Aldoria: Am I a hero...or not?

{{Duskban – Outskirts}}

The rhythmic creaking of Vaelin's wooden cart blended with the rustling grass as the group traveled along the worn dirt path.

The air was crisp, the fading light of the sun casting long shadows across the rolling fields.

Tristan walked beside Jin, occasionally glancing at him as he remained quiet, his masked face unreadable.

Vaelin, leading his horse by the reins, kept a steady pace. "This route should be clear," he mused, "but you never know these days. Bandits, rogue beasts, the usual troubles of the road."

Jin nodded slightly but didn't respond. He was always on alert, scanning the surroundings.

Then, a sound.

The clash of steel.

A sharp cry echoed from ahead.

Jin's head snapped up as he caught sight of figures up ahead, adventurers locked in combat against a group of Orcs.

It wasn't going well.

Two warriors were being pushed back, their movements sluggish. A swordsman's blade wavered, his aura flickering erratically, Dark Orange, powerful but unstable. Nearby, a knight gritted his teeth as his large shield trembled under a heavy strike. Behind them, a mage chanted a spell, but it was clear he wouldn't be fast enough.

They were losing.

Tristan tensed beside Jin. "Should we—"

"Stay by Vaelin."

The firmness in Jin's voice left no room for argument.

Tristan frowned. "But—"

"I'll handle it."

Before she could protest, Jin vanished, his movement so swift it was as if the wind had simply carried him away.

{{Battlefield – Orc Ambush}}

An adventurer barely had time to register the blur that streaked past him before a clean, precise slash sent an orc's head rolling.

Jin landed lightly, his Light Red Aura igniting around his bladeless sword as its shimmering edge materialized.

The swordsman with the Dark Orange Aura lunged forward, trying to strike an orc's flank, but his stance was off. The monster deflected the attack, knocking him back.

Jin didn't hesitate.

With a single step, he was behind the orc, his sword slicing through its exposed back. The beast let out a strangled roar before collapsing.

"Damn…" The fallen swordsman stared in disbelief.

The battle shifted. The knight regained his footing, using his shield to shove an orc backward. The mage, finally completing his chant, sent a spear of ice appearing one after another.

From the distance, a fireball flew past

Jin, piercing an orc's eye.

Tristan grinned. "You're welcome!"

Jin ignored her. The last orc remained.

It was massive, its bulk towering over them all. Its beady eyes burned with aggression as it raised a crude but deadly-looking club.

Jin exhaled.

One strike.

The orc roared, bringing its club down.

Jin didn't move.

At the last possible moment, he twisted his body, the club grazing past him as he slid under the attack, his sword carving upward.

A clean cut through the beast's throat.

It gurgled, staggered, then fell.

Silence.

Then...

"Holy shit."

The adventurers were stunned.

The knight stepped forward, lowering his shield. "You two saved our asses."

Jin sheathed his sword. "You were struggling."

The swordsman scoffed, shaking his head. "Yeah, no kidding."

Tristan jogged over, arms crossed. "And this is why he's Party Leader."

Jin shot her a look, but she only smirked.

The knight chuckled. "Well, we owe you. Where are you headed?"

Vaelin, who had just arrived with the cart, answered smoothly. "We're traveling to Veridale."

The knight's expression brightened. "Then we have the same destination."

He extended a hand. "Sir Alden Harth, Platinum Medallion. Leader of this party."

Jin regarded the hand for a moment before shaking it briefly. "Jin."

Alden nodded. "I don't recognize you, but if you're a Platinum, you must be something special."

Jin said nothing.

Alden gestured to his team. "This is Garran, our swordsman."

The Dark Orange Aura swordsman nodded. "Appreciate the save."

"Dorian, our mage."

A hooded figure raised a gloved hand.

"Nira, our healer."

A young woman with gentle features gave a small smile.

"And… that's Finn."

A small figure peeked out from behind Alden, a kid, no older than ten.

His presence was surprising, but there was something oddly natural about how he blended in with the group. His bright green eyes were filled with magic, swirling faintly with energy.

"A nature mage?" Tristan tilted her head.

Finn nodded shyly. "My magic's still weak, but I'm trying to get stronger!"

Jin observed them all. They were a seasoned team, Gold and Silver Medallions, except for Alden.

The knight noticed his gaze. "I worked for decades to reach Platinum." He smiled. "Hard work and experience, no shortcuts."

Jin didn't respond.

Alden glanced at him. "You look young, but… appearances can be deceiving."

Garran stepped closer, arms crossed. "Your aura's stronger than mine, and you're a Platinum? You must have serious battle experience."

Jin remained silent.

Tristan clapped him on the back. "Oh, you have no idea."

{{Nightfall – Campfire}}

The crackling fire cast flickering shadows across the group as they ate their rations. The night air was crisp, the scent of burning wood mingling with the cool breeze.

Finn, the young mage, looked up at Jin with wide eyes. "You're really strong."

Jin didn't react.

Finn smiled. "Your father must be so proud."

A long, heavy silence followed.

Jin's grip on his food tightened.

The weight in his chest was suffocating, but he said nothing.

Finn's smile faltered. "…Sorry."

Jin stood abruptly, walking a few paces away before sitting on a boulder.

The firelight flickered behind him.

He exhaled slowly, staring at the ground. His father's shadow loomed over him, even now.

A small sound.

Jin glanced up as Tristan approached, carrying a piece of bread.

"Here." She handed it to him.

He hesitated. "…I'm not hungry."

She rolled her eyes. "Liar."

Jin sighed, taking it.

"Eat," Tristan said firmly. Then she turned to leave.

"Tristan."

She paused.

"Go back with the others."

"…Why?"

Jin glanced away. "…So I can take off my mask."

Tristan blinked, then grinned. "Oho. The elusive face reveal?"

Jin glared.

"Fine, fine, I'm going," she laughed, walking back.

Once she was gone, Jin slowly reached up, pulling off his mask.

The night air felt cold against his face.

His eyes burned, not from the fire, but from the weight of his thoughts.

His father's legacy was like an unshakable chain around him.

And Jin didn't know if he would ever be free.