Editor : Amethyst00



"Independence?"

At the unexpected word, Chelsea's eyes darted around.

She tried to grasp the hidden meaning behind Leo's mention of independence, but only questions circled in her mind.

Leo spoke in response to her reaction.

"Back in Kyle's time, during the era of the gods when I was born, many gods walked the earth."

Because of that, the way people treated gods was quite different from now.

In this era, gods are transcendent beings who gifted the Hero Records to the world.

And yet, they remain mysterious entities.

People revere the gods.

But they do not worship them.

Everyone knows that gods exist, but aside from the Hero Records, they cannot influence the world.

Thus, as the age of heroes began, religions worshipping gods disappeared.

Occasionally, cults masquerading as religions appear, but that's all.

Praying to gods and the act of worshiping them has vanished in the age of heroes.

But in the age of gods, where people could actually meet the divine, things were different.

Gods could not wield their omnipotent powers on earth.

However, even their omniscience alone was enough to earn them worship.

Because those who gained even a fraction of divine wisdom were able to control the world.

"You once said the concept of heroes was also very different, right?"

"Yes. Back then, anyone who could shake the world — for better or worse — was called a hero."

In the age of heroes, a hero means someone who transforms the world and leads it toward a better path.

The archetype of such a hero came from the great heroes who risked everything to save the world.

But not only the noble ones like the great heroes had their names recorded in the Hero Records.

Even those unworthy of the title — hypocrites with a different face inside and out — had their names written.

It was a remnant of the age of gods, where gods themselves selected the heroes.

Recalling those times, Leo said, "Since gods could exert influence, many people worshiped them."

"Mm. Of course they would."

"And because of that, people of that era relied far too heavily on the gods."

The downfall of the seemingly eternal prosperity of the age of gods came in an instant.

The emergence of the Primordial Evil, Erebos.

An absolute catastrophe beyond even divine wisdom.

And so, the world rapidly and helplessly descended into ruin.

It wasn't solely because Erebos and Tartaros were so overwhelmingly powerful.

It was also because, corrupted by long peace and filled with unworthy heroes, the people failed to unite at the critical moment.

But above all, the greatest problem was that the people of that time relied too much on the transcendent beings — the gods.

Even before Erebos, throughout the distant history of the age of gods, the world had faced many threats.

"But each time, those threats were resolved through the gods' wisdom."

"Ah…"

Chelsea gasped at Leo's words.

She started to understand what he meant by "independence."

"The era we live in now is quite strange. The present is connected to the past."

Through the Hero Records, one can travel to the past.

Also, great heroes and heroes of genesis from the past have appeared in the present.

It was a miracle made possible because of the Hero Records and Leo, the reincarnation of Kyle, the Hero of Beginnings.

"A person who lived in the past cannot live in the present. That's basic common sense."

But that common sense is now broken.

Miracles keep happening.

"But a miracle is still just a miracle."

People are weak.

Because of that weakness, they despair, and seek to lean on someone else.

The moment they experience a miracle that should never have occurred,

They begin to wish for another miracle.

The reincarnation of Kyle, the Hero of Beginnings, became someone people could depend on in times of crisis.

If he saves the world again, crossing 5,000 years of time,

People might start to believe it's inevitable.

"At first, I thought it would be better to reveal everything someday. That would make my path a bit easier. But when I thought about the future, it didn't seem like a good idea."

In the end, there's only one path.

"Revealing my identity won't cause more damage or anything. It'll just make things harder for me."

It's only a matter of taking the hard way or the harder way.

When had his path ever been easy?

"Only those living in the present can save it. If you keep looking only to the past, you'll never move forward. But people of this era are starting to forget that simple truth."

Chelsea couldn't bring herself to deny Leo's words.

Wasn't she the same?

She claimed she'd fight Erebos, but in the end, she relied on Leo.

She felt relieved by the appearance of the Great Heroes and the Heroes of Dawn who came in times of crisis.

Leo stared straight ahead without a word.

But he wasn't just looking forward.

He was looking at something far beyond.

'Now that I've been reborn… I won't stand by just because "it's not my problem."'

Because he'd been reborn, Leo chose to live in the present.

But he would not rely on his past fame.

