Fallen Hero

[System Notification]

Due to your recent actions and the public perception surrounding you…Your Talent [Hero – SSS Rank] has evolved into [Fallen Hero – SSS Rank].

Fallen Hero…?

[Fallen Hero – SSS Rank]

Once, you were a symbol of hope. Now, you're the embodiment of despair.EXP gain is multiplied further — but only through dark deeds. The worse your actions, the greater your rewards.

He blinked.

"Bad deeds… give me rewards?"

A laugh threatened to escape his throat — bitter, wild — but as he touched his bruised face, pain shot through his jaw.

"Agh—shit… that hurts."

"Okay… healing. I need to heal. But how?"

I looked around.

Just the city — and its goddamn gates behind me.

In front? A dirt road leading to nowhere.

Far off in the distance, if you squint hard enough, there's a forest.

Dark. Ugly. Obvious.

And yeah — I know the rules.

That place?

Goblins. Slimes. Wolves.

Maybe I could kill a few.But they never travel alone.

Where there's one, there's ten. Where there's ten, there's fifty.

I'm not suicidal.

But the road? No signs. No map.

Just more question marks.

What if it leads to another kingdom? Another city?That's useless to me.

I've got nothing to trade. No power to offer. No allies.

I can't solo my way through this world. I'm not some shonen protagonist.

I need knowledge.

Real, actionable, magic-burning knowledge.

Goddammit — they had a whole f*cking library in the royal palace.Why didn't I read those damn books?Why was I so busy hating everyone, I forgot to actually learn something?

Now I'm out here — exiled, clueless, broke, and magic-less.

Amazing.

Alright.

Forest's an option.

I could take on a pack of monsters — probably.

But I'm wounded. Bad.And this isn't some sanitized RPG bullshit — my injuries soaked in dirt, sweat, and god knows what else.

Infection's not just possible — it's likely.

I'm rotting from the inside out and I feel it.

I need a healer. Or a doctor. Or a miracle.

And yeah, logically, roads lead to towns.

Problem is: towns need permits.And I'm fresh out of paperwork.

So what now?

Stand here like an idiot and overthink myself to death?

Nah. F*ck that. Time's ticking.

I'll walk the road.

Head down, eyes up, praying that some kind cripple limps by, gives me all his belongings, and heals me out of sheer pity.

Or a nun.

Or a lost potion merchant.

Or literally any fantasy bullshit the universe can throw my way.

Please.

Just once.

Let this cursed world throw me a bone.