When I said, "You can be a hero," to a child with no talent, he really started to become a hero, so I acted like I knew what I was doing, like I was a wise master. - Chap 18.3: The Ultimate Ordinary Person part 1

A voice interrupted Eugene’s words. It was unclear who had spoken, but it was evident that whoever it was, they were not an ally. Their gaze turned to the rooftops of the town below the castle.

There stood a man with blue hair, blue eyes, and glasses. His skin was dark, but what set him apart from ordinary humans were the horns protruding from his head. He also had wings like those of a bat.

A demon—not just an ordinary demon, but something clearly distinct from common fodder. An entirely unfamiliar and otherworldly miasma surrounded him.

Before he knew it, his hand was trembling. His legs and even his soul were shaking uncontrollably with fear, as if he were standing in the bitter cold.

“You’re the demon from that voice just now, aren’t you?”

“Ho, you can make a calm analysis even in this situation?”

But Eugene did not seem particularly bothered by the presence of this being from another dimension, even though Menmen had already fallen to the ground, paralyzed with fear.

“So, you’re one of the Four Heavenly Kings… Interesting.”

He said this with a faint sneer. It was a feeling of elation that could almost be called madness. If he could reach the same realm as the Hero Dan, even this terror could be said to be his supreme joy. The demon, the so-called Zaliband Fett of the Four Heavenly Kings, recognized Eugene as an enemy.

“…It doesn’t seem like you’re an existence that should be left alive.”

The image of Hero Dan flickered in his mind. Descending from the roof of the house, he stood before him.

“You’re strong, aren’t you?”

“I’m not strong. I’m just trying to be.”

Will also felt fear, awe, jealousy, respect, and hope towards him. Thus, he drew his sword, aiming his fighting spirit at the Four Heavenly Kings.

(These two… even seeing my magical power, they don’t flinch and come at me… If I leave them alive, they will become troublesome later on.)

He decidedly chose to kill them. His role was to wither the great tree of the fairy kingdom, targeting the time when the great sage Linlin was absent, and destroy the castle. He planned to wreck the country as much as he could while she was away. However, he prioritized dealing with Will and Eugene because he was certain that disposing of these two first would be more beneficial in the long run.

“Well, they might become a threat later on, but now they’re nothing more than insignificant pebbles.”

Eugene and Will might indeed be the hope for the future. But that is not now. Now they are merely boys, so they cannot win. Dark clouds loomed in the sky… and they would not clear.

“Whether we’re pebbles or not, try and see!”

“Let’s go!”

Eugene and Will charged forward. Eugene cast a spell, infusing his sword with flames, while Will struck with a new sword technique that applied the principle of a flick to the forehead. The two small lights headed towards the Four Heavenly Kings but were caught effortlessly between his fingertips, as if grabbing flying insects.

The difference in their abilities was clear.

It made them feel that way. They knew of his existence, but they never expected to be able to do anything against him now that he was a clear enemy.

“Shall we end the hope for the future here? I have things to do, so let’s make it quick.”

A shock, then a blackout… was about to occur. The demon’s fists were already in their stomachs. All the air in their bodies seemed to vanish, replaced by a heat as if magma was being poured in.

They both flew several meters.

“Wi… Will…”

Menmen called out Will’s name. Having fallen on her backside, she was worried about her childhood friend. Using her hands to move her weakened lower body, she crawled towards him.

Eugene had already lost consciousness. Will was barely able to maintain a slight awareness, but he could hardly see. His vision was vacant, and the world appeared to be shaking.

“Shall I kill this girl while I’m at it?”

Sharp claws were aimed at Menmen, who was crawling on the ground. If those claws were to pierce her slender body, she would die in an instant. Even with his vacant eyes and blurred vision, he understood this.

— Why can’t I… save anyone?

Why can’t he reach out, faster and stronger than anyone else, like him? Why can’t he even protect those he cares about? Anger, jealousy, hatred, regret, and a wish.

Someone, someone, please save us.

That’s what he wished. But he realized that this was wrong. He had sworn to become the one who is wished for, not just anyone. He reached out his hand, knowing that he could never reach that distance, but showing an unprecedented surge of emotion, reaching out to the future.

— The claws were swung down at Menmen.

The surroundings would be stained with blood, and a bloodstain would appear on the road beneath the castle—

— That future did not happen.

Will was holding Menmen in both arms. Everyone except Will was astonished at how he had her in his grasp in an instant.

“Eh!? Wi, Will!? Eh? Yo, your hair, it’s pure white…”

“Calm down, Menmen. I’m fine.”

“Do, don’t you feel different?”

Will’s black hair had turned pure white, or rather, it had been dyed a silvery color. His eyes were no longer black but had changed to red.

Being held in a princess-carry, Menmen couldn’t keep up with Will’s transformation. She knew for sure it was Will, but his aura and demeanor were too different from usual.

Will gently placed her near Eugene.

“I’d like you to heal Eugene’s wounds, Menmen. You can do it.”

“Eh!? I, I’ve never done healing magic before…”

“It’s okay, just wish for it, and I’m sure your magic will respond. I’m relying on you for Eugene.”

“Eu, Eugene, you mean this person, right?”

“Yes.”

(Was he not supposed to know this blond person’s name? His hair color changed too… Is it really Will?)

“Who are you? You.”

“I’m the one who inherits the hero.”

He answered with a faint smile, nonchalantly. He was composed. His strength, like a mere pebble until just a moment ago, had sublimated into an existence that could be called hope in an instant. The dark clouds began to allow a faint light of the sun to shine through.

“…Well, it doesn’t matter who you are. I’ll just kill you anyway.”

“Come at me. I’m the one who will win.”

In the next moment, both became like the wind. And astonishingly, Will’s left hand was lodged in the cheek of the Four Heavenly Kings’ Zaliband Fett. It cracked his face, and he was sent flying dozens of meters away.

“I don’t have time, so I’ll end this quickly.”
“Don’t get carried away! You inferior species!”

The Sword of the Beginning. Drawing it, Will sliced through the hundreds of magical spells deployed by the Four Heavenly Kings. Like a hawk taking flight, he went after them. The difference in Will’s strength from before was so drastic that no one could hide their astonishment.

(What is happening here? Magic!? No, there can’t be magic that could grant such power. Was he hiding his real strength!?)
(That doesn’t make sense either! Then how did he suddenly achieve this growth, this leap? Such words are too mild for this dimension of strength!)

Will caught Zaliband‘s sword with his fist, and quite literally, as if slicing through tofu, Zaliband‘s arm flew off. Then, Will’s roundhouse kick hit home, and the Four Heavenly Kings were sent flying hundreds, no, several kilometers away. They went beyond the battlefield, flying all the way to the distant place where the demon king awaited.