------------------
[Translator - Kiteretsu]
[Proofreader - Kyros]
------------------
Chapter 328
Hero.
A benevolent existence that saves the world.
Before levels were introduced, Siron took great pride in the title of Hero.
He believed he had contributed to the peace of the world—promoting harmony among races and achieving victory in battles against evil forces.
‘Isn’t this only natural for a Hero?’
"Hero! Please, visit our village and help us with our troubles!"
However, as time passed, people no longer saw the Hero’s sacrifices as noble but rather as something to be expected.
Even then, Siron repeated his sacrifices, believing it was only natural for a Hero to do so.
Then, an absolute numerical value called "level" appeared before every race, and the world changed.
"Wow, so if I level up, I get stronger?"
"No need for training. Just gain experience, and you’ll become powerful right away."
With the emergence of levels, they became the standard for strength.
As a result, many people threw themselves into dungeons and gained power from them.
Because of this, the need to seek out Heroes for dungeon-related matters drastically decreased.
"Heroes have high levels, but… if we put in some effort, we can catch up, right?"
At that time, Siron’s level was 350.
Many set their sights on surpassing him, and some even began interfering to prevent him from leveling up.
Whenever Siron voiced his frustrations, he was met with tenfold criticism.
"Is the Hero being greedy now?"
"Wow… I didn’t expect this, but your greed is no joke."
It was absurd.
The same people who used to frantically seek his help whenever a dungeon appeared were now busy keeping him in check.
"Hero, you need not bear all the burdens alone. Instead, focus on training knights."
The rulers of the nation were no different.
They took it for granted that the Hero would serve.
"What is this disgusting feeling?"
For the first time, Siron felt disillusioned with being a Hero.
However, perhaps out of habit from living as one for so long, he did not express it outwardly and quietly complied.
Until someone approached him.
<‘???’ feels sorry for you.>
It happened when he was sharing knowledge about monsters to help knights conquer dungeons.
A message appeared before him.
"What is this?"
<‘???’ says you have accumulated great virtue and are qualified to ascend. If you make a contract, they will grant you the power to rule the world.>
He had been chosen.
That contract turned Siron’s life upside down.
* * *
Siron, who had been walking toward Jeong-hoon, suddenly stopped.
"Keep this in mind. We are creations. No matter how much glory we attain, we are ultimately fated to decay."
"So?"
“…You’re not someone who lacks awareness. You should have realized by now."
Siron gazed at Jeong-hoon with a look of pity.
"So, you're telling me to submit and live like you?"
"Heh, it's not submission. It's being chosen. We have transcended humanity and are becoming perfect gods."
Completely lost in a superiority complex.
No—since he was chosen, perhaps it wasn’t entirely wrong.
"F*** off. I will never accept that."
He would end this damn game and live without regrets in a peaceful world.
As a human.
"Tsk, do you know why I hesitate to kill you, even though I could do it right now?"
"Because you think my skills are a waste."
"Correct. Despite not even reaching Level 800, you’ve shown remarkable performance. I saw potential in you."
"Don’t make me repeat myself."
He couldn’t bear to listen anymore.
Jeong-hoon stepped forward, executing the Heavenly Demon Lord’s Dominion technique.
[First Style: Heavenly Demon’s Entry Stance activated.]
At the same time, he unleashed Heavenly Demon’s Entry Stance and swung Leviathan without hesitation.
His sword strikes aimed sharply at Siron’s neck and waist.
However, Siron effortlessly deflected every attack with a single hand.
"Please, do not reject my mercy."
"You insane bastard."
[First Style: Heavenly Demon’s Entry Stance activated.]
Jeong-hoon’s Heavenly Demon’s Entry Stance rained down upon Siron.
But Siron casually blocked every strike, smiling with ease.
"What a waste… Urgh!"
Siron’s words were suddenly cut off.
His eyes widened in shock as a hand—one not holding Leviathan—was buried deep into his side.
