No straight-up confrontation with a [Hero] ever goes well. Even if you’re stronger than them, all that does is increase the chance that they pull some last minute bull spit out of their asp.

No. The best way to deal with [Heroes] is to avoid them, trick them, or otherwise get them on your side, which is what we’re going to do with the next [Hero].

Finally, just to reiterate, If you are going to make an ill-advised attempt to kill a [Hero], you have to be 100% sure of success. Not 95. Not 99. 100%. If you attempt to kill a [Hero] and you fail, all you’ve done is made them stronger and made things harder for me.

I put a lot of effort into you. You do not want to be the one who fails me in this.

* Instructions I presented to the Fangs concerning [Heroes]

Oh, frick, and I need someone to give me a crash course on Virian.

* Additional belated instructions that I presented to my cultists

-------

Approximately 10 years earlier, in Deepmine Town

“What bedtime story would you like tonight, dear?” John’s mom, Katherine, asked as she tucked him in.

“Jake!” John answered excitedly. “The story of Jake and the [Demon Lord]!”

His mom laughed. “You’ve listened to that one every night this week! Are you sure you don’t want to listen to something else?” She paused and pulled out another book. “Like… a treatise on Gram and Pumil politics?”

“Noooo,” John whined. “I don’t wanna learn more about politics.”

“I was just teasing. You’re a bit young for that. Though it would put you right to sleep,” she replied as she stowed the book and sat down on the bed. “But, you will have to learn more about politics eventually if you want to take after your father.”

John frowned. “But being a [Governor] is boring! I wanna be a [Hero] swordsman like Jake!”

“Jonathan Andrews,” his mom said sternly. “Your father worked hard for his position, and I don’t want you to say no to following in his footsteps just because it sounds boring right now.”

John sniffled, and his mom sighed.

“And dear, there can only be one [Hero] in the world at a time,” she said as she softly stroked his hair. “I’m just worried that…” She paused to find her words. “That System will choose someone else, and then you’ll be stuck as a simple swordsman for the rest of your life.”

“That won’t happen,” John said through his sniffles. “System will pick me! I know it!”

They stayed like that for a moment before his mom finally spoke again.

“How about we read the story of Jake and the [Demon Lord] just one more time this week?” she finally asked.

John nodded his head vigorously and wiped at his tears.

“It all started a long, long time ago, at the dawn of the first century,” his mom read the words he had already memorized. “It was a time of change, adventure, monster attacks, and…” she paused dramatically.

“[Heroes] and [Demon Lords],” John said along with her.

As always, John stayed wide awake throughout the story, even to the end.

“System counted down the seconds until the world would be destroyed,” his mom continued. “5, 4, 3, 2, 1…”

John cut in during her dramatic pause. “And with a flash of light, the [Hero] unleashed his greatest skill and wiped the [Demon Lord] from the face of Placeholder! The entire world was saved!”

He accidentally sat up in his excitement, and his mom chuckled as she tucked him back into bed.

“The end,” she said as she kissed him on the top of his head. “Now, get some sleep, okay?”

John nodded as she turned off the mana lamp, and the room went dark.

He tried to do as his mom told him and fall asleep, but his mind ran wild for quite some time. However, his eight-year-old energy eventually ran out, and he drifted off to sleep.

He dreamed of being a sword-wielding [Hero] and slaying the evil [Demon Lord], and then… it suddenly was a bit less of a dream.

System: The Demon Lord has slain the Hero! As the Hero has named no successor, a new Hero will be chosen

John bolted upright.

Please, pick me, pick me, pick me! He shouted up to the System in his head.

System : [Override Hero Selection]. Jonathan Andrews

John squinted up at that. What does override mean?

He didn’t have long to think about that before more messages came along.

System: Congratulations! You have been chosen as the new Hero of Placeholder!

He was the [Hero]! He was chosen! John started freaking out, and then even more messages came.

System: Error. Chosen Hero is ineligible for an advanced class. Rectifying

“What’s going on!?” John shouted at the sky. Was he the [Hero] or not!?

System: The chosen Hero is currently ineligible. Hero selection has been postponed

System: Sub class granted. Trainee-Hero

He was the [Hero]! Well, not yet, but he would be!

“Mom! Dad!” John shouted as he sprinted toward his parents’ room.

“Son, it’s okay!” his father, Mark, stated as he met him at the door. He swooped him up into his arms and patted him on the back. “The [Hero] was off in the east, so there’s no need to panic. We aren’t under attack from the [Demon Lord]-“

John was confused for a moment, but he finally caught up. “I’m not worried about that! Mom, dad, I’m the [Hero]!”

