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This is a world where various creatures and races go on adventures and perform various tasks to live their lives..
Have you ever heard of it? About such a world? Of course there are many!
But every adventurer has their own story. Every adventurer has a different goal. Even so, this story still has great similarities from each adventurer.
Do task!
And go on an adventure!
In this world without limit!
By doing so, they will achieve the goals that have guided their lives…
1
It's bad... It's definitely bad.
The man had woken up from his short sleep...
In a rice field that seemed endless to the man's eyes, he could now fully realize what had happened to him..
"This... that, right? It's confirmed that it really happened to me, right? How could I fall asleep on the train after receiving a big paycheck from my boss. Geez, I'm really careless. What if I miss it later?"The man banged his head, then gazed with his eyes and mind that were observing the surroundings.
He tried to understand his condition, the place he was in, and what he should do afterward. Until when he realized...
"And after that... I was sent here. More precisely... this world. I was sent to another world!"
That was the conclusion he came to after seeing a creature in the sky that made eagle sounds from its eagle head, but had the body of a lion and the white wings of an angel.
"Okay! If so! Now where's the pretty lady!? wheeeeeere !?"
"That's it..."
"?"
"What are you doing in my field?"
Unfortunately, it was not what the young man expected, but a hunched-over old man carrying a hoe on his shoulder who greeted him for the first time in that world.
E.. English?
2
"Another world, huh? We have indeed heard of it. It's an ancient tale that dates back tens of thousands of years. We usually tell it to our children before bedtime. A story about a hero who came from another world"
The man had been brought to the home of the farm owner who welcomed him graciously. Because in addition to providing a place to rest in his house, he also provided a lot of delicious food that the man was welcome to consume.
And during the meal at the dinner table, the man discussed his condition with the farm owner, as well as some two other old men who were a village chief and a priest..
They chatted like 'regular guys'.
"If there really is such an old fairy tale, then it means that people who are sent to the other world really did happen, huh? And I happen to be the victim this time."
"Victim, huh? Hmmm... You have quite a humble mind, sir. Don't you think that this is likely the fate you must live with?" asked the Priest..
"Fate? You mean being a hero like in fairy tales? Didn't you guys tell me that the world has been peaceful for 10,000 years?"
"Ah, you're right. There was a big war and the Demon King disappeared a long time ago, right? Hahahahahaha!"
The village chief laughed, followed by the other two except for the man.
What are these old men doing!? People in distress are even laughed at!
"Well, for now you can rest at my house. When I first saw you, I could see the face of an exhausted person. Rest while we contact Princess Aegis to find out your solution," said the farm owner.
Exhausted? It's because I just got off work, anyway... But wait…...
"Princess Aegis?"
"As the name suggests... A princess is a princess. She is the only princess of the Helio Kingdom, as well as a reliable scholar. She is a girl but very smart and can unite all the people and solve many problems, be it social, economic, or even political. We believe she is the one who will lead this kingdom one day," explained the village chief enthusiastically..
And after hearing all those explanations, the man with a smile on his face spoke softly.
"Looks like you guys trust her a lot, huh? Even if she's a woman. Thank goodness this is such a beautiful world. But…"
The man clenched his fists in silence..
"I still have to go back."
"That's how it is, huh?... Home seems to be the most comfortable place, huh? Don't worry, we'll help you find a solution."
He, the man, felt very happy and grateful to be bounced into that field. Because after all he was bouncing into a strange place, even another world. Although those people said that their world was peaceful, the fact that life was not that easy and simple had made him very grateful. Because he could have been bounced to a conflicted region on the other side of the world. He could have... died right then and there..
"Thank you ... Thank you so much."
"A hero! Where's the hero!?"
The pounding sound came from an open door made of Pyxos wood that was easily found in the surrounding forest. And the culprit who made the big banging sound against the wooden door was a young man with blond hair and a big, stout body who carried an axe and similar wood from the forest.
"Randa! Be polite! We have guests here!"
The father, the owner of the farm gave a stern warning to his son who had broken up the atmosphere in the house.
"M-Sorry, Father. B-But... this matter of the hero's existence should be a big deal, right!? How can I take it casually!"
"There are no heroes here. Just some ordinary office workers."
"How evil! Lie a little to your child at least!"
"But you said that you are a man who works under pressure, right?"
"Yea! Correct! It's office worker!"
