My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 107

“Glacer is the Water Spirit King! How shocking!”

“Well, no wonder you’re strong!”

“Yes, yes. You’re nice.”

As the Low-Level Spirits made a fuss, the Intermediate Spirits responded with familiar mechanical voices, gently patting their heads. There was no caretaker around.

“I-I don’t want the attention on me…”

Glacer, who had been cowering, quickly hid behind me.

Right now, she was borrowing Maria’s power by removing her necklace. She couldn’t stay in the flames forever.

“But why are you hiding behind me?”

“B-Because you said I’m ugly, Hero.”

I did not say that!

Don’t twist my words!

“To say I’m ugly… Does that mean the Teacher is really picky about appearance?”

“You mean to say the Teacher is not satisfied with ordinary appearances? If they have that kind of power, I guess it makes sense.”

“With that level of looks, she must be recognized even among the Elf Tribe. So that’s why she had no interest in other women.”

All of a sudden, I had become a man with high standards.

Honestly, I wouldn’t have cared if I looked ordinary. It was already extremely difficult to date back in that world, so why should I care about looks?

As long as I could safely navigate the Demon War, I fully intended to try dating.

“Enough of this nonsense. Glacer, I hope you can finally let us meet the Water Spirit King.”

“Um… I’ve been trying to contact them for a while… They say wait a moment because a ‘lively little one’ has arrived.”

…Lively little one?

There was only one being Naid would refer to like that.

The Fire Spirit King, Phoenix.

Is that woman suddenly meeting Naid?

I had a feeling this situation might get complicated.

“Oh, she’s here!”

“Ugh, just go away.”

Following Glacer’s words, I turned to hear a man’s voice.

There stood a long-haired man with blue hair, pushing away a red-haired woman.

The red-haired woman, instead, clung closer to him, even draping her arm around his shoulders.

“Why, hey! Aren’t you guys Heroes?”

Dressed similarly to Ariel.

It was more akin to traditional Eastern attire than a dress. It seemed like a modified hanbok from a game, complete with wings like a fairy. The difference from Ariel was how overwhelmingly red her outfit was.

Seeing her attire, it was clear she was the Spirit King, Phoenix. That kind of fairy dress could only be worn by a Spirit King.

“…Calm down, you guys. The Spirits are watching.”

Behind the two, Ariel shook her head with a frown.

“No! This damn guy isn’t listening!”

Since Naid was a man, he didn’t wear clothes like a fairy, but his attire was quite similar to other Spirit Kings; it resembled traditional Asian clothing. To put it simply, it looked like a modified hanbok.

“Oh! Hello, kids. You’re all so cute as always.”

The red-haired woman, Phoenix, waved her hand in greeting upon seeing the Low-Level Spirits.

“See! He’s not listening! And it feels like I’m going to die from the heat being stuck to that guy.”

It seemed the Spirit Realm was a chaotic family.

The Spirit Kings stepped forward confidently before us.

In their bustling presence, the Spirits knelt and lowered their heads.

“It is an honor to meet you. Naid-sama, Phoenix-sama, Ariel-sama.”

Before long, Glacer knelt on one knee, bowing her head before the Spirit Kings. The other Intermediate and Low-Level Spirits followed suit.

Only I and the Heroes stood tall.

The expression of Naid, who had been shouting thoughtlessly just moments ago, had turned solemn, while Phoenix, who had been greeting lightly, was still grinning. Their personalities were clearly at odds.

“Get up, Glacer.”

“Yes.”

The shy demeanor she had moments ago vanished. She was only shy around people, so it was to be expected.

Glacer stood from her kneeling position.

Naid, who had been watching her with a formal demeanor, now looked at us.

“Are these the ones who passed the test?”

“Yes. They possessed sufficient strength to face me and the Intermediate Spirits, and by showing mercy to the Spirits who attacked with killing intent, it is evident they have the qualities of Heroes. Also, among them, one has perfectly withstood my All-Freezing Technique.”

“Oh? Withstood the All-Freezing Technique?”

Naid swept back his blue hair and muttered in wonder.

The All-Freezing Technique was Glacer’s ultimate skill, one that even the Spirit King Naid found difficult to counter. So it was no surprise it was shocking that someone had withstood it rather than just evaded it.

“That person is a Hero with strong disciples.”

“A Hero, huh? Well, the Spirits recognize only Heroes, so which of those four is it?”

“It’s a man.”

“…A man?”

At Glacer’s words, Naid’s brow furrowed.

Currently, the Spirit Kings, aside from Ariel, were those who had made contracts with the first Hero.

They could not be unfamiliar with the Hero’s power and essence.

In other words, it would not be possible for anyone to impersonate a Hero in front of them.

“This is strange. I don’t feel any power of a Hero from that man at all?”

He sauntered toward me with a frown.

Ripples appeared beneath his feet, as if there were moisture on the icy ground. He looked down on me.

He stared at me for a long time, as if reading my innermost thoughts.

“…You! You’re impersonating a Hero, aren’t you?”

As Naid spoke, countless gazes turned toward me.

Damn, I missed my chance to say I’m not a Hero.

“Didn’t you say the one who wished to meet me was a man, Ariel?”

“That’s right. It’s that man.”

At Naid’s words, Ariel nodded.

“Then you must be Praus.”

“Yup, that’s me.”

“Hmm. No matter how I look at you, you’re no Hero. Just an ordinary human. How did you withstand the All-Freezing Technique? Explain immediately.”

“…That’s right. I’m no Hero. That heavy fate doesn’t suit my temperament.”

“Hah! So you’re audacious enough to impersonate a Hero before the Spirits?!”

The murmurs around grew intense.

