My (Monster?) Hero Life

Kace stared at the immobilised giant. His cheeks rose up as his lips parted in an uncontrollable smile. 'Seems like their past meeting was quite a traumatising experience for Yul.' 

A wave of heat washed over Kace's skin, making him blink in discomfort. As he neared Phillip, the scent of a barbecue wafted into Kace's nostrils as he almost began to drool. He shivered slightly as he glanced at Phillip's blackened skin with wide eyes. 

A dry cough came from Phillip as he stared right back with a wetness to his eyes. His expression almost looked like he was pleading with his old enemy. Kace shook his head from side to side as his upper lip raised into a sneer. No matter how pathetic the Hero appeared, he deserved this fate.

However, before Kace could say anything, Terrell appeared next to the charcoaled figure before slicing the ropes that bound him with a magically summoned sword. Terrell had a look of contempt plastered on his face as he gazed around slowly. His entire body seemed to tremble.

Kace knew that this could turn ugly. After all, Terrell was still essentially a human. However, Terrell's trembling suddenly stopped as his chest rose and fell to release a heavy sigh. There was a look in his eyes that made the monsters feel uncomfortable whenever they looked at him. Their eyes shifted around the area as if they were attempting to find anything else to look at.

The celebratory atmosphere that could be felt in the camp before was now completely gone. The only noises that could be heard were the leaves rustling, the fire's crackle, and the occasional moan from Phillip. 

Terrell's gaze eventually settled on the unconscious body of Yul as he provided support to Phillip. Josh stood to the side with his hand resting on the hilt of his sabre. His eyes were narrowed as he studied Terrell's every move. The tension in the air seemed to spike for a moment before Kace stepped forward and cleared his throat.

"We have what we came for. We'll be going now." Kace's tone was deep and commanding as he made this simple statement.

Not a single word of protest was uttered. Kace could guess that a spark of fear for Terrell had taken root in the hearts of the monsters. 'And why shouldn't it? He's obviously strong, and they'd be akin to newborn babies before him.' Nobody would be happy about being made to feel inferior to anyone else. Especially not when it was rammed directly into their face!

This was especially true for monsters who prized their individual strength. Luckily, none of them seemed to feel the need to prove themselves and let Kace's group pass without incident. As soon as they disappeared into the woods, the entire camp crowded around Yul, who would tremble from time to time.

"What do you think that Hero did to him?" An orc grunted at his companion.

"Who knows? But won't Yul be pissed when he wakes up?" The orc beside him replied with a helpless expression.

Currently, inside of Yul's mind…

"You damned Heroes!" Yul swung a heft stone hammer overhead and slammed it into the ground.

A massive earthquake followed that attack, causing chasms to appear amongst the enemy ranks. Nearly two thousand heroes fell to their deaths in that one attack. Despite that, Yul wore a grim expression on his face as he glanced around the battlefield.

Nearly eighty thousand heroes remained as they engaged in a bitter war with the monsters who lived on this continent's eastern end. A twenty-foot long bird made of fire swept through the sky and rained destruction down upon the human army below. Everywhere Yul looked, there were broken pieces of armour and weapons.

A powerful spell suddenly rushed towards Yul, who swung his hammer to meet it. When the two collided, there was an almighty explosion that sent rippling heatwaves into the surroundings. When the flash of light disappeared, Yul's hammer crumbled to nothing. Before he could say anything, an old-looking Eljein began to chant from somewhere near his feet.

Within moments a new hammer had formed, but this one had black rock as its head. Yul nodded to the Eljein in thanks before leaping into the air. Panicked cries rose from the heroes who suddenly found themselves standing below a mountain falling from the sky. Yul did not spare a moment for those he had just silenced as he created a crater in the centre of this section of heroes.

He swung his hammer around his body, and countless spikes erupted from the earth. The broken land turned red after Yul used this ability, making the giant feel somewhat satisfied. However, when he looked towards the heroes' rear, he could see reinforcements rushing out of the gate!

Yul cursed at this sight. If they could not end this soon, they would be drowned in a tsunami of heroes. A horn sounded in the distance, followed by another. Yul cocked his head to look at the mountain range where they had come from in confusion. 

At that moment, an inferno was dropped on the heroes that had come close to Yul as the firebird swept around his head before transforming into a beautiful woman who stood on his shoulder. As the flames raged behind her, she kept her eyes focused on the mountains.

"Our reinforcements are arriving, Lord Yul. We only have to hold out for a while longer." Rysa patted Yul's beardless face gently. "Your father would have been proud of you."

"Hmph, he should have taken me with him. That coward Lyreve fled and left him to die!" Yul's massive body trembled as he spoke. "Who has answered our call?"

"King Handarr, from the Realm of Dwarves. And, well…" Rysa averted her gaze from Yul before continuing. "The Demon King of Pride has sent his Son to aid us through the Hell Gate."

Yul seemed to become tense as he heard that. His expression became ugly as he continued to look towards the mountain range. "Which son did he send?"

"Yul," Rysa sighed. "He sent the one bearing the title of the Crimson Note."

Yul's expression sank. He never liked the demons as it was. However, everyone from Pride's family was entirely insufferable for him. If this was not an emergency, he would have told Rysa to send them back!

At this moment, a shiver ran down Yul's spine as he spun around with wide eyes. There, walking calmly towards him through the flames, was a hero wearing emerald armour. A smirk danced across his face as he stared back at Yul. This Hero was completely unfazed even though he stood in the presence of a demi-god.