A narration echoed softly.
I killed the demon leader... but the damage I received was so severe that I lost consciousness afterward.
Once the demons saw their leader die, they retreated from the battlefield.
After that, Lord Jack's people rescued me and treated me inside one of their mansions.
I remained unconscious for nearly three days.
During that time, Lord Jack's healers continuously healed me day and night.
And finally... the moment I regained consciousness, I received a direct invitation from Duke Kalvasu.
Inside the Duke's Mansion—
Numerous viscounts and barons sat in silence upon elegant chairs.
At the center of the hall, Yuki kneeled respectfully on the ground with his head lowered.
In front of him, seated upon a grand throne-like chair, was Duke Kalvasu himself.
The entire room resembled the throne chamber of a king.
Duke Kalvasu stared at Yuki seriously before speaking in a cold voice.
"I heard that you killed the leader of the demon army. Is that true?"
Yuki remained bowed with his head lowered—not out of fear, but out of respect.
However, despite the heavy pressure filling the room, Yuki showed no fear at all.
Lord Kalvasu is probably trying to intimidate me, Yuki thought calmly.
After a brief pause, another thought crossed his mind.
But unfortunately... I've already met someone far more terrifying than him.
Yuki remembered the moment Precious had first told him about his Kema Core.
Then Yuki answered respectfully while still bowing.
"Yes, milord. I was the one who killed the demon leader."
Kalvasu narrowed his eyes sharply.
Then suddenly, the duke stood from his throne and slowly walked down the stairs toward Yuki.
When he finally stopped in front of him, Kalvasu spoke calmly.
"You do not need to bow your head."
Hearing that, Yuki slowly raised his head and looked at him normally.
Kalvasu stared directly into his eyes.
Then, in a serious voice, he declared—
"You are a hero."
"A hero who protected this city from the demons."
Yuki's eyes widened in shock.
Kalvasu continued.
"I, the ruler of Samuru City, hereby grant you the title of 'Hero.'"
"From this day onward... you are the Hero of Samuru City."
The entire hall fell silent.
Every noble present looked stunned.
Meanwhile, Yuki stared at Kalvasu with complete confusion, shock, and innocence on his face.
Kalvasu simply gave him a faint smile.
Some time later—
Inside Konta's house, Yuki sat alone on a bed with his feet resting on the floor.
He stared downward sadly.
"This is the place where I stayed with Sir Konta..." he muttered quietly.
"Now he's gone..."
Silence filled the room.
No sound remained.
Then suddenly, Yuki forced out a relaxed, almost joking tone.
"Hah... whatever."
"It's just a world created by Precious."
"If this world was made by Precious, then that means nobody here is actually real... hahaha..."
"Then why am I thinking so much about Sir Konta...?"
Yuki was clearly trying to hide his sadness by making excuses for himself.
He continued speaking.
"This world exists only so I can grow stronger and unlock my Kema Core."
"So all the people in this world are fake... right?"
"Then let me check my missions."
"APPEAR."
A glowing window suddenly appeared before him.
Yuki looked at it—
—and his eyes widened.
"What?!"
"I cleared ten missions..."
On the side of the screen, he noticed the number:
12/100
Yuki immediately began checking the completed missions.
"So... I completed: kill a demon, kill twenty strong demons, kill the demon leader, help someone... and many others..."
His expression filled with surprise.
"So that means I've completed twelve missions already... nice."
"Hm... eighty-eight missions still remain."
"Let me see the others."
Yuki scrolled through the window.
Suddenly, his eyes stopped at Mission No. 25.
Kill Jelrai
Yuki frowned in confusion.
Who's Jelrai...?
And where can I find him?
He continued scrolling.
Then he noticed Mission No. 50.
Kill Demon King Subaru
Yuki stared at the mission quietly for several moments before finally closing the window.
Then he lay back on the bed calmly.
"Well... Mission 25 is 'Kill Jelrai,' and Mission 50 is 'Kill Demon King Subaru.'"
A serious expression appeared on his face.
"But one important thing is clear..."
"I don't actually need to complete the missions in order."
"If I can complete a mission earlier, then it's more profitable to do it immediately."
"For example, 'Kill Two Strong Demons' was a higher-numbered mission than some others, but I still completed it."
"That means I don't need to follow the numbers at all."
Yuki's eyes sharpened seriously.
"But still..."
"Who is Jelrai... and where can I find him?"
The next day—
Yuki stood in front of the Tower of Knowledge.
Who is Jelrai?
Where can I find him?
Every answer I need should exist in this place.
With that thought, Yuki walked inside.
Inside the Library of Knowledge—
Yuki opened the large doors and stepped into the library.
The very moment he entered—
Tiyara suddenly rushed toward him and hugged him tightly.
"You came~! You actually came~!"
Yuki immediately pushed her away with an exhausted expression.
"Let go of me..."
Tiyara stepped back before smiling brightly at him.
"I thought you wouldn't come back, but you did."
"Yeah," Yuki replied calmly. "But first, answer something for me."
His tone became slightly serious.
"If you and the people of your tower had participated in the demon war, wouldn't the battle have become much easier?"
Even though Yuki sounded serious, his expression showed that he wasn't truly angry about it.
However, Tiyara's cheerful personality suddenly changed.
Her playful attitude disappeared completely.
In a quieter and heavier tone, she answered—
"If we joined every single battle, then what would be the point of knights and guards existing?"
"The Magicarf Tower only takes action during world-level disasters... or when the entire city itself is truly in danger."
Yuki immediately asked again.
"But weren't those demons dangerous for this city?"
Suddenly, Tiyara's heavy mood vanished.
She returned to her usual carefree personality.
"If the knights can't even defeat that many demons," she said childishly, "then what's the point of having them?"
Yuki thought silently for a moment.
Well... she's not wrong.
Then he began walking deeper into the library.
"Anyway, I'm here because I need information."
Tiyara tilted her head.
"What information?"
"About a person named 'Jelrai.'"
Tiyara began thinking carefully.
"I think I've heard that name before... but I don't remember properly..."
Yuki stared at her blankly.
"Why are you even thinking? Just give me the books already. -_-"
Tiyara puffed her cheeks angrily.
"Hmph!"
She waved her hand through the air.
Immediately, two books floated across the library and landed on the table before Yuki.
"Here are your books," she said angrily.
Ignoring her completely, Yuki sat down on a chair and quietly began reading.