Not All Heroes From Earth Are Bad [EN]: Chapter 59

How strong is a battalion commander? It’s a question without a definitive answer.

Strength is always relative.

That’s why Choi Hyun-seok always focused on combat power.

Even if it wasn’t a perfect measure, it was the only indicator that allowed him to objectively assess someone’s strength.

‘Battalion commanders mostly exceed 50,000.’

The combat power measuring device he currently possessed could only measure up to 50,000.

So far, the combat power of the battalion commanders he had encountered was mostly immeasurable, exceeding the device’s limit.

Naturally, he concluded that a battalion commander’s combat power was over 50,000.

‘There’s absolutely no way I can catch up within a month.’

In comparison, what about Choi Hyun-seok?

The last time Choi Hyun-seok’s combat power was checked, it was in the mid-10,000s.

In other words, even if he became three times stronger than he was now, he still wouldn’t reach the average combat power of a battalion commander.

‘In the end, the only way is to learn Aura and become stronger!’

Choi Hyun-seok once again realized the urgent need for a new Aura.

“…Hyun-seok. Choi Hyun-seok!”

Choi Hyun-seok snapped out of his thoughts at the sound of his name.

“Yes? Yes!”

“What are you thinking so deeply about? I can’t believe you didn’t hear me calling you.”
“I’m sorry. I was briefly contemplating the tournament.”

He was so lost in thought that he forgot he was in the middle of a conversation with Raidrun.

“So. You said you had something to discuss with me?”
“Yes. Actually, I came to ask Raidrun-nim [a respectful title] for a favor.”
“A favor… what is it?”

“Raidrun-nim. Please teach me how to create Aura!”
“Teach you how to create Aura?”

An expression of doubt appeared on Raidrun’s face.

He was already teaching Choi Hyun-seok Aura.

“Aren’t I already teaching you Aura?”
“To be precise, I want to learn *how* to create Aura.”
“How to create Aura…”
“Yes. Either way, if I want to achieve anything in the tournament within a month, I don’t think I can do it in my current state.”
“So, you’re saying you want to develop your own unique Aura?”
“That’s right. If I create and master my own Aura, it will definitely be a big help!”

“Hmm…”

Raidrun pondered with a stern face.

Choi Hyun-seok also began to feel nervous.

If Raidrun refused now, he would inevitably be in a difficult situation in many ways.

‘Please… my only hope!’

Perhaps his earnest prayer reached him.

Raidrun slowly nodded his head.

“Alright.”

“Thank you!”

Choi Hyun-seok smiled brightly as permission was granted.

“Since time is short, let’s start right away.”

“Yes?”

“Follow me.”

Raidrun didn’t say anything more and immediately started moving.

‘Does he have something urgent to do?’

Choi Hyun-seok was a little puzzled, but he quickly shook it off.

What’s important now is that Raidrun has agreed.

‘That’s a relief. I’m relieved that Raidrun will teach me.’

At this time, Choi Hyun-seok didn’t know what kind of hell he would have to go through to create Aura.

***

Raidrun moved to his personal training ground.

He crossed his arms and looked at Choi Hyun-seok.

“Choi Hyun-seok. You are currently learning two types of Aura.”

Choi Hyun-seok is indeed learning two types of Aura.

One is ‘Raidrun-style Martial Arts’.

The other is ‘Flomot’.

“Now that I mention it, both of those Auras don’t suit you perfectly. Do you know why?”
“Is it because I’m human?”

“That’s right.”

Raidrun-style Martial Arts, as the name suggests, was created for Raidrun.

Flomot is a unique Aura of the Demon race that has been passed down since ancient times.

In other words, both are Auras designed for Demons.

“You are using two Auras despite being human, so it can’t be helped that the efficiency is lower than optimal.”

A human using the Aura of the Demon race is like fighting in armor that doesn’t quite fit.

It’s better than being bare, but it can never be the most efficient.

It was necessary to create custom-made armor that perfectly fits Choi Hyun-seok’s body.

“That’s why when you said you would develop your own Aura, I thought it was a good idea.”
“Thank you! There’s no one like Raidrun-nim. Hahaha!”

Taking the opportunity, Choi Hyun-seok flattered him.

However, Raidrun’s expression remained serious.

Choi Hyun-seok wondered why.

Raidrun continued with a stern face.

“It’s too early to celebrate. Choi Hyun-seok, you possess two distinct powers: Demonic Energy and Mana.”

“Yes…”

“In other words, your Aura must be created to contain and harmonize both of those powers. Do you understand the implications of this?”

“Hmm…”

Creating an Aura that merges both Mana and Demonic Energy.

It sounded incredibly difficult just to hear it.

“Is it very difficult…?”
“I’m not even sure if I can succeed. No, to be honest, it’s likely impossible to create it within a month.”

Despair crossed Choi Hyun-seok’s face.