So there was nothing the man could deny to the natives before him. And in the end, he had disappointed the son of the farm owner.
Ah, it seem like I did something bad, right?
3
Night time.
After staying in the room provided by the farm owner for a long time, the otherworldly man had decided that what he was doing now was boring..
He chose to leave the house to get some fresh air, while continuing his observations of the foreign world.
"Ah... It really is fantasy, right?"
Basically, what he saw at this moment was just the scenery of an ordinary village and its vast plantations. As well as a few meters in the distance, there were huge trees that were being the boundary between the village and the heterogeneous forest there. The night was cool, and the villagers were already inside.
The scene clearly existed in the world he lived in before. However, the difference was... he had never once seen nature this close before. All he had seen in the past were modern things with tall buildings adorning... or rather covering the beauty of the sky in his world.
"I can only see things like this on the internet or in fantasy stories."
However, the feeling that came over the man's heart wasn't one of excitement or fear. Rather, he didn't know how to react to his current situation.
If he feels happy, he feels that he should return to his old world.
If he feels sad, the world he is currently visiting is a very beautiful world.
In the end, all he feels is a troubled heart that has no clear origin
"Hahhh..."
While he was contemplating his fate in solitude, he could hear the same unrest from the man who came out of the same house as him. The man was the son of the farm owner.
When they realized each other's presence, they looked at each other.
"Y-Yo! Do you need someone to talk to?" the man asked, while the boy who owned the field just tilted his head in confusion at the man's words.
Eventually, though, they started chatting as they looked out over the vast rice fields.
"Aspa Pandawa. Because some people find my name strange, so in my hometown people call me Asep."
"If so, Bro Aspa is fine."
"thank you."
He knew Asep's name sounded ridiculous so he said it right away, didn't he?
"My name is Randa Askelad. You can call me Randa if you want."
"Randa, huh? Okay. But, hey... if I may know, how old are you?"
"Age? I'm 19 years old this year.."
The man who had introduced himself as Aspa Pandawa returned to his 'observation' state. This time it was about the humans in that world.
19 years old, right? His body is big, but his face is too young for that. And again... I can see the eyes of a young man who still has dreams.
Yes ... He's still a child in general. It seems like I've fallen into human territory, huh.
"That's it ... Can you tell me about this village, Randa??"
"Ah, that's fine. But for what??"
The man named Aspa took a deep breath as he thought about his answer, "Maybe… just curious?" then he said that answer with a smile.
"Okay then. But this is going to be a really long story, you know!"
"Wow, it seems like this village is really special, huh."
Randa is ready to tell the story he has heard many times since he was a child. A story that always lulls him to sleep, and a story that has inspired his life.
"This happened tens of thousands of years ago. That was an era where the various races in this world did not have the slightest harmony and always decorated the world with endless war. We humans experienced defeat in that war, and were the first race to withdraw from the war. Things got worst since then, with humans experiencing complete oppression by other races. We are the lowest creatures in this world. However, in the following era another major tragedy occurred. A Demon King rose and shook the world with his army. All races were in the same state of chaos, therefore... a hero from the human race proposed to unite the forces of all races to defeat the Demon King. They all succeeded in defeating the Demon King, and all races gained equal rights without oppression afterwards. These multiracial kingdoms, including the Helio Kingdom, have increasingly developed since then, and the world has finally achieved peace. Then... the Hero who finished This happened tens of thousands of years ago. It was an era where the various races in this world did not have the slightest harmony and always decorated the world with endless wars. His duties as a hero rest on the outskirts of the Helio Kingdom. People began to follow him and finally a village was created in this place. That's why this village is known as the village of heroes."
"And because the hero is a human, that's why this village is filled with humans too, you know.?"
"Most of the population was human, though. Why would they come here anyway? After all, this was just a regular village. At most, there would be adventurers from other races passing by.."
"adventurers!?"
It was a word that sounded unique to Aspa, but it was also a 'wow' word because he often heard it in fantasy stories. More precisely, it was the main topic in fantasy stories.
"Yes, adventurers are those who explore places that have not been touched by anyone, they do this while accepting tasks from Guilds in various kingdoms.."
"Woaaaahhh! It's really like a fantasy story!"
Seeing the enthusiasm of the young man, Randa, who is a native, clearly felt strange about Aspa's behavior. Even so, he was still happy that someone wanted to hear hstory.
