The Journey Has Ended, But Villains Still Exist...!

Everyone knows the typical 'Hero's Journey'. You have your familiar world, your unfamiliar world, a mentor of some sorts that helps everyone get used to the unfamiliarity of the 'new world' the Hero uncovered, and your quest to save the world...

Everyone wants to save the world, don't they? Who wouldn't? The world is where we live, after all!

That's also what Alex first believed when reincarnated into the 'unfamiliar world' of Gaia after being killed in his 'familiar world' of Earth. Though the results weren't really as good as he thought...

In the end of the day: Heroes tend to fade in obscurity if the 'great evil' they face doesn't go around showing that they could indeed cause a large catastrophe after they've saved everyone, and even if they do, no one really needs to thank you if you had taken the task upon yourself without anyone prompting you to do so. It's almost like reality is sometimes stranger than fiction...

My point is that sometimes it's best not to think that you are 'responsible' for saving the world.

Alex had learned this the hard way in his youth after his quest to 'saving the world' was taken offensively by the Luminous Church, who seemed to have dibs on who exactly is the one who saves it. In fact, the person who gained fame and popularity after the lad beat down the Cult was actually a very famous Leader of a band of Holy Knights... who weren't even there when people started dying everywhere horrifically.

Appreciation was given to the clean freak instead...

To give the man some due credit, he DID act as the scholarly youth's Mentor figure and gave him a lot of advice throughout their journey to fight and survive against the forces of evil. But where are the mentor figures when they're needed in the finale?

Though I guess Alex should be thankful if you thought of 'the meta'. Mentor figures normally end up dead most the time to add more of a reason why they could beat the baddy, or maybe even act as the igniter for a heroic power booster.

He should also be glad that Arthur also survived since best friends are best tragedy fuel. Their deaths can also activate a Heroic Second Wind Trope if the Final Boss is too powerful for him.

Damn, he's seriously one helluva lucky guy...!

But if the lack of fame was the only problem with doing selfless acts of heroism, then he wouldn't really mind much. The real reason he hung his quite obvious 'chosen one' status and called it a day was because he ended up making enemies with a bunch of crazy psychos... who wouldn't let him go until he changed how he looked and stopped standing out like hero wannabe.

There are certified 'Heroes' in this world, and maybe taking their job wasn't the best choice...

The random Cult members scattered across the globe gave both him and Arthur a headache back in the heydays of their great adventure. Well, that's if you can call running for your life everyday from remnants left behind of the Cult an 'adventure'...

Being a Wannabe Hero really sucks...!

'I guess it's time bring out my secret weapon!' Alex thought in front of the open restaurant as made a few gestures with his hands. A black Rune formed of the Dark Attribute appeared on his palm before being replaced with fresh, meaty, succulent, deluxe chicken curry that smelled unbelievably tasty! Even he himself drooled a little upon seeing it appear...

'3, 2, 1...' He counted before a figure clad in light leather armour shot out of the restaurant like a cannon bullet and grabbed the little pot in his hand. The brawny youth didn't even give his old friend before him a glance as he first decided to gulp down the entire meat pot in a singular swift motion. Alex was once again shock by his friend's 'magic' of being able to make food instantly disappear upon making contact with his mouth...

"Bro!!! How have you been?! You look skinnier than before... D'ya know what, man? I found a great place that sells the best, nicest, tastiest deserts in the kingdom! You should come in with me!" Arthur returned the pot back before speaking loudly in excitement. His eyes were on fire just like his personality, which was as spicy as ghost peppers.

As the scholarly youth expected... his good friend was the same goddamn knucklehead as ever~£

"That place is run by 'crazies'." Alex spoke while returning the empty pot to his 'Portable Space'.

"Say what...?" His friend did a double-take.

"I just checked their 'stats'."

"My luck can't be that bad, right...?"

"It is."

"You've gotta be kidding me...!"

"This is no joke... Though they seem to be more docile than before, that doesn't change the fact that they've killed a bunch of people. We should alert the authorities about this secret base of th-"

"Hold up!" Arthur raises his hand to stop him before continuing with a stern expression:

"Let's fight them and make a name for ourselves! We will just blow them up like we did years ago...!"

"You want me to become an arsonist? The Church still won't get off my back about accidentally blowing up one of their Medicine Sanctuaries, and you want me to have charges pressed against me for blowing up a restaurant? Did our adventure teach you nothing?" Alex asked him rhetorically.

"Then I'll blow them up myself!" His big friend then decided NOT to ask for help of any way, shape or form. It was as if his anger manifested itself to a fiery aura around him as he eyes burned with fury.

This made Alex have that look again: ( º _ º)

The one where he watched on for a few seconds in utter speechlessness at that dominating presence.

"Arthur!" The scholarly youth finally displayed his fangs as his eyes narrowed towards him while his whole body started glowing in a mystical, runic radiance. In the end he became shocked after realising that his childhood friend seemed to be overflowing with boundless magical power! An amount that shouldn't be possible for a Human...!

