Descent of the Hero
As I headed toward where the thugs had dragged off the little girl, a familiar yet unpleasant sensation washed over me.
"...Black magic."
Black magic grows more ferocious the more wicked the caster's heart. Ordinary people might not notice, but having spent so much time with Kania, I could discern it easily.
"........."
I closed my eyes for a moment, sensing the dark, savage aura of black mana, then detected traces leading outward along the street.
"...Stealth type, huh."
Even in the back alleys, kidnapping a girl in broad daylight and using a bustling street as an escape route was practically suicide. It seemed a skilled black mage was among the kidnappers.
"...Hm?"
As that thought crossed my mind, a system window suddenly appeared before my eyes.
Rescue the Little One
📍 Objective: Rescue the little one.
🎁 Reward: ???
⚠️ Failure Penalty: Slight reduction in vitality and lifespan
"...A quest? So this incident is tied to the 'scenario'?"
Quests from the Villain's Path system were always closely linked to the world's grim fates that led straight to bad endings—the 'scenarios.' That meant I had one more reason to save the little one. For some reason, rescuing her would help avert the world's bad ending.
As I steeled myself with that thought, a commotion erupted from outside.
Wondering what was going on, I stepped out to find the magic tool shop in ruins.
"Who the hell are you to wreck my place like this? Got some grudge against me?"
"...A real powerhouse. Looks like I'll have to get serious."
Isolet drew her family's treasured sword with a grave look in her eyes, and the shop owner responded with a kindly smile, pulling various artifacts from his robes.
"Heh, you just don't listen, do you? Fine, no choice then. You wrecked my shop first, so don't blame me if you get hurt."
With those words, Isolet's sword strike clashed against the owner's magic.
I watched for a bit, figuring the fight would be over by the time I returned, then pulled out the black robe I'd shed upon entering the back alleys.
"...Why's someone with your skills running an illegal shop in a dump like this?"
"Back alleys have an unwritten rule: no prying into pasts! Even without that, I'm not about to spill to some punk who barges in and smashes my livelihood!"
I smirked at the owner's cheerful retort, draped the robe over myself, and quietly followed the black mana traces.
"...Well, our house cook served potato stew for lunch, then potatoes again for dinner."
"Sounds nauseating. What'd you do to the cook?"
"Broke his wrist and kicked him out. Still smell potatoes on my breath thanks to that bastard, but worth it."
Overhearing suited gentlemen chatting as I trailed the traces, I sighed inwardly.
'Right next to the market where kids are starving, not even getting potato peels.'
I wanted to feed every slum-dweller in the market, but as the Starlight heir, that would trigger system penalties and drain my life force. Hiding my identity lacked funds, and I needed money to survive future scenarios.
Glared at the passing gentlemen, vowing to start relief efforts once everything ended, then moved on quietly.
.........
"...Hm? This is the restaurant district?"
The black mana led inexplicably to the restaurant area. I tilted my head, double-checking by closing my eyes, but the aura grew stronger there.
Trusting my senses, I quickened my pace into the district. Luxurious eateries thinned out, replaced by rundown joints, and the mana turned fiercer.
"...Hm?"
At the district's end, the trail vanished abruptly. Looking up, a shabby tavern straight out of the countryside greeted me.
"...No kids allowed."
"...Scram."
As I took a deep breath to enter, two burly thugs burst out, blocking me.
"Heard the appetizers are great, came to check."
"Didn't you hear? Beat it, kid."
"...Wanna just beat him down? Bored as hell anyway."
They cracked their knuckles threateningly as I stood firm, but...
"...Recommend your best dish?"
"".........!!""
I tossed gold coins from my pocket; they snatched them mid-air, stared blankly at each other, then bowed fawningly.
"Y-Yes, young master... Our appetizers are the best."
"Enjoy your time!"
I brushed past their bows into the tavern. No rowdy drinkers—instead, mirrors and jewels adorned the space elegantly.
"...Oh my, what a cute young master. What brings you here?"
"........."
A heavily made-up madam descended with a coy smile. Grasping the setup, I launched into my act.
"I wanna see and pick 'em myself."
"...So impatient. Well... look through this catalog then..."
"No pics. In person."
"Pardon?"
"Too many places fake it with photos. Where're they waiting? Warehouse? Basement?"
"........."
She frowned slightly at my nonchalance.
"...This is problematic, cute young master."
"...Problematic?"
