“It’s just… such a letdown,” Elluin complained to me as we began our trek back. “All my life, I’ve heard about [Heroes] and the amazing things they’ve done. I even got to meet the Saint when she came to our village! Now I’m the [Hero], and it doesn’t feel like I can do anything like that. I can’t heal a village or stop an army of undead single-handedly.”

“Jake actually lost to the undead,” I replied.

He gave me a quizzical look. “Jake? I was talking about Saint Sarah.”

Oh, I guess they both fought Tim’s army of undead, didn’t they?

“But all I’ve done is claim an uncontested dungeon while being babysat,” he continued. “Some great [Hero] I am.”

I shook my head. “Don’t worry. You’ve got plenty of time ahead of you. There’s still a lot of world out there to protect.”

“I guess,” he muttered.

We walked in silence for a bit before he continued.

“Hey, Titus,” he said hesitantly. “Do you know of any way to… stop being the [Hero]?”

“I don’t think so,” I replied. I belatedly remembered how Faylen lost the class but figured he wasn’t interested in also becoming a [Fallen Hero]. “Why? Are you worried you’ll lose the class or something?”

“I’m thinking about quitting,” he replied quietly. “I’m tired of all the attention and being cooped up for my own safety.” He sighed. “Besides, it’s not like I’m a very good [Hero] anyway. I’m sure System can pick someone better than me. It must have been a mistake, though I’m pretty sure Seldanna would kill me if she heard me talking like that.”

I chuckled. “I got in a fair bit of trouble with Sarah for my blasphemy too. Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me.”

“You did? Oh, you mean your second life. That must get confusing having two other people’s memories running around in there.”

“You have no idea,” I replied, grateful that he was gullible enough that my slipup didn’t matter.

We talked a bit more, but he wasn’t the only one who had some complaints to air.

“We came all the way out to the middle of nowheresville, and all we got to fight was a buncha big snails?” Gertrude grumbled.

“Well, sorry I didn’t make this a more difficult trip,” I grumbled.

“‘Pology accepted. I shoulda known better than to expect a fight from a youngin like you.” She sighed. “I just got my hopes up that there would be somethin’ worth fighting. If not the [Demon Lord], I thought maybe I could take a crack at the next [Hero].” She glanced over at Elluin, who paled slightly.

“Leave the poor boy out of this,” I said. “If you want a fight that badly, why don’t you go pick a fight with a dragon or something?”

“You mean one of them flyin’ lizards? Ain’t seen one in decades,” she grumbled. “Must’ve all been part chicken.”

I stopped, and Gertrude did soon after.

“Somethin’ the matter, sonny?” she asked.

However, I was busy rubbing my three existing brain cells together as I thought of an idea.

They’re technically people… Right? So I shouldn’t… But if Gertrude stays here, she’ll probably declare war on the dwarves, who are much more obviously people. So, is it okay to-

“Earth to sonny, do you read me?” Gertrude asked.

“Oh, yes,” I replied. And I made my decision. “Gertrude, can you keep a secret?”

“Depends on what it is. If yer makin’ an evil plot like the first [Demon Lord], I won’t keep it a secret.” She grinned. “Or I guess I’ll just follow that old sayin’. What was it? 2 people can keep a secret if one of ‘em is dead?” She gave me a grin.

Any remaining guilt I had about my plan was eliminated.

Yup, she’s crazy and needs to go. I thought. “Well, it would be a secret about fighting some strong enemies, so it would be in your best interest to keep it to yourself.”

“Alright, I’m listenin’,” she replied.

In hushed tones, I told her the secret of the dragonlands and how to get there. I did have to let her know that all of the fire dragons were dead, but I informed her that there should be plenty of other types of dragons to fight: air ones, earth ones, water ones, and even some ash ones far to the west.

“So, if you just take the portal near here, you can be on your way to a good fight,” I said.

She eyed me suspiciously. “You seem awful keen to get rid of me,” she said.

“Because you’re a loose cannon that makes me fear for everyone’s life,” I replied before my brain caught up.

Fortunately, she took it well. She laughed and clapped me on the back, hard enough to cause HP damage due to her [Martial Arts]. “I spose I am! However, just because I didn’t like that gleam in yer eye when you said that, I think I’ll join you for the second leg of the journey. Just to be sure.”

Dang. Still stuck with her. I thought. However, given her excitement, I had succeeded in my plans. Unfortunately, that meant I was going to unleash a bicentennial berserking monster on the inhabitants of the dragonlands, and all I could do was give my silent prayer for their victory.

----

April 6th, 125 AA

We arrived safely back in Besti with no further issues.

I was surprised when Lilly informed me that the elders wished to speak with me, but I assumed they wanted to discuss another obelisk or something. I went without a fuss and saw the entirety of Besti’s royalty and their [Martial Elders] gathered.

I took my seat on the floor with my legs crossed while the rest of the gathering sat Japanese-style.

Dangit, Lindsey, you weeb. I grumbled to myself. However, at least sitting on the floor made sense since wooden furniture would be a needless luxury out in the middle of the desert.

“So, what’s up?” I finally asked when it seemed like everyone was situated. “Were you wanting another obelisk or something? If so, I’ll need the same amount of gold as last time.”

The elders looked at each other and, surprisingly, it wasn’t Lilly that spoke.

