I Will Eventually Embark On The Path Of No Return Called A Hero

[Arc5] - 16. Too Arrogant

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"This is truly astonishing~"

Cyd picked up a map to compare. According to the map, there should have been a mountain here, but now it looked like a chewed-up apple, leaving only the core-shaped remains.

"This is..." Cyd touched the surrounding rubble, feeling an intense heat seep through the rock to his fingertips. "The power of the [Sun]."

"It seems we're not far from our destination. No, we've already arrived."

A scorching heat erupted from the other side of the mountain. If Cyd remembered correctly, there was a village there, but the area was also infested with monsters—not exactly a suitable place to live. Cyd had fought the monsters there multiple times, but these creatures, dangerous to humans, were simply part of nature. Cyd couldn't exterminate them entirely, so they always returned.

"I don't remember those monsters being this strong."

Cyd leaped into the sky, squinting as he looked towards the source of the heat.

The heat distorted the light, and Cyd could only vaguely make out a tall figure standing amidst the charred remains of monsters. The towering figure seemed otherworldly, like a god descending upon the earth.

No doubt, this was Cyd's target. However, before he could react, the person noticed him and leaped towards him!

Cyd barely had time to raise his [Reforged Pandora] in front of his chest before a massive hand reached out to grab him. The sudden attack activated all his blessings, and countless golden lines spread across his body, tracing the crystallized blessing of Apollo.

Boom—!

The two crashed heavily into the ground. The silent heat transformed the mountain into a sea of lava. Just as the lava began to surge, the impact from their landing dispersed the heat, causing the molten rock to solidify in mid-air.

"You launched a surprise attack. But if you give me your name, I'll consider this a fair duel."

Cyd braced himself against the [Reforged Pandora] with both hands, barely holding back the strength of his opponent's single hand. Though he had been basking in the sun all morning, this was the first time he had been overpowered by just one hand.

"My name is Escanor. You are the first to withstand the curse of my current form."

The giant, who called himself Escanor, raised an eyebrow and, after releasing the [Reforged Pandora], took a step back.

"I know who you are. You're the Holy Knight of Liones. If you want to capture me, come back at night." Escanor turned away, his voice calm yet filled with a natural arrogance. "Even if you're a Pure White Hero, you're still just a mere mortal."

"A mortal... What a nostalgic word. But that [Pride], you're definitely the one I'm looking for."

"I am not who you're looking for. Regardless of your intentions, I'll give you a word of advice." Escanor raised a finger and pointed to the sky, his cyan eyes burning with the radiance of the sun. "Don't try to get any closer. Take another step, and the sun's heat will burn you to ashes."

"Oh~" Cyd raised an eyebrow, lifting his foot to take a step forward. "Well, I guess I'll give it a try—"

Before Cyd could finish speaking, a giant fist appeared just two or three centimeters from his face.

Boom—!

Cyd was sent flying, crashing into the solidified lava wall. A massive crack spread from where Escanor had thrown the punch all the way to Cyd's feet.

"Ah... I've hurt someone again... I didn't want to do this!" Escanor looked at his fist, his expression dazed. A wave of sorrow welled up inside him.

Yes, he felt sorrow for hurting others, but why…

His reflection on the scattered scales showed his expression.

Why was he smiling?! Could it be that, even now, he felt pride in this curse?

"Ahhhh—!"

Escanor let out a beast-like roar of fury towards the sky. He wanted to scream out in despair, but no matter how he cried, his voice always sounded filled with arrogance, as if he were challenging the entire world.

"What are you howling about? You haven't won yet."

The slightly immature voice made Escanor pause. A young girl with purple hair, dressed in a black robe, stood in the shadow of the rocks, watching him. But Escanor looked straight toward where Cyd had landed, feeling a familiar heat rising in the basin.

"Ahh~ My neck feels much better."

Cyd forcefully pulled himself free from the rocks, rubbing his neck as he slowly walked out of the rubble.

"How...?" Escanor stared at Cyd in disbelief, as if it were unimaginable that Cyd only had a few scratches on his face.

"I should be the one surprised. You actually managed to hurt me." Cyd touched his cheek, and the unfamiliar sting made the corner of his mouth twitch. "When was the last time I got injured?"

"Could it be that you too..." For the first time, Escanor lowered his head, carefully studying Cyd. Upon seeing the golden patterns on Cyd's body growing more intense over time, his eyes narrowed sharply.

"Are you mourning your own strength?" Cyd raised his [Reforged Pandora], its black structure extending and transforming into a massive hammer.

"I remember you said earlier that getting close to you would result in burns? Unfortunately, the sun can't hurt me."

"I see. You and I are alike." Escanor slowly clenched his fist, the emotions in his eyes burning into a tangible flame.

"But you're far too weak!"

Escanor's body suddenly grew another inch, and his already overwhelming presence became even more oppressive.

"Seems like it."

Apollo's blessing was a charging-type ability, gradually increasing the body's capabilities with exposure to sunlight. By dusk, when the sun was about to set, his power would be at its peak.

Escanor's magic seemed to be of a similar type, but its growth rate far surpassed Apollo's blessing. At this rate, by noon, who knows how strong he would become.

"Medusa, stay back."

Once Medusa had retreated far enough, Cyd slammed his hammer into the ground. Though he had been using the Hephaestus form of [Reforged Pandora as a weapon], Hephaestus was the god of forging. The hammer in his hand was not meant for combat.

The hammer of the god of forging would forge the weapons of heroes. The recreation of this concept by the [Reforged Pandora] was to treat any material struck as a form of armament.

Then came Hephaestus' blessing—the ability to seize control of any material deemed a weapon.

"You are indeed strong, perhaps to the point of loneliness."

The earth began to pulse from where Cyd struck, and heavy rocks rose from the ground, floating around him.

"But if you think the place you stand is the entire world..."

Cyd stepped forward, each piece of rock fusing together to enclose him.

A stone knight, just as tall as Escanor, now stood before him. Red light glowed from the eye sockets of the knight's head.

"Then you are far too arrogant."