TRAPPED IN GREAT HERO ONLINE

CHAPTER 06

DUARRR!!!

The shot hit its mark. The roots managed to wound the Plantazel. However, the monster’s onslaught didn’t stop there. It launched relentless attacks toward Eldric, making it difficult for him to strike back with [Mald Arrow].

Eldric swiftly evaded the barrage of roots. His reflexes and strength had noticeably improved, possibly one of the powers granted by the [Magic Stone] obtained from Maziald. Though he couldn’t fully control his newfound strength yet, having just used it in battle, he felt confident in his capabilities. The monster’s flailing roots left no room for Eldric to counterattack, but he began to discern a pattern in its movements.

As the roots narrowly missed him, Eldric planted both feet on one of the larger roots, using it as a foothold to find a better angle for an attack. He leaped from root to root with speed and precision, leaving the monster unable to keep up with his movements. His target was the flower-like structure at the creature’s front. Eldric’s rapid movements confused the Plantazel, preventing it from effectively retaliating.

“Take this!” Eldric shouted, drawing an arrow from a position the roots couldn’t easily reach.

BLLAARR!!!

The attack landed directly on the flower-like part of the monster. The Plantazel collapsed, its body rendered powerless. Some nearby houses were crushed under the weight of its massive body. Eldric’s magical prowess elevated him to the status of a [Great Hero], granting him the ability to wield the [Mald Arrow]. A flash of memories surfaced in his mind, like a guidebook tailored to help him wield this powerful weapon in battle.

The monster didn’t rise from the rubble of the destroyed houses. Plantazel had been defeated. Eldric took a moment to examine his [Mald Arrow], inspecting its intricacies.

“Wow, you’re incredible, Eldric!” someone called from behind him.

“Oh, Rylan? What are you still doing here?” Eldric asked, glancing toward the source of the voice.

“I wanted to see the [Hero] in action up close. No way I’d miss it!” Rylan replied, grinning as he stood not far from Eldric.

“Tch, you never change,” Eldric muttered in slight annoyance.

As Eldric turned his attention back to the defeated monster, he noticed something shocking: the Plantazel was slowly rising again. His disbelief turned into urgency. He had to act quickly to finish it off. But how? His mind raced, struggling to think clearly amidst the chaos.

Suddenly, the [Mald Arrow] began to glow. Eldric stared in awe as a bright light radiated from it, forming an object that intrigued him. Could this be a special weapon for a [Great Hero]?

The glowing object materialized into an arrow, its sharp tip gleaming white. Eldric grasped it with his right hand, feeling a strange connection to the arrow, as though it resonated with him. He instinctively knew what to do.

“All right! Let’s end this!” Eldric exclaimed, drawing the arrow with the [Mald Arrow] and aiming for the shattered flower core of the Plantazel. He steadied his breath, focused entirely on his target. Rylan stepped back, careful not to disrupt Eldric’s concentration.

Eldric released the arrow.

BLLAARRR!!!

The arrow struck the monster’s core, sending a wave of pain through its body. The finishing blow landed precisely where Eldric intended.

“Bullseye!” Eldric cheered triumphantly.

But his celebration was short-lived. The monster still showed signs of life, struggling to rise again. How could it still survive? Doubt clouded Eldric’s mind as he questioned whether his attack had been enough. A pang of pity struck him—was he justified in destroying this creature? Yet, he reminded himself that his powers were meant to fulfill the mission Maziald had entrusted to him. With countless innocent lives lost, he had no choice but to stay strong and eliminate this threat.

“Sorry, Plantazel, but you’re a million years too early to defeat me,” Eldric declared with calm confidence.

He prepared another attack with the [Mald Arrow], channeling his energy into the bow and arrow. Power surged into the arrowhead, concentrating into a single point.

“Goodbye, Plantazel,” Eldric murmured as he loosed the arrow.

BOOMMMM!!!

A deafening explosion erupted. This time, the monster collapsed for good, no longer able to rise. Plantazel had been vanquished by the [Great Hero Dyne]. Though Eldric had to fire multiple arrows to secure victory, he felt a weight lift off his shoulders.

But questions lingered in his mind. What were the Plantazels? Why did they appear only after the Demon Race was eradicated? These mysteries offered no answers, leaving Eldric and Rylan to ponder their purpose in this enigmatic world, GHO.

