Chapter 1

There Are No Evil Heroes in the World - Chapter 1 (1/273)

Prologue

A woman was humming a tune, unable to contain her excitement.

In front of her were colorful macarons and a cup of strong coffee.

This was the ultimate happiness that kept her going through her tiring work.

It could also be called the highlight of her life.

“Hmmm~ Hmmm~ As expected, the combination of coffee and macarons is the best!”

The woman, with her tiny mouth, stuffed a whole macaron in and chewed it.

Just then, her throat suddenly felt blocked.

She must have been too greedy.

The woman patted her chest and hurriedly picked up the coffee cup.

“Gulp… Ah, hot!”

Perhaps because she was too hasty.

The woman, scalded by the hot coffee, was startled and spilled it.

“No!”

The coffee splashed onto the important typewriter she was using for work.

The woman quickly looked around to see if anyone had noticed.

Fortunately, no one had seen.

“Maybe I can just wipe it off? Hehe.”

She wiped the typewriter with a cloth, and the coffee stain disappeared.

Satisfied, the woman smiled.

At that moment, she had no idea that this minor mistake would lead to a disaster.

***

Jae Hyunseok was dead.

At the young age of twenty-nine.

He never imagined he would end his life so soon.

“Sigh… If I had known, I would have enjoyed life more.”

Jae Hyunseok's life, in one sentence, was short but intense.

The heavyweight champion of the world's largest mixed martial arts league.

Jae Hyunseok, known for his god-given physique, was the best fighter in Korea.

No, the best fighter in the world.

With his innate talent and relentless effort.

Jae Hyunseok won the championship title at the age of twenty-seven.

For the next two years, he dominated all challengers with overwhelming superiority.

People began to call him the strongest man in the world.

It was a remarkable achievement that any man would have dreamed of.

Still, after his death, all that remained in Jae Hyunseok's heart was regret.

“Ha! To be hit by a truck. What rotten luck.”

Jae Hyunseok was killed by a truck.

It was an absurd and ridiculous incident, something that would happen in a cartoon.

At first, he was so shocked that he didn't even feel angry.

But gradually, his anger began to rise.

“What did I do to deserve this!?”

If there was a god, he wanted to grab him by the collar and shake him.

Why? Why now?

He was just starting to live a great life!

After a lifetime of foolishly focusing only on sports, he was finally ready to enjoy life!

Jae Hyunseok, at the relatively young age of twenty-nine, had decided to retire.

He was going to give up his championship title, stop fighting, and live a normal life.

But like a cruel joke, he was hit by a truck and died that very day.

“If this was going to happen, why didn't you just kill me earlier!”

Jae Hyunseok couldn't contain his anger and shouted.

All he heard in return was an empty echo.

“Sigh…”

After some time, the intense emotions in his chest began to subside.

Jae Hyunseok finally accepted the reality.

“Yeah. I'm dead.”

Jae Hyunseok slumped to the ground.

The white clouds on the floor softly enveloped him.

“So meaningless. I never even had a relationship. What kind of life is this?”

He felt like a fool for spending his entire life on sports.

If he had to live again, he would never do that.

“Maybe it's for the best. Life was really tough, right? Now I can rest in peace.”

He wouldn't have to endure the grueling training that made his blood run.

He wouldn't have to face the fierce and terrifying competitors.

Letting go of everything, he felt a sense of peace.

“Still, how long am I going to stay here?”

How long had he been here?

He couldn't tell exactly, but it felt like more than a day.

But the sun was still in the same position.

And he was alone in this place.

“I don't know! What does it matter anyway, since I'm already dead.”

With nothing to fear, Jae Hyunseok lay down on the clouds in a spread-eagle position.

Then, he began to notice the scenery around him.

The clear blue sky.

The blindingly bright sun.

It was a pretty good view.

“Dying isn't as bad as I thought.”

Just as Jae Hyunseok was feeling at ease, a light poured down from the sky with a shimmering effect.

Jae Hyunseok jumped up and looked at the sky.

“I'm sorry! Did you wait long!?”

“An angel…?”

***

Snow-white wings.

Golden hair that shone.

Features that looked like they were carved by an artist.

She was a beauty that made reality seem unreal.

Putting it all together, the conclusion was clear.

‘An angel…’

The woman in front of him was definitely an angel.

Jae Hyunseok regretted his life again.

‘If I had known, I would have gone to church earlier!’

He deeply regretted it.

Who would have thought that such a beautiful angel would be waiting after death?

If he had known, he would have been a devout Christian.