The Hero’s Blessing had been pierced, and damage had been inflicted. His face twisted in disbelief.
"What’s wrong? Surprised that your blessing has been nullified?"
Jeong-hoon smirked.
"It’s useless."
Siron struck Jeong-hoon’s left shoulder with the hand that wasn’t holding his sword.
Yet, Jeong-hoon’s expression remained completely calm.
'No way… invincibility?!'
Siron quickly realized Jeong-hoon’s ability.
But it was already too late.
Jeong-hoon seized the opening created by Siron’s attack and landed a direct hit to his abdomen.
"Urgh!"
Once again, the Hero’s Blessing failed to activate.
And for good reason.
Jeong-hoon was using True Heavenly Demon Fist.
This martial art had an 80% chance of nullifying defense.
More precisely—it could negate any form of defense.
Whether it was a body boasting overwhelming durability, armor, or even skills.
In other words, since the Hero’s Blessing is a defensive skill, it can be nullified.
The problem was that Siron’s HP had only dropped by 2%.
'If I were at least 5-star, I could clear the quest.'
But since he could only unleash 1-star, he didn’t meet the quest completion conditions.
[Light Barrier activated.]
Jeong-hoon activated Light Barrier and threw another punch.
This time, however, Siron caught his wrist, completely neutralizing the attack.
"Did you really think you could defeat me with the same method?"
Siron had already regained his composure and smiled.
Then, he applied force and twisted Jeong-hoon’s wrist.
With a sickening crack, the barrier shattered instantly, and Jeong-hoon’s face contorted in pain.
"Ugh!"
Releasing his grip, Siron spoke.
"Handling divine power is impressive, but it’s meaningless against someone like me, who is becoming a god."
Jeong-hoon staggered backward.
Just one twist had completely shattered the bones in his wrist.
[Divine Healing activated.]
He quickly restored his broken wrist with Divine Healing and took a deep breath.
'The difference in skill is too obvious.'
His remaining HP: 8%.
If he could just reduce that last 8% by any means necessary, he could complete the quest.
Jeong-hoon raised Leviathan once more and aimed it at Siron.
"Even after all this, you still won’t give up?"
"If I were the type to give up that easily, I wouldn’t have made it this far."
"Yes, that’s why I’m giving you a chance."
"You’re creeping me out. Cut it out."
This was beyond delusion. It was a sickness.
[Third Style: Heavenly Demon’s Annihilation Stance activated.]
Jeong-hoon activated Heavenly Demon’s Annihilation Stance, aiming to pierce Siron’s throat.
The tip of Leviathan shot forward like a dagger, targeting Siron with deadly precision.
"A very fine thrust. But this is as far as you go."
Siron traced a wide arc with his sword before bringing it down with tremendous force.
A golden flash exploded forth, instantly engulfing Jeong-hoon.
Grand Braver.
Everything caught in the flash would be sliced thousands—no, tens of thousands of times—until not even a trace remained.
"A shame. Had you accepted it willingly, things could have been different…"
But Siron couldn't finish his sentence.
The light that had engulfed Jeong-hoon reversed direction—turning back and swallowing Siron instead.
And the Jeong-hoon who should have been erased without a trace stood there, completely unharmed.
[Rune of Counterattack activated.]
He had used the Rune of Counterattack.
[True Asura activated. (Time Limit: 180 seconds)]
[Phase 1: Entering Asura.]
With both the inflicted and received damage conditions met, True Asura had been activated.
Two phantom arms materialized behind Jeong-hoon.
'Is it over?'
At Mukho's question, Jeong-hoon shook his head.
'No.'
Unfortunately, even after returning Grand Braver, Siron remained unscathed.
It was because the Hero’s Blessing had protected him.
However, it hadn’t completely nullified the attack—the blessing was fully destroyed, and Siron’s HP had dropped by another 4%.
Perhaps his pride had taken a serious hit, as Siron was now glaring at Jeong-hoon as if he were ready to kill him.
