Watching the Hobgoblin press closer with each step, Anyi merely stood still, making no move.
「What is he going to do?」
The onlookers were all equally bewildered at this moment.
Closer, even closer.
The Hobgoblin swung its heavy wooden club, creating a terrifying whooshing sound in the air. If the blow landed, it would inevitably inflict an unbearable, critical injury!
Anyi didn't move! He was still standing there!
What on earth was he thinking?!
At this very moment, Anyi made a move that everyone found unimaginable.
He took a few steps to the side, retreating into the narrow gap between two village houses––
"Boom!"
A loud crash resounded. The horizontally sweeping wooden club slammed directly into one of the houses. In an instant, dust and debris flew as the mud-brick wall collapsed with a crash!
At the same time, the Hobgoblin's movements lagged for a moment, hindered by the impact against the structure.
Step.
From the gap, Anyi, wielding two swords, took a step forward.
As the Hobgoblin prepared to swing its club again, Anyi once more stood before it––
"Pfft!!"
The longsword pierced directly through the Hobgoblin's unguarded abdomen, stabbing straight toward its heart!
"Roar—!!!"
The Hobgoblin let out a pained roar, reaching out a hand to swat Anyi away.
But Anyi, having anticipated the move, instantly released the half-embedded longsword. He slid into the dead angle between the Hobgoblin's legs and simultaneously drew his short sword, thrusting upwards––!
"ROAR!!!!"
"Ooh!"
The onlookers suddenly felt a chill.
The unbearable, intense pain from Anyi's blow made the Hobgoblin double over, clutching its hips and trembling all over.
Meanwhile, Anyi, short sword in hand, unhurriedly circled from behind the Hobgoblin to its front.
Standing before the beast, he held the short sword in a reverse grip while using his other hand to press down on the pommel, pushing forward.
"Pfft—"
The short sword pierced through the Hobgoblin's eye, sinking into its brain.
With one effortless motion, the colossal body of the Hobgoblin spasmed like a puppet with cut strings, then fell silent.
Anyi glanced at the Hobgoblin's corpse.
Sigh... Fighting a Hobgoblin is such a hassle.
Damaging the brain or heart resulted in instant death; this was a "mechanism" of this world, so there was no need to worry about the depth of the injury.
If it were an Undead, a soulless, brainless creature, it would be a different story.
"Dead...?"
"Looks like it's dead."
From the corners, the people who had been hiding emerged only after observing for a while, seeing that the Hobgoblin remained motionless.
Several Demon Hunters approached the Hobgoblin's corpse, confirming its death multiple times before finally feeling relieved.
However, more than excitement or exhilaration, their hearts were filled with shock and bewilderment.
"Kid, do you realize this Hobgoblin is a Class 2 Demon? Even a Class 2 Demon Hunter needs a team to barely defeat one. The fact that you killed it alone means you possess the strength of a Class 3 Demon Hunter. You... What exactly is going on?" The leading Demon Hunter frowned, questioning Anyi.
It was one thing for a young man to have strength.
But in dealing with the Hobgoblin, Anyi displayed more than just raw power.
He displayed pure experience.
As individuals with considerable combat experience, the hunters knew that Anyi's speed in countering attacks could not be achieved by mere reaction alone.
Unless... he possessed unparalleled combat experience, understanding the attack patterns of this type of large monster like the back of his hand.
Moreover, relying solely on reactions for extreme dodging and attacking was incredibly exhausting.
Yet Anyi looked completely unfatigued, as if he had just done something of no great consequence.
"What's going on?"
Anyi glanced at the Hobgoblin beside him.
He had never told anyone about his past life. To him, it would sound like a broken man recounting a tragic past, as if begging for pity.
He kept it hidden precisely because he didn't want to be questioned.
"I felt I could win, so I killed it," Anyi replied casually.
"Good! Well killed!"
Before anyone else could press further, Assel laughed heartily and patted Anyi on the shoulder.
He then said to the others: "This kid has been talented since he was little. Even before he turned eighteen, he was the strongest swordsman in our village. Besides, isn't it perfectly normal for young people to have fast reactions?"