"Do you want to hear another story? About the great war, the Hero, the Kingdom of Helio, or maybe about adventurers? I also know the story of a hero from another world. Maybe that will be a clue for you to return.."
"Yes! Yes, yes.!"
The man no longer looked like an adult when he was so enthusiastic about listening to another story.. His face and his sparkling eyes reminded Randa of his reaction when he was a child and would hear similar stories. It embarrassed him a little.
"Well then, first I will tell you about the hero of the human race. He is very amazing, you know! He is the first human whose strength can be equal to other races.. Remembering that in the past humans were just a group of creatures without any special powers like the magic of the Elves., or even great power like other demi humans, we only rely on our brains to survive."
"Humans in any world are like that, right? In my world too, you know.!"
"But, everything changed since the appearance of the Hero. He showed that humans can also have magic, and also become as strong as other demi humans. He defeated a general from the Werewolf race to prove it. Since then humans have begun to hone their abilities until now."
"the power of adaptability, huh."
"the power of adaptability?"
"Every living thing must have it. Your body adapts to the surrounding environment, so it can adjust to its conditions. Human life in those days must have been very complex to be able to evolve like that. That's amazing, but quite normal in my opinion.."
"I see, I see. Wow.. your way of thinking is like a scholar, huh?!"
"Ah, it's normal. It's a normal thing for us...."
Aspa was taken aback for a moment, the thought that he didn't need to give irrelevant information to the natives of that world crossed his mind..
"So how does the Hero get all that power? Training??"
"If that is still a mystery. There is no story that tells how he got his powers in the first place.."
"Hooo~ There is still a lot that has not been revealed in this world, yes?"
And it seems that the Hero is very closed off from his limited information..
"And even so..."
"Hm?"
"You seem to admire that hero a lot, huh. It was evident in your eyes when you were telling him. And also, when you came and thought I was a hero from another world."
"A- Ehh ... Yeah... Because I've always heard his stories since I was little. And also... his grave is in this village. That's why I always feel close to him. Then..."
For no reason that Aspa could realize, Randa seemed to show signs of embarrassment when he wanted to express something.
"You won't laugh after hearing it, right??"
Aspa with her usual expression gave a thumbs up sign.
"Actually... I dream of becoming a hero."
"Is that so? That's an interesting dream.."
"R-really!?"
"Never feel like your dream is something to be ashamed of. It won't allow you to achieve it. Even if your dream is to become a savior hero or a hero of justice. Even if it's a childish dream. Well ... At least as long you're dreaming..."
This child is still very young. And in this other world, such a dream...
Don't let him lose his dream like the poor old man like me....
"Yeah! Try it! You can start by becoming a knight of the kingdom and marrying the princess, right? Muah, muah!"
Aspa demonstrates an annoying kissing style, ruining Randa's view who previously saw him as a wise person..
"You're... a bit annoying, huh??"
"That's how I am."
In the middle of the conversation, suddenly a scream was heard which broke the peaceful atmosphere at night.. It was so loud that it made almost every house in the village turn on their lights.
"Please! Someone help them!"
The person who shouted for help was a middle-aged woman who was helplessly begging the village chief who had just arrived.
Aspa and Randa, who also heard the screams, also came to find out.
"What happened, ma'am? Tell me slowly," asked the village chief..
"My children! They haven't come home since dusk! They said they were going to get firewood for me, who is sick., but ... They have yet to come back!"
What Aspa as a foreigner got there was a silent reaction that made him confused. The residents did look stressed, but the silence gave off an air of 'usual' that made no sense to him.
"What are you waiting for!? We have to save them!"
Aspa had warned them, but not a single citizen was moved by his words.
And instead of doing what Aspa expected, he listened to the quiet musings of the villagers.
"And it happened again, huh..."
"The witch ate them..."
"It's over..."
Annoyed, Aspa approached the village chief and grabbed him by the collar. Full of emotion he said, "Isn't this the village of heroes!? You should be saving those children!"
The village chief still looked calm with a sad expression, he avoided eye contact with Aspa while saying, "We... will wait for the knights or adventurers to come here."
That obviously made Aspa even more annoyed.
"How long will it take for those guys to come, huh!? I'm sure the knights need a troublesome procedure to come here, and not all adventurers will immediately accept a small task like this! Even before they came, the children would definitely... Therefore, this is the right time for us to save them before it's too late.!"
