I Became a Hero With a Lot of Experience

37 – 037: Wishes

“Are you really leaving now? (Experience gained: 2)”

Perhaps due to the somewhat amiable relationship built over time, there was a hint of disappointment on the knights’ faces.

As I glanced back at the knights who stepped forward to see us off, memories of our time together flooded my mind.

We battled in the arena, indulged in Korean traditional dishes like seasoned chicken, among other things.

And then…

Come to think of it, besides that, there isn’t much to call a memory. Are these kids really worried about me?

Are they worried about my well-being, or perhaps they’re just concerned I won’t be able to eat seasoned chicken anymore.

But well, a good time is a good time, right?

Maybe this could be the last, so I didn’t want to part with furrowed brows and frowns for no reason.

“Yeah, only about a year left, so we should get going. By the way, is the Northern region quite lively?”

“Well… (Experience gained: 8)”

I asked, hoping for someone from the North, but none seemed to fit the bill of the locals I expected.

Even with the help of my mother, it’s a distance enough for a young one like Yuna to arrive.

The land doesn’t seem that vast, so if we ride, the journey shouldn’t take too long.

“By the way, do you have any experience with horseback riding? (Experience gained: 8)”

“I don’t, but since I’m a pupil of swordsmanship, I should manage with the lance somehow, right?”

“Still not sure what you’re talking about… (Experience Points: 2)”

“It’s not that hard once you know the trick. Actually, it’s like the words themselves guide us. If you’re okay with it, we’ll choose the words for you. How about this one? (Experience Points: 8)”

＜Experience Points: 19 beasts＞

“No.”

I immediately refused upon seeing the numbers above my head.

“Did you ever hear a forceful word when you were young?”

“Well? Um… First, if that word doesn’t sit well with you, try looking at other words. (Experience Points: 8)”

I went to the knights and stables, observing several horses owned by the royal family.

Even though I, who knew next to nothing about horses, could tell that the horses managed by the royal family were exceptionally well cared for.

Their coats gleamed, and the muscles in their legs seemed so robust that a single kick could tear through a maiden’s chastity and reach her womb.

But there was one issue…

＜Experience Points: 6 beasts＞

＜Experience Points: 8 beasts＞

＜Experience Points: 15 beasts＞

＜Experience Points: 3 beasts＞

Among the horses, not a single one was a virgin or inexperienced.

I’m not particularly fixated on a horse’s experience points, but there was a significant reason why I needed to choose a virgin or an inexperienced horse.

When riding a horse, naturally, your gaze is directed towards its head, and above the horse’s head floats the experience points.

Which means I have to constantly keep track of how many times this horse has… you know, mated, throughout the journey.

For the sake of my mental health, I need to find a virgin or an inexperienced horse.

As I searched for a horse in the stables, my steps halted at a number that I simply couldn’t overlook.

＜Experience Points: 6 beasts＞ ＜Experience Points: 1＞

“Damn it…?”

At first, I thought I must have seen it wrong and looked again several times, but sadly, the numbers above didn’t change.

“Hey, just out of curiosity… is talking and conversing about s*xual desires normal around here?”

“…Are you insane? (Experience Points: 2)”

I really did ask out of curiosity, but clearly, this seemed odd.

“That horse… keep an eye on it at night. Someone might come to screw it. Or maybe to get screwed.”

“What nonsense… No, wait…? (Experience Points: 2)”

Initially, the knights looked at me with faces that questioned what nonsense I was spouting, but belatedly realizing what kind of hero I was, they began sweating profusely.

“Well… keep watch.”

“…Yes. (Experience Acquisition: 2 individuals)”

On that day, we became a bit more grown-up.

It was spring.

*****

“Are you truly okay with those words? (Experience Acquisition: 2 individuals)”

The knight asked as if concerned, but I had no intention of reversing my decision.

The words I chose belonged to a shabby, gray horse chewing on hay in the corner of the stable.

Compared to the other horses, its coat lacked shine, and it was a bit plump from a hearty appetite.

But it was empathetic.

Perhaps thinking that breeding wouldn’t yield a proper horse, this horse was the only one that evoked sympathy.

“…I know this isn’t the best, but I don’t have the confidence to spend months on another horse.”

“What are you talking about… (Experience Acquisition: 2 individuals)”

Ignoring the words of the attendants who couldn’t understand the warrior’s distress, I attempted to mount the horse, but it bowed its knees and lowered its back first.

“Hee-yi-ing.”

Seeing the lad crying as if urging me to ride quickly, I chuckled and mounted it with a light heart.

With joyous steps, the lad could finally fulfill his role, and I circled the surroundings.

Seeing that, the knights who were initially skeptical raised the corners of their mouths and commented.

“I don’t know about the rest, but it seems to have a good temperament. Even a novice like our warrior should be able to ride without any issues. (Experience Acquisition: 2 individuals)”

“That’s true. But what should we name this fellow?”

