"—————!"
When Fang Zheng regained his senses, he found himself in a ghostly place that looked like a pitch-black, dim basent. Standing before him were several individuals dressed almost like cultists. Upon seeing Fang Zheng appear, the leader imdiately spoke.
"Master Hero, please save this world!"
"What?"
At that mont, Fang Zheng heard three voices beside him. Turning to look, he saw three young people, seemingly students, dressed in school uniforms and holding various weapons, standing up from the ground... Hmm? What kind of setup is this?
Wait, why do I feel my hand is a bit heavy?
Fang Zheng lowered his head and saw a shield had sohow appeared on his right arm... Shield?
???
What the hell is this shield?
"Ah ah ah, Master Hero, please save this world!"
Soon, the cleric, dressed like a cultist, spoke again. The young man beside him then asked.
"What does this an?"
"Well... It’s complicated. In short, we used an ancient ritual to summon the legendary Four Sacred Heroes... This world is facing the crisis of destruction, Master Hero, please help us!"
It’s like the beginning of an RPG, however...
"I refuse."
"Yeah, can you send us back to our original world? Otherwise, no deal."
"Do you guys feel no guilt for forcibly summoning soone?"
"To what extent will you consider our thoughts?"
".........."
Fang Zheng did not participate in their conversation. He rely squinted his eyes, observing these cultists in front of him. He felt a dark, twisted aura emanating from them, similar to the cultists in the Main World and Dark World, not very obvious but... He could sense sothing was off among them.
"... Save ..."
At this mont, a voice rang in Fang Zheng’s ears again, clearer than before, yet it vanished right after.
Indeed, it’s this world?
"Anyway, please et our King lomag..."
The leader spoke again.
"Regarding reward money, we’ll discuss that later... Follow ."
He gestured as he spoke, and the three nodded, following him.
Fang Zheng didn’t say much, just followed behind, carefully sensing the atmosphere around him.
Every world has its characteristics, and the aura varies. The Black Soul World’s aura to Fang Zheng was one of decay and darkness, while the Ga World felt like so electronic pulse. Yet this world seed unsteady, akin to air filled with tension, chaos, and unease right before a tsunami.
And destruction.
Thus, led by those who seed like cultists, Fang Zheng and the others were brought to the Royal Palace, where they saw an old man seated on the throne.
"Are you the Four Sacred Heroes from ancient legends? I am the King of gmarlo, Ottoclay gmalo XXXII. Heroes, please state your nas."
The elder on the throne spoke calmly while Fang Zheng noticed his fleeting glance before quickly averting his eyes.
"Tenmoku Ren, sixteen years old, high school student."
"Motoyasu Kitamura, twenty-one years old, college student."
"Itsuki Kawasumi, seventeen years old, high school student."
Indeed, all just kids who haven’t graduated yet.
Listening to their introductions, Fang Zheng shook his head. No wonder they sounded so immature before, an air typical of students naive to the world’s dangers and still nestled in their ivory towers. People like this need to go through multiple interviews and be struck down by interviewers to realize their idiocy.
However, as Fang Zheng pondered, he heard the king’s voice again.
"Hmm, Ren, Motoyasu, and Itsuki, is it?"
Intentionally ignoring ?
Hearing this, Fang Zheng raised an eyebrow, then scanned the surroundings to find other ministers and nobles remaining silent, seemingly feeling nothing amiss.
Intriguing.
Recalling the king’s secret glance at him and this subtle treatnt differing him from the others, Fang Zheng slightly smirked.
I’m curious to see what kind of play you’re performing.
Next, with the king’s introduction, Fang Zheng understood the world’s current situation. To sum up, this world and nation face a disaster called "waves," which could lead to world destruction. When the waves appear, countless Demon Creatures erge, killing and destroying everything.
This nation has a Dragon Hourglass allowing them to determine the disaster’s arrival ti. Though they withstood the first wave, they realized their strength was insufficient, hence seeking to summon the Four Sacred Heroes for aid.
"Understood, I will assist you."