"But... don't you look around? Most of us are just old people who can't even do anything anymore. Many of the young men in this village have gone out of the village to trade and adventure. Only a few girls and Randa are left here.."
Aspa had understood the situation after being explained by the village chief. And now, there was only one solution he could think of..
"Then... Do you have any weapons in this village??"
Hearing the question from the stranger, the village head and the other villagers could immediately understand the purpose of the question..
Meanwhile, Randa, who also understood it, could only look on in disbelief at the man he had just met..
"In this current situation, what would it be called in the game? Oh, yeah... Please give me a quest, all you NPCs.!"
4
After all the brief considerations thought by the village head, finally the hardest decision for him was the solution to the problem that occurred..
A stranger, a stranger, a victim. A man who came from nowhere has decided to go save the lost children of the village. Despite the fact that the residents believed it was impossible for the newcomer to return alive, in the end they still let him go.
"This is a black cloak for camouflage and three healing bottles. Sorry, we don't have any armor or other weapons.. This village, it was perhaps called the hero village because the grave of a hero rests here. However..."
"It's okay... Mr. Village Chief."
The man, Aspa, was wearing a pitch black robe that was given to him, and was holding three bottles containing a blood red liquid that he said could cure all diseases and injuries.
"This is more than enough for me! .... I think." Aspa smiled with cold sweat dripping down his face. Making the villagers even more pessimistic about his success.
"Ah... And for the weapon, can you give me that axe??"
Aspa pointed to an axe stuck in a tree trunk that had been cut off and only a small part of the bottom of the tree remained.
"Sure. That's all we have anyway.."
"No! We still have this.!"
A big man, the only young man left in the village—Randa Askelad appeared with a rusty sword in his hand..
"T-That! What are you doing, Randa!?" The owner of the field, the father, looked shocked and angry when he saw his son appear with the sword.
The villagers also looked panicked when they saw that the sword was not in its place.
"This is the sword from the Hero's tomb! I will use it to save those children!"
"Hoooo~ So you'll come with me, Randa? That's fine.."
"Should not!"
It is clear that the owner of the field, as a father, would not let his only son go to a dangerous place that had a low percentage of safety.
Hearing the rejection, Randa looked at Aspa with an expression full of pleading. He hoped the man could do something to help him. However, Aspa just smiled and turned his face away, saying, "Men should have their own stance. You are the one who decides." Indirectly, it has motivated Randa.
"Sorry, father... I'll still go save them.!"
"Randa!"
"Father has told me many stories of heroes since I was little! It made me admire them all. It makes me...want to be like them! My dream is to become a hero!"
"..."
"Sorry... but if death is the end, then I don't want to die as a farmer. Sorry... I'm so proud to have a father like you. But..."
No one spoke, until the owner of the field took a deep breath and said, "Go."
"Father..."
"If that is your purpose in life, then go. I will not hold you back. But promise me one thing…"
The father approached his son, Randa. Making Randa bend down because he knew his father's small and old body would not be able to touch him..
Afterwards, the father held his son's shoulders and said.
"Come back alive, my son.."
"... Yes, of course! I'll be back later!"
With that it was decided, two people would go into the forest to save the missing village children.
A man from another world, and a village boy who wants to be a hero.
Their first quest... has begun!
5
The forest that Aspa and Randa are currently entering is nicknamed the 'Forest of the Death Fairies', a forest that is still in the same area as the Helio Kingdom..
The forest is included in the heterogeneous forest category, with a humid atmosphere and large trees that block the sunlight. And to be able to enter the forest at night, of course they need a torch to guide their way..
Without them realizing, they had passed many 'white pebbles' during the journey.
"Hey, you said the Helio Kingdom was a hub for adventurers, right? If this forest is still within their territory, there should be at least two or three groups exploring this forest."
Aspa's confusion was answered by Randa in a low voice, alert to his surroundings.
"It is said that veteran adventurers rarely come here because there are not many profitable tasks for them. While novice adventurers who enter this forest…"
"They didn't come back, huh? I understand the situation. Oh my... for a world like this game, the problems are too complex.."
For the veterans, the tasks in this forest are too easy and the price is not commensurate with their status, while the beginners think this forest is a good place to start an adventure...
They can't handle it, huh?
"What is actually happening in this forest?"
"A witch."
"A witch? Maybe I can do something about her with some holy stuff."
