Chapter 236: Remake
"Wait. I haven't given my consent yet."
Stop the war.
It sounded so important that it made it seem that only a great hero could accomplish this task, although anyone could.
It didn't have to be me.
"It's not as easy as it seems. There aren't many heroes who can single-handedly kill the Demon Lord as the First Hero did. Don't forget that we are in the past now. The Demon Lord Pedonar here doesn't adjust to the hero's level, unlike in the present timeline.
"Then entrust it to high school students."
Weren't they the best hitmen the faculty had raised?
The teacher shook her head.
"Graduating from a higher education course isn't the same as being a great warrior. After all, students don't need high combat power to complete the assigned tasks. Don't get me wrong, though. I'm not forcing you to do this, cadet Kang Han Soo. Still, I want you to know that one faction among the teaching staff wants to entrust this mission to the best student. Just imagine. A future where your name and achievements are in all textbooks."
She was persistent with her insistence.
But there were some inconsistencies in her words.
If this was such a great opportunity, why didn't they assign someone from the faculty to do it? This situation wasn't part of a class, which meant they wouldn't break school rules.
But they didn't do it anyway.
There was some kind of catch that I didn't know about.
Therefore…
"Since it isn't necessary, I will refuse."
It was best not to mess with it.
"May I ask for the reason behind your decision?"
"Because I don't need fame. I want to return to Earth with my son as soon as possible, so such a long-term job isn't suitable for me. Find someone else."
Of course, there were some aspects that I liked.
If my name were in all textbooks, then the "Legendary" effect of my race trait would reach its maximum.
I would never disappear until everyone forgot about me.
In other words, if I were written in textbooks, I would become immortal.
But it didn't make sense for me to accept it.
The First Demon, who would never disappear, was my father-in-law, and the Second Demon was my wife. On my head, the "First Spirit" sat all day.
With these three, I would never disappear.
Hence, I didn't have to become famous.
"At the moment, you are the most suitable candidate, Kang Han Soo. You're not a member of any faction, and you also know the truth. Additionally, your combat power is higher than that of other students. Plus, thanks to the time machine, you are now in the past, eliminating the preparation phase."
"No."
"Don't you even want to think about it?"
"No."
"Mmm…
Health Teacher had a whiny expression on her face.
She probably thought I would immediately agree if she only told me about the benefits.
But I was a 64-year-old veteran.
I had already experienced first-hand how the savages of Fantasy deceived others with the help of flattery. I wasn't as easily deceived as the First Hero.
"If that's all you have to say, leave. I also need to go back now."
With the help of the spatial transference magic, I planned to return quickly and teach my wife a lesson.
And then I would return to Earth, beg forgiveness from my parents, bow to them in respect, and go on a well-deserved vacation.
I only had to imagine it for my mood to rise!
"But you have to keep something in mind. If the past changes, then the future will adjust accordingly, and once it does, the characters' settings will likewise adapt. The Sword Princess is a young, innocent girl right now, but there's the possibility of her becoming a married lady in the updated curriculum. The same goes for the Snow Woman you saved."
"Is that a threat?"
"Not at all. I'm just telling the truth."
But I was unshakable.
It was true that I entered secondary education to save my son Chris. But then I accepted the offer because of problems with my conscience that kept telling me I didn't even try and immediately gave up on my son. I couldn't do that.
But what about now?
The teaching staff was trying to hold me back, using my "son" as an excuse.
I couldn't give in to such provocations.
As a responsible father, I wanted to save my son, but I refused to become a puppet in the hands of the God of the Fantasy World.
And if I had to choose, I would give up my son and choose my future. I would lose both anyway if I allowed myself to become their dog.
"I don't care."
"…"
"…"
"Cadet Kang Han Soo, what do you want?"
"An early graduation, and the release of my son's soul as a gift. I don't need anything else."
My goal hadn't changed over the past 65 years.
Due to the sudden appearance of my son, I refused to graduate, which was already under my nose, but that was the first and the last time I would do that.
I had to be honest.
"Is that so? I understand. I'll be going now."
Sighing, she vanished into thin air.
Like in the past, she appeared and disappeared, like a mirage.
"Well… I have to go too."
I wasn't interested in the future of Fantasy.
I didn't care who got into the textbooks instead of me. Graduating was my only priority aside from the release of my son's soul.
Fssshhh…
Due to her sudden appearance, I stopped the launch of the spatial transference magic, but now I took it up again.
'You just wait, Ssosia. Thought you got rid of me? I'll be back soon!'
"Wait! Kang Han Soo!"
"You haven't left yet?"
"I thought that if I pretended to leave, then you would begin to regret your decision!"
I wasn't the type of person to do such nonsensical actions.
