Why did it come to this? How did it come to this? I am the hero right? So why!

Nino crashed through the brush, the air split in two as an arrow whizzed past him and impacted a tree with a Thunk!

Nino almost dropped the bag that held the various herbs that he had spent hours trying to find.

"I should have been able to take them, aren't they like the weakest of monsters? Why did it turn out like this!" Nino lamented as he heard their cries echoing from behind him.

It was the most basic of monsters, one that usually show up as the first of many enemies one would have to defeat on their journey to defeat the demon king. They were half his size, wearing rags and carrying makeshift weapons such as fallen branches or sharpened stone.  Their green skin a constant in every game he had played beforehand. 

"Damn those goblins, aren't they suppose to be trash? Why did it turn out that they had the upper hand?" Nino cried out. 

He remembered it clearly, how he had spotted the trio of goblins and how it went downhill from there.

It was a simple task. He was to collect herbs for Dr. Glenwood, they were common herbs but he had to gather a large quantity of them. Nino was walking along the trail pointed out to him by the guards when he had spotted them. green skin, pointed ears, small stature and dressed in rags with stone and wood weapons. 

Goblins. They were one of the staples that people expected to see in fantasy worlds and the three of them in front of Nino was living proof that this was again another world than his very own. 

"Goblins, one of the first steps of a Hero's journey. Would I go on to defeat the Goblin King that set up his nest full of human slaves? Or will they be some henchmen for the first of many demonic generals that will try to appease his master's will? Lets find out!" 

Nino foolishly charged forward, his very steps alerting the trio of goblins as he crashed through the trees loudly proclaiming "Goblins! You may be emissaries of the dark lord so I will give you a quick and merciless death!" 

The goblins gave a warcry as one of them notched a stick into a makeshift bow of what looked like a vine and a branch before letting it loose, the other two prepared a jagged stone and a wooden branch. 

Nino avoided the arrow with easy by stepping to the side before he brought his wooden sword down, the blade crashing into the goblin with the jagged stone, the force flooring the goblin as it cried out.

Nino gave the goblin a kick before bringing his sword down again as he used the force to split the skin, blood flying everywhere as the goblin gave a cry of pain, could it's final scream? The very thought had Nino enter a state of glee. He was doing something right! He was taking his first steps!

Caught up in beating up the goblin, an impact slammed into Nino's back as he fell, wheezing  as the air rushed out of his lungs. 

Nino stumbled to his feet only to feel something hit his shoulder, the pain caused him to drop his sword as he was sent sprawling by force alone. The taste of earth entered his mouth as he struggled to his feet, the world spinning around him.

What?  Nino thought as he watched through dazed eyes as the goblins cheered, before the one carrying a wooden branch leaped forward, swinging the branch downward.

Nino raised an arm to block the strike, pain rushed through his arm before he kicked the goblin away. Dazed and disorientated he stumbled away from the mess of a fight. His shoulder ached from the pain as he gasped for air. 

Behind him the cackling of goblins echoed as footsteps came in hot pursuit of their prey... him. 

How? Wasn't this suppose to be easy? A swing of my sword and all three of them should have been dead so why? What heroic power did I get? Why hasn't it activated?

Nino stumbled as he avoided arrows, the world spinning  he picked up his pace as he heard more and more footsteps converging on him. Laughter echoed in the trees as the brush rustled from the movement made from both Nino and the Goblins. 

Reinforcements! 

Two arrows landed in front of him as more cries echoed from the trees.

Reinforcements for the goblins... Nino once more quickened his pace, he ran. The labor of running caused his body to pump blood and adrenaline throughout his body. 

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Nino saw the wooden walls of the town and he legged it as the guards saw his figure, the two of them rushing forward to guard him yet it was for naught. The goblins, upon realizing that they were encrouching upon the town quickly fell back to continue their hunt in the woods. 

Nino felt the energy drain from his body as he realized that he was safe. 

Its over... its finally over... 

Nino collapsed where he stood, a singular object protruding from his shoulder caught his attention and he placed a hand on it. Coarse. Dry. A stick found almost anywhere in the forest. 

Nino grabbed it with his hands and he musted a final burst of strength to yank it out. He instantly blacked out. 

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The first thing that registered with Nino was the smell. It was rancid, foul and earthy.  An infusion of scents assaulted his nose as he came to, at first everything was bright, yet as time past his eyes adjusted to see a familiar curtain, a familiar wooden wall and desk. 

Opposite of his bed stood a faun who simply observed him. 

