Nox Forest

The Next Day, I set out on my journey to the Nox forest.

I was ceremoniously escorted to the City walls. The walls were your characteristic giant Black Walls, that symbolized the Nation that worshipped or protected by the Hero of Darkness.

The Flags had the symbol of a Katana That cut down the sun rising between the Valley of the Nox Mountains.

Nox was the name of the Forest, thereby the mountains were named so. I know, a simple story without much making sense. After all the main focus of the story was the growth of the Dragon monarch and how he humiliated the 6 Heroes... no 5 Heroes.

After all one of the female heroes joined his Harem in the late story.

I swear I hate harem, and when I kill the 2nd Demon Monarch, I will make sure to implement an Anti-Harem Law around the world.

I shook my head to put down these stray thoughts. After all the next few days will decide my fate.

There are several factors that I didn't take into notice. And there are ones that I can't take notice of to begin with.

Actually, even the step that I am about to take was never mentioned in the Novel.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared. Experimenting with your own body is the scariest thing you can ever think about.

But, I had to do this.

"Fuuu~"

I sighed and turned back to the city.

I could see the castle head from my position. I could see it back then because my apartment which was only 3 story was out-shadowed by the huge Catholic Church that stood mighty and tall, even now, when I can only barely see the castle top.

Well, that was to be expected for this wasn't the Capital of the Darkstar Kingdom in the truest of sense.

I,I will explain the geography later.. hehe.. I promise!

===

Inside the forest.

There were 10 Paladins from the Church to ensure my safety.

When asked for their names, I was given their codes. I felt bad for them, but they didn't particularly mind it. They were N1, N2, N3.....N10.

We had been walking along the forest route for some time now.

We didn't encounter any demonic beast yet.

I tried to find some. I felt scared to face them. Well I was scared of even a barking dog back at earth.

Hopefully I was an Orphan. So I didn't feel much emotional attachment to my last world.

Yeah, I know it is a cliche trope. But Now I have an inkling as to where all the orphans disappear after a certain age. After all I have yet to meet an orphan other than me.

Howl! Howl!

As I contemplated with a frown, a howl came from the bushes.

"Okay!"

I screamed with excitement. I wasn't scared! All is well! Aaal is well!

I kept saying in my heart. I wasn't scared!... definitely not!

"Fuuu"

I sighed, preparing myself. From the left side of my waist I brought out the cursed Katana and stood in a Kendo Style.

This would be my first battle since transmigrating, I was brimming with excitement.

"Awooo-!"

The wolf jumped out of the bush. It was large and emanated a black haze from all around its body.

For a moment I was flustered, but I quickly recomposed myself.

'Yes! Now he will jump on me and I will cut hack him down in a single slash'

I gripped the hilt tightly. I channeled the mana in my core to reinforce my lower back.

Then I strengthened my arms and my hamstrings to prepare for a one shot kill.

But-

Shwing!

Thud!

I forgot I wasn't alone! Damn it!

I turned towards N1, my eyes filled with resentment.

" Why didn't you let me deal with it ?"

I asked bluntly without even thinking.

he turned back and cocked his head. He was a baldie with a glistening head that could radiate halos in the presence of sunlight. Fortunately, it was dark or I would have been blinded.

" It was closer to my position, sir"

He answered back.

" Then I will be leading the group. Follow behind "

I said and moved forward. I know what they would be thinking about me. Stupid, Crazy, irresponsible... blah-blah.

But I didn't look back and ordered them to not question any further.

They were responsible for my safety, the Hero. But I had to fight the calamities in the near future.

If I couldn't fight back even a simple black wolf, I would never be able to fight back the Calamities.

It was a hard choice. My path was filled with thorns the moment I awoke as a Hero. as Blake.

I knew it was reckless but the coming days were shrouded in insanity.

Forcing out my dedication. I marched forward.

===

Even after staying in this world for a whole month, Blake hadn't fought with wild monsters or demonic beasts.

All he received was basis katana training.

So when I first encountered a wolf, I was scared.

Even so, I closed my eyes and slashed my katana.

thud-!

a thudding sound came.

When I opened my eyes, the black wolf lay dead at my feet . His skull and his upper body was properly sliced into 2 by the Katana.

As blood flowed from the corpse, I thought back to the descriptions I read in those novels. Their hands trembled and their head was filled with questions.

I didn't feel the same. Seeing the blood flowing from it half severed body, my mind cleared out and the thought that had been bothering me for a while, started to organize.

When I saw my reflection in the clean blade of the katana...I grinned.

I broke out into a twisted grin.

"Lets go!"

I didn't look back, and marched forward calmly.

I was feeling elated for the first time since I came to this world.

We encountered a few more wolves on the way. I killed 2 more. But I didn't close my eyes this time.

The Sensation of cutting through flesh elated me. For I while I thought if my emotions were unbecoming of a Hero. After all a Hero should be merciful to beings including monsters.

But, who cares? I will live for my goals. I don't care what happens to the people of this world.

Thinking as much, I wanted to break out into an erratic laughter. But with trembling shoulders I held back my emotions.

I will laugh when I give the protagonist a dog's death!

"hehe.."

I chuckled with the setting Sun in my background.

===

Hamil

As a paladin from the Church Of Darkness, I was entrusted with the safety of the Hero Blake.

When I saw him for the first, he looked like a well behaved averagely handsome kid.

He was always lost in thought. Even when we were discussing our plans when we entered the forest, he didn't say much.

All he said was we would be visiting the Spirit village, Mellandoir in the next 2 weeks. Other than that he kept silent, lost in his own world.

We were confused, but the bishop had tasked us to follow the Hero and his orders. We didn't think much. After all we had already visited Mellandoir in the past. I was just skeptical as they didn't welcome humans much. I don't know how they treat Heroes.

When we entered the forest, after walking for a few hours, we encountered a a black wolf. I scoffed with pity and cleared out the route for the rest.

But the hero interjected to take the lead. The way was simple and we had to follow the route straight. The problem was his safety.

I heard from a conversation, the hero lived in a peaceful world before he was summoned. I doubted if he could kill normal monsters let alone the Calamities.

1 month of training is negligible. It was hard to build a foundation in your martial arts in a single month let alone gathering mana. Even if we take talent in concern he shouldn't be able to fight a monster with only one month of training.

Internally I was scared. But I couldn't revoke his orders. Maybe even in my worries somewhere I wanted to see how well the prophesized Hero performed to be able to Deflect the Calamities.

After a few moments, my curiosity was answered. My doubts were thoroughly shattered. I was amazed when he killed the a black wolf in a single blow, and then a feeling of ease settled in my heart.

It was hard for a kid of his age to move forward by himself. More than physical, it was a mental barrier that had to be broken. He could do it. My heart naturally felt at ease.

And then from the side I caught his grinning face, and a cold sweat ran down my spine.

'Nevermind..'

"..crazy bastard.", I mumbled in an inaudible voice.