Not All Heroes From Earth Are Bad [EN]: Chapter 58

At the same time, in Hemis’s office.

Hemis was having a private meeting with Reidrun.

“Congratulations. You’ve completely broken through the wall. I thought it would take longer, but it was surprisingly fast.”

“I was lucky.”

Reidrun had been unable to improve for quite some time.

A state commonly referred to as ‘hitting a wall’ [a plateau in skill or progress].

He completely shattered that wall by defeating Oseld Geffen in this battle.

“Shouldn’t you start looking into a division commander position soon?”

Division Commander is the highest position in the Demon King’s army, with only 25 in total.

Reidrun was now on par with them.

Of course, since his level had just risen, it couldn’t be said that he was completely equal yet.

However, considering Reidrun’s talent, he would soon catch up completely.

“I appreciate the offer, but I don’t think it’s the right time yet.”

“Really? I could even create one for you if you want. How about carving out a vice-commander position?”

“I gratefully accept the offer… to decline.”

Reidrun bowed his head and declined.

At that moment, Hemis’s lips twisted into a knowing smile.

“Is it perhaps because of Choi Hyun-seok?”

“…I won’t completely deny it, but it’s not *just* because of Choi Hyun-seok.”

“Then?”

“I still want to improve my skills by your side, Hemis.”

Depending on how one heard it, it could be quite an arrogant statement.

Even though he had already become one of the top powerhouses in the Demon King’s army, he was saying that he could still grow further by staying with her.

“Well, if that’s what you want, there’s nothing I can do.”

Hemis brushed it off nonchalantly.

In fact, from her perspective, there was no need to send Reidrun to a division.

Having a talent like Reidrun assisting her made things easier in many ways.

“Oh, right, I almost forgot the reason I called you here today.”

Suddenly, Hemis clapped her hands.

The reason she had called Reidrun here came to mind.

“Reidrun. The unit was completely shattered in this incident, wasn’t it?”

“Yes… I’m sorry.”

“No, you did well. It’s just that I’m worried about how to restore it.”

Due to the human attack, two regiments directly under the corps, stationed in the Black Fortress, were devastated.

The damage to the soldiers was significant, and as many as seven high-ranking commanders at the battalion commander level died.

Regular soldiers could be replenished from anywhere, but not battalion commander-level commanders.

Those elites were a minority even in the Demon King’s army, so it was bound to be a headache.

“I could forcibly bring them from the division, but those idiots would hate it, and I’d hate to bring in mediocre guys even more.”

Battalion commanders belonging to the corps’ direct regiments.

These were the people who would see Hemis’s face directly and live with her.

She wanted to pick the smartest and most useful guys possible.

“So, I was thinking. How about holding a tournament throughout the corps to fill the battalion commander positions this time?”

“A tournament, you say?”

Holding a tournament for the battalion commander positions.

It was unprecedented.

“Yes! It’s better to see them fight and pick the useful ones, right?”

“Certainly… If we can adjust it so that the damage isn’t too great, it could be a good event.”

It wasn’t a bad idea.

If not careful, a large number of commander-level talents could die during the tournament.

If they were careful about that part, it seemed like a good outcome could be achieved.

“That’s what I thought too. But then I had an even better idea!”

“An even better idea?”

“Let’s send Choi Hyun-seok to the tournament.”

Hemis’s lips stretched wide.

She had an expression that showed she was already looking forward to what would happen.

“It’s about time we gave Choi Hyun-seok a battalion commander position, right? How long is he going to be stuck in the kitchen?”

“Isn’t it too early for Choi Hyun-seok?”

There was concern in Reidrun’s voice.

Objectively, Choi Hyun-seok’s strength barely reached the company commander level.

For Choi Hyun-seok to go to a tournament to select battalion commanders?

He would be perfect prey.

“Don’t worry. It’s not like we’re holding the tournament right now.”

“When are you thinking of holding it?”

“In a month.”

“Isn’t that too little time?”

“It’s Choi Hyun-seok, isn’t it? He’ll figure something out. Ohohoho!”

Company commander level and battalion commander level are on different dimensions.

Normally, even a year would be insufficient.

Depending on the case, even several years might not be enough to reach it.

