The Hero's decision to reject Laftiel's offer meant one thing: nothing would change. Yet, the Hero refused to give up. Instead of simply killing monsters and moving on, he began staying in each town he visited. He taught people how to defend themselves, how to cope with their grief, and how to survive on their own. He accepted that monsters would always exist alongside humanity, but that didn't mean humans couldn't fight back. The Hero envisioned a world where humans stood at the top.
His journey led him to a nearby city, where he was confronted with horror—monsters were ravaging the citizens, devouring them, and violating them mercilessly. Men, women, children—it didn't matter. The sight was unbearable. Memories of his own family's death flooded back, mingling with Laftiel's mocking words. His eyes burned with rage and determination. With a single, mighty swing, he annihilated every monster in the area. His sword gleamed with a golden light, surrounding him in an aura of divine power.
The bloodied citizens stared at him in awe. "A god," they whispered. They gathered around him, desperate for salvation. In trembling voices, they chanted, "Thank you, Hero."
For the first time, the Hero heard genuine gratitude, something he had longed for but never truly received. A surge of euphoria coursed through him—something far deeper than any satisfaction he had felt after slaying monsters. But there was no time to bask in it. His plan needed to be set in motion.
Raising his sword high as the clouds parted above, he called out to the crowd, "Aren't you tired of this? Living in constant fear, watching everything you love destroyed? I know that pain! I was angry at the monsters, but angrier at myself for being powerless. But I didn't give up! The heavens rewarded me with this golden sword!" The people listened intently, hanging on his every word. "Humanity is strong. Our hearts can endure anything. I'm not here just to kill monsters—I'm here to teach you to defend yourselves. Trust me, and together, we can stand tall!"
Moved by his words, the people wept and praised him. "All hail the Hero," they cried.
For the next year, the Hero stayed in the city, training and guiding his followers. The once-ruined city was rebuilt, and under his leadership, the people learned to fight off monsters on their own. Together, they triumphed over every threat. Confident in their abilities, the Hero eventually left to bring his teachings to other cities, spreading hope and strength across the land.
The Hero believed his followers would stay strong, but the seed of hope he planted grew into something far more sinister—a tree of adoration with roots sinking deep into their minds.
Years passed, and the memory of Laftiel faded. The Hero, now convinced the world had changed for the better, returned to check on his followers. He imagined a bright future—a world where people had taken control of their fate. But what he found was a nightmare.
The scene was disturbingly familiar—people were devouring one another, desecrating men, women, and children. Babies cried as they were sacrificed to a grotesque statue—an idol of him. Townsfolk, their bodies scarred and bloodied, carved his likeness into their flesh as they sang hymns in his name. "What... what is this?" the Hero muttered, his voice trembling with disbelief.
One man in the crowd saw him and shouted, "It's him! Our god has returned!" The masses swarmed around him, oblivious to the horrors they had embraced. The Hero stood frozen as they explained how their lives had improved after he left, how they had exterminated the monsters and spread his word across the land. Now, they were expanding his faith by conquering cities, killing monsters, and slaughtering 'heretics' in his name.
The Hero's heart sank. This was never what he wanted. He sought peace, not madness. His teachings had turned into a twisted religion of violence and fanaticism. Overcome with horror, he collapsed to his knees, retching at the grotesque scene. His bile, sacred to his followers, was fought over as they scrambled to consume it, treating it as more precious than water, more delicious than any feast. They tore at one another, desperate for a taste of the "Hero's blessing."
At that moment, the Hero broke. His hope, his will—everything shattered. In a whisper barely audible, he uttered the words that would seal his fate: "I want to make a deal."
Laftiel appeared instantly, his grin more menacing than ever. "Excellent," he purred. "Just shake my hand, and everything will be over." Without hesitation, the Hero grasped his hand, sealing his destiny—unaware of the true cost.
Laftiel's laughter echoed through the air as the Hero's world darkened forever.
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