Raising A Hero – Chapter 87

Ch 87: New Team.

The 1st Hero exam began.

There were many promising candidates this time. Among them were names that Ji-hyuk had heard before. The fact that he remembered the names meant they were at least B-class Heroes.

Still, the half-blood beast-man, who endured hellish training every day, relentlessly beat her opponents and was on a winning streak. In fact, because she was Aizel’s recommendation, she was already receiving people’s attention. However, some people suspected the fairness of the recommendation letter because she was Ji-hyuk’s teammate.

Fortunately, with Mahushu’s consecutive victories, such doubts disappeared as if they had never existed. Even if there had been a private request, if she had this level of skill, there would be no problem writing a recommendation letter. Because in the world, the strong are the law.

Thus, Mahushu effortlessly became one of the final 8. Now, the ranking match remained.

Her first opponent was someone Ji-hyuk knew well. It was the Orc Giranosh. A tutorial colleague like him. In this round, Ji-hyuk and that guy had a bit of a bad relationship.

“See him again hereㅡ.”

Of course, his personality was still fucking awful even after three years. He had a look in his eyes that seemed to belittle her, who was much smaller than himself. A harsh roar erupted immediately.

“Uoooooooooooㅡㅡㅡ!!”

And then, he leaped and swung a huge iron club without mercy. It was an attack that would send the opponent to the afterlife if hit. He seemed not to care that he would be eliminated if he killed his opponent.

“Why the hell hasn’t this bastard changed?”

Of course, Mahushu couldn’t be hit by such a low-level attack. Having experienced countless practice matches with Ji-hyuk, she had already reached the level of a C-class Hero. Giranosh wasn’t weak either, but to her, he was just an Orc.

Tadadak.

The half-blood beast-man, lowering her body, moved like lightning. And with a short spear, she fiercely struck the side of his body.

ㅡㅡ!!

If she had stabbed, it would have been fatal, but if she accidentally stabbed the heart, it would be a big problem, so she tried to avoid stabbing the spear into the body as much as possible.

“This fuck…!”

The Orc swung the iron club horizontally. Mahushu nimbly ducked and, at the same time, fiercely stabbed the sole of his foot with the spear.

ㅡㅡㅡ!!!

Giranosh again slammed the iron club towards Mahushu’s head. But this time, too, she quickly dodged the attack.

He had a very contorted face with a look of being angry. It was a look in his eyes filled with killing intent.

Ji-hyuk wanted to beat him with his fists until he was half-dead, but it didn’t seem right for someone who was a Hero to associate with this low-level guy. There was no need to tarnish his reputation because of this guy.

Anyway, Mahushu used her strengths to the fullest and drove him. There was definitely a reward for special training.

In fact, if she had wanted to kill him, she would have killed him a long time ago, but it seemed like it would take some time to subdue him. Besides, wasn’t the Orc good at recovering both stamina and health?

However, when both of his legs were pierced with the spear and holes began to burst open, he couldn’t hold out any longer and fell. Even so, the way he struggled, screaming until the end, looked so pathetic.

“This shiiiit, I’m gonna kill youuuㅡㅡ!!”

Of course, the referee ended the match. Naturally, Mahushu won. She easily won and approached the captain with a smiling face. Then, she reported in a perfect attention stance.

“I have won, Captainㅡ!”

“Good job.”

Two days later, she won the second decisive match as well. Now, only the 1st and 2nd place match remained.

Her final opponent was the Lizardman Gorica. Ji-hyuk remembered that he had risen to A-class. There was no way to confirm it, but seeing his movements and the energy he exuded, it didn’t seem like a false memory.

He expected that Mahushu would have a pretty tough opponent.

However, the half-blood beast-man brought a proud victory from him with a great performance. This was also beyond Ji-hyuk’s expectations. The fact that the Lizardman was a bit awkward in dealing with Mahushu helped, but she showed more martial prowess than expected.

“Is she going to reach S-class?”

Of course, the possibility was low, but he still had a little hope after seeing this fight.

Anyway, Mahushu took first place in the 1st exam. She was also very happy. It was probably because she thought she was one step closer to becoming a great warrior.

Now, in two days, it would be time to select the mission. Since the team was already formed, all she had to do was select the mission and leave immediately.

Ji-hyuk returned to the mansion and gathered Mahushu’s team for the last time before leaving.

Captain Mahushu, Tanker Gid, Dealer Kayak, Magician Ya-el, and Healer Brant, who was newly recruited the other day. The five sat around the table and looked at the Hero.

“You’ve all worked hard to prepare this. As you all know, this is the first time Mahushu is leading the team. So there may be some awkwardness. But I have no doubt that if you work together by complementing each other’s shortcomings, you will be able to safely complete the mission and return. It’s not like you all have been wandering around for a day or two, right?”

Everyone smiled small and looked at each other once. Ji-hyuk continued speaking.

“When you all leave, I will also leave soon. You will probably return first. I believe that you will be Hero Mahushu by then.”

“Understood, Captainㅡ! I will definitely become a Heroㅡㅡ!!”

Mahushu shouted so loudly. It was good that she still had plenty of energy. They had a friendly dinner together and then went to their respective rooms. Ji-hyuk quietly called Kayak and did not forget to tell him.

“As I said before, you have to support Mahushu well. Through this expedition, make her clearly recognize what it means to be in charge of a team. …You’re smart, so you’ll understand what I mean.”

“Understood. I will take full responsibility and support Captain Mahushu.”

“Okay, I trust you.”