His dad set him down on their bed and raised an eyebrow at his mom. “Jake and the [Demon Lord] again?” he asked.

His mom nodded with a slight chuckle. “Yes, you know how it’s his favorite.”

Meanwhile, John was fuming that his parents weren’t listening. That meant he just had to prove it!

Status! He thought. He pulled it up, found his sub-class list, and practically threw it at his mother.

Her eyes went wide.

“Mark…” she started.

Meanwhile, John passed the subclass to his dad as well.

His eyes also shot open.

“This…” he started. Then he laughed and scooped John up again to spin him in a circle. “My boy is going to become the [Hero]! We need to tell everyone and…” He paused. “Wait. No. We need to tell no one.” He sat John back down and looked him straight in the eye. “John, you’ve been given an incredible blessing by System and-.”

John nodded along. “Yeah! And I’m gonna go slay the [Demon Lord], just like Jake!”

His parents exchanged a worried glance, and then his father continued.

“I’m sure you will, but until then, son, I want you to promise me. Don’t tell anyone that you’re going to be the [Hero].”

John scrunched his eyebrows. “Why not?” he asked. “Isn’t the [Hero] the good guy? Why can’t I tell anyone?”

“Because the [Demon Lord] isn’t the only bad guy out there,” his dad stated softly. “And until you’re old enough and strong enough, them finding out you’re the [Hero] would be a very bad thing. Clear?”

John hadn’t thought of that. “Yes, sir,” he replied softly.

“That’s my boy,” his dad replied as he tousled John’s hair. “Now, let’s get you back to bed. I have a surprise for you tomorrow.”

Needless to say, the night’s excitement and the additional unknown of tomorrow made it much harder than normal for John to get back to sleep.

-------

“It’s… it’s…” John stated in awe.

“I tried to get it as close to the size and weight of Jake’s as I-“ his dad started, but he was interrupted as John practically tackled him in a hug… and accidentally stabbed him with the training sword that he had just been given.

“And that was the other thing I was going to say,” his father said through grit teeth. “You have to be careful with a sword, even if it’s a dulled training blade that deals only 2 damage.”

John’s eyes widened. “Sorry, sir,” he said as he pulled the blade out of his father.

“Always keep your weapon in your inventory unless you are actively using it,” his father scolded. “Always be aware of your surroundings when you swing it. And never swing it at anything that you are not prepared to destroy.”

“Yes, sir,” John replied. He went to stow his sword, but his father grabbed his hand.

“Now, let me show you how to swing that thing. You’ve got a lot of growing up to do before it will be the right size, so you’ll need to swing it with both hands for now.”

And so, John spent most of his stamina that day swinging a sword that was likely too big for him. Meanwhile, his mother watched on… and she was not happy.

------

John heard the shouts after he went to bed. He crept up next to his parents’ door and listened in.

“-not a big deal!” his father said.

“It’s a sword, Mark!” his mother snapped back. “He’s only 8 years old! What are you thinking!?”

“It’s a training sword, Kat,” his father replied tersely. “A boy his age would be more in danger from helping you out in the kitchen than from-“

“And what’s wrong with working in the kitchen!? At least he would be safe!”

Their voices got a bit hushed, and John had a hard time hearing the next part of their argument. However, he did hear his father stomping towards the door.

John quickly got out of the way as the door flung open and slammed shut. Meanwhile, his father stomped and muttered while opening up the door to the balcony and stepping outside.

John sneakily crept up to his parents’ bedroom and cracked the door. His mom was crying, and he suddenly didn’t feel so good about his training sword.

He decided that he would go talk to his dad about it and quietly opened the door to the balcony.

The door decided to betray him with a loud squeak.

His dad spun around and then sighed. “Oh, John… I guess you heard some of that,” he said.

“Yeah,” John replied as he walked up to his dad. “And… if it’s gonna make you and mom fight… then… then…”

Mark knelt and wrapped John in a hug. “Don’t worry about it, son. Your mom is just stressed out because… well… she loves you so much.”

The two separated a bit, and John gave his dad a confused look.

“She’s worried sick about you becoming the [Hero],” his dad continued. “And, in truth, so am I. A parent’s worst fear is watching their child go off and fight demons alone.”

His dad gave a weak grin. “And that’s why mom and dad had a bit of a fight. She wants to shelter you from the storm and protect you forever, but I want to help prepare you for it as soon as I can.” He cocked his head and sighed. “Though, maybe she does have a point. 8 years old is a bit young to-“

“No!” John replied with a shake of his head. “I wanna get started right now! If I do, I have-“ John started counting on his fingers. “-forever to get ready to be the [Hero]! I don’t wanna start too late!”