"This..." The Demon Hunters still couldn't comprehend it.
No matter how talented or how fast his reactions were, Anyi's performance did not resemble the strength an ordinary young man could display.
Even a young hunter trained from childhood in the military might not possess such skill.
"I'm tired. We should head to town for refuge. I don't know if more Demons will appear tonight."
With that, Anyi handed the sword back to Assel and turned to leave.
Assel was stunned, then shouted: "Good! We retreat! Retreat!"
...
In a [Class 1 Disaster: Goblin Invasion], as long as all the Goblins (within twenty of them) and the "elite monster" Hobgoblin are killed, no other Demons will appear.
If a [Goblin Invasion] reached a Class 2 Disaster level, the number of spawns would double.
However, Sunderland Village, where Anyi was located, was only a [Class 1] scale. This place fundamentally could not trigger [Class 2] disasters.
So, there was actually no need to worry about more Demons appearing later.
Claiming he was going to town for refuge was just a lazy excuse to avoid being questioned.
Teaching people was a hassle.
He had previously confirmed in the town library that there were quite a few books about Demons there. If others asked, he could simply tell them to go read.
Upon reaching the town, the Demon Hunter Guild and the local mayor were obligated to accommodate the displaced villagers.
Of course, the small town didn't have enough resources for everyone to have a private room; instead, they provided a large training yard and dozens of beds.
The Demon Hunters who had witnessed Anyi's strength firsthand boasted exaggeratedly to the villagers, and Assel's tales were even more embellished.
Annie excitedly chimed in, while their mother, Elza, sat listening with a gentle smile.
And their celebrated hero, Anyi, was already fast asleep.
He had personally saved his sister, personally ended the source of his hatred, protected his parents, protected the village, and saved the villagers.
This regret from his previous life could finally be laid to rest, if only for a moment.
However, there was an even greater desire he had not fulfilled in his past life.
That was to kill the Demon King in the Holy War, completely annihilating the Demons so that similar tragedies would never happen in this world again.
Preventing a tragedy in this life did not mean he could be at ease.
Moreover...
This world had already entered a countdown.
In another ten years, humanity would completely disappear from this world.
He had to confront the Demon King; he absolutely had to kill the Demon King.
There was no second option!
...
The next day, at noon.
Above the magnificent cathedral, sunlight streamed down from the skylight, making the opulent chamber somewhat dazzling.
Along the red carpet, one after another, priests in white-gold robes faced the front of the main hall with devout expressions. At least several thousand people stood within the grand hall, awaiting a divine decree.
Those who could stand here were, without exception, high-ranking figures of bishop level within the Aldrich Theocracy.
On the high platform, the pale, long-bearded Pope, clad in a golden-white robe, spoke gravely:
"Begin."
Then, he shouted loudly:
"Please––
Your Highness the Saintess, convey the divine decree to us!"
As his voice rang out, all the priests in the hall simultaneously knelt upon the ground, their gazes burning with intensity as they looked toward the platform.
"Please, Your Highness the Saintess, convey the divine decree to us!!"
At this moment, the white curtain behind the Pope slowly and steadily opened, and from within emerged a woman wearing a golden crown. Her steps were graceful as she walked toward the stage.
When she appeared, all the priests momentarily fell into a daze.
To them, women were nothing more than painted skeletons, mere flesh over bone. But upon seeing this Saintess, who had never before shown herself to the world, they were captivated in a way they had never experienced.
They could not describe her world-shattering beauty; they only knew that the entire golden hall's brilliance dimmed in comparison. It was as if everything in the scene were mere decorative flowers and green leaves, the entire world focused on one person.
She wore a white gown with golden patterns, her white hair cascading like a waterfall, naturally flowing down to her hips. Within her clear, cold golden eyes, sacred light seemed to flow.
In the presence of the divinely beautiful Saintess, these hundreds and thousands of priests, no longer affected by common feminine allure, felt an almost unconscious sense of intoxicating devotion!
"I am the Saintess of the Aldrich Theocracy, Ariana · Aldrich."
Her voice still carried a hint of youthful innocence, yet it was so solemn and sacred, like an angel, compelling surrender.