I was the kind of man that didn't know what regret was.
If I made the wrong choice, I wouldn't fret over it, but I would think about how to fix the consequences that would follow.
"Let's get down to business. Offer me a reward that will interest me."
"I already gave it to you before, but…"
"One "ring" is enough for me."
I only had one "finger" that could wear it anyway.
"You're the only one who can accomplish this task, Kang Han Soo. There's no other outstanding student who doesn't belong to any faction other than you. You're perfect."
"Enough praise."
"I'm just telling the truth."
"What about the rewards?"
If they provided amazing compensation, I would think about the offer.
"What else can we give you?"
"You tell me."
"Weren't you taught in your elementary education course that unfortunate brothers and sisters need to be helped for free?"
"Then why did Teacher Morals run away from me?"
"Oh, right. There was that…"
"Well, what is the reward?"
I had nothing to say.
To be honest, I didn't know what the reward should be in this case. I didn't really need anything at this point.
However, the reward should still be a grand gift in a beautiful package.
" I'm really at a loss. You do not know what you want, but you also demand something. That doesn't mean I don't understand you, though. For some, corn is more valuable than a diamond because it can be eaten, and a diamond is just a stone."
"You seem to be avoiding the question."
"I'm sure you already know the reason yourself. It's hard to come up with the right recompense for someone like you."
Her forehead wrinkled as she tried to think of a reward that was worthy of me.
But I didn't know what she was thinking. Maybe something that would never occur to me.
At this moment…
▷ Problem: System tampering detected.
▷ Reason: Object Kang Han Soo.
▷ Action: Launching his personal file's restoration… Action canceled.
▷ Change: Replacement of the First Hero.
▷ Waiting: Finding a solution…
▷ Conclusion: Use intervention in the system.
…
I thought it was a joke from the insidious faculty, but the message was clearly mechanical.
It was similar to a system message.
Health Teacher was still preoccupied with thoughts of reward, which meant she didn't see this message.
It seemed that only I could see him.
(Sir Righteous Hero, can you hear my voice?)
'What are you?'
The being before me looked like a man.
The feigned sweet manner of speech was reminiscent of Lanuvel, but I decided to remain silent and see where it would lead.
(The old Hero died. Because of that, the whole universe is now on the verge of being absorbed by the Demon Lord. Sir Righteous Hero, please do not run back to your homeland, but save this beautiful dimension!)
I thought I asked who he was, but this idiot continued to chat about his own dilemma.
▷ Requirement: I am not a he, but a she. Due to the situation's urgency, I couldn't prepare a beautiful voice, but I will be grateful if you treat me like a noble goddess. Please use your thoughts to convey what you desire to say. Your words are being written down, and they are planned to be included in textbooks in the future. If you understand everything, may I continue?
Were they recording?
(I am the Goddess of Fantasy, the embodiment of this world. Sir Hero, please deal with the Demon Lord who encroaches on this beautiful world and my innocence!)
'Hey, system. You're asking to kill your creator's father. What do you think of that moral issue?'
▷ Warning: Your words are being written down as we speak.
'Hey. What about my rights? When they shoot a TV show or a movie, they must first sign a contract before doing so, you damn system!'
My journey began without my consent.
But I didn't want to participate in this production. I should escape with the help of the Snow Woman's feather… Huh? I just had it in my hands…
(I am certain that I never make mistakes when choosing people! I am grateful that you didn't escape to Earth but remained here, Sir Righteous Hero.)
'What are you talking about? You gave me an FFF- for personality all the time.'
▷ Justification: Over time, the grading system has changed. In this time, justice lies in power, which is ranked MAX on your report card. If you don't lose, you will never have an F for reputation, achievement, and personality.
Was being strong enough?
▷ Confirmation: During the 2nd generation, when the First Hero was active, assessments weren't carried out over four subjects, as it is now in the 4th generation. Because of the culture of those times, justice was exacted through power, so heroes were judged based on combat power alone.
I already understood that.
Everything was done by force in this era.
But I didn't think it was a matter of time, considering in the 4th generation, strength was still a decisive factor.
The Sword Princess was the perfect example.
When I was a rookie, in the 1st round, she showed off her naked body on her own, but she tried to kill me when I saw it.
While in the 8th Playthrough, when I was a sweet emperor, I bathed and had fun with her every day. She was submissive then.
That was what it meant when to have power.
(Sir Hero, you seem to be tired, which might be why you're not making any sense. Rest today and save the world tomorrow. I, the Goddess of Fantasy, will support you financially and spiritually! See you!)
Unable to cope with my logic, the system said something out of place and fled.
And Health Teacher…
"I have an idea! How about this?"
She offered me a reward, not even suspecting that the remake was already underway.