“Glad to hear that I’m 3 and a half forevers old,” his dad said with a chuckle. “Well, if you’re that set on this, I think I might know how to win mom over to our side. Part of her hurt feelings might be because she doesn’t feel like she can help you be a good [Hero], and so we just have to show her that’s not true.”

“Yeah?” John asked. “And how do we do that?”

Mark whispered in John’s ear, and John made a disgusted face.

“Do I gotta?” he whined.

His dad nodded, and John sighed. Then, the two went together back into the bedroom.

Mark nudged John, and he went forward reluctantly. “Mom, as the [Hero], I’m probably gonna be traveling all over the world… so… would you teach me some politics?”

-------

Just as his father predicted, his mother seemed to be much more on board after she got to contribute by teaching John everything he needed to know about the world.

John struggled the most with languages.

“Do I really have to learn Bestian?” he whined.

His mom nodded firmly. “Yes, you never know when you might need to greet a Bestian [Diplomat], or…” she paused. “Actually, as [Hero], you may even need to greet the [King]. Oh dear, we’ll need to deal with court honorifics as well.”

John groaned as his mother flipped through a reference book. “Jake never had to learn any of this stuff!”

His mother paused. “He never went through Besti before defeating the [Demon Lord], that much is true… but how did he communicate with the dwarves, the elves, and the northerners?”

As his mom started flipping through a different reference book, John breathed a sigh of relief. That was one saving grace about learning from an [Academic]. He just had to ask the right question, and he could derail an entire day’s worth of studying.

However, as always, his mom uncovered the answer before dinner that night.

“Jake was originally from another world called ‘Earth,’” she informed John as they ate. “That’s not enough on its own, but from the biography of Erica Jensen, we learn that she was also from the same place. They did not speak Virian, Bestian, Dwarvish, Elvish, or even Gertian there, but it seems that she spoke a language called ‘English-‘”

John interrupted her with a groan. “You’re not gonna make me learn that one too, are you?”

His mom laughed. “No, we don’t have any records of what it sounded like, and that would be a waste of time anyway.” She gave him a wry smile. “According to Erica’s biography, she could understand any language spoken to her, and witnesses report understanding her even when she was speaking English. In fact, most people she encountered simply thought that she was fluently speaking their own language unless they paid close attention. So, while I would love to get my hands on some records of the language, you’re safe from learning this one.”

John breathed a sigh of relief. Then, he frowned. “Jake’s still lucky, though. He didn’t have to learn any of these silly languages.”

“Languages are not silly-“ his mom started.

“He wasn’t quite as lucky as you would think,” his dad interrupted. Both of them looked at him as he continued. “He was ripped away from his home world and brought to ours with little preparation. He had to leave behind everything he knew, and he was suddenly tasked with taking up a sword and saving a world that he had no allegiance to. Perhaps the most amazing thing is that he succeeded since he had never picked up a sword before coming-”

John’s dad trailed off as he looked at their stunned expressions. “What?” he asked. “My son’s going to be the [Hero]! Of course, I’ve been reading up on [Heroes]!”

John’s mom gave his dad a playful push. “We’ll make an [Academic] out of you yet!”

He laughed. “Sorry, full up with [Major] and [Governor]. Maybe after I retire from the army, and can have more than one sub-class.” Mark looked like he remembered something. “John, what’s your stamina at?”

“Uhh… full, sir,” John replied.

Mark nodded. “Alright, time for some practice swings then.”

“Yes, sir,” John saluted with a fist across his chest.

His mom was aghast. “Mark! It’s dinner time! Let him eat first!” she said.

“Full stamina is stamina wasted,” he replied as he ushered John out the door. “We’ll just knock a few points off and then come right back in.”

She let the two go… but there was another argument later that night.

------

The next few years went by in a whirlwind. John’s parents supported him to the best of their abilities (and managed to argue a bit less as time went on).

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

As for John’s training, it was intense for his age. Whenever John’s stamina filled up, it was off to do practice swings with his sword. Whenever his mom was free, he learned about other cultures and languages.

However, studying and sword practice all day was way too much for a young boy, so… they made sure he got out and played with the other kids as well.

And playing with the other kids… no one knew that he was a [Hero]. He was just an average boy who seemed to be growing faster, stronger, and smarter than the others. To his shock, System also started giving him more HP and SP than he would generally have for his age.

He talked to his mom and dad about it, and they decided it was nothing to be concerned about. There were many sub-classes that gave people increased HP, SP, or MP compared to others.

