Chapter 21. A New Epic Has Already Begun
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A new epic is being born—or rather, it has already begun.
Is he the strongest of all?
No, he is weak, as weak as a background character in a hero's tale. He is just like everyone else, admiring heroes.
But there is something different about him.
He not only admires but also yearns to become one of them.
He wants to be a hero.
His wish is simple, and it is precisely because of this that he gets hurt.
Like a pitiful little rabbit, he is chased and runs everywhere, ignored and laughed at by others.
"Clang!"
The pure white shield slams down on the Minotaur's chin from above, the shield's edge cutting into the Minotaur's jaw like a battle axe—but only just.
"Roar!"
The Minotaur raises its fists and hammers down toward Bell.
If hit, he would die.
Bell's eyes widen slightly, the red pupils reflecting the image of the Minotaur.
So, at that time, he ran away.
Because he didn't want to die.
"Heroes do not lack fear of death; they simply face it."
If possible, teacher, please be clearer next time.
Bell releases the shield, dodging to the side, and the Hero's Blade pierces into the Minotaur's waist.
"Boom!"
The massive fists smash into the ground, stirring up dust that shrouds their figures.
"Roar!"
Unable to see clearly, the Minotaur thrashes about wildly.
That time was truly embarrassing…
Bell scratches his face.
He and the Minotaur can't see around them, but every swing of the Minotaur's fists stirs the surrounding dust, and thanks to that, Bell can see everything clearly.
"That's the shield teacher gave me."
Bell easily dodges the Minotaur's wild attacks, steps in front of it, and grabs the edge of the shield with his left hand. The shield, which had lost its brilliance when he let go, begins to shine again.
"Give it back."
Unexpectedly, it feels calm…
Back then, his mind was filled with nothing but thoughts of escape, but now he can even entertain random thoughts.
Bell doesn't panic at the Minotaur's murderous gaze. He smoothly pulls out the shield, bends down to dodge the Minotaur's death grip, and stabs the Minotaur's knee with a quick slash.
"Yes, that's it, Bell," Cyd spreads his arms wide, "Heroes are radiant, but they're not unreachable. There is no race called 'hero' in this world. No one is born a hero, but... we, all of humanity, are all potential heroes. Will you remain a mere admirer, or will you become the person you admire? What will you choose, Bell?"
"Of course..." Bell grins, showing his usual goofy smile, "I'll become a cool hero!"
"Go on, Bell," Cyd lowers his arms, "Become a hero, become the hero you admire."
"I will... become a hero like you, teacher!"
Bell shouts as he swings his left arm, the pure white shield smashing into the Minotaur's face like a heavy hammer. With a crisp sound of bones breaking, the Minotaur's head jerks back violently.
"Cool!"
"Roar!"
The Minotaur coughs up blood as it spreads its arms, lunging toward Bell.
"Gentle!"
Bell raises the shield to his left, while the Hero's Blade in his right hand stabs into the joint of the Minotaur's right arm and twists forcefully.
"Bang!"
Bell is hit by the Minotaur's left hand. The shield absorbs most of the impact, but the remaining force still sends Bell flying into the wall.
"Howl!"
The Minotaur clutches its now limp right arm and howls in pain.
"Bell-sama!" Lili shouts, trying to rush out, but Ryuu stops her.
"To become someone others can rely on!"
Bell slowly stands up from the rubble, blood trickling down his forehead.
He's injured, but his spirit is only growing stronger.
"To save people!"
"To give them hope!"
"Roar!"
The Minotaur roars, bending its body forward, aiming its menacing horns at Bell.
"I will—"
Bell grips the Hero's Blade tightly, his eyes no longer reflecting the Minotaur but Cyd.
"Boom!"
The Minotaur charges at Bell like a cannonball.
"—Become that kind of hero!"
"Clang!"
The Minotaur's injured knee finally gives way, and it loses its balance, stumbling just before it reaches Bell.
Bell shouts as he spins and slashes, the sharp Hero's Blade striking the Minotaur's neck.
The Minotaur's eyes widen, its neck muscles twitching.
It won't die! It absolutely won't die!
"Hmm, you'll be better than me," Cyd's lips slowly curve into a smile.
Blood spurts out like a fountain, staining the entire wall red.
Bell staggers, almost falling backward.
"Bell-sama!"
Lili rushes toward Bell, this time Ryuu doesn't stop her.
"Crack!"
Bell takes a step back but manages to stop his body from collapsing. Then he slowly raises the Hero's Blade in his hand.
"I won."
"Bell-sama!" Lili's eyes well up with tears, and she pounces on him, ignoring the blood covering his body.
"Thud!"
Bell, unable to resist, is knocked to the ground, with Lili's huge backpack landing on top of him.
"Dead... dead…"
For a moment, Bell's face turns bright red.
"Help... help!"
Bell's head lolls to the side, and he passes out.
"Bell-sama!" Lili screams in panic.
"Seriously... this isn't cool at all," Cyd sighs, "After watching all this, what do you think, members of the Loki Familia?"
"You noticed us... We mean no harm, we were just passing by," Finn raises his hands above his head and steps out from around the corner.
Behind him are the Amazon sisters, the expressionless Ais, and the werewolf Bete, who is being dragged out by his tail.
"But we really did witness... an astonishing scene."
"To him, this is only the first step," Cyd bends down to pick up a bright red bullhorn, "He will continue to grow."
"To defeat a Minotaur at Level 1... He will indeed become a powerful adventurer," Finn glances at the unconscious young boy with a complicated expression. It's hard to imagine that not long ago, this boy was being chased all over by the Minotaur.
"A hero, not an adventurer," Cyd shakes his finger and walks over to Lili, lifting her up, "Maybe he won't be the greatest hero in history, but he will definitely be a hero worth relying on."
"Because you're his teacher?" Ais suddenly asks, "Because you helped him grow so fast?"
Cyd picks up Bell.
"Bell was always going to become like this. I merely sped up the process and made sure he got hurt a little less."
Cyd chuckles, looking at Ais.
"As a teacher, that's all I can do."