Chapter 269:  The Stage of Envy (Part 4)

Kill.

If you can’t stop it, then use two, twenty, or 200. No monster’s armor can withstand the White-haired Witch’s Dragon Bomb. If it could — once the armor break was successful, even a god could be slain by the Hero of the Storm.

Unfortunately, the young Hero of the Storm hadn’t thought of that yet.

Her thoughts were already in disarray from Samimi’s words, having fallen for the “Chatting Tactics.”

Nonsense! Where do you think Lygeas learned her own “Chatting Tactics”?

They were originally taught by Samimi.

To be precise, it was the “legacy” Samimi had left behind in the Hero Party.

The sharp-tongued nature of everyone in the Hero Party was inherited from her.

Or rather, they had been infected by her.

Therefore — it was all the “Zombie Rice Weevil’s” fault, and had nothing to do with the current, cute Samimi.

“Hero is the highest honor given to a monster hunter…”

Lygeas whispered, repeating Samimi’s words.

If one were to analyze it carefully, among the five Heroes present, only Serina truly fit the original definition of a “Hero.”

Her Magic Serrated Shield-Axe was originally a super-weapon designed specifically to deal with Magic Beasts.

Using it against humans was like using a cannon to kill a mosquito — the power was excessive, the movements were clunky, and it was actually at a disadvantage in a PK Arena.

The Red Ogre Greatsword used by one of the Twin Heroes was also good against Magic Beasts; however, the Blue Ogre was clearly more focused on a PK style.

As for the Hero Sword Saint —

She was more like the ideal version of Lygeas herself, but she wasn’t suited for hunting Magic Beasts.

Cresia knew this well. She preferred to be called “Sword Saint” rather than “Hero.”

In the current adventurer system, “Hero” was mostly just a symbolic title used by the Three Great Guilds to balance power.

Everyone knew it, but no one pointed it out.

But Lygeas was different.

She came from the Royal City and was a “Hero” in the traditional sense; she held the title in extremely high regard.

Yet, it was only now that she understood the true meaning of the word for the first time —

And she had learned it from Samimi’s mouth.

Modern adventurers no longer followed the ancient rules.

They believed more in this:

A Hero must first defeat their peers before talking about hunting monsters.

Otherwise, why was every Hero the top solo fighter of their respective guild?

“I am… the Hero of the Storm…”

Lygeas’s mind was a complete mess.

“A so-called Hero is not the strongest person in the team, but a hero who can lead everyone forward,” Samimi said coldly.

“Do you have the resolve to carry your teammates?”

“No.”

“From beginning to end, you’ve only thought of yourself.”

“You’re the one least fit to be a Hero.”

“I’m not… no… I do… I don’t…”

Lygeas was incoherent.

Because she knew —

Everything Samimi said was the truth.

“You’ve matured a little, Lygeas,” Samimi said flatly.

“But I won’t play ‘Hero House’ with you anymore.”

“I will only support a true Hero.”

With words alone, she had crushed Lygeas’s psychological defenses.

Lygeas staggered back, her sword-hand trembling incessantly.

She looked at Samimi’s disappointed eyes, cold sweat pouring down her forehead.

She couldn’t accept it.

But Samimi’s disappointment wasn’t because she was “unqualified.”

It was because —

She was too weak.

Too easy to break.

As the former Captain and the “trump card” who appeared last, her mental fortitude was the most fragile.

Thinking back to the beginning —

Even the weakest, Fabiana, could endure for dozens of days before breaking down.

Bemore had spent an entire semester engaging in a battle of wits with her at the Magic Academy.

As for that yandere Elf, Close —

She was crazy to the extreme.

The reason Lygeas lost was —

She cared too much about her dignity.

If she had 1% of Close’s shamelessness, she wouldn’t be in such a miserable state.

*Click! Click!*

A mechanism activated.

Just as Lygeas’s spirit collapsed —

Serina pressed her advantage.

“**[DEEP BLUE TRIGGER]**.”

She merged her sword and shield into a shield-axe and pulled the trigger.

Driven by magic, the serrated edges rotated at high speed, letting out a piercing roar.

She leaped into the air, holding the shield-axe high with both hands, and slammed it down —

A deep blue arc of light fell, looking as though it were tearing through space itself.

If Lygeas were in her peak condition —

This strike would never have hit.

She might have even cut Serina’s legs off the moment she jumped.

But now —

This was the only chance.

“!”

By the time Lygeas snapped out of it, it was too late.

She could only retreat as far as possible while raising her sword to block.

*Bang!*

The moment the steel sword made contact with the shield-axe —

It shattered instantly.

Furthermore, the Deep Blue Trigger came with a powerful suction.

She had to put every ounce of effort into her ultimate footwork to break free from that terrifying vortex.

In the end —

She barely managed to dodge the fatal blow.

*Boom!*

The shield-axe struck the ground heavily.

The floor tiles exploded instantly.

The entire Main Hall of the Third Guild shook for a moment.

The shockwave sent Lygeas flying. She crashed hard and rolled several times before coming to a stop.

The audience erupted in an uproar.

The match was decided.

“That’s enough,” Cresia said as she blinked into the center of the field, blocking Serina, who still wanted to pursue.

Only then did Serina stop, deconstructing her shield-axe back into its sword and shield form.

“Oh yeah! I won!” she shouted excitedly.

At this moment, her long-suppressed emotions finally exploded.

For the longest time, she had been called the “Filler Hero,” the “Rookie Hero,” or the “Backdoor Hero.”

But now —

She had proven herself.

Though the victory wasn’t entirely fair.

In the world of adventurers —

A win was a win.

A controversial victory would be discussed for a while, but an uncontested crushing defeat would be remembered for a lifetime.

And Lygeas —

She didn’t yet know what was waiting for her next.

She had never experienced the taste of failure.

“I can still… I haven’t lost yet…”

She stood up unsteadily, still being stubborn.

But the others had already stopped her.

Even in defeat, one should maintain some dignity.

“Well done, Serina. Let’s go,” Samimi said, waving her hand with satisfaction.

“I’m not convinced! Again!” Lygeas shouted.

“Saying things like that is just pathetic,” Samimi sneered. “We were once teammates; there’s no need to make it like this.”

“It’s just… the sword was too poor…” Lygeas defended herself in a low voice.

It was true — if her weapon had been strong enough, she might not have lost.

“A loss is a loss!” Samimi was merciless. “Whose fault is it that your equipment is bad?”

Lygeas went silent. She had nothing to say.

“A Hero is the core of the team, the lighthouse,” Samimi continued. “Serina was able to get a Divine Official’s amplification, forge a powerful weapon, and receive coaching — “

“That is her strength, her character.”

“Why don’t you have those things?”

“Because you have no ability, no character, and no strength.”

“Because — you drove the Divine Official away.”

Those words were like the final blow.

Lygeas’s body swayed, and she fell to one knee.

Cold sweat dripped down.

“Are you okay?” Cresia asked flatly.

She didn’t really care. This kind of internal team strife was a common occurrence in adventurer circles.

It was just — it was rare to see someone cursed until they fell to their knees.

“Serina, let’s go.”

“Oh.”

Serina was now completely following Samimi’s lead. She put away her weapons and prepared to leave.

“Hehe.”

Bemore stood to the side and let out a strange cackle. She didn’t help, nor did she comment. She was like an outsider.

But because of that — she was even more dangerous.

When a person with social anxiety stops being socially anxious — it usually signifies a deeper change.

“What are you laughing at?” Samimi couldn’t help but snap.