The Hero’s Party Members Treat Me Well for Some Reason

5 – Fate

A small silence enveloped the alleyway.

Four pairs of colorful eyes were fixed on me, sitting on the ground.

Even though they were just glances, the presence of these four individuals made me instinctively shrink.

However, I did not lower my head and stared directly at them.

Even though it may seem pitiful and disgraceful now, this was the only chance to persuade them.

“Ma, Magyeong is darker and more hideous than you all think. You might end up in a worse situation than you can imagine.”

I knew I might come off as crazy right now.

I might be seen as a cowardly troublemaker who backs down because of the simple word “Magyeong.”

But still, I spoke.

At this moment, there was no one who knew Magyeong as well as I did.

Where people were defeated, tortured, and wickedness overflowed, that place was Magyeong.

A place where common sense was shattered, and only despair filled the headquarters of the Demon King’s army.

Even though I had only seen it through a monitor, I knew that darkness well, and I couldn’t even begin to imagine what it would be like now that it had become a reality.

Finally, as all words came to an end, a heavy silence enveloped the vicinity.

In the bright daylight, only this place felt as if it were separated from the rest of the landscape.

They didn’t say anything, just gazed at each other in turn.

Did my words get through to them? I tried to frighten them as much as I could by distorting the information I knew.

They might not be able to make a decision right now, but at least I gave them something to ponder about again.

Please… I hoped they would carefully consider my words.

“Huh? What’s this?”

But what came out of their mouths was completely unexpected.

The party’s mage, Lily, continued as if she found it amusing.

“Did you know we were a hero party?”

It was as if they hadn’t heard a word I said just a moment ago, and they showed no signs of worry.

Well, no one on the streets would bother to listen to a beggar. I expected this, but I couldn’t help feeling bitter.

Whether they believed me or not, Lily, standing across from me, continued with a pleased expression.

“Wow, it looks like we’ve become famous! If even people in this alley recognize us.”

“The kingdom has made us public figures, after all. The spread of stories should be lightning fast.”

Lily and Camilla exchanged words happily.

Perhaps they had spent quite some time together, as there was no hint of awkwardness in their expressions.

Meanwhile, only Eulys responded to my story.

“hehehe, are you worried about us? Thank you.”

Rather than being irritated by the beggar’s irrelevant words, Eulys’ face only showed a compassionate smile.

However, what came out of her mouth was a kind refusal.

“But I can’t.”

Why?

I looked at her with questioning eyes.

“Because we already have too much responsibility on our shoulders. The entire nation relies on us.”

That responsibility is insignificant. It is merely a symbolic object with no form or restraint.

If she wants, she can throw it away at any time.

Of course, she may face criticism from the world, but there is no reason for her to willingly walk down a thorny path just because of expectations.

“And I also want to bring light back to the world.”

As I stared at her, questioning with my eyes, I couldn’t help but be stunned by her words.

Her words were not an order given by those in power, but rather a statement made by her own will.

“The current world… is barren. We hear news of neighboring towns being attacked by monsters after just a few days, and the people live in constant fear. As a result, the economy and public safety are in shambles.”

She lowered her eyebrows with a bitter expression.

“That’s why I, or should I say, we, want to bring light back to the world. Beyond responsibilities, we want to do things our own way.”

Her sincere eyes were directed towards me.

Just like a philosopher who passionately conveys their beliefs, her eyes burned with fervor.

The saint who viewed the world from above had her own steadfast beliefs.

“Did you just say that it’s an unimaginably desolate place?”

I nodded silently.

She laughed as if telling me not to worry about it.

“We are well aware of that too.”

“······.”

“Surely you’ve thought about it. The place we’re going. You must have heard countless times how dangerous it is. And yet, we have to go.”

“······.”

…Is that so.

I understood.

It wasn’t that she didn’t hear my words. It was because this was a topic that I had already pondered countless times in my mind, allowing me to let it flow like water.

Because I had already prepared myself internally, there was no hesitation in the steps I took towards Maenggyeong.

It was a foolishly upright appearance, the image that I had seen countless times from outside the monitor.

It was not driven by others but by the belief that she had built, walking towards danger on her own accord.

“That can’t be stopped. Those who have already firmly established themselves don’t easily listen to outside words.