"The Demon calamity grows ever more severe. Relying solely on the strength of the Human Race, we can no longer resist the ferocious Demons.
If this continues, in less than ten years, humanity will face an irreversible catastrophe!
We must borrow the power of the divine to overcome this tribulation of the Human Race!"
As her voice fell, the priests' hearts began to stir with excitement; some even uncontrollably shed tears.
As clergy of the Aldrich Theocracy, their duty was to bring divine grace to the world. Due to their frequent contact with worldly people, their souls were often not pure.
But their Saintess, from the moment she could speak, communicated only with the divine. She largely avoided contact with any outsiders, not seeing the world, and not hearing worldly affairs, thus maintaining the absolute purity of her soul.
It was no exaggeration to say that the Saintess was the only divine envoy who could communicate with the Sky God!
Now, as the Human Race faced its gravest hardship, they were compelled to invite the Saintess to appeal to the Sky God for aid!
"Pray! Children of God!
Call out! To the Sky God who protects us!" Ariana raised her delicate white fingertips toward the heavens, proclaiming loudly.
The next moment, all the priests clasped their hands together, placed them before their chests, and looked up, closing their eyes.
At the same time, Ariana maintained her uplifted arms, also closing her eyes.
In her mind, the voices of the priests surged like a tide. Everyone's prayers and calls converged upon her at this moment.
Suddenly, she abruptly opened her eyes, golden light bursting forth––
"Answer us! Lord Sky God!!"
"Boom––!!!"
The instant her voice fell, a golden beam of light shot down from the skylight, engulfing Saintess Ariana.
Her body floated gently, her pure white long hair and golden-white robes billowed without wind, and the golden light in her eyes became even more brilliant, dazzling like the sun.
Thousands of priests could not remain seated!
"A miracle! This is a miracle!!!"
"Her Holiness the Saintess has succeeded!"
"God heard our prayers! Heard our calls!!"
"Humanity is saved!!"
The Pope, standing to the side on the platform, did not stop the cheers of the crowd. He merely stood there, tears streaming down his face.
Since God had answered them, why would He be displeased by the joy of His children?
After an unknown duration, the golden light gradually faded, and Ariana slowly descended from high in the air. The shimmering light in her beautiful eyes also dissipated.
However, a faint golden pattern, radiating a subtle glow, appeared on the back of her right hand.
"Hoo..."
Ariana's legs gave way, and she closed her eyes, letting out a long sigh.
The priests also calmed down, everyone staring intently at Her Holiness the Saintess, awaiting her to convey the divine decree.
The Pope, on the side, almost rushed up to ask "What did God say?!", but ultimately held back.
Finally, Ariana opened her eyes, and with a solemn voice, she loudly proclaimed:
"God says––!
Hero System Activated!"
"Hero System Activated?!"
"Hero System activation?!!"
"Humanity is saved!!"
After the initial shock, someone suddenly reacted.
"Hero System Activated... What does that mean?"
"Unclear, but if it is God's will, then it must have His profound meaning!"
"Humanity is saved!!"
However, Ariana quickly dispelled their doubts:
"God says;
In humanity's time of peril, He summons thousands upon thousands of Heroes to resolve humanity's tribulation, to defeat the Demon King!
And I, Ariana · Aldrich, shall be humanity's first Hero, the Holy Hero, to seek out other Heroes and together defeat the Demon King."
"Hero...!! God summons Heroes?!"
"This is divine grace!! God bestows upon humanity the power to defeat the Demon King!!"
"Humanity is saved!!"
Seeing the cheering priests, Ariana offered a radiant, peerlessly beautiful smile, causing the priests to briefly lose themselves in awe.
At this moment, the world in Ariana's eyes had completely changed.
Ignoring the incomprehensible floating patterns before her, she saw a line of text and two rows of translucent red and blue bars appearing above the heads of the thousands of priests. That line of text revealed their names.
The transformation within her was divine grace!
To be able to discern everyone's identity without uttering a word was truly miraculous.
[Main Quest: Become the Holy Hero. Quest Completed.
You have gained the ability: [Resurrect one deceased person per month].