But Hemis had no intention of waiting that long.

‘Rather, it’s more interesting because there’s not enough time.’

How will Choi Hyun-seok become stronger in a limited time?

That was the real purpose of this tournament.

***

Choi Hyun-seok was stroking his chin, deep in thought.

“Creating Fighting Spirit, huh…”

What *is* Fighting Spirit?

In Choi Hyun-seok’s opinion, Fighting Spirit was an excellent combat tool.

‘Even if you’re doing the same thing, efficiency changes if you have a tool.’

A prime example is ‘Reidrun-style Combat Technique.’

‘Form 1: Total Destruction’ consists of extending a fist with magic power.

The act itself is nothing special.

It’s a very simple technique that anyone can do if they can manipulate magic power.

However, even if you do the same act, the power is vastly different when using Fighting Spirit and when not.

Using a tool to extract several times the efficiency from the same movement.

That *is* Fighting Spirit.

Therefore, in combat, the more Fighting Spirit you learn, the better.

[The Hero Point required to create basic Fighting Spirit is 500]

[Would you like to create Fighting Spirit?]

The system notification rang.

‘500 points, huh… It’s expensive, but it’s worth a try.’

Considering the value of Fighting Spirit, 500 points is not that expensive.

Choi Hyun-seok decided to create Fighting Spirit, thinking of it as an investment for the future.

“Okay. Let’s start.”

As soon as Choi Hyun-seok accepted, the next notification followed.

[500 Hero Points will be deducted!]

[Starting Fighting Spirit creation]

[Observing and recording magic power and body movements for a certain period of time]

[The start and end points are specified by the user]

Choi Hyun-seok nodded after seeing the system notification.

‘It’s watching and recording my movements?’

It was a surprisingly simple method.

‘What should I make into Fighting Spirit?’

Numerous techniques flashed through his head.

After pondering for a moment, Choi Hyun-seok grinned.

‘The start is a low kick, after all!’

The low kick that he liked and was confident in the most.

If the low kick, an excellent negotiation tool, was reborn as Fighting Spirit, it would definitely be a great help.

“Start!”

[Recording the movements and magic power of Preliminary Hero Choi Hyun-seok]

At the same time as the system notification rang, Choi Hyun-seok’s leg moved like lightning.

[Ending recording]

The short recording ended, and notifications continued to follow.

[Creating Fighting Spirit…]

[Optimizing body balance]

[Optimizing magic power operation]

[Automatically adjusting balance]

Various notifications continued to appear.

‘It’s automatically optimizing my movements.’

It meant that it was automatically supplementing the techniques Choi Hyun-seok used.

A simple and convenient system indeed!

Choi Hyun-seok felt grateful to the Hero Shop for the first time.

‘Hurry up and finish…!’

His heart was pounding at the thought of a new Fighting Spirit being created.

At that moment.

[Warning! Demonic energy detected from the user]

“Huh?”

Choi Hyun-seok blinked and checked the notification.

[The magic power operation optimization system cannot be used]

“Huh…?”

It was clear to anyone that something was going wrong.

A sense of unease began to creep in.

[Fighting Spirit creation failed!]

[Try again next time!]

“You son of a bitch!”

In the end, things went wrong.

Rachel came running at the sudden outburst of profanity.

“Hero! What’s wrong!?”

“Fighting Spirit creation failed.”

“Why?”

“It says demonic energy was detected and it can’t be done. What the hell is that!?”

“Ah…”

Rachel nodded as if she had some idea of what was going on.

“From the start, the Hero System wouldn’t have considered the use of demonic energy… The premise that demonic energy would enter a hero is absurd.”

“Then what should I do?”

Rachel fell into thought for a moment at Choi Hyun-seok’s question.

“Hmm… We can’t get rid of the demonic energy that’s already settled, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Then there’s only one way.”

“What is it?”

“Be reborn! Be careful not to possess something as heinous as demonic energy in your next life… Kyaak!”

Choi Hyun-seok grabbed Rachel by the collar.

Madness gleamed in his eyes.

“Is this a joke to you right now? Huh? 500 Hero Points are about to fly away!”

“W, well, what can I do! We can’t overhaul the Hero System!”