“We have gathered here today to discuss the matters of your oaths,” he stated. “We plan to release you from one of them.”

“Oh, good,” I replied. “I have to admit. I was getting a bit worried about those after they almost killed Sarah.”

He nodded. “Then, if you agree, I will proceed. By the power given me as a [Martial Elder] of Besti, I hereby relinquish you of your oath… to save our people with time magic.”

System: System-Bound oath removed by oath recipients. Removed oath: “I will do all in my power to use time magic to right the wrong that was done to (the Besti) people!”

I shot up to my feet. “Woah, woah! Wait a second! That wasn’t the deal!” I shouted. “You were supposed to release me from the other one!”

He shook his head. “I have released you from the one that was decided.”

“Decided by who?” I demanded.

“This entire assembly,” he said.

I looked around the gathering. None of the [Martial Elders] or royalty met my eye. Lilly was the only one who returned my gaze with a tired one of her own.

“What changed?” I asked. “I thought you were willing to help me with this. I thought you were willing to do what it took to bring back your homeland?”

“My homeland?” Lilly laughed bitterly. “Titus, you are standing in my homeland. I am nearly the oldest among us, yet I have never known a life other than this one. Even still, I was willing to put that aside to undo the great tragedy that happened to our people until we received the prophecy not five days ago.”

My blood ran cold.

“What prophecy?” I asked.

“The path the [Demon Lord] treads has already been worn. Should he continue on it, he and all those who tread it with him will face naught but suffering and failure,” she quoted. “I cannot support a quest doomed to failure. I also cannot throw my people’s fate in with yours.” She took a deep breath. “You, however, still have a choice. Give up this fool’s errand, and we will welcome you here with open arms as one of us. Your quest has proved that you can make peace with the world, even should your faction refuse it.”

I didn’t even need to think.

“No,” I said. “Screw that. And screw all of you!” I shouted as I panned across the room. My wrath aura was leaking, but I didn’t care. “If you won’t help me, I’ll just do it myself! If you won’t accept my oath, I’ll make an oath to myself!”

“An oath to yourself?” the first [Martial Elder] asked. “That would be pointless. You would be capable of releasing yourself from it at any time.”

“Then… Then… SYSTEM!” I shouted. “I solemnly swear by the System and to the System-“

“Titus! Stop this madness!” Lilly yelled.

I ignored her and continued. “-that I will devote this life and all subsequent ones-“

“Stop him!” Lilly said as she rose and [Flash Stepped] in my direction. She tried to put a hand over my mouth, but I had a [Flash Step] of my own. I blinked away from her and continued.

“-to mastering time magic-“

The other elders joined in, trying to grapple me or otherwise get a hand over my mouth, but I was trained directly by the best martial artist Placeholder had ever seen. They could barely even touch me.

“-until I fix the wrongs that I have unleashed on this world!”

System: System-Bound oath set. Your oath: “I will devote this life and all subsequent ones to mastering time magic until I fix the wrongs that I have unleashed on this world!”

“Too late,” I said to Lilly as she approached me.

“You fool!” she shouted as she slapped me across the face. Yes, it did HP damage. She did have a class based on [Martial Arts], after all. “System will never release you from an oath! You are stuck with that oath until the day you die! No, even after that! You are stuck with that oath for eternity!”

“No,” I said with a grin after I finished wincing from her slap. “I’m stuck with that oath until I succeed. And I don’t care what that stupid prophecy said. I will succeed. Even if I have to do it alone.”

“Very well,” she said. “You have made your choice.” She returned to her place and sat back down. “As repayment for the efforts of your second life, we shall not try to stop you or hinder you any further. You also may stay here until your companions are rested enough to continue your journey. However, do not expect a warm welcome in Besti after this.”

I snorted. “Not going with complete exile?” I asked.

She sighed. “I would be a fool to completely exile the [Demon Lord] when we still have him bound with a separate oath,” she said simply. “Besides, I know of no one else who can create water out of gold. Simply know that should we need you, we will get in touch.”

And that’s how I ended up sinking my relationship with Besti. Or, at the very least, taking us from a thoroughly allied position to… neutral, I guess? Though, I blamed it mostly on the stupid prophecy.

How do prophecies even work? I idly asked as I headed outside of the zone. I wanted to do some thinking, and exploding sand wolves sounded like the way to do that at the moment. Yeah, there was that bogus one that AltSys put together, but the other ones seemed accurate. Like that one with Jake and the party.

I frowned. I will face naught but suffering and failure. But, wait, what was the other bit? I tried to recall the wording, but remembering the exact language of a prophecy I had heard just once was a bit beyond my mental capabilities.

I’ll just have to get the exact wording from someone else. The one thing I know about fantasy prophecies is that they’re full of BS and multiple interpretations. I just have to find one little loophole, and I’m golden. Honestly, I thought that more to reassure myself than anything. If it was already set in stone that I would fail, that brought in a whole host of other questions that I didn’t want to drive myself mad asking. Things like, “does free will even exist?” chief among them.

Fortunately, I soon got a much better distraction.

“[Martial Elders]!” came a shout from the north side of the Oasis. “A forest has appeared in the desert!”

A forest? What kinda BS is the System up to now? I asked myself with a chuckle. Then, I remembered what kind of forest could appear from literal thin air. “Stay away from it!” I shouted as I began sprinting in that direction. “Stay away! It’s dangerous!”

