Helter’s Departure and the Hero’s Return

“This can’t be helped, Lu Ren… I’m leaving.”

Helter insisted on going, and he was just about to turn away.

“You stop right there!” I fiercely wiped away my tears.

Just as he was about to ask what I was doing, I punched him without a word!

Helter wasn’t as strong back then, as I’d mentioned before. I easily knocked him to the ground, though my hand throbbed with pain!

“What are you doing?! Have you lost your mind?!”

“Even if I have to break your arms and legs today, I’ll keep you here!”

Then…

“Who gave you that confidence? I’ve been fighting for years, and I’ve never lost.” Helter dusted off his hands.

He stared down at me, my face swollen like a pig’s head.

“Oh, my god!”

I was so badly beaten, I could barely speak.

“Why are you stopping me?” Helter looked at me, annoyed.

“I-I t-told you, you won’t h-have a good outcome!”

Helter shook his head. “How do you know? I haven’t even experienced it yet.”

“I-I j-just know!”

“Even if I return home in despair, just as you say, what then? The road ahead is still long.”

Helter’s resolute gaze told me he was prepared for failure.

“If I truly return disgraced, remember to tell him this: ‘A person lives for themselves!’ Tell him not to abandon his ideals. Tell him to continue his adventure!”

‘Using famous quotes is my skill! Don’t just use them casually like that!’

“You’ll r-regret it!”

“I won’t regret it, ah, no, I won’t regret it! No matter how embarrassing things get, just thinking of adventure fills my entire being with strength!”

‘You idiot! Even if you embark on an adventure, you’ll still…’

[How to put it, I’m truly happy. I’m recalling how passionate I was back then!]

I suddenly remembered the words he’d spoken when he was ‘dying’ (he didn’t actually die…).

Had adventure given him new motivation?

“Is that so?”

“It is! Adventure is so thrilling! Just thinking about embarking on an unknown journey feels wonderful, doesn’t it?”

[Sigh, can you take me with you!]

He had said this to me with a joyful expression when I transformed into the Hero, ready for adventure.

“My journey to the Royal Capital now is also an adventure. If you see me as your elder brother and wish for me to set off happily, then don’t stop me any longer.”

‘Oh, right. Helter hasn’t seemed to drink much in the two days since joining this adventure… after his downfall, he couldn’t go a single day without drinking.’

“Got it? Don’t you dare stop me! I’m going to get my luggage now.”

Helter turned, leaving his back to me, and headed towards the village.

“Wait!” I crawled like an earthworm, scrambling towards Helter and embracing his leg.

“What now?! I told you not to stop me!”

“I’m n-not here to stop you!” My tears flowed uncontrollably once more. “J-just remember, no matter what h-happens in the future, always be confident!”

Helter smiled. “Though I didn’t quite catch what you said, I’m sure you’re telling me to be confident. Don’t worry, no matter what I encounter, I, Helter, will never lose hope in life!”

‘Don’t set up such a flag…’ I thought. ‘Never mind. Helter is Helter. His destiny is his own. Even if I can’t bear to witness his downfall, I cannot stop him from moving forward, from pursuing his dreams…’

A flash of white light.

Once again, I found myself at this bridge.

Three more years had passed, and I had grown.

That year, I must have been thirteen.

From afar, I saw Helter returning, burdened with luggage. He had grown much stronger, now carrying an unfamiliar greatsword, and exuding an air of maturity and weathered experience.

“It’s just as you said, I failed.” Helter scratched his head, his expression solemn as he spoke to me.

‘Sigh… I knew it. To actually make me experience such a poignant scene…’

“Cheer up, Helter. You’re back,” I said.

“But… I failed…”

“So what?!”

“Huh?”

“Say no more! Let’s go. It’s time for an adventure.” I smiled, and my body gradually began to change.

I was no longer Lu Ren; I had become Hero Emily.

“You…” Helter stared at me, astonished.

The most difficult scene I had ever faced in my life was, in truth, not so difficult after all. No matter what transpired, he remained my most important companion. I could never look down on him for his failure, even though he could be annoying, and even though my heart struggled to accept the reality of his defeat.

‘Brothers for life.’

He was still himself.

I was still myself, even if I was now the Hero.

“Alright!” Helter cast off his burden and hoisted the greatsword onto his shoulder. “Let’s go, Hero! I can’t wait!”

He didn’t need pity; he needed affirmation, he needed confidence! He needed a new adventure!

The air began to shatter, and the entire world collapsed!

I returned to reality!

By the shores of the Sacred Lake.

“Aaaah!” I clutched my throbbing forehead and stood up.

“You were even speaking his name in the illusion…” the small mouse, glowing red, remarked.

“How long was I asleep?”

“This humble one’s punishment lasted half an hour, completely exceeding this humble one’s expectations,” the small mouse stated.

“How long was it supposed to take?”

“At least half a day, up to half a year.” The small mouse continued, “Unbelievable. As expected of the Great Hero, to break through an illusion so quickly, even when facing things you couldn’t confront!”

“Then it seems your trick failed, Forest Lord. Come out now! Tell me the location of the Holy Sword!”

“Aren’t you concerned about your companion?”

I looked at Helter beside me. “Helter!” I pounced, slapping his face.

“Wake up! You can’t be hurt!” I repeatedly slapped him, hoping he would regain consciousness quickly. ‘Taking the opportunity to get revenge on Helter for beating him into a pig’s head in the dream…’

“Damn it… to have such a good relationship… This humble one has been jealous the whole way!”

The small mouse’s eyes grew redder and redder.

Suddenly, the Sacred Lake began to churn.

“Great Hero! What exactly is so appealing about that man?! It’s clearly I who loves you more!”

With a splash, a young girl with long green hair emerged from the water…

And then, it was the scene from two chapters prior…

‘I can’t believe this! Didn’t you, Forest Lord, just remind me to care about my companion? How did you suddenly get jealous? And what’s with your speech pattern? Weren’t you saying “this humble one” before? Now you’re just saying “I” when you get excited?’

“Tell me, Great Hero! Were you consorting with this man during those ten years of broken promises?!”

‘Indeed, I’ve known Helter for almost ten years, but back then I was Lu Ren! Not Hero Emily! How am I supposed to explain this?’

The Forest Lord’s emotional outburst made me uncover an important piece of information: ‘Could the Hero and the Forest Lord actually have a yuri relationship?’