TRAPPED IN GREAT HERO ONLINE

CHAPTER 04

“What is this place?” Eldric asked as he looked around.

Eldric could hardly remember anything. He only recalled being in the mysterious world of GHO. Now, he was in a strange place. Everything was white, with nothing else around.

His vision was not deceiving him. It was all real. There was no one there. Voth and Rylan were not present. Eldric’s soul felt lonely in that white space. However, he didn’t give up. There had to be a way out.

“Lord Voth! Rylan! Where are you?!” Eldric tried calling out loudly.

There was no answer or reply. It was clear. Eldric was alone in that room. Accompanied only by his black cloak, he tried to find a way out. He wandered through the entirely white space. There was nothing and no one there. Yet, Eldric kept trying and searching for an escape.

“Finally, you’ve arrived,” a voice sounded loudly, getting closer.

“Who’s there?!” Eldric shouted loudly.

Eldric looked ahead. He saw black smoke spreading and enveloping him. Eldric covered his nose and mouth, feeling that it was dangerous gas to inhale. His eyes focused ahead.

A mysterious figure appeared before him. The figure revealed only two large, red eyes, but its aura was terrifying. The smoke surrounded the two large eyes and Eldric’s body. His body trembled slightly as he stared at the figure.

“I am Maziald. I come from the Demon Race,” the figure responded with a high voice.

“The Demon Race?! Shouldn’t you have disappeared from this world?” Eldric asked loudly.

“There are times when people change the history of wars as they please. That is why I regret helping another race fight against my own,” Maziald replied.

“You… helped another race? Why did you betray the Demon Race?”

“It’s all because of him. He made me have to fight against my own race,” said Maziald to Eldric.

“Him? Who are you talking about?” Eldric asked Maziald.

“Once, I, a member of the Demon Race, tried to make a pact with another race so that the Demon Race could live peacefully with others. However, someone from the Demon Race made everything chaotic and led to a war between the Demon Race and others. This is my affair, so you don’t need to think about it,” Maziald explained, leaving Eldric a little confused.

Eldric had just learned a great truth. The truth about the war involving the Demon Race and other races. However, he still didn’t trust Maziald. He felt that Maziald might be lying or making up stories.

The man slowly stepped backward. He tried to avoid the worst-case scenario that might happen to him. Maziald could kill him. Besides, he was in a place he didn’t know, facing one of the Demon Race.

“Do you want to become a [Great Hero], Eldric?” Maziald asked.

Eldric stopped walking. His eyes widened. He removed his hand from his mouth.

“Why… do you know my name?” Eldric asked, a bit scared.

“You don’t need to fear me. I will give you the [Great Hero] power, Eldric. However, there is one condition you must fulfill,” Maziald answered.

“What is the condition you want from me?”

“I want you to kill all the [Great Heroes] in this world,” Maziald replied calmly.

“Kill?! You want me to kill people?!” Eldric began to get angry upon hearing this.

“Don’t you want your world back? Do you want the war to rage again?” Maziald asked Eldric.

“What do you mean?”

“There are [7 Great Heroes] who have risen again from past battlefields. You must kill them so that the world order can return to peace,” Maziald explained calmly.

“Then, what does that have to do with my original world?” Eldric asked, confirming something.

“Earth is the first place to experience destruction since you arrived in this world 5000 years ago. In other words, the Fillia War is the center of all destruction that caused Earth to perish. It was because of the power of the 7 Highest Demons using their abilities in the form of [Great Heroes], absorbing much greater power than before. If they rise again in new forms, you and your friends will not be able to return to your world,” Maziald explained clearly.

“Can I trust your words?”

Eldric still doubted Maziald’s explanation. He felt that what Maziald said didn’t sound like a lie, but his heart still hesitated. Why did Maziald choose him to be a [Great Hero]? That was still unknown to Eldric. But, he couldn’t trust Maziald.

“I will give you this so you can trust me,” Maziald said, handing Eldric two items. Eldric took them without hesitation.

“What are these?”

“A [Magic Stone] and [Mald Arrow]. These are items you will use to save two worlds. You just need to use the [Mald Arrow] as you would a regular bow and arrow, and eat the [Magic Stone] to align your magical power to a higher level. After eating the [Magic Stone], you can use the [Mald Arrow] as a holy weapon,” Maziald explained as he described the two items.

