I was reincarnated. Surprisingly, I was originally a student in modern society. Still, after being run over by a truck, I found myself in a medieval fantasy world with magic, reborn as a baby.

At first, I was extremely surprised, but there was even more joy within me. Magic, the so-called fantasy, is something every guy dreams of. Naturally, I admired it greatly. Moreover, in this world, I was reborn into, there existed legendary beings called heroes, which made my excitement soar even higher.

I believed that an extraordinary life in this fantastic new world awaited me. I thought thrilling adventures that filled me with longing were ahead…

However, the reality was harsh. First of all, I had no talent. Neither in swordsmanship nor in magic, and to make matters worse, I had an average face.

I was told that I had no talent, but I didn’t take it to heart and continued to work hard. I struggled desperately, repeating days where nothing seemed to bear fruit.

Then, something happened that caused a commotion worldwide. It was the news of the Demon Lord’s resurrection. Given the setting of a medieval fantasy, it was only natural that a Demon Lord existed. The world awaited the birth of a hero. If the Demon Lord represented despair, the hero would embody hope—a typical dichotomy of good and evil that I also liked and secretly hoped that I might be the hero.

From that time on, I began my journey as an adventurer. I threw myself into battle against the Demon Lord’s army. Many around me had good looks, making me feel inferior, so I wore an iron mask and continued to strive while venturing.

Desperately, I raced through the era, perhaps because I wanted to try my best at something at least once. In the end, I still wanted to become a fantasy-like hero!!

That’s all that was on my mind. Then, after a few years, I realized I had become a hero. They called me a hero, part of the hero party, and I even managed to defeat the Demon Lord. I had become a figure akin to a hero.

I was happy. I didn’t dislike being appreciated by people, but it wasn’t just that.

The Demon Lord resurrected again. Other Demon Lords appeared, too. I mean, how many Demon Lords were going to show up, I wondered, but I had no choice but to defeat them all. The Demon Lords that, were once a challenge became as easy to beat as a simple game.

And so, even when I passed the age of 30, I was still called a hero.

“Amazing, the hero!!”

“Our hero!!”

Truly… I got tired of it. And I became weary. How long would being a hero continue? How long would the Demon Lords keep appearing?

I’m the hero, but it’s not all sunshine and rainbows… There are lives I can’t save, and it feels like everything is my fault.

Some say, “You’re the hero, so you should be able to save everyone.” They expect me to fight because I’m the hero… It’s a hassle, and I want to live a normal life.

I started longing for a daily life where I could watch my favorite shows from my previous life. No, not just an ordinary life. I craved something extraordinary. The fantasy world that I once admired has now become my daily routine.

I want to quit being a hero… But it’s not that simple. My existence and the title of being a hero serve as a deterrent to maintain peace. If I were to quit, I know the world would be affected, and peace would be threatened. There are also the gazes of those around me.

It’s not something I can quit so easily…

What should I do… At that moment, it hit me!! There was a way to quit. If new heroes were surpassing me, then it would be good.

I will nurture them… The new heroes…

Young kids are better suited as the new heroes. Adults already have their potential visible, and they might not be as pure, possibly knowing the troublesome aspects of being a hero. So, I need kids who haven’t been influenced yet.

I will nurture a deterrent force to replace me.

Once I decided, I acted swiftly despite being already in my thirties. My movements were still agile. First, I decided to approach children with talent as potential heroes.

***

I discovered several children with promising talents as potential heroes. About six of them, to be precise. I decided to approach them and see what would happen. However, I had to be careful not to come too many at once. If they were to find out that I was planning to retire, it could become a major issue.

Now then, I wondered what would unfold from here. As I was thinking, in the evening, I spotted a boy wearing an iron mask in a rural village.

“Hah, hah, hah.”

He was practicing his swordsmanship. Watching him, I could tell that, like my past self, he lacked finesse with the sword. As I nostalgically observed him…

“Ah!! Eh!? Uh, um, could it be? My-my apologies, are you, by any chance, the hero!?”

“If that’s what you think?”

It seemed he noticed me while he was practicing his swordsmanship. Then, he hurriedly approached me.

