The Returning Hero Returns Home
Ten years had passed since I crossed over to this other world.
Finally, I had severed the Demon King's head.
"Dieee-!"
**CRACK!**
Blood sprayed like a fountain as the monster's head hit the ground.
It was finally over.
"I'm finally freeeee!!"
The long journey to capture the Demon King had come to an end.
The cry echoed between the hero party, still barely standing after the battle.
It was the voice that would uproot the source of evil across the continent and announce the dawn of peace.
That was how I was able to complete my mission and return home safely.
**[All missions completed. Would you like to return to your original world? Y / N]**
"Of course."
After ten years of grueling battles, hero work was finally over.
Bloody battlefields.
The weight of having to save people.
It was all over now.
I would return to my peaceful hometown, my house,
and live a normal life.
I pressed Y with that thought.
"Take care. I'm going now."
***
My heart was full of hope as I returned to the present world.
Unfortunately, this place was no longer the world I had known ten years ago.
"Monsters...?"
"Ah, gates started appearing ten years ago. Monsters poured out from them. How did you not know? I thought you lived on some uninhabited island."
Monsters and gates.
Awakened and guilds.
After I left, the world had changed into an era of massive upheaval.
"Due to the large-scale gate incidents, Australia has lost its national functions..."
"China's powerful Awakened guild 'Black Blade Gate' has overthrown the Communist Party. As a result, countless other guilds..."
"Africa has already been occupied by numerous monsters and is now off-limits to humanity..."
News reports on YouTube flashed by the hour, showing the world's current state.
It was a complete disaster.
Australia and Africa had become places where humans could no longer survive.
Next-door China had fallen into a chaotic era reminiscent of the Warring States period.
"At least Korea is holding up."
Surrounded by three oceans and blessed with many high-ranking Awakened, Korea managed to maintain its nationhood.
It was still not entirely safe from the monster threat, though.
"Aaaah!! A gate! There's a gate!!"
"What are you doing?! Call for an Awakened right now! Contact the guild!"
Even in the city center, gates and monsters could appear at any time.
A world where safety had to be entrusted entirely to Awakened.
That was the world we had become.
On top of everything, I had lost the power I once held in the other world.
Since the bodies in the present world and those in the other world were entirely different.
Here, I was just a twenty-something young man with the pitiful physical specs of an ordinary civilian.
However,
none of it mattered.
My experience as a hero who had trained for ten years.
And...
**Summon.**
**[Summoning Knight Commander of the Kingdom, 'Sword Saint Elysia'.]**
**[Summoning Master of the Magic Tower, 'Witch Helia'.]**
**[Summoning Beast King of the Continent, 'White Tiger Grante'.]**
**[Summoning Master of the Great Forest, 'Greenery Seina'.]**
**[Summoning Agent of the Goddess, 'Saintess Irene'.]**
The ability I had developed over ten years to summon the comrades I raised into heroes.
That was what I had awakened.
"Everyone, let's catch the Demon King one more time."
***
The world around me shimmered and shifted.
Then, one by one, they appeared before me.
Elysia, the golden-haired knight commander with the Sovereign Sword, stood at attention in her pristine armor.
Her serious golden eyes locked onto mine with unwavering devotion.
Grante, the white tiger beastman with glowing red eyes, stretched lazily, her tiger ears twitching.
She flashed a playful grin and immediately trotted over to nuzzle against my leg.
Helia, the arrogant witch in flowing robes, crossed her arms and looked down her nose at me with a sulky pout.
Irene, the gentle saintess, bowed her head reverently and offered a soft smile.
Seina, the owner of the Great Forest, simply stood among the trees, her emerald hair swaying in the breeze, looking every bit the mysterious beauty.
"Master... no longer leave my side. My eyes can only see you."
Elysia spoke first, her voice perfectly formal and respectful.
"Hmph! I didn't come here to listen to your nagging! Since there's nothing left to do, this is all that remains!"
Grante's tail swished excitedly as she spoke in her usual animalistic tone.
She glanced at me with sparkling red eyes, then leaned in close, demanding playfully, "Big guy! Since you caught the Demon King's head, can I get a sniff every hour? Nyang?"
"Ugh... ugh... heh... hah... I want to touch too...!!"
Helia's hot-tempered face flushed as she stepped forward aggressively, her voice suddenly desperate.
"Saint... I have already given up my saintly position. Just for a taste of you."
Irene's gentle voice trembled with longing as she spoke, her pious eyes shining with devotion.
"Seina... Master, may I stay by your side once more? I am yours."
The forest beauty smiled softly, her voice full of gentle pride.
"Uwaaaaah!! Why are all of you so clingy?! I just caught the Demon King one more time! What's with this sudden frenzy?!"
I rubbed my forehead, trying to process the sudden chaos.
Elysia immediately stepped closer, her golden hair swaying, and bowed deeply.
"We will protect you with our lives, Master. Please do not leave us again."
"Yeah, yeah, I get it already. I said I'd catch one more time, didn't I? No need to cry about it. There's nothing left to do, so this is all that remains!"
Grante barked out a laugh, her tail thumping the ground as she pressed her body against mine.
She sniffed deeply at my neck, purring contentedly. "Hehe, your scent is the best! Stay with us forever, okay? Nyang!"
Helia stomped her foot, muttering in frustration, "Tch! Master, you promised we'd be together again... don't disappear like that!"
Irene clasped her hands together, tears in her eyes, and whispered, "Saintess... I will pray for your safety every day. Please do not leave."
Seina simply leaned against a tree, smiling serenely. "As long as Master is safe... I will be here."
I sighed, looking at the five devoted women surrounding me.
After catching the Demon King one more time, these girls had completely lost it.
But honestly? I didn't mind at all.
This was exactly what I had wanted all along.
My perfect harem.
The returning hero had successfully summoned his S-class companions.