A Proposal to Become the Hero

Carpe and the Saintess returned to the first-floor reception room.

"Congratulations. It looks like you found an item you like."

"Yeah. I still need to check the details, but that's the vibe."

In truth, if the Saintess hadn't mentioned she had something important to discuss, Carpe would have been itching to inspect the options right ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠then and there.

"Hehe. Looks like I didn't need to prepare that appraisal scroll after all. I had no idea you had an appraisal skill."

"Somehow I ended up picking up all sorts of random stuff."

"Knowing how to use your abilities in the right situations is a great talent in itself. But..."

The Saintess narrowed her eyes slightly, gazing at the headband Carpe was holding.

"It's faint, but I can sense demonic energy on it. To think something like that was left in the Holy Treasury."

"Uh... does that mean I can't select it if it's got demonic energy?"

Carpe asked anxiously, but fortunately, she shook her head.

"No. Anything in the Holy Treasury can be selected, no matter what it is. That item was probably a trophy the Holy Saint acquired after defeating a demon during their time as a Hero. I've heard there are quite a few like that."

"Ah."

"The Holy Saint probably took measures against it, so it shouldn't be too dangerous... but still, be careful how you handle it. Items infused with demonic energy tend to attract other demonic energies."

"Got it. Thanks for the advice."

"I'm the one who should be thanking you. You handled something our church should have taken care of... Oh, right! Take this too!"

The Saintess handed Carpe a single scroll.

"Oh, this?"

It was an item he'd seen before.

Back in the beach city of Ruana, after defeating a demon, the local lord had given him the exact same item as a reward.

"Since you've been called by the Holy Saint, I can trust you with it."

"Ah, thanks. I'll put it to good use."

It felt more like they'd come running to him from Luhal's side rather than him being "called," but hey, free item was a free item.

Accepting the Raid Party Freedom Pass finally brought the long quest to a perfect close. The massive experience reward bumped his level up by one more.

"Now, onto the main topic."

The Saintess lowered her voice.

What could be so important that she was building up the atmosphere like this? Her seriousness made Carpe tense up a bit too.

And her next words far exceeded Carpe's expectations.

"By any chance... would you consider becoming a Hero?"

"...Pardon?"

"Whoa."

"You don't have to decide right now. There's still time. Think it over and let me know."

Leaving the Saint Ru Hal temple, Carpe headed straight for the mountain range where the Red Anvil Tribe dwelled.

It was a hidden spot far from human cities, but thanks to info from Gis and Mikhail, the two dwarves, he arrived without trouble.

"A noble guest has arrived!"

"It's a festival!"

"It's been ages since an outsider visited!"

Word must have spread already, as the Red Anvil Tribe welcomed Carpe enthusiastically.

Carpe sought out the tribe's acting chief, flanked by Gis and Mikhail from the previous quest.

"...So that's how it happened."

"Yes. I'm sorry to bring such bad news."

"No need. We expected it. We're just grateful you came in person to tell us."

They grieved briefly at the news of the chief's death, but the sorrow didn't last long.

They stroked the chief's hammer that Carpe had handed over, then continued.

"For Lord Astel himself to see him off is a great honor for our tribe."

"Noble one. Why not stay a few days? We've prepared a festival in your honor."

"Ah... Thanks for the offer, but I've got a schedule."

"Mm. Can't be helped, then. But we can't just send you off empty-handed."

With that, the acting chief began piling gifts on Carpe.

The rewards came pouring in like a bomb.

Every single one was useful, but the standout was the Resist Armor Set—a Hero+ grade set that was a clear upgrade over Carpe's current Wind Set.

Insane. They're giving me a full set, not just one piece.

'See? This is why you gotta live right.'

But the true reward of this dwarf quest was something else entirely.

"Ah."

Only after seeing the barrage of notifications did Carpe understand what Astel meant by "it'll be hard to meet again" before leaving.

Possession penalty. Not just ancient gods—even Patron Spirits are the same. I mentioned it before, right? Using Patron Spirit possession means you gotta play without your Patron Spirit afterward.

"Yeah, I think I remember hearing that."

That's why players rarely used possession. Better to die clean than lose your Patron Spirit.

"...So I won't see Astel anymore, huh."

Who knows? You might end up visiting the divine realm someday. Anyway, what's gone is gone. Just do what you can do.

"Telling me to go level up right now, huh?"

Bingo. You need levels to back up whatever you wanna do, don't you?

"Fair point."

Carpe bid farewell to the dwarves and left the mountains.

The long quest had finally come to a complete end.

The next day.

Carpe and his retainers were out in a field hunting ground—the most efficient spot for a level 70 like Carpe.

"...We were far too complacent. Even accounting for 800 years of slumber, this is unforgivable."

Tina addressed the fully recovered retainers after 12 hours.

"A knight who fails to protect their lord has no reason to exist. Only rigorous training and real combat can prevent such incidents. I hope you'll all join me."

The reverse summoning must have shaken her badly—her resolve was ironclad.

"If we don't gain at least one level today, no dinner... Hm? What's wrong, General Gillian."

I'm a Death Knight. I don't eat.

Same here, Radiance. For one with eternal power ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠like me, nutrition is unnecessary.

"...Ahem."

With nothing to say to Gillian and Royard, Tina cleared her throat awkwardly.

She quickly switched targets.

"Mirage."

"Eek!"

"No exceptions, even if combat isn't your specialty. We must grow stronger."

"That's mean! Threatening food is just petty!"

"Better a petty knight than one who fails their lord. And you, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Mukhyang."

"Kyoot?"

"Haven't you put on a bit of weight lately? Your movements are sluggish."

"Kyuwoong?!"

Shocked by Tina's words, Mukhyang plopped down on the spot.

And it wasn't wrong—its belly was pudgy.

"You've indulged too freely under the excuse of a growth spurt. Of course, it's adorable... but it can't hinder combat. From today, we'll halve your acorn intake."

"Kyuuuwoong...."

"Tch. Crying won't help!"

Even as Mukhyang gazed up with teary eyes, Tina didn't budge. She'd made up her mind.

"Heh heh heh."

Regardless of the retainers steeling themselves, Carpe was blissfully happy right now.

All thanks to his shiny new Epic+ item.

"Insane. Totally insane."

This is basically Mythic...

From the bonus stats to everything else, not a single flaw.

The first additional option was especially broken. Carpe was wearing four pieces of the Red Anvil Tribe Resist Set (minus helm), but this let him activate the full five-piece set effect.

Plus All ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Stats +3 and 20% skill damage boost. The max HP/MP percentage increase was no slouch either.

"This is what they mean by perfect all-in-one gear."

He'd checked the info dozens of times already, but it still made him grin every time.

...With this, maybe we revise the plan? Our firepower's way up.

"Hm? What plan?"

That one. Her.

Cheonma pointed to giant Mukhyang, carrying Tina, roaring as it blasted monsters with breath. Its pudgy belly was extra prominent in giant form.

No need for all that painful dieting. There's a way to power-level explosively short-term.

"Wait, you mean... we're really going?"

Yeah. Was gonna wait till you're 80, but with all this new stuff, now's fine.

Cheonma grinned.

Let's go. To the Spirit Realm. Time to evolve Kyukyu.

The 10-Star Player's Lucky Draw