"As long as you don’t oppose ."
As expected, right after the King ntioned rewarding them, these three little brats imdiately changed their attitudes. Seeing this, Fang Zheng couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly.
Indeed, they’re just kids... This reminded Fang Zheng of when he was interviewing fresh college graduates; they all acted like they were second only to the heavens, thinking they could earn hundreds of thousands annually right after graduation, feeling superior. Such people are easy to deal with, naturally.
First, give them a reality check to cut down their arrogance and ignorance, then offer them so salary.
Next up... once these guys join the company, they’ll understand.
996? Doesn’t exist.
Vacations? None.
Of course, you’ll definitely get overti pay. After all, can’t violate labor laws, can I?
But working seven days a week, even if I give you money, where would you spend it?
If it weren’t so difficult to open a hospital right now, Fang Zheng really wanted to do as they did in state-owned enterprises back in the seventies and eighties, and build a hospital within the company. That way, even if employees got sick from overti, they could be treated there, and the overti pay could be recouped... recycling, how wonderful.
Oh, and best to build a crematorium and cetery too. If they can’t be cured, just take them directly to the crematorium and burn them, then provide a grave at employee rates. This way, maybe not only could you recoup wages and overti pay, you could even make a profit.
After all, these days, graves are more expensive than houses.
Where else could you find such a good boss? With such asures, surely applicants would be queuing up in droves.
Which is why, dealing with students is really easy.
Originally, Fang Zheng thought it would be him teaming up with these three brats to fight, but to his surprise, the minister told them that according to legend, the legendary weapons repel each other... Therefore, the four Heroes need to recruit their own companions for their adventures.
Not only that, it turns out this world, like SAO, has its own system. Of course... for Fang Zheng, that’s not really a problem either.
Afterwards, led by the maid, the group went for dinner and then to their respective rooms to rest. Naturally, during this process, the other three also conversed with each other. From their conversation, Fang Zheng discovered that these three people were actually from three different parallel worlds. Moreover, in their worlds, there seed to be gas with settings identical to this world... so were console gas, so were online gas, and there were even VR gas...
No wonder these three brats were so arrogant at first.
Hearing this, Fang Zheng sowhat understood. It’s like if a group of people were transported to the World of Warcraft; once they confird their location, they probably wouldn’t act much different from these three brats.
After all, it’s a ga they’ve played before, so they would be relatively familiar with every aspect.
Moreover, Fang Zheng also noticed that these three vaguely seed to have so disdain for him, but that was understandable. Although they all ca from different worlds, the three of them were Japanese, while Fang Zheng wasn’t. Furthermore, Fang Zheng was a bit older than they were, and most importantly...
He was the most handso.
Fang Zheng had always ignored the envy and bitterness of the less attractive.
The next morning, the four of them once again stood before the King. This ti, appearing before them was a group of adventurers wearing various outfits.
"We’ve gathered a group of people willing to join the legendary heroes in combating the waves,"
the King, seated on the throne, spoke calmly.
"Future heroes, set off on your journey!"
As the King spoke, those adventurers stepped toward everyone in unison.
Huh? Let them choose?
Seeing this, Fang Zheng was a bit surprised, but didn’t mind. Then he saw those adventurers pass by him, go behind him, and then... stand beside the other three Heroes.
There’s a move like this?
Noting how empty it was behind him, Fang Zheng paused for a mont before furrowing his brows.
This wasn’t sothing that could be brushed off as re humor or a joke. He had noticed yesterday that compared to the other three Heroes, both the King and ministers seed inexplicably antagonistic toward him. Now, even these adventurers were so overt about it; does it an that the Hero of the Shield has so issue in this world?
But this is all good.
Fang Zheng didn’t mind being left alone. Since coming to this world, he had felt a vibe eerily similar to the one in the Pitch Black World.
If that’s true, and if the people here are like those in the Pitch Black world, then chances are, Fang Zheng would also beco an enemy of this nation.
In that case, there’s no need to mix with these people.
"Even I didn’t expect it would turn out like this..."
