The Max Level Hero Has Returned!-Novel

The Heins Territory had women who were quite beautiful, in Hydro’s opinion. He also found the place to be teeming with adorable and charming beastfolks and breathtakingly beautiful elves.

And despite being within a city, the Hein’s Territory oddly had areas that resembled a forest realm, as if these spaces were part of the domain of the elves, who were known to dwell in forests. But then again, Hydro had heard that Davey could transform the natural scenery in the territory at will.

What did it matter, though? Well, he had realized this was reality. And in the process, it also dawned on him that he had taken the lives of countless animals, monsters, or even human beings like bandits. Which was why it bechard for him to grow attached to this world ever since he learned that he was taking actual lives.

And so, after receiving his reward, Hydro intended to immediately leave this world and sell the only device that allowed him to chere. He planned to repay the debt to his savior, Davey, and firmly depart after giving Davey the things he asked for. However, when he entered Davey's office—which Davey had returned to after a brief visit to a foreign country—Hydro felt a warm breeze envelop his whole body, and there was a slightly irritating but captivating fragrance wafting about.

"..."

Hydro, who had intended to leave, was mesmerized, mindlessly approaching the young girl he had just caught sight of. The view of the girl, huddled on the floor, hugging her knees and wrapping her arms around her legs, invoked a mixture of compassion and a spine-tingling thrill in him.

He knew her. She was one of the most famous things about this world, according to the information released by other users who cbefore him. She was Tiara of the Alchemy School, and she was one of the six beauties of the continent.

The Princess of the Pallan Empire was the only one among the six beauties he had encountered so far, but it already seemed to him that the stories were true after all. Oftentimes, rumors were exaggerated, but the reality turned out to be the opposite. The rumor about the six beauties was not actually exaggerated.

"Transfer the sector value according to the Dirma Theory and the Totrium Value, establish the Temes Theory, then a predictive simulator... Here, with the elemental symbol number seventy-two and..."

As he drew closer and closer to the girl, he began to hear her murmuring. And just as he was about to reach out to her absentmindedly…

"Leave her be. She is coming to a realization," Davey said, awakening Hydro from his mesmerized stupor.

What kind of realization, exactly? The girl's condition looked disturbingly bleak. But even that bleakness seemed to fade into the background thanks to her inherently stunning appearance.

"This person... Could it be Tiara, one of the six beauties of the continent?"

"Probably."

"Probably?"

What on earth could have happened that could make a person end up in such a bleak state? It made Hydro's thoughts reel.

"Right. Have you met up with your sister?"

"Yes, thank you. Seeing my sister healthy again is indeed a relief."

"Then stay here for a while. When you're settled down, you can leave, and I won't say much even if you do."

What Davey said left Hydro with a complicated expression.

"Really, thank you. I could not properly express my gratitude last tbecause everything happened so fast."

After saying so, he bowed deeply to Davey. It was a grand gesture of bowing called 'Keunjeol' in his homeland.

"This Keunjeol is a gesture from my country. For saving my sister's life, I shall never forget your kindness, not even in death."

"It was nothing. I just saw you on my way and helped you out,” Davey replied to Hydro’s gratitude nonchalantly, before diverting the topic of their conversation to something else entirely. “So, about what I asked..."

Davey's inquiry turned his expression into one that is more firm and serious. "I've looked into it."

"Perserque, please step aside for a moment with Tiara."

Something transparent fluttered over his shoulder, and a beautiful girl then soared into the air. Although she was as small as a palm, it was easy to recognize who she was, her identity still clear as day. After all, she was an exceedingly famous girl in the Earth community.

"Your Majesty..."

At his unwitting murmur, Perserque twitched, and a sharp look flashed in Davey's eyes.

Hydro’s gaze followed Perserque as she took Tiara out to give Davey the privacy he asked for. Once they were gone, Hydro was still startled by the sudden shift in the atmosphere that had becunsettling. So he spoke quietly to Davey, saying, "I've looked into the person you've asked about, Shin Hyun-Ah."

"Quite something for a young kid. Good job."

"What exactly don't you know about Earth? Could you possibly be a player too?"

"I was born here."

"Anyway,” Hydro cleared his throat. “I've looked into it. Is it the Sacred Group?"

"The Sacred Group?"

"You don't know?"

Hydro, manipulating his status window, produced a semi-transparent panel.

"This girl."

Davey remained quiet, not offering a word of response, as his previously relaxed demeanor shifted as if something had suddenly weighed heavily on him.

"..."

Why was it so? Hydro somehow felt as if the man in front of him was mourning.

* * *

It was a sight he thought he would never see again, since it seemed to be something he would unlikely ever witness.

"She’s still the same,” Davey bitterly muttered to no one.

Hydro had already left moments ago, leaving him with his own company as he looked at the photograph laid on the table.