Impossible for Raidrun!

The competent Demon from an elite background.

It was the first time he had heard the word ‘impossible’ from Raidrun, who seemed capable of anything.

Just as his hopes were plummeting, Raidrun continued.

“But Choi Hyun-seok… I think you might be able to do it somehow.”

“…”

“I believe there’s a possibility if we combine my experience and knowledge with your talent.”

Raidrun’s lips curved into a gentle smile, a stark contrast to his usual stern expression.

Relief washed over Choi Hyun-seok’s face.

‘Raidrun! You’re the only one for me!’

He was a truly perfect man, looks aside.

Elite background and a capable individual himself!

Impeccable manners!

He possessed the kind of courtesy and etiquette that would impress even the most refined gentlemen from the East and the West.

His only flaw was his somewhat intimidating appearance.

‘Over 2.5 meters tall, muscular, with red skin and a cow-like head. And there’s the minor issue of large horns that spew fire…’

But so what?

There must be women out there who would find Raidrun’s appearance manly and appealing.

From a Demon’s perspective,

he might even be considered handsome.

“Choi Hyun-seok. Are you ready?”

“Yes!”

Choi Hyun-seok snapped back to reality, shaking off his idle thoughts.

“It won’t be easy.”

“I’m prepared!”

“Good. The first thing you need to do is learn how to harmoniously use Mana and Demonic Energy.”

“Ooh…”

Choi Hyun-seok exclaimed softly.

Using Mana and Demonic Energy harmoniously.

A fascinating topic to start with.

‘What kind of training will he put me through…?’

Choi Hyun-seok waited for the next words with anticipation.

His heart began to race at the thought of becoming stronger.

“Then clench your teeth tightly.”

“Yes?”

“There’s no time. There’s nothing like practical experience to quickly learn anything.”

“Um, Raidrun-nim [a respectful honorific]… just a moment!”

Choi Hyun-seok raised his hand and stepped back.

“Hmm? Is there a problem?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to build a solid foundation with more systematic training rather than jumping straight into practical experience?”

Raidrun shook his head with a firm expression.

“No. Based on what I’ve seen so far, you’re the practical type.”

“…”

“You’ll be able to mix Mana and Demonic Energy as naturally as breathing once you get hit a few times… no, once you experience practical combat, so don’t worry.”

“Ah… I see…”

Choi Hyun-seok could only close his eyes.

‘Did he just say get hit a few times? He’s openly saying he’s just going to beat me up!’

Choi Hyun-seok cried out in despair, but reality remained unchanged.

A giant cow head was rushing toward him, fist raised.

‘Ah… so this is why they say it’s important to get off to a good start.’

Another beating disguised as training was about to begin.

***

Several days passed.

As expected, creating Aura was more difficult than he had imagined.

During that time, Choi Hyun-seok thought about Aura constantly, without a moment’s rest while he was awake.

‘I’m getting quite used to handling Demonic Energy.’

Raidrun’s beatings were painful, but they were definitely effective.

Choi Hyun-seok was able to improve his ability to manipulate Demonic Energy in a short period.

Ability: Demonic Energy Manipulation (E)

The rank of Demonic Energy Manipulation had risen from F to E.

However, even though he became proficient in handling Demonic Energy, the fundamental problem remained unresolved.

‘Fusing Mana and Demonic Energy is impossible…’

Fusion of Mana and Demonic Energy.

If he couldn’t combine the two forces and used them separately, nothing would change from before.

He had to somehow merge the two energies into one to fully utilize his power.

Therefore, Choi Hyun-seok desperately pondered the method.

“Hero-nim [term of address for hero]…”

At that moment, Rachel approached.

She grabbed Choi Hyun-seok’s pant leg and shook it.

“I’m bored… I’m so bored…”

“I’m busy, don’t bother me.”

“Let’s play rock-paper-scissors. Or how about ‘Red Light, Green Light’?”

“Tsk! Go away and play!”

“…”

“Hmm, should I increase the ratio of Demonic Energy here? No. If I use an extremely small amount of Demonic Energy from the start…”

Thanks to Choi Hyun-seok becoming a model hero, Rachel was bored to death.

Even when she tried to play pranks, he wouldn’t respond or would simply ignore her.

Life didn’t feel like living.

Rachel’s cheeks puffed up.

“Hmph… fine! I’m only going to play with Bobo from now on!”

Rachel left Choi Hyun-seok, who was deep in thought, and flew to Bobo.

Bobo was lying on the floor, half-asleep.

“Hey, mutt! Come on! Let’s wrestle again today!”

Rachel waved her fists in front of Bobo.

Bobo yawned widely and looked at Rachel with tired eyes.

“Kwang…”

Then he closed his eyes again.

He had been like that ever since he was severely injured in the last attack.

Perhaps he hadn’t fully recovered yet, as Bobo spent most of the day sleeping.