“I can become a... [Great Hero]?” Eldric said, still in disbelief over what he had just received.

“You must remember one thing. The [Mald Arrow] is one of the sacred weapons used to fight against the Demon Race. If you use it, you will become a target to be killed by other races because the existence of this weapon can bring disaster to other races,” Maziald said, raising his voice.

“Why did you choose me? And... I have to kill the other [7 Great Heroes]? Even though they were heroes in the past?” Eldric asked, a little unsure.

“I already told you, didn’t I? You have a unique potential to save two worlds. I don’t care if you want to kill others, but you can fulfill your duty. If you want to finish your mission quickly, then kill the [7 Great Heroes] who possess the same holy weapon as you. That way, you can avoid many casualties,” Maziald explained clearly.

“For this time... I will follow your wishes, Maziald. I will save both worlds and make you pay for everything you’ve burdened me with,” Eldric said in a threatening tone.

“Then, I hope you can become an extraordinary hero, [Great Hero Dyne].”

A bright light shone between them. Eldric closed his eyes with both hands still holding the items given by Maziald. He could see nothing. His meeting with Maziald had been quite long. A conversation full of things Eldric never expected. Was this a farewell? Eldric felt that what he would encounter next could be even more dangerous.

====

“Hey, Eldric! Don’t run off and leave us behind!” A voice called out to Eldric from behind.

“Huh? Rylan?” Eldric asked, still confused by what had just happened.

“Who do you think I am? Why does your face look like someone who’s confused?” Rylan asked Eldric.

Eldric still looked disbelieving about what had just happened. He met a figure named Maziald and was given a sacred weapon to become a hero. Yet, Eldric still didn’t believe any of it.

Was he dreaming? He slowly touched his head, trying to recall what had just occurred. The conversation he had with Maziald wasn’t a dream. He was sure of that. But there was something else making it hard for him to accept what had just happened.

“Master Eldric... that [Stone Arrow]...” Voth said while pointing at Eldric’s left hand, which was holding an object.

“[Mald Arrow].”

“What? [Mald Arrow]?” Rylan asked, curious.

“There’s no doubt. This is indeed the [Mald Arrow]. There are two parts, equally long and curved like a bow, the top and bottom parts. And there are markings like devil horns on the side of the string holder for the [Mald Arrow]. The black color mixed with white around it. This is definitely the [Mald Arrow],” Voth said, quite shocked to see the holy weapon in Eldric’s hand.

“Do you know the [Mald Arrow], Master Voth?” Eldric asked.

“I only know its shape. My father told me about it. However, if you can turn the [Stone Arrow] into the [Mald Arrow], could it be... you are...”

“No, Master Voth! I’m not a demon! I am—Uahhh?!” Eldric’s words were cut off suddenly.

A huge shock occurred. All the inhabitants there couldn’t maintain their balance to stand. Many screamed in fear. What was going on? Eldric felt a bad omen approaching him. Rylan tried to lead Voth to a safer place.

“Eldric, we need to find a safe place!” Rylan shouted at Eldric.

“Yeah!” Eldric responded loudly.

*Braakkk!! Brakkk!!!

A strange giant figure appeared at the city entrance. The giant resembled a large flower with green roots moving like octopus tentacles. The large flower opened, revealing sharp, terrifying teeth. It was a monster unlike anything Eldric and Rylan had ever seen.

“Plantazel! Plantazel is attacking the city! Everyone, run!”

“Guaaahhhh!!!!”

The monster’s roar sent all the inhabitants running in fear. Self-preservation seemed to be the only priority. No one cared about anyone else as long as their lives were spared. This was evident from the scene.

“You both, go! Plantazel has come to devour the city!” shouted the gatekeeper as he rushed to the city exit.

Eldric didn’t wait for a second more. He quickly turned to the others.

“Let’s go, Rylan!” Eldric urged, pulling his bow tighter. The massive monster was right in front of them.

Eldric gripped the [Mald Arrow] tightly in his hand. He couldn’t just stand still or run away. What would he do to fight the monster that had just appeared before him? Doubts began to resurface in his mind, but his fear still lingered.

The world of [Great Hero Online]. For the first time, both of them had arrived, facing something difficult to believe. Their first trial had arrived.