****

“It’s them!!”

“He used [Stone Arrow]!! He must be the culprit!!”

Shouts erupted behind Eldric. Rylan quickly approached him, looking toward the increasingly loud commotion. Eldric sensed that things were taking a turn for the worse. What was going on?

A group of townsfolk from [Aldora City] surrounded them. Their steps stopped as their faces displayed anger, sorrow, and fear.

“Hey, are you the one who used [Mald Arrow]?!” demanded one of the Red Lizardmen, adorned in luxurious noble attire.

“I-I am. Is that a problem?” Eldric asked back, confused.

“Problem?! Do you have any idea how many of our people died because of this incident?!” shouted the noble furiously.

“What are you talking about? This was all because of the Plantazel attack...”

“You are the cause of this chaos! Users of the [7 Sacred Weapons] are enemies of all races! In other words, you infiltrated this city to obtain [Mald Arrow] and destroy the Red Lizardmen by summoning the Plantazel, didn’t you?!” accused the noble, cornering Eldric and Rylan further.

“That’s not true! We just arrived here through the main gate! We didn’t even know about the [7 Sacred Weapons] at first!” Rylan protested against the noble's accusations.

“Lies! We have a reliable witness to expose your deceit!”

Eldric and Rylan found themselves in an increasingly precarious position, accused of infiltration and instigating the chaos caused by the Plantazel. But they had just arrived in this world. Any hopes they had for goodwill faded as they exchanged uneasy glances.

The noble turned around to look at someone approaching. A familiar figure emerged from the Red Lizardmen ranks. Eldric and Rylan’s eyes widened in shock. They knew this person.

“Voth, explain the situation briefly,” the noble ordered the figure, who turned out to be Voth.

“Thank you, Lord Fuiz. They forced me to reveal the secrets of the Red Lizardmen. If I refused, they threatened to kill me. It was then that he used [Stone Arrow], transforming it into [Mald Arrow]. Their magic can awaken dangerous powers—”

“No! What are you saying, Lord Voth?! Why are you lying about this?!” Rylan interrupted, his voice shaking.

“T-There! That’s them! They... they’re trying to kill me!! Help me, Lord Fuiz!! We can’t let them stay here!!” Voth cried out, his face twisted into a cunning, feigned expression of fear.

Eldric and Rylan couldn’t believe what they were witnessing. Voth, who had aided them briefly, had betrayed them. This act was unforgivable to the two humans.

It was clear that Voth’s story was fabricated. But why? Eldric and Rylan had so many questions as they watched Voth standing among the Red Lizardmen townsfolk. At that moment, Voth’s sly smile was aimed directly at them. The world they had entered had truly ensnared them.

“Voth... why did you betray us? Were you setting us up from the beginning?!” Eldric asked, his voice filled with disappointment and anger.

“That’s enough!! You two are nothing but trash!! The Red Lizardmen have a general rule to trust their own kind over outsiders. We believe Voth’s words!” Fuiz snapped, his tone stern.

“I wasn’t talking to you, lizard!” Eldric retorted, his frustration boiling over.

“You two have no respect for addressing a noble! Even if you managed to defeat the Plantazel earlier, it was all part of your plan to deceive and harm the Red Lizardmen, wasn’t it?! I can’t accept this! By decree of the Red Lizardmen, you are no longer welcome in [Aldora City]! Leave and never return!” Fuiz declared loudly.

“After everything I’ve done, this is what I get?! Fine! If that’s what you want! We wouldn’t come back here even if you begged us, you damned lizard!” Eldric spat in anger.

With heavy hearts, Rylan and Eldric turned and walked away from [Aldora City]. The townsfolk didn’t hold back their jeers and insults as the two left. All they gained was the [Mald Arrow] and the bitter taste of betrayal. This would remain one of the worst memories of their lives.

Betrayal and trust seemed to hold no equal footing in the mysterious GHO world. That was the harsh reality Eldric and Rylan faced. As they passed through the main gates, they were finally free from the false accusations concocted by Voth.

The two humans walked on, their faces etched with anger toward the Red Lizardmen. This was their starting point before venturing into an even harsher world. The adventure of Eldric and Rylan, as [Great Heroes] betrayed by those they saved, had only just begun.