However, groups of people headed towards it, ignoring my warning.

I have a skill for this. It’s in [Actor]. What was it!?

I opened my status and flipped through my skills until I found them.

I repeated my attempts with [Project Voice] and [Draw Attention].

“Stay away from the forest!” I shouted again. “It’s dangerous!”

I continued sprinting in that direction. I met Lilly on the way. It was a bit awkward, but she nodded in my direction.

“We were going to send the elders in to investigate,” she said.

I shook my head vehemently. “Don’t. No one goes into the forest. No one goes near the forest. In fact, it’s best if you just ignore the fact that it exists.”

She frowned. “What would we face in there that has even you afraid?”

“Something that I barely escaped from,” I said. “And that’s only because of BS related to my class. Trust me, this isn’t something you can fight, and the best-case scenario is that you will be trapped in there forever.”

“I would ask if this is some cruel joke that you are making at our expense, but I can tell just by your expression that it is not,” she replied. “Very well, I will command my people to stay away from it.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. “Good. That should be helpful. Just be warned that the creatures in there will try to lure you in with anything they think would work.”

The crisis was averted.

“It’s a good thing the [Hero] went to go check it out, then,” one of the other [Martial Elders] said offhandedly. “If anyone could take care of monsters like that, I’m sure it would be the [Hero].”

The crisis was not averted.

“Elluin!” I shouted with my [Actor] skills active again. “Stop! Don’t go towards the forest! It’s a trap!”

I didn’t hear a response, so I continued my mad dash in that direction.

Fortunately, a forest in the middle of the desert is hard to miss.

Unfortunately, I also spotted Elluin walking slowly in that direction.

“Elluin! Stop!”

He didn’t pay me any heed, so I kicked it up into high gear. He was almost at the border when I [Flash Stepped] the final stretch and tackled him.

“Thank goodness I made it in time,” I said. “I’m not sure you would have made it out alive.”

Elluin gave me nothing but a blank stare as he uselessly tried to push me off and go into the forest.

I slapped him across the face.

“Ow!” he said. “Titus? What was that for?”

“And you’re back, phew,” I said. “You were about to walk into that forest and become fey food.”

“Fey food?” he asked.

“Doesn’t matter,” I said. “Let’s just get as far away from here as we can. I’ll explain later.”

I helped him up, and we started walking back to the Oasis.

That’s when I heard the voice.

“I bethought yond wast thee. We meeteth again, Titus.”

“P-Primavia,” I answered. “How did you know it was me?”

“Thee bethought thy gull would worketh twice on the fey?” she asked with a laugh. “Nay matter what corse thee useth, I shall nev’r falleth f’r t again.”

What did she say? I vaguely got the impression that she was saying I wouldn’t be able to trick her again, but my attempts to parse the bad Shakespearean English were interrupted.

“Who are you talking to?” Elluin asked. “There’s no one there.”

“Yup,” I replied. “No one here. Let’s keep moving!”

I turned the young [Hero] around and started walking us away.

“Tiiitus,” Primavia called in a song-like voice. “I bethink t is time thee repay thyfav’r.”

“Run!” I called.

The confused [Hero] and I took off. However, a spellcaster like Primavia didn’t need something so trivial as speech to call in her favor with me that close.

As f’r the fav’r, she continued in my mind as I desperately hoped I could get out of range. T is a simple one. Thee shall doth everything yond I sayeth. And I first sayeth yond thee shalt stand ho right thither.

For the first time in that life, being stupid was a boon. I didn’t understand her enough to tell what favor she was calling in, which bought me a few more seconds. However, I was still smart enough to realize that something bad was about to happen.

“No matter what I do, just keep running, okay?” I said. “There’s no need for you to get caught up in this mess too.”

He gave me a quizzical look but nodded.

Meanwhile, I had a now-irate Primavia talking to me mentally.

Might not but I talk like thee mortals to beest hath understood? Very well. I heard a sound like a mental clearing of her throat. Yond favor is to doeth…do everything I say. And I first sayeth, stop.

Do everything she says? I thought. Crud! That’s like wishing for infinite wishes! There’s no way that’s fair!

However, the oath compelled me to stop, so the System apparently said it was A-Okay.

“Titus? Why’d you stop?” Elluin also stopped despite my explicit warnings.

“I said to keep running!” I snapped.

“And just leave you behind?” he asked with a shake of his head.

However, Primavia wasn’t done.

Cometh hither.

I frowned and started walking toward her. I was already imagining what the fey were planning to do with me.

And bringeth the [Hero].

I groaned and looked back at the [Hero], who hadn’t budged.

“Alright, we’re headed back to the forest,” I said with mock cheer.

“Wait, what about running away?” he asked.

“Looks like there’s a change of plans,” I stated dryly. “Let’s go.”

He started walking with me and figured it out.

“Oh! You’re charmed like I was,” he replied. “Here.” He reached up and slapped me across the face.

I growled at him. “I’m not charmed. And if your slaps have the power to break oaths, you should consider a different profession.” Wait, what am I doing? I need to warn him! “Now, listen up. We aren’t up against monsters per se. They’re a race of tricksters called the fey, and they won’t think twice about-“

A curt message from Primavia cut off my warning.

Shuteth thy face hole. Tell the [Hero] nary a word.

I obediently shut up. Frick, I can’t talk to the [Hero] anymore.

