I Became an Illegal Cheat User – Chapter 127

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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The Hero Tracking Compass.

An item that, as its name suggested, allowed me to track the Hero’s location in real-time.

As I followed the guidance of the item, practically screaming, “Hero’s party members, go find the Hero!”…

…I had speculated about the nature of this world’s Hero.

Would they be a righteous hero, like those in fairy tales, who couldn’t stand injustice and meddled in everything?

Or would they be a pragmatic hero, like those in modern novels, who was realistic and wouldn’t be taken advantage of?

Or perhaps a selfish hero, like some Fallen, who coveted others’ possessions and extorted money, a scoundrel who only held the title of Hero?

I had formulated countermeasures for each possibility.

If they were an idealistic hero, I would carry them.

If they were a pragmatic hero, I would minimize their losses.

And if they were a selfish hero, I would at least try to make them act like a decent human being.

I had also imagined their appearance.

A muscular, barbarian-like man or woman.

A short or tall, slender, handsome young man or beautiful young woman.

A man with narrow eyes, golden hair, and tanned skin.

Of course, the sources of these images were novels, games, and manga.

Anyway, the Hero’s ideals, personality, and appearance.

And the corresponding countermeasures.

I had given a lot of thought to the Hero.

But…

“Wow…”

…I was wrong.

The images I had imagined.

The plans I had formulated.

They all vanished in the face of the unexpected reality.

‘…No… this can’t be.’

I frowned, unable to accept this ridiculous reality.

I stored the compass in my inventory and then retrieved it, hoping it was a mistake.

But the compass still pointed towards a little girl, sitting on the side of the road, whimpering like an abandoned kitten.

“What the hell.”

A curse slipped out involuntarily.

But how could I not curse?

‘Is this alternate world insane?’

Was the Demon King actually the good guy?

Was he trying to destroy the world for a good reason?

‘How can a child this young be the Hero?’

Heroes were usually adults.

Or at least old enough to think and act independently, like middle or high school students.

But this…

“I-I’m sorry! I’ll move!”

…was too young.

‘Is this for real?!’

I slapped my forehead, lamenting this ridiculous reality.

And as I sighed in frustration…

“Master.”

…Terra called out to me.

I turned my head, and…

[Master, the child is frightened. Please refrain from cursing and manage your expression.]

…she sent me a warning through a System message.

Seeing the message, I realized my mistake.

‘Ah, I’m such an idiot.’

I had shown my unsightly side in front of a child.

I looked at the little girl, the Hero.

And I stopped her from struggling to pull a sword, which was embedded in the ground for some reason.

“S-sorry. Hic, I’ll, I’ll move… Just wait a moment… Hic.”

Her tears flowed faster.

It seemed she had misinterpreted my action, which was meant to convey, “It’s okay, you don’t have to do that.”

“Master.”

“No… I wasn’t trying to make her cry even more.”

I waved my hands defensively, my expression indignant at Terra’s reproachful tone.

I quickly knelt before the Hero and wiped her tears with a handkerchief.

“Little one, I apologize if my actions frightened you. I’m sorry.”

“…Hic, w-why are you apologizing? I’m the one who did something wrong…”

“No, you didn’t do anything wrong.”

“…Why?”

Because you really didn’t do anything wrong.

But she probably wouldn’t understand or believe me if I said that, so I decided to change the subject.

“So, little one, how old are you?”

“I’m… seven…”

Holy crap.

I had thought she was young because of her appearance, but she really was young.

“…So, little one, why are you here?”

“Sniff… I, I was picking flowers… and the coachman… the merchant said it was okay… he said he would look after my luggage… but when I came back, they were gone…”

Her words were jumbled, perhaps because she was so upset.

But I understood what she meant.

She went to pick flowers.

= She went to the bathroom.

The merchant said he would look after her luggage.

= He stole her luggage.

They were gone when she came back.

= They abandoned her on the side of the road while she was in the bathroom.

In short, the Hero had been betrayed by the coachman and the merchant.

‘When I get to the royal capital, I’ll find those bastards who ripped off the Hero.’

The merchant who stole her luggage, the coachman who abandoned her.

I wouldn’t let them get away with it, no matter what their reasons were.

I would retrieve the Hero’s belongings and take every last coin they had.

I made a mental note, patting the crying Hero’s head.

And I looked up at the clear, oblivious sky and muttered,

“What a shitty world…”

Tap.

[Master, language.]

Terra, standing beside me, nudged my foot.

And she sent me a message, reminding me to watch my language.

Seeing the message, I chuckled awkwardly and looked down.

I patted the Hero’s head and said,

“Anyway, you didn’t do anything wrong. If anyone’s at fault, it’s those ba… no, those bad men and the god who abandoned you here.”

“…Hic, G-god? No… God didn’t do anything wrong.”

“No, he definitely did something wrong. Far worse than those bad men.”

Choosing a child as young as you to be the Hero was a mistake.

Leading you, who should only experience joy and happiness, down a thorny path filled with trials, was a grave mistake.

“…I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

The Hero looked at me with a confused expression.

Her clear eyes, sparkling with tears.

That innocent expression made my mouth taste bitter.

“…You don’t need to understand. Just… know that God stole your precious time.”

If the rules of this world had any sense…

…if they had any common sense, regardless of the special powers you possessed, you wouldn’t have become the Hero.

You wouldn’t be holding a sword meant for a grown man with your small hands.