"Back from your little expedition are we? When I said for you to brave the forest to gather herbs for me, I didn't expect for you to use them up... no matter. In this case your injuries are less severe than when we first met so I won't charge you for the treatment this time around. Just don't make this into a common occurance ya here." bleeted the doctor. 

"..." 

"The wound has already been closed, but I'd recommend at least a day to rest and recover but I can understand if you want to take a few to sit and recover." Issa said in an attempt to comfort Nino.

"Am I really the hero?" a voice whispered.

Issa looked up at his lone patient, uncertain if Nino had really said anything. 

"Can you tell me if I'm the hero? The one that saves the world from the darkness?" 

"..." Issa looked at the downtrodden Nino and he sighed.

"Listen kid, you keep spouting things about a hero and some grandiose adventure to fight evil. Personally my own hero saved me from my dark past with good intent in mind."

"What happened?"

"Simply a tale for another time... we've only just met each other after all." Issa smiled 

"But the lesson to take from this is that heroics isn't about going on some grand quest to right all wrongs. Its more a "personal journey". It doesn't matter if you save the world if you yourself do not have the aspiration and resolve for it. You have to look within yourself and ask if it is what you want to do. Are you willing to go through the hardships that come along."

Nino looked down, thinking about what the doctor had said to him. 

Aspiration? Resolve? He was destined to be a hero... right? 

Everything was suppose to fall into place for him. He was suppose to get the sword easily, just a simple tug. Magic would be bestowed upon him due to the spirits. He could understand if there wasn't anyone who gets that. Tales of his great deeds has yet to spread after all. Of course not everyone will know who he is. 

But isn't there some sort of prophecy? One that is told to all the kids of a hero who rises up from nowhere. One destined to save the world from evil?

Nino growled. Clenching his fist Nino glared at the doctor before him. 

"You giving me some sort of peptalk. I'll show you that I can do this. I know I can do this. I'm destined to complete this task!" He roared, his resolve burning within and Issa smiled at his patient. 

"With fire like that I can't reprimend you. I already healed you up so you're good to go, however it is late so I'll ask for you to avoid the forest for now. Some of the tougher creatures come out at night." 

"I can't see in the dark anyway. I may be determined but I'm not stupid." Nino laughs and Issa chuckled. 

Nino looked at his gear.  His sword missing, his armor with minor dents and his clothing dirtied but intact save for the hole where the arrow punctured his shoulder. 

The bag of herbs he had collected had been opened and some of it missing, probably used to patch him up from his wounds. 

"You brought a surprising amount for this time of season. Most of them were junk but a few of them were usable. Tell me, have you ever herb-collected before?" Issa asked and Nino shook his head.

"Back where I'm from we had markets with fruits, vegetables and herbs for sale. We don't normally trek into the wilderness to find these goods as we just grow them ourselves." 

"Interesting. Herbs can be hard to cultivate due to their various the various tasks we healers have to do to maintain them so that they retain their healing property, in such cases I wish I had the skill [Growth] to make it easier for me." 

"Herbs that we get are farmed in large plantations so they are relatively common albeit expensive at times. As for skills I'm sure it came from experience bu...wait... skill? What do you mean by that?" Nino asked curiously.

"Skills, they are a vital part of everyday life that makes things easier. I wouldn't be able to concoct half of my remedies if not for my [Synthesis] skill. 

"What about classes, are they a thing?" Nino asked fervently.

"Of course, I'm known as a Level 7 {Healer}. It isn't that hard you just have to heal people simple as that. " 

Skills. Classes. A level system? How does it all work? He had to find out more. Would it be possible to gain levels in the {Hero} class? Did such a class even exist? 

"It's getting late. Try to find some party-members so I don't have to patch you up again, you can watch each-other's backs thought it would benefit me more if you do get hurt." Issa laughed at his own words, Nino could only grimace at the idea. 

"I should get out of your hair you old goat. I don't want this stench to become my very being like it did you!" Nino retorted and Issa just smiled.

"Fine then, get out of here. You do have a place to stay then, a place where you don't have to bother me?" 

Nino froze. Shoot, he had forgotten to check out the inns. Save that, he didn't even have money since most of the herbs he brought weren't usable. 

"Come on then, I know a nice place, maybe you can make friends your age instead of a kooky geezer like me." 

"Hey I have friends!" Nino cried out and Issa stood at the door with an eyebrow raised. "Sure sure, now lets get going you don't want to sleep on the streets do you?" 

Nino emerged from the bed as he grabbed his gear. The fresh air beckoning him to get out of the rancid hovel that Issa called home. Tonight it was sleep, and tomorrow... maybe he would make a friend or two.