Chapter 11: Hero Killer? (4)
Though I bled for the first time during the fight, it was already over since Stendhal was in my reach, unable to dodge or block at this range.
- Swish!
Sadly, it was my delusion.
...........
A dagger flew from my blindspot, aiming for my achilles tendon. If that hit, I wouldn't be able to hit Stendal either as I would lose my balance before reaching him.
Normally, I could dodge it but it was already close to hitting the skin before I noticed it. Giving up the attack in an emergency, I pushed my leg away, letting the dagger miss.
"Too late."
Stendhal already moved away. Only a shard of the broken dagger was present in his free, left hand as he held the short sword in his right. The problem in point were the few drops of red on that shard of the dagger.
It was my mistake to assume that he only had two daggers and one short sword while he laid a trap, using the third dagger that he never used.
- Lick! Thud!
'I guess my life ends here.'
I fell on my back as I waited for my inevitable end.
[Blood Curdle]: It was quirk that allowed Stendal to paralyze anyone whose blood he drank. The duration of paralysis depended on the blood type and the amount of intake.
The more amazing fact was that he fought against 'Hachimon Tonkou' for so long without using a quirk.
Sure, he was more hurt but he won. Even though he didn't have his usual equipment.
- Screech!
Dragging his short sword on the ground menacingly, he slowly inched closer to me.
- Stab!
Stabbing the sword near my head, he glared angrily.
"Why?"
That was his only question. Why?
Why go so far to fight? Why interfere in someone other's life when I wasn't even a hero? Why try so hard? Why look so.... happy, even in defeat? As if hoping for death?
'... Should I spout some Talk-no-Jutsu?...'
The perfect ratio for a lie was mixing 30% truth in it.
"I think the world is a pain. Heroes and villains, both of them are a menace. Searching for a meaning, I lost everything that I held dear in my life. The greed for more, left me empty.
Heh! I see a better version of myself in you. Lost but hopeful. Visions of victory decorate your dreams while they haunt your day, don't they? Because you know those dreams will never come true.
Give up. Death is the only thing that is eternal and true."
"... How?"
How could a middle schooler look so old?
For Stendhal, I was an enigma. But also a reminder of what he could become.
"I will never be like you!"
"You already are. You think you haven't given up anything?"
"Yes! I'm willing to die for my goals! To be tortured! To be hated! To be blighted! To be a villain!!"
He roared his ideals.
"That's why.... You're like me. You gave up the most important thing."
That's why I hate him. He, who resembles me too much.
"You gave up on yourself."
"That's fine."
"Would it be fine for you if Almight died in a ditch? A place unknown, unheard and unseen. Ignored by others, forgotten by all. In this pitiful and sad way, do you truly wish for him to die?"
"...."
"I don't want you to die like that either."
I don't actually care about him but...
I don't want to die like that. Without a single human to mourn for me. Without someone to remember me by.
That's why it pissed me off when someone so similar to me, forced that fate on himself.
"Almight doesn't fight for himself. He fights for others. Those who admire him, like you. To protect you so that you don't have to make the sacrifices that he did.
That's why you look like you hate Almight. You sacrifice the very thing he's fighting so hard to protect. You're sacrificing yourself and your hero! That's why you will be the reason of his death if you continue like this."
"No, I would rather die by his hands!"
"And how would that be any different than killing the hero, who saves everyone? After all, he wouldn't have saved you!"
"I don't need saving!"
Not many people actually call for a hero. They just show up.
"I know. But they are a nosy bunch, who like to interfere with others."
That's why they are called heroes. Because they help, even when no asks them to. They save us when we don't even realize that we need saving.
"That's why everybody loves heroes."
"....."
"Almight fights to protect others. And you fight for your ideals. To be like him yet you keep destroying his hopes. A world without pain and suffering, without crime seems like a joke. But that's the dream of your idol.
So give it your all. Even if it becomes a nightmare that haunts your day. Fight for your hero. Don't give up. Die a death that will make people cry. Don't let them feel happy at your demise because that.... That would truly be sad."
"..... I don't care if they are happy at my death. I just wish for the real heroes to win. To put an end to me."
He pulled out the short sword stuck next to my head and started walking away.