"Yes... We have our circumstances... Can't fulfill every request..."
"...Even with this?"
"......!"
I placed a gold pouch on the desk; her eyes widened, then she composed herself.
"Quite wealthy, aren't you? But trade secrets..."
"...Even with this?"
"Look, if you keep..."
"...Even with this?"
"........."
More pouches piled up; she agonized, troubled.
"...No good after all?"
"Well..."
"Fine. I'll shop elsewhere."
"...W-Wait!"
I rose blankly, feigning to pocket the gold; she cried desperately.
"Normally no... but you're so cute, special service?"
"...Flattery despite the robe."
"Years in this biz... I get a feel even veiled."
She smiled seductively, rose, and beckoned me to follow.
I trailed her calmly, activating Information Search—leveled up days ago with points for today. Now it showed dispositions too.
"...Hah."
Seeing her info, I sighed in disbelief, muttering inwardly.
'So that's why the sudden quest popped.'
Sensing her wicked aura, I'd scanned her—Blessing of Charm and Scent of the Succubus listed boldly. If memory served, those were perks of Arvatia, the Succubus Queen, a Demon King subordinate.
She lagged in raw power but excelled in mental magic, especially seduction. In past loops, countless heroes fell to her charms, dying pointlessly.
'...An unexpected haul.'
But finding her here meant no such tragedies this loop.
"...This way."
Arvatia smiled from the opened secret door in the floor.
"...Already looking forward to it."
I echoed my true feelings to the Succubus Queen and descended after her.
.........
"Well... look around to your heart's content, cute young master."
"This is..."
The basement was horrific. Women with vacant or dead eyes huddled in cages.
"Girls... customer's here. Smile."
"".......!!""
Her cold command made them flinch into forced grins.
"H-Ha... haha... hahaha..."
"W-Welcome... sir..."
"We... welcome you..."
Their eyes brimmed with terror despite the smiles.
"...Too stimulating for a cute young master like you?"
"........."
She glanced as I stared blankly.
"...Impressive."
"You... no, you really catch my fancy."
"Save the jokes."
I eyed her warily as she licked her lips smilingly, keeping distance, then grumbled dissatisfied.
"All good, but... too old."
"Pardon? All young twenties."
"...Want ones younger than me."
"........."
Her face hardened.
"Sorry, young master, but those aren't for sale."
"So they exist."
"...Don't do this. Keep pushing, I'll have to call people."
She exuded killing intent; I sighed, rummaging my pocket.
"I get you're rich, but non-sale items..."
"...Ten gold pouches."
".......!"
She froze as I tossed ten pouches before her.
'Money-grubbing traitor who even sold out the Demon King—should work.'
Desire-driven, she'd spilled the Demon King's location to my fiancée's wits and the princess's treasures last loop, only to get purged after an easy Demon King win.
Key point: she was gold-obsessed.
"M-Maybe one... I can catch more..."
Fidgeting, she pocketed the pouches cautiously.
"...Wait here. I'll pick the best myself."
"Wanna see with my own eyes."
"Really can't. Trust me on top quality."
She knocked the wall thrice.
- Rumble...!
It split, revealing a secret passage.
"By the way, may I ask your house? Become a regular, discounts for your family..."
"...Kids inside, right?"
"Yes, but you stay here... Gahk...!"
I'd eyed the passage, then kicked her gut full-force as she pitched sales.
"...Wait a sec, kid."
She flew into the wall, knocked out. I glanced, then entered the passage.
.........
"S-Save me!!"
"Help!!"
"Waaah... Mommy..."
"........."
Beyond: kids crammed in a huge cage, red magic circle before it.
Seeing it ignited fury within me.
That circle awakened Demon King powers. Drawn with kids' blood, activated by sacrificing 100 healthy ones.
'Fed well for 'prime quality'—that's what it meant.'
A presence stirred behind.
"...Sigh, you saw."
"........."
"Our young master packs a punch. Knocking me out, even if humanoid."
Arvatia, now demonic, blocked with black-masked black mages—high-ranking by their fierce auras.
"...Don't kill. Capture alive. My new toy."
""...Yes."""
They chanted spells, hands extended.
"...Hup."
I inhaled deeply, drew my sword, and slashed wide.
- Crackle!!
One Flash.
The slash dropped every chanting black mage limply.
"Wh-What!?"
Arvatia panicked; I advanced glaring.
"Y-You...! Who are you!?"
"........."