However, his mother did admit that it was a bit weird that his trainee class, which was a class designed for people younger than 18, was giving him much of anything.

Either way, John could split his stamina between sword training and running around with the other kids, even more so when his dad brought home those foul-tasting green concoctions… stamina potions.

With those, he could train even longer, as long as he was willing to hold his nose and swallow the nasty SP-restoring liquid.

… He sometimes hid them in his inventory instead when his dad wasn’t looking.

However, the biggest surprise of his training happened when he was 13, and his dad took them on a long vacation up north…

-------

“Daaaad,” John complained. “Can I open my eyes yet?”

“Not yet, we’re almost there,” his dad replied as he led John by the hand.

“This is embarrassing,” he whispered.

“Aaaaaand, open!” his dad replied.

John hadn’t been quite sure what to expect. He knew that they were in Jenkins, but even his mom had kept quiet about what there was in this city that an aspiring [Hero] would want to visit.

He found that out as soon as he read the sign.

“The Hall of [Heroes] and [Demon Lords]?” he asked with a gasp. “Thank you!” he said as he practically tackled his dad in a hug.

“Make sure to thank your mother, too,” his dad chuckled as he released the hug. “We never could have made this work without her.”

That led to another near-tackle, this one aimed at the other parent.

“Oof,” she replied with a laugh as she staggered back. “You’re growing up too fast! Soon you’ll knock me off my feet if you do that!”

“Come on!” John said as it was his turn to grab his parents by the hand and lead. “I want to see what Jake really looked like!”

The family ended up spending a few hours there. John was most interested in Jake’s information, of course, but he also took the time to learn about all the other [Heroes].

Jake Smith, his favorite [Hero], who he learned very little about that he didn’t already know. However, he did learn about the companions that Jake had taken with him throughout all of his travels.

Sarah Smith, the orphan beastborn who had named herself after Jake when she turned 18. The greatest healer the world had ever seen.

Elluin Hunter, the elven [Ranger] who gave his life to stop the [Demon Lord’s] rampage throughout the capital city of Dryadal.

However, the most sobering one was next. Garrik Valhice. The living proof that not all [Heroes] succeed at their duties. Even though he had tried multiple times.

John knew the history that the Tyrant was the most powerful of the [Demon Lords] to walk Placeholder, and so the poor beastborn [Hero] deserved a bit of a break. However, John still resolved to himself-

I will not let that be me.

He had a bit less interest in those that followed after that.

Kilroy Jenkins, the namesake of the town and the… [Janitor]?... that defeated the Tyrant.

Samson Stonebreaker, the dwarven [Hero] who the [Demon Lord] refused to face in combat and who eventually died of old age.

Jeremiah Cole, the [Watch Officer] with the strange weapon who defeated the [Demon Lord] with a single blow… and then was never heard from again.

Erica Jensen, the [Sorcerer] who came from Earth.

… Okay, he was actually a bit interested in her.

She’s not that much older than I am. Was all that he could think as he learned about her story.

And then finally, the most recent, and the strangest, addition to the Hall of [Heroes]…

Ayluin Eltris, the horned beastborn who was distinguished from all the others by dint of being a [Merchant] of all things, not even an advanced class.

He had his abacus pulled out for that sculpture, and he looked deadly serious, but John couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped his lips.

What’s he going to do? Account the [Demon Lord] to death?

However, he couldn’t help but be grateful for that [Hero] too once he learned that System had designated him to save their world from financial collapse. He hadn’t even realized that was a possibility, but after thinking through all the lessons his mom gave him, he saw how the [Demon Lord] could take over the world in that manner too.

“Well, that’s all of them,” his dad said. “Shall we head out?”

John gave him a confused look. “Don’t we have an entire other section to go through?”

His parents shared looks. “The other half is for [Demon Lords]-“ his dad started.

“And I need to know more about who I’ll be facing,” John replied. “Please?”

His parents caved, and they came around the hall from the other side. So, John got his overview of [Demon Lords] in reverse order.

Titania the Cruel. The female incarnation of the [Demon Lord] who pretended to be friends with Erica just to stab them in the back at the end.

Titus the Shadow. The version of the [Demon Lord] where he started hiding and recruiting others to his side en masse.

Titus the Tyrant. The despot who conquered Placeholder and made them do his bidding… Including the creation of a ritual that devastated the center of Dryadal.

Titus the Destroyer… and that was where it got interesting for John. He did destroy a large swathe of Dryadal’s capital, but he also had been entering into peace talks with the nations.

