Not All Heroes From Earth Are Bad [EN]: Chapter 99

Eighth Division Commander Grat was seething with rage.

“Reidrun. That impudent little bastard!” Crash!

The items on the table shattered.

Fragments of pens, paper, dishes, and vases scattered everywhere.

It was only after a long outburst that Grat managed to calm down.

He slumped into a chair and muttered.

“I don’t like it… I don’t like it at all…”

Nothing was going right.

He had fallen out of Hemi’s favor due to repeated defeats.

The humans were wandering around the 8th Division’s territory as if it were their own backyard.

Grat wanted to find the human army and destroy it immediately, but that was realistically impossible.

With the current strength of the 8th Division, they were barely able to defend.

‘Going out now is suicide.’

The reason Grat had survived as a frontline commander for so long was that he was capable of somewhat logical thinking for a Demon King Army member.

He didn’t charge headlessly like other idiots.

Thanks to that, he and the 8th Division had managed to survive.

‘Who has been maintaining this front line until now? And now you’re treating me like this?’

Moreover, it wasn’t his fault that the 8th Division was in trouble.

‘When you think about it, isn’t this situation caused by Hemi, that crazy bitch? Why should I take responsibility for what she did!’

Hemi’s recent actions had been abnormal to anyone who looked at them.

She suddenly brought humans into the Demon King’s army, held a strange tournament.

She even fought with Park Hyun-ah, the 4th Army Commander, and killed Rotark, the 2nd Army Commander.

Thanks to that, there was a gap in their forces, and they had no choice but to take such a defensive strategy.

‘The relationship between the Demon King and Hemi is also festering.’

There was another problem.

The deepening conflict between Hemi and the Demon King.

The atmosphere in the upper echelons of the Demon King’s army had been ominous recently.

To the point where people were openly talking about whether to side with the Demon King or Hemi.

In this situation, Reidrun, who could be said to be Hemi’s confidant, appeared with executives from the regimental headquarters and humans.

To make matters worse, he was trying to seize Gadrak Castle.

He couldn’t help but be taken aback.

‘It’s time to make a choice.’

Grat thought.

He had already fallen out of Hemi’s favor.

The possibility of him surviving under Hemi was close to zero.

So, what should he do?

‘I have to draw a clear line. I need to gain justification and weaken Hemi’s power at the same time.’

Suddenly, an idea flashed through Grat’s mind.

“Heh heh… yes. That’s how it should be…”

He opened the inner drawer.

There was a communication device inside.

It looked like an ordinary communication device, but it was a very precious item.

A secret communication device that only reacted to Grat’s magical energy.

As soon as he put in his magical energy, he was immediately connected to the other party.

-Oh, who is this! If it isn’t our cowardly General Grat!? Hahaha!

The other party irritated him from the start.

His teeth gritted, but he suppressed his anger.

He was the one who was desperate now.

He had no choice but to cater to the enemy’s whims.

“Brian Balcaz. It’s been a while.”

Surprisingly, Grat’s communication partner was a human.

Moreover, a commander belonging to the Holy Empire of Gatrein.

They had been bitter enemies with the 8th Division for a long time.

‘I have no choice if I want to live.’

In fact, it was quite common for commanders on the front lines to be connected to each other.

The front line had been fixed for over 100 years, repeating advances and retreats.

Unless they were idiots, they would know that there was some kind of deal going on at the top.

That’s why the frontline commanders made a choice.

“Since the higher-ups are making deals anyway, let’s coordinate our stories!”

The front line doesn’t move.

They only inflict moderate damage on each other.

Therefore, it was necessary to exchange information so that they would not become sacrifices.

That’s how this strange hotline was created.

-So, what’s the matter? You’ve been holed up in Gadrak Castle, not even showing your face. Are you planning to surrender? Sorry, but we don’t take Demon King Army prisoners. The only good demon is a dead demon. Hahaha!

Commander Brian Balcaz constantly sneered.

It seemed like he was trying to provoke the Demon King Army commander he had contacted after a long time.

Grat took a deep breath.

‘I have to be patient. What I’m about to say is important…’

Grat, who had calmed down his anger, opened his mouth.

“I want to propose a deal.”-A deal! Sorry, but I don’t really want to receive anything right now. The higher-ups are planning to push quite hard this time.

“It will never be a deal that will be a loss for you.”-Well, I guess it wouldn’t hurt to listen.

Grat grinned.

If the story progressed this far, it was over.

The other party would never be able to refuse this deal.

Grat paused for a moment before opening his mouth.

“Do you know Reidrun?”-Of course. Reidrun, the Red Nightmare. Isn’t he the gluttonous Hemi’s confidant?

“What about the next Saintess, Abelson?”-You’re asking the obvious. You guys kidnapped her.

“Then do you know a man named Choi Hyun-seok? I heard that you guys are very interested in him these days.”

This time, there was no immediate answer.

Brian paused for a moment before answering.

-Grat… you have quite the ears.

“I have my sources here and there.”-So, why are you suddenly saying this? Don’t tell me you’re going to hand them over? Haha!

“Yes. I’ll hand them all over.”-What…?

Brian’s voice was filled with bewilderment.

At the same time, Grat sensed it.

He had taken the initiative.

“I said I would hand over all the people I just mentioned.”-That’s a bit too much of a joke.

“Heh heh. I don’t like jokes.”-If what you just said is true…

“How about it, Brian Balcaz? Are you ready to listen to my story now?”

A cruel smile appeared on Grat’s lips.

***

Reidrun’s eyes gleamed coldly.

His eyes were fixed on the two men running towards him.

‘A pincer attack.’

The two men would split to either side at some point as they ran.

The first to charge was Choi Hyun-seok.

“Hoo!”

Magical energy exploded from Choi Hyun-seok’s body.

