Demonization Denied
-Do... sto...
Player 'Lev Denek' failed to undergo Mainhwa.
Gold Chain - Andras is revoked.
-KRAAAAAAGH!!!
-THUD!
72 Demons: Defeated #63 - Andras!
Remaining Great Demons: 56
Absorbed mana is temporarily stored.
“One down.”
……
The gamble paid off. And the bastard's true identity was Andras… From the fanfic, I think he was connected to Aria's past somehow… Whatever. The bummer is that the guy who could've taken my mockery and sarcasm isn't in this world anymore. He might've said something like "give it back" at the end, but oh well. My nose is already three feet long.
“What a total cheat this trait is.”
In Reincarnated Hero Part 1, there were gimmicks like beastification or zombification—non-human transformations, for sure. But in the closed beta, humans turning into demons wasn't supported due to spoiler concerns. That got added way later in the Reincarnated Hero 2 patch notes with the line [Players can now become Main now].
So, impossible in Part 1, possible in Part 2. Since I'm under closed beta judgment, it's a simple 'Mainhwa impossible'.
Of course, that raises the question: what about new Part 2 content not in Part 1? Can't use that either? As a prime example, I clearly rode the loop train to the dorm—something that only existed in the fanfic. And there were no issues, so probably no patch note like [Players can now ride the loop train] was needed.
Thus, my theory: anything not explicitly mentioned in patch notes applies to me too.
“I don't remember every change, but…”
I'll figure it out somehow. Anyway, no more worry about turning into a ragdoll, and I got one over on that author bastard. Not bad at all. Surviving with this trashy statline means no compromises. Creative play is a player's right too.
That said, what the hell is this 'error' status window…?
-Ting!
Trait - Supporting Character triggered! Your action will bring massive repercussions.
Penalty: Uses temporarily stored power to prevent worldline collapse.
Error corrected: Mainhwa
“…So exploits get patched, huh.”
The Mainhwa settings are being revised.
'Lev Denek' can now undergo Mainhwa.
Starting the game by taking down a Great Demon from the get-go doesn't make sense anyway. It's more bug exploit than anything, and against the Supporting Character trait, so I half-expected it. Small consolation: at least it doesn't revive him disgustingly?
Shouldn't a demon slayer get something at least?
-Ting!
Trait - Villain triggered! You qualify to inherit Andras's will.
Inherits Andras's skills!
Trait - Gamer triggered! Skills can be stored.
“Uh… excuse me?”
Lev Denek is the villain, sure, but me becoming a demon?
Lv. 1 (Active) (Basic Skill)
A must-have for high-ranking demons: Instantly grasp a target's info.
Exp: (0/200) | Acquisition Difficulty: Extreme
Too good to pass up.
First off, Ma'an is a staple skill—no way I'm ditching it. Seeing enemy stats at a glance will be insanely helpful even while chilling at the academy.
But the real surprise came next.
Lv. 1 (Active) (Ultimate Skill)
Control demonic power to be consumed by darkness for a time.
▶ (Current stats +0.5) x1.05 Status Bonus.
(*Maintainable time with current mana: 1.4032 seconds)
Exp: (0/300) | Acquisition Difficulty: Extreme
'Mainhwa as a skill?'
In Reincarnated Hero 2, it's a skill you get on the bad end route. To reach the true ending, you need at least two of: Giant Sphere's Breath, Ancient Dragon's Essence, Demon Bird's Feather. Without them, you lose to the Demon King, patch the power gap by Mainhwa-ing yourself, and become the next Demon King.
“Fucking OP.”
Rarity aside, flashing Mainhwa in a school that teaches monster-slaying? I'd get applause—or worse, clapped in irons. Wonder if it'll even see use in academy life…
-Knock knock.
Whoa!
Someone knocked.
* * *
Opening the door revealed Duchess Melissa Prominence.
At this point in the story, she should be agonizing between Kaeran and Edwin. Why's she here?
“……”
“What're you doing here this late?”
“……”
Melissa glared sullenly before her eyes dropped to my chest. Like she'd stormed over to chew out the upstairs neighbor, only to realize it wasn't the source. But unsatisfied without saying something, she met my gaze again.
“I know it's late, but may I come in for a moment?”
Similar to the novel. Her high mana sensitivity makes her suspect Lev Denek's Mainhwa first. Plus, she witnessed me harassing Aria, so my affinity's in the gutter.
Spotting it in a split second and pinpointing the location? No ordinary talent. Probably professor-level.
“Suit yourself.”
“……”
I stepped aside, and she stared at my face the whole time.
“Pardon the intrusion.”
She strode in briskly…
-Thud!
…and stubbed her toe on a box. Must hurt like hell…
-Tremble.
True to Prominence Duchess form, she endured it stoically.
“Sorting stuff—watch your step.”
“……”
I tossed that at her, then activated Ma'an.
Status Average: 2.4
Specialty: Circle Magic (3), Fire
Unique Trait: Hyean (Lv. 2) (Details locked)
“Higher than expected…”
Ma'an's only Lv. 1, so no detailed stats. But 2.4 average—tough to raise even by 0.1—and that's including strength and stamina. Her actual mana’s probably higher.
Plus Unique Trait Hyean Lv. 2… Boosts mana sensitivity further—basically academy freshman with Lv. 5+ sensing.
'Come to think of it, Aria too…'
Her calmly casting healing on the wound I caused flashed back. Aria masters healing after Edwin gets badly hurt. Seems like overall power creep here…
-Then, dear reader, do you really think Part 1's balance is perfect?
-Try it yourself. See if that line holds.
The author's words hit me. That fucker… Was I the only one on classic balance?!
…
* * *
…
A bit later, Melissa slipped out of Lev Denek's room.
'What the?'
She was flustered. Whatever she'd feared wasn't there. It was faint, but definitely that alien, nauseating mana ripple.
This was the spot. And he's the only suspect.
“…Was it just my imagination…?”
Melissa had never doubted her Hyean before.
Lev Denek—that parasite leech lookalike—his words and actions screamed subhuman. Obvious without Hyean.
Harassing Aria today, muttering behind Edwin's back, lost in his own world… She figured he'd cause some incident by now.
Yet the emotional wreck was utterly serene just now. That pissed her off somehow.
-Crumple…
She crushed the dorm supervisor proxy's stamped pass in her hand. Never thought he'd cooperate on entry—felt like she'd wasted energy for nothing.
One more oddity: his room looked genuinely packed for moving, boxes neatly stacked in the corner.
'Complying with the supervisor's notice now…?'
He'd been mouthing off even to her since going fully insane. Getting booted was natural; his only option was the academy's exile dorm, Selafi Black Dorm.
Given his personality, she'd expected him to hold out, make a scene to the end. Thought he might be prepping black magic for a 'go down together' play, so she rushed over.
-Watch your step—sorting stuff.
-……
Instead, she got the concern.
'What an idiot.'
Hated to admit it, but the messy hair and rolled sleeves were from packing.
Recalling his face soured her mood; she shook her head.
'Whatever. Won't see him anymore.'
All bluster, no substance. Packing to leave before expulsion notice to save face, obviously.
'Focus on tomorrow's tasks!'
Best to ignore trash like him, she thought.