“Uhh, Titus?” Elluin asked. “What were you saying?”

I tried to mouth words at him, but he just gave me a blank look.

“For frick’s sake,” I muttered. And that was my lightbulb moment. I couldn’t talk to him, but I could still talk to myself. “I really wish I didn’t have one of the fey controlling me under oath. Then I could tell Elluin-“

Nay more speech. Primavia admonished me. Remain silent.

Ship. I thought.

Part of me was cursing the always calm and far too naïve [Hero], but at least I didn’t have to fight him to keep up with the fey’s demands.

We made our way into the forest, and then I felt the familiar tug of teleportation.

-----

A horde of fey flew around us, whispering and jeering. Meanwhile, I’m pretty sure Elluin didn’t see a single one.

“This place,” Elluin whispered. “It’s amazing. And it feels so… familiar.”

I’m glad you like it. I thought. Even though this place is the worst.

“How malapert! Thee doth not seeth me ent’ring thy home and insulting t, doth thee?” Primavia told me.

Asked me?

Honestly, I had no clue what she said. I just nodded in agreement.

“Thee seemeth dull’r than lasteth timeth we hath met,” she said.

I nodded. Wait. Is she calling me stupid?

“Forsooth thee lummox! What hath happened to the challeng’r who is’t best’d me in a contest of wits? Didst thee leaveth half thy brain at home?”

I at least caught the whole “leaving half my brain at home” bit that time. Kinda. I grumbled. Then I had another thought. Wait. You didn’t read my mind last time. How are you doing that now?

“Thee aren’t the only one who is’t practic’d thy sorcery!” Primavia preened.

“What have you been staring at this whole time?” Elluin asked me. He stared intently at Primavia and then gasped as he finally managed to see past the illusion. “It’s a flying tiny person!”

Primavia gasped as well. “T’s a walking loud oaf!”

“Oh,” Elluin said. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude. Is this your home? It’s a lovely place!”

“That gent may beest a m’rtal, but thee knoweth what? I liketh that gent. I h’reby extendeth guest rights,” Primavia declared. “Anon, taketh that gent hence f’r the moment. I has’t business with the oth’r.”

Other fairies led Elluin off, and I was slightly less worried than before. They seem to like him, at least.

“That gent’s a charming visiteh’r. Unlike the othe’r loud oaf who is’t grac’d our domain.”

I ignored the insult. Okay, you’ve got me here, so now what? Trap me here forever? Take my stuff?

“I doubteth thy m’rtal goods wouldst beest of int’rest,” she waved me off. Then she paused as I paled. “Unless thee has’t something special?”

To put it another way, I had a mind-reading fey asking me to play the “try not to think about the dragon egg game.” The only way to succeed at that game is to think of something else immediately.

I failed.

“Out with it!” she commanded. “Exsufflicate all of thy pockets and parcels!”

What?

“Empty thy inventory!”

And so, I dumped all my stuff onto the ground. I started with the dragon egg, which Primavia oohed and ahhed over. I pulled out Tim’s journal, which she was unimpressed with. Megan’s necklace was third.

Please. I begged. This has no value to anyone but me. It’s just a weakly enchanted necklace.

“Is yond so? Bid me the story of the necklace, and I shalt consider it.”

There was a lot of context needed, but Primavia didn’t mind. She listened patiently as I mentally told her the story of my first life up until Megan’s death.

“What a tragic tale!” Primavia opined.

I nodded slowly.

She waited a few seconds.

“Now, putteth the necklace down and wend to the next item,” she said.

You bass turd! I mentally yelled. You had me bring up those painful memories just to make it hurt more when you took the necklace from me!?

She blinked in surprise. “Nev’rmind. Thee may keepeth t.” Then she whispered to herself. “Art his mem’ries of h’r too stout to beest taken?” She shook her head. “Continue.”

I no longer cared. I dumped out mana potions, pens and paper, and the thing that accidentally saved me… the magacite crystals I had mined in the Below, and the broken handcuffs with two of those crystals slotted in as well.

Magacite crystals exist solely to absorb mana.

The fey realm was composed almost entirely of mana.

The result was astounding. A vortex of mana drained into the crystals, and Primavia screamed in terror.

“Put them back!” she shouted.

I tried to fight back against the command. This was my trump card and my one chance against the fey, but oaths were completely ironclad.

Except for the one skill I could use to negate that temporarily.

If I could facepalm at that moment, I would have. Instead, I snapped my fingers and activated [Disrupt].

I sighed in relief as the oath was temporarily removed. “Sorry, Primavia,” I said. “No can do. Looks like you’re on your own.”

“Oathbreak’r! How is’t coequal possible!” she cried. She valiantly flew towards the magacite, but even her flight was magical. She crashed to the ground.

“Sisters! To me! Or the forest shall beest destroyed!” she called. She crawled towards the magacite, and I… picked it up and held it at head height.

“Now, I think it’s time we renegotiate our terms,” I said. “Call it the end of my favor, and I’ll consider putting it away.”

The other fey flew in, but they were equally helpless.

“[Hero]! I begeth a boon in repayment f’r a life did save!” one of the gathered fairies said. “Removeth the crystal blight!”

“Wait… you were that wolf?” Elluin asked. He looked over at me. “Umm… Titus, could you put those away?”