(Note: This ability can be stolen by other Heroes who [Shout the correct skill description]. Please exercise caution in protecting your personal information.)
The quest reward, "Hero Newbie Gift Pack," has been issued to your inventory. Please check and receive it.
Main Quest updated––
Travel to Sunderland Village and invite [Sword Hero: Anyi · Carl] to join the Hero squad.
Travel to Brana City and invite [Thorn Hero: Miruku · Sinsa] to join the Hero squad.
Travel to Navan Town and invite [Shield Hero: Layton · Shiklai] to join the Hero squad.]
"Anyi · Carl...?"
Hearing the divine voice again caused Ariana to pause, stunned. This was only the second time she had heard God's voice in her sixteen years of life.
As she whispered the name, the entire hall fell into a profound silence once more, every gaze fixed upon her.
"Your Holiness the Saintess, did you just speak?" The long-bearded Pope hastily stepped forward to inquire.
"God has bestowed a mission upon me..." Ariana's pure, mirror-like golden eyes turned toward the distant heavens as she spoke in a low, solemn voice, "I must travel to Sunderland Village to find the Sword Hero, Anyi · Carl."
"Sword... Hero!?"
...
[Hero System Activated
Anyi · Carl, congratulations on becoming the [Sword Hero].
(Note: Heroes are those destined to defeat the Demon King. You will gain formidable strength and special abilities. For further details, please consult the Hero Guide.)
You have gained the ability: [Cleave the enemy in two].
(Note: This ability can be stolen by other Heroes who [Shout the correct skill description]. Please exercise caution in protecting your personal information.
Activation condition: Shout [One Sword] during combat to trigger the skill.
Cooldown: One month.)]
An emotionless, synthesized voice resonated in Anyi's mind alongside the appearing text.
The System's voice wasn't actually a cold, mechanical machine; rather, it sounded strikingly sweet.
It was as if a charming female voice had been used as a template and re-synthesized into the System's interface.
He hadn't heard this voice in eighteen years, and its return brought a faint touch of nostalgia.
[You have received the [Hero Newbie Gift Pack]. Please check and accept it in your inventory.
You have gained the inherent Hero skill:
[Gluttony]
Skill Description:
The living eat to survive. Eat when hungry, eat when full. Eat when blood is low, eat when mana is spent. Eat for minor wounds, for grievous injuries, and even for fatal trauma. Consume Demons upon sight and never allow the Demon King to escape. I'M EATING EATING EATING EATING EATING—the Hero consumes it all!
(Note: You can now replenish stamina and mana through consumption. Food and drink will be efficiently converted.)]
[You have received the inherent Hero skill:
[Apathy Towards Lust]
Skill Description:
Having ascended as a Hero, you are no longer a mere mortal. Worldly desires can no longer touch you in the slightest. Even if you were to be tempted... No, you are incapable of being swayed.
(Note 1: You will now feel no affection beyond platonic friendship toward others, allowing you to focus entirely on the quest to defeat the Demon King.
Note 2: Can be toggled off.)]
Setting aside the overly verbose descriptions, [Gluttony] and [Apathy Towards Lust] were actually incredibly powerful skills.
Anyi had already experienced their utility in his previous life.
[Gluttony] not only converted food and drink into HP and mana, but it also automatically processed most bodily waste. In other words––
Heroes had no need for the toilet.
Nuisances like sweating, bad breath, or acne that plagued ordinary people simply did not exist for them.
Furthermore, as long as their HP and mana were sustained, they would not feel the sensation of hunger.
Of course, if HP and mana dropped below a certain threshold, the body would manifest it as a direct hunger response.
Replenishing status through food meant they could easily recover their strength. As the skill description implied: no matter the damage taken, eating would mend it.
Beyond [Gluttony], [Apathy Towards Lust] was another exceptionally potent inherent skill.
In his previous life, this skill was the reason many Heroes remained untroubled by emotions, allowing them to advance relentlessly toward the Demon King.
And just as the description stated, as long as this skill remained active, the Hero would feel no romantic affection for anyone.
