Hero
Volume 1
Chapter 1 – The God of War
(A/N means Author’s Notes, it is placed before terms that are technical in nature to give explanation.)
I woke up in a dark room. Stalagmites hanging in the ceiling greeted my eyes. The smell in the air consisted of rocks, dirt and other substances present in a particular place. I was in a cave. I got up and firmly placed both of my hands to the ground. The cold sensation went up to my spine, waking me from the fatigue and shock enveloping my senses. I looked around and it seems like this place was quiet and dry.
I tried to remember how I got here in the first place. I was a college student, sitting quietly at the back of the room. When the school bell rang, I immediately stood up and left the room; I felt my heart stop beating. My eyes widened to the thought of death. I fell to my knees and darkness shrouded my vision. Then here I am, in a cave wearing the same thing I wore, blue polo, khaki pants and black leather shoes. However, my bag was missing, my phone and I.D too. The only things I have right now are my handkerchief and wristwatch.
I got up and cleaned myself from the dirt sticking to my clothes. My eyes adjusted to the darkness of the cave so I was able to see my surroundings. I decided to investigate the area. After a few minutes of walking, I encountered a cliff. Moving closer, it was just a ledge rather than a cliff. There was a hole in the ceiling and sunlight was coming in the cave. I peeked over it and saw a large beast sleeping below.
It had four limbs composing of two front legs and two hind legs. It also has a tail covered in spikes; it has three horns that elongated upwards. The fur of the beast was close to the mix of silver and gray. The moment I finished inspecting it, it woke up. Its jet black eyes were already in my direction. It growled and fangs with the length of 4-5 meters came out on the side of its jaws. The beast was enormous, it had the size of a commercial airplane and it was actually a wolf. A very big wolf.
The beast roared and the ground I was standing on collapsed. I fell to the bottom. However, it was not much of a long drop. The beast was only few meters away from me. I could see the intensity of its eyes staring at me, gauging my strength. Was I going to let myself die twice? Hell fucking no.
I kept my resolve and clenched my fists. I could feel strength flowing from my body like some sort of adrenaline pumping to my veins. I poised into a stance like a boxer. With my fists held up in front of my face, I dashed forward. I kick the ground and it threw me like a bullet. My mind could not comprehend what just happened. I went past the beast. It was also surprised to my speed just as I was. I looked back and I was ahead of it few meters away. I can see a circular path ahead of me but I doubt I can just run away from this beast.
In that time of thinking, it charged. Its claws swiped the air in front of me. My instincts kicked in and I do not know why I did it, but I punched it back. In just seconds, the beast lost one of its limbs. It growled in pain and staggered backwards.
What the fuck just happened?
I stared at my fists. Did I just do that?
I looked back at the beast and it was regenerating the limb it lost. It roared so loud I feel that the cave would collapse. I tried to protect myself from the roar, both of my hands extended in front with my palms open, imagining some sort of shield will pop out. I did that thinking that it would save me. Nevertheless, it did. I saw a barrier formed with an golden like color. It was an enormous circular shield, like a Spartan’s shield embedded with beautiful designs. After the roar, it disappeared. Now I am confused. What is going on?
"How does a mere puny human like you posses offensive and defensive powers like that!”
I looked around to find where that voice came from and I think it came from the beast.
"Uhh, speak again...?”
"You insolent fool, just because you defeated me, The King of Dark Wolves Alzeroth, would speak in a disrespecting manner!”
I stood straight. With my eyes puzzled from the current events, I folded my arms and gathered myself.
"Wait, how can you talk?”
"Monsters ranking S and above can speak, foolish human."
"And you are at what rank, exactly?"
"Do you lack the common knowledge? I am one of the 12 Disasters, an SSS rank monster!"
(A/N: SSS is the highest rank, SSS>SS>S>A>B>C>D>E>F>G)
In addition, I just punched out one of its limbs and defended myself against its roar. Just what is going on?
"You! What are you! How can you defend against my roar that can destroy a country in a matter of moments!?"
I stared at it with blank expression. "Ah... I don't really know. "
"Can it be...? Are you a god of War?!"
"god of War? What do you mean? "
"You can’t fool me. I may be a beast but I'm not stupid!"
With that, he stepped backwards.
