The Ex Hilo Heroes

[Rendora]

I saw Verni's clones passing by a while ago. It looks like I'm close to whatever city it is Verni and Levia went to. And another hour of walk, I finally see it.

It seems to be an ancient fort. Though I don't even remember there was a place like this. Well, whatever, it seems to be occupied by people but for some reason they were knocked out. The guards, merchants, and its citizens seems to be sleeping quietly on the streets. I thought they were dead for a moment.

It must be Verni's ability that knocked them out. Who else can do it but him? They probably got scared seeing him. Well, I'm not surprised. In their eyes, Verni is a monster after all. That guy got stronger exponentially during our adventure for such a short time.

Everywhere I look, the people are sleeping. I can't ask for anyone for directions. May as well look around. Eventually, I give up and sit on the alleyway.

I rest for a while while thinking of things.

I manage to find some people who are awake, walking on the street. Perhaps, I shall ask them.

They seem to be a group teenagers, but looking at their gear and weapons, they are probably not ordinary people.

I can even hear their conversation.

"Hey Will, what should we do? Should we chase that several masked man that flew away from the city?"

"As painful as it is to admit, the masked man is out of our league. We ignore him for now. Let's not lose sight of our goal."

"This is exciting. We will be the one who will conquer the legendary Infinite dungeon first."

"Yeah, make sure the supplies are ready."

I guess they are adventurers, huh? What's more, they plan to conquer the Infinite Dungeon? Are they planning for a suicide mission? No one has entered it for centuries due to how dangerous that place is.

Regardless, I might as well try asking. I stand and walk up to the group. "You, can you give me directions to the Tavern or a nearby inn."

They are in silence for a few seconds. They ogle at my body from my thighs up to my face. I don't like their look.

"Ey William, this one is good." Carl chuckles as he licks his lips.

"She is indeed pretty." Says one adventurer.

The person he refers to as William sharpens his eyes at me. "A northerner, huh? Those are oddly looking equipment. What's more a silver-haired woman, that's quite rare."

This one is cautious and probably the only one who has a brain in this group. Also, we are expected to be rare since those with the dragon-born blood are silver-haired.

The person they refer as Carl comes closer while leering at my body. "Hey you, you seem like a capable adventurer. Why don't you join us? We'll give you a good time. Hehe."

"It's quite rude for you to dismiss my question and force me on something so unfair."

"Unfair? Haha, we are one the best adventurers in Munren. In fact, you would be honored for having to join us."

This one is hopeless. Dealing with these types of people, I know this one will be pointless. "Then, I'll be taking my leave."

After turning around, he grabs my hand. "Hey, where do you think you are going?"

The rest of his group, surround me and draw their swords. Carl is cackling as well as though he has me trapped. The one who's named William steps back scratching his head as though he made a big mistake.

"I see, so this is how you want to play."

With a quick swing of my elbow on Carl's jaw I send him flying sideways to the wall. As for the rest of the group, they got surprised. "Lord Carl!"

"Light magic, holy bringer!" I mutter coldly.

Holy chains arise from the ground and restrain them. They then get pulled down, struggling to break free.

The only one who I haven't touched was William. Even though he wants to fight but he knows he can't. He looks cautious as I come near to him.

He sighs and points to the right. "Continue for three blocks then go to the left. You might see a statue then proceed to the right."

"If you did that from the beginning, this wouldn't have happened."

"Regardless, holy magic, huh? The only one who can wield it are holy knights or the members of church? So you are indeed from the north and work for the church?"

"I'm not obligated to answer you."

He chuckles as though amused. "The fact is, you are not someone ordinary. Your gear is not something that is found just anywhere. Perhaps, you are acquinted with the masked man."

Masked man? Does he mean Verni?

Just when I am about to leave, the person named Carl struggles against my holy chains. He stands up with his eyes of rage piercing towards me. "How dare you belittle me woman?! I'll make sure to make you pay by showing you my true ability."

The person is tapping the air as though there is an invisible screen.

It reminds me of Verni. From what I read from the ancient scrolls, he must be tapping on something invisible on the air, we refer to it as the administrative divine script, or as the heroes call it, a system.

