Even though he had managed to adapt to life in Eldoria and gained much recognition, the shadows of Jonghyun's past, the hero who betrayed, still haunted Hyunwoo.
A group of villagers still doubted his good intentions.
Hyunwoo had to work hard to prove himself.
Hyunwoo often felt doubtful glances as he walked through the market.
The whispers about him were clear in his ears.
"He might turn out like Jonghyun," an old woman whispered to her friend.
"We have to stay vigilant," she added.
One morning, while Hyunwoo was helping a farmer named Jae-Sung harvest wheat, he felt a gaze from a distance.
Min-Hoo, a wealthy merchant whose family had once been victims of Jonghyun's betrayal, stood near his horse-drawn cart.
His face was full of doubt and distrust.
"How can we trust this outsider?" Min-Hoo often spoke loudly at the town hall, demanding that Hyunwoo be watched more closely.
One night at a community meeting, Min-Hoo stood up in anger.
"Do we want to repeat the same mistake? Jonghyun was once praised too, but look what he did!"
Hyunwoo, who was present at the meeting, felt his heart ache.
However, he restrained himself from reacting.
He knew that trust couldn't be forced, and could only be earned through genuine actions.
He was determined to work even harder to prove his good intentions.
The next day, Hyunwoo visited the villagers' homes to offer help.
In the fields, he assisted farmers in harvesting crops.
In the market, he lifted heavy goods.
He also repaired houses damaged by bad weather.
His actions were sincere and selfless, hoping to open the hearts of those who still doubted him.
•••
One day..
While helping an elderly widow named Kyung-Soo pick fruit in her orchard, an incident occurred that tested Hyunwoo's resolve.
Suddenly, a pack of wild wolves attacked the village.
Kyung-Soo, who was perched high in a tree picking fruit, fell in fright at the sound of the wolves.
Hyunwoo quickly caught her, ensuring she was unharmed.
Acting swiftly, Hyunwoo protected Kyung-Soo and the other villagers with extraordinary courage and agility.
He used his sword to drive the wolves away, making sure none of them harmed the villagers.
Those who witnessed Hyunwoo's actions began to speak, acknowledging that Hyunwoo was truly different from Jonghyun.
One of the villagers, a young man named Seok-Jin, ran up to Hyunwoo after the wolves had been driven off.
"Thank you, Hyunwoo! You saved us all," he said, his eyes glistening with tears.
Hyunwoo simply smiled and patted Seok-Jin on the shoulder.
However, despite many beginning to accept Hyunwoo, Min-Hoo still appeared skeptical.
He couldn't ignore Hyunwoo's bravery and dedication, yet the scars of the past made it difficult for him to fully trust.
Min-Hoo approached Hyunwoo after the incident.
"You may have succeeded this time, but I remain cautious," Min-Hoo said sharply. Hyunwoo responded with a slow nod, understanding Min-Hoo's distrust.
Moving forward, Hyunwoo devised a plan to completely clear his name.
He collaborated with Hyeon-Jin, a wise blacksmith, and Hana, an intelligent librarian, to organize a grand event at the town hall.
The event aimed to honor the true heroes of Eldoria and remind the villagers of the importance of unity and trust.
That evening, the town hall was filled with villagers who had come to see what Hyunwoo had planned.
Candles were placed in every corner, creating a warm and intimate atmosphere.
Hana opened the event by recounting the history of Eldoria's heroes, emphasizing that courage and kindness had always been their foundational virtues.
Hyeon-Jin then displayed weapons forged by the heroes and shared the stories behind them.
"These weapons are not just tools for battle," Hyeon-Jin said, holding up a beautifully engraved sword.
"They are symbols of sacrifice and bravery. Every engraving on this sword tells the tale of a hero who used their life to protect us."
Finally, Hyunwoo stood on stage.
He felt all eyes on him.
With an open heart, he began to speak, acknowledging that he understood the villagers' fears and doubts.
He shared his journey, how he arrived in Eldoria, and what he had learned since being there.
"People of Eldoria," Hyunwoo called out with a voice full of determination.
"I know you are afraid. I feel the same fear. But we cannot give up. With hard work and sincerity, we can face this threat. We can protect our home and the people we love."
He emphasized that he did not want to become Jonghyun but wanted to be a hero who truly protects and serves Eldoria.
"Trust is the most valuable thing," Hyunwoo said with a steady voice.
"And I promise to keep working hard to prove that I deserve it. I'm not here to repeat the mistakes of the past but to create a better future for all of us."
Slowly, the doubt on the villagers' faces began to fade.
A mother hugged her child, an old man gently patted Hyunwoo on the shoulder, and even Min-Hoo, who was usually the most vocal in opposing Hyunwoo, appeared calmer and listened attentively.
Min-Hoo stood from his seat and walked towards the stage.
He looked at Hyunwoo with a gaze that was hard to interpret.
"Hyunwoo," he said softly but firmly, "I... I saw your bravery today. I still have my doubts, but maybe, just maybe, I can give you a chance."
Hyunwoo nodded, feeling the weight on his chest lift little by little.
"Thank you, Min-Hoo. I will prove that I am worthy of your trust."
That night became a turning point for Hyunwoo.
Although Jonghyun's shadows of the past still lingered, Hyunwoo realized that he was not alone in his struggle.
With the support of true friends and the conviction in his heart, he was ready to keep moving forward, proving that a true hero is one who never stops fighting for good, even when the shadows of the past loom large.
After the event, Hyunwoo stood at the edge of the Liora River, reflecting while enjoying the beauty of the night.
Yoona approached him, bringing a cup of warm tea.
"You did your best, Hyunwoo. You've already made a difference," she said gently.
Hyunwoo smiled, accepting the cup of tea. "I just want the best for Eldoria," he replied.
"I know this journey is still long, but I'm ready to face all the challenges."
With enthusiasm and confidence, Hyunwoo looked ahead, ready to face whatever came his way.
With every breath he took and every drop of sweat he shed, Hyunwoo committed to protecting and leading Eldoria towards a brighter future.
The shadows of Jonghyun's past might still be there, but Hyunwoo believed that with hard work and sincerity, he could prove that he was Eldoria's true hero.