That… didn’t fit with the image of the [Demon Lord] that John had built up in his head. An image that was further attacked when he got to Titus the Mad and discovered that that version of Titus… simply needed to be [Restored]. He had gone crazy, and once he was healed, the attacks completely stopped.

However, what hit John the most was when he got to the first incarnation. Titus the Traitor.

He doesn’t look like a scheming traitor. John thought as he examined the sculpture. He looks… sad.

That was a pretty big moral conundrum for a 13-year-old to think through, but as he struggled with it during the weeks on the way home, he made his conclusion.

Even if Titus is just a person… just like the rest of us… If he’s going to harm this world… John took a deep breath. I will stop him.

------

The years continued to fly by, and soon…

“Is it midnight yet?” Mark asked.

“Honey, I swear that you are more excited about this than John is!” Katherine laughed.

John chuckled. “Nope, still 17, dad. And I bet you’ll be able to tell when I finally switch over. No need to get so excited.”

“But why shouldn’t I be excited!? My boy is about to become a [Hero], and go get his first levels!” John’s dad replied.

John laughed and then frowned. “Uhh… I’m 18 now.”

His parents gave him quizzical looks.

“But… System gave no notice that a new [Hero] was chosen,” Mark replied.

“Maybe… I need to go upgrade my class or something?” John asked. Status. He thought. He scrolled through his status and found something that wasn’t there before.

“Hey! I got a skill!” he told his mom and dad. “[Upgrade to Hero]. I need to be at an obelisk to use it.”

Katherine frowned. “At the obelisk… so much for keeping your new class a secret.”

“We might still be able to work things out,” Mark replied. “People won’t be happy, but I can use my position to secure a private appointment for you. I hope they forgive me once your class finally becomes public.”

So, the family had to shelve part of their celebrations for later. Not all of them, though. It was still John’s 18th birthday.

From there, Mark was correct that he could get a private appointment at the obelisk, and the three went there later that day.

“Alright, here goes nothing,” John said as he touched the obelisk. “[Upgrade to Hero].”

First were two messages that went out to the whole world…

System: The chosen Hero is now eligible!

System: A new Hero has been chosen

And then the two that were just for John.

System: Congratulations! You have been chosen as the new Hero of Placeholder!

System: Your base class has been set to Warrior

“I got Jake’s class!” John said in excitement. “I’m a [Hero] and a [Warrior]!”

However, before he was even finished speaking, there was a flash of light. The Hero’s sword appeared in his hand, and he was suddenly wearing a full suit of mithril armor.

“The Hero’s Regalia,” Mark said breathlessly.

“Umm… try saying, ‘Activate adamantium mode,’” his mom urged him.

“Sure,” John replied. “Uhh… activate adamantium mode?”

His armor turned jet black, and he suddenly struggled to move.

“We’ll have to get you used to that weight,” his father remarked. “A full suit of adamantium is practically unheard of, but there will be no better defense.”

“If… it doesn’t… make me… a sitting duck,” John grunted as he slowly moved towards his father.

Mark clapped him on the back. “Don’t worry! A few levels under your belt, and you’ll be moving around in that just fine! Now, why don’t you stow that sword and armor before we head out of the privacy screen?”

John stowed his sword and started pulling off his armor. His mom flipped a page in the book she was reading and interrupted. “Actually, I found another option. Activate ‘everyday’ mode.”

John shrugged. “Activate everyday mode?”

And just like that, he was wearing a casual shirt and pants. No one who looked at it would ever guess they were one of the most priceless artifacts in all of Placeholder.

“There are probably going to be people talking because of the timing of all this, but I’ll try to put a lid on it while I can,” Mark said. “In the meantime, I have some trusted [Soldiers] that will get you down to Faroff so you can get some levels. They’re ready to leave right away.”

“Thanks, dad,” John replied. “Are you sure you can’t come with me?”

Mark wrapped his son in a hug. “I would love to, but that would make things more suspicious. Besides, you don’t need an old [Major] watching over your shoulder. Just stay safe, son. And get strong.”

And so, John said his goodbyes to his parents, and in just a week, he would be down in Faroff getting ready to kill his first boss.

------

“Final wave, trainees! Move forward! It’s time for you to earn your contribution!” the [Commander] bellowed.

“Yes, sir!” John shouted, along with nine others.

They were in the Faroff Forest dungeon, and their part of the mission was to kill the fire wolves that were about to spawn and then deal the final quarter of the boss’s health bar in damage.

As for how John would take down fire wolves when he just had a sword… well.

“Take that!” John shouted as he bashed a leaping wolf with a torch. “And that!” he shouted as he killed another one.