I shook my head. “Not until they agree to my conditions,” I said.

Primavia looked at me helplessly from the ground. “We… surrender.”

----

It took a while to hammer down the exact agreement, but we did come to a sort of understanding.

With Primavia’s “favor” used up, all that was left of my oath was the part that I couldn’t attack them. That was fine by me… as long as they were willing to swear likewise.

As for Elluin, he mostly attended as a somewhat neutral party. We did learn that the fey had saved his life when he was young, and his contact with them was likely the reason for his [Nature Affinity] perk and “wood elf” race.

I… hadn’t even realized he wasn’t just a normal elf.

There was also one more matter to go over. Primavia had mentioned something about my memories, and I wondered what that was about.

And so, both Elluin and I learned perhaps one of the greatest secrets of the fey. They don’t eat people. They eat memories. Or more specifically, stories.

They lived on sustenance provided by tales of heroism or villainy. Triumph or tragedy. Love or heartbreak.

It was late in the day when things were settled, and Primavia [Teleported] us out.

Why didn’t I press my advantage against the fey? Why did I let them live?

The main reason is that I had two world’s worth of stories that I could give to them, and they were the greatest magic users I had seen. I was more than willing to feed them… if they were willing to teach me equivalent amounts of magic in return.

Even fairies were willing to accept that quid pro quo… just not when I was too stupid to learn anything.

I promised to return during my next life, and an exhausted [Hero] and [Demon Lord] returned to Besti.

Please let nothing else happen on our way back. I pleaded.

For once, my prayer was answered.

----

July 20th, 125 AA

Fortunately, nothing else of note happened on our journey back to Dryadal.

And when we did arrive, we received a decent amount of fanfare, or I guess the [Hero] did.

Elluin was cheered for in every street that we passed, and it was all he could do to return a sheepish wave to them.

We also received word from the [King] that an award ceremony would be held in a few days, and we were even put up in nice accommodations.

I had never seen the [Hero] in a worse mood.

“Cheer up, [Hero],” I said. “You’re getting a medal from the [King]! That’s something to be excited about, right?”

He continued moodily staring out the window at the city. “If I had earned it, maybe,” he replied. “And even then, I think I would rather be out [Hunting].” He sighed. “I wish I’d never been made [Hero].”

“You’re still serious about that?” I asked. He gave a brief nod. “Well, I might have some ideas. You want to give them a try?”

“What kind of ideas?” he asked.

------

Our first stop was the nearest church. Well, after both of us got our disguises in order. It was a bit of a wait because they didn’t know who they were putting off, but we eventually got to speak to the person in charge.

“So, if hypothetically, the [Hero] wanted to retire,” I asked the [Bishop]. “Is there a way for him to do that?”

The elf shook his head. “I’m afraid not. Unlike other advanced classes which allow retiring after a set amount of time, the [Hero] class cannot be revoked once it is given.”

“What about the [Hero]-killer?” I pressed. “She became the [Hero], but the System revoked it.”

The [Bishop] shook his head. “She wasn’t the System-picked [Hero] though, was she? Our best guess is that she coerced the Saint into picking her as Successor at the threat of her life. Obviously, System will not be mocked in such a manner.”

“But what if they did something truly un-heroic?” I pressed. “Would it still keep them as the [Hero]?”

He hesitated. “These are some strange questions that you brought to me today. What brought all of this on?”

“I’m just worried that the current [Hero] will abuse his power,” I lied.

“Hey!” Elluin interjected. Then, after remembering that he was supposed to be incognito, he continued. “He doesn’t seem like the kind of person that would do that.”

The [Bishop] laughed. “Of course not! System handpicked him, and System doesn’t make mistakes!”

I snorted and tried desperately not to laugh as I remembered all of the bugs I’d encountered. I tried to disguise it with a cough, but I don’t think I was successful.

“What if a successor did something unheroic, though?” I asked. “Since [Heroes] picked by other [Heroes] have already shown that they can be a mistake?”

He frowned. “I suppose System could choose another [Hero], but I can’t fathom that would ever occur.”

After that, we were told that our time was up as the [Bishop] had to go [Restore] a patient.

“Well, that was a bust,” Elluin said.

“Not really,” I replied. “We just have to get you to do something unheroic enough that you get canceled by the System.”

He frowned. “I… don’t like the sound of that.”

“Come on!” I said. “It’ll be easy! You just have to do what I tell you.”

-----

Later that night, we were wearing dark cloaks in the bad part of town.

“This is so stupid,” Elluin muttered.

“Come on! There are few things less heroic than good old-fashioned robbery!” I replied. “If this doesn’t do the job, nothing will.” Or at least nothing that you will be able to stomach. I thought.

“And we’ll give the money back after the class is removed?” Elluin asked.

“Yup. Just stand there threateningly with your bow out and say the line like we practiced.”

“Your GP or your HP?” he asked. “I don’t know anyone that calls gold GP-“

I shushed him. “Here someone comes!”

Some idiotic woman was walking alone late at night. She was the perfect prey for the newly-to-be-minted robber.

Unfortunately, she was also perfect prey for already-minted robbers.

“Your GP or your HP, what’ll it be?” one of three robbers asked as they appeared and surrounded the woman with swords and clubs pointed at her.

Before I could give Elluin an “I told you so,” he had already burst from our hiding place.

“Let her go!” he shouted.

