章 242: Chapter 66. The Hero's Legacy

[Arc3] - 66. The Hero's Legacy

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"What a pity, I wanted to witness the moment Bell became a hero," Cyd muttered as he touched his scarf, pulling out a bracelet from the scales. The signal light on it was flashing red, not because it was about to explode, but because someone was trying to contact him secretly.

As Hermes had said, he was Bell's greatest trial. As long as the Pure White Hero named Cyd existed, the myth would never end, and Bell would never surpass the ever-continuing legend. Therefore, he needed to turn the Pure White Hero back into a mere figure in a story. Bell just had to keep moving toward his back and eventually surpass him.

"Sorry, Roman. I know you might be in a hurry, but please wait for a while," Cyd tossed the bracelet up and down before stuffing it back into his scarf, slowly heading toward the dungeon. "One last thing. This really is the last one."

It was said that Zeus and Hera's Familia were once the true rulers of Orario. After successfully subjugating the King of the Land, Behemoth, and the Sea Emperor, Leviathan, they were defeated by the final One-Eyed Black Dragon and subsequently driven out of Orario by Loki and Freya.

Cyd sympathized with Zeus and Hera for being driven out in such a harsh manner, but judging by Hera's carefree demeanor, she didn't seem too bothered.

However, Cyd was strongly curious about the black dragon that managed to overturn their Familia. It was purely out of curiosity, definitely not because he was considering dealing with it in advance for Bell's sake.

Of course, if that so-called One-Eyed Dragon struck first, it wouldn't be his responsibility.

Although Bell wouldn't see it, Cyd still raised his hand and pointed toward the Hostess of Fertility, a slight smile appearing on his lips.

"The flame of heroism will be passed down, Bell. Now it's your turn to become everyone's hope."

Inside the Hostess of Fertility, Bell stared blankly at the seat where Cyd often sat. This time, the teacher who always came and went hadn't returned, leaving behind an ancient compass on the counter.

"Teacher?" Bell's hands trembled as he picked up the compass. The still needle began to spin, eventually pointing directly toward the dungeon.

Biting his lip, Bell's fingers brushed the back of the compass. The rough surface made him instinctively turn it over.

"Congratulations on your graduation."

A line of messy characters appeared before his eyes.

"You can't go. The current you won't catch up," Ryuu quietly approached Bell from behind.

"I know," Bell muttered, putting the compass into his pocket. Then, he bent down to grab the shield leaning on the counter and strapped it onto his left arm. "But still…"

Bell dashed past Ryuu, rushing out of the Hostess of Fertility.

"I still want to chase after him!"

Ryuu raised her hand to hold down her windblown hair. She could have stopped him; Bell wasn't her match right now. But even so, she couldn't hold him back.

"Men…"

"Hmm?" Freya, holding a glass of red wine, widened her eyes as if witnessing something incredible.

It was a pure white flame. She had seen it before, but only from one person—the Pure White Hero Cyd. The dazzling brilliance of the pure white soul shone amidst the encircling colors.

In comparison, Bell's light was still too dim. He hadn't yet ignited fully because that person was still bearing the heavy responsibility. Bell only needed to grow with a smile under his radiance. But now, that person had put down his responsibility.

They were no longer teacher and student but past hero and new hero. The title of the hero had been passed on.

The flame was ignited.

Unlike Cyd's flame, Bell's was pure, with no unnecessary colors. Even Freya instinctively felt at ease.

A new Pure White Hero was born.

Just like that first night when he transformed, Bell, equipped only with the Hero's Shield and the Hero's Blade, ventured alone into the dungeon.

This time, he was not running away but in pursuit.

He wouldn't catch up because Cyd had walked far, far ahead. So… even if just a little, even if it made him look like a fool…

"Teacher!!!"

Bell swung the shield in his hand like an axe, chopping off the monster's head before him.

This was the safest floor he could reach now. Beyond this, even he couldn't ensure he could return without supply support, so he had to stop.

For the sake of those who had entrusted everything to him, he had to stop.

"I will catch up to you with everyone!"

Bell roared.

"I will become the greatest hero!"

The skill concealed beneath his clothes began to emit a brilliant glow.

Special Skill—Hero's Apprentice → Hero Candidate

When he decided to shoulder the responsibility, he was no longer that clumsy apprentice running everywhere with his master. He was now a candidate walking on the path of a hero, with his head held high.

When he was recognized and anticipated by people, that would be the moment he was crowned with the title of hero. Then, he would truly cross the sea of fire and stand beside Cyd.

"So, you must come back!"

Bell clenched his fist and struck the ground, his red eyes glowing with burning determination.

Deep within the dungeon, Cyd looked up as if he could see the small—no, now very much like a hero—Bell through the countless floors.

"Yes, because a teacher won't rest until they see their student achieve their dream," Cyd chuckled, wiping the blood off his hand. Behind him lay a massive black dragon, its body riddled with large wounds. Its black wings, which could obscure the sky, now hung over its body like tattered cloth.

It was said to be the One-Eyed Black Dragon, but now it looked more like a No-Eyed Dragon.

"Can't even let out a whimper anymore?" Cyd twisted his neck. "It's a bit stronger than expected, anyway… just stay down for a bit…"

[Ugh, was Miss Dragon always this miserable?]

The little black dragon, who had once been ripped apart by Cyd and handed over to the god Ares as equipment, felt sympathy.

"You're dead," Cyd muttered, pulling out the bracelet and shaking it hard. "I remember this is how to use it."

"Stop shaking it!"

A faint blue screen projected from the bracelet, displaying a man with a somewhat weak expression, holding his head in pain.

"So dizzy!"

"Sorry," Cyd shrugged.

"Seriously, C-chan can't you give a response?" Roman scratched his head. "I don't dare pull you back on a whim."

"C… C-chan?" Cyd raised an eyebrow.

"Ah~ I can't just call you by your name directly. I even consulted a kind young lady for a friendly nickname," Roman chuckled.

Cyd sighed. "Whatever you want, as long as it's not Tiga."

"By the way, this might be a bit sudden, but I'm really curious," Roman pointed behind Cyd. "What is that?"

"A dragon," Cyd, who prided himself on being a simple cleaner, replied casually.

"Of course, I know that," Roman, an ordinary doctor, waved dismissively. "I mean, that… head at your feet?"

"Oh~ that…" Cyd squatted down and patted the head of what seemed to be a fairy girl, though different from what was recorded.

Perhaps due to the psychological trauma Cyd caused, the girl buried her head in the ground in fear.

From now on, if she saw someone with white hair or a black scarf around their neck, her first reaction would probably be to pretend to be an ostrich.

"A local specialty," Cyd gave a thumbs-up.

He wasn't sure what she was, but she had been advancing to higher floors, already capable of crushing adventurers on those floors. When this fairy lady carrying the dungeon's aura bumped into him, he simply dragged her back.

Since he didn't know which floor she belonged to, he decided to bury her beside the black dragon for now.

"Don't bring her back," Roman grumbled. "Can you return now? I heard there will be some visitors in the next couple of days."

"They'll probably bring some small trouble too," Cyd stretched his arms. "Let's go back, doctor~"

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Arc 3 - End.