A big magic circle formed in front of the beast's mouth and he chanted,
I felt power surged through my body again and without knowing, I chanted the same magic.
With my left hand extended forward, I shouted:
A magic circle formed in front of my hand, it was bigger than a few inches from the beast. Black lightning came out and intercepted the previous magic. Sparks flew after the collision and the beast was left dumbfounded.
"HOW COULD YOU CHANT THE ANCIENT LANGUAGE?!"
(A/N: Ancient Language is the chant used by beings born 500 years ago.)
"I just copied what you said.”
The beast fell silent. "You are definitely a god of War. Please forgive me if I have offended you." It came closer and kneeled in front of me.
"Hey hey, don't do that... It is somewhat awkward. "
"I request of you to spare my life. I dare not to attack you again and recognize your strength."
"Oy, stop it. By the way, where am I? "
"You are in the Cave of Astheria, it is located at the edge of the world. It is also my home."
Wow. This is definitely not Earth and this is definitely the real deal, not a dream or whatsoever.
"May I ask of your name? Again, I am Alzeruth. A triple S beast and the leader of Dark Wolves."
"Ah, I am Aeris of Earth. I don’t know my rank.”
"Earth? I have never heard of such a place."
"For starters, I wasn't here few minutes ago. I was summoned or teleported forcefully, I think."
"For you to be summoned here is impossible. Summoning requires the summoner to be in the place you were summoned. I sense no other life forms besides my dark wolves gathering outside. If someone was to infiltrate here, they would have to defeat an S rank Dark Wolf numbering about 500, which are all gathered outside."
What? Then why am I here then? How am I here?
"I don't understand. If I'm not summoned, then why am I here? "
"I'm afraid I do not understand either. The mere fact of you being teleported here is also impossible, requirements of teleportation requires the user to have visited the destination at least once. No living being has step foot in my cave, except my Dark Wolves.”
That is strange. I need to investigate further. I wish I can know myself more; gauge out my status like a game would be convenient. I could pop out a status window or some sort.
Then after saying those words, a status window appeared.
(A/N: A status window is where the characteristics of an object or being is displayed.)
----
Name: Aeris Profession: None
Origin: Earth Title: God of War
Age: 19 Race: Human
Level: 995 Rank: SSS+
Stats:
HP: 101, 331 (+1,000) Mana: 105,614 Strength: 2,850 Agility: 2,550 Intelligence: 2,639 Luck: 1,995 Stamina: 2,174 Wisdom: 2,120
Equipment:
None
Defense: 0 (+2,500)
Unique Skills:
Aegis Heaven’s Barrier (Ascendant/MAX): Barrier used by the gods, offering resistance to all elements and maximum damage reduction. The damage absorbed by the shield can be bounced back by using
(A/N: Ascendant is the highest rank a skill can be developed. For a normal person, it takes at least 5 years to develop a skill next to its level. A normal person takes at least 100 years to develop it to Ascendant level, depending on the skill.)
Aegis Reversal Wave (Ascendant/Max): The Aegis absorbs the damage and releases it externally by a golden wave. The damage is added by the skill itself. The damage absorbed by the shield (+plus) a maximum of 20,000 damage is added.
Analyze (MAX): Used to analyze items or a person. Full item function can be seen such as restrictions and drawbacks. A person’s status window can be viewed by using analyze (A monster is also considered a person).
Emperor’s Perception (MAX): Hearing and Sight are improved at max level, allowing the user’s sight to adjust no matter the environment and hear the lowest of sound.
Dreadnought Aura (Ascendant/MAX): It is the force of will or aura that is released by the user’s body, attacking both physical and mental state of mind. It is a phenomenon like the gravity, unseen by the naked eye. It can deal up to 80,000 maximum damage (not inclusive of target’s defense and resistance) and range is extended up to 1 km around the user.
Skill Steal (Ascendant/MAX): Any skills done within the vision of the user can be copied. The copied skill, if casted at a low level, can be copied and casted back again at a higher level.
Hero’s Body (MAX): The user has a hero’s body, resisting all kinds of abnormalities such as paralysis, poison, confusion and etc. It also allows the user to feel less hunger and fatigue. Language perception among other races is also learned instantly, allowing communication to all allowed.