Ji-hyuk firmly believed in the abilities of this loyal Lizardman. Kayak would surely do well.

That night. Ya-el came to Ji-hyuk’s room for some reason. And she was wearing a suggestive nightgown. Of course, the Hero didn’t know what that meant. Still, since Teacher Aizel was in the next room, it was better to go to another room if possible.

“Let’s go out.”

Ya-el followed the Captain without saying a word. The two entered a room that was not occupied. She couldn’t hold back and embraced him.

“Captain…!”

“Yes, our Ya-el.”

So, they spent a passionate and hot night with the drug addict assistant as well.

…And, two days passed by like a shot.

Ji-hyuk and Mahushu went to the Academy together. This time, the 15th Prince brought a scroll with the mission written on it.

Mahushu was called first and went up to the stage, chose the 20-point mission, and came down. It was a job to eliminate monsters in the South Continent. It seemed like they could complete it without much difficulty.

They came out of the Academy again. Mahushu’s team was already near by, carrying their luggage, waiting for the half-blood beast-man to come. They were ready to leave at any time.

“Then, we’ll be back, Captainㅡ!”

“Now you’re the captain, Mahushu. Call me Your Excellency.”

“Yes, Your Excellency. Then, we’ll be back…”

Mahushu’s eyes, looking at Ji-hyuk, became moist. She turned around and walked away, then suddenly ran back to the Hero. And she hugged him tightly.

“Why are you acting childish from the beginning, hmm?”

The Captain gently stroked Mahushu’s head as she was embraced. She changed her expression again as if she had shown a bad side and shouted loudly.

“I will return, perfectly completing the mission, Captain…, no, Your Excellencyㅡ!”

“Okay, go well.”

Kayak bowed deeply to Ji-hyuk before leaving. The Hero nodded his head as he looked at him.

Thus, Mahushu’s team left for the South Continent to carry out the mission. Ji-hyuk felt a little strange because it was the first time he had sent a team away like this. Should I say it was a mix of relief and regret?

The Hero started walking toward the mansion alone. The darkness around him gradually brightened. Even though it was early in the morning, the avenue of the capital was bustling.

He sank into a long contemplation after a long time. As he was walking for a while, someone quietly followed him. When he looked, it was the Orc Grendal.

“Why did you come out? Don’t wait inside.”

“Kayak implored me. He told me to stay by Captain’s side.”

Ji-hyuk chuckled. That guy, tooㅡ. He seemed to have a hard time leaving his respected Captain behind.

“Yes, thank you.”

The Hero patted Grendal’s broad back. The two walked silently again, side by side.

At the front of the mansion, Grace was puffing on a cigarette. She slowly approached the two men walking side by side from afar. They met in the middle.

“Did they go well?”

“Yeah, they all went well.”

Grace walked beside the Hero. As the three entered the mansion, the teammates were lined up and standing there. Still, it seemed a bit rude that the subordinates were fidgeting in bed when the Captain had woken up and left early in the morning.

“Thank you for coming to see us off. We’re also leaving tomorrow, so everyone go in and rest well today.”

“Yep, Captain.”

That night, the Hero gathered his teammates to encourage and give them final words of advice. And after having dinner together, they dispersed.

Ji-hyuk was checking his luggage for the last time when Teacher Aizel came to his room.

“…You’re leaving tomorrow.”

“Yes, it turned out that way….”

“Then we… it’s time to say goodbye.”

The disciple smiled and spread his arms. The Teacher approached him at a quick pace and embraced him.

“Please wait at the cabin. I’ll come find you. …Or you can just move here. How is it?”

But the Teacher shook her head from side to side.

“No, that’s my home. It’s suffocating here. …I have to go down. I’m worried because it’s been a long time.”

“…Okay, then.”

The two looked at each other passionately and kissed. It was a tender and passionate kiss. And at the same time, it became the spark that set their bodies on fire.

The two masters and disciples tangled fiercely on the bed. The Teacher shouted to pour a lot of baby seeds into her deep place. The disciple poured out semen as the Teacher wished.

…And, the next day.

Teacher Aizel left the mansion in secret from her disciple very early in the morning. When the Hero woke up, the Fairy was already gone.

Ji-hyuk was a little disappointed that he couldn’t kiss her goodbye, but he soon let go of his attachment. After all, the Fairy had left. Even if he lamented, it was meaningless. Now it was right to focus on the work that was immediately in front of him.

The Hero team got up early in the morning and prepared to leave. They boarded the carriage as they watched the sunrise.

The carriage carrying six people soon left the empire’s capital. The sun rising from the horizon brightly illuminated the world. Ji-hyuk thought that Mahushu’s team would also be watching the same rising sun.

Hoooㅡ.

Ludivine, sitting opposite the Hero, sighed as she watched the capital disappear. It was her first expedition. Naturally, she couldn’t help but be nervous.

Romantic expedition, and fresh love…!

The red-haired freckled girl was still immersed in the fantasy. She glanced at the Captain sitting opposite her. She thought of a novel she had read before. As it happened, the protagonists of the novel were a Hero and a Magician. She felt like that was her destiny.

“Nervous?”

“…Yes, a little.”

“It’s like that for everyone at first. Just don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”

“Yes, Captain.”

Healer Grace was still puffing on her smoking pipe. She glanced at the two men and women talking, and then turned her gaze back outside the carriage. Hooㅡ. Gray smoke flew away and disappeared, mixed with the sand dust that hung like a tail.

The inside of the carriage soon became as quiet as a corpse.