To Hell With Being a Hero!

Ziing—Even while feeling intense dizziness, Yunael managed to tuck their chin back in and was startled to find Chi-Woo right in front of them, gazing at them silently with downcast eyes. Although Yunael usually never backed down or shrank back in fear, they couldn’t help but flinch this time. Chi-Woo’s eyes revealed no emotion; there was no sense of victory or ridicule.

It only conveyed one thought—to forcibly bring them back if they didn’t listen. There was nothing else. At this rate, Yunael might really be forced to return. They clenched their teeth and tried to stand up, but a sharp pain shot down their neck. It was a cold, metallic sensation.

“Don’t move an inch.” Yunael heard a different voice other than Chi-Woo’s; it was Emmanuel. “No, it’s up to you to decide. Please move, so I can stab you without reservation.” He spoke in an icy cold tone and put more strength into the hand holding his fleuret.

Chi-Woo saw Emmanuel’s cold eyes and withdrew his half-raised foot. He had planned to kick Yunael’s chin and knock them out, but judging by the situation, that seemed unnecessary. Chi-Woo raised his trembling hands; the tingling sensation still lingered. His fight with Yunael hadn’t been as easy as it looked. Still, he had cleared up the situation in a few minutes. His victory was expected as his opponent was already exhausted, and Yunael had just finished a fierce battle. If Yunael had been in perfect condition…

‘It might have been a pretty good match.’ But even then, Chi-Woo didn’t think he would lose. He turned around and said, “Tie them up.”

Dulia immediately took out a rope and ran to Yunael as if she was flying. She meticulously tied them up and seemed to be enjoying her job. “Don’t blame me too much. I’m just following the orders of the current expedition leader.”

According to their usual personality, Yunael would have responded sarcastically even if it was the last thing they did, but Yunael couldn’t even think about responding to Dulia. If they stayed still like this, they might really be forced to return. No, that must not happen. They couldn’t let that happen. There was a very important reason they couldn’t return like this. If they did, the shame would weigh them down so much that they would never be able to lift their head.

Yunael’s eyes shifted to Chi-Woo, who had turned around without another word. They hesitated for a moment, but in the end, said, “…No.” They spoke in a slightly discouraged voice. “I…can’t go back like this. I can’t go back…!” Unlike before, they implored in a desperate voice. “Help me…!”

Chi-Woo stopped turning away. As he looked down at Yunael, Chi-Woo couldn\'t hide the indisputable contempt in his eyes. Everyone lived while wearing a mask, but in moments of crisis, the mask fell off and revealed one’s true face. And the bare face that Yunael revealed was…disgusting.

“Are you out of your mind?” His voice rose without him realizing. “Can’t you see him?” Chi-Woo raised his index finger and pointed at Yunael’s companion. The male hero had passed out from blood loss.

Yunael replied, “It’s not a fatal injury! He can hold out if someone treats him!”

Chi-Woo became speechless. It was great to be motivated, but there was a limit to everything. Yanael’s desire was way too egotistical, and they were the type who didn’t care about their surroundings in their pursuit of their goal. Chi-Woo didn’t know how his brother would evaluate a person like Yunael, but Chi-Woo couldn’t think favorably about Yunael in the slightest.

He didn’t understand why Boboris had told him to hold onto such a hero. If Yunael had at least maintained the attitude they first showed till the end, he would have thought they were merely stubborn for their own beliefs. However, it was quite disappointing to see them throw everything out for their own desires. He didn’t expect to even make the comparison, but there really was too much of a contrast between them and Ru Amuh.

“Not only did you forcibly continue the expedition with a teammate in that state, but—sigh.” Chi-Woo sighed while speaking and shook his head. He didn’t even feel the need to say more.

Dulia read the obvious irritation on his face and asked, “Should I cover their mouth too?”

Yunael looked up blankly at Chi-Woo as he waved his hands as if telling Dulia to do whatever she wanted and completely turned around. Soon, they opened their eyes wide and bit their lower lip hard enough to bleed, their head drooping.

