I Became the 101st Hero – Chapter 17

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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We emerged from the lake where the Trial had taken place and walked for a long time, eventually stepping back into the barrier’s embrace.

Perhaps I’d acclimated, because I could now breathe easily even outside the barrier. Still, the air within was undeniably more refreshing.

“So, what are your plans going forward?”

Gwen asked me suddenly as I was taking deep breaths of the fresh air.

At her question, I mentally reviewed my plans.

‘Initially, I was going to head straight to the Hero Academy…’

But I’d had a change of heart.

Of course, graduating from the Hero Academy was enough to become a Hero, but it had its limits.

One thing the Trial had taught me was not to limit myself. If I truly desired strength, there were better options than the Academy.

‘Then first…’

It was then.

Perhaps my silence stretched a little too long, because Gwen spoke first.

“If you don’t have anywhere to go… would you consider coming with me?”

It was an unexpected offer.

“Come with you?” I asked. “But aren’t you focused on finding the Rose Sword? I’ll only be a burden.”

“Finding the Rose Sword is important, yes. But even if I find it, the issue of a successor remains.”

“A successor?”

Successor referred to the Church’s succession system.

Due to the nature of a ‘Hero’ – their existence and their relic both registered with the Church – retirement meant relinquishing both their title and their relic to the Church.

However, the successor system could circumvent that.

Both the title of Hero and the relic they possessed…

Could be passed down to a successor.

Of course, it required the Church’s approval.

“While I’d prefer to appoint a direct descendant as my successor… that’s not possible with my trait. So, until my child is old enough to inherit the Rose Sword, I need a Hero to safeguard it.”

Indeed, even if she were to have a child, she couldn’t guarantee her own survival until the child matured.

She needed someone to hold onto the Rose Sword during that period.

Even so…

“Why me?”

I couldn’t help but wonder.

There were countless others stronger than me, even just within the Hero Academy.

Why choose me?

“Because you seem quite talented.”

“What?”

“To have reached your current level of swordsmanship at your age, taught by who-knows-who…”

Did it seem that way to others?

B-rank Swordsmanship was a level practically unattainable at my age.

Thanks to that, Gwen seemed to be mistaken about my talent with the sword.

‘But still…’

Just because someone else misjudged my talent didn’t mean I had to deceive myself.

[Swordsmanship (B)], obtained through inheritance rather than effort, was difficult to level up. Even learning from Gwen wouldn’t guarantee quick progress.

Considering Allen Pleuk’s abysmal talent, there was a good chance he’d reach A rank slower than a complete novice blessed with natural talent.

Gwen’s offer to be her successor was undoubtedly appealing.

But I had to think rationally.

Becoming her successor was detrimental to both of us.

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“I understand,” Gwen replied. She seemed to respect my refusal. “May I ask why?”

“Well, my swordsmanship is quite advanced for my age, that’s true. But let’s be realistic. If I were to become your successor, do you believe I could become a high-ranking Hero?”

“That’s…”

It was impossible.

Of course, becoming Gwen’s successor would make me a guaranteed Hero, regardless of the Academy.

But a high-ranking Hero was a completely different story.

They were the top 100 Heroes among all.

I, who aspired not just to be a Hero, but a high-ranking, even a saint-level Hero, couldn’t settle for being Gwen’s successor.

“Does that mean… there’s someone out there who can help you become a high-ranking Hero?”

Gwen sounded incredulous.

“Yes. Well, they’d provide guidance, but ultimately, I have to walk the path myself.”

“If such a person truly exists… that would be reason enough to refuse my offer.”

I silently nodded.

Gwen observed me for a moment before speaking.

“Well then, as a token of my gratitude, how about I at least give you some pointers on your swordsmanship? Your skill is impressive, but I’ve noticed a few areas that could use improvement.”

Following the successor proposal, this was another generous offer.

This time, I had no reason to refuse.

“Are you sure? But why would you go so far for me?”

“You never cease to amaze me with your distrust. Overly cautious, perhaps. You wouldn’t believe it if I said it was out of goodwill, so let’s just call it a reward for answering my additional question.”

The additional question about when she needed to lift the Precocious curse.

Since I was under no obligation to answer, I could accept this as fair compensation.

“In that case, I’m grateful for your offer.”

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The forest near the barrier was deserted.

Within the silence echoed the clang of metal against metal.

Occasionally, the sounds of clashing steel were punctuated by the conversation between a man and a woman.

“From there, twist your left foot about halfway to the right. It’ll improve your rotational force.”

Most of her guidance pertained to my form.

‘Left foot halfway to the right…’

My foot twisted precisely as instructed.

My subsequent movements flowed smoothly, just as Gwen had taught me.

