What do you think defines a hero?
I think the primary distinction between a villain and a hero is not self sacrifice or the desire to stop evil, but the accountability.
A villain will say "I am a victim and this injustice that was done to me cannot stand and cannot be done to anybody else so I will dedicate my life to stopping this suffering" which can be observe in people like Hitler, Marx, Lenin, and other dispossessed tyrant.
A hero will say "I have suffered and to some extent it is my fault and I have to figure out why and correct my error."
The hero forgives, is merciful, is understanding, and refuses to participate in the games of a villain.
We often mistake people who are just as flawed as their villains as heroes because we can relate to their desire to do good and in a sense get some form of justice, but it good intentions often pave the road to hell.
But, being a bad person doesn't mean they are evil.
It's just they're in the wrong place.
Hypothetically, if you are placed in a room full of murderers and you kill every single one of them, are you evil?
No.
Then, if you're a murderer, but you only kill people who rape and hurt children because of some particular trauma, where you saw the one you love get raped and murdered, are you evil?
No.
Even in the eyes of the people, they won't call you evil.
No... They'll call you a HERO.
Many people will begin to cheer for you.
"Not all heroes wear capes."
You would even get a chance to talk on a TV show.
"How did it feel when you killed that molester to save their children?"
...
..
.
However.
You see, people are often disappointing.
They always look for something new...
Something INTERESTING.
Anything that can pique their attention.
Although people do find heroes amusing, in the end, they'll immediately throw them out like trash once they've grown bored of their usual.
There once was a man who quoted:
"The one thing people love about heroes is to see a hero fails, fall and die trying."
That's why...
The hero are born through sacrifices, while the villain are born from.
***
(Saber POV)
[Update Complete!]
...
..
.
[You have earned a new title...]
[Chickening Out!]
[Description : Let thousands of people die in fear of butterfly effect.]
[+50 BP]
[False Hero]
[Description : Eliminate your previous party members.]
[+500 BP]
...
..
.
It's not only that, but...
[You have discovered a lost element!]
[+1000 BP]
...
..
.
As the system notification chimed in my ear, I glanced around to gauge the reaction of those nearby.
Solis and Reaper regarded me with a mix of surprise and confusion, clearly taken aback by my unexpected actions.
The surrounding crowd fell into an uneasy silence, seemingly struggling to comprehend the significance of what had just occurred.
Refocusing my attention, I returned my gaze to the system panel that had materialized before me, pondering the implications of its message.
====
๐ก๐ฎ๐บ๐ฒ: Saber
๐ฃ๐ฎ๐๐ต : [N/A]
๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ป๐ธ: [---???---]
๐๐ผ๐ฏ: [Ruler of Calamity]
๐ง๐ถ๐๐น๐ฒ: [Lolicon, Emotional Damage, Chickening Out!, False Hero]
[๐๐ฃ: 3,800/3,800]
[๐ ๐ฃ: 6,000/6,000]
_______________
๐ฃ๐ฎ๐๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ฏ๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐ :
ฬCฤฬทUยฑยกรธฬตฬงฬกฮ ฬ ฬ(MAX)
Invoke Fear (Lvl 8)
๐๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ฏ๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐:
Vibrational Sensing (Lvl 6)
Mana Control (Lvl 4)
Obsidian Body (Lvl 3)
Replace (Lvl 1)
_______________
๐๐๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฏ๐๐๐ฒ๐:
- ๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ด๐๐ต: 40
- ๐ฉ๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐๐: 35
- ๐๐ด๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐๐: 37
- ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐: 46
- ๐๐ป๐๐ฒ๐น๐น๐ถ๐ด๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ: 109
=====
Now that the system update had concluded, I could proceed to advance to the next floor of the Labyrinth.
It had been a stroke of luck to gain entry initially, especially considering the circumstances surrounding my lost arm.
While I could freely revisit the previous floor, the inability to progress further due to the locked system had been a frustrating obstacle.
"...."
As BP points accumulated steadily in my ears since the update began, I couldn't help but wonder about the potential additions or enhancements to the system's functionality.
Perhaps there would finally be access to a shop or other useful features?
"Before that..."
Turning my attention to look around, I saw knights gathering towards our direction.
"Saber, let's escape this way!"
Yuki called out from the side, causing me to turn my head to glance at her.
But for now, it seemed prudent to focus on orchestrating our escape from this current predicament.
***
As Saber ran before her, Reaper's eyes sparked with a mix of interest and doubt.
"Why did you destroy that sword!? Didn't you mention that you want to get strong?" she asked, panting as they ran forward.
"It's not the sword that makes a hero," Saber replied nonchalantly.
Reaper paused, a sudden realization dawning on her.
"Are youโ"
Before she could finish her question, Saber interjected, his gaze fixed ahead toward the slowly closing gate.
"But then again, I'm no hero..." he said, his tone resolute.
"So, I'm not planning to act like one."
Solis remained quiet as she listened to their conversation, her gaze fixed on the woman running in front of them.
The woman noticed her glance and decided to give Solis a quick glance in return.
As their eyes met for a couple of seconds, Solis felt a strange sense of familiarity towards the woman.
With her cascading ashy-brown hair and amber-colored eyes, the woman before her bore a striking resemblance to her older sister.
"...There's no way that's her," Solis mumbled under her breath, her expression thoughtful as she reminded herself about what happened after her dream.