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[30th Round] Social Outcast!

Externally, I looked like an ideal Hero that didn’t differentiate between men and women and forgave no villain. However, I couldn’t help but be worried lately about what I couldn’t tell anyone about.

“The old days weren’t that bad.”

In my first round, when I knew nothing about killing villains, I moved with the utmost caution, like a judge passing a verdict in court.

Should I kill him?

Wasn’t this a necessary evil?

What would be the consequences?

Was it worth judging them by appearance?

Did they deceive me?

…

I didn’t judge good and evil superficially, like my companions, but took into circumstances.

In doing so, I came to one conclusion.

Inner beauty was important!

“Um … Han Soo, evaluating people based on their spine and pelvis is…”

“You have a beautiful pelvis, Kaisa, and your spine isn’t bad either. That’s why you were destined to be my wife.”

“… That is a perfectly reasonable approach. I agree.”

“Just like how Mother-in-law B judged an individual based on their habits, a person’s spine and pelvis could also say a lot about their life.”

I wasn’t just spouting bullshit.

Office workers, sitting behind their desks for long periods, often experienced vertebral dislocation.

Likewise, old athletes suffered during the latter part of their years since they had worn out their cartilage at a young age due to heavy loads.

In other words, inner beauty personifying human life was simply science.

“Why did you bring this up, Han Soo?”

“I’m just grumbling.”

“That’s not like you.”

“How do you even see me as a person?”

I was currently flying to the Eastern Continent to prevent the atrocities of a vile field teacher, whom I would soon fire.

Naturally, I had Kaisa in my arms.

I usually played the role of “striker” rather than “defender.” So it was better to stay away from Mother-in-law B in the future, who also preferred the same role…

“A man who’d willingly break even his mother-in-law’s neck if she was deemed lacking in kindness.”

“Who are you talking about?”

“You. I was just answering your question.”

“Ah! That was so far from the truth I didn’t even realize it at first!”

“…”

“Listen carefully, Kaisa. I don’t like the notion of regression. It just doesn’t make any sense. Upon being sent back in time, one would be transferred from timeline A to timeline B, making them think everything had been fixed now. But that mindset is far too narrow. What would happen to timeline A’s universe, which they now abandoned forever? Causing the universe itself to rewind isn’t possible since even the most powerful gods can’t provide the total amount of energy required for such a feat. Even if it were possible, they wouldn’t pay any attention to a social outcast. Am I making any sense?”

“No.”

“So my explanation’s still complicated for you, huh… Don’t worry. I’ll send Science Teacher to you later.”

“I don’t know what you mean, but I think this won’t have any effect on our marriage. I already get that you don’t believe in going back in time for one reason or another anyway.”

I didn’t think there was any need to delve into this side topic further.

“That’s enough for me. Let’s get back to the point of my story. Finding regression deplorable, I valued my time and relationships with other people.”

“I believe you value your time, but relationships? It doesn’t look like you’re planning on mending your connection with the companions you killed.”

“Of course. I hated those bunch of idiots who are ready to paralyze the market economy of an entire city just to save one girl.”

“… I have nothing to say to that.”

“Kaisa, my point is I really put in a lot of effort in my first round.”

“Compared to the different Heroes in my memories, you really did try harder than the rest. You worked tirelessly and without taking a break… Whoa?! We’re in the middle of a conversation! Keep your fingers to yourself!”

“This has nothing to do with the conversation.”

Hence, those comments were unnecessary and useless.

The bottom line was that I was diligent enough in my first round to memorize the names of the most decent among the stupid Fantasy savages.

For example?

Once, when my companions pissed me off, I got drunk and got into a conversation in a bar. As a result, I ended up becoming close to people who took pity on me.

That was during my first round.

However, when I learned about the concept and existence of regression in this world, I found my judgment and values turned upside down.

“Is going back in time really that bad? The other Heroes were so happy about it, almost as if they felt like they had become gods.”

“I’m not surprised.”

I expected no better from those single-celled organisms.

People valued life because what had been done and said couldn’t be reversed.

That was why we always did our best.

But then we discovered regression.

That didn’t just give us the ability to possess information about the future others knew nothing of.

It plummeted human pride and dignity, the value of time, and the importance of life to the very bottom.

If something went wrong, we could just restart from the beginning as if we were in a game.

I found such an attitude towards the world heartless.

“But you now look contented, Han Soo. Does this have anything to do with the unification of the dimensions?”

“Of course.”

Because now we were no longer guinea pigs.

There was no regression.

There was only one Kaisa in the world.

“So everything turned out the way you wanted? Why did you grumble then?”

“It’s just hard to get used to.”

“…”

“Don’t look at me with such a silly look on your face. This is very important for me. Here, let me give you an example. If I do this with my fingers, it will forever be imprinted on your body.”

“Kya?!”

“See? Our actions are no longer reversible, so I need to be careful. But that’s exactly why I can’t help but wonder if it would still be right to ignore Citizen A, Princess C, or Knight B now.”

“I understand! Stop doing this in broad daylight already!”

“I’m glad the version of you that doesn’t know what magic I can do with my fingers will no longer return.”

“Couldn’t you have given a normal example?!”

“I’m ready to take responsibility. So it’s okay.”

“Your ways of expressing love… are beyond common sense. But I appreciate them.”

“Then I’ll continue.”

“What? Kyaaaah!”

Kaisa was already soaked to the bone when we reached the Eastern Continent.

I scanned our surroundings.

Resident A, Resident B, Resident C, Resident D…

Unlike the bustling ports, it was quiet and peaceful in this wilderness.

