The boost in stats was significant, pushing the hero—originally a mid-tier character in the game—to become the strongest physical damage dealer in the entire game after this single event. Looking at the hero's current stats:
**Name:** A.A.
**Class:** Hero
**Level:** 46
**Stats:**
Strength: 160
Agility: 138
Intelligence: 98
Luck: 120
**Traits:**
- **Hero's Will:** When incapacitated, there's an 80% chance to nullify the effect.
- **Unyielding Resolve:** Even when exhausted, can rise once more.
- **Counterstrike:** Deals triple damage when counterattacking.
At my current level of 46, with my strength at 120, there was no way I could defeat the hero in a direct confrontation. Originally, I'd planned to ambush him after he fought the Demon King and was exhausted. But now, thinking it through, the Demon King seemed too weak for that to work.
If I missed my attack, the hero's traits would likely activate, leaving him unharmed. Then, his counterattack would probably finish me off. I'd been too careless. Sighing, I headed toward the Demon King's revival site.
The hero could detect the Demon King's revival location once he obtained the sacred artifact, so I followed him without hesitation. Whenever I tried to attack enemies with my mace, the hero would step in, slicing through monsters with his whirlwind sword skills.
"Are you alright?"
"You're the one who should be asking, Hero."
As we fought side by side, a bond akin to camaraderie began to form. After leaving the Blonde NTR Lord's territory, countless monsters greeted us, and we pushed through their ranks with force.
We camped, chatted idly, and took turns resting. It was surprisingly enjoyable—for the first time in this world, it felt like a real adventure. Watching each other's backs, moving forward, and defeating monsters together, I felt a connection growing between us.
The piles of defeated monsters signaled we were getting closer to the Demon King's revival site.
The closer we got to the Demon King's castle, the more monsters the hero slaughtered, but in turn, he gained more experience, growing stronger. By the time we reached the castle entrance, both our levels were nearing 50.
At the Demon King's revival site, the [Rotten Manor], Hero A.A. turned to me and said,
"I sense the Demon King��s aura strongly here."
"Let's prepare for the final battle."
Our last camp began. I asked the hero,
"Once the Demon King is defeated, it's over, right? Will you marry Princess Erina afterward?"
"Yes. That's our promise."
"There's no precedent for a human marrying into the Elf Kingdom's royalty. You won't ascend the throne."
"It's fine. I love Erina."
His words stung. Come to think of it, heroes are usually harem protagonists, but this guy was different—he only had eyes for Erina, ignoring other women entirely.
I knew how to control Erina, and his personality wasn't bad. His frugality with money wasn't my concern, and honestly, he'd been a reliable party member throughout our journey. But did I really have to kill him?
If I did and pursued Erina, things would get chaotic. A hero who defeats the Demon King becomes incredibly busy—attending events, dealing with fame. Maybe it'd be better to let him have Erina and focus on other women instead. There are plenty of them, after all. I'm not that greedy.
Yeah, I'll spare him. No need to kill him. He's a good guy, after all.
"Priest."
Hero A.A. drew his sword, alert. I felt a dark energy seeping from the ground and stood up.
"Hehehehehe!"
From the shadows emerged a tar-soaked figure, its form oozing and grotesque. Its red eyes glared as it wiped the sticky liquid from its body.
"You... you're the hero? Huh?"
Its body constantly dripped, and its eyes glowed red. I knew what this was. Upon reaching the Demon King's domain, one of the Four Heavenly Kings appears randomly. This one, [Oozing Valkios], was a counter to physical attacks, nearly invulnerable.
"I am Oozing Valkios, one of the Four Heavenly Kings... You dare interfere with the Demon King's revival..."
*Crunch!*
"Ugh!"
"Hahahaha... That attack..."
The hero swung his sword, splitting Valkios's head in two. The smooth cross-section resembled glass. Half-faced, Valkios laughed at the hero. Normally, I'd use holy magic to defeat him, but...
"This attack... shouldn't work... huh? Wait, what?"
Valkios touched his severed face, confused, then began to collapse, coughing thick blood. I lowered my mace, staring at the hero.
"My... my lord... I... I have failed..."
Oozing Valkios truly oozed, melting into a pool of oil.
Watching the hero's back, I realized: I could never kill him. I gave up the idea. Focusing on the Demon King, now so close, seemed wiser.
Why had the hero grown so strong? Passing through the Rotten Manor, I pondered. The reason was simple: we'd fought too much. In the original game, levels 20-30 were about avoiding combat, focusing on efficiency.
Players often rushed to the Demon King at the minimum level, skipping battles, to lower the bosses' levels. But monsters here remained high-leveled regardless.
Even if the hero reached this point at level 20, monsters wouldn't scale down. Yet, our hero had fought every monster, slaughtering hundreds of level 30-40 enemies.
It was my mistake not suggesting we avoid them.
"Who's there!"
Guards appeared in the manor, corrupted by darkness. The hero drew his sword, charging the one on the right. I swung my mace at the left, dismembering him instantly. We burst through the iron doors into the manor.
Inside, the hero trembled at the gruesome sight. I flinched, stepping back.
The manor was filled with corpses, like a cavern of human flesh. Limbs littered the floor, bloodstained handprints covered the walls, and the stench of blood and entrails was overwhelming.
"Let's hurry."
"Right."
Steeling myself, I pulled the shocked hero forward. The final boss room in the game was grotesque, but in reality, it was far worse. Using the sacred artifact's power, we quickened our pace.
Each step squelched in the blood-soaked floor, making my stomach churn. The Demon King's revival was happening at the top floor. Monsters occasionally appeared, but none could stop the now-overpowered hero.
Watching him slice through enemies with a single strike, I felt like a newbie in an RPG being carried by a pro.
At the top floor's door, an evil aura seeped through. Both of us tensed. Even if it's a one-hit kill, this aura was unnerving.
"Let's go."
I nodded. The hero kicked the door, shattering it. A hollow-eyed lord shouted,
"Who are you? How did you get past the guards?"
Behind him was a giant egg containing the Demon King. Its pitiful arms protruded, resembling a Digimon. This was its level 30 form; legs would appear at level 40, and a head at level 50 for full revival.
I told the hero,
"Leave the Demon King to me."
With such a level gap, the Demon King would be one-shot. I rushed the lord instead.
"Hiiiieeek! Stay back!"
The lord flailed, but he was only level 20, weak and unarmed. I dodged his punches, grabbed his collar, and slammed him to the ground. He squealed like a dying frog.
As I raised my mace, he crawled, palms pressed together, begging.
"Please... spare me! The Demon King promised me power... to be king..."
*Human, do you betray me? I trusted you!*
The Demon King, fighting the hero, roared. I looked at the lord, who grinned foolishly. Without hesitation, I swung my mace. His face flattened like a pancake.