Chapter 4

There are no bad heroes in the world - Chapter 4 (4/273)

Golden hair that flowed down to his waist.

Prominent features that were closely clustered.

And a pair of pure white wings sprouting from her back.

The Rachel that appeared before Chae Hyunseok was the same as before.

However, there was one difference: she was incredibly small.

Her height had shrunk to about 30 cm.

She looked like a figurine.

Although it was natural to wonder why she had become so small, Chae Hyunseok did not ask.

He was simply shocked and enraged by the fact that Rachel had appeared.

"You're curious about the Hero Points? I'll tell you!"

Ignoring Chae Hyunseok's inner turmoil, Rachel chattered on.

"Hero Points are important... Aaah!"

Chae Hyunseok grabbed Rachel.

"What, what are you doing! Stop it..."

Rachel's voice, which had been about to shout in panic, became a mere whisper.

"You..."

Flames.

Chae Hyunseok's eyes were burning like fire.

Originally, he had a fierce appearance, and when he got angry, he was terrifying even to high-ranking demons.

"Sir... Hero...?"

"Let's start with a beating."

"Huh?"

Chae Hyunseok grabbed Rachel's ankle and started swinging her around.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

"First, let me... let me... just a moment! Ugh! Just a moment! Ah!"

Although he couldn't bring himself to hit her on the stone floor, Chae Hyunseok hit Rachel into the smelly straw.

Of course, from Rachel's perspective, even that was a living hell.

As she was buried in the straw, covered in all sorts of filth, Rachel cursed her superior, Frisella.

In fact, she hadn't come here willingly.

How could she show her face to someone who had been trapped in the Demon King's fortress due to her mistake?

Rachel had only come here because of Frisella's coercion.

"Be Chae Hyunseok's dedicated fairy."

Being a dedicated fairy was no big deal.

It was just a guide and helper for the hero.

"Me, a dedicated fairy!?"

"Yes. Since it's a special privilege for heroes, there shouldn't be any problem."

Of course, Rachel protested.

"I haven't been a dedicated fairy for a hundred years!"

"If you don't want to be a dedicated fairy, I can just send you to the human world as a human."

"Me... a human... Are you joking...?"

Rachel asked in panic, but Frisella's eyes were serious.

"Does it look like a joke?"

"..."

"If you don't want to be a dedicated fairy, I'll trap you in the Demon King's fortress with no abilities, just like you did."

"How could you..."

There was no choice.

Surviving in the Demon King's fortress as a human was impossible.

"The period will last until Chae Hyunseok defeats the Demon King. Any complaints?"

"None..."

Rachel ultimately agreed to become Chae Hyunseok's dedicated fairy.

After finishing the conversation with Frisella,

Rachel was sent to where Chae Hyunseok was without even packing the macarons she had left at home.

And now, she was being buried in straw and filth.

"Ugh! Just a moment! Ugh! Let me... talk! Ugh!"

Chae Hyunseok swung Rachel around like a madman.

"Aaaaaah!"

Swinging Rachel like a windmill, he then slammed her into the straw with all his might, as if possessed by a major league baseball player.

Crack!

Rachel, now completely ragged, staggered to her feet.

"Ugh... Sir Hero, please calm down and listen to me..."

"Calm down?"

At the word "calm down," Chae Hyunseok smiled.

His eyes were gleaming with a strange madness.

"This is just the beginning."

"Aaaaaah!"

"Die!"

Thus, another hell was created within hell.

***

After the commotion ended,

Chae Hyunseok felt himself gradually calming down.

'I need to listen to her story first.'

Beating Rachel up wouldn't solve the problem.

He needed to understand why this had happened.

"...That's how it happened..."

After finishing her explanation, Rachel bowed her head deeply.

Of course, the conversation so far had been blocked by magic, so no one else could hear it.

"So, you're my manager now?"

"Yes. The period will last until Sir Hero Chae Hyunseok defeats the Demon King."

"Until I defeat the Demon King..."

Chae Hyunseok shook his head.

"I'm sorry, but I'm done with being a hero."

"Huh?"

"I'm not doing it. Being a hero."

"What do you mean...?"

At Rachel's question, Chae Hyunseok frowned and glared at her.

"Why should I fight the Demon King and save the world? From what I've heard, most heroes just live ordinary lives."

"Of course, there are many such potential heroes. Most of them live and die ordinary lives. But!"

Rachel clenched her fist.

"Sir Hero Chae Hyunseok is different. I told you! An SSS-grade potential! This is very rare!"

"How can I trust you? What if it's another lie?"

"That's a mistake..."

Chae Hyunseok cut off Rachel's attempt to explain.

"Whatever. Let's say you're right. Let's say I have high potential. But does that mean I have to sacrifice myself?"

"..."

"My goal is to escape this fortress and become an adventurer. That's all."

He was being honest.

He hadn't decided to become a hero just because of Rachel's words.

He just wanted to live his life freely again.

'In my previous life, things were tough.'

Becoming a world champion in martial arts wasn't easy.

He woke up early every day to train and followed a strict diet.

Every day was the same, like a hamster on a wheel.

Although he traveled overseas for matches quite often, he never had the chance to sightsee.

He had to maintain his condition.

That's how Chae Hyunseok pushed himself to the limit.

And now, he no longer wanted to live that kind of life.

"But, Sir Hero Chae Hyunseok."