Randa still didn't understand what Aspa was saying, but after that he continued his explanation.
"This is a fairy tale that aims to warn children in the village not to play in the forest. It is said that there are elves who are also the greatest magicians who live in this forest. The elves are said to be hundreds of thousands of years old, and until now still trying to survive with the magic of immortality."
"The magic of immortality?"
"Well, actually immortality magic is not really certain to exist. It only gives a long-lived effect that has dangerous side effects to its user."
"What are the dangerous side effects?"
They stopped for a moment in the middle of the journey, looking around while listening to Randa's terrifying answer..
"Madness."
"..."
"Madness will consume the user, and make him have an endless bloodlust. That's why they say witches like to eat people, especially children who enter the forest.."
"Huuu? Your village is very close to this forest. Are you okay??"
"Oh, if that's the case then we're definitely safe. Our village is surrounded by the 'Hero Aura', and that makes the monsters from the forest not dare to enter our village.. Even so, we still have to look for materials to survive, that's why we still dare to enter the forest to look for wood and food.."
"In that case… why don't you just hire adventurers privately?"
Seemingly not understanding the meaning of Aspa's question, Randa asked back with his head covering in confusion.
"What do you mean?"
"That's it. You can directly order a group of veteran adventurers to handle the task in this forest. So there is no need to wait for an adventurer who is interested in your task. Well, although the cost will definitely be much more expensive, but if all the villagers combine their wealth, it will definitely be enough!"
"I-Is that really possible?"
"How would I know, you're a native! As far as I know, it can't be done in games, but considering this is the real world, renting services directly seems possible.."
Aspa's explanation, even though there were some words that sounded foreign and couldn't be understood by him, still made sense to Randa..
"We rarely order adventurers, because we know they won't help us. That's why I don't really understand it…"
"Well then, we'll study it after we get home. I also still have to gather a lot of information about this world.. Well... that is if we can come back alive, that is."
The wind blew across the forest ceiling, although Aspa and Randa who were below couldn't feel it, they could tell the weather was starting to get worse from the rustle of the falling leaves..
Something's not right up there.
In the deep, silent darkness that could devour the light within, there was a pressure that stopped two inexperienced people in their tracks.
It's confirmed, there's something in there.
"Prepare yourself, Randa..."
Hearing the command, Randa, with trembling hands, removed the cloth covering his sharp sword.
"Hey, since it's a former hero's sword, is there any special power in it?" Aspa asked, which was then answered briefly and quickly by Randa.
"No."
"..We're cooked.."
Of course. How could it not be? Two people who were inexperienced in combat who also had no powers whatsoever were facing something that was said to have immense power. They were only armed with ordinary axes and rusty swords. Even three bottles of healing wouldn't be able to save them..
Even a narrator is made pessimistic by them.
"Khk ... khahaha..."
The man smiled. The man from another world smiled with his teeth bared fiercely. His eyes were full of his vigilance. What was on his mind right now was how he should face the fight ahead.
Seeing the condition of the man near her, Randa slowly tried to wake the man up by touching his shoulder, but... before that happened.
"It's coming!"
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"—Mbbbbbeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee~~~"
"Mbbbbbeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"
"Mbbeeeeeeeeeeeeeee~"
"Mbbbbbbbeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"
From within the pitch darkness, the stomping of feet on leaves on the ground could be heard along with the sound of many sheep groaning.
One by one the sheep's heads emerge from the darkness, but their existence and position are very abstract and their shape seems unclear..
"Is that.. flying sheep?" Aspa muttered frantically.
"No..."
The 'body' had come out of the darkness. Walking towards the torchlight that was getting dimmer and dimmer.
"Mbeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"
"All the sheep... are becoming one."
What was before them now was a giant mass of flesh, in which were many writhing sheep bodies with their shrill screams.
Both Aspa and Randa could not move anymore seeing it. Their minds were already influenced by excessive fear, making their bodies unable to move according to their own will.
They just froze.
Get moving! Please move!
Despite this, both of them shared the same thoughts Anda efforts, which was to try to stay strong in order to regain control of their bodies.
"H...a-... Help..."
"!!!!"
"!?"
In the midst of this troublesome endeavor, they suddenly heard the soft voice of a little girl emerging from the same darkness as the creature.
The blonde-haired girl wearing a red hood and shabby green clothes stared blankly at Aspa and Randa while asking for help.