Profession Skills:
None
After examining my status window, I learned that I have no profession. It is what they call a job, like a warrior or archer. I am also at level 995! This is outrageous. I didn’t do anything special at all and yet here I am, feeling very special. Now that I know all things about myself, I wish to learn about the creature in front of me.
“Alzeruth, allow me to analyze you.”
“As you may.”
“
---
Name: Alzeruth
Origin: Cave of Astheria Profession: N/A
Age: 891
Title: One of the 12 Disasters, King of the Dark Wolves
Level: 855 Rank: SSS
Race: Dark Wolf
Alzeruth’s rank is below mine and he said that all of the Calamities were at SSS rank. If this is one of the 12 Calamities’ stats then I am considered as the Calamity of all Calamities. What is going on? Why am I too overpowered? Why was I summoned here all of a sudden with these kind of stats?
“You have seen the reflection of me, Hero. I was foolish not to look at yours at the instance where I first saw you. Being in this cave dulls my battle senses, hmm.”
“Don’t flatter me too much. Are all monsters capable of using Analyze?”
“Only selected ones above S rank.”
I see. He is above S rank so that’s why he was able to see my status also.
“What can you see in my status?”
“The basic information only. Health, mana, name, race, age, origin and everything else.”
So Alzeruth can’t see my Unique and Profession skills. We conversed for a while, I gathered information about this world, about the inhabitants, about other races and the places.
I also learned that having 10 levels above you is a great difference already. Moreover, one difference in rank is outrageously big. That is why Alzeruth cowered before me when he discovered that there was a 100+ level gap.
“With this, I am looking forward to travel. I give you thanks, Alzeruth.”
“It is my honor. I hope you will be well on your journey. I shall accompany you outside so that none of my wolves will trouble you.”
Both of us left the cave together. Green plains greeted me as soon as I left the cave. The vast forest behind the plains shrouded up to the horizon. Wolves immediately sensed the immense difference in level as soon as they saw me.
They instinctively step backed as I walked in the middle of them. Seeing that I walk beside equally with their King, I can feel their eyes look at me with respect. All of them resemble Alzeruth but they only have one horn and they are only as big as a regular taxi.
“Up ahead is the Forest of Ulza, it is the home of mantis and killer bees with rank of SS- to SS+. However, they would not engage after sensing your strength.”
Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.
(A/N: SS- to SS+ means the level ranges from 401 to 700)
“I hope so; I don’t want to cause any trouble.”
“Until we meet again, my friend.”
I ventured to the forest further. Few seconds after I enter the tree line, all I could see was these big trees with massive trunks and branches. After a few days of venturing alone, I heard someone scream. Judging from the voice, it seems to be a girl. An adventurer perhaps? The scream came from the northeast. I sprinted towards the direction and arrived in just a matter of seconds.
A giant Mantis with the size of a bus and claws like scythe with the length of two meters each. It cornered a female knight wearing full plate armor holding a great sword. There are also four bodies lying down drenched in blood before the Mantis. Looking at the situation, I could infer that they were adventurers and only one remained in their party.
I used the
[3rd Person’s POV]
The female knight was trembling while struggling to hold her stance. Seeing that her comrades were dead and she was next, fear shrouded her senses causing her to fail to detect Aerius behind the Mantis. However, that doesn’t mean that the Mantis also failed to do so.
Instinctively, the Mantis jumped away from Aerius. Its antennae vibrated on its head, sending signals to other fellow Mantis around the area. Moments after, 3 Giant Mantis jumped in the site. All of them were above level 1,000 and Aerius knew of that. The female knight loss her consciousness with death certain upon her by the arrival of the other Mantises. She thought that there is no way she will live through this. However, she was wrong. Aerius walked towards the female knight and carried her in his arms. The four Mantis surrounded him, aware of the great difference in strength. One of the Mantis felt greedy and thought that Aerius was not paying attention to his surroundings, charged towards him while swiping its claws in front.
In this moment, Aerius chanted a single skill that would wipe out all of them.
“Stupid insects,
Crimson red aura surrounded Aerius. An invisible shockwave pulsated around him with the speed faster than light. The four Mantis never knew what hit them and fell to the ground. Instant kill.