"I would like to see you be mourned. Cried over. At least, have a single person attest to your life. What good will a world of heroes do, if you won't be present to see it? Don't you want to see it? A place filled with people like Almight?
Why don't you be a bit more selfish? Why not imagine yourself in that beautiful dream of yours? At least, have a friend. To change flowers at your grave."
I didn't want him to give up... Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to imagine myself having the same thing.
Maybe I was selfish. But I always said I was. I screamed that I would only do things for my own pleasure. I'm not a hero, just a man trying to find something worthy of dying over.
Stendhal's shoulders seemed a bit lonely when he left. As a soldier who walked towards the battlefield, in hopes for death yet unable to die.
"I was wrong."
Coarse words left his mouth.
"You have the potential to be a good hero, you cultist."
Cultist? Did he just call me cultist?
'Oi, what was my entire speech for? And death is not a cult!! It's the only truth, eternal and inevitable. If anything, the person who kills others for a hero is a cultist!'
Like a cultist, I mocked him in my heart.
- Ding!
[Side Quest has been completed! Would you like to see details?]
"Thank God!"
If the quest wasn't over after all that, then I would rather have died by his hands.
"Damn, that was embarrassing~"
Forcing my paralyzed muscles to move, I stood up.
___________________
Side Quest: You detest fakes? Then just be the real one!
Details: Someone has realized the reality of this world. Filled with fakes and imposters, he has begun to despair and is on a path of self-sacrifice. Show him the easier way and don't let him die a hated death.
(Note: It's the guy with the blades!)
Condition: Show Chizome Akaguro a new path! (Completed!)
Reward: [Taekwondo; Rank E (Growth)], [???] (Rewards can be collected!)
Penalty: Immotality
___________________________
[Would you like to collect your rewards?]
"Sure."
Groaning, I used the wall to support myself as newfound knowledge entered my mind. All related to [Taekwondo], which was a good thing. Especially since I got bashed because my skills were lacking.
My body was battered. Though it was mostly an effect of opening all 3 gates. They were seriously bad news. And considering that [Gate of Healing] and [Gate of Life] were the most stable gates, this was clearly a bad thing.
'Still, I guess I didn't use the true strength of those gates, did I?'
My body still wasn't capable of adapting to the newfound strength so I had to hold back.... A lot. Not to whine or anything but I didn't use my full strength. Except for trying to punch him twice or thrice.... Maybe everytime. At least, the speed had to be held back because of the difficultly to control it.
'Maybe I should pratice Taekwondo while using the gates. It will help me adapt to the power of the gates.'
Having a new goal, I pushed myself off the way and made my way home.
"Oh! What was the mystery [???] reward again?"
- Ding!
"I hate you, system!"
The [???] was something truly detestable.
[You have unlocked Hero Special: Continuous Chain Quest!]
[You have received a Quest! Would you like to open it?]
"Nope!"
[Opening the Quest Page!]
Why ask for permission if you're going to do it anyways?
Snorting at the system, I checked the details of the new quest and sighed.
"I wish I didn't help Stain!!"
Some strange quests are popping up now. Isn't this discrimination?
- Ringing~
Suddenly, the phone started ringing. Attracting all my attention.
- Clank!
"Yo~ It's Anzai Masato here."
[Masato, are you free right now? Let's meet up anyway!]
It was Kaito on the other side of the call.
Why would he question the details of my schedule if he's going to pull me along anyway?
"Ha~ Fine, where to?"
[The school! Himiko's-]
"Who?"
[Kid 2?]
"Ahh~ Yep, got it!"
- Clank!
One-sidely cutting the call always felt so good. It gets a bit addictive, even if you try it once.
Kaito's voice sounded a bit urgent. Was something big going on?
"Ha~ Shall we go?"
I picked up the bracelets that I discarded in the start and crouched down, dashing out in a hurry.
There was nothing like a side trip that needed urgent attention so it was directly towards the middle school.
Changing clothes? Mending wounds? Heh, only fools who want to live do that. For cult-Ahem! For suicidal maniacs, just spitting on the wound is enough.
'Perhaps that would cause infection but.... Yeah, never spit on your wound.'
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone