Hero Claire, hearing Tina's words, remained silent, only perking up her ears to listen to Tina's confession.
Tina took a slow breath, covering her mouth with her left hand.
At that time…
When… that dragon…
Hero Tina paused for a moment, her lips trembling now.
…was defeated…..
Huff…
….
Everything turned into chaos.
Not because of the dragon, but because of what happened after…
Hearing that, both Claire and Rena listened intently, making the atmosphere very silent—even the sound of the midday wind brushing against their ears could be heard. Even so, from the expressions on Hero Claire and Rena's faces, it was clear from the beginning, even before Tina started her story, that there was no sense of relief—because the event truly looked terrible, and that was visible from Tina's hand now partially covering her mouth. At least, that's what Rena and Hero Claire saw.
Tina lowered her gaze to the ground, as if she herself didn't want to speak, her left hand still covering her mouth.
…after that dragon fell…
She clenched her fist slightly.
…everything changed.
The male heroes…
Her voice was heavier now.
…they began to change.
Hero Claire froze, now confused by Tina's words, her eyes squinting at the information given.
…change…?
You mean the male heroes also changed?
That's impossible…
Hero Tina, hearing Hero Claire's denial, continued speaking, her jaw tensing.
Changed completely.
Just like the other non-hero human men.
…into half-monsters.
Those words fell softly.
But they felt heavy.
Meanwhile, Hero Claire still couldn't accept it, her brows furrowed.
Impossible…
They who have great power.
They who should be the most stable.
Tina shook her head, then glanced briefly at Rena… Then continued with a shadowed face.
No…
…not anymore.
Because I saw it myself…
Then Hero Tina lifted her head and gazed north, her lips still trembling.
And because of that too…
This has something to do with Hero Anna's death…
Hearing that, Rena was startled, but before she could speak—
Hero Tina looked sharply at Rena and Hero Claire.
And I am one of the cowards who didn't act like a true hero…
Hearing that, Hero Claire immediately responded with a shadowed face…
Those words…
Don't tell me…??!!!!!
Hero Tina only nodded her head, then looked at Rena, her jaw tensing.
That's right…
I ran away…!!!
Silence fell again.
Heavier than before.
Even Rena could only be in shock… The confession that came from Hero Tina was something she didn't recognize, different from what she was taught at school—and also a stark contrast to the attitude of Hero Anna, Rena's teacher.
Then Hero Tina continued, trying to smile widely while her eyes were teary. Even her lips, which wanted to explain, were still trembling. Her left hand could no longer cover her mouth.
B-but..
Isn't that natural??
Because…
I am—
Suddenly, Rena interrupted, her face shadowed. This time, both her hands clenched tightly. Even the sword that stood planted beside her now resonated with Rena's heart—visible as the sword widened the cracks in the ground, even creating distance between Rena and Tina automatically, as if those words had truly cut her heart in a bad way.
That's enough, Hero Tina…
Hearing that, Hero Tina was startled, while Hero Claire turned her face away from Hero Tina.
Then, with sharp eyes, Rena looked at Hero Tina.
Please explain everything from the beginning…
Properly..
Words that sounded easy to answer—even a child could respond. But what was different, of course, was the content—too heavy, even for Hero Tina.
Even under the midday sun that had reached its peak, the three of them now stood in silence, not moving at all—proving just how heavy it was to accept this.