The Heroes stood stock-still, listening to Naid’s words as if they couldn’t comprehend the situation.

“Sorry, but I have never called myself a Hero. It was just a misunderstanding from those around me. I just let it ‘be.'”

“What…?”

“Speak clearly. I advise you not to wish for death.”

That was exactly what I wanted to say to him. If you don’t want to die, how about you fix your attitude?

“Do you dare speak of death to a Spirit King? You human?! I shall kill you!!”

A massive sphere formed above his head. I swallowed hard as I watched the swirling water in its spherical form.

Bang!

At that moment, the water sphere burst into the air. Ariel had disrupted his magic with her Wind Magic.

“Naid, could you calm down a bit? I already said your speech was awful.”

“…Ariel, what are you doing right now?”

“We didn’t come here to fight. And Praus isn’t wrong either. He never claimed to be a Hero. I already told you Praus isn’t a Hero, haven’t I?”

Though he ignored my words, it seemed he couldn’t dismiss Ariel’s on equal footing. Eventually, he clicked his tongue, easing his murderous intent toward me.

“Ha… Praus, you seem to not know something. Only Heroes can meet Spirit Kings. Even if you passed Glacer’s trial.”

He walked past me.

So, is he going to ignore me, who has business with him?

I would have liked to let it go without conflict, but there was something I needed to hear from him. Why the hell did I go through this trouble?

Naid halted just before the Three Heroes.

“Ah, so you are the Heroes.”

“What are you talking about?”

Iris placed her hand on the hilt of her sword and asked. Seeing her guarded attitude made him chuckle.

“Haha, right. Of course, I wouldn’t tell the Heroes. I need to take advantage of them.”

I had no intention of denying that I’d take advantage of them.

The reason I had them with me was to fight against the Demon Tribe during the Demon War.

“What are you talking about since earlier?”

Tina said irritably. Naid looked at Tina.

“I see, you’re the Sword Master.”

“…?”

“Sword Master, Paladin, Elemental Master. Different powers from previous Heroes. But the characteristics aren’t bad. Also, your skills seem quite developed. How old are you?”

He seemed to comprehend the characteristics and powers of the three Heroes almost instantly.

Taking a deep breath, I gazed straight ahead. There stood Ariel, who was fidgeting anxiously next to me.

Considering her reaction, it seemed she wouldn’t have said anything unnecessary.

In that case, it was time to present an argument of my own.

“Wait, Naid. Just hold on.”

“Ariel, once is fine. I can accept once, but to support you again has to be seen as personal feelings, doesn’t it?”

Ariel opened her mouth to defend herself, but she was cut off immediately.

“Ariel, stay quiet for now. Naid’s words, no matter how rough, are true. An impersonator pretending to be a Hero is a serious issue.”

Phoenix said, crossing her arms.

“But Praus is not that kind of person—”

“Stop it, Ariel. The more you defend him, the worse it gets. Are you perhaps trying to find a replacement for that ‘worthless human’?”

“What…?”

“I told you. Spirits and humans understand time differently. The reasons we form contracts with humans are to preserve the Spirit Realm. Have you forgotten how the Spirit Realm shook due to your unnecessary emotions? Know your place.”

“Hey… are you done talking?”

Ariel asked in a trembling voice.

To bring up Pasma negatively was like touching a raw nerve for her.

“Do you know how greedy humans can be? Spirits without contract experience are endlessly exploited by humans.”

“Because you have that kind of mindset, the first Hero abandoned you.”

“What?!”

Now, Ariel had touched Naid’s nerve.

They exchanged looks filled with the intention to fight.

While I watched the fierce tension between the two Spirit Kings, a voice came from the ghost that hung beside me.

[Praus, can you lend me your body just this once? I want to give that guy a taste of his own medicine.]

His anger made my skin tingle. It was harder than ever to breathe in his intense killing intent.

He couldn’t tolerate being insulted in front of his girlfriend. Tough guy, Pasma.

But I couldn’t lend him my body.

“No. If you step in here, it will only complicate things. Leave it to me.”

I understood Pasma’s feelings.

However, my primary goal was to be achieved first. It would be problematic if I let the relationship sour and risk not fulfilling my purpose.

Of course, that didn’t mean I wouldn’t want to give him a taste of revenge either.

“Since time immemorial, humans have been untrustworthy beings. Just as humans exploit us, we should exploit them right back. Don’t get buried in useless emotions. Think logically.”

“…Exploit, huh? That’s a fitting word.”

I cut in instead of Ariel.

“Sorry, but don’t interfere if you’re not a Hero. I don’t want to hear the words of a scammer trying to deceive me to use Heroes.”

Naid glared at me with wide eyes.

He emanated overwhelming pressure. It felt as if my neck was being squeezed.

But if there’s one thing I excelled at, it was meeting an intense gaze.

[Activating Skill: Killing Intent.]

As Naid received my killing intent head-on, he flinched and stepped back. He was taken aback by the unexpected pressure. Seeing his eyes quiver almost made me smile.

“What the hell is that pressure…!”

Even Ariel and Phoenix, who had been standing back, flinched.

The other Spirits could barely withstand the killing pressure, grimacing and moaning.

“Naid, who the hell do you think you are?”

“What?”

“Seeing as you didn’t even know that these kids are Heroes while boasting, it’s just disgusting.”

For once, I felt like my thoughts were coming out unfiltered. Despite my trembling body, I spoke my mind without hesitation.

“Do you think that without me, the Heroes would still be alive? Who do you think has been strengthening them?”

“Well, that is…”

Naid struggled to reply.

Emboldened, I continued to infuse strength into my voice.

“Don’t act all high and mighty, you NPC! Know your place before a proper player.”