“Mr. Jae Hyunseok. I'm sorry for making you wait! There were a lot of people in the queue.”

“No, it's fine. Haha!”

Jae Hyunseok momentarily pondered the phrase “a lot of people in the queue” but quickly dismissed it.

With an angel in front of him, what else mattered?

“Let me introduce myself! My name is Rachel. I'm responsible for scouting people whose lives have ended on Earth.”

“Scouting?”

“Yes! Scouting! Do you know what it means?”

Of course, he knew.

Jae Hyunseok was a sports star.

Scouting, in simple terms, means finding and recruiting talented individuals.

But he couldn't see how it related to his current situation.

Jae Hyunseok asked calmly.

“Can you explain a bit more? Aren't you an angel?”

“An angel? Hmm… kind of! I can be Mr. Jae Hyunseok's personal angel. Haha!”

Rachel smiled brightly.

It looked a bit forced…

Jae Hyunseok tried hard to swallow the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

“So, what do you mean by scouting? I'm already dead.”

“Right! This isn't the time for that!”

Suddenly, Rachel's expression turned serious as she approached him.

“Mr. Jae Hyunseok.”

“Yes.”

“Aren't you regretful!?”

“Yes?”

To ask if he was regretful right away.

What was she trying to say?

“You never had a relationship and you died.”

“…”

“You spent your whole life on sports and ended up being hit by a truck. Don't you feel wronged?”

“Um… well…”

Jae Hyunseok's head spun from the sudden mental assault.

Rachel didn't give him a chance to recover.

“Mr. Jae Hyunseok!”

“Hey, you're too close…”

Rachel leaned in close.

Jae Hyunseok tried to push her away but she grabbed his hand and continued.

“Don't you want to become a hero!?”

“A hero?”

“Yes! A hero!”

Rachel nodded seriously.

“There's a world suffering from the Demon King. I believe Mr. Jae Hyunseok can be a great hero and save them!”

“No, but… it's too sudden.”

The pace of the conversation was too fast.

He wanted to say something, but Rachel didn't give him a chance to have doubts.

“Mr. Jae Hyunseok, you have two choices.”

“Suddenly?”

“Yes! One is to be reborn and live this life as a meaningless, pitiful old bachelor.”

Rachel pretended to wipe away tears that weren't there.

“Just thinking about it is sad. Sob sob!”

“Ah, yes…”

“But don't worry. There's another choice!”

Rachel emphasized her words with a determined look and a strong voice.

“The other choice is to be reborn as a hero with your current body and mind and save the world!”

It was clear she was trying to make him choose the latter.

Honestly, it felt too suspicious.

It seemed like there was some hidden bad intention.

“Hmm…”

Jae Hyunseok shook his head.

No matter how naive he was, he wasn't stupid enough to fall for this.

“I need some time to think. I also want a more detailed explanation.”

Rachel's face crumpled for a moment.

Then, she quickly returned to her cheerful smile.

“Mr. Jae Hyunseok! Now is not the time for such leisurely explanations.”

Rachel grabbed his shoulder and shouted.

“Aren't you regretful about dying like this?”

“Yeah, but first, I need an explanation…”

“What explanation? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! It's all over novels, comics, and animations. A great hero! Haven't you seen one?”

“…”

“Fame! Glory! The chance to monopolize beautiful women. This is your chance to reclaim the life you lost pointlessly!”

“So…”

“You're so frustrating!”

Rachel punched her chest.

“Do you need to think? If you reject this offer, your life ends here. Don't you feel regretful? I'm giving you a new opportunity.”

“That's true…”

Jae Hyunseok nodded without realizing it.

Thinking about it, everything the angel said was true.

‘In my current situation, I shouldn't be picky.’

He was dead.

His life was supposed to end here.

But this beautiful Rachel was offering him a new life.

A chance to live as a hero.

‘A hero. A hero…’

In his youth.

Jae Hyunseok had dreams.

The great heroes in novels and comics.

He used to imagine himself as one of them, defeating the Demon King and achieving everything.

Jae Hyunseok's eyes started to shine.

‘I will become a hero…’

A hero who monopolizes wealth, glory, and beautiful women!

“Hero! Hero! Hero! When you wake up, the village chief will come running in straw sandals, saying, 'Hero, sir!' and offer you food. The hero will accept the chief's request and complete the mission brilliantly!”

“…”

“It doesn't end there. After completing the mission, guess what? The chief's youngest daughter is a beautiful young woman in her twenties! The chief will say subtly.”

Rachel cleared her throat and deepened her voice.

“Ahem! Hero, sir. My daughter may be humble, but if you would take her, I would have no more desires!”