So these people are heroes? Or maybe just him. It seems I'm starting to get interested. "I thought you losers were just bunch of mobs but it seems you bunch are heroes from another world."

"How can you tell?" William says.

"Someone I know used to do it in front of me, tapping on the air as though there is something there. He is much more stronger than me."

"And who is that?" William stares at me as though dying to know.

However, I ignore him as Carl breaks my holy chains and stand up. He then cast a spell that causes the entire city to get covered by dark clouds. The city darkens ominously.

This one feels like a strong spell. As expected from the Ex hilo heroes. Perhaps, this is the time I shall use my blade. I grip on the hilt firmly.

Looking up, a dark swirling vortex of clouds slowly opens. It becomes larger and larger, growing to the size of the city.

Carl speaks proudly. "Come forth, Garginus!"

I see, he is summoning a powerful creature, huh?

As if I'll let that happen. With a swing of my sword on the sky, "holy judgement" the storm cloud vortex got cut into two. It then disperses out, and the sky returns to become cloudy grey.

Looks like I misjudged. They are awfully weak to be the ex hilo heroes. I lost interest. They are not even worthy to be compared to Verni.

Carl's jaw is agaped. He falls on his knees as he tries to process what just happened. "Huh?!"

William looks surprised as well. He gazes at me with a look of urgency. "Hey! Who is that person you know. Please tell me."

I turn around and walk away, never looking back. "You are not worthy to know his name."

[William]

Our moral is low after we got trampled by that mysterious woman. Not only we got utterly defeated but there is something on my mind that greatly worries me.

I walk to Carl who is still upset about the defeat, talking to himself. "That was unfair! How could she cancel my summoning?! That is unheard of and now I have to wait for my cool down."

"Hey, Carl, listen."

After asking for his attention, he snorts me off annoyingly. He says as though panicking. "Later! For now we have to think something. Yes, maybe increase our power or--"

I punch his face squarely, causing him to fall flat on the ground and get straightened. He then whimpers with a worried look on his face. "Ouch Will, that hurts."

This bastard. I hate him when he does bullshit like this.

"Could you shut up for a moment and stop whining like a baby. I have something important to tell you. That woman is close with someone who is a classmate."

"I don't get what you mean."

"That woman said the person she knows a hero from another world who is much more stronger than us. She also has a gear that I appraise to be worth more than S+ rank. Worse, the woman is also far more superior than us."

Carl grits his teeth. "She just got lucky."

"Moron, she cut the portal you created effortlessly. This means if a classmate is far superior than her, the rankings might need a little rework. The strongest among us is the class pres, she is around level 152, next is Alfred who's at 150, next is Jonathan whos at 148."

Carl is in silence as though he has accepted it.

Regardless, what shall I do now? Knowing Alfred, he won't let this pass. He can accept Shira being the number one but he won't stomach being number three. For him, this is absolutely unacceptable.

I show a device that resembles a walkie talkie.

Carl looks at it curiously. "That thing is..."

"Yeah, this is a type of phone which Alfred told us not to show the class pres and the other classmates." Shira and Alfred are having a coldwar after all. And information is important in this world. Technology of any type are much better than the Eye of Calling orbs the people in this world use for communications since you can only pair two orbs. As for a phone, you can communicate with anyone you want as long as you have their number.

I'll try calling Alfred and warn him that a classmate might threaten his ranking.

***

[Joshua]

I wonder why I am here again.

We are about 24 kilometers into the dark continent from the death pass. Which is a great feat since the humans who went through here in history can be counted by hand. For every kilometer we go up north, the monsters are getting stronger and stronger. This is an ideal place to level up.

Our team, which is led by Alfred are going strong as we move north. Right now, the enemies are around level 200. He is so keen to surpass the class pres.

However, I barely progressed since I'm treated like a servant than a comrade.

My name is Joshua, and I am the wielder of the [Technologist General] system which is at level 60. My system allows me to develop technology from the modern world. Including my mechanical arms on my back which let me carry the supplies of Alfred's team. I also have an antenna on my back so I can communicate with anyone who is several kilometers from the mainland of Munren.

These guys won't even allow me to fight thus I'm on the back lines trying to protect their supplies.

[Notice!

William is calling...]

Looks like I recieved some call. It's William, and it seems important. I guess I have to answer this.