The other trainees did their part too, and soon the boss howled and made its reappearance.

“Shield wall, move forward!” the [Commander] bellowed, even as the Army mages cast [Fire Bolts] at the charging boss. “[Guard] each other, and stand your ground!”

“Yes, sir!” the two shielders replied as they ran forward. They planted their tower shields on the ground, and the rest of the squad moved in behind them.

Given the way that one of them was fidgeting, John knew there was about to be trouble.

“I don’t want to die!” that shielder shouted as he dropped his tower shield and ran away… which only made him an isolated target for the boss.

The boss ran around the formation after the fleeing soldier. No one could reach him in time, and he would be dead by the time the squad got there.

… Except John had been waiting for a moment like this nearly all his life.

The world slowed down as the boss ran past him, and he knew what the sacred text said without even reading it.

“[Sunder]!” he shouted, blinking forward with a thunderclap.

That was enough. The boss was vanquished with that single blow, and the day was saved…

And I just outed myself as the [Hero] to everyone here. John realized.

He scratched his head sheepishly and then faceplanted as he tried to walk with his newfound levels.

Getting up, he asked. “I don’t suppose everyone here can keep that a secret for now?”

------

Despite the spectacular way he introduced himself, John managed to keep things under wraps for two reasons.

The first was Gram military discipline. Everyone in the dungeon was a soldier of some kind, and they weren’t going to disobey a direct order given to them about something of that magnitude.

And the second was a set of three magical words that his mother had made sure to drill into his head. Demon Lord Accords. Well, technically, it was more than that because his actual statement was, “As [Hero] of Placeholder, I am invoking article 2 of the [Demon Lord] accords. I requisition your aid in keeping my identity a secret until I am strong enough to go on my quest to defeat the [Demon Lord].”

John never did learn how to use magic, but that phrase certainly felt like it.

Unfortunately for John, keeping up appearances in this case meant that he was scrubbing toilets for the next week. From the outside world’s view, John had stolen all the contribution that was supposed to be evenly supplied to all of the trainees, thus putting Gram’s training schedule back a day.

After that was all done, it was back to Deepmine. John was basically on standby from there. His father had reported the fact that John was the [Hero] up the chain of command but had done it the slow way via an encoded letter. In his words, “[Message] isn’t safe for something of this magnitude.”

From there, all John had to do was wait, and he would be put in touch with some high-level [Soldiers] who he could form a party around. At least… that was the plan. He didn’t anticipate the strange visitors that would show up before the army did.

------

John was in his family’s backyard doing even more practice swings.

He had managed to get his [Swordsmanship] skill for free because of his work as a trainee, and after that, had managed to level it up to level 4. He just needed a single level more in it, and then he would finally take his class upgrade as a [Swordmaster]… just like Jake did.

However, there were some sounds of shouting coming from the town square. They didn’t sound urgent, but it piqued his curiosity.

I can at least check it out. He thought as he checked his stamina. Not full, so I’m not wasting anything. He thought. He stowed his sword and started walking to the center of town.

When he got there, he saw a strange sight. A group of people in white robes were leading around a large cart… that had a huge piece of magicite in it.

“Donate your magic to destroy the undead threat!” one of the people shouted. “All contributions are welcome! Join the Embers in destroying the undead once and for all! Any point of mana helps!”

“Huh,” John muttered. It’s not like I’m using my mana anyway. I guess I could-

His thoughts cut off as one of the people on the cart pointed in John’s direction. After that, a pudgy beastborn man sitting next to them pointed a golden staff toward him. He mouthed an unfamiliar word… and then things got weirder.

“Stop the cart!” the overweight Ember shouted. Everyone complied immediately, and the man hopped down and sprinted in John’s direction.

John didn’t know what to expect, but he definitely didn’t expect the man to fall to his knees and then on his face in front of him.

“Oh, mighty [Hero]! I am [Archdeacon] Kris Kringle of the Embers!” he shouted, with his face still pointed toward the ground. “I have been given a mighty ritual to end the undead threat forever, but I need your aid!”

John stood there in confusion. He had no clue what to do, but thankfully his parents had also come to investigate the noise.

“What is the meaning of all this?” Mark asked. “As [Governor] of DeepMine, I demand you explain what you are doing with my son!”

That got the man to look up. “Son? Huh. Normally they’re orphans,” the man whispered to himself. Then, he stood up… and fell at his father’s feet.

“A boon, [Governor] of Deepmine!” the man begged. “I have been entrusted with the ritual that will wipe the deathlands from existence, and I need the aid of your son!”