“Hey! Play with me! Don’t ignore me!”

“Kwang…”

Bobo turned over and lay down, as if annoyed by a fly.

Rachel stamped her feet.

“Hmph…!”

I’m bored!

I’m so bored I could go crazy!

That moment.

A thought flashed through Rachel’s mind.

‘Should I try using dark energy too…?’

Basically, Rachel shares magical power with Choi Hyun-seok.

All the magical power she uses comes from Choi Hyun-seok.

If so, she might be able to use the dark energy that Choi Hyun-seok possesses.

“I wonder what it feels like to use dark energy? It seems fun for some reason!”

She briefly considered the danger, but quickly dismissed it.

If she continued to be this bored, she might go crazy, so what did she care about a little danger?

“Hehe… exciting!”

Rachel giggled and spun around like a ballerina.

She seemed to have already lost her mind.

“Okay! Let’s start!”

Rachel focused her mind and looked at Choi Hyun-seok.

As a dedicated fairy, sharing the hero’s magical power, she should be able to feel the dark energy sufficiently.

‘Oh, I can feel it!’

As she concentrated, she began to feel a foreign energy, different from her usual magical power, within Choi Hyun-seok.

‘This is dark energy! If I just take a little of this and use it…!’

Rachel began to draw dark energy from Choi Hyun-seok’s body.

***

At the same time.

Unaware of Rachel’s antics, Choi Hyun-seok was still focused on cultivating his fighting spirit.

“Why is this dark energy so picky? It’s fine when it’s still, but as soon as it meets magical power, it goes wild like a madman…”

He was pondering the use of dark energy when he heard an odd screech from behind.

“Eee-gah-gah-gah-gah-gahk!”

Choi Hyun-seok frowned.

“Rachel, I told you to be quiet. I need to concentrate.”

“Uwee-eck! Eee-gyah-gahk!”

“What are you doing now…”

Choi Hyun-seok turned to check on her and was startled.

“R, Rachel! What’s wrong!?”

Rachel was writhing on the floor, her eyes rolled back.

Foam was drooling from her mouth; it looked dangerous.

“Hey! Get a grip! What’s wrong!?”

“H, Hero…”

“What on earth is wrong!? Huh!?”

“D, d, dark energy, u, using…”

Although the words were fragmented, he understood.

“You used my dark energy? Why on earth!?”

“T, too, too bo, bored…!”

She was bored, so she used dark energy.

Choi Hyun-seok was beyond dumbfounded.

‘This is really dangerous…’

Choi Hyun-seok knew best the pain of dark energy rampaging inside the body.

Uncontrollable dark energy races through the whole body, melting it from the inside.

Even if it was a small amount, Rachel was probably feeling the pain of being burned alive.

“H, Hero… g, going to die… Keck!”

Rachel’s eyes rolled back again.

Choi Hyun-seok slapped Rachel’s cheeks lightly.

“Rachel? Hey! Get a grip!”

“…”

“Rachel! You stupid idiot!”

“What did you say!? Hero! Just because you have a mouth doesn’t mean you can say anything you want!?”

Rachel jumped up and shouted.

“What, you’re alive?”

“Hoo… the dark energy is all gone. I’m glad I only took a tiny bit, or I would have died if I had taken any more!”

Rachel put her hand on her chest and sighed.

‘I think it’s weirder that you can come back to your senses so quickly after experiencing such pain…’

Anyway, it was a relief that she was alive, but her mental fortitude was frighteningly strong.

‘Still, I need to be careful.’

He had to prevent Rachel from doing such dangerous things again.

Choi Hyun-seok wore a stern expression.

“Don’t ever do that again. Dark energy goes crazy when it meets magical power. The aggressiveness increases several times more than usual…”

Choi Hyun-seok stopped talking.

Because a thought flashed through his mind.

‘Wait a minute. Is there a need to combine these incompatible things?’

Choi Hyun-seok’s goal was to use dark energy and magical power simultaneously.

However, dark energy goes so wild when it meets magical power that it is impossible to control.

‘Then, can’t I just use it as it is?’

The advantage of dark energy is its aggressiveness.

Is there a need to change the situation where that advantage is maximized?

Release the rampaging dark energy as it is.

If successful, he might be able to exert much stronger power with the same amount of dark energy.

‘It’s dangerous, but it’s worth trying.’

Choi Hyun-seok put his finger on Rachel’s head and stroked it.

“Thank you. I came up with a solution thanks to you!”

“Yes?”

“Okay! Finally moving forward!”

“Y, yes! Let’s fight!”

Rachel clenched her fist vigorously.

She didn’t know what was going on, but she seemed to have helped Choi Hyun-seok.

‘Hehe! As expected, the hero can’t do without me!’

Choi Hyun-seok was happy to find a solution.

Rachel was happy to find her usefulness.

It was a happy day for everyone for the first time in a while.