"Hah! Take this!"

A man swung his longsword forward.

*CLANG!*

The blade clashed against a massive steel axe, showering brilliant sparks. Miraculously, the slender sword—seemingly no match for the axe—held firm without a single nick, locked in a dead heat with the heavier weapon.

*Whoosh.*

An arrow’s whistle cut through the air behind him. With a sharp shove, the man forced the axe back, using its recoil to spin aside. The arrow whizzed past empty space.

The instant he steadied himself, a shadow materialized at his back. Cold steel flashed toward his abdomen.

Calm as ice, he twisted his body, dodging while slashing his sword at the shadow. Just as he nearly succeeded, the shadow *warped*—evading his blade while the dagger grazed his stomach.

Crimson blood seeped from the wound. Yet this wasn’t the man he’d been a week ago. Back then, such an injury would’ve shattered his focus with agony. Now? The pain still bit deep, but he merely glanced at the gash, licked his lips, and grinned fiercely at his opponents. "Again!"

"Hold." A silken voice cut through the tension. "Stand down."

At the command, the fighters instantly sheathed their weapons and retreated.

"Evelyn?" Zhang Yong frowned, lowering his sword. "I was just hitting my stride. Now I’ll have to restart."

Evelyn stepped forward, unbothered by his sweat- and blood-streaked body. She gently wiped the blood from his wound. "Even with the Heart of the Hero restoring your stamina, Hero, you can’t fight day and night. Our warriors in the Demon King’s Castle need rest—they don’t have your blessings." Her fingers traced the spot where the cut had been. "Remarkable... already healed? Not even a scar."

Zhang Yong chuckled sheepishly. Revenge for Lulu and Richard burned in his chest—he’d return once he grew stronger. But he masked it with an easy smile. "Sorry. With the Heart refueling me, I’ve forgotten sleep these past days. Just honing my Hero Skills."

Evelyn melted into his arms, her voice dripping honey. "I know losing last week gnawed at you... but didn’t that failure awaken the Heart of the Hero? A blessing in disguise."

"Still," he muttered, jaw tight, "the memory of defeat... it claws at me. Only fighting quiets it."

*The Hero Skill’s influence? Even Zhang Yong isn’t immune.*

She cupped his face, her gaze hazy. "You haven’t held me in days, Hero. I know a way to... release that tension. Shall we try~?"

Before he could reply, her lips claimed his. His hands roamed her body—

——ANTI-CENSORSHIP DIVIDER——

"Hah! Take this!"

A youth swung a cheap, mass-produced longsword from a weapon shop.

*CLANG.*

His blade met a rusted, near-broken sword. No sparks flew—only a shrill, dying screech from the corroded metal.

They clashed again and again, technique-less and raw. The youth memorized his opponent’s rhythm. On the next impact, he twisted hard, knocking the rusted sword spinning into the air. He lunged. Steel pierced the goblin’s heart.

"*Gaaah—*" The green creature gurgled, fading as experience points flooded into him.

"Yes! Level up!" Chu Xueyue cheered. It hadn’t been easy. After his last battle, he’d reverted to his original form—his hard-earned levels and stats reset as if they belonged to someone else. Now he was grinding from zero against slimes and goblins.

"Tch. No free stat points? And what’s this garbage panel? I’ve unlocked Hero Skills, so why are my stats still stuck at (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻? Can I even play this game properly?" He glared at his Hero Bracelet’s display, already expecting this outcome.

"Save your complaints for later," Albert called from behind. "Bandage that wound first. We’ve got more goblins to clear before heading back. And remember—this is *your* quest. I won’t lift a finger."

(Though Chu knew Albert would step in at the last second.)

Chu yanked bandages from his pack, roughly wrapping the goblin-inflicted cuts. Messy, but functional.

"Got it. First fight with goblins—just needed to adjust. Once I learn their patterns?" He flashed a confident grin. "They’re just XP pinatas."

"Then fight faster, kid," Albert said dryly. "Dinner’s waiting."

"*I’m* treating today!"