It was a picture of a woman whose youthful air had already vanished. Still, her grown visage captured in the photograph seemed to gouge into his heartstrings. His mind also went black as he was confronted by what was simply the minor request he had asked for.

Davey knew so well that he still had a lot on his plate. Such as the matter regarding the Boltis Kingdom and the way Sullivan horribly dealt with the powers of Rendos in the Pallan Empire. He also had plenty of other tasks that were yet to be managed. Then there was the matter with Count Rembus, which was only the beginning. The remaining resistance within Boltis would continuously protest and clamor for independence, and those who followed Prince Rendos would continuously mention the issues concerning him because he had died here. However, Davey still remained silent and unmoving, casting aside at that moment all of the awaiting work and issues that needed to be addressed and solved.

"Is this person..."

An unexpected voice pulled Davey out of his thoughts.

"What's wrong? When did you come?"

"Relax. Why are you so scared?” Illyna, who had joined him on the table, smiled playfully. "Davey?"

"When did you arrive?"

"Just now. I called and called, but you would not answer. So I just cin."

"Your sister?"

"Yes." He covered the photograph with a sigh.

"Did you get the news? I saw a foreigner wandering around a while ago."

So she was already somewhat aware of Hydro.

"She seems to be alive and well."

"She's about twenty-three now. And it seems like she's landed a good job and is living well."

The wounds inflicted by separation between people lasted long. Tmight be a healer, but bringing it back to mind sometimes made it an everlasting sore spot.

Davey had neither the right to interfere further nor mourn about his sister from his previous life, who could not be present at his deathbed, nor to whom Davey could not offer a single word of apology. And that was precisely why she was still and would always be a sore spot for him.

Even through all the banning and fighting, she was the most reliable and trustworthy family member—one for whom his trust was unwavering. Even if he reincarnated or if his perceived lifespan exceeded a thousand years, this fact would not change, and that saddened him.

"Why not ask for a Dimensional Key to go to Earth? You do not have to reveal your identity, but maybe you could talk to her at least once."

"I can't cross over to Earth."

Only foreigners were allowed to traverse between Earth and this world. So Davey couldn’t go there, and the swas true to the Abyss. Whatever protective measures had been placed on Earth, direct contact with them was possible only through foreigners or Alf Online.

"What about using that kid to call her into Alf Online?"

"Leave it be. It's enough to know she's living well. Luckily, it seems like the business my uncle was involved with worked out."

In Davey’s previous life, family meant only one older sister, one younger sister, and an uncle whose face he hardly remembered and who had worked abroad, sending back hefty hospital bills. Though the girl in the picture had lost her childish appearance, her face carried a gentle smile, as if she were talking to someone.

"That's enough for me."

"Davey, if you're going through a tough time, tell me. I'll help you anytime,” Illyna spoke cautiously. "I promised to protect you."

"Thank you, even if these are just words," he sincerely said, trying to convey his gratitude.

Illyna chuckled lightly, seemingly in better spirits after hearing his calm response. She then said, "On another important note… I heard the news about the public opinion being all chaotic now. All because you stirred things up in the Kingdom of Boltis.”

"It's nothing big. I'll have to return soon, but I prefer to handle my own matters directly."

"What about the matter concerning Rendos?"

"Once your brother sendsthe information about those people, they will naturally die. Accidental deaths, natural deaths. Whatever it is, politics is about keeping one's hands clean."

She seemed oddly disappointed by his words.

"Your brother says that once you and I are in a strategic marriage, we can freely take out those people. Would you want to?"

"What... What?!" She jolted in surprise, but then she quickly shook her head, saying, "Don't tease me."

"That settles it then."

Speaking calmly, Davey closed his eyes, feeling the exhaustion weigh heavily on his bones. Not only because of the matter concerning Hyun-Ah but also because of what he had actually asked to be investigated about Neltarid—an emerging religion appearing on Earth. Neltarid was securing an enormous following across various countries, seemingly different from other pseudo-religions.

But what concerned him was not the pseudo-religions, which had always existed. The troubling part was the rumors that had begun to spread about witnessing miracles. Moreover, since the advent of the Neltarid religion, the world had begun to experience a few changes, one of which was the rapid decrease in the number of natural disasters. Although it seemed ridiculous to connect the two, this was exactly what the followers of Neltarid were claiming, and even he had heard about it.

One could guess what's going on at this point. It was questionable whether Earth, connected through Neltarid, was indeed the Earth he knew, given the many doubts. Yet, there were two connections that made it believable enough—the existence of his sister and the movement of the Neltarid religion.

He set aside his complex thoughts and numerous doubts at the backburner of his mind and instead started pondering how to deal with the factions of Rendos within the empire of Pallan and those in Boltis.

[Beeep!]

Suddenly, the Dimensional Key began to react, opening a small gate, which surprised Illyna with its sudden appearance.

[There exists a lamb in need of the Shepherd's power. Answer the call for salvation and receive my relic.]

