Already a Hero
“Hmm. Why am I only C-rank?”
Kim Sung-tae grumbled as he stared at the token he'd received. In his hand was proof of his C-rank status.
“Don't be too disappointed, my lord!”
“Garba's lucky. She got S-rank.”
I wish I'd gotten S-rank too.
Sung-tae recalled the receptionist's words as he examined his token.
-Since no score appeared... this is the best we can give you.
“Damn rules.”
Ranks were determined by scores measured with Black Oriharcon. But destruction wasn't factored in. Who could destroy Black Oriharcon, after all? The rule-makers hadn't anticipated it, so Sung-tae's rank was set based on the score that had popped up: 0.
More than that, no one believed Sung-tae had destroyed the Black Oriharcon.
It's all that kid's fault.
The boy trailing timidly behind him. He waddled like a penguin, clutching a sword too big for his small frame.
He was the boy who'd declared himself a hero at the adventurer guild.
He seems convinced the hero did it, not me.
The hero had scarred the Black Oriharcon first, before Sung-tae's attack. So people thought it had already reached the breaking point from the hero's blow and simply crumbled like a sandcastle under Sung-tae's fist.
Naturally, no one bought any other story, and the monumental feat of destroying Black Oriharcon was credited entirely to the hero.
C-rank, of all things.
But Sung-tae didn't bother arguing. A high rank was just a nice-to-have, not a must-achieve goal.
“Hey, how long are you gonna follow me?”
“W-well...”
“Why's a hero taking the adventurer exam anyway? Shouldn't you go straight off to slay the Demon King like a proper hero?”
“Hehe...”
Sung-tae shot a sidelong glance at the boy trailing him and struck up a conversation. He'd yielded the credit to the kid for no good reason, leaving his own strength unrecognized, and it left him a bit down. Uncharacteristically curt, he spoke sharply.
Sigh, Sung-tae. What do you expect from a kid? Don't be like this.
“Kid. Did you have breakfast?”
“N-no...”
“You gotta eat breakfast every day. You won't grow.”
“I-I'm too embarrassed to order...”
Can't even order for himself?
Exasperated by the shy boy's antics, Sung-tae dragged him to a restaurant.
Haa. I'm such a sucker for kids.
“Pick whatever you want. I'll buy it all.”
“Thank you...”
The boy fidgeted with his fingers and chose three items from the menu. The food arrived quickly, and despite his small build, he glanced around nervously before devouring it like a rabbit hiding from sight.
“How long have you been starving?”
“Th-three days...”
The hero nearly starved before facing the Demon King.
A hero this shy? Sung-tae doubted the gods' criteria for choosing one.
Come to think of it, I don't even know his name.
“What's your name, kid?”
“L-Leo... that's what I go by...”
“Leo, huh. Nice name. But you're a hero, right? Why become an adventurer?”
“W-well... I'm scared to go alone... If I'm an adventurer, I can find party members...”
“Scared to fight the Demon King?”
Hero Leo nodded hesitantly. Sung-tae nodded back.
He'd forgotten amid his own indifference, but the Demon King was a terrifying embodiment of evil. To Leo, he looked like a country boy fresh in the city.
Aside from the sword, his clothes were ragged like any rural kid's. Sung-tae worried if this boy could even handle monsters, let alone the Demon King.
His destructive power at the guild screamed hero, but real fights were different.
A hero? Looks like just a country boy to me.
He'd probably been ordinary until recently. Suddenly called by the heavens to fight the Demon King—it had to be terrifying. Coming this far from home as a clueless kid was impressive enough.
“So why follow us? Find some party members back there.”
“B-but... Aren't you a hero too, Mr. Kim Sung-tae?”
“Me? A hero?”
What the hell? Sung-tae noticed Leo pointing at his armor.
“I can feel the Demon King's power from that armor.”
“...”
For a split second, Sung-tae's heart sank. Had he figured it out? But since Leo called him a hero, it must mean something else.
“It's like the Demon King's armor... So that makes you a hero who defeated the Demon King, right?”
“Uh, yeah. Kinda...”
“I-It's an honor to meet you, Senior!”
Sung-tae had suddenly become a hero. Watching Leo bow despite his shyness made Sung-tae feel even more embarrassed.
“That's why I followed. I have a favor to ask, Senior...”