“A-Ah! I-I-I’ve admired you!!”

“There have been many like you who said the same thing before.”

“That’s true! You are the greatest hero in the world!”

“Heh, I suppose I am indeed the greatest hero in the world.”

“Wow, the rumors were true about your arrogance! You seriously believe you are the strongest in the world! Amazing!!”

In my past life, I was humble, but since this is my second chance at life, living the same way wouldn’t be interesting. That’s why I’m playing the role of a self-centered character. Everyone knows my personality, and this kid before me does, too.

“Could I get a handshake, perhaps?”

“You’ll never be able to wash your hands again.”

“I’d rather proudly live with that!”

No, you really should wash it.

“Well, there’s something I want to ask… May I ask you a question?”

“Go ahead.”

“I-I’ve always wanted to become like you… I’ve been trying my best all this time… but everyone around me says I could never become a hero like you…”

Ah, I see what you’re getting at. You want to know if you can become like me, right?

“Can… can I become a hero like you?”

“It’s up to you. I have no way of knowing…”

“I-I see…”

“Just like you, there was a time when I was weak. If you’re still young, there’s no need to give up.”

This kid resembles me. That’s right, I’ll nurture him as my successor. He might not have much talent, but as a candidate for the seventh position in succession… Among the six I’ve already approached, they are all quite skilled, so having one with potential but resembling my past self should be fine.

He seems innocent and easily deceived. It’s like betting on an underdog in horse racing. Investing in one like him won’t be an issue.

“I’ve been watching you lately. You train every day.”

“Eh!? Y-You mean me!?”

That’s a lie. I just noticed it. However, the calluses on his hands have turned into blood blisters, and his hand skin looks quite tough, so I can easily imagine that he practices his swordsmanship daily.

“You were so determined despite being so young. Perfect. I was… looking for a successor.”

“A… successor…? What do you mean?”

“A successor to the hero.”

“A s-s-successor to the hero!?”

“Your voice is too loud. What if someone overhears?”

“S-Sorry, but… why? You are known as the strongest among all the past heroes…”

“That’s right, I’m undoubtedly recognized as the strongest. But you see, my body is gradually losing its original power.”

“T-That’s… w-why!?”

“I was cursed during the battle with the Demon Lord.”

“――What!?”

Everything from one to ten was a complete lie. I’m still going strong. My body is still young, and I move without any problems. However, if I were to mention something, my urinary flow isn’t as strong as before. The proportion of residual urine to the main urine has increased.

“I-I see, you’re the Cursed King! The Demon Lord who appeared from another dimension! The one said even to wither giant trees with just a breath… An unbelievable Demon Lord!!”

Ah, right, there was someone like that… He was one-shotted, though… Well, let’s go with that. Anyway, wearing the iron mask makes it impossible to see my face, so sometimes I feel like making funny faces. Especially during serious moments… Also, I feel like doing facial exercises for a smaller look, even though it doesn’t have any particular meaning. Serious situations make me uneasy.

However, even though I’m doing facial exercises, my voice remains serious. Because I have to find someone to succeed me. The situation is crucial.

“That’s correct. You understood well.”

“I-I was praised!! By the hero!! I’m ready to die now!”

“I can’t afford to let you die. I told you I’m looking for a successor.”

“…D-Do you mean… me? M-Me?”

“That’s up to you…”

“M-Me… becoming a hero…”

He seems so nervous. But I understand his feelings. I used to get excited like that, too.

“It’s just a possibility. Whether you can become one depends on you… But I sense potential in you.”

“M-Me… having potential…”

“My instincts have never been wrong. Give it your all and try your best.”

Well, my instincts have been wrong quite a few times, but it’s okay to overlook that. The kid in front of me is so eager and determined…

And so, the battle to find the hero’s successor began.

+-+

My name is Will. I’m just an ordinary commoner, like anyone you’d find anywhere. I grew up in a typical village, living a normal life.

People around me always call me ordinary, and even my parents say the same. There’s no doubt that I am indeed ordinary.

I can’t become anything special. The way others have looked down upon me has become ingrained in me.

“I’m just… I mean, why bother?”