"How does it feel to be struck by your own power?"
"I’ll stop trying to persuade you now. From here on, I’ll go all out."
"You should’ve done that from the start."
The phantom arms each gripped a spear and Leviathan.
Meanwhile, Jeong-hoon clenched his fists, wielding nothing at all.
—Whoosh!
At that moment, a sword strike flew toward Jeong-hoon’s face.
[Light Barrier activated.]
Jeong-hoon activated Light Barrier and stepped into Heavenly Demon Lord’s Dominion.
However, the barrier shattered instantly with a loud crash, and the blade grazed the side of his neck as it passed.
‘Tsk… completely dodging is impossible.’
[Divine Healing activated.]
He quickly healed the wound on his neck with Divine Healing and closed in on Siron.
Now that Siron was fully intent on eliminating him, trying to widen the distance was no different from asking to be killed.
The phantom arms swung the Shadow King’s Spear and Leviathan.
—Clang!
Siron swung his sword, effortlessly deflecting both weapons.
At that moment, Jeong-hoon attempted to strike Siron’s abdomen with Heavenly Demon Fist Technique.
[Block activated.]
His invincibility skill, Block, activated.
Though it was invisible, Siron’s sword had already sliced Jeong-hoon’s neck.
At the same time, Jeong-hoon’s fist landed a clean hit on Siron’s abdomen.
[Phase 2: Entering Berserk.]
Upon entering Phase 2: Berserk, two more phantom arms materialized, and his attack speed increased by 1.2 times.
"Ugh… You’re really persistent."
Jeong-hoon didn’t respond. Instead, he threw another punch.
This time, it was Heavenly Demon Fist Technique – 2nd form.
At that exact moment, 120 seconds had passed, granting him another 1.3 seconds of invincibility.
Siron appeared to swing his sword, but Jeong-hoon ignored it and continued his relentless assault.
[Siron’s HP has dropped below 90%.]
It was over.
With the quest completion message appearing, Jeong-hoon finally lowered his fists and took a step back.
“…Ha.”
Siron let out a hollow laugh and pressed a hand against his forehead.
He had completely stopped attacking, and an exclamation mark was flickering above his head.
[Quest Completed.]
[You have gained 100,000,000 EXP.]
[You may now proceed to the next quest.]
The next quest.
‘Don't tell me... it wants me to completely take him down?’
Even after using all his invincibility skills, he had barely managed to bring Siron’s HP below 90%.
If the next quest required him to fully subjugate Siron, his chances of success were zero.
[Secret Episode Quest: Recognition]
- Requirement: Complete the Confrontation Quest
- Reward: ??
- Description: The Architect acknowledges you. Earn his recognition and bring this episode to its conclusion.
However, the next quest completely defied Jeong-hoon’s expectations.
‘Who’s acknowledging me?’
The episode had taken a strange turn.
As if it had been hastily put together.
With a feeling of unease, Jeong-hoon accepted the quest.
The moment he did, Siron lowered his sword and clapped his hands.
"As expected, I really like you."
“…It was you?”
"Excuse me?"
"Escanon."
They say "a mere thought can change everything."
At the mention of Escanon, Siron broke into a wide grin and nodded.
"What do you think? It’s nothing to brag about since this was my human form, but still, not too bad, right?"
Jeong-hoon couldn’t hide his shock.
The information about Escanon he had received from Baal—
Not once did it mention that Escanon was ever human.
There was no way he could have suspected that Siron and Escanon were the same person.
"This Secret Episode… you threw this together, didn’t you?"
"You really are quick-witted."
"Why?"
"Out of all the races I’ve seen, you’re the most interesting. And… there are things I want to tell you."
"Tell me?"
"Yes."
Siron—no, Escanon—snapped his fingers.
Jeong-hoon's vision faded to black.
------------------
[Translator - Kiteretsu]
[Proofreader - Kyros]
------------------