Pristine magical energy that was hard to believe was being wielded by a human.

At the end of it was the Reidrun-style martial arts he had taught himself.

‘His power has definitely increased a lot.’

Reidrun chose to dodge instead of block.

Until now, he had deliberately not dodged and blocked, but it seemed like it would be difficult from now on.

This was because Choi Hyun-seok’s magical energy had grown so explosively.

Reidrun-style martial arts was a martial art solely for destruction.

It maximized the attacker’s attack power.

The Reidrun-style martial arts used by the strengthened Choi Hyun-seok had risen to a level that was burdensome even for Reidrun.

Whoo-oong!

Reidrun twisted his body, and Choi Hyun-seok’s fist brushed past the spot where he had been.

He succeeded in dodging, but it was too early to rest assured.

Roiger appeared behind Reidrun.

Roiger, who specialized in stealthy and quick movements.

His surprise attack was so fast that even Reidrun momentarily missed his movements.

‘The movement itself is quite excellent, but it’s too obvious.’

Reidrun reached his hand behind him without even looking.

Roiger’s body was sucked into his grasp as if he was being pulled in.

It was a possible move because he had already predicted where he would move.

“Oh no…!”

Roiger’s face was dyed with embarrassment.

Reidrun swung Roiger as he was.

In that direction was Choi Hyun-seok, who was launching a kick.

“Stop!”

“Uh oh!?”

Choi Hyun-seok’s kick struck Roiger’s head.

Reidrun did not stop and swung Roiger, blowing Choi Hyun-seok away.

The two of them, who had flown away amicably, crashed into one side of the training ground.

“Cough!”

Roiger groaned.

Choi Hyun-seok, who had inadvertently struck his superior’s head, scratched the back of his head with an awkward expression.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“It wasn’t intentional…”

“I know.”

Roiger jumped up.

His pride would not allow him to pretend to be hurt here.

“Commander, you’re bleeding from your nose.”

Roiger raised his hand and wiped his nose.

His hand was covered in blood.

It wasn’t just a simple nosebleed, but the bleeding seemed quite severe.

“…”

Roiger moved as nonchalantly as possible.

“Let’s go again.”

“Yes.”

Just as the two were about to move again.

Reidrun raised his hand to stop them.

“Let’s stop here.”

It seemed like he was going to end today’s training here.

Come to think of it, it was getting dark around them.

He didn’t even know how much time had passed because he was so focused on training.

“Thank you for your guidance!”

Choi Hyun-seok bowed 90 degrees.

Roiger also bowed lightly in greeting.

“Then I’ll be on my way.”

“Wait a moment before that.”

Reidrun called out to Choi Hyun-seok, who was about to leave.

“Choi Hyun-seok. The body modification technique you use.”

“Yes.”

“It doesn’t seem to be controlled freely yet.”

“That’s right…”

Reidrun spoke about the power that Choi Hyun-seok had recently gained, body modification.

“Uncontrolled power is dangerous. Especially in the case of body modification.”

Choi Hyun-seok used magical energy to draw blades from his body or make various changes, but it was inconsistent.

He was pointing that out.

“Think of it as martial arts.”

“Martial arts…?”

“Martial arts is about formalizing the flow of magical energy and the body to pursue extreme efficiency.”

“…”

“Your body modification may be possible in that way. In a way, it’s similar to informal martial arts like Flomote.”

“Ah!”

An exclamation burst from Choi Hyun-seok’s mouth.

‘Why didn’t I think of that?’

His body changes randomly whenever he uses magical energy.

How can I systematize this?

The answer to this may be closer than I thought.

The principle of martial arts.

Martial arts is a kind of formula that pursues extreme efficiency.

Precisely observe and record the flow of magical energy to create the optimal method.

Using this, it may be possible to control physical changes.

What’s certain is that I’ll have to try it to know for sure, but it seems like it will definitely be effective.

‘I was already moving in a similar way, but I didn’t think of applying martial arts.’

I want to experiment right away.

A smile bloomed on his face without him realizing it at the thought that he could become stronger.

Ding!

A familiar system notification sound was heard.

At the same time, a welcome window appeared in front of Choi Hyun-seok.

★☆★☆ Hero Quest! ★☆★☆

You were embarrassed by your unintentional transformation ability!

You have found a way out with the advice of your idol Reidrun.

Create a new form of martial arts!

The day you become a true dark hero is not far away!

· Goal: Create 2 martial arts using transformation abilities· Reward: Body stabilization correction and 1,000 Hero Points

Choi Hyun-seok’s expression hardened subtly as he read the contents.

‘Idol? Is it because he’s a cow head? And what’s a dark hero? When did my goal become a dark hero!?’

There were many parts he wanted to argue with, but Choi Hyun-seok sighed and forgot about it.

It wasn’t the first or second time the Hero Quest had said nonsense.

He just let it go.

And the reward was quite pleasing.

‘Hero Points are a given, and body stabilization correction… I need that right now.’

Choi Hyun-seok’s body had always been unstable from the moment magical energy entered it.

After much effort, it had become quite stable, but it could not be perfect.

In the first place, magical energy was not a power allowed to humans.

As long as he carried magical energy, he would have to live with a certain amount of anxiety forever.

If the Hero System could help stabilize this imperfect body, it was something to welcome with open arms.

“Is something wrong?”

Reidrun asked.

He was worried because Choi Hyun-seok was suddenly standing there blankly.

“Ah, it’s nothing! Haha!”

“Is that so.”

It was common for Choi Hyun-seok to look dazed, so he seemed to think nothing of it.

“I have something to do, so I’ll be going now.”

“Goodbye!”

Reidrun and Roiger left.

Choi Hyun-seok, who was left alone in the training ground, continued his training.

His movements did not stop until dawn.