“Haa…”

From the name itself, it was the Hero System.

There was no way the system would have considered the demonic energy used by the demons, who could be said to be the hero’s nemesis.

“My 500 points…”

Choi Hyun-seok slumped down.

“Return at least half of it…”

It wasn’t like he wanted to have demonic energy, but to take away all 500 Hero Points because of it.

It felt too unfair.

At that moment.

★☆★☆ Hero Quest! ★☆★☆

You there!

You’ve lost 500 Hero Points!

But it’s too early to despair.

You can just earn the points again!

Now is the time to forget the past and move forward.

Create Fighting Spirit with your own power!

· Goal: Create Unique Fighting Spirit

· Reward: ???

Choi Hyun-seok stared blankly at the quest window.

“Huh…”

Soon, deep anger came.

“Is this a joke? Huh? Are you making fun of me for losing 500 points right now? You son of a bitch!”

Just earn the points again.

Was this supposed to be comforting?

“Forget it and just give me back the points!”

No matter how much he shouted, the lost points would not return.

He already knew it, but he couldn’t help but shout because he was too upset.

“Haa…”

After a while.

Choi Hyun-seok, who had barely calmed down, calmly continued his thoughts.

“So, you’re telling me to create Fighting Spirit myself, but is that even possible?”

“Of course it’s impossible!”

“Could you not say that with a bright smile because it pisses me off.”

Fighting Spirit was not that easy.

Even learning already created Fighting Spirit required tremendous effort and talent.

But to create Fighting Spirit yourself?

It was like telling a beginner who had just started learning to cook to create the best recipe worthy of a Michelin star [a very high standard].

In other words, it meant that it was impossible unless a miracle happened.

“Hero. What do we do now?”

“There’s only one answer.”

Choi Hyun-seok clenched his fist tightly.

“Let’s use the Reidrun Chance!”

“…”

“Think about it. There’s no other way, is there?”

Reidrun had already created and was developing his own Fighting Spirit.

He would surely be able to give an answer about Fighting Spirit creation.

“First, I have to go to work in the kitchen, and after work, I have to go and ask him.”

As he was talking, it was already time to go to work.

Choi Hyun-seok vowed to visit Reidrun after his kitchen duties were over.

***

That evening.

As soon as Choi Hyun-seok finished his work, he went straight to Reidrun’s office.

‘There he is.’

Just in time, Reidrun was walking down the hallway, perhaps on his way out.

“Reidrun.”

“Oh! Choi Hyun-seok. I was just about to go find you, so this is good.”

“Yes?”

“I have something to tell you.”

Before Choi Hyun-seok could ask, Reidrun spoke first.

“There will be a tournament in a month to select battalion commanders.”

“A tournament, you say?”

“Yes. Didn’t seven battalion commanders die this time? Hemis has decided to discover new talent rather than bringing them from other units.”

“I see.”

Choi Hyun-seok nodded.

He knew that the unit had suffered quite a bit of damage in this incident, but he didn’t know it was this bad.

‘Seven battalion commanders died. Those guys are monsters.’

He realized once again that the humans who had invaded at that time were incredibly skilled.

‘To have fought against such guys, it was reckless even if I think about it again.’

He chuckled, and then a thought flashed through his mind.

‘Wait a minute. But why is he telling me this?’

Choi Hyun-seok’s pupils began to tremble.

‘Could it be… No way? It can’t be…’

Unfortunately, uneasy premonitions always come true.

Reidrun opened his mouth with a firm face.

“Choi Hyun-seok. Hemis told me to have you participate in the tournament too.”

“…”

“Don’t worry too much. It’s not like she expects you to win.”

“Then…?”

At that moment, a slight glimmer of hope flickered in Choi Hyun-seok’s eyes.

If she didn’t expect him to win?

Since it was a battalion commander tournament, it might be a success if he just passed the preliminaries.

“The final 8. You just have to get into the quarterfinals to pass.”

Choi Hyun-seok closed his eyes.

His fleeting hope disappeared along with his closing eyelids.

A dark vision.

It was the future that would unfold.

‘Haa, I thought I was going to have an easy time…’

The life-threatening game was starting again.