"Why?"

"To be honest, this world isn't easy. It's very dangerous. If you want to become an adventurer, you'll need strength."

At Rachel's words, Chae Hyunseok chuckled.

"I'm not that naive. Of course, I plan to get stronger. Since I've fallen into this world, I need to learn magic and sword skills, right?"

"Then why..."

"Just that, I won't be swayed by the illusion of being a hero or develop a sense of mission that doesn't exist."

Chae Hyunseok spoke calmly.

This made Rachel even more uncomfortable.

'Was he always like this?'

At first, she had thought he was a simple, ignorant person who only did sports.

That's why she had pushed him to become a hero quickly, but she hadn't expected him to hide this side of himself.

'If he doesn't defeat the Demon King, he can't go back...'

Rachel was now completely subordinate to Chae Hyunseok.

She had to follow his orders and share his fate.

She could offer advice on the path Chae Hyunseok wanted to take, but she couldn't force him.

"Anyway, you said you have to follow my orders, right? I plan to leave the fortress, so cooperate."

"I understand..."

Just as Rachel hung her head in defeat,

"Huh?"

Rachel suddenly disappeared.

While Chae Hyunseok was confused, Rachel's voice echoed in his mind.

'Sir Hero, someone is approaching!'

"Who's coming?"

Chae Hyunseok's question was quickly answered.

"Human! Human!"

The goblin guard, Jack, was banging on the iron bars.

"Come out."

"Huh?"

"Why are you standing there like an idiot! Get out!"

It was almost bedtime.

Why was he the only one being let out?

The other slaves were watching quietly, but he could feel their attention.

'This guy, could he...?'

Chae Hyunseok looked down at Jack with a dubious expression.

Specifically, he was looking at the giant sword in Jack's hand.

'I might have to kill him...'

Jack had always been particularly cruel to him.

If Jack was planning to harm him secretly, he wouldn't stand for it.

But what Jack said was completely unexpected.

"It's a call from Raidrun."

***

Standing 2.5 meters tall with a full-body covering of red muscle.

Raidrun, a high-ranking demon with a bull's head and horns that spewed fire.

He was sitting in his office, waiting for Chae Hyunseok.

"I've heard you've been working diligently lately."

"Yes...?"

"I heard from Jack. You've been the most enthusiastic among the slaves recently."

Chae Hyunseok was surprised and looked at Jack.

'Is this idiot praising me?'

He couldn't believe it.

He wanted to ask Jack about it, but Raidrun continued.

"At first, I thought you were just another idiot who had gone mad, but it's good to see you working hard. So, I have a question."

Raidrun, with his fierce appearance, smiled warmly.

"Are you interested in becoming a slave overseer?"

"Huh?"

"The work pace has been poor lately. This place is right next to a battlefield. We don't know when humans will attack, and the fortress expansion is falling behind. So, Chae Hyunseok, if you become a slave overseer and improve the work efficiency, it would be great."

Just as Raidrun finished speaking,

'Absolutely not!!!'

Rachel's voice echoed in Chae Hyunseok's mind again.

'Telling a hero to become a lackey for the Demon King's army? That's ridiculous!'

Although it was strange to hear such an uncouth word from an angel like Rachel, Chae Hyunseok couldn't ask about it.

"What's that? I thought I heard something strange..."

Raidrun glared at Chae Hyunseok, raising his eyebrows.

'Oh!'

Rachel, who hadn't expected Raidrun to sense anything, was also surprised and closed her mouth.

"I..."

Chae Hyunseok quickly spoke.

Then he bowed 90 degrees.

"Thank you! Sir Raidrun!"

"Oh."

"I'll do my best to manage the slaves!"

Chae Hyunseok shouted loudly.

"Hahaha! Good. You're a different kind of guy than I expected."

Raidrun put his hand on Chae Hyunseok's shoulder.

"If you do well, I'll personally recommend you for formal induction into the Demon King's army."

He was offering to recommend a hero for induction into the Demon King's army.

Chae Hyunseok smiled brightly and nodded.

"Please entrust it to me!"

***

"You're crazy! You're crazy! You're crazy!"

Rachel buzzed around Chae Hyunseok like a mosquito.

"You're crazy! How can you accept such an offer! And still call yourself a hero!?"

"Oh, you're driving me crazy."

"You're crazy! You're crazy! You're crazy! Go back and tell him you can't do it! Hurry!"

"Are you trying to drive me insane? And you, did you see that bull-headed face? If you go back now and say you can't do it, he'll tear me apart."

"..."

She couldn't argue because it was true.

Raidrun was truly terrifying.

"So... why did you accept such an offer in the first place..."

"I have my reasons, so don't worry."

Chae Hyunseok smiled and opened his status window.

There was a new message he hadn't seen before.

★☆★☆ Hero Quest! ★☆★☆

(Due to some idiot's mistake, you've ended up in the Demon King's fortress from the start!

It might be as depressing as a toilet without toilet paper, but don't lose hope!

Fortunately, an opportunity has come your way!

Win the favor of the Demon King's officer, Raidrun.

To be a true hero, you must know how to use your enemies!

· Objective: Gain Raidrun's favor

· Reward: 100 Hero Points

Chae Hyunseok clenched his fist as he read the Hero Quest.

'This is a chance to gather the Hero Points that have been shrouded in mystery.'

A new breakthrough was beginning to take shape.