Perhaps this scene was too surprising, even the King seed a bit taken aback, but he quickly coughed.
"In that case, Hero of the Shield, we’ll double your reward. You can recruit companions on your own..."
"No need."
However, before the King could finish, Fang Zheng interrupted him.
"Unlike those three brats, I never promised to aid you. From now, I’ll personally investigate this country to see if it’s worth saving. If it is, then I’ll help, but if it isn’t..."
At this, Fang Zheng let out a cold chuckle.
"... we’ll see then."
Having said this, Fang Zheng turned to leave. But just then, a woman with a red ponytail and a longsword at her waist rushed out.
"Please wait, Hero of the Shield, I’m willing to join you on your adventure..."
"No need."
Fang Zheng glanced at the woman, who was of diocre looks, and quickly averted his gaze, then left the King’s City directly.
For Fang Zheng, saving this country wasn’t part of his "mission"; his main reason for coming to this world was to find the voice that had appeared in his ear.
However, even though Fang Zheng spent an entire day earning in the King’s City, he didn’t hear that voice again.
"Was today completely fruitless?"
Sitting on the hotel sofa, gazing at the night outside, Fang Zheng furrowed his brows. He obviously didn’t have the gold coins of this world, but Fang Zheng had plenty of gemstones and similar items. The Royal Wealth contained enough gold and silver treasures, he could just grab so and exchange them for a significant amount of money at the shop.
And during this day, Fang Zheng also discovered that everyone in the King’s City seed to know he was the Hero of the Shield, and most people either avoided discussing him or acted as if they feared association. There were others who didn’t care much, but that was the extent of it.
It seems that although the Hero of the Shield bears the title of hero, in this country, he isn’t very welcod.
"Knock knock knock."
At this mont, soone suddenly knocked on the door. Hearing the knock, Fang Zheng turned his head towards the entrance.
"Who is it?"
Very quickly, a gentle female voice was heard from outside the door.
"It’s , Hero of the Shield, Master."
"?"
Hearing this voice, Fang Zheng stood up and opened the door, quickly seeing a red-haired woman standing outside, whom he rembered as...
"Who are you?"
"My na is Main Sphere... We’ve t in the King’s City..."
"Is there sothing you need?"
"Well..."
Faced with Fang Zheng’s inquiry, the woman nad Main tightly clasped her hands and then lifted her head.
"I... want to beco the companion of the Hero, Master."
"I’ve already said, I don’t need companions, haven’t I?"
"Please don’t say that!"
However, before Fang Zheng’s words fell, the woman suddenly threw herself into his arms, once again lifting her head, tearfully gazing at Fang Zheng.
"I know, many people in this country misunderstand the Hero of the Shield, but I hope the Hero can help us and save this country! I’m willing to follow the Hero! I believe in the Hero!"
I must admit, the woman nad Main was quite adept at being cute, paired with her tearful eyes, enough to move an average man, yet...
As if! Who was Fang Zheng? Back when he was applying, countless won tried to join the company through the back door, using tricks no less than this? Of course, if she were a pretty woman, it might be tolerable, but a five-point girl slathered with makeup, forcibly trying to raise herself to seven...
"I said, I don’t need any."
Fang Zheng directly pressed her shoulders, pushing her away. Though he didn’t know what she wanted, it was clear she was acting.
If it’s his own harem acting, that’s cute, but a stranger acting before him is disgusting.
"I’m not interested in won like you one bit, leave."
"Uh... Too much!"
Upon hearing this, Main stepped back, covering her eyes, and then turned and ran out.
"Too much!"
"Lunatic."
Watching Main turn and run away, Fang Zheng snorted coldly, then turned and entered the room.
Just like that, a night passed.
"Knock knock knock!!!"
The next morning, not long after Fang Zheng woke up, a series of urgent knocks sounded, Fang Zheng frowned and once again opened the door—this ti appearing before him wasn’t the botherso woman, but a group of fully ard soldiers.
"Are you the Hero of the Shield? The King summons!"
"The King?"
