1. Full of Complaints

There was a time where powerful existences, such as a great hero, had dominated an era. Better known as absolute beings, just their names alone commanded great presence.

There were emperors who built empires and were leaders of enormous organizations. There were doctors who saved numerous patients; there were those powerful ones who did not seem to fit in anywhere; and there were those whom many sang praises of. There were also warriors who defeated the Demon Lord and a fellow, the Heavenly Destroyer, who unified a land with his martial prowess. Both parties wielded much power.

But if Davey were to hear any of these tales, he was confident that he could make these remarks in a determined voice.

“A hero? Ah, those who take a ten-year-old kid, overwork him as much as they want, and beat him like a dog when it isn't to their liking.”

“Once the kid gets strong enough to finally achieve the desired benchmark after much struggle, they just throw the kid another assignment and start pushing him again.”

“Are you talking about those guys, who in their boredom, throw people into lava and firepits, hang them off cliffs, while saying ‘It's all for your own good!’?”

Regardless of heroes or outstanding beings, most humans who made a name for themselves seemed to have a screw loose! And feeling like his soul had lived a thousand years, six years passed when the powerless Prince Davey finally returned to his original body.

2. The Damn Hall

[Half a day after arriving at the Hall of Heroes.]

The Passage of Heroes or Hall of Heroes seemed like the place where souls of legendary heroes or great people lingered after their deaths. There were written tales of this place being an underworld space designed to commemorate the pride of those with renowned achievements. But, no one knew who built this space.

When I first arrived, everyone seemed to have strange expectations of me, but frankly speaking, there wasn't any outstanding factor that made me a hero.

[Three days after arriving at the Hall of Heroes.]

Even the heroes, who had been asleep, woke up after hearing that a new kid had arrived after a long while. It seemed like newcomers were extremely rare since there weren't many who accomplished great things. Without a doubt, they probably assumed that I had some distinguished achievements as well.

It was crazy how they were dancing and parading around, celebrating how amazing this ten year-old child was. It somehow made me feel guilty, but I had a hunch that they were going to welcome me with fists instead if I said that I had no achievements… Of course I kept my mouth shut.

[One week after arriving at the Hall of Heroes.]

Whenever I met with them, they would give me a pat on the back accompanied by a cringe-worthy comment.

These ignorant people had no idea of their own strength. They were so strong, and to be honest, it felt like my shoulders were going to collapse.

Sometimes, I noticed them joking about fighting to the death, but since these guys played in the big leagues on a continental scale… I was starting to get afraid. If word got out that I’m just a plain, ordinary person…

[Two weeks after arriving at the Hall of Heroes.]

I got caught…

[A month after arriving at the Hall of Heroes.]

This feeling… This chill, it struck my heart ice cold.

But don’t worry… No, not this.[1]

As a normal human being with no achievements to boast of, there was no way I would have a ticket into a place like this.

I guess I must have really hurt their petty pride.

[A month and a half after arriving at the Hall of Heroes.]

Since they were somewhat sophisticated people and seemed to have understood my situation, they no longer scowled at me. However, their gazes were still unpleasant. They looked at me like I’m some parasite living off of their food when I’m eating. I couldn't swallow my food in peace.

These fellas were once heroes who dominated an era, and were now nothing but dead souls… How stingy of them to act like this over food.

[Two months after arriving at the Hall of Heroes.]

I couldn’t stand the way they looked at me. I yelled about what it was that they wanted me to do. That was when trouble began. I should’ve just zipped my mouth shut…

[Two months and three days after entering the Hall of Heroes.]

Day after day, they seemed to be having a meeting to analyze the meaning behind my arrival when I possessed neither power nor accomplishments. The meeting had already been going on for three days, but no one was telling me anything.

It was silent, but if I got close to the enormous hall door, I could hear their shouting and fighting. I was starting to worry that they might behead me for deceiving them.

At long last, the meeting came to an end. I couldn’t say anything and watched them leave with serious faces from afar.

[Two and a half months after entering the Hall of Heroes.]

Someone finally came to see me. It was the enormous, dancing man who had brought a bag of delicious snacks and offered me some when I first arrived here.

“We have decided to grant your request. It would be silly of us to come down on you, since it’s not your fault in the first place. It’s been sickeningly boring here, so isn’t this entertaining? Now that you’re family, we’ll take responsibility for you. Come, follow me.”

And so it began.

[A year after entering the Hall of Heroes.]

[If the new child who arrived at the Hall is not a hero, we just have to raise him to be like one in any situation!]

The gigantic man’s name was Hercules. He said he would teach me about survival. The name sounded familiar… But sadly, it was not him. I followed Hercules, convinced by his words that I needed to have faith in myself and that he would make me perfect. I regretted it exactly 12 hours later.