“Since he has a lively personality, how about ‘Baral’? (Experience Acquisition: 8 individuals)”

“That’s too literal. (Experience Acquisition: 2 individuals)”

“Then, how about a slight modification to ‘Barral’?”

When voices around agreed that it sounded good, I shrugged my shoulders for no apparent reason.

And so, the lad’s name became Barral.

As I was about to leave the stable to head north, one of the knights stood in my way.

“Are you planning to go straight there? (Experience Acquisition: 2 individuals)”

“You have to capture two legion commanders within a year, right? Otherwise, it’s marriage with that dreadful woman.”

“Well, um… I believe all three of you haven’t finished your preparations yet. Lord Rass, the former commander, hasn’t returned from the forest either. (Experience Acquisition: 2 individuals)”

“That’s true… Is it really necessary for us to go together?”

“Yes? (Experience Acquisition: 2 individuals)”

At first, honestly, the Demon Lord was afraid.

In this primitive world, there were no fancy swords, and my combat experience was limited to fighting bears, wild boars, and African elephants.

But over the course of about a month in this world, my perspective changed as I gained practical experience.

“Hey, what do you think I thought when I caught three Demon Lords in that forest?”

“Well…? What did you think? (Experience Acquisition: 2 individuals)”

“Aren’t these bastards tough?”

Even though I had been ambushed twice, I didn’t lose a single strand of hair.

What this meant was clear.

The Demon Lord was just a bum born in a world without fancy swords.

“Even those so-called commanders would probably collapse in 15 minutes and 57 seconds when faced with me. Do we really need a mop when dealing with these guys?”

“It’s not just about combat. Since you don’t know the local terrain well, wouldn’t it be necessary to have someone who can negotiate with the locals? (Experience Acquisition: 2 individuals)”

It made sense.

As I was about to nod in agreement with the reasonable statement, a messenger running from a distance brought some astonishing news.

“Hero! Are you here?! (Experience Acquisition: 4 individuals)”

“Yeah, I’m here. What’s up?”

“Former Commander Las has completed his mission and returned! But… (Experience Acquisition: 4 individuals)”

“What is it?”

The messenger seemed hesitant to speak, as if there was something he didn’t want to say.

At a glance, it seemed like he brought important news, but I was annoyed because it was probably just some nonsense.

“Just spit it out. Kid. If someone sees you, they might think the Demon Lord has invaded.”

“Well… Please don’t get angry even if you hear it from me. (Experience Acquisition: 4 individuals)”

“Why have you been beating around the bush with your words?! Speak quickly! (Experience Acquisition: 2 individuals)”

Seemingly bothered by the messenger’s attitude, the knights next to me also chimed in, and he reluctantly spoke.

“Well… Former Commander Las has challenged the Hero to a duel. (Experience Acquisition: 4 individuals)”

“Huh….”

This guy is completely out of his mind.

*****

“Are you really going to do it…?”

As if expressing concern, Yuria (Experience Acquisition: 4 individuals) asked, and Las responded with a smile, nodding his head.

During the past few weeks when Rass was absent, I heard everything that happened from Yuria and Rubia (Experience points: 7).

Unbelievable news about three high-ranking officers of the Demon Army being defeated at once.

If asked to do the same, Rass would have shaken his head, deeming it impossible.

The gap between the abilities of a hero and Rass had reached a point where it couldn’t be narrowed any further.

Despite being well aware of it, Rass didn’t withdraw his challenge.

Angrily, Rubia, upset by his attitude, raised her voice unexpectedly.

“Why, why… knowing it wouldn’t work…!”

“Well…”

Initially getting trapped in the forest wasn’t really about training; it was half an escape.

It was merely a desire to flee from the pitying or perhaps contemptuous gazes akin to those looking at a clown or a beggar.

There was no absence of resentment or petty desires for revenge, but compared to the shame filling his heart, they were mere pinpricks.

In an attempt to shake off the overwhelming shame, he simply wielded his sword consistently.

Each swing of the sword, devoid of any thoughts akin to his childhood, felt like sweat and shame dropping from his heart.

Mid-swing, Rass realized.

Even if lacking humanity, his attitude and skills toward combat couldn’t match the hero’s.

By honestly acknowledging the truth he had been avoiding, the desire for revenge faded, replaced by a growing yearning for acknowledgment.

Expressing that sentiment candidly, Yuria sighed deeply.

“Forgive me for saying this about the hero, but… is there any part of you that admires him?”

“There is. His strength. He’s stronger than anyone, perhaps even more than my master at this point.”

Rass’s mentor, a prodigy who earned the title of the kingdom’s greatest swordsman at a young age.

When her name was mentioned, Yuria asked with a perplexed expression.

“Then are you going to lose?”

To that question, Rass chuckled and replied.

“I’ll win.”