"Gretel!"
Randa, who recognized her, immediately shouted the little girl's name, while Aspa gaped because he felt the name was familiar..
"Bro ... Randa..."
When the poor little girl stretched out her tiny hands towards the two people who were trying to help her, one ... Two ... Five human hands appeared from the darkness behind her, then all the hands grabbed the girl's small body and lifted her up..
"It hurts! … H-help...."
The girl groaned in pain.
Meanwhile, Randa had reached the limit of his fear. The increased blood flow to her muscles had completely frozen his body movements.
Damn... I'm... scared! I want to save her! But... it's scary! Too scary! Damn it!
"Don't think too much!"
"Huh!?"
Someone ran past Randa who was still motionless. And when he realized it, it was Aspa who swiftly cut off several hands that were gripping the little girl,
"MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Blood poured everywhere from the creature's severed hand, and the cries of the sheep filled the forest with fear.
Their ears, those who heard them were momentarily deafened, until…
"Grraaaaaaaa!?"
The creature's large body rammed into Aspa's body, who was protecting the little girl in his arms with his back.
Aspa's consciousness had been half taken away, and his body was carried away by the large creature because of the horns of one of the sheep that caught on his robe..
The creature had run several meters away to the back, taking Aspa and the little girl, and leaving Randa still helpless and alone..
...
.....
...
Bro Aspa was attacked... He tried to save Gretel alone, and I didn't help him at all.
I...
Randa's feeling of helplessness had made him feel guilty. After all, he had done absolutely nothing during the brief tragedy..
He didn't even dare to show his sword which might be considered a form of resistance by his opponent, meanwhile Aspa thoughtlessly attacked the creature with his axe.
Even though what Randa holds in her hand is the Hero's sword…
"I… am a coward. Saying I want to be a hero… It's all bullshit!"
"Khii .... khaa ..... khi khi khi khi khi khi khi....."
Randa's gaze immediately shifted when he heard the sound of something chuckling nearby. And when he looked up…
It was an old woman whose body was much taller than Randa. If Randa was 190 cm tall, then the height of the old woman in front of her could reach 380 cm. With that, the person had looked at Randa closely by lowering his head. Showing the face of a terrifying figure.
Yellow eyes, green skin, pointy ears and a long nose. This figure is... the Fairy of Death. An elf who seeks immortality, and ends up consumed by the madness of her own magic.
The true witch!
"Khiii kya kakakakakakakakakaka! It's been a long time since I ate a handsome young man!"
"Ka...Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
Randa panicked. In his panic, he had spontaneously drawn his rusty sword towards the Witch. However, in just a blink of an eye…
The sword shattered into dust, leaving only the wooden hilt in Randa's grip.
Damn it! I don't want to die! I don't want to die! I don't want to die! I don't want to die!
Think about it!
In the midst of the despair that befell him, somehow a memory from some time ago flashed through his head.
—"A witch? Maybe I can do something about her with some holy stuff."
Those were Aspa's words when responding to the story of the Witch told by Randa.
Holy...
Knowing what he had to do, Randa took one step back. Then with what he had planned, he took a bottle of healing water and threw it at the witch's face. .
Successful ... I succeeded...
It's because...
"Kyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
"The healing bottle contains angel tears! That's why it's called 'Divine Water'!"
Divine Water is a special water traded to veteran adventurers. Given its limited production and the difficulty in gathering the ingredients, it makes its selling price very expensive. That's why Divine Water isn't a common type of healing water for low to mid-rank adventurers.
Luckily Bro Aspa entrusted me with two bottles of healing!
The witch had been made to writhe in pain after being doused with healing water that burned her face.
"Bro Aspa is right. Witches are afraid of anything related to purity!"
No... actually this is only specific to cursed creatures. As far as I know, normal wizards will be fine if they come into contact with this water. In fact, they were the first to make it.
"That means, you! You are truly cursed for trying to use immortality magic! And also… killing children."
"Shut up you damn brat! I won't eat you! I'll torture youuuuuuuuuu!"
"Ah!?"
In his current situation, Randa felt something strange about himself. It felt like a pressure that pushed him to keep moving forward even though it would be dangerous for him.
My body feels light?
The witch attacked with the intention of grabbing his head and then stabbing her knife-sharp fingernails into his eyes.