[Aerius’ POV]
These insects thought that they could stand against me. Fools. They were already aware of the difference in strength and yet they attacked. A monster is a monster after all. I saw their tracks before they arrived in this site. I followed it and found their camp. A magic circle was drawn in the middle of the camp to keep the monsters away. There were five tents in the camp but only one adventurer came back alive. I went inside one of the tent and placed her gently to the beddings. The broadsword was a hindrance and seeing it was almost destroyed, I left it at that place.
“
---
Name: Shyvanna Auron Profession: Holy Knight
Origin: Dawrinius Kingdom Title: None
Age: 25 Rank: C
Level: 48
Only C rank? What were they thinking engaging combat in this forest that is filled with SS rank beasts? There was no doubt that the Mantis annihilated their party.
(A/N: C rank means level 41-50)
I noticed something while analyzing Shyvanna. I could not fit well in this world if I wear these kinds of clothes, they would only view me as an outsider. Therefore, I decided to change. I searched through the tents of the other adventurers to find clothes that would fit me. I found a shirt and pants. However, no matter where I looked I found no underwear. Do the people in this world lack the etiquette to wear under wears? I can only find small knit cloth pants, which I presume to be the “underwear” beneath the metal greaves.
Night fell upon this world and I was feeling hungry. I borrowed a [Common] Iron sword from one of the tents and decided to hunt. Using my godly eyesight, I search for food such as edible plants and fruits. However, all I can see where killer bees and giant Mantis. After all, if there were deers in these places they would be instantly devoured by high-ranking beasts. I had a wild idea in mind and I would be curious to try and eat a giant Mantis’ meat, if ever there are.
I blended in the shadows and tried my best to reduce my footstep and avoid stepping on twigs and leaves. I went behind a Mantis that strayed from the group. A level 658 beast was no more or less capable of killing adventurers mercilessly.
“
A skill that is unseen to the eyes, like gravity keeping your feet to the ground. I forgot to reduce the range and other Mantis and killer bees fell to the ground instantly. This skill is too overpowered.
Using my sword, I hacked the body parts of the Mantis and killer bees in search of something edible by using Analyze. No matter how hard I search, there were no edible parts of these useless beasts.
I ventured further to the forest. Using my
I found another Mantis at lvl 695. This was almost the limit of its rank. I walked towards it and unsheathed my sword.
“Krrrrrrr----“
The Giant Mantis noticed my presence and swung its scythe-like claws in the air as a sign of warning. I dashed forward and leaped towards it. I striked the beast overhead and swung the sword downwards. The Mantis was surprised by the speed I possess, the time it noticed my presence was too late. The sword easily pierced through the Mantis’ skin and the body was sliced in half. The ground cracked and a fissure was created about a few meters long.
I searched along the body again and still did not find anything at all.
I went back to the camp empty-handed. Feeling depressed and hungry at the same time, I checked the female knight’s condition. As soon as I opened the sheets of the tent, a sword was in front of me.
“W-WHO ARE YOU AND WHY ARE Y-YOU HERE?!”
Oh, wow. She is awake and now she’s trying to kill me. Do the people in this world know not of gratitude?
“Calm down, I’ll explain everything to you.”
She’s pissing me off. That’s for sure.
I held the sword’s tip and gripped it firmly. Before her eyes, the sword crumbled.
“W-wha..”
“Calm the fuck down. Sit and I’ll explain everything.”
She reluctantly heeds my words but nonetheless, she obeyed me. She sat on the beddings while staring at me.
“What was the last thing that you remember?”
“A g-giant mantis was in front of me… staring to the very depths of my soul and ready to devour me…”
She covered her face with her palms and weeped horribly. She must have remembered the death of her comrades. Seeing that she was the only one left, the entire burden goes to her.
“H-how did you save me…?”
“I killed the Mantis, carried you in my arms and brought you here.”
“W-what? That Mantis was level 505! How could you kill it?!”
She looked at me from top to bottom. I was only wearing plain clothes topped with brown leather vest and leather pants. A [Common] Iron sword was strapped to my back and there was nothing special in my gear of whatsoever.
(A/N: An item to be in Common rarity is the lowest; beginners or adventurers at level 1 usually use it)
Using her comment as a basis, I could infer that she is unable to use the skill Analyze. She is weak. I pity her soul.
