I'm Not a Hero

“This is a great opportunity… Azure Reaper, fight me!”

“No. Leave, Zack. I’m in a hurry.”

“Coward!”

“Say whatever you want.”

I really didn’t want to run into him.

This big, red-haired buzzcut guy was trying to provoke me.

He’s the commander of N-Sec (Netherbyte Security) and Mayor Lorelei’s right-hand man.

“Um, Kyouze-san… who’s this bear-looking guy?” Mikan asked nervously.

“Zack Syndershoot. He’s the annoying guy who works under Lorelei,” I said, clearly irritated.

Zack walked up to us and grinned. “Thanks for introducing me, hahah! Annoying? I’d say we’re close friends... maybe even rivals? Something like that.” He laughed and patted my shoulder.

“Don’t be ridiculous. You’re just some crazy meathead who keeps challenging me to PvP, saying if you win, you’ll get permission to build a stupid statue of me in the city.”

I couldn’t help blurting out his nonsense.

Zack laughed loudly. He called it friendship.

I really wanted to get away from this guy.

“Come on, Kyouze. Accept my challenge. If you beat me in PvP, I’ll let you go,” Zack said with full confidence.

There was no other way. I had to deal with him fast.

“Fine. One condition. Whoever takes even a single point of damage loses.”

“I’m in. Hahaha! And if I win, let me join you in the dungeon raid!”

“Deal,” I said as Zack sent the PvP invite.

I tapped [Accept Challenge].

The players nearby quickly backed away. A PvP Field had formed around Zack and me.

It was a transparent, 10-by-10 meter space for one-on-one battles.

I saw Mikan watching nervously from outside.

Zack laughed. “This brings back memories! Before you disappeared, we used to PvP all the time. Now it’s my turn to win!”

“Often? More like you forced me. And I always beat you.”

That clearly got under his skin. He reloaded his gun, eyes serious.

[PVP: Kyouze VS Zack Syndershoot]
[Prepare… 3… 2… 1]
[START!]

I didn’t waste a second. I dashed straight toward him.

He immediately opened fire with his submachine gun.

“Dance, Sparkbit!”

Zack had this stupid habit of shouting out his weapon names. He thought it was cool. It wasn’t.

He fired a barrage of volta rounds.

But I’d seen Zack’s patterns too many times. I knew all the shooter types by heart thanks to how often he’d challenged me.

I closed the gap between us.

He quickly switched to dual pistols.

“Hit hard, Twin Neon Eagle!”

His signature Desert Eagles. From what I remember, they had massive firepower up close.

BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!

He fired four shots in a split second.

I activated my EtherCode skill: [Explosive Electrical Hop].

It launched me into the air, letting me dodge his shots.

I could probably tank his volta bullets, but those Desert Eagles? I couldn’t risk even a single hit. That would be game over.

While I was midair, Zack had already predicted my move.

He aimed another weapon at me.

“Roar, Plasma Blaster!”

One of Zack’s strongest weapons—a heavy energy gun capable of one-shotting a high-level monster.

He was trying to take advantage of my position in midair.

Everyone around looked panicked. Mikan was screaming my name.

I just gave a small smile.

BAM!

Zack fired a massive blast of plasma energy at me.

It was dangerous, but I stayed calm. I threw my sword, [CircuitCleaver], channeling my EtherCode volta energy into it.

It easily sliced through the plasma attack.

Zack’s eyes widened. My sword was flying straight at him.

But he just laughed and tilted his head slightly, dodging it.

The moment he moved, I activated [Thunder Steps] and teleported behind him.

He realized it just in time, dodged and tried to shoot me.

But my blade was faster.

Slash!

Zack stepped back.

“That was close... Damn it, you’re still as strong as ever. No… stronger.”

Zack looked satisfied as he said that.

I returned my blade to my inventory.

The match was over. 

It was a quick fight. Only 1 minute.

[Zack has lost!]
[Winner: Kyouze!]

...

After the fight, Zack collapsed to the ground. A cut still marked his cheek.

He didn’t look hurt. Just satisfied.

What a weirdo.

I turned away and walked toward the dungeon entrance.

But Mayor Lorelei blocked my path.

“Incredible, Kyouze. You actually beat Zack. Should we throw a celebration?”

“Move,” I muttered.

She didn’t budge.

“Kyouze, you know what you’re about to face in the Abyss Dungeon, don’t you?”

“I know. I’ve already cleared up to Floor 8.”

“But the difficulty’s changed. Each floor now scales exponentially. It’s worse than you think.”

Lorelei took a puff of her cigar, staring at me sharply.

“Let me explain. Every time you defeat a dungeon boss, the door to the next floor opens for one hour. That means if you clear Floor 1, you have one hour to get to Floor 2. But once you reach Floor 5, you won’t be able to come back. It’s impossible to return in the time left.”

She pointed at the players lying nearby.

“Look at them. They only made it to Floor 4 before turning back. They were supposed to be reinforcements for the raid party trapped on Floor 6… but there’s no way they’ll make it in time.”

“I see. So why are you telling me this?” I asked coldly.

Lorelei stepped closer and grabbed the collar of my jacket.

“If you go in and make it past Floor 5, you won’t be coming back. You’ll have no choice but to keep going to Floor 10. That’s suicide. Are you really going in anyway?”

I saw a flicker of anger... and maybe sadness in her eyes.

“That’s right. I’m going in.”

“You’ll die.”

“Nah, I’d win.”

I met her gaze, ice cold.

Lorelei was speechless. Then she slowly let go of my jacket and chuckled.

“I knew it. You’re going to complete this game and become a HERO! HAHAHAH! You already made up your mind before I even met you.”

I looked around at everyone nearby.

A hero?

No. That’s not me.

I just want to save Ayane.

I stepped forward, shaking my head.

“Funny....I’m not a hero.”

I walked past Lorelei, who stood there smiling awkwardly at my answer.

Just as I was about to enter the dungeon, Mikan shouted.

“KYOUZE-SAN!”

“Let me help you…”

I knew she’d say that. She’s stubborn. But so am I.

I didn’t say a word. I kept walking.

Lorelei called out too. “Azure Reaper! Take this girl with you. And Zack. And some of my men. You’ll need allies!”

Her voice echoed through the hall.

Allies? Mikan? Zack?

I don’t want allies anymore.

I’m Kyouze, the legendary player known as the Azure Reaper.

I’m strong. I can do this alone.

I didn’t respond to Lorelei.

I just kept walking… into the first floor of the dungeon.

This is my starting line.

...

..

.