I was a Nerfed Hero in Another World

Arthur's Point of View

I went outside of the farming grounds to catch some air. Although resting inside would increase my experience, recovering my strength without stress must come first. By helping my mind, I would also help my mental health from harm.

The air immediately changed as soon as I stepped foot outside of that frightening woodland. All the clouds became visible in the sky, turning the purple atmosphere into something more vibrant, like the clear blue heavens above.

I kissed the grass and napped for a while, only to wake up from the blaring sounds of something exploding from miles away. As I stood up from the ground, a fiery explosion that turned into a mushroom cloud emerged in the distance.

Although the mushroom part was my imagination, that detonation was more than real.

Besides the blast, a violent wind blew the trees and grasses away, forcing them to uproot themselves from the ground. Thousands of logs fluttered through the air, almost hitting my head if I had not been careful.

"What the fuck is happening over there?" I cursed, as I squinted my eyes for me to see the scenery. However, no matter how hard I forced myself to look, the dust and branches obscured my vision.

During that moment, I recognised something while watching the setting. After a few seconds of pondering, I knew the explosions came from the village.

My eyes widened after knowing this information, forcing me to take a few steps backwards from fear. I never wanted to return to that place, and it would defeat the purpose of my farming experience in this forest.

However, it was arduous for me to bat an eye, knowing that the town was in grave danger from the horde of monsters. I had the power to defend the village… but I was not using it for anything good.

All I cared about was my selfish gains… but I knew that this would bear fruit once I fulfilled my goal.

"Do I have to go there?" I whispered to myself, still thinking about dashing forward and helping the town out.

But my grimmest thoughts obstructed my body, telling me that there was no point in saving the town.

I had a disgusting number of statistical powers and points in my character. There was no skill that I could use against the ogres. Those monsters had immunity against spells and other abilities. Hitting them with my underleveled Clarent sword was not the wisest option for me to kill them.

I needed to level up more if I wished to save those people… However; I did not have enough time to do so, since I was a nerfed player in this world.

The cries coming from the children reached through my ears. It was as if destroying my eardrums and my labyrinths inside of me. I had to caress my head while kneeling to the ground to calm down my senses.

However, even with these techniques, I still could not grab hold of myself. It was as my other self was controlling my body.

"You will only die if you charge there without levels and proper equipment!"

"You worthless scum. Look at you, being a coward. Pathetic. You can't save them with that level 3 character!"

"Go level up first before taking down that horde! It's the smartest thing you'd ever do!"

Those were the words that drew me closer to despair. My heart beat billion times per minute, with my brain thinking of a plan. But the tracks led me back to that wretched place…

There was no other way for me to fight those monsters. There was nothing I could do to stop that fight.

I swivelled behind and went back to the forest, only to stop in my tracks. I did not know why, but it felt like a force field of some sort hindered me from proceeding inside. When I analysed the space before me, there was nothing there but the rustling wind.

After a moment, I came to my senses. No barrier halted me from moving. It was me who did not want to enter the jungle.

My body forced me to stay put on the ground and impede me from going any further. It was as if my appendages became sluggish without the feeling of exhaustion surging through my muscles.

"Why… Why is this happening to me?" I whispered, while trying to advance my way through the invisible block.

But upon gyrating backwards, I once again regained control over my body. The chains that locked me unlatched themselves outside my body, freeing me from this world.

I lifted my feet forward and headed in the village's direction. My hunch proved me correct, knowing that I could only move to the town and not back to the forest. It was what my body had yearned for me to do… Or was it me that wants that option?

I… did not know.

All of a sudden, the voice of Afenos calling for me became crystal inside my mind. As I turned around to find the origin of that sound, there was nothing there to greet me. I closed my eyes and focused on the voice reaching out for me. After a few bloody seconds, the voice and my focus turned into smithereens.

"They're calling for me…" I whispered to myself, trying to steel my heart for the upcoming battle.

But I did not know if I wanted to go there and protect the village. I was unsure of myself if I was ready to fight for my life for the vulnerable townlet.

If I planned on going right now, I would abandon my farming site and risk my life for the sake of others. Although this place would never disappear even by going to the town, I did not know if I would return here alive… or even unscathed.

"If I don't level up now… I may not stand a chance against the demon lord with the Excalibur… I might lose if I plan on fighting that demon." I pondered as I tiptoed my way to the cliff.

The ridge welcomed me for a grand sight of the canyons, the sea of trees, and the burning village. With my human eyes, it was difficult for me to picture the scene. But it did not take an inhuman knight to know what was happening to that place.

"I hope I'm not too late…" I said, and slid through the mountain's top. It was the quickest way to travel to the ground, and I had no means of flying or gliding through the trees.

As soon as I landed on the soil, I lifted my head and focused on the pavement. I raced towards the waves of trees and made my way down the linear road.

...

(Afenos' Point of View)

"AFENOS! RAIN! THE VILLAGE IS UNDER ATTACK!"

With a surprised expression, my sister and I, who were sleeping on the mattress, jolted awake. Once I heard and noticed the man before us, we immediately rushed towards the barracks.

"What's the status?"

"It ain't god, Afenos. The first fence got taken down by those monsters… they're coming in our way…" the man apologetically said, while looking at the ground, despite dashing through the panicking civilians along the way.

And that was not all. Thousands of inhumane screams echoed through the trees. It only showed that the monsters had surrounded the once peaceful village.

"No way… are they attacking right now?!" Afenos growled, as he shifted his gaze up ahead.

As soon as the three of us reached the tent, the chief addressed Rain and me about the situation.

"Chief, how many monsters are we expecting from the horde?" Rain asked, as she went to the injured people resting on the other side of the tent.

My sister knew how to cover up the wounds and heal other players. Rain understood more about the herbs than me, since our neighbours taught her those beforehand. She transformed that knowledge into great use as she continuously mended the ill people resting on the make-shift mattress.

"There are approximately five ogres, six dire wolves, and ten goblins approaching our way. The farmers could defeat none of them since… We do not know how to fight against these monsters. But I believe some villagers injured those beasts… but I doubt we could win at this pace."

"Fuck…" I cursed, while clenching my fist, creating a puddle of blood dripping on the ground. "I will slow the monsters down. Rain, I want you to help and protect the village. These people need medical attention with the help of your magic."

"What do you mean you?! I can defend myself too! Let me accompany you, brother!" Rain snarled, as she tried sprinting forward.

"Don't be ridiculous, Rain! If you die, I… I don't know what I would do. And besides, these people need your help. I won't try to fight them all alone. I will retreat if I can't fight them on my own."