Even if a beauty capable of toppling empires stood before him, dancing unclothed, Anyi would only offer polite appreciation and applause, never harboring a single wicked thought.
Simply put, with these two skills, a Hero essentially became a cold, demon-slaying machine.
Anyi skillfully navigated the System, opening the Newbie Gift Pack from his inventory.
[Hero Newbie Gift Pack opened.
You have received the following items:
Sword of the Hero.
Free attribute points: 50]
[Equipment: Sword of the Hero
Item Description:
Ordinary blades are no longer suited for you. Only by wielding the Sword of the Hero can you unleash your true potential!]
The reason ordinary swords were no longer suitable for Anyi was due to the unique "attribute" mechanics.
Even the weakest Hero could comprehensively overpower an ordinary human because they possessed exclusive attribute bonuses.
To put it in perspective: a person can use a fruit knife normally.
But if an excavator were to use that same knife, the machine's sheer power would easily bend or shatter the blade.
An ordinary iron sword in Anyi's hand would be effortlessly destroyed by his raw force. It wasn't that he couldn't wield it, but rather the weapon's durability could no longer keep pace with Anyi's physical strength.
For other Heroes, these beginner weapons were indispensable.
Without overthinking, Anyi opened his personal status in the System, preparing to allocate his attributes.
"Huh...?"
His eyes widened slightly in surprise.
[Name: Anyi · Carl
Gender: Male
Age: 18
Class: Sword Hero
Hero Level: 1
Strength: 2
Agility: 3
Endurance: 2
"..."
Assignable Skill Points: 50]
Up to this point, everything appeared normal. Because Anyi had been training diligently, his attributes were slightly higher than the average person's by two points.
But as his gaze drifted lower, he was stunned.
[Fiend Files Collection Rate: 98.6%
Sword Skill Level: MAX
Short Sword Proficiency: MAX
One-Handed Sword Proficiency: MAX
Two-Handed Sword Proficiency: MAX
".."
Water Sword Proficiency: MAX
Fire Sword Proficiency: MAX
".."
Flying Sword Proficiency: MAX]
[Sword Hero Anyi · Carl, congratulations on mastering every form of the [Sword]!
Title Gained: Sword Saint]
In his previous life, he had indeed maxed out every sword proficiency.
However, proficiency levels typically required the slaughter of countless Demons to accumulate. He hadn't lifted a finger in this life!
According to common logic, proficiency merely signified an individual's level of control over a weapon.
But in the Hero System, proficiency was more than just a progress bar; it functioned as a Stage Level.
Simply put, if your proficiency was Level 1, the highest-tier weapon you could receive as a reward for killing a Demon would also be Level 1. Because a user with Class 1 proficiency could not effectively wield a Class 2 weapon, the System simply would not issue them.
Conversely, once proficiency reached the Class 2 stage, the System would stop issuing Class 1 swords entirely. To a Hero of that caliber, a Class 1 blade would be far too fragile and no longer suitable.
Therefore...
Anyi could now obtain max-level weapons directly from quest rewards!
「Wait, what?!」
Anyi immediately jumped to his inventory to inspect the attributes of the Sword of the Hero.
[Item: Sword of the Hero Lv99]
Maximum level!
Since the Newbie Gift Pack counted as a reward for becoming a Hero, it also received the proficiency bonus!
If Anyi had used a Level 1 Sword of the Hero yesterday, he would have had to expend considerable effort to slay the Hobgoblin.
But with this max-level Sword of the Hero...
Based solely on the terrifying base attributes of the weapon, he could dismember his opponents with ease!
[Main Quest updated––]
At that moment, the System's voice echoed in Anyi's mind.
[Sword Hero Anyi · Carl, please accept the invitation to join the Hero squad from Holy Hero Ariana · Aldrich.]
Anyi was startled.
He vaguely recalled receiving this quest in his previous life.
However, blinded by hatred back then, he had chosen to remain a lone wolf, spending day and night hunting Demons in a ceaseless slaughter. Eventually, that quest had simply disappeared.
「Holy Hero, Ariana · Aldrich...
I remember now. She is the Saintess of the Aldrich Theocracy.
In that case...」
The timing was perfect!