The thugs looked at each other, and then the leader gestured them at Elluin.

Elluin didn’t hold back. He pulled his bow out and one quick [Double Shot] downed both the men. He pulled out another arrow, but the panicking leader managed to charge him before he could loose.

Elluin instead beat him down using his bow as an improvised staff.

I approached him and sighed.

“Don’t worry. I took them all down nonlethally,” Elluin said.

“That wasn’t the point,” I replied. “Do you remember why we were out here?”

He deflated. “Oh. Right. Umm, maybe I can still rob the woman?” he asked.

We both looked around. She was nowhere to be seen.

Dang. She got away during the mess. I paused. That’s weird, though. I thought I would have noticed if she-

[Detect] barely let me notice the knife at the last second. I batted it down with an [Earth Strike] even as I spun to locate the attacker.

“What was that?” Elluin asked.

“It was nothing,” I said as I scanned the area and didn’t see a thing.

I can only think of one [Rogue] high enough level to [Sneak] passed me like that. I thought as I motioned to Elluin. “This was a bust. Let’s get out of here,” I said.

I didn’t tell him about my concerns.

How did Faylen find us… And why did she target the [Hero] instead of me?

Both of those questions bugged me, but she had waited until we were alone to make her move.

We need to stick together and around people. I thought. But… it might be best if I keep Elluin as the [Hero] for now. I thought with a grin.

Elluin agreed to stop our attempts after that since they flopped so hard, and I was glad he didn’t think to question my sudden change of heart.

----

A few days later, Elluin and I were in town messing around when a human man stopped me.

I was in disguise, but that didn’t stop him.

“You!” he shouted as he pulled out a sword.

“Me?” I asked as the crowd around us screamed in panic.

“I’ve finally found you, [Demon Lord]!” he shouted as he made a diagonal slash that I sidestepped.

“Do I know you?” I asked as I dodged another furious swipe. I had to give the guy credit. His sword work wasn’t bad. It was just the tiny fact that I was probably 10 levels above him.

Elluin looked like he was about to step in to help, but I just motioned him to stand down.

“You will! For I am…” he paused dramatically as he used a [Power Strike]. I [Flash Stepped], and he took a small chunk out of the cobblestone road. “Dave! [Son of Dave]!”

“Oh, I thought so,” I replied.

He deflated a bit at my nonchalant response before he continued the attack.

Meanwhile, I was dodging and debating how to handle it.

I could knock this guy out super easy. I thought. Then I realized. I was in the middle of Dryadal. Being attacked by a human.

I [Got into Character].

“[Guards]! [Guards]!” I called in panic. “I’m being attacked! Help!”

I continued screaming bloody murder, even as I easily dodged every one of his attacks. Soon enough, a group of [Watch Officers] raced onto the scene and tackled the man to the ground.

“You’re under arrest for assault with a deadly weapon!” one said as they confiscated his sword, cuffed him, and dragged him back up to his feet.

“This case seems pretty open and shut,” one of the officers said. “However, would you mind giving your statement?”

“Oh, I don’t think I’ll press charges,” I replied. “He didn’t manage to hurt me after all. As long as he takes an oath to leave town, I don’t mind.”

The officers were puzzled at my reaction, but they got Dave to reluctantly agree.

“If I may, there’s one thing I would like to give him before he goes,” I said. The officers gave me a puzzled look but allowed it.

“[Summon Dave],” I intoned. Then, after giving it orders not to attack anyone and obey its new master, I plopped it on top of the man’s head.

“There, my dave should keep a good eye on him as he goes,” I declared.

I have never seen a man so in my life, and I was the [Demon Lord] of wrath.

However, his oath saw him off, and my 2nd encounter with a [Son of Dave] was complete.

“I don’t get it,” Elluin said. “You could have done a non-lethal takedown on him at any time. Why did you insist on doing things this way?”

I thought about it and then shrugged. “Because it was funny.”

With my previous attempts at removing his herohood, I think that might have been the straw that broke the camel’s back. Elluin didn’t talk to me much after that.

-----

July 27th, 125 AA

Elluin was the guest of honor. He had a medal hung around his neck for his accomplishment, and then he was treated to a feast where there were a bunch of [Nobles] and other important people.

He never felt more out of place in his life.

At least he’s as much of a fish out of water as I am, Elluin thought as he looked over at Titus. Titus stood alone at the side of the room with everyone giving him a wide berth, and the people nearest were whispering to each other as they looked in his direction.

Meanwhile, Elluin at least had people acknowledge him. Though, it didn’t go much beyond that.

After a while, the novelty of the backwoods [Hero] must have worn off because he found himself with no one else mingling around him anymore.

I bet I could just slip out, and no one would notice. He thought. He went outside to the terrace looking out across the city. What an awful view. He thought as he looked out across the city lights.

Then, with just a moment’s hesitation, he jumped down.

He took a few points of damage for his trouble, but he had plenty of HP to spare.

Maybe I will go out on a [Hunt] after all. Really celebrate. He smiled to himself as he made for the city gates.

He didn’t realize that he had two shadows following him.

“[Halt]!” one of the [Guards] called as he reached the gate. “What business do you have going out after nightfall?”

“I need business to go out?” Elluin asked with a frown. “Sorry, I didn’t realize. I just wanted to go on a [Hunt].”

