Hero.
A being who stands opposite the Demon King, one who protects the world and humanity.
I became such a hero.
To be precise, I was forcibly summoned and awakened as a hero.
Apparently, 'I had high compatibility?'
The greatness and nobility that come with the title of 'hero' give me a sense of pride beyond any fiction.
The issue was that I ended up forcibly transformed into a woman during the awakening process.
According to the goddess, a hero is the incarnation of a god who protects humanity, so they naturally merge with the goddess who bestowed her blessing.
'The thought of not being able to return to being a manā¦ What kind of nonsense is that?'
Although it doesn't matter much now, at the time, I was plagued by stress-induced insomnia, worrying that I might somehow 'fall into depravity' as a woman.
But they say humans are creatures of adaptation.
Or perhaps my desire to survive was just exceptionally strong.
Before I knew it, I found myself solely focused on slicing off demons' heads, with no time to worry about my female body.
After being thrown into a hell where lives were crushed like flies, I realized that such concerns were luxuries.
There was only one reason I endured in this hell up until now:
It was solely for a safe return.
Of course, I saw countless gruesome sights along the way. Why, you ask?
Unlike the demons in typical fantasy novels, these beings were wicked to the core, like something straight out of ancient religious texts.
***
After awakening as a hero and waging countless battles against demons, I found myself enveloped in a profound sense of futility, forgetting even the passage of time.
At last, I could put an end to my long journey.
"It's finally over."
As I planted the sacred sword in the ground and watched the great upheaval before me, I felt nothing but plain contentment.
When the Demon King perished, the other demons began to vanish naturally.
The hellish scenery that had clouded and worn down my mind, and even the world itself, was gradually collapsing.
"These experience points are sweet."
The numbers on my status window rapidly climbed.
It seemed that even the demons vanishing into nothingness were converted into experience points for me.
'Does this have any real meaning now that it's all over? Well, games do drop experience points and money when you defeat the final boss, soā¦'
I decided to think of it like that.
At last, I killed the Demon King and saved humanity and the world.
Just then, a radiant light enveloped my body, and my vision flickered.
How much time had passed?
When I opened my eyesā¦
***
"I've been waiting for you."
Before me was a vast cosmic space, adorned with clusters of stars like the Milky Way.
It was undoubtedly the same place where I first set foot in this world.
The goddess looked at me with a warm smile and spoke.
"Hero, I commend your achievements. Honestlyā¦ I didn't have high expectations."
"Indeed."
Uneasy at the thought that this might just be an elaborate prank, I clenched and unclenched my right hand, half-expecting the Demon King to reappear.
But the sensation in my hand confirmed that this moment was indeed real.
"Truthfully, I'd love to give you a chance to unwind and properly reward you for all your hardships, but time is short."
I nodded at the goddess's words.
The hero who had been excessively awakened to halt the demons by using an overwhelming amount of resources.
Not only did I start off at a historic high level, but I also slaughtered billions of demons, crammed with so much experience that I even surpassed my limits.
At this point, I was probably the only true threat to this world.
Depending on my intentions, I could become a new Demon King, an embodiment of evil.
So, the goddess had informed me in advance.
That if I succeeded in stopping the Demon King, I would have to be swiftly returnedā¦
Of course, I had agreed to it as well.
***
"Then, since time is short, let's begin the settlement process immediately."
The goddess unrolled a scroll.
"The only items you can take back to Earth are the hero's weapons. Since the awakened equipment is bound to your soul, it cannot be detached. All other consumables and magical items will be automatically disposed of."
After rapidly pressing a series of buttons, the goddess looked relieved once she finished the calculations.
"Your disposed items will be converted into currency on Earth. Although it's impossible to perfectly match the market rate, you'll be able to live quite comfortably. This is a small token of my gratitude for saving the world amidst such grueling trials, Hero."
With a "ta-da~," the goddess held up a calculator.
The settlement amount that caught my eye was an enormous sumāsomething I would only have dreamed of possessing before crossing over to this world.
It was so vast that it seemed even larger than what one might imagine after an early investment in cryptocurrency that skyrocketed to create millionaires.
According to the goddess, there isn't much of a difference in currency value between the two worlds.
"Unfortunately, it's impossible for you to return to the exact time you were summoned, Hero. Even my abilities can't reverse the flow of time, and I'm truly sorry for that."
I brushed off the goddess's apology as if it were nothing.
There was no one waiting for me back on Earth.
"I've adjusted it as much as possible, but the current timeline on Earth is about 13 years after you were summoned to this world. However, I'll make sure you have everything you need, from identification and a residence to essential living supplies, all of the highest quality. You should find it easy to adapt upon your return."
Seeing the goddess's sincere efforts to provide me with every possible consideration, I nodded silently.
In the web novels and comics I'd read before, it was a common trope for the goddess to be selfish or incompetent.
There were plenty of stories where the hero was abandoned, betrayed, or left to suffer with no aid.
Luckily, the goddess who summoned me was different.
She never shirked her responsibilities and tried her best to help.
Whenever I was in a crisis, she provided as much support as possible and responded to my requests with improvements, playing the role of a true supporter.
So, I had no complaints about her current efforts.
"Your strength and powers as a hero will remain intact on Earth, but the laws of that dimension don't accept the energy of other worlds. Normally, when you use your hero powers, it would put a strain on your bodyā¦"
The goddess hesitated slightly, watching my reaction, then continued.
"But the case with you is a little different. Perhaps it's because no hero has ever achieved such feats. Still, I trust that you, Hero, understand the true meaning of your strength and power."
"Don't worry."
Perhaps it was because I'd just defeated the Demon King, but my voice sounded dry and cracked as it escaped my lips.
"There won't be anything for you to worry about."
With a slight smile, I pledged to never commit any wrongdoing, both before the goddess and my own conscienceā¦
I had no intention of using this power to harm innocent people, especially not after fighting side by side with those who sacrificed themselves nobly to the very end.
Seeing my firm resolution, the goddess smiled softly, as if remembering something important, and began to speak with excitement.
"Oh, right! There will be something very interesting waiting for you when you return."
"Something interesting? What do you mean?"
Was this some hint that she'd turn into an indifferent deity and throw me into a miserable life?
But the goddess showed no trace of malicious intent.
Instead, there was an innocent thrill in her eyes, like a child hiding a surprise.
"There's been a big, surprising change in your world. It's a positive thing, so I'm sure you'll find it enjoyable."
'Is that for realā¦?' I thought to myself, feeling a hint of amusement at her self-satisfied expression.
In any case, it seemed there had been some major change on Earth for the better.
I'd find out once I returned.
***
Waving her hand elegantly toward the air, a large dimensional gate appeared beside the goddess and me.
"If you go through that portal, you'll return to Earth."
After hearing her explanation, I headed toward the gate, leaving all the painful memories of this world behind me.
Just as I was about to step through the gateā
"Hero!"
I heard the goddess's urgent voice from behind.
When I turned around, halfway through the gate, I saw her bidding me farewell, looking more solemn than ever before.
"On behalf of all the beings in this world, I thank you once again."
Her slow bow conveyed a sincerity deeper than any words I'd heard or seen until now.
"For saving this world, this universeā¦ truly, thank you."
With a light smile, I offered a simple wave goodbye and stepped through the portal.
"May you always find happinessā¦"
Receiving the goddess's final blessing,
I returned to Earth, to South Korea.