kscans

Chapter 123 - I'm a Reincarnator and I've Already Cleared This Game

At a stall in the back alleys of Mildo, filled with the fragrant smell of grilled corn. The Hobgoblin Mamoru watched the trembling hero out of the corner of his eye as he turned a skewer.

"…Hey, I know this is late to ask, but you are a hero, right?"

"Y-yes, I am…! B-but it’s impossible…!"

As expected, Ares Scarlet was curled up and sobbing with her whole body. She had cried yesterday. She was crying today. She would probably cry tomorrow.

Mamoru let out a long sigh and then spoke abruptly.

"You know, I’ve already cleared this game world once."

"…Huh? C-cleared… what?"

"Basically, I was originally a human, and after I died, I reincarnated and became a Hobgoblin. My previous life was reset after I cleared it, and now, here I am, reincarnated as a Hobgoblin again. So this is my second Hobgoblin monster life."

Ares’s mouth fell open, a half-eaten piece of grilled corn stopping mid-way to her lips.

"Eeeh!? S-so, you’re like a secret final boss!?"

"Nah, I’m the first jobber boss. You ran away crying last time, right? That was me, on my second Hobgoblin go-around."

"Hieeeeeeee!! That’s too scary."

"Don’t cry. I’m not done talking."

Mamoru placed the skewer on a plate and spoke directly to Ares.

"I came here to set this game world straight. This time, I’m here to raise a ‘true hero’ who can save the world."

"Eh… m-me…? But, I’m… weak… I’m sorr…"

"Don’t cry!!"

"I-I’m sorryyyyyy!!"

"…Listen up, from today, you’re my student. Call me Coach!" Ares blinked her eyes.

"Eh… Coach…?"

"That’s right. From today, I’m your coach. However, power harassment and sexual harassment are absolutely forbidden! I will absolutely abide by this one rule."

"Th-thank goodness… you’re not a weird coach… (though you are a scary monster)."

Mamoru stabbed a wooden stick into the ground and began to write in large letters.

‘Hero Retraining Program, Hobgoblin Style’

◆ True Hero Retraining Program ◆ ~Seven Special Training Regimens to Forge a Crybaby, Good-for-nothing Hero into a Fine Warrior~

①【Cultivating Self-Esteem】 Every day, write down one thing you "accomplished." We start by learning to like yourself.

②【Strengthening Basic Stamina】 A two-lap run through the forest every morning. Even if you cry, you walk. If you rest, you do double the sit-ups.

③【Improving Life Skills】 Level up your cooking with Defray’s special fried rice. Mix the egg with the rice first!

④【Fear Overcoming Training】 If you say "I can’t" or "I’m scared," you must do ten minutes of formal kneeling plus abdominal breathing on the spot.

⑤【Weekly Mission】 Accumulate "I did it!" moments by completing simple requests. Start by walking a puppy.

⑥【No-Crying Challenge】 Get a candy reward on days you don’t cry (mint, strawberry, or mystery flavor).

⑦【Improving Communication Skills】 Talk to a stranger at least three times a day. Topics like the weather or temperature are recommended.

"There are seven of them. …Th-that’s a lot…!"

"That’s how many assignments have piled up from all the times you cried and ran away. Once you clear them all, the route to defeating the Demon Lord will open."

"Eeeeeh!? I-is that really what a ‘hero’ does…?"

"Being a hero isn’t about the ‘power to fight’. It’s about the ‘courage to stand up’. So it’s okay to cry. But you have to walk! Draw your sword! Trust your comrades!"

With tears still in her eyes, Ares tightly gripped her corn on the cob.

"…But… maybe… I want to try…"

Mamoru grinned.

"That’s the spirit. First, take one step forward, Hero Ares. Starting today, it’s going to be hell, you know?"

"Hieeeeeeeeeeeee!!" Thus began the tears, sweat, and hellish true hero training program of the "crybaby heroine Ares Scarlet" and her Hobgoblin coach, Mamoru. All to keep Mamoru from getting bored… ( ＾ω＾）