He was glad that it was only his runic eyes that could see this beastly strength hidden within him.

In this world called Gaia, the standard Magic System everyone knew about was simplistic to the point that even a child could understand its intricacies. The power of a 'Common Rank' individual would only have the base natural magical power that really anybody would be capable of producing, while those above that level of strength who were considered that of the 'Noble Rank' would each have a extremely small number of exclusive super-moves called 'Spell Slots'.

A Spell Slot was as the name suggested: It was a person's own personal Magic that was consolidated into a formless power that could only be used once a day... This 'Slot' was kinda like having a 'Special Skill' on any online, action-oriented role-playing game on Earth. This was different from a mere small-scale 'Magic Skill'.

Skills can be used by anyone, but Spell Slots were unique to those who had 'achieved' something.

They were medals that the world imparted onto individuals who done a great deed in their life.

It a culmination of one's experiences that could only be gained through both an abnormal amount of hard work and fortune... so how could Alex believe his eyes when he read Arthur's abilities using his unique, inborn Class Skill?

What he read above him was the following:

{Godly Physique: 5 (Wind Magic- Hurricane Cleaver, Water Magic- Sea Splitter, Earth Magic- Mountain Breaker, Fire Magic- Inferno Slicer, Lightning Magic- Storm Dicer) Magic Slots: 2 (Dark Magic- Doomsday Draw, Blood Magic- Draining Slash) Innate Skill: (Light Magic- Nature Imbue)}

A total of SEVEN Spell Slots!!!

One has to know that the absolute limit of the Noble Rankings was that of a 5th Level called the 'Duke Rank', meaning he was two levels higher than even the strongest of nobility to ever exist!

Arthur could probably gain a great title and his own personal land if he was to join Lancia's nobility...

You lovely readers are most likely wondering what I'm going on and on about, right? That's easy: I'm talking about how one's 'Rank' in the Power System of this world also decided how one would be treated by their kingdom. 'Nobles' with Spell Slots were considered to be great assets to the kingdom and helped the people feel safe.

That's why it was crucial for people to have enough strength if they wanted to obtain greater influence within the kingdom. Someone like his best friend who had great power but no backing could be considered a individual everyone would vie for.

"Y-you... What happened to you while I was gone?"

"..." All of a sudden, the fires of determination in Arthur died down and were hazed over in sadness.

He seemed to be hiding something...

"You're not calm anymore. I feel like your personality switched as soon as I brought those crazies up. What happened? Although you never liked them before, this is my first time seeing you actively want to beat them up like I once did. You're definitely hiding something important from me right now, are you?" Alex decided that now wasn't the best time to talk about his increase of power and instead opted to learning about why Arthur wanted to fight them in the first place.

It was better to get a complete picture of why his friend seemed like he was losing his sanity first...

"And so what if I am? ...Mind your own business." A dark expression appeared on Arthur's face as he turned towards the restaurant. His eyes hiding away something that seemed to fill his heart with with greater malice towards these 'evil' Cultists.

"Don't go." A hand grabbed the brown youth's shoulder before he straight up charged in there.

"Don't try to stop me...!"

"I don't know why you want to beat them up so badly, but I'll help you out. I'm your best friend, after all. So tell me this, what is your plan of action now that you have a goal to obtain?" Alex inquired as he needed to know what he was thinking.

He wouldn't let this dumb Warrior fight by himself.

"I want to destroy that Cult once and for all."

"And how will you do that? By randomly going around and destroying each of their hidden bases? I knew you weren't much of a thinker but this plan of yours is too stupid to ever work out. You'll end up endlessly fighting without any hope of winning."

"I'm strong enough to fight them all myself!"

"You're not. Even seven Spell Slots doesn't mean you're invincible. When we first fought these crazy guys, we never outright raided their base or 'fairly' fought them while appearing in public. The only reason we're living peacefully right now is because we now look older and 'cleaner' compared to those times we'd run around with mucky clothes in the Dark Forest to get them off our backs.

If you are suicidal enough to once again throw us into an abyss of no return, then go right ahead..."

"Then what do you expect me to do?! I will never stop until that damned Mirror Cult is destroyed!"

"Let me give you some advice."

"What advice...?"

"Destroy the core of their power. Everything else will fall into place once their leader is defeated."

"Oh...? You mean like we tried before? You want us to go on a wild goose chase only to find a fake leader... dressed like the biggest villain just to act as a trap for us... It's like last time, right?" Arthur only shook his head in refusal and asked spitefully.

It was only after speaking those words did he realise this was just his anger venting onto his best friend and covered his mouth, but he couldn't bring himself to apologise as he stood there emotionally.

"Then what about this... For now, we'll just see what they're up to and work our way up from there..." The scholarly youth frowned as he remembered the 'ending' of their last adventure.

If he could, he really wished he could go back and avoid coming into contact with the Mirror Cult...

