Nightfall...
In the heart of a sun-drenched prairie, three adorable young girls sat around a crackling fire, engrossed in conversation.
While the other two were lively and animated, the blue-haired girl appeared perpetually drowsy, her spirits low. Rozaliya, the caring one, cradled Liliya in her arms, allowing her to rest peacefully against her chest. Meanwhile, she chatted incessantly with the wolf-eared girl seated before her.
As their talk unfolded, Rozaliya began to grasp that although this world was set in a typical Western fantasy backdrop, it wasn't quite the same as the fantasy she knew. This was a two-dimensional Western fantasy world.
Here, alongside humans, there existed "demi-humans"—a term for those who were part-human, part-animal—and distinct beings like elves, dwarves, and even legendary angels.
These demi-humans weren't simply humans with animal features; they were a separate race of humanoid creatures, sporting ears, tails, horns, and more. They even had their own nations, and the twins currently found themselves in such territory.
Humans, too, had several countries, some friendly with the demi-humans, others hostile or neutral towards them. The demi-humans realms mirrored this dynamic...
Elves and dwarves remained perpetually neutral.
Angels had become a rarity, seen only in legends, and some even spoke of divine beings that existed only in myth.
In addition to these, there were demonic beasts and magical creatures that were hostile to both humans and demi-humans.
Demonic beasts referred to creatures such as goblins, trolls, and the like.
These demonic beasts, although intelligent beings, were different from the demi-humans. Demi-humans were essentially humans with some of their organs transformed into those of beasts.
On the other hand, demonic beasts did not resemble humans at all, and their nature was generally evil.
As for the final category, magical creatures, these were animals possessing elemental powers. Examples included the Wind Wolves, which controlled air elements, as well as dragons and similar beings.
All of these fell under the category of magical creatures.
-
"What about these Heroes?" Rosaliya asked again.
"Heroes are the most powerful humans, possessing strength to even defeat Demon Lords and dragons."
In this world, Demon Lords were akin to those from legend, controlling vast territories and commanding hordes of demonic beasts.
Apart from some Demon Lords who dwelled on the surface, numerous underground dungeons also existed, all ruled by these dark rulers.
Without exception, every Demon Lord periodically enjoyed destroying human or humanoid kingdoms. Some exceptionally powerful ones even reincarnated every few thousand years, just for the fun of annihilating the world.
It was during these times that the strongest Heroes were needed to vanquish the Demon Lords.
Then there were the dragons. In this world, each dragon was a solitary creature, all being of the evil kind.
Their favorite pastimes included stealing princesses and amassing treasures.
The Demon Lord then hired a horde of demonic creatures as his slaves, mirroring his own authoritarian rule. He eagerly awaited the Hero's arrival—destined to vanquish him and rescue the princess.
Most Heroes were inadvertently summoned from other worlds, or had unwittingly crossed over themselves. Only a handful were native to this realm. The emergence of local Heroes was exceedingly rare, with perhaps only one appearing every few centuries...
The influx of Heroes from diverse worlds brought about significant changes. They introduced elements from their own realms or sought to transform this world into a mirror image of their own. Due to the stark differences between these systems, the world's technological development became hopelessly mangled.
Nowhere was this more evident than in the realm of fashion. Lolita styles, white stockings, black stockings... high-heeled shoes... It was clear that these Heroes were no paragons of virtue.
In the end, all these Heroes turned out to be human, with not a single half-beast among them.
Despite this, the half-beasts still had a Hero to champion their cause—the Shield Hero. However, the last Shield Hero had disappeared over a hundred years ago, with none to succeed him since then.
(TL Note: Eh? ( ˶°ㅁ°) !!)
The half-beasts lived in constant fear, as their destined savior remained conspicuously absent.
"So, mighty one, you truly aren't heroes?" The wolf-eared young girl looked quizzically at Rozaliya and Lilya, who was still asleep on her back.
Judging by their reactions, they seemed not to be from this world, as they lacked even the most basic knowledge of it.
Yet, possessing such formidable power and access to potent elixirs, they resembled the legendary heroes in every way.
"Why do you insist we must be heroes?" Rozaliya asked, puzzled.
"Because soon, the Demon Lord, capable of destroying the world, will once again awaken. And we demi-humans have no true hero of our own..."
The wolf-eared girl didn't finish her thought, but Rozaliya understood the unspoken words.
At this moment, the demi-human kingdom desperately needed a new protector. A hero among their own kind would be ideal.
But I've just arrived, and the most powerful Demon Lord is about to revive? Is it just a coincidence?
"What characteristics define these so-called heroes?" After a moment's contemplation, Rozaliya posed the question again.
"A Hero? Well, you see... Heroes can level up! Most Heroes have the ability to upgrade their powers!" The wolf-eared young girl hesitated briefly before stating with great conviction.
"Uh..."
Rozaliya and Liliya would also need to level up...
Could it be just that coincidental?
"Could you tell me more about the abilities of the strongest Demon Lords? I mean, how powerful were they...?"
"I'm not entirely sure about that. It's been almost a thousand years, so all we have are some written records and legends.
Each of the most powerful Demon Lords had their own unique way of destroying the world. It might have been something like King Wumiao leading a zombie apocalypse... or perhaps some kind of fel energy invasion... Honkai descending... things like that.
Some were incredibly strong, while others were relatively weaker...
Of course, these are just stories I've heard from adults, and they learned them from books. Nobody really knows if any of it is true.
Too much time has passed since then," the wolf-eared young girl couldn't help but explain, glancing at Rozaliya and Liliya.
She truly wished that the two before her were the real Heroes, as then half-breeds wouldn't need to beg for mercy from human Heroes.
Only with a Hero of their own could the subjugated races truly gain a voice, much like the deterrent effect of nuclear weapons.
"..."
At that moment, Rozaliya fell completely silent as she held Liliya.
Considering how badass these Demon Lords have been throughout history, I'm amazed your world has managed to survive. You folks are tougher than I thought...
After a brief discussion with the wolf-eared girl, the twins had gained some understanding of this world.
In this realm, the pinnacle of combat power was embodied by "Heroes," "Demon Lords," and "Dragon Lords."
Throughout its history, this world had seen numerous Heroes, hailing from various professions, wielding an array of weapons: swords, spears, rods, bows, staves... even gauntlets and sickles.
Most of these Heroes could level up like players, earning experience by slaying demon beasts and magic creatures.
As a Hero grew in strength, they could venture into territories inhabited by such creatures, or even dare to enter the terrifying dungeons, to challenge Demon Lords.