“It’s a bit dangerous at this time of night. You’ll need to stay inside,” the [Guard] insisted.

The other [Guard] of the pair looked closer. “Wait a second, that’s Elluin Hunter, the [Hero]!” he said. “My son absolutely loves hearing about you! Could I get your autograph?” he asked.

“Autograph?” Elluin asked. What followed was a slightly embarrassing explanation of what that was, but Elluin ended up humoring him. “Who should I make it out to?”

“Could you make it out to Kellam? From Elluin, his favorite [Hero]?” he asked.

“Sure,” he replied. Except he was too embarrassed to add the last part

Elluin turned to leave after that. At least I got to make a kid happy.

“Wait, [Hero]!” the [Guard] called. “We can open the gate for you! It would be dangerous for anyone else to go alone, but you should be fine!”

“Really?” Elluin asked. “Thanks!”

The [Guards] opened the gate for a single [Hero], and three figures slipped through.

Elluin felt lighter as soon as he left the city, and he took off at a brisk jog towards the nearby forest. When he made it, he felt at home once again.

Then, he focused and started his [Hunt] with a deep breath.

And that was when his first shadow made her move.

He felt a searing pain in his back, and he lost a massive portion of his health bar as System informed him of a status effect.

System: You are stunned and are unable to act

He fell to the ground face-first but was flipped onto his back as a middle-aged elven woman pinned him.

“Name me as your successor!” she snarled.

Elluin was confused only until he caught a glimpse of her red eyes.

He exhaled softly. “It didn’t work so well for you last time, [Hero]-killer,” he said. “What makes you think it will work this time?”

“It has to work this time! I need the power! I can’t kill him otherwise!”

“You’re wrong,” came a voice from Elluin’s other shadow.

The next thing Elluin knew, Titus appeared, grabbed the woman’s knife hand, and shoved her own weapon into her body.

She was also stunned, but Titus wasn’t done. He lifted her bodily by the throat.

“You couldn’t kill me even if you were the [Hero],” Titus said with a sneer. Then, as if he noticed Elluin there for the first time, he rested a foot on his shoulder. “[Restore].”

“Thanks,” Elluin said as the magic flowed through him and removed the status effect. He got to his feet. “I’ll go get help, the [Guards] and-“

“That won’t be necessary,” Titus replied. “We won’t need the [Guards]. Maybe a mortician.” He paused. “No, a grave is too good for you. Cremation it is.”

Titus manifested a flame without casting a spell, and he held it up to her cheek.

She made a sound that was a mixture of a gasp of pain and choking cough.

“Stop!” Elluin said. “This isn’t right.”

Titus snorted. “So you’re saying the woman who murdered the [Hero] should go free?” He shook his head. “No. That wouldn’t be right. This is justice. A life for a life.”

“Revenge isn’t the same thing as justice,” Elluin replied. “She should be tried like any other criminal.”

“Very well,” Titus said as the flame vanished. He relaxed his grip slightly and placed her back on her feet. She gasped for breath as he still held her upright by the throat. “As a member of the [Demon Lord’s] faction, she will be tried by the highest official of that faction… Me.” He scoffed at Elluin and then looked back at the woman. “Your charges are murdering the [Hero] in cold blood. As evidence of that fact, the prosecution presents the murderer’s eyes.” He glanced over at Elluin. “Is that enough, or do we have to go over the fact that she just tried to murder you too?”

“I still think we should turn her over to the [Guards] to-“

“[Hero], what charges would she face for murdering a [Hero], attempting to usurp her title, and then trying to do it all again?”

Elluin’s mouth went dry. “Death,” he replied.

“There we go! Now he gets it!” Titus mocked him. “I’m just expediting the wheels of justice crushing this worthless backstabbing waste of space.” He looked back at the woman. “Now, any last words before you pay for what you’ve done?”

He finally relaxed his grip enough for her to speak.

“The last [Hero] consorted with the [Demon Lord]!” she said as she pleaded with Elluin, not Titus. “I had to kill her. There was no other way! Only a [Hero] can kill the [Demon Lord], and I needed him to pay for what he did to me!”

“Pay for-“ Elluin started.

“Oh, and how did I ruin your life?” Titus mocked. “Go ahead. Spin your sob story. It won’t change what you’ve done, murderer.”

She laughed bitterly. “Oh, it all started when you gave me this,” she said. There was a brief pause as a figure made of ice dropped to the ground.

“That doll,” Titus was taken aback for the first time. “I gave that to… Amarra? You’re that little girl from the academy?” he asked. “But… how? I didn’t do anything to your family!”

“You mean besides making us outcasts?” she asked. “You worked with my mother for two years on magic. We didn’t know who you were, but you think the world is kind enough to forgive someone for aiding the [Demon Lord] for that long?”

She laughed another broken laugh. “My father couldn’t handle the judgment and left. My mother became a broken shell of a drunkard, and I could only escape the scorn by changing my name and joining the [Hero].” She looked back over at Elluin. “Please,” she begged. “I tried to end him myself, but I was wrong. You have to kill this monster before he hurts someone again!”

“Shut up!” Titus roared as he lifted her off her feet again. “You’ve said enough. I don’t care who you are or what was done to you. You betrayed and murdered her. I can never forgive you for that! And you’re going to suffer before you die!”

