TRAPPED IN GREAT HERO ONLINE

CHAPTER 05

Many people ran and distanced themselves from the massive figure that had appeared before them. The panic-stricken faces of the Red Lizard Race were clearly visible. They were escaping from the sudden appearance of Plantazel in the city of Aldora. Several settlements had been destroyed, and many lives had been lost due to the monster’s savage attacks.

Eldric and Rylan felt powerless in the face of the monster before them. They couldn’t force their legs or hands to move from where they stood. What could they do? Eldric and Rylan were merely humans, a race not even mentioned in the records of this world, and they lacked magic. If they fought Plantazel with just ordinary weapons, their bodies would end up like those of the Red Lizard Race inhabitants who had been killed by the monster before them.

Plantazel advanced further into the inner part of Aldora City. The monster couldn’t be stopped. Some of the citizens and city guards tried to fight it with magic and large weapons. However, their attacks meant nothing. The guards and citizens in the front lines were easily defeated by the monster's green roots. The death toll continued to rise. Eldric and Rylan were forced to witness the horrifying massacre.

“Nak Eldric, Nak Rylan, what are you doing? We must evacuate immediately!” Voth shouted sternly.

“B-But what about the Red Lizard Race...?” Eldric asked Voth in return.

“We’ll save as many citizens as we can! You two should...”

“No. We won’t run after seeing this!” Eldric interrupted Voth.

“Do you understand the situation, Nak Eldric?!” Voth raised his voice.

“I understand very well now. We are in a situation of unavoidable danger. But if we keep running like this, we will only become victims,” Eldric said, taking a few steps forward. His fear began to fade.

“You can’t defeat it! That monster is a threat to all races!” Voth shouted, trying to prevent Eldric from acting recklessly.

“I can defeat it. I have this, don’t I?” Eldric said, holding up the [Mald Arrow] towards Rylan and Voth.

“[Mald Arrow]? You want to fight Plantazel?” Voth asked Eldric.

“I don’t just want to fight it. I want to defeat it,” Eldric said, running towards Plantazel.

“Master Voth, I’ll catch up with Eldric! You can help the citizens evacuate!” Rylan said to Voth.

“Alright, I understand! I hope you succeed!” Voth said slowly, standing up and trying to trust Rylan’s words.

“Yes, I will do my best to help Eldric defeat that monster. Please help us, Master Voth,” Rylan said, running after Eldric to face Plantazel.

The two of them had ventured into danger, but the power they possessed couldn’t be considered sufficient to defeat the monster they had just seen. Rylan still believed in the strength Eldric had gained. He only hoped that the white-haired man could become the hero who would save all the races.

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Monster Plantazel was a living creature that had appeared 2500 years ago. Since the extinction of the Demon Race, they seemed to have taken on the role of their predecessors. Their brutality couldn’t be equated with that of the Demon Race.

The Demon Race was one of the 199 races still existing before the outbreak of the [Fillia War]. They were known to be a dangerous force for the survival of several races. According to information provided by Voth, the Demon Race had been wiped out due to a war involving parties rumored to have the power to eradicate evil. These parties were the [Great Heroes], who were revered as heroic figures of the past. Their efforts to rid the world of the Demon Race were legendary.

Two thoughts plagued Eldric and Rylan’s minds after receiving Voth’s information. The first was the reason all races fought against the Demon Race. The Demon Race was infamous for its cruelty, often portrayed in stories as a race that caused chaos and disaster. But what made the races decide to exterminate them? The depiction of the Demon Race in the world of GHO was still unknown to them. Were they truly as brutal as they seemed, or was there something more to their story?

The second thought was whether the Demon Race had truly been wiped out entirely. Eldric and Rylan couldn’t help but question this. A race depicted as particularly savage and superior in battle seemed unlikely to leave no trace behind. This was an oddity they couldn’t dismiss. The language in GHO had been adapted so players could easily understand it, but the history of the [Fillia War] that took place 5000 years ago remained mysterious. Could everything Voth had said still contain hidden truths? The information they received was insufficient, and their adventure had only just begun, starting with the defeat of the monster before them.

