Entering the grand, medieval-styled palace, Ariana’s gaze wandered over the opulent surroundings, eyes wide with curiosity. Beside her, Layton took in the intricate carvings and towering columns, equally captivated. Miruku, however, moved more cautiously, her head lowered, though she occasionally glanced around, her face betraying her unease in this unfamiliar environment.

Anyi’s assessment was far from impressed; he privately deemed this palace inferior to the solemn grandeur of the Aldrich Theocracy’s temple. As her eyes caught on a set of vibrant red banners hanging in the hall, Ariana’s expression grew thoughtful.

"Right, Anyi," she began, recalling an old mystery. "When we fought the Goblin Centurion, an Exterminate Hero helped us out, didn’t she? Without her, those other two Goblin Centurions would’ve come back, and we might’ve all died."

She hesitated, then continued, "I asked around and found out that the first-generation Exterminate Hero had already died, so the one who helped us must’ve been the second generation. But… it’s strange. She was supposedly chosen by Kami, but she never revealed herself to us. Why would such a powerful Hero hide?"

"Maybe that’s her way," Anyi replied, his tone light. In truth, he knew more than he let on; when he’d briefly disguised himself as the Exterminate Hero, he had reasons beyond what he’d shared. For one, the Exterminate Hero’s strength grew in direct proportion to the monsters she killed. Such a Hero was driven to hunt relentlessly, indiscriminately. In that way, whether the Exterminate Hero helped or hindered, her path was inevitably painted with blood.

Even though the first-generation Exterminate Hero was gone, the second generation’s abilities were the same—an unending drive to kill. And whether the Exterminate Hero ever showed herself openly didn’t truly matter. Should the second generation perish, another would rise in her place, and so on.

Following the rich red carpet through the palace, they finally arrived at an enormous, ornately carved door. Two ministers in lavish attire bowed as the Heroes approached.

“Honored Heroes, our king has been eagerly awaiting your arrival. Please, step inside.”

...

Elsewhere, in a dark forest clearing, four Heroes scanned their surroundings, hearts racing, after finding a ring of dead Goblins littering the ground.

"Who’s there?" one of them called out, his voice taut with suspicion.

"I am the Stone Hero! If you’re a friend, show yourself! If you’re an enemy, don’t blame us for fighting back!"

Elza, still perched high in the trees, observed the group. After a pause, she leaped down, landing softly a few strides away. The Heroes whirled to face her, weapons raised, tension flashing in their eyes.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Elza narrowed her gaze at them, the weight of her silent, chilling stare washing over them. Her look carried an unmistakable air of deadly intent, as if warning them against any reckless moves.

'Who is she?' they wondered, eyes wide. 'A monster? Or… another Hero?'

Their shoulders tightened, hands gripping their weapons as they realized the danger she posed. This wasn’t someone to take lightly.

Elza regarded them with a measured expression, then spoke, her voice low and steady. "I am the Exterminate Hero."

As soon as Elza spoke, she noticed something odd: her voice was raspier than she remembered. Realization dawned on her—she hadn’t had a proper meal or drink in days, and she hadn’t spoken much either. That must be why her voice had grown hoarse.

Yet her quiet utterance, “Exterminate Hero,” sent a ripple through the four Heroes standing before her. A story flashed in their minds, one that had spread throughout the League: the tale of the legendary Exterminate Hero and the Steel Hero, joining forces to bring down two Goblin Centurions.

They stared at her—the blood-red hair, her skin pale as moonlight, her cold, unearthly beauty, and her tattered yet hauntingly simple clothes. She matched every detail from the stories. This could be none other than the Exterminate Hero—the most powerful, most enigmatic Hero of all.

“Put down your weapons,” Stone Hero murmured to his companions, though it was hardly necessary; the others had already lowered their blades, their expressions shifting from wary to reverent. Their irritation at having lost their quarry faded away, replaced by respect.

“So it’s Exterminate Hero-sama. We didn’t recognize you—our apologies!”

“If we offended you, please forgive us,” another added hastily.

Elza felt slightly bewildered by their reactions but shrugged it off. “In short, could you bring me back to town?” she asked, fatigue seeping into her voice.

The four Heroes exchanged glances, her tiredness feeding their assumptions. They took her weariness as a sign of impatience. They instantly sprang into action.

“Of course!”

“We were just about to head back anyway!”

“Yes, yes! But we got surrounded by Goblins along the way.”

“Thank you, Exterminate Hero-sama, for saving our lives!”

With words of gratitude and admiration, the four Heroes eagerly led Elza toward the town. None of them knew this was the very place where a “Fake Exterminate Hero” had allegedly slain two Goblin Centurions. They couldn’t shake a slight suspicion—why would the Exterminate Hero ask them to guide her back? Surely with her strength, even an army of Goblins couldn’t deter her.

Stone Hero, eyeing her torn clothes, suddenly thought he understood. 'Perhaps she hadn’t returned to town in some time… maybe she had been pushing herself too hard.'

He swallowed, a thought flashing through his mind. 'Could it be that there’s an even greater threat looming? And she doesn’t want us to know, to keep us from worrying?'

As the silence stretched, the Bottle Hero, a young woman with a gentle voice, finally ventured to ask, “Exterminate Hero-sama… have you been out here in the jungle all this time?”

Elza gave a simple nod. “Yes. Lost.”

The four Heroes stiffened. “Lost?!”

The truth hit them with staggering clarity. She’d been out here, lost, slaying countless monsters until her sense of direction faded. Her hands soaked with monster blood, she’d fought so long and so hard she could no longer distinguish herself from the monsters she destroyed.

Lost… that’s what she meant.

Returning now wasn’t to escape from danger, but to remember her own humanity.