The World After Leaving the Hero’s Party

The severed head dissolved into shadow and was reabsorbed by the body. While it was recovering, Gallik’s party’s spears pierced its torso, and Baltin’s claws slashed its back.

“Hyaah!!”

Luchendi’s aerial kick sent the Demonkin tumbling to the ground. Seeing it roll to a stop, Gallik tilted his head in confusion.

“This seems easier than I expected.”

“It’s not over yet.”

The Demonkin, seemingly unscathed, rose again. Even after all those attacks, it’s dark aura remained intact.

Seeing this, Claire gripped her sword tightly and muttered.

“Hyun Woo… that thing…”

Yeah. There had been an enemy I fought before that was just like this regenerating Demonkin.

It was The Formless Darkness, one of the Demon King’s lieutenants.

Back then, the Hero’s Party had nearly been wiped out.

Holding Moonlight, I gave Claire a quick command.

“The strategy is the same as before. Let’s stick to it.”

“But Leventia and Evangeline aren’t here… Should I summon them now?”

Claire gripped the Hero’s Sword, preparing to open a portal to call them. I shook my head.

The struggle back then was purely due to the party’s composition.
There’s a proper method to deal with enemies like this.

“Hey, everyone ready?” I asked.

“Huh? Uh, yeah,” came the hesitant reply from Gallik’s party members. They braced their spears while Baltin brought his hands together.

Sensing the shift in atmosphere, the Demonkin lunged at Baltin.

“Block it!”

While Claire, Luchendi, and I held the Demonkin at bay, Baltin’s voice boomed.

“O mighty ancestors! Let your teachings take root here! The courage and roar of the lion shall be with us!”

“Huh?!”

Claire deflected the black energy with her Hero’s Sword and turned toward Baltin in surprise.

Most people misunderstood Baltin’s towering build, aggressive nature, and combat style. But the truth was—

“He’s not a hero.”

“Chains of Heaven! Heavenly Banner! Valor’s Might! Strength of the War God!!”

A surge of divine energy erupted from Baltin’s hands, enveloping his allies’ weapons and fists.

The sheer intensity of the sacred energy even caused the Demonkin to hesitate. I cast another Light spell to disrupt its black aura before retreating to place a hand on Baltin’s head.

Mana Redistribution.

As I replenished the mana he’d burned through his powerful buffs, Baltin activated his final skill.

“Lionheart!!”

It was the monk’s ultimate ability. By expending all his mana, he boosted his party’s attack power dramatically.

Although I sacrificed a significant amount of my own mana in the process, it was worth it.

“Graaahhh!!”

Not a problem—I had mana recovery potions.

Downing one immediately, I restored my mana and raised Moonlight.

With the monk’s buffs done, it was time for the priest’s buffs to take effect.

“Bless! Striking! Haste! Blessing of the Stars! Praise the Light! O Light, have mercy on us!”

Maximizing the divine power at my disposal, I cast every available buff onto the party.

With the buffs from me, Baltin, and Gallik’s party layered together, Baltin smirked confidently.

Lifting Moonlight, I shouted,
“Now take it down! Bind!!”

Using the last of my mana, I cast a spell to immobilize the Demonkin. As it struggled to move, Baltin launched an onslaught.

No job class could outshine a monk in burst damage.

Achievement Unlocked: Demonkin Slayer.

“…That was amazing.”

In terms of raw offensive power, there was no class more formidable under full buffs than a monk.

And Baltin, being a lion beastfolk, had physical bonuses that made him perfectly suited to the role.

Add in all the buffs I provided, and even the Demonkin couldn’t withstand the assault.

“Wow~ People always say it’s convenient to have the Sage around, but this was beyond expectations. I didn’t think you’d even support Lionheart,” Baltin said with a grin.

“You two should add an alchemist to your team,” I replied. “You’re always struggling because you’re just a pair.”

“Hey, don’t be too harsh. It’s nice traveling as a couple. Besides, you never know—adding someone else might lead to—”

“Then travel with someone of another species. How many lion beastfolk could there possibly be? Or, you know, bring a woman along.”

“Hey, the world’s big, and people have all kinds of preferences.”

“And if some jerk like Golden Sun dares to make a move on your partner, just crush their head. Why make the lion beastfolk look so pitiful?”

Baltin chuckled at my teasing, then looked down at the destroyed Demonkin. The black aura had completely disappeared, leaving behind what seemed to be an ordinary middle-aged man.

The only distinguishing feature was a black stone embedded in his forehead—the Demonkin’s proof of existence.

“For something so powerful, it didn’t leave much behind.”

“What did you expect? Just take the head back to the Adventurer’s Guild and report it.”

“You’re not coming with us, Sage?”

“I’m busy. I’ll leave the rest to you.”

“Got it. Should we deposit the bounty in your name?”

“Yeah, and if you can, use the bounty to buy some Loril Ore for me.”

It’s one of the materials for the plague cure.

“Alright, let’s wrap this up and head out.”

Normally, I’d accompany them to file the report, but I trusted Baltin and Gallik not to swindle me.

If they did, they’d have to face the consequences.

“Take care. Let us know if you need anything,” Baltin said, waving as he and Gallik descended the mountain.

That left only Claire and me.

As I opened my bag to collect Crystal Grass, Claire hesitated before speaking.

“Hyun Woo…”

“What is it?”

“If… if our party had been different back then, would defeating the Demon King have been easier?”

“Who knows?”

“After seeing Baltin’s strength, I can’t help but think… Maybe the reason we succeeded wasn’t the Hero’s Sword, but because you were there.”

“Hm…”

“And without you, maybe… we were nothing.”

Claire clenched her eyes shut, then stepped closer, placing her hand over her chest.

“Hyun Woo. Please… let me apologize. Just one more time. Truly.”

“There’s no need to apologize. That’s just how business relationships work. Like Baltin and Gallik’s parties earlier.”

When the job’s done, everyone parts ways. Isn’t that how it’s supposed to be?

Claire staggered slightly at my words, then bit her lip.

“Then let’s establish a new relationship. Business, personal, whatever you want. Name your terms—I’ll do anything!”

I looked at her and smiled.

Was there any need to maintain a business relationship I didn’t even want?