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Eldric ran at full speed. Many people were fleeing from the Plantazel that loomed ahead. He ignored everything around him, focusing solely on the monster. His emotions tried to stay in check as he witnessed countless Aldora citizens falling to the Plantazel’s attacks. His sole goal now was to defeat the Plantazel. The risk he was taking was dangerous.

“Damn, monster!” Eldric cursed.

Eldric circled the monster, trying to lead it away from the main settlement. He didn’t stop running until he found a suitable spot to confront it. He yelled at the monster.

“Hey, monster!! Come here! You won’t be able to kill me!!” Eldric shouted loudly.

The monster stopped moving, turning to face Eldric, who was waving and calling it. It seemed intrigued, fixated on its new target—Eldric.

Eldric’s plan worked. He successfully diverted the monster’s attention and led it deeper into the city. This was a dangerous but effective strategy to distract the monster.

The monster’s attention remained on Eldric. Its movements were slow, but it didn’t stop chasing him, destroying buildings as it passed. What would Eldric do next?

Eldric’s doubts lingered. He couldn’t guarantee his victory. He had just received the [Mald Arrow] and [Magic Stone] from Maziald. Could he defeat a monster towering over 9 meters tall? Many would consider this a suicidal move. Distracting and fighting a giant monster was no easy feat for a human. But Eldric refused to give in to despair.

Suddenly, Eldric stopped. He had found the perfect spot to confront the monster. The path ahead was blocked by rubble from the destroyed homes of the Red Lizard Race. Eldric couldn’t run any further. He tried to find an alternate route, but Plantazel was already too close. He couldn’t move now. He couldn’t allow the monster to rampage freely.

“Damn it. I’m in an unfavorable position now…” Eldric muttered, shaking slightly as Plantazel drew nearer.

He tried to stay calm. Maybe Rylan and Voth were already in a safe place. That thought eased his mind a little. Now, he had two choices: fight or become food for the plant monster. Both options forced him into a decision he could not avoid.

Finally, the man overcame his fear. Eldric swallowed the [Magic Stone] like it was a pill. Moments later, a powerful surge of energy flooded through his body. Was this the strength of the [Great Hero] of the past? Briefly, Eldric experienced a flash of memories. It was from the previous wielder of the [Mald Arrow]. The [Mald Arrow] in Eldric’s hand shifted, its color turning black with blue and yellow streaks at the tip.

“I... I think I understand... how to use [Mald Arrow] now…”

The [Mald Arrow] had merged with the newfound power within Eldric. Taking a deep breath, Eldric prepared himself to face the monster. He wouldn’t stand idle anymore. He looked at the Plantazel, which was now within his range. This was the choice he had made.

“I’ll make sure you perish! Remember my name! [Great Hero Dyne]!” Eldric shouted, voice firm.

Eldric aimed the [Mald Arrow] at the monster with his left hand. His right hand pulled back a glowing arrow, crackling like lightning. This arrow was made of magic.

The attack was launched. The monster paused for a moment, swaying its roots to the side. Despite being much larger than Eldric, the monster’s instincts sensed something else. The human before it possessed extraordinary power.

“What is this? Are you afraid?” Eldric smiled slightly, watching the monster’s reaction.

“Eldric!!” Rylan’s voice rang out, arriving just in time.

Rylan called out from a distance, seeing Plantazel ready to strike at Eldric. Rylan feared the worst—that Eldric might have already been killed by the monster. But he didn’t let that thought dominate him.

Rylan saw Eldric, drawing his bow and preparing to face Plantazel.

“Eldric...?” Rylan asked, pointing toward the figure near the Plantazel.

“Rylan? Get away! It’s dangerous here!” Eldric shouted, noticing Rylan’s presence.

“Wait! What are you saying?! How...?” Rylan asked, still puzzled.

“Talk later! Go! I’ll handle Plantazel!” Eldric shouted with growing confidence.

The green roots of Plantazel swung toward Eldric. But he moved faster, releasing his first magic arrow toward the roots. The swing of Plantazel's green roots began to head toward Eldric. However, Eldric was able to act faster. He released his first arrow at the root. But as the arrow shot forward, suddenly the monster stopped, as if sensing something greater approaching. Unexpectedly, the sky above them darkened, and a booming voice echoed from afar, causing the ground to tremble violently. What they had just faced... was it only part of a greater power?