It was not a call from Goddess Freyja but a plea for salvation from Neltarid.

"Wait here."

Davey then cautiously reached out his hand into the gate before pushing his head through. And what was revealed beyond the gate was a vast and barren wasteland. Dark blue meteors were falling from the sky, and bipedal monsters with formidable physiques were marching forward. There was even a gate to hell. Meanwhile, on the other side, familiar figures were scattering in all directions at a rapid pace.

"Damn it!! It’s a failed raid! Get out!!"

"Crazy! Another village is about to vanish!"

"Don't you have any balance?!"

"Dammit! Assistance won’t arrive until the quest is completed, but when the hell will that happen?!"

Pulling his head back from such scenes, Davey mused. "So that’s why you can't handle it and are asking for my help?"

There was no answer to his murmur.

"Alright. As long as it's a mutually satisfying deal, I don't mind taking a short business trip."

Having declared such words, he then grabbed Illyna by the arm.

"W-what?!"

Startled, Illyna was pulled through the gate with him.

The view changed instantly. Unlike moments before, they were now surrounded by monsters, and the group around him was in a dire situation, looking extremely troubled. It was clear that the group was moments away from being completely annihilated.

Davey then caught Illyna, who was slowly falling from the sky, and cast a flying spell on her.

"Uhh... Davey, you…"

"Let’s just go down."

They just needed to deal with a certain target, and it was not particularly hard if Neltarid was willing to ask for help and give something in return.

Not long after their arrival, an eight-limbed, centaur-like creature wielding a giant halberd emerged among the hordes of giant monsters. Its four legs firmly stood on the ground, similar to a quadrupedal animal, while its four arms wielded different massive weapons, one of which was the massive halberd.

[The town of Ventis has fallen.]

"Dammit! The balance is totally off!"

"When will the NPC help arrive?!"

While the players were frustrated with the enemy that was making the raid difficult, they were not actually worried as they continued to play.

These players were the soldiers of Neltarid from within the real Alf Online, making them different from the beings of Tionis.

[Grus, Raust, Panaris, and Ventis. Your lands will gradually disappear, and my power will grow ever stronger.]

The creature with the thick and solemn voice stirred with its four arms.

[Accept death. This world of Alf shall becmine.]

The players seemed to have run out of corners to make an attack.

It was, after all, a gworld, with different rules from reality. Above the huge monster, twelve million hit points, or HP, were displayed. However, the HP the players had scratched away from the total twelve million was a scant one million.

Davey was watching them as he finally landed lightly on the ground.

Illyna, shocked by the command he telepathically said, began to look around.

"What... What is this?!" An astonished player shouted. "NPC? Or a player?"

With his sudden appearance, the players started to get flustered, and the huge monster asked with a snort.

[You... You smell different.]

"You too," Davey calmly replied, stretching out his hand.

"Oh! The aid NPC came! Remember, guild master?! The quest we completed?!"

"So, this NPC is the ally? But it's too late, isn't it?! The siege is already over!"

"I don’t know, the siege has fallen four times already, and look at how little that HP has dropped…"

"This is the most absurd raid I've ever seen. People complain about a mere one million HP, but twelve million?! Really?!"

"But... That NPC, he looks so familiar," someone remarked loud enough to be heard amid the confusion.

The players’ unrest left the monster dismayed, so it swung the ends of its weapons, causing a gust of wind to rise.

[Did you think the tide of the battle would change by bringingsuch trifles?]

The overwhelming presence started pressing down, and the players' expressions soured.

"Look... Everyone, retreat! If we get hit, our weapons will shatter!"

Davey, who was watching the creature silently, opened his hand, and a massive spear started to materialize above it. Eventually, the spear transformed into a huge lance glowing with golden lightning.

"Uggghh!!"

"What... What's that! Is it a new event?!"

"Hey, get the camera! We'll hit the jackpot with the footage!!" The players cried out in shock.

In the ensuing silence, the monster was seemingly dissatisfied with Davey's actions, and it slowly started to advance. But Davey only ignored this, slowly lifting his giant spear.

[You take a shot, I take a shot.]

Davey activated the power of the spear, and like a Mind Sword, his will was imbued into it, scattering brilliant lightning sparks. The size of the spear then began to grow alarmingly just as he leaped into the air, and the players could only observe the spectacle with eyes that were widened in complete shock.

[What the...]

As the baffled monster uttered its shock, Davey also spoke, saying, "You shatter weapons, do you? Let's see if you can shatter the Longinus made of helixium steel."

If the monster could shatter a weapon that would not break even if thrown into a black hole, then Davey would approve of its power.

The massive spear turned into a bolt of lightning and struck down without hesitation. In response, the monster hastily raised its weapons to create a barrier, but the spear pierced through it and flew directly toward the creature.

Amid an incredible burst of sparks, the HP points floating above the monster's head began to change.