You wouldn’t be wearing cold, hard metal armor when you should be wearing soft, pretty clothes.

You wouldn’t be walking a difficult path with your small feet, burdened by the mission of defeating the great evil known as the Demon King.

And you wouldn’t have been abandoned here.

“Do you understand? You didn’t do anything wrong. And you won’t in the future. So, don’t be too sad.”

“……”

The Hero looked at me with teary eyes, as if pondering my words.

And after a brief moment of eye contact… she stopped crying and wiped her tears with her small hands. She rubbed her soft cheeks, wiping away the tear stains.

And then, she clenched her tiny fists and said, her voice filled with a newfound resolve, unlike the dejected tone from before,

“Okay… I still don’t understand why you hate God, but… I won’t cry… I won’t think I did anything wrong.”

“Good. That’s enough.”

Now she looked like a child. Now I could feel the bright energy a child should possess.

I smiled and gently patted her head.

She giggled.

‘Cute.’

A warm smile spread across my face.

Her bright smile made me feel happy.

And as I was having that thought… I felt a sharp gaze from beside me.

I turned my head and saw Terra staring intently at me.

Her gaze, unsettling for some reason, made me flinch slightly.

“…Why? Why are you looking at me like that?”

She glanced at the Hero and said,

“Indeed, a child’s laughter possesses a bright energy that can influence others positively.”

“Uh… yeah?”

I agreed, and Terra’s gaze returned to me.

A meaningful smile appeared on her lips.

“That’s why people have children.”

“……”

Her hands, which had been clasped neatly together, moved towards her lower abdomen.

I quickly turned my head away, startled by her action.

I looked at the Hero, who was tilting her head, confused by Terra’s words.

But she was looking at Terra, not me.

“Miss, what do you mean?”

“Well, that’s…”

“Terra, you’re not going to say anything strange to the child, are you? And little one…”

“I’m not a little one. I’m Aster.”

“Aster? Ah, your name?”

“Yes, my name is Aster.”

Ah, come to think of it, we hadn’t introduced ourselves yet.

“Aster, that’s a nice name.”

“Heehee, thank you.”

Aster smiled brightly.

I smiled back at her bright smile, like a dandelion under the clear sunlight.

“So, Aster… my name is…”

“Please call me As.”

She wanted me to use her nickname? Then I would.

“Okay, As, my name is Lee Yu-jin. And the lady next to me is Terra.”

As’s bright green eyes shifted towards Terra at my introduction.

Terra, who had been stroking her lower abdomen, curtsied gracefully, unlike before.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, As. I am Terra, Master’s loyal maid.”

“Hi! Nice to meet you, Miss!”

As shouted energetically and bowed deeply.

Terra smiled, seemingly amused.

And then, she turned her gaze back to me and stared intently.

But this time, I ignored her piercing gaze.

I wouldn’t fall for her tricks.

[She’s so cute.]

As if wanting my attention, Terra’s message appeared in my vision.

‘Yes, I agree. But I’m not falling for your tricks today.’

I thought, and another message appeared.

[I’ll say it again, she’s incredibly cute.]

‘…….’

…You’re talking about As, right?

But this time, there was no reply. I almost turned my head towards Terra, but…

‘…Aha. So that was your plan.’

I chuckled, realizing that the repeated messages were a ploy to get my attention.

And as if confirming my thoughts, this time, instead of a message, a voice whispered in my ear,

“Master, she’s truly adorable.”

No, I’m not falling for it.

I’m not turning around.

“…Perhaps this is why those women desire you, Master.”

“What did you just say?”

“Nothing, Master.”

What?

I thought I heard something, something like “…desire you…” I asked her what she had said, but Terra remained silent, as if keeping a secret.

She was truly cunning.

Trying to make me look at her by piquing my curiosity.

But I had already seen through her ploy, so I wouldn’t fall for it.

Terra must be surprised by my resistance.

Perhaps she was thinking,

‘He’s a tougher opponent than I thought.’

[He’s a tougher opponent than I thought.]

See?

Terra’s message appeared, just as I had predicted.

I nodded in satisfaction.

And I patted As’s head, who was smiling brightly, as if saying, “I don’t know what’s going on, but the atmosphere is nice, so I’m happy.”

“As, it’s time to begin our journey. Should I pull out that sword?”

“Yes!”

She replied energetically and reached for the sword. Or rather, she tried to… but I stopped her.

“No, I’ll pull it out. You just relax.”

I didn’t know why a real sword was embedded in the ground, but I had no intention of letting As struggle with it.

And that wouldn’t change in the future.

As a member of the Hero’s party, I would do my best to assist her. I would fulfill my role as her guardian.

So, she wouldn’t have to do any more difficult tasks like this.

And the main characters, who had also received Hero’s party member roles, would handle any other unpleasant tasks a child shouldn’t have to experience.

‘Don’t worry, As. Unless your power as the Hero is needed, you won’t have to do anything.’

Still, just in case, I should give her some elixirs.

It was better to be healthy than weak.

I made a mental note and reached for the hilt of the worn sword.

And as I gripped it…

Crackle!

…a powerful surge of electricity coursed through the sword.

And at the same time, a sharp, feminine voice echoed in my mind.

– You! How dare you interfere with the Hero’s trial!

“……”

– Release me this instant! And tell the Hero to pull me out herself! Then I, the holy sword Sacred, will graciously forgive your insolence.

“…Ha.”

Seriously?

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