Chapter 68 What A Hero Is All About [Pt 1]
What does it mean to be 'OP?'
The overpowered trope has become a staple in the anime and light novel world.
Many people lack the patience to see a character struggle for most of the series and brush up with death over and over again.
Some people just want to see someone totally wreck their characters with overwhelming powers.
Yes, that's right!
People like me enjoy watching the MC achieve a height where it is almost impossible to defeat him.
Yes... that's what being 'OP' is all about.
Now, to ask myself that simple question...
"Am I OP?"
I know the answer to that, though.
**************
"A war is coming... and a great conflict is brewing."
I was in Zabdel's office, directly speaking to him when I made the statement.
The Vice Guildmaster appeared surprised after hearing my statement.
We were talking about what to do with the dead body of the Earth Dragon I defeated.
Of course, it was my kill—so I had every right to the monster.
Still, other than a few parts that I considered necessarily urgent, it was best I left it with them and used the same reasoning as the first round.
'Let them make weapons for me by using the parts...'
There was no need to compensate any family member since no one died, so Zabdel had to use every necessary part for weaponry.
The glands and interior organs of a Dragon could be used for Potions of various categories, but I doubted the humans in Lamar knew how to do it.
It was either I showed them how it was done, or I simply did it myself.
After calculating the probability and weighing my options, I chose the latter.
"I'll skin the Earth Dragon myself, and I will live you in charge of forging the weapons."
Our Settlement didn't have the right structures to make forge-quality weapons, and there was still a lot to be done before we could get to that point.
'The internal organs and meat will be taken into my Inventory, and I'll carry out whatever research and processing I need to...'
There was no room for waste!
As for the parts that the Adventurers could work on, I would leave it to them.
"You haven't handled Dragon Grade quality before, have you? Do be careful..."
As much as I wanted to protect my interests, though, I was sure they couldn't damage the Dragon scales by accident.
Even if their actions were intentional, it was still very doubtful that they would succeed.
In any case, just as in the previous round, I told Zabdel my location so the weapons would be delivered to me when they were done.
Also, by allying ourselves, I was able to secure Dulum's assistance in any event that the Settlement—or even me, personally—was in danger.
There were about three S Class Adventurers in Dulum. If I counted Zabdel and the Guildmaster, that was about five of them already.
Now that I had five peak humans to render assistance to me, I could consider my work in the city to be done.
"I will be leaving this place immediately." Rising to my feet, I paid my last greeting before heading out.
As I walked out the door, I could see Zabdel bowing to me.
To me, it was a bit extra, but not entirely terrible.
**************
"Let us return." Gerard and Sarah were already waiting for me on the outskirts of the City, just as we agreed.
I appeared, seemingly out of thin air, thanks to my camouflaged cloak.
It was the only way I could escape the city without drawing too much attention to myself.
The maneuvers I had to adapt to make it out of the City in one piece was nothing short of a miracle, but thankfully the worst was over... or so I thought.
"E-excuse me, sir!" A voice rang out behind me, causing me to exclaim in shock.
'Shit! I thought no one was following me!'
Sharply turning back, I one person—a young woman—beaming at me respectfully.
I recognized the blonde well.
"Asa...?"
The moment I said this, the girl jumped in surprise.
'Oh, shit! I haven't met her in this timeline.'
"H-how do you know my name?" She blurted out in inquisition.
'Ah, damnit...' Thanks to my loose tongue, I now had to correct my tongue with the best method I knew of...
"I know lots of things."
... BULLSHITTING.
"A-ah, I see!" Asa's eyes sparked with even more interest, but that no longer surprised me.
I still had Asa's character profile, after all. Detailed information about her were also included there, including the true Race she belonged to.
"You were following me, weren't you? Your level of skill is not bad..." I commented with a cool smile.
'It was great! Her skill level is great! I couldn't even sense her at all!
The problem with my invisibility cloak was that it needed me to deactivate all my Skills for it to function.
I didn't have stuff like <Insight> to carefully sense my surrounding, so I had to take extra precautions.
Yet, Asa was able to follow me despite my being non-visible.
'I'm Level 60 now... yet I couldn't notice her.'
Yes, I was distracted.
Yes, I was a novice with almost no experience.
Yes, she was someone older and more mature than I was.
But... it didn't stop her from being impressive. The most shocking thing about Asa, though...
"T-thank you very much!"
... Was that she became an A Rank Adventurer in this round.
'It shows how much I stunted her growth in the exams because I cheated.
'Yet another thing I rightfully corrected.' I nodded internally with pride.
"So, how may I help you?"
"W-well, the thing is... I saw you fight that Dragon... and I thought it was impressive!"
'Ah, I see. So she became a fangirl.' I had to say, it was a bit funny that even this version of Asa ended up admiring me despite my lack of direct contact with her.
'Providence works in funny ways.' I nodded and stared at the blond girl.
"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."
Offering free consultancy services to a fan that approached you was one of the duties of a Hero.
And I was very diligent in my job.