However, with his big and strong body, as well as decades of experience cutting down trees, Randa was able to easily hold both of the Witch's hands and deliver a heavy blow to the Witch's chest.
Her body was very frail. And Randa realized it when his hand could easily break the Witch's sternum until he touched her internal organs.
This beating thing... Her heart!
Randa roughly grabbed the Witch's heart and pulled it out. Making the Witch retreat several meters back with her hysterical scream.
The Witch leaned against a tree, then fell down slowly.
....
....
..
"..."
Even so, Randa had not yet exhaled.
He still continued to step forward towards the Witch's helpless body..
Keep going... with a hunter's eye.
I... have to kill her. Kill. Kill. Kill....
"No. That's enough, Randa."
Someone tapped Randa's shoulder, snapping him out of her anger.
That person, the man in office clothes—Aspa continued to walk past Randa, taking his place to approach the Witch.
As he walked, he said, "Killing is not a hero's job. Well, it's more like it's not appropriate for children."
Aspa stopped just one step in front of the Witch.
His body was covered in wounds, but he was still able to stand firmly.
"O Wizard who seeks immortality. Are you still aware of the sins you have committed?"
The witch was silent for a long time, until finally she opened his mouth with great effort.
"K-Killed…and ate…many children."
"Is that all… for eternity?"
"............"
Randa couldn't hear him... but Aspa could.
Without warning, Aspa immediately swung his axe at the Witch's neck. Making the axe stuck quite deep in the tree that was the Witch's body support.
"Bro ... Aspa?"
Aspa turned around. What was visible on his face now was the tired smile of a man who looked like he had just worked overtime at the office.
"Done ...."
With that.... [Quest Completed]
6
Aspa and Randa had returned to the village, just as the morning sunlight was beginning to illuminate their part of the world..
There were already villagers there who welcomed their arrival with joy. And, a boy ran towards the little girl they saved with tears of regret.
"That's… Hansel? No wonder Brother didn't continue his search," Randa said after releasing the little girl from her arms.
"I see. It seems that in any world, Hansel is smart, huh! He deliberately put white pebbles so that he wouldn't get lost in the forest, but unfortunately while being chased by the witch, his sister was left behind. They were just unlucky."
"Unlucky ... Huh?"
His statement was so trivial.
"Thank goodness you're both safe."
The village head welcomed them with deep joy, as did the farm owner who immediately approached Randa.
"I'm home… Father."
"Yes… Welcome back, my son."
In the midst of all that happiness, a crashing sound was heard that made Randa and the residents turn their attention to one thing. Namely, Aspa's body lying limply on the ground with blood..
Everyone immediately panicked. Not expecting something like that to happen in the midst of their relief.
One of the people, the Priest, quickly checked Aspa's unconscious body. When he finally realized something terrible was in Aspa's body.
"This man... he..... got cursed!"
7
The endless flower garden. The silence is not only in the place, but also in his heart.
In the 'room' in the form of a flower garden, Aspa cannot move, speak, breathe, smell, or feel anything he touches. He just lay in a pile of foreign flowers and remained silent looking at the clean blue sky.
He had full consciousness there, but couldn't move an inch. It made him feel a little uncomfortable in his situation..
Untill...
"Human..."
The footsteps of a creature approached him. It was a large sheep with deer horns dozens of meters long. The horns looked more like large tree branches than horns.
From above Aspa's view as he lay down, the sheep showed its face and spoke.
"O human who has killed my beloved child."
"..."
There was no response from Aspa. More precisely, he couldn't respond. Even so, he felt nothing but a thick emptiness in his heart.
"Live in exchange for my son's death. His curse will continue to accompany your endless adventures. That way... your body will be his."
"In that case..."
Surprise made the creature's eyes widen.
Aspa speaking was something the creature had not expected at all.
"Just give me all your curses! It won't affect my life at all! Not… even a little bit…"
"Arrogant ... Human ... Arrogant..."
Slowly the creature disappeared into dust, and all the scenery there also disappeared instantly.
8
"That's the point. I'm cursed."
Everyone who heard it there, including Randa, the village head, and the owner of the field were immediately left speechless by the flat statement that Aspa made after waking up from his fainting.
In that world, curses are one of the most common causes of death and are feared by the natives. The effect is not only death, but also unexpected suffering that still ends in death.
Seeing someone who should be a guest and welcomed well, those who were the villagers felt very bad for Aspa. However, They had refused to save the missing children and let Aspa, who was a stranger, handle it.