After the greeting, Leo stared intently at Sung-tae. The boy's eyes could see it: the sinister aura of Ignis emanating from Sung-tae's armor, the massive mana forming Gepelt's magic circles overlaid on it, and beyond all that, the golden waves radiating from Sung-tae himself.
Just looking at that power lifted his spirits and filled him with strength. Leo believed Sung-tae was a hero partly because of the armor, but mostly due to the sheer force of his life force.
“What is it?”
“Um...”
Leo hesitated, swallowing his words. Was it okay to ask a senior hero this? But he needed help. He was too scared to face the Demon King alone. He'd gone to the adventurer guild, but they couldn't help—not against Sung-tae, or even him.
“W-would it be okay if...”
“If what?”
Sung-tae had a bad feeling. He already knew what a hero would ask.
There was only one possibility.
“C-could you... come with me...”
Overcoming his shame, Leo finally voiced his request.
“Come with me... to defeat the Demon King!”
＊＊＊
It was the question he'd expected, so Sung-tae didn't panic. Instead, he glanced at Garba, worried she might flip out.
An invitation to slay the Demon King. And in this area, the only Demon King was him.
Fortunately, Garba silently watched Leo, leaving it all to Sung-tae.
Demon King subjugation, huh.
Leo didn't know Ignis was dead. The Demon King he meant was probably Ignis. Too bad he was gone, leaving Sung-tae as the only one around—real deal or not.
Accepting now meant returning to the Demon King Castle to fight himself.
Sung-tae envisioned the future.
Senior, we're finally at the Demon King Castle. I can't wait to meet the Demon King!
He's right in front of you.
H-huh? Where?
Actually, I'm the Demon King!
Then slay him. That was the best way to protect his own while fending off an intruder.
He hadn't caused trouble, but letting a hero barge in unchecked was like telling a thief, “Take what you want! I'm a pushover!” after a warning note.
I'd have to kill him...
Sung-tae frowned, looking at Leo awaiting his answer. Still just a kid. Unaware Ignis was dead, acting on hero instincts rather than desire.
Why did the heavens hate Demon Kings so much? Did gods even exist? The voice that sent him here suggested they might.
But using this innocent boy as cannon fodder, staining his hands with blood? The heavens weren't as benevolent as people thought.
“Hey, do you have to defeat the Demon King?”
“You know how it is, Senior. This boiling power inside me.”
You're not a hero. No idea!
“I want to kill the Demon King right now... but I'm scared...”
Leo's eyes brimmed with fear. But at the thought of the Demon King, fury and hostility flashed. His pupils grew hazy, turning into the blank stare of an emotionless doll.
“Scary... but I have to kill the Demon King...”
“Hey, snap out of it!”
Sung-tae hurriedly stopped him. Moments ago, Leo's eyes had been chillingly terrifying.
“You want to go subjugate the Demon King, right? Where to?”
“The closest one—Ignis. I don't know where the others are... but Ignis has territory, so he's easy to find.”
“Hmm. Got it.”
That's why Demon Kings avoided territories. Word spreads, and they become the first target. Classic Ignis, living up to low expectations.
Ignis lost more points with Sung-tae.
“I want to subjugate the Demon King, Senior. Would you party up with me?”
“Party... Demon King subjugation...”
He'd wanted to do it. But the target was himself.
Torn on whether to accept, Sung-tae met Leo's sparkling, shy eyes and steeled his resolve.
He'd go anyway if I refused. That creepy look earlier—heroes seem bound by fate to slay Demon Kings. Better if I control him up close.
A plan formed.
Strike while the iron's hot. Sung-tae nodded readily and extended a hand to Leo.
“Sure. Let's go. No time like the present, right?”
“Senior! Thank you!”
“Drop the 'sir.' Just call me Senior.”
“Yes! Senior!”
“Finish eating then. I have something to take care of...”
Sung-tae signaled Garba: keep an eye on Leo.
He slipped outside to a dark alley, pulled out a scroll, and tore it. The one from Gepelt.
“Demon King!? Back already?”
Gepelt asked, surprised at Sung-tae's return to the Demon King Castle.
“Just a quick visit. What're you doing?”
Sung-tae eyed the Minotaur lying anesthetized on a stone bed. Half-finished magic circles etched its skin.
“Enhancing the soldiers.”
“Enhancement? Nice. Any fortresses like the Demon King Castle nearby?”
“Fortresses? Why... Garba's Fortress is still there.”
“Too far inland.”