He had no intention of sparing any method to defeat Erebos.

If possible, he would call upon the Great Heroes and Heroes of Dawn from the Hero Records.

But…

"The protagonists must be you all… no, us — the ones living in this era."

Leo looked at Chelsea.

"So I will save the world not as Kyle, but as Leo Plov."

"…"

"And I, and the others, have already helped the next generation enough. Now it's your turn to break a sweat."

The world had enjoyed 5,000 years of peace under the name of the Great Heroes.

Though there were moments where cracks formed, there was never a collapse like in the Age of Calamity.

Chelsea's expression turned complicated at Leo's words.

There was even a hint of guilt.

Seeing that, Leo chuckled and ruffled her hair.

"You don't need to stress over what I said. It's just my own thoughts."

As Chelsea fixed her tousled hair, she looked up at Leo.

"But just remember this — if we defeat Erebos, the Age of Heroes will probably come to an end."

"What?"

"If Erebos falls, the Hero Records won't be needed anymore."

"…"

The reason the gods gifted the Hero Records to the lower world wasn't just so the deeds of great heroes would be eternally praised.

While that was part of it, the real reason was because Erebos had never truly disappeared.

When the age of heroes began, no gods or great heroes remained on earth.

In other words, all means of opposing Erebos were lost.

The only means left to fight against Erebos:

That was the Hero Records.

Which means that the moment Erebos disappears, the Hero Records will also lose their purpose.

'Rian said that only when Erebos is completely vanquished can we say the age of gods has truly ended.'

He also said the current era, which still relies on the Hero Records, is merely an extension of the age of gods.

Even Leo doesn't know what will become of the Hero Records after the age of heroes ends.

But one thing is certain:

"It'll be a new beginning."

"…"

Leo smiled as he looked down at Chelsea.

'Yes. People are weak.'

They easily despair, fall into hopelessness, and hesitate.

They wander, leaning on others.

But ultimately, it is people who stand back up and fight despair.

'Just like I did.'

Everyone has potential.

Chelsea was no different.

The fragile, lost, and uncertain child was no longer there.

Though still lacking, she had become a respectable hero, struggling to follow in Leo's footsteps.

Because she knew she wasn't yet enough, she often stood on tiptoe to match his height, putting on a brave front.

She was growing stronger and opening new possibilities.

Just like Leo had once done — she was now finding her own path.

For everyone, life is a continuous trial.

Great or small, everyone faces hardship.

But as long as one doesn't give up, those trials can become the tests that forge a better self.

You cannot overcome them by relying on others alone.

'It might be a kind of deception.'

Because Leo being Kyle hasn't changed.

Still, what matters is the belief that they accomplished it on their own.

Leo didn't want to rob the next generation of that possibility.

Not out of some grand idea of protecting the future.

He simply hoped it would lead to a slightly better tomorrow.

To Leo's words, Chelsea asked,

"When the new era comes…"

"Hmm?"

"What will you do, Leo?"

"……"

At her question, Leo recalled something long ago.

When asked what he'd do after saving the world, Kyle had simply said he'd wander.

Aimlessly.

A time when he had no desires, no obligations.

Even now, he doesn't know what he'll do.

But unlike back then—

"I'll try to find what I should do."

With sincerity, Leo thought he must find his purpose.

"And you?"

Leo asked back.

Chelsea, thinking for a moment, looked up at him and smiled brightly.

"I'll find mine too. With you, Leo."

"Huh?"

Leo looked puzzled at her words.

Seeing that, Chelsea giggled and linked her arm through his.

"I already made up my mind."

"Grow up first."

"I will, eventually. Until then, I'll just stick with you."

Chelsea winked with one eye.

Leo looked helpless.

Unlike the other classmates, she didn't mind being treated like a kid.

She had always called him "big brother" and treated him like one.

"You don't know this, Leo, but younger siblings are like that, you know? One day, you'll look and be shocked how much I've grown."

Because she firmly believed she'd grow tall enough to stand beside him someday, she wasn't discouraged or upset by being treated like a child.

Leo gently pushed her forehead with a smile.

But Chelsea didn't budge.

Instead, she clung tighter to his arm, stuck out her tongue, and smiled playfully.