“And why would several smaller rituals not suffice?” his mom asked as she joined them with her hands folded together. “Couldn’t you simply repeat the existing ritual over and over?”

“Yes, those rituals work… but…” the man started.

Is he… stalling? John asked himself.

“But the undead would simply reclaim the area!” the man continued. “That is why my ritual is the best shot of destroying them once and for all! As it is, if we missed even one small spot, the entire land could be overtaken once again!”

“And why do you need my son?” she asked.

“If your son doesn’t go with me, the chance of the ritual succeeding will plummet! I am sure of it!” Kris continued.

“Well, he’s telling the truth about all of that, at least,” Katherine stated as she opened her hands to show a truth stone.

The [Archdeacon’s] eyes widened just barely at that, but it was such a small thing that John wondered if he had seen things.

“I don’t know that I like it,” Mark said. “But I will leave it up to you.”

“This does seem like a big deal,” John murmured. “So, maybe give me some time to think about it?”

“Jonathan Andrews!” Kris shouted. “I beg of you. Please! Join us on our quest! I am not sure we can succeed if you don’t!”

The man seemed too deadset and extremely eccentric. John wasn’t sure if it was a good idea… and then he got a message directly.

System.: The [Archdeacon] is correct. You must travel with him if you wish for the deathlands to be destroyed once and for all

“I guess that settles it,” John muttered. “Mom, dad,” he continued. “System has told me to go with him.”

His dad blinked. “Just like that?” he asked.

“Yup,” John replied. “Just like that.” He turned to the man. “So… uhh… when do we leave?”

The man shook his hands in a placating gesture. “Oh, no! By all means! No rush! We wanted to stay here a few days and take in mana donations anyway.” He turned to Mark. “And, seeing as I have now met the [Governor] of this fine town, would you be willing to arrange mana collection for some smaller crystals? We would pick them up the next time we’re in town.”

There was some more back and forth after that, but with the message from System, things were pretty much settled. After three days, John said goodbye to his parents, and went on his first adventure.

------

The first thing that John learned on his travels was that the Embers were an odd group of people. They were incredibly deferential to him, and they seemed almost… zealous?

Either way, the strangest of them all was Kris Kringle, the [Archdeacon]. He spent the majority of his time meditating near the giant crystal, feeding it his mana, and otherwise not interacting with anyone.

The one exception to that rule was when one of his followers brought him some mana grass. Then, John watched the man make mana potions with an expensive-looking mana furnace and alembic.

When John finally asked about it, the man simply told him, “We need as much mana as possible, and mana potions give more than you put in.”

Given how desperate they seemed to be, John even pitched in his own mana, not that he had much to give.

Eventually, they reached their destination. It was a foggy forest in the middle of nowhere, and the [Archdeacon] took John ahead alone.

-------

“Stay close behind me,” Kris whispered to John as they walked through the eerie woods. “This place is dangerous.”

“Then why are we here?” John asked.

“It has been revealed to me that this place can help with the mana for the ritual.”

John was about to ask more when Kris vanished.

“Kris?” John asked as he spun around. “Kris!? Where did you go!?”

However, that thought was put on hold as he heard melodic feminine laughter.

He turned around and saw the most beautiful woman ever to walk Placeholder. She had long golden hair, dazzling green eyes, and her pointed elvish ears gave her a sense of refinement and grace.

John did not previously have a thing for elves. He now did.

She gave a playful giggle and then backed away from John.

“Wait!” John called as he rushed after her.

Despite running with all his might, he couldn’t catch the woman. It was as if she appeared and disappeared on a whim.

And then, he lost her. He stood there in a clearing, looking around for her and trying to catch his breath, when he felt a tap on his shoulder.

He spun around, and there she was.

“Greetings, traveler,” she said in the same melodic voice. “It has been long ‘ere I had guests. Come into my abode. Sit.”

He was about to ask what abode she was talking about when he suddenly found himself surrounded by a house with a chair behind him. He took a seat.

“Doth a cat have thy tongue, traveler?” she asked with another giggle.

He shook his head. “No, uhh, sorry. I’m Jonathan Andrews… I’m the [Hero],” he added somewhat sheepishly.

“Oh my!” she replied with a hand across her mouth. “A most distinguished guest hath graced me with his presence!” Then with a slight pout, she continued. “It is most lonely in this forest… wouldst thee grace me with a tale of thine travels?”

“I… uhh… haven’t done much traveling yet,” John said awkwardly. Her pout increased, so John quickly followed up. “I can tell you about the Faroff Forest dungeon, though!”