"W-Wait! Stay back!!!"
She retreated frantically as I closed in, but
"..........Urk!"
I groaned, kneeling and vomiting blood. She tilted her head, then smiled approaching.
"Aw, thought you were just a cute toy... full of surprises."
"...Cough! Cough!"
"But... overusing that technique wrecks your body."
"...Urgh."
I collapsed fully, retching blood; she crouched, whispering softly in my ear.
"You really suit me."
"........."
"Haa... such pure energy after so long..."
"Ugh..."
"...Dyeing that purity my color... ecstasy."
She blew in my ear.
"Remember this scent. Your master's."
"........."
"Scent of the Succubus... not for just anyone. Only my toys."
".......Yes."
"Good boy. Now... shed that stuffy robe?"
I complied; her expectant eyes widened in shock at my face.
"...Wh-What? That creepy mask?"
"Just bought it."
"What? How..."
I stabbed her gut without waiting.
- Stab!
"...Won't report to the Demon King."
"........!"
She'd tried transmitting my image; I'd bought a Deception Mask—full identity hide for a minute.
Demon King now fumed at a white-masked figure thwarting his awakening, identity unknown even to him.
"Wh-Why..."
"...Hm?"
As I readied the finish, she gripped the blade, rasping.
"Why... didn't the Scent of the Succubus... work...?"
"Simple. My mental fortitude's higher."
"I-Impossible... how... a mere human... stronger than me..."
"...Last words?"
"W-Wait!!"
I yanked the sword; she screamed desperately.
"I'll give Demon King info!!"
"...What?"
"D-Don't know how you know, but you're after him, right? I'll help! I'm his closest aide!"
"........."
I stared silently; she pressed desperately.
"Not just that!! Gold and jewels!! All shop money, my entire fortune!!"
"........."
"A-And... if you want, I'll warm your bed!! I'm the Succubus Queen—confident in pleasing men..."
"...Minute's up."
"...Huh?"
I wrenched the sword free viciously.
"...Pfft!"
She spewed blood, kneeling; I turned softly to the kids.
"Kids, cover your eyes."
They stared blankly, then obeyed with hands over eyes. Good listeners.
"Why... it was... the best offer... for you..."
She rasped, bleeding on her knees.
"...Simple."
I pointed at the trembling kids.
"...Shouldn't have touched the children."
"...Ah."
Her head flew.
"I never touched kids in past loops either."
I coldly eyed her rolling head, then turned to the kids.
""........."
Still covering eyes, heads bowed.
Admiring their obedience, I spotted my true goal: the little one.
"...Out cold."
I sliced the locked cage, freed everyone, gently lifted the still-unconscious girl from her earlier blow, and headed out with the kids.
.........
""Th-Thank you!!""
From the passage, I freed all caged women, reclaimed gold from Arvatia, and divided it among them.
Meant one coin each, but their pitiful faces—kidnapped for Demon King funds and awakening—made me give more.
They bowed, asking my name, but revealing meant instant death penalties. Robed fully, masked, I stayed silent.
Regretful, they bowed repeatedly, formed groups, and fled their hellhole.
"...Mm."
Smiling warmly at their retreating backs, the girl in my arms groaned awake.
"Feeling better?"
"...Wh-Where...?"
She blinked around blankly, then stared, tearing up.
"B-Big bro... saved me...?"
"........."
"B-But I haven't repaid the gold yet..."
"...Told you, no need."
"B-But..."
"...Well, I'm off."
I set her at the tavern entrance, eager to return to waiting Isolet, but
"...Big bro."
"Yeah?"
She tugged my robe, asking innocently.
"What's big bro really?"
"Me?"
I pondered.
Curious who I was, to her. But to me, weighty.
My identity—unchanged since Father revealed my fate.
Not when I first wronged my fiancée, heroines despised me, they died one by one, or mutual destruction with Demon King first loop.
Always one identity. To preserve it, I role-played vile personas during villainy—cowardly, petty, third-rate villain lines separating true self from act.
Fearful otherwise it'd become true evil, erasing my identity.
Those efforts weren't vain; I'd kept it till now.
"...Status window."
I eyed my reflection in the entrance mirror, voicing aloud despite mental option, activating Information Search.
I gazed at the window, then softly answered the pure-eyed girl.
"...A hero."
"...Huh?"
She tilted her head; I eyed the bottom line firmly.
Disposition: Hero
"...Just a passing hero."