“Titus! [Calm]! Please!” Elluin begged. He could feel Titus’s aura raging, and he was hoping to calm at least a bit of it.

Titus snapped his skill without even looking at him. “No. I’m getting justice for the last friend I had in this godforsaken world.”

He started punching the woman in the face with fists of flame. Over and over, the blows landed.

However, Titus was right in a twisted sense. She was a murderer who killed one of the best people who had ever walked the ground of Placeholder. She deserved to die.

None of that meant that Elluin could stomach watching the judgment. He turned away.

It will be over soon. He thought.

“Don’t go dying on me yet!” Titus said. “We’re just getting started! [Heal]. Power of light restore health to my ally. [Cure].”

Elluin looked back at the scene in horror as the [Demon Lord] healed the woman just to prolong her suffering.

And he continued [Healing] her. Two times. Three times. Four times.

No. This isn’t right. Elluin thought.

He hesitated but drew his bow. He knew what he had to do. Even if he did it with trembling hands, that even [Calm] wouldn’t cure.

“[Trueshot]!” he called as he used his skill.

Titus reacted in the split second between his call and the ensuing thunderclap. He let go of the woman, vanished, and reappeared to the side.

“And now you turn on me!?” he shouted in fury as he charged.

“No,” Elluin said quietly. “I hit what I was aiming at.” He nodded in the direction of the woman.

That stopped Titus short.

“No,” he whispered. “No!” he shouted as he sprinted over to the now-dead woman. “[Heal]!” Titus tried to cast.

It was useless. No known healing spell worked on the dead, especially someone whose upper body was now near-obliterated.

Titus rounded on Elluin. “How dare you take that from me!” he snarled.

“If that had truly been about justice, it wouldn’t have mattered who was the one who killed her,” Elluin whispered. “She deserved death, and I gave it to her swiftly. I could not sit back and watch you torture her for your misguided vengeance.”

Titus stalked up to him. “She betrayed Sarah. She stabbed her to death! She made Sarah suffer, AND SHE DESERVED TO SUFFER EVEN MORE!”

Elluin flinched back at the barely human voice that came out of Titus’ mouth. Then, Titus snapped his fingers again. However, it barely made a sound, and his skill failed.

“Uh oh,” Titus said.

If it weren’t for the gravity of the situation, Elluin would have found the sudden whiplash almost comical. Instead, he barely had time to process it before Titus began a long wordless yell, and a boss health bar appeared.

Demon Lord of Wrath.

Elluin watched in horror as Titus lit on fire and grew into a giant of red and black flame.

[Calming] himself, he aimed and loosed at the giant boss.

The health bar barely moved. Elluin decided he needed to get some space and took off running.

Meanwhile, the boss reached into an inky black portal and pulled out its weapon. It charged at Elluin through the forest and quickly caught up to him.

The giant great club swung impossibly fast, and the remaining portion of Elluin’s health bar vanished as he was tossed through the forest like a plaything.

.

.

.

.

.

Elluin awoke with a gasp and clutched at his chest. He was pretty sure his ribs were broken along with a leg and an arm. The only saving grace was that he somehow ended up without a bleeding condition, or he would have never survived.

However, the boss health bar was still there.

“The city!” Elluin realized. He got up and then hobbled his way back towards the town.

The part of him that was still in shock wondered how he would get back inside. He didn’t need to worry. The entire gate was gone.

Elluin rushed over to check out the damage, and with his [Enhanced Senses], he heard coughing under some of the rubble.

Elluin dug through it, unearthed the near-dead figure, and frantically pulled out a health potion.

“No,” the [Guard] said quietly. “It’s too late for me. But [Hero]… please save him.” With colossal effort, he held out the autograph Elluin had signed not even an hour before.

Elluin took back the piece of paper and wiped his eyes. “I will. I promise. I’ll save everyone.”

The [Guard] smiled and then breathed his last.

Elluin had no time to waste. He followed the trail of destruction to try to stop the [Demon Lord].

The [Demon Lord] was headed for the city center, and Elluin would have never managed to catch up… were it not for the soldiers who defended the city. Each of the hundreds of corpses he passed alongside the road had bought time for him, and he wouldn’t let it go to waste.

Elluin picked up the pace and rounded the corner as the [Demon Lord] swept away the last remaining members of another squad with a devastating swing.

However, Elluin now had line of sight, and his skill was back up. “[Trueshot]!” Elluin shouted. He ignored the pain of drawing the bow with his broken arm and fired. The thunderclap took the [Demon Lord’s] HP bar down… perhaps a sixteenth of the way. Elluin didn’t have near enough stamina to take it down.

Even worse, the boss recognized him as a threat and headed his way.

Elluin didn’t know what to do.

Ironically, the [Demon Lord’s] own words came back to him.

That’s the thing about being a [Hero]. It isn’t that you’re ready for the fight that comes your way. It’s that when the fight comes, you step up no matter the cost.

“No matter the cost,” Elluin said as a wave of peace came over him, more potent than [Calm] could ever give. “System, I’m ready to pay it.”

The [Demon Lord] charged.

Elluin drew back his bow.

System answered his call.

“[Heroic Sacrifice:,” Elluin whispered. “Trueshot Finale].”

With a rainbow of colored thunderbolts and a deafening thunderclap that could be heard dozens of miles away, the third [Hero] and the third [Demon Lord] of Placeholder both met their end.