“Then—” they cried out in a trembling voice. “What are you going to do about the other two!” Yunael’s loud voice echoed. Silence fell on everyone, and Chi-Woo stopped moving.

‘…What?’ His eyes widened.

“You said…you came to rescue…” Chi-Woo heard a strained voice from behind him. “Then…help…”

Suddenly, when he looked down, he saw a hand grabbing his ankle.

“Please…”

Chi-Woo instinctively looked back. When he saw Yunael with their face pressed into the ground, he suddenly recalled what Aida had told him.

[That child is still lacking in many ways.]

[I don’t call them a kid for no reason.]

[Although they’re an immature kid who’s hot-tempered, self-centered, and childish…]

[They have a strong sense of responsibility, as befitting Tania\'s name.]

[Who’s perfect from the start? Who’s perfect from birth?]

[Even a simple tool is made after countless quenching and striking.]

[So, please don’t blame them for their shortcomings and also pay attention to their good parts…]

Chi-Woo felt like he had been hit on the head with a hammer. He had thought Yunael wanted the expedition’s rewards and was scared that their failure might be known, so they were insisting on continuing this expedition while knowing it wouldn’t work out. That was the conclusion he came to after listening to what people said about Yunael. However, judging by what Yunael had just said—that didn’t seem to be the case.

“Don’t fall for it,” Dulia quickly said before addressing Yunael. “It’s obvious that you’re making excuses to continue with the expedition.”

Yunael shook their head and fiercely glared at Dulia, who got up while stepping on them. “No, I’m not.”

“Hmph. What do you mean?”

“Then what do you want me to do!” Yunael couldn’t suppress their anger and shouted, “Even if I wanted to go out and go back, I couldn’t find my way!”

Dulia swallowed what she was about to say. She didn’t have a comeback for that. She had good insight and had developed her ability as a guide, but even she had a hard time finding her way in this place. Anyone other than the most experienced guide would have a hundred percent gotten lost here. Thus, in Yunael’s perspective, it might have been better to go back to the deepest part of this place and eliminate the cause of the problem. Then they could find their way out and find their companions at the same time. Dulia could understand the decision Yunael made after she left, so she turned away. “W-Well, you’re the one who kicked me out, so what did you expect?”

Yunael wanted to yell a bit more, but decided to raise their eyes again. Likewise, Chi-Woo looked down and met their eyes. Aida had told him that Yunael was a child who had only walked a path of success, and this was their biggest weakness as a hero. Byeok had also told him that there was no correct method for a hero to grow. In other words, while some were more appropriate than others, there were pros and cons to every method.

Yunael was a hero who had only walked a single path ever since they ascended to the Celestial Realm. They had saved many worlds in the way they thought was right—even if the method they found was not a master key that fit everything, and they needed to make appropriate adjustments depending on the situation. Perhaps if Yunael had tasted even a small failure or two, they wouldn’t have become this bad. However, Yunael had never failed even once so far in their life. Thanks to the Tania family’s vision and their natural, brilliant talent, they had been able to easily resolve most crises—but only in worlds where they could get the World’s support.

As Yunael’s achievements accumulated, the method they pursued turned into stubbornness disguised as certainty. By then, the request of the founder, whom Yunael respected, and the advice of a close friend, who they trusted the most, fell on deaf ears. Although what they said made sense at first, the fundamental belief that made them who they were at the moment did not change. No matter what others said, Yunael could just prove they were right by showing great results with the same method they always used. In short, Yunael thought that the whole world revolved around them. It had always been that way, and they believed it always would be even though there must be exceptions.

After a long moment of bemusement, Chi-Woo organized his thoughts. Yunael’s true intention had finally come to light, and it wasn’t a desire to reap the expedition’s rewards, but to find the two teammates that had gone missing the first time they entered the deepest part of the underground base. Since their teammates had come here believing in Yunael, it seemed as if Yunael couldn’t abandon them.

If this was the case, the story completely changed; Chi-Woo had come to rescue heroes rather than to take over the expedition. This was a different matter from Yunael’s true intention. Chi-Woo was silent for a long time and finally said, “It may be too late.”

“We don’t know what happened to them. They may still be alive.”