My sword, starting from the lower left, shot upwards to the right, imbued with power.

It was undoubtedly more refined than my previous swordsmanship.

“Like this?” I asked.

“Honestly…” Gwen said, sounding exasperated.

It was an understandable reaction, considering I was absorbing her teachings like a sponge.

“How can you remember every single move after seeing it only once?”

It was all thanks to [Absolute Obedience].

Even someone as clumsy as Allen couldn’t defy the movements imprinted upon him.

Even so, it took some effort to wrangle Allen’s body, which seemed to find every possible exception and contort itself accordingly.

‘This feels like coding a program.’

It wasn’t a joke.

The coding knowledge I had picked up from the internet, hoping to work from home someday, was surprisingly useful.

“It’s impressive, but…”

Gwen parried my strike and instantly shifted her stance.

Her sword was once again pointed at my throat.

“Something’s off.”

I felt it too.

Even though I was using the exact same swordsmanship as Gwen, I felt a step behind.

It wasn’t just the difference in Agility stats.

“You’re always a beat too slow. Almost… unnatural,” she said.

Gwen sheathed her sword back into her inventory.

“Let’s stop here for today. That’s all I can teach you.”

For days, our training continued.

In that short time, I had absorbed all the techniques within Gwen’s swordsmanship.

I even grasped various applications and variations. But my [Swordsmanship] remained at B+, having only increased by one rank.

Of course, rising a rank in half a day was incredibly fast, but considering I had incorporated S-rank Gwen’s swordsmanship, it was slow progress.

“I don’t understand what the problem is. All I know is, I can’t make you into a high-ranking Hero with my methods.”

I felt the same.

Simply imitating her swordsmanship had its limits.

Perhaps it was due to Allen’s inherently low aptitude for swordsmanship.

“Well then, I suppose this is goodbye.”

Today was the last day Gwen had allotted us.

She couldn’t afford to spend too much time with me, not with so little remaining for herself.

She still had much to do.

“Gwen,” I said, handing her the Gravitas Replicant. “Thanks for letting me use this.”

It was the sword that had saved me during the Trial.

Honestly, I was reluctant to part with it, but with our deal fulfilled, there was no reason for me to keep it.

‘It’s fine. There are plenty of ways to get my hands on a 2-star relic.’

Even just graduating from the Hero Academy would earn you a 2-star relic.

There was no need to be stingy over a mere 3-star.

And with that, the Gravitas Replicant left my hand and returned to Gwen’s.

“Hmm…” she muttered, taking the sword.

She stood still for a moment, seemingly reactivating the relic since I had activated it once.

Then, Gwen did something that left me dumbfounded.

She drew her main weapon, the relic Ignis, and swung it at the Gravitas Replicant.

Hisssssss!

The red-hot blade of Ignis carved into the guard of the Gravitas Replicant.

A moment later, a small piece of the guard chipped off.

It was slightly misshapen, but it didn’t affect its practicality. But still…

“What did you just do?” I asked, bewildered.

I couldn’t comprehend her actions at all.

Why destroy a perfectly good relic, even if it was just a small part of it?

But instead of answering, Gwen stored the chipped piece of the guard in her inventory and muttered to herself,

“Relic Gravitas. Completely destroyed within the Chaos Realm. Only a portion of the guard recovered.”

What was she talking about?

She then handed the Gravitas Replicant back to me, a look of understanding dawning on her face.

“…I thought it was merely lost, but it was actually destroyed. A young Pathfinder scavenging the Chaos Realm apparently found it.”

Understanding hit me like a bolt of lightning.

“This should do, right?” she asked.

“Are you sure this is okay?”

“You never cease to take things at face value, do you?”

She handed me a belt designed for the Gravitas Replicant.

“Consider it a parting gift,” she said.

“A parting gift?”

“Yes. Take care, kid… Allen,” she said, turning away.

“Gwen…” I began, but stopped myself.

The warmth she had shown moments before was gone.

Her footsteps were firm and resolute, free of any hesitation.

Her small frame seemed to stretch endlessly against the setting sun.

‘Thank you, Gwen.’

In a way, I had used her.

I hadn’t been entirely truthful.

But even so, she had treated me with sincerity.

In this world I had to navigate alone, how many people like her would I encounter?

The answer was probably none. That was why I had waited months for her.

As a sign of respect, I watched her go until she disappeared from sight.

‘Now that Gwen’s gone…’

Once she was completely out of sight, I gripped the Gravitas Replicant tightly.

‘I should get going as well.’

I turned my head towards the barrier.

My time with Gwen was like a tutorial.

From this point forward… it was the real game.

Farewell.

For me, this was just the beginning.

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