“I killed it using
“U-unique Skill…? Only people at rank S and above are given the blessing of goddess to be bestowed of Unique Skills!”
There is a goddess? I must speak to one immediately. My mood instantly changed. I can ask that goddess on why was I here, on what purpose and on what reason. This has become my main goal. Thanks to Shyvanna, I learned about the existence of a goddess.
“Where can I speak to this so called goddess?”
She looked at me like some sort of idiot.
“You seriously don’t know where?”
I just stared at her as a response.
“You can go to a nearby temple located in major cities to pray for her. The nearest one is the Darwinius Kingdom.”
“I see…”
I excused myself and left the tent.
“W-WAIT!”
I looked back and she was hurriedly chasing me like her tail stuck between the legs.
“W-where do you think you’re g-going?!”
“To Darwinius Kingdom, what else.”
“Take me with y-you…”
She said that in a low voice.
“Why would I take you with me? You’ll become only a nuisance to my travel.”
I said that with a cold voice. Surely, I will be sprinting at high speed, leaping over cliffs and mountains. With her current level, I doubt she can even face a Mantis with her wits intact. I might be harsh upon my words but this is the truth no matter how you deny it.
“A novice like you needs guidance in this forest!”
“Guidance? So you claim to know this forest very well?”
“O-of course!”
She said that with a stuttering voice. How confident of her. I wish I could facepalm myself right now but it would be impractical. I may die from my strength and that would be very stupid to hear.
“If you were to know this forest very well, how can you forget that Mantis and Killer Bees of SS rank reside here?”
“I-…”
“And your rank is only C! Your comrades were also at that rank and the highest was B. No doubt your party was wiped clean.”
She stared at me with curiosity. I thought she was going to be angry and flustered but her reaction was quite the opposite.
“How did you know about our ranks?”
“I used
“
“I am none. Farewell, then.”
I was ready to jump but then I felt the ground shake. Usually, these occur when earthquakes happen or a group of Giant Mantis is approaching. I pray that it is the first one. I turned around and I knew I was very wrong. 8 Giant Mantis was headed towards us. I used
“Shyvanna, stand behind me.”
Without any complaints, she willingly did so. She raised her sword trembling in fear. I also unsheathed my weapon, which is coated in Mantis blood.
Eight Giant Mantis destroyed the barrier infront of them easily. I could feel that they were angry at me because I killed too much of their kin. Three of them inhaled loudly that I could hear air going inside their body. A magic circle appeared in front of their jaws and huge a massive whirlwind stroked towards us.
“Oh no, it is the skill
I heard Shyvanna murmur about things like that. I just took note of it mentally. Though, Alzeruth’s roar was much more dangerous than this gust of wind.
My left hand was holding a sword so I extended my right hand while chanting the skill.
“Come before me,
An enormous golden Spartan-like shield embedded with beautiful design appeared before me. I could feel the wind colliding with my shield, vibrating in front of my palm. This sensation of magic flowed through my veins.
The other five mantises tried to break my shield using their scythe-like claws but it failed no matter how hard they tried to slice and pierce the shield.
Shyvanna stared in amazement behind me on the size of the shield and how it defended us against the Mantis.
“Unbelievable… three Unique skills…”
The Mantis is at SS+ rank which means its max health points should be around 50,000 or so. The damage that
“Know your place, bugs!
It is my first time on using this skill and I have to be honest, I am quite amazed. Golden light burst out of the shield and disintegrated the three Mantises. The other five lost either limbs or struggling to keep its balance. Either way, I dealt massive damage to them.
“Now to finish them off.”
I kicked the ground to gain momentum and immediately arrived where the other five mantises where. I used my speed to slice of their heads while using the [Common] Iron Sword. All five of them were decapitated in less than five seconds.
I returned where Shyvanna was and discarded my sword. It was already worn out. Cracks were webbing throughout the blade. It was going to be destroyed if I use it to slash one more time.
Shyvanna fell to her knees while observing me. I could not blame her; an overpowered human comes out of nowhere to save her to kill one mantis and now to kill eight more. It was as if SS rank beasts were just toys to begin with.
“Just… who are you…?”
“Well, according to my status window. I am a God of War.”
And Shyvanna’s jaw dropped and her eyes widened in shock.