The village chief approached Aspa with a guilty feeling. Then, with his head bowed, he apologized.
"Sorry... Sorry for not being able to do anything for you."
"just relax."
"...?"
"I said relax. My thinking is rational enough to believe that the curse exists. Someone I know in my world also said that if curses really exist, then the only way to get rid of them is to not believe in them."
"But your world and our world are different. Curses are part of the strongest magic that is also the most important 'pattern' in life in this world. Without curses there would be no magic, and without magic there would be no life. Maybe you will understand if I say it..."
Before the priest could finish his explanation, Aspa had already completed it first.
"It's like oxygen, right? Without the curse, there would be no magic. And that magic is what allows you to live in this world."
"That's right. Magic, or as we commonly call it 'mana', envelops the entire world like air that spreads everywhere. And if you are unlucky, then there is a 'dark' mana that can enter your body and have a bad effect on you. That is what we call a curse. However, such unfortunate cases are rare even though some have experienced it. Most people in this world who are cursed are caused by their own actions," the priest explained..
Aspa began to remember how he had finished off the lump of meat with a goat's head with great difficulty while protecting a little girl named Gretel..
"If that's the cause of the curse..."
There was nothing Aspa could do. His mind was numbed by the fatigue in his body.
"I-I've heard..."
In the midst of the brief silence, Randa began to speak with some hesitation.
"I've heard that there are many great magicians and alchemists in the center of the adventurer city. Some of them work as adventurers, but there are also those who open shops or work in the Helio Kingdom."
"Well! We'll just-"
"I don't agree."
"huh..."
"..."
A loud knock was heard from the field owner's stick.
"You intend to go there, right, Randa?"
Aspa only realized the situation after seeing the expression of trying to be firm on Randa's face.
I see... this kid.
Aspa touched Randa's shoulder, and said, "Say it if you really want it."
The encouragement has increased Randa's confidence in his determination to achieve something. That's right, determination. With Randa's strong stance, he no longer needs to hold back what he thinks about his future.
"Father, I said that my dream is to become a hero, right? Therefore, in order to achieve it... I can't stay in this village. While fighting the witch in the forest, There wasn't much I could do to defeat him. I almost did something despicable. I got carried away by my emotions and almost killed the wizard in a fit of rage.. But, that is not the nature of a hero. Therefore Bang Aspa replaced the role of killing for me. From that alone it is clear how weak I am. I want to be strong! Not physically but mentally too! I want to be a real hero!"
The father, the owner of the field, was pensive with sadness written on his face..
"But you... are my only child."
"Yes, precisely because I am your only child, I am the only person who will make you proud."
"There is no point in leaving without the sincerity of parents. I understand that because I am a child of migrants," said Aspa.
"Can I ask you to look after him, Mr. Aspa?"
"If I want to be honest, there is nothing I can guarantee. The steps your child will take will be very difficult. However, there is only one thing I can do..."
What Aspa told was the realistic reality that there was no guarantee that Randa would return alive. Even so, he convinced the farm owner with his sincerity.
"... I will walk in the same steps as him. I will make sure that he does not take the wrong path."
The owner of the field understood. More precisely, he tried to understand and comprehend his son's wishes.
"Then go...Go and come back here as a hero."
"Thank you … father!!"
Everyone in the room had come to the same decision, to let Randa leave the village and become an adventurer. Meanwhile, Aspa will also go to find out how to remove his curse, as well as return to his original world.
Their adventure will only begin tomorrow morning.
9
"I'm going to go play first, father...."
"I'm going on an adventure, father.."
In the morning, when all the supplies that the village donated to Aspa and Randa were ready. Their journey to the center of the adventurer city, the Kingdom of Helio began.
Before they left, the villagers sent them off warmly, giving them words of encouragement and good luck for their journey.
"Hey, that girl over there seems like he wants to tell you something. Come closer!"
"A-What are you talking about, brother!?"
"Hah! What a bunch of kids!."
What Aspa and Randa stocked up on during the trip were some bread and fruit, cheap potions that could be bought at herbal shops, and ordinary 'weapons' that could actually only be used to fight against lower class monsters.. For now, Randa only brought a hoe, and Aspa brought the same axe as before. The two objects called 'weapons' were what would protect them... maybe.
And so begins... their tale of mediocre adventures!