Even while nodding her head alone, her words continued.

Even though she had already finished speaking, she seemed to gain confidence in what she was saying.

She looked like a woman with bright blonde hair, who seemed to enjoy gossiping.

“And don’t worry. When the time comes, a hero will appear.”

Pause.

In an instant, my body stiffened as if it had been electrocuted.

“Undoubtedly, a strong and good hero will appear to accompany us on our journey.”

“······.”

That hero, that human, was right in front of us.

Rather than being powerful, this hero candidate was someone who would barely survive against third-rate villains.

Whether she knew what was in my heart or not, her story had already spread to all the party members.

Gossiping like a young girl.

As if an interesting topic had come up, Lillie suddenly smiled widely and painted her ideal hero.

“I hope he’s wiser and smarter than anyone!”

No.

“I hope he’s braver and tougher than anyone!”

No.

“I hope he’s a good hero who gives strength to everyone without prejudice and persecution.”

No.

The hero you’re talking about doesn’t include any of those things.

Not particularly wise or knowledgeable.

And they’re not even a human who can bravely and strongly confront every adversity.

Furthermore, just a few hours ago, I was the kind of person who would’ve dismissed heroes and lived my life my way.

If they asked me if I was good, I could only hesitate.

Each and every word from them felt like they were poking my heart.

They’re not even necessarily scolding me. I feel like I’ve done something wrong for no reason.

Whether they like it or not, they constantly talked about heroes.

Is it a man or a woman? What does their appearance really look like?

What kind of life have they lived, and what values do they hold?

Like girls drawing their own prince charming, they seemed to spread their wings of imagination.

After chatting for a while, they suddenly snapped back to reality and quickly started to leave the back alley.

“Oh no, time has already passed like this.”

“Oh, right! We should quickly find an inn to stay!”

Even in the midst of that, they didn’t forget to wish me well.

“······.”

The commotion subsided, and calmness returned to the back alley, but my heart was filled with anxiety.

The future they were going to face, the dangers the world would encounter, the current state of affairs. These things combined one by one in my mind, creating a foreboding future.

“···Without me, they will die.”

I muttered to myself alone.

Thoughts that hadn’t been organized in my mind flowed out spontaneously.

As if someone was telling me to speak out loud, the soliloquy continued.

“No, it would be fortunate if it just ends with them dying.”

I know their future.

If this continues, they will most likely be defeated by the Demon King’s army 100%.

After that, they will endure a desperate pain that would make them rather choose death.

Because I have witnessed these events multiple times from within the monitor, I knew very well.

There was a holy maiden who was more compassionate and innocent than anyone else.

“The holy maiden was violated by tens of thousands of worms.”

There was a sorcerer who was called the world’s greatest genius.

“The sorcerer eventually lost his mind and went crazy.”

The strongest and most resilient knight begged them to please kill him.

The dark elves, who had endured persecution for hundreds of years, couldn’t bear the weight of time piling up on them and their minds broke.

Sometimes the knight’s mind would collapse, and other times the holy maiden would cry, begging to be killed.

They endured countless torments.

That was the world they lived in.

The world was filled only with evil, and that evil was directed solely at them.

Among countless possibilities, they always suffered.

If I leave things as they are, defeat is certain, and an eternity of suffering is also predetermined.

“And the world will perish.”

And what remains is an ending of destruction. In the end, the kingdoms are destroyed by the Demon King, and the pain they experienced spreads throughout the world.

Ultimately, it is certain that I will also die.

So then, what should I do here?

What can I do to prevent this dismal future?

I, I…

“…”

One dilemma led to another.

As time passed, the world grew darker.

In the sky devoid of the sun, countless stars illuminated the darkness.

The voices of the people bustling beyond the alleyway faded away, and only a serene silence remained.

Perhaps the scene they were trying to protect is somewhere in the center of the city.

…After pondering for a while, I found myself calling out.

“System.”

System.

It must be the one who brought me here, gave me a status screen, and assigned me that damn quest.

And at the same time, a helper tool that assisted my progress every time I played the game.

As I became conscious, it immediately displayed the quest, so it should be somewhere nearby.

Not only that, but since landing here, I had a strange sensation as if someone was watching over me.

So if I wanted to, I could probably bring up the system interface on my own.

