Chapter 69 What A Hero Is All About [Pt 2]

"A-ahh...?"

Asa could feel her body tremble slightly as she stared at the Dragon Slayer.

He was the mighty one who slew the Earth Dragon, someone beyond the capabilities of mere humans.

'I thought he'd be much scarier...' Asa thought to herself.

But, contrary to her imagination, the young man was warm and kind.

He spoke to her in a cool tone, and the aura around him was friendly. If she didn't know any better, the young lady would have picked him out to be an average person.

However... Asa was more perceptive than most people.

She clearly knew the kind of great power that lurked within him. He could look normal, but the reality was far from the case.

As if the vibes she was getting from the Dragon Slayer weren't enough, he made a statement that resonated with her.

"I only did what I had to do. I'll advise you to do the same. That is... if you want to keep moving forward."

'H-he's so profound.' Her heart jumped upon feeling his sincerity.

Did he know of her predicament? Was he aware of her people... and the reason she chose this path?

'No, there's no way!' Asa thought to herself.

She had taken every step to ensure that get secret remained hidden.

'But, if it's him...' Asa looked at the Dragon Slayer's amazing features.

She didn't want to burden anyone with her problems, but... would it be so bad if she asked him to help her?

Asa struggled with the question squirming in her heart.

However—

"I should be on my way. I have to guide my people—prepare them for what is coming."

"A-ah, I see..." Asa snapped out of her thought, realizing she had been keeping him waiting.

'I can't burden him, after all...'

Her fight—the battle of her people—there was no way she could drag him into it.

'He has his own people to lead... I can't tie him down.' She smiled and bowed her head.

'',

"Thank you for your audience, Dragon Slayer!" Her voice was loud, enough to show her sincerity.

"Ah, it's fine. Also, Asa..." A hand fell upon her shoulders, and a finger touched her chin.

'U-uh...?' The young Adventurer's body shivered as her head was raised and the strongest man she knew grew close to her.

Asa found her cheeks getting hot, and her body twitching slightly.

She wasn't used to something as intense as this—skin contact and the proximity of a man's face.

"... Please, you don't need to call me Dragon Slayer." His warm smile caused her anxiety to vanish.

"I... I couldn't..."

The hero's finger left her chin and touched her lips instead. The warm texture she felt, as his soft fingers grazed her lips, caused Asa to shut them tight and passionately stare at the overpowering man.

She could no longer resist, and she felt lost in his presence.

"Call me Sam."

"S-Sam...?"

"That's good. Sam. Let's meet again someday, Asa."

"Y-yeah... let's... Sam..."

The Dragon Slayer's—correction, Sam's—smile broadened slightly, and the glow on his face intensified.

'Haaa... he's too amaaazzziiiinnnngggg!' Asa was delirious at this point.

"Great!"

Before the mood could proceed further, probably turning into something more... intimate... Sam pulled his face back and let go of her body.

'A-ah—!' By the time she regained a portion of her cognitive ability, she could see him walking away, waving as his body slowly moved.

"He's the best... The Dragon Slayer..."

Her smile was unending, and her heart was jumping by leaps and bounds.

"... Sam!"

***************

'Oof, that was intense!' I felt my heart slowly calm down as I distanced myself from the Adventurer known as Asa.

To be honest, I was feeling very intense thanks to how close I got to the girl. It was the first time I had done something like that, so, of course, I was freaking out.

'[Freedom Of Expression] is so convenient!' I wailed internally.

'',

As for why I decided to do what I did... it was a System Quest.

I simply had to make a lasting impression on her.

To do that, I resorted to my Hero charms.

'Fortunately, it worked. I got the System Rewards. But, damn...'

Getting close to such a beautiful damsel was bad for my heart.

'I better get used to this. Damien was a ladies' man, so there's no rule stating I can't be one too.'

The problem with creating a Harem, or engaging in any romantic relationship at this point in time was the fact that I had already built an image of trust and respect.

Everyone placed me on a pedestal, and it would be difficult to indulge in my more 'primal' instincts.

'I doubt I'd be able to hit on a girl successfully without it affecting my reputation in some way...'

I could liken my situation to that of a prophet in a religious organization.

Everyone looks up to such a fellow, and in some religions, the prophet is second only to God.

It would be absurd for a prophet to seek carnal affairs to try to indulge in his lustful desires. Someone holding such an office couldn't be allowed to act indecently.

As the Hero, I occupied such an office—and with great power, I had to show great responsibility.

All of this meant one thing...

'My lewd adventures in this world have ended before they even began!'

It was sad, but I had to bear it.

'Such is the path I have chosen.' A sniff escaped my nose.

I returned to reality and observed that we had walked a considerable distance from the Adventurer's City.

I would have summoned the car the moment we got to the outskirts, but Asa was there.

The girl didn't budge a bit until she was out of sight. Thanks to her interference, we had to walk a safe distance before I brought forth my Legendary Black Beast.

"Let's go," I told my entourage—Sarah and Byron—who gave the usual clamors of surprise and awe.

'Ah, never gets old...' I gleefully thought.

My mission was complete in the Adventurer's City—and not only was I stronger, but I had set the foundation for future events.

Now... I had to address the most pressing issue that weighed on my heart.

'Time to stop those goddamn Demons!'