Sung-tae wanted something near the border, quick to reach. Gepelt shook his head regretfully. Besides Garba's, the other two had long been smashed by Sung-tae.
“None, huh. Fine. Can you teleport me? To our territory near human lands.”
“Yes, sir.”
Gepelt struck the ground with his staff, and mana swirled around them, teleporting them out.
They arrived near human lands, with green fields visible in the distance.
“Perfect. Now, who to use...”
Sung-tae's plan: stand in a proxy Demon King.
The Demon King Castle was his home—he wouldn't hand it over, not even to a cute kid. To help without losing it, hunt another Demon King.
A pain, but intriguing.
He thought of Leo. It wasn't just pity. He was curious about a hero's power. This was a prime chance to observe up close.
A raw, newbie hero was lucky timing.
“Gotta build a castle too... That guy's perfect.”
Purple light burst from Sung-tae's right hand—the contract with Demitrian and the Demon Kings.
“Crassus!”
“Hmph hum. Hm!?”
Crassus, whistling while carving ice sculptures at home, froze at the sudden scenery change. Spotting Sung-tae, he snapped.
“Wh-what the hell, human! Calling me out of nowhere!”
“Got a job for you. And watch your tone, subordinate. Time for some training.”
“Grr... Damn human... I'll kill you someday.”
Sung-tae's hand glowed again. The contract wasn't just summoning.
“No more talking from now on. Just bark your name—like I'm thinking!”
“What kind of order is—!”
It could relay the contractor's exact thoughts as an irresistible command, the loser's inescapable fate.
“Even if you say that... Kra! Krakra! Crassus!”
“Works great.”
Crassus barked his name like a cry, just as Sung-tae envisioned. He looked wronged, but Sung-tae showed no mercy.
“Kra!? Krakra!”
“Dunno what you're saying, but orders now. Build a Demon King Castle here. Bring your minions. I'll bring the hero in a day or two. Play the Demon King role perfectly.”
“Kr, Kra!?”
“Alright, Gepelt. Let's head back.”
“Kraaaa!”
Ignoring Crassus's pitiful scream, Sung-tae returned to the Demon King Castle. He advised Gepelt just in case.
“Hero's coming here somehow. Luring him to Crassus's spot like before... If he sniffs this place out, abandon the castle and run.”
“Run, sir?”
“Yeah. Run. He's pretty strong.”
Leo's Black Oriharcon score was twelve times Garba's—pure strength. No swordsmanship or magic yet. Sung-tae planned to uncover his hidden powers gradually, without his allies getting hurt.
“A hero... Understood!”
“Good. Back I go!”
Tearing another scroll, Sung-tae returned to human lands. He rejoined the group waiting outside the restaurant after their meal.
“Senior, back?”
“Yeah, quick errand. Food good?”
“Yes!”
Leo answered briskly. How strong was this hero against a Demon King? Picturing Crassus and Leo alternately, Sung-tae signaled departure.
“Alright. Let's head out!”
The very day they left Ignis's territory—Sung-tae headed back to his home in Demon King lands.
＊＊＊
“Kra, kraaa...”
Unable to speak, Crassus pounded his chest in agony. Being bossed by a human was humiliating enough; now this bizarre restriction.
Raging at Sung-tae inwardly, his body faithfully executed the orders, spreading mana.
“Kra!”
Demon Kings claimed territory simply: infuse the surroundings with their mana. The environment shifted, forming their castle.
Like Ignis turning his domain to lava, Crassus's mana froze the land.
“Kra...”
How long since he'd made a domain? He'd avoided it to dodge heroes, but unable to resist, he completed it.
Build a Demon King Castle here. Bring your minions. Hero in a day or two. Play the Demon King role perfectly.
“Kra.”
An ice palace rose from the frozen ground. Like Ignis creating a Four Heavenly King, Crassus's mana animated ice into monsters.
“Kraaa!!!”
The final, crucial order. To fulfill it, Crassus transformed.
Play the Demon King role perfectly.
Not human form—his true self: an ice dragon.
Skeletal ice wings spread; his crystalline eyes gleamed with venom.
Kra...
He thought: Bringing the hero? You'll be there too.
I'll play the role you want: a brutal Demon King exterminating all life before him.
You included—but it's just fulfilling the contract. Not rebellion.
Crassus!
Rage blinding his reason, Crassus unleashed a furious roar.