This was true. Dulia had also been doubtful whether or not Yunael was still alive when she departed from Shalyh. But in the end, Yunael and the unknown male hero hadn’t died.

“But their situation is different from yours.” The two missing expedition members were different from Yunael. Although they were heroes as well, there were stark differences in power and ability between them. Yunael was probably well aware of this. Presented with the two possibilities, Yunael would probably also bet that it was already too late. But even then…

“…I have to see it with my own eyes,” Yunael said with an unshakable gaze. “I need to at least retrieve their corpses.” If there was even a 1% chance, they had no intention to give up. This was their duty and responsibility as the captain.

Chi-Woo stared at them and let out a long sigh. He could understand why Aida called Yunael a child. Their thinking was immature and childish…but Chi-Woo didn’t feel disgusted by Yunael anymore after realizing their true intention. When he first entered Liber, Chi-Woo had been unable to stop numerous heroes and natives from sacrificing themselves in the forest. The deep pain it caused remained in his heart, so he didn’t want to deny Yunael’s desire to save their teammates. Besides right and wrong, this was an acceptable request for him to accept.

After some time, Chi-Woo gave the two surrounding Yunael a pointed look. Emmanuel immediately withdrew his fleuret, and Dulia relented and loosened the rope.

Chi-Woo said, “Let’s take a break.”

Soon, all but Yunael and their male teammate gathered together. The captain of this rescue team was Chi-Woo. As long as they didn’t deviate from their mission, the captain had the final say. However, Chi-Woo didn’t immediately make his decision and instead asked for everyone’s opinion. It might be for rescue purposes, but that would still take them to the deepest part of the base. In other words, they would be taking on the same risk as continuing the expedition.

“Hmm~ I actually like this better?” Surprisingly, Jin-Cheon didn’t seem to care either way. “I thought it would be a bit boring to go back like this. We can do good, and on the way, we can also get treasure…ahahhaha! Ah, of course, rescue comes first. Absolutely.” Jin-Cheon seemed more interested in the rewards than the mission.

“A sword only swings by the will of its owner. Sir, please do as you please.” …And Emmanuel was the same as ever.

“Well…I’m not against it either.” With her arms folded, Dulia glanced at Yunael, who was looking their way. “I’m okay with going further too, and fine, I can go with those two, but.” She raised her shoulders and said, “This is a request I make as the head. You need to make this clear.” She continued with her chin slightly raised, “That Yunael shouldn’t expect any help other than rescue. I want you to make that clear before we start…” In short, she was saying she wanted all of Yunael Tania’s rights to their expedition nullified.

Chi-Woo understood what she meant and called out to Yunael when all the opinions had been sorted out. “I’ll agree on one condition,” he said. “Don’t disobey me while the rescue is in progress.”

“…I got it. The expedition reward will—what?!” Yunael, who had been speaking in a resigned tone, raised their head in surprise.

“The duration is until you return to Shalyh.”

“Wait, what? You want me to obey you without question?”

“What’s wrong?” Chi-Woo titled his head. “You’re not even the head. Is that so difficult?”

“But—!”

“If you don’t like it, we’ll leave like this never happened.”

“Stop saying nonsense! Why don’t you put a clear condition like I can’t claim any rights other than rescuing my teammates instead! How do I know what you’ll ask me to do—wait!” Yunael’s rapid spiel was cut off, and they floundered their arms as Chi-Woo got up from his seat.

“We’re going back. Let’s start packing up.”

“Ah!” Yunael tightly shut their eyes as Dulia picked up the rope again. “…Fine!” In the end, they caved in. “Okay! I’ll do as you say!” They felt so angry that their eyes were tearing up. Yunael tightly hugged themselves with both arms and glared at Chi-Woo as if he was trash. In a way, Yunael looked like someone who had no choice but to give into Chi-Woo’s threat for the sake of rescuing their poor teammates.

Chi-Woo felt like a trashy thug for some reason, but he decided to firmly resolve his heart. Whether he decided to take Yunael under his wing or not, he couldn’t be clumsy about it. Since he decided to hold onto Yunael, he was going to make sure he did it properly.