Jae Hyunseok was gradually drawn into Rachel's story.

“The hero just needs to choose. A pure and devoted love for one woman? Or a harem kingdom with the most beautiful women on the continent? That's what being a hero means!”

“Ah…”

Jae Hyunseok nodded repeatedly, lost in thought.

“Huh?”

Suddenly, Rachel checked her wrist.

There was a crudely drawn watch with a marker.

“Time's up. Mr. Jae Hyunseok, one last question. Will you accept my offer?”

“That's…”

“If you keep thinking, I'll assume you're rejecting it and leave.”

“Huh?”

“End this life as a lonely old man and try harder in your next life!”

She muttered, “Well, there's no guarantee you'll be reborn as a human in your next life.”

Jae Hyunseok, like someone who saw the “limited time offer” on a home shopping channel, quickly raised his hand.

“Yes!”

“What?”

“I'll do it! The hero thing.”

“Of course, I knew Mr. Jae Hyunseok would accept! You look like a just and righteous man!”

Rachel beamed and made a fuss.

“Since I'm already dead, what can I not do? Let's do it.”

“Sure! Let's start right away!”

“Right away?”

“Is there anything to wait for? A wonderful new world is waiting for the hero Jae Hyunseok!”

Jae Hyunseok understood Rachel's words.

They were all good, but was he really going without any preparation?

Rachel didn't give him a chance to think.

“A great adventure for wealth, glory, and beautiful women! We can't waste a single moment. Many people are eagerly waiting for the hero to appear!”

Jae Hyunseok nodded hesitantly.

“Let's go. Yes…”

“Then, poof! Have a great adventure!”

Rachel waved her hand, and Jae Hyunseok disappeared.

Finally alone, Rachel frowned.

“Phew! I'm so busy, why are you so indecisive?”

Rachel sighed, crossed her legs, and sat in a chair.

Then, she made a call.

“Yes, yes! The 137,421st potential hero, Jae Hyunseok, has been successfully moved! Yes! Of course! Who am I? Don't worry. Oh, the bonus, you can send it right away…”

***

Bright light covered his eyelids.

Jae Hyunseok, waking up, felt a splitting headache.

‘What is this? I was definitely…’

Jae Hyunseok tried to recall.

“Fame! Glory! Beautiful women! Everything is waiting for you, Mr. Jae Hyunseok!”

The memory became clearer.

‘Right. I was going to embark on an adventure to become a hero.’

At that moment.

A strange voice came from beside him.

“Open your… eyes…”

He couldn't understand the words clearly.

But it didn't matter.

The content was obvious.

It was definitely the voice of someone looking for a hero.

A common line, right?

Open your eyes. Hero! Wake up. Hero!

As Jae Hyunseok was thinking this, the voice came again.

“Are you going to open your eyes or what? You're not getting up?”

“Huh?”

The lines were a bit… no, very different.

Just as Jae Hyunseok realized something was off.

A tremendous impact hit his abdomen.

“Cough!”

He was shocked and bewildered at the same time.

To be kicked on first meeting.

Who had ever hit Jae Hyunseok like this?

The heavyweight champion.

The man who held the title of the strongest man in the world.

To be kicked by someone?

It was something that would only happen if he had given up his life to a gambling scam.

Jae Hyunseok quickly got up.

“Who the hell are you? I'll—”

‘I’ll kill you!?’ Jae Hyunseok stopped himself.

‘What is this…?’

Something was wrong.

A massive, muscular chest.

A chest with red skin.

Jae Hyunseok slowly lifted his head.

After tilting his head back for a while, he finally saw the face of the person who had kicked him.

“Who… are you…?”

His head was enormous.

He was deeply confused.

“Why are you lying here? From your attire, you don't seem to be a common slave.”

Jae Hyunseok didn't know how to respond.

He was too confused.

Jae Hyunseok was 198 cm tall.

But the person in front of him was even taller.

Not to mention the bulging muscles.

Red skin.

A threatening horn on the head.

Flames even rising from the horn.

“So…”

It was more surprising to maintain his sanity in front of such a monster.

“I'm a hero…”

“Hero? Hero?”

The word “hero” slipped out.

The face of the giant in front of him crumpled.

“You're a hero?”

The giant leaned in close with a terrifying and massive face.

Just a minute ago, a beautiful woman had leaned in like this.

A huge temperature difference.

“So, um…”

Jae Hyunseok swallowed hard and desperately tried to think.

What should he say?

He had clearly said he would become a hero.

But the monster in front of him was not a simple village chief waiting for a hero.