee down towards Alex’s back like a meteor and gifted him a chronic herniated lumbar disc.

Crack, cr-cr-crack.

‘I’ll be happy if he recalls my face every time his waist hurts.’

“You bastard…! Heuugh?!”

Alex, who had shot to his feet burning with rage, hastily clutched at his back and waist with both hands as he toppled down again.

It seemed he had gotten the disc good.

“Alex. Your orientation was fun.”

It was more enjoyable than the 2nd Playthrough!

From that day onward, I was exempted from Alex’s training.

* *  *

Sweltering tropical nights had begun, and the middle continent was in chaos due to a drought.

Even I, who was controlling the kingdom for free, was putting in effort in all aspects to minimize the damage caused by this drought. The difficulty of obtaining food was severe due to the lack of water.

‘Should I start a war or something to cut down the population?’

I was so busy that I didn’t even appear near the palace training grounds, but even so I could faintly hear conversations between Alex and Sieg from time to time. It was troubling in its own way when your hearing was too good.

“Sieg! Get up right now! Or do you want a knife to your ass? For you, resting is a luxury until you take revenge against that guy!”

“An-anymore is impo—guegh?!”

“Don’t give up! Sieg! You can do it! Don’t be afraid and come at me with the resolve to die! Magicians and healers are always on standby!”

“Aaaagh!?”

Although I didn’t know what kind of high-intensity training they were carrying out, Alex’s voice urging on Sieg, who wanted to give up every day, contained sincerity and zeal. His tone wasn’t playful like it was in my 1st Playthrough.

The relationship of the two was plain to see—delinquent student VS hot-blooded teacher.

I must have seen the sight of Sieg attempting escape during the night, unwilling to receive training, and then being caught by Alex and dragged back about 3 times. Truly not a promising fellow. However, Alex persevered and taught Sieg with passion. He even took on all of Sieg’s preposterous whining of not wanting to become strong as he guided him from dawn to late at night.

“Sieg! Your waist is open again! Come on!”

“Aagh~!? I’ll kill you! Alex! I’m gonna kill you!”

“Bear this in mind. You die when you lose your cool in a fight.”

“Kurrgh—uegh?! Kegh-kegh!”

A surprising change had come over Alex which I couldn’t see in the 1st Playthrough. He never got angry no matter how much Sieg cursed him, even though he pummeled me so hard when I swore or opposed him…

Sieg’s change was also dazzling.

▷Race: Arch-Human ▷Level: 3 ▷Job: Hero(EXP 500%) ▷Skills: Interpretation(A) Murderous Intent(B) Swordsmanship(C) Keen Realization(C) Stamina(C)… ▷Status: Faint, Crazy, Stupid, Bleeding

He had made no progress in Level since he stayed all day long in the training grounds, but he had made a drastic improvement in his Skill ranks. His colorful status was somewhat worrying, but there would always be a price and side-effect that came with quick growth.

And to be honest, what had to be acknowledged, should be acknowledged—had Alex’s passion proved fruitful, perhaps?—In the same amount of time I trained, Sieg’s rate of growth was far faster than mine in the 1st Playthrough.

“Truly…”

I couldn’t not acknowledge the irresponsible Professor Morals method of education, tossing me one model student and telling me to learn by myself.

I could tell at a single glance—Sieg possessed greater talent to be a hero than I did. At that rate, perhaps he could break through the demons’ great army by himself and even slay the Demon King, even though I had taken 10 years to do that.

The truth felt heavy!

▷Perplexed: Excuse me, Student Kang Han Soo? What on earth is going on here…?

‘Oh my! Professor Morals! It’s truly been a while! As you can see, I was observing the model student.’

▷Headache: It is said that pouring cold water into a boiling pot does nothing more than killing the heat. The hero candidate I recommended is also still at an immature stage of development. His current shape does not appear normal no matter how I look.

‘… He doesn’t? Then I should kill him straight away. He was long suspicious, too.’

▷Startled: W-wait! One must always listen to the end when someone is speaking. Please calm down and hear me out again! Words unspoken are my slaves, whereas words spoken are my master. I was careless. What I was saying is that that hero candidate appears to be having a very hard time.

‘He does seem to be having a hard time with Alex’s one-sided love. Then should I kill Alex?’

▷Perplexed: Is there no other option aside from killing? I should think you have considered one or two at least.

‘Of course! … Strange though. I definitely had about a hundred ideas until this morning, but I must’ve forgotten them at that maid’s lovely tits. I’ll think about it again starting now.’

▷Suggestion: The weather is extremely hot as of recent. Two men make for a dreary picture, so how about taking a vacation with beautiful women at a place with good waters?

‘Professor Morals, I’m disappointed. Sieg is still 17, a minor. Although, by fantasy law, it’s permitted to couple starting from 16 for males and 15 for females.’

▷Shocked: I was referring to a sea or valley!

‘Ah, okay.’

This was a tricky condition to fulfil. Somewhere with pretty women and water. If this was Earth then I would have directly went to a beach resort, but…

“Ah…!”

Rustle.

I took the map at the corner of my office desk and spread it open. Currently, the kingdom was suffering due to the drought, but it wasn’t really as if crops couldn’t be planted because there was no place to procure water from.

There was an abundant water source, but it was merely that this water couldn’t be used, and the reason why was the vicious race monopolizing the huge lake they resided in.

Mermaids.

All we needed to do was take care of these fishes. The drought would be solved, Sieg Level would also rise, we’d get laid too, feast on raw fish, kill past compan… In any case, was I a genius, perhaps?

Professor Morals was vehemently against the idea, but Sieg was delighted.

“Will this be okay? I heard mermaids absolutely hate their home being intruded…”

“It’s fine if you don’t want to.”

“Who said I don’t! Hm-hm! Is there a mermaid princess too?”

“Of course.”

I recalled that she looked good, and tasted good, too.

“But Han Soo.”

“What?”

“Why are we going with so many people?”

We weren’t heading off with a cozy little elite group. My proposal had received the Dumpling King’s support.

I didn’t have even a smidgen of thought to go about it like in the 1st Playthrough, talking harmony and co-existence with the mermaids and putting up with all kinds of losses and concessions. The kingdom absolutely needed water to plant crops this year, and the mermaids place of living would become smaller if the lake water decreased.

This was a fight for survival. There was no room for compromise here.

“Don’t worry too much about the distribution of loot. There are about 5 mermaid princesses, but I’ll give them all to you.”

“I’m not talking about that, though…”

The snot-nosed Hero Sieg’s adventure had begun at last!

With 30,000 reliable companions in tow.