Hearing this, Fang Zheng raised his eyebrows.
What’s that old man want from now?
When Fang Zheng arrived before the King again, he found besides the King, there were many nobilities and ministers, including those three brats and... Main?
"What’s this about?"
Seeing the King before him, Fang Zheng inquired. The King sighed and then spoke.
"Poor adventurer Main, please testify once more."
"Yes, yes."
Hearing the King’s words, Fang Zheng saw the woman nad Main hiding behind one of the Heroes, wiping her tears while speaking.
"Last night, I went to find the Hero of the Shield, hoping to join his party, I wish to help the Hero of the Shield and adventure with him. But, the Hero of the Shield told ... told ... To gain his trust, I’d have to offer myself and tried to drag into the room... I, I barely escaped and asked Master Genkan staying at the sa hotel for help..."
Oh wow?
Hearing this, Fang Zheng’s lips curled slightly.
Interesting indeed.
And just then, the King also spoke.
"The Hero of the Shield committed the unforgivable taboo of our country, in gmarlo, attempting to violate a woman results in capital punishnt!"
Instantly, everyone’s gaze turned to Fang Zheng, yet...
"Quite an amusing act."
Fang Zheng clapped his hands.
"I happen to have another version of the story. Would you be interested in hearing it?"
"What?"
Hearing this, one of the Heroes looked at Fang Zheng quizzically, while Fang Zheng shrugged.
"Last night, I was alone in my room pondering things, then this woman ca seeking , saying she wanted to be my companion. Unfortunately, I had zero interest in this five-point girl, so I directly rejected her, then she ran off crying."
"This..."
Hearing this, everyone froze, then the Hero of the Spear blocking Main loudly shouted.
"Do you have evidence proving your claim?"
"Nope."
Fang Zheng spread his hands.
"Instead, I’d like to ask, does this woman have evidence?"
"King!"
At that mont, a soldier hurried over.
"In the Hero of the Shield’s room, we found this!"
Saying so, he took out a piece of underwear.
Seeing this underwear, the King also coldly growled.
"See, this is unequivocal evidence."
"Hmm, indeed interesting."
Fang Zheng nodded again.
"After removing her underwear, she still managed to escape... I’d really like to know how she did it."
"Uh..."
Facing Fang Zheng’s mockery, the King was at a loss for words, but quickly, he swung his hand again.
"You may be the Hero of the Shield, but we won’t impose capital punishnt on you; instead, we’ve already inford all citizens of your cris, this is your punishnt! Don’t expect to live well in this country!"
Upon hearing this, the other three Heroes spoke.
"This is outrageous, who knew you’d be like this!"
"Don’t think being a Hero lets you do whatever you want!"
"You’re not the protagonist of this Another World, get a clue!"
anwhile, all around, the nobilities and ministers also began to speak.
"Really..."
"Why even summon the Hero of the Shield..."
Yet amidst the hustle and bustle, surrounded by soldiers, Fang Zheng suddenly laughed.
"Hehe... Truly interesting."
"What are you laughing at?!"
Hearing Fang Zheng’s laughter, the King turned pale, coldly shouting, while Fang Zheng gazed at him disdainfully.
"You staged this monkey play to ruin the Hero of the Shield’s reputation, quite amusing, but..."
At this point, Fang Zheng’s expression changed.
"Do you think I’ll stand idly by?!"
"--------!!"
At that mont, an astonishingly powerful presence erupted from Fang Zheng, the fierce Dragon Might spread across, enveloping the entire Royal Palace. Those who were whispering or shouting angrily suddenly fell silent as if their throats were gripped shut like ducks.
"I couldn’t care less what issues you have with the Hero of the Shield."
Fang Zheng slowly stepped forward, and under the intense pressure of the Dragon Might, the nearby soldiers trembled, collapsing to their knees, and the King fell back into his chair, drenched in sweat.
Fang Zheng walked right up to him, eyes coldly glaring at him.
"But who gave you the courage to provoke ? Do you think I’m the sa as those three weaklings?"
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