As I called it, a translucent window appeared before me.

[Speak, please.]

Like someone speaking, the characters slowly appeared on the blue window.

Though I was momentarily surprised by the unexpected appearance of the window, I firmly raised my gaze and looked at it.

And then I said,

“Tell me. What is the greatest thing I can sacrifice right now? What thing, apart from my life, holds the most important value to me?”

At the same time, the system window began to move around.

[Among the things you can sacrifice…]

Clickety-clack.

Like a calculator performing a complex calculation, the sentences began to slowly form.

To me, it may seem like just creating characters, but from the system’s perspective, it must be fervently calculating what I can sacrifice.

“The greatest price…”

The system window that had been slowly forming sentences finally reached a conclusion.

“It’s fate.”

In that moment, I could only raise an eyebrow.

“Fate?”

What does that even mean? It’s just a word that’s too vague and difficult to grasp.

How am I supposed to offer that?

Noticing my confusion, the system window began to explain.

“Fate refers to all the connections you build.”

“Your past connections, future connections, and even the unexpected connections that come your way.”

“All of that can be offered as the price.”

I nodded.

Fate.

All the relationships that people can build.

The value of society formed through them.

That’s the heaviest weight I can lift.

Understanding this, a sudden burst of laughter escaped me.

“Hah.”

It was only now that I truly understood the situation.

The reason they gave me such a difficult quest from the beginning and the damn short time limit.

“They planned it this way from the start.”

I had been preparing to offer something all along.

With half-hearted determination, you shouldn’t even dare to attempt it.

“I should have known from the start, with a name like ‘Noble Sacrifice.’ If I wanted to try to save the world, I should have been prepared from the beginning.”

It was as if the system was speaking.

Honestly, I didn’t like it, and the frustration was surging in such a damn situation.

I said, “Fine, I’ll offer it.”

In the end, there was no other path.

Even if it’s a difficult path, if there is a path in the end, it’s right to move forward.

That was the truth I had learned from them, and I intended to follow that truth.

As I nodded in agreement, the guy spoke again.

[I will ask you again. Will you offer it?]

[YES/NO]

I had already said I would offer it, but they were asking again.

I could soon tell their intention in raising that window once more.

Perhaps it was a kind of safety measure. Think about it again.

Could this not be a choice made in anger, a decision made too impulsively in a moment of great weight?

They were asking me to reconsider.

Of course, naturally.

It was not a deal made in haste.

After half a day of thinking and deliberation, I could nod my head without hesitation.

“Willingly.”

And in that moment, the whole world lit up.

Countless system messages appeared as if to fill the entire sky.

[Your level has increased!]

[Your level has increased!]

[Your level has increased!]

[Your level has increased!]

[Your level has increased!]

[Your level has increased!]

…

Endless level-up notifications unfolded.

[WARNING!]

+

“The ‘Curse of Distrust’ is beginning to take hold of you!”

Your words and actions will make people harbor distrust.

+

[WARNING!]

+

“The ‘Curse of Resentment’ is beginning to take hold of you!”

From now on, all your actions will agitate the nerves of others.

+

[WARNING!]

+

“The ‘Curse of the Soul’ is beginning to take hold of you!”

When others see you, they will sense baseless malevolence and repulsion.

+

.

.

.

.

.

.

······ Countless curses ringing alarms.

It seems that everything related to a person’s likability receives penalties.

It felt like red and black things were gradually corroding my body.

Such blessings and curses surrounded me.

In the filthiest alley of the empire, the brightest lights emerge.

Suddenly, an inexplicable energy surges through my body, and at times, it feels as if foreign substances adhere to my very soul, suffocating me.

Feeling sensations that are difficult to put into words, I pondered once more within myself.

“······.”

Now the die has been cast.

It was none other than the dice I had rolled.

Even if it was a choice somewhat coerced.

Ultimately, the decision to walk this thorny path was my will, after all.

[WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!]

[The hostility of all characters has reached maximum!]

So even if the whole world is against me.

Even if this ends up being a grim and foolish endeavor that I may never be rewarded for…

[You have reached Level 70!]

[Quest cleared!]

I will gladly save them.

[Congratulations!]

[You have acquired the title ‘Hero’!]

And so, I became a hero.

Perhaps the worst hero in history.