Those words became my mantra. In the village, there were individuals with incomparable magical talents. People who were stronger and more gifted than me were present, and I was reminded of my inadequacy every day.

“You have no talent; swinging a sword is pointless.”

“It would be wiser for you to hold a hoe and cultivate the fields.”

“You can never become like a diamond, so it’s best to give up.”

The truth cuts deep into my heart. I know it’s impossible. But I have dreams, too. Dreams that are far from ordinary, dreams that are grand.

I want to become a certain hero and get close to him. Hero Dan is the greatest hero in history who defeated countless Demon Lords. Throughout history, there have been numerous tales of heroes and legends. They have repelled or defeated demon kings, accomplishing noble deeds.

However, Hero Dan is different. He stands above them all. He has defeated multiple demon kings each time a new legend is born. Among the heroes who saved kingdoms and the world, Dan undoubtedly stands at the pinnacle of them all.

“Don’t admire him,” they say, but it’s impossible not to. Since we live in the same era, I can’t help but admire him.

The person I admired was right in front of me now. He’s wearing the iron mask, as rumored. I’ve heard that even his comrades who fought alongside him to defeat the Demon Lord have never seen his face.

So, his face remains a mystery. Perhaps he’s wearing the iron mask out of admiration, just like me. However, I know the truth.

This guy is the real deal.

There’s a different aura about him. The overwhelming presence he exudes, the weight of his words – they all create an unprecedented and wondrous sensation that I’ve never experienced in my life.

Naturally, I was left speechless.

I had so many things I wanted to ask, but being face to face with him, my excitement skyrocketed, and I couldn’t articulate my thoughts properly.

“I-I-I… I’ve admired you so much!”

“There have been many like you.”

“I mean, you’re the greatest hero in the world!”

“Well, I am indeed the greatest hero.”

“Wow! Your arrogance is just as the rumors say! You believe you’re the strongest in the world! Incredible!”

Just like the hero’s tales depict… arrogance and overwhelming confidence, backed by undeniable achievements and abilities.

“Could I get a handshake, perhaps?”

“You’ll never be able to wash your hands again.”

“I’d rather proudly live with that!”

Thump, thump, thump. What should I do? I might never be able to wash it off. But even if I can’t, it’s not a big deal. That’s right! I had something I wanted to ask.

“Um, there’s something I want to ask… Can I ask a question?”

“Sure.”

“I, I’ve been working hard because I wanted to be like you… But everyone around me keeps saying I can’t become a hero…”

I’m the weakest one in the village. Yet, I just wanted to hear those words of encouragement from this person.

“It’s up to you. I don’t know about it. And, I’m not aware of the talents in this rural village either. Why would I, who lacks any talent, become like him? I started feeling down, but…”

“Just like you, there was a time when I was weak. If you’re still young, there’s no need to give up yet,” said the legendary hero, Dan, in a convincing tone that filled me with hope.

As he continued to speak, he expressed his desire for a successor. He mentioned the curse that was gradually consuming him. I remembered hearing about it before – one of the demons he defeated was a being who wielded an unimaginable scourge, capable of withering great trees with a single breath and bringing ruin to entire countries with a mere hand gesture.

That’s why he’s searching for a successor. I heard that he also serves as a deterrent force. The demons, including the Demon King, lurk beyond the skies in various stars. However, due to the existence of the hero Dan, they cannot easily invade or attack.

Legendary hero, they call him, but… perhaps it might be true. His serious expression as a hero… No, I can’t see his face behind the iron mask, but his voice is sharp and determined.

It must be true.

But, could it be possible for me… to become his successor? It’s hard to believe. Really? Someone like me, to be like him? Can I do it?

“It’s just a talk about possibilities. Whether you can become one or not is up to you… but I sense potential in you.”

“You becoming a hero depends on you. But it’s not impossible.” Hearing those words, I couldn’t help but feel overjoyed. Even though my tear-streaked face is hidden behind the iron mask, my emotions are evident in my voice.

He expressed hope and expectations for me. He said he wanted to entrust his legacy to me.

“I-I will do my best!” I found myself saying. From that moment on, I was determined to embark on the path to become a hero.