“It must be around here somewhere…”

We were currently standing in the approximate location of Illeana, according to a dastardly Elf Empire teacher’s report formulated using her work privileges.

Dream Forest Village D.

Although its name connected it to the Dream Forest, this place was quite a distance away from it.

It was simply the nearest settlement adventurers and mercenaries could resupply in before heading into the woods.

However, it would actually take a day to get to the forest itself from here.

Since I didn’t have much time, I decided to ask Citizen C, the least dumb-looking of the villagers.

“Hey, let me take some of your time since you’re not busy and you’re vigilant enough to judge country girls’ buttocks. I need to ask you something.”

“Kh?!”

“I’m looking for an elf. Her ears are longer than average, and her breasts are much larger than those of normal elves. In fact, her features are so unique it’d be hard to miss.”

“Kh—! My neck… Pha!”

“Hmm? Ah. I’m really sorry. It’s an old habit. I blame this on the recent fusion of memories.”

I let go of Citizen C’s neck, the space between its 6th and 7th vertebrae of which I had clamped shut.

“God! Are you also one of those social outcasts? I understand that your mind’s probably filled with confusion right now, but be more careful next time. I thought I was going to die.”

“… That’s a very good point. You could say that.”

Amazing.

I didn’t think the day would come when I, the Righteous Hero, would be branded a social outcast.

“This village is in the middle of nowhere, so we’re having a much easier time coping with this strange phenomenon. On the other hand, the agriculture of the neighboring village, which Heroes often visited, has been paralyzed.”

“They still visited this place nonetheless, right?”

“Yes, but there were so few of them that I can count them in one hand. Still, among them, there’s one Hero that we’ll never forget.”

“Hmm?”

So there was such a Hero.

I grew curious about who they were and how they were remembered.

“His name was Kang Han Soo.”

“Pha!”

“Mm? Now that I’ve gotten a closer look at you… It can’t be! You’re Kang Han Soo, aren’t you?!”

“Well…”

“Oh my God! You choked me as soon as you saw me, preventing me from coming to my senses right away, but now I’m certain! And the lady next to you is… the Sword Princess, right?”

“Yes…”

“Everyone! Stop what you’re doing and come here! He’s back! Our Hero is back!”

Brimming with excitement, Citizen C has caused a commotion amid this quiet village.

Kaisa swiftly embraced me, exclaiming in surprise.

“Is this a trap?!”

“No, just a simple commotion…”

“Ah! I remember now. We’re in the village of Parnar, whose residents you helped in the past, aren’t we? This place is full of bad memories for me and my colleagues, but it’s different for the locals.”

Hearing Citizen C’s shouts, everyone rushed to us.

“He’s back?”

“My God! He is!”

“Kang Han Soo!”

“Our savior has returned!”

“Welcome, Hero!”

I was just about to calmly search for Illeana’s pads, but I found myself in the spotlight instead.

I had to somehow resolve this situation.

“Hey! Take it easy. This isn’t your first time seeing a Hero, so what’s with all the fuss? Go back to what you were all doing already.”

Citizen A replied, “Haha! How can you put yourself on the same level as other Heroes?”

“You…”

“The village elder. An incompetent old elf in charge of one of the many villages you saved,” The elf, who seemed to be in his thirties, replied with a modest smile.

I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Why act so modestly? You shouldn’t talk about yourself like that. It was you who saved this village, not me. I just suggested a way to solve your problem. You should be more proud of yourself, Mr. Leod.”

“Wow! The Hero still remembers my pathetic name! This is such an honor!”

“… We worked together for five days, during which we called each other by name, after all.”

I got used to not remembering the names of those I encountered in my journeys since any bonds I made immediately dissolved every time I regressed.

However, with the world now united, they remembered…

“Han Soo?”

“Don’t mind me.”

“Are you… crying?”

“… Not at all. The Righteous Hero with a heart of steel does not cry over such trifles.”

“Hehe. Of course.”

“…”

I finally got them back.

My past acquaintances.

With their locked memories freed, they no longer dryly asked me who I was while staring at me blankly.

“Luka, you mischievous girl, you still haven’t found a husband? Are you still trying to find yourself a city boy?”

“Of course, but now that you’re here… Huh?! The Hero is already married?!”

“Hmm. Elio, black troll hunter. Be more confident, got that?”

“Haha… I understand, Hero, but I’m just a bumpkin…”

“Mister Droy, are you still experiencing backaches? Isn’t it time to leave your daughter’s smithy? At this rate, you might pass on without seeing your future grandchildren.”

“Haha… I would definitely like to see my grandchildren, but my daughter isn’t even planning to get married yet!”

…

I felt as if our conversations would never end if I communicated with each villager separately.

On the other hand, their relationship with the Sword Princess…

“That terrible woman is here again?”

“Why is that witch hugging the Hero?”

“Be careful with your words. She might kill you.”

“Phew! Fortunately, she’s the only one here.”

… was dark.

Kaisa’s ears turned red.

“It’s okay, Han Soo. This is karma. My colleagues and I have to come to terms with this…”

“Okay, then…”

I wanted to speak with the elder to continue my search for Illeana.

But the atmosphere didn’t allow it.

The locals dragged the Righteous Hero aside.

“Take a look at the village square! We worked with other villages at the same time to build a statue of the Hero. We have depicted the figure of Kang Han Soo towering over the hypocritical Heroes!”

“…”

I couldn’t refuse them, could I?

It would never be too late to find Illeana’s pads anyway…

『A certain innocent goddess is filled with pride.』

What was she so proud of?

Regardless, the Righteous G-Class Hero headed to the village square!