One year. That was how long he had thrown me into a forest full of monsters and abandoned me for survival training! Poisoned food and water… Predators attacking from all directions, regardless of day or night… It was rather awful of him to only help me when I’m just about to die.

[Two years after entering the Hall of Heroes.]

I’m staying alive in a desert.

[Three years after entering the Hall of Heroes.]

It seemed to be an underground cave this time. I could still feel the sharp teeth of the medium-sized sandworm gnawing on my body when it broke through the wall yesterday. I don’t know if it’s something I ate, but my body has become tough and it wrecked all of the sandworm's teeth.

[Seven years after entering the Hall of Heroes.]

Damn you, Hercules!!!

[12 years after entering the Hall of Heroes.]

My body didn’t grow one centimeter or age even after ten years of survival training. So, what should I do with that giant dolt, who’s dancing around about how I’ve grown so much more than expected?

Patting me on my exhausted back, he spoke terrifying words in a nonchalant voice, “Now! That’s enough for my training! Someone as skilled as you will not disgrace my name as my student! Hahahaha! The next training will be done by the Sword Lord gramps, so go!”

I should’ve smashed his face in right there and then…

[12 years and a day after entering the Hall of Heroes.]

Despite being called "gramps," the Sword Lord appeared to be quite a young man. I'm not saying this because I have the body of a ten year-old, but taking my past life, current life, and my life in the Hall of Heroes into account, my lifetime hasn’t been short either, so I just let it be.

Having only been taught by Hercules, who didn't give a shit about anything, this man who would be guiding me seemed to be a fool despite his serious expression. But apparently, he was a legend in the ancient books of the Tionis continent, where I would be reincarnated. He was a commoner who had made his way up to being a Sword Lord, but unlike his serious image, he was a witty, yet sharp, fellow.

He was the Sword Lord Ares. I have definitely heard of his name. I had some fantasies since he was a great figure that I somewhat knew of, and he was someone with great accomplishments. But those fantasies were shattered in less than a day. Perhaps, he wasn't the Sword Lord, but the lord of laziness instead.

[15 years after entering the Hall of Heroes.]

“Talent similar to disaster.” Hercules mentioned this as well, so I guess my talent is exceptional. Ares was going to teach me his forgotten swordcraft. It wasn’t as difficult, maybe because of that damned Hercules’ training…. But this was hell in another sense. I shouldn’t have picked up the wooden sword and metal bag he threw in the first place…

[25 years after entering the Hall of Heroes.]

This damn swordcraft! The sight of a sword makes me want to vomit! Someone make the slashing stop![2]

[40 years after entering the Hall of Heroes.]

I did have talent, but it took a long time before I could surprise him. He seemed to be shocked for another reason, but at this rate, it would take several decades to beat him, so I could only feel nothing but bitterness.

[60 years after entering the Hall of Heroes.]

I met a cocky man who claimed that he was archery itself. He had a cheesy appearance and voice. Even his personality was cheesy. He often called out for a saintess named Daphne whom he loved. I think I’m going to have some trouble this time.

Why wouldn’t I just run away? Sure, I could run away once or twice, but when dozens of people come to find you, you’re nothing but a bird in a cage.

[80 years after entering the Hall of Heroes.]

A… A curse! H…Help…

[120 years after entering this goddamn place.]

I have achieved my dream. Yes, I have survived for a long time, but I don’t feel that I’m alive here.

[170 years after entering this goddamn place.]

Except for the heroes who lost interest and went back to sleep, most people were committed to 'training' me, which was actually torture in disguise.

Magic, spearmanship, swordsmanship, chains, physical combat… Ugh! Among them, the most overwhelmingly psychotic one of all was a woman named Odin. She was also known to be the revolutionist of magic.

The place was like a gathering ground for all the uniquely gifted freaks…

[200 years after entering this goddamn place.]

I met Hercules while training. I did try leaping at him with a spear to pierce him through his stomach, but when I regained consciousness, I was left lying on the field. Apparently, although he was an expert in survival, his force was one of the strongest among the heroes.

[300 years after entering this goddamn place.]

I’m growing tired of stuffing my head with knowledge from these stupid trainings. Maybe this was why I was down with a mental illness.

One of the heroes studying my condition brought someone who had fallen into a deep sleep, suggesting that there might be a solution. She was the God of Medicine. Her name was Hypocria… Another familiar name, but it felt a little different.

What conversation did she have with Hercules? Time was the best medicine. While being treated with her miraculous acupuncture skills, she proposed that I learn the art of medicine.

[350 years]

Acupuncture, surgical medicine, traditional medicine, disease symptoms and the easing or curing of them… I was learning everything that was thrown at me. This time, apparently it was studying that would eventually make me light-headed.

My gift was finally being brought to light! Wow!

1. A reference to the Korean movie, Tazza ☜

2. A reference to a famous Korean meme. ☜