However, just as they were about to stop bickering in front of their enemy's headquarters, a kind voice of that seemed oddly familiar to them entered their ears. Alex couldn't help but tremble uncontrollably as he turned to see a man advertising close to him.

"Hear me, those who wish for peace, tranquility, and the serenity of fortune! The Radiant Sword Mirror Religion is inviting new members to join our quest to bring paradise to this world! Those who join now will be given a free Spell Slot upon becoming part of our grand circle of friends and acquaintances!" A man with the overall look of a gentleman spoke loudly while handing out leaflets to the people who were curiously hanging around to see what was up, which boggled Alex's mind.

Why were they publicising themselves like they were doing a pyramid scheme? Have they gone crazy? No, he already believed them to be bonkers anyway. There was no point thinking any deeper.

Most of Lancia's citizens were uninterested in joining another religion other than the Luminous Church. However, there were a few who seemed to be moved by the last part of the man's words.

After all, a Spell Slot wasn't something easy to get ahold of for those without a combat related profession or a unique Class, those who gained Spell Slots despite having no combat Class were as rare as Phoenix feathers and Dragon scales. It was way more convenient to get one by joining the Radiant Sword Mirror Religion or becoming a Holy Knight that worked for the Luminous Church.

Arthur's eyes started turning red as he also recognised the voice of the man who was advertising a new 'Religion' to the common folk crowded on the streets. It was then that the scholarly youth got ahold of himself pulled his brawny friend behind his body. He didn't want him to alert their new enemy by frightening him off.

Truthfully, the youth was treating this priest like weak prey rather than a force to be reckoned with.

"Stop it...! Don't be an idiot and do something you'll regret. I'll handle this matter." This time it was Alex who had a dark look in his eyes, but unlike the brawny youth beside him he has put on a fake expression on his face as he headed towards the man in question. He looked like one of the curious onlookers who had no clue of who the man was.

"Excuse me." He spoke in a calm yet puzzled tone to the gentlemanly man that handing out leaflets.

"Do you wish to join our religion?" A beaming smile appeared on the cultist's face after hearing him.

"Maybe... But before I make a decision: I'm curious about a few things. May I ask some questions?"

"Please go right ahead~! All are welcome into the new Sanctuaries that will be made in the Northern District of the kingdom. Anyone is free to come there anytime to pray talk to our Priests for advice of any kind regarding the problems they face."

"Sure." Alex ignored the man's answer inwardly but outwardly displayed a look of understanding.

"Okay, to start off with: Aren't you aware that the Luminous Church considers all religions apart from their own heresy and those who follow any foreign teachings to be heretics? Aren't you afraid of repercussions for just being here?" The sincerity in his tone seemed so real that even Arthur might have believed he was asking out of concern rather than to venomously scare potential believers away.

"There is no reason to worry~! Though the Luminous Church may be the most widely spread and ancient religion of humanity, what we have is the approval of the Crown Prince of the Human Empire's one and only Ruling Kingdom to spread our teachings wherever we wish. I even have a Royal Seal on me to prove the authenticity of my words!" The gentlemanly man pulled out a golden badge that had the insignia of the Royal Family embedded onto it, shining a distinct gold glow.

Alex's eyes went wide as he studied the Royal Seal in the priest's hand thoroughly and inspected it with all his might. He was unable to believe his eyes as he realised that the familiar Cultist before him was telling the truth. The special metal that made the badge in the man's hand couldn't be reproduced, nor was it easy to parade around a fake symbol of authority without being found out...

'Unbelievable...!' The story took a strange turn for the worst as he realised the implications of the man's words. Had Lancia already fallen into their hands? Is the world in danger again despite the arduous journey they went through? If so, then wouldn't that mean a fifth- no, all of humanity was about to be brainwashed by these evil Cultists?

This was called the 'Ruling Kingdom of the Human Empire' for a reason, influence here spread wide...

The scholarly youth's eyes clouded as he realised that his previous conjectures on the Cult's overall strength had been entirely wrong. He still had the mind to hold up his facade though as he was about turn and talk to Arthur about what to do next.

It was at that moment that the gentlemanly man smiled at them in a different way than before.

It was a scheming and cunning smile...

"Surprising, isn't it? Alex Stuman and Arthur Rainglow, I guess the tables have turned~" The gentlemanly man's last whisper lingered in his ears and caused Alex to convulse in fear once more.

Though his stiffed up face betrayed none of these emotions though as backed away from the man while readying his finger to draw Runes once again if he needed to escape with Arthur.

"Please don't be alarmed. 'We' are not here to pursue the matters of the past anymore. 'We' merely want to have a chat with the mysterious magical prodigy who once blew up many of our Sanctuaries." A sharp glint appeared in the man's eyes as it seemed he had been aware of their identities all along. This didn't calm Alex down though as he drew closer to Arthur.

What awaits them after their worst enemy initiated contact with them? Even Gaia didn't know...!