And so, John regaled the woman with his tale about saving the man’s life in the dungeon… and his subsequent punishment of cleaning the toilets.

She was a rapt audience the entire time. Then, at the end, he could have sworn he heard something.

“Blech, yonder memory was hardly a trifle!”

“Require yonder prisoner tell greater stories!”

“Giveth us a telling with passion and stakes!”

He turned his head to look at the voices, but the woman turned him back towards her.

“A most intriguing story,” she stated. “But, doth thee have any better ones to tell? Tales of grave sorrow or great gallantry?”

John frowned. “Well, it’s not my story.” He chuckled sheepishly. “And it’s kinda one meant for kids…”

The woman nodded eagerly.

And so, John relayed the story of Jake and the [Demon Lord]. The story he had memorized from start to finish.

“Ahh, now that tis a feast fit for a [Queen]!”

“Indeed! We hath heard it before, but the lies make it all the more better!”

“Tastes much improved over the truthful version!”

The woman seemed happy, so John was happy. “I can tell you even more about Jake if you want,” he said. “I know all sorts of things about him!”

“Hold one moment. He hath stated something of import.”

“He doth remember his story beeth about Jake? Something tis wrong.”

“We feasted ‘pon the memory as always. Why hath something differed?”

And then another, different, voice joined.

“Frickin’ [Hero] plot armor… Time for Plan B.”

He turned to look at that voice, but the woman turned his head back towards her once more.

“Why yes,” she stated. “Twould beeth mine pleasure to-“

“Back foul creatures!” Kris shouted as he burst into the clearing. He was swinging his staff wildly and had also pulled out a torch. “Back!”

The beautiful woman also backed away, and John grew angry. “Hey!” he shouted at Kris. “Stop that! You’re scaring her!”

Kris stopped in front of him. “Sorry about this,” he stated as he shoved the torch into John’s chest.

John stared at it dumbly, and then the damage hit.

He shouted in pain and alarm and then noticed the message from System.

System: You are no longer charmed

“What’s going on!?” John shouted as he pulled out his sword.

“They’re fairies!” Kris shouted back. “Beings of pure magic who feast on memories! If they had their way, you’d be an empty shell now!”

That gave John pause. “Wait. Doesn’t that mean that my memories should be gone? The one about Jake and Faroff?”

Kris spun to look at him with shock on his features. “You still remember everything you told them?”

Before they could think through the ramifications of that, they were interrupted.

“A boon, [Hero]!” a fairy stated as she came out bearing a tiny white flag. “A boon! We are but a poor people, and with a lack of stories, we wither and die! Surely thou are not cold-hearted enough to let an entire race of people starve when tis within thine power to aid us?”

Kris looked like he was about to speak, but John held up his hand.

“As the [Hero], I must protect all residents of Placeholder,” John started. “And that includes fairies, now that I know you exist.” John nodded. “So, I will be willing to tell you stories if that will help… if-“

“If?” the gathered fey asked.

“If you will help us charge the magicite crystal Kris has brought along!”

The gathered fey looked shocked, and Kris… had his head in his hand?

He recovered quickly. “Why, yes, of course! Why didn’t I think of that?” Kris asked. “What do you say, [Queen] of the fey? Will you accept stories from a [Hero] in exchange for some of your magic?”

“Thou driveth a difficult bargain,” the surrendering fairy began. “But thou hast a deal.”

John nodded to himself in satisfaction. It wasn’t what he expected when he became a [Hero], but if telling stories could help save the world, he wouldn’t be opposed to it.

-------

That frickin’ kid was going to be the death of me. Possibly literally, though I was doing my best to avoid that.

I’m really glad that Secondavia didn’t make any oaths around the entire deal that John had proposed because I had no idea what would happen if she had two different oaths for doing the same thing.

I was sure that it would let her weasel out of mine somehow.

Anyway, with the fake agreement in place, I now had an excuse to keep the [Hero] with us at all times as we traveled to the different fey forest locations… which would be a blessing and a curse, I was sure.

The ritual was close. So close. Tim was sure that with practice, I would hit level 7 in [Temporus] by the time of the ritual, and level 2 in [SpatialTemporus]. The ritual itself was ready. Tim, Cameron, and I were merely making final tweaks to make it more resilient and also coming up with contingencies… many of which did not include Cameron in the discussion for obvious reasons.

The last thing that was needed was charging the magicite, and that was going to be what put us under the wire. We had a few decades, but I wished we had a few centuries to get that amount of mana.

However, I was resolved. Even as I watched the days fall away, and the clock tick down until I ran out of time… I would make that clock tick backward or die trying.