"Urapus, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Mother."
After the chaotic assessment, Urapus urged his parents to go home. He has a lot of things he must sort out.
As for the initial plan to make a good image, Urapus decides to abandon it. Hell, he even abdicated his dream to be a Hero.
Urapus, the First Hero, the Hero of Dawn, no longer exists. And it should remain that way. Right now, his main objective is to reach adequate standing of power to search for the Goddess of Stars.
"Astra, was it?"
In the car, Urapus absentmindedly stared at the sky. The unveiled face of the Goddess of Stars was so beautiful that his mind literally shut down for a whole 5 years before it could regain its memories.
It's that ridiculous.
[It's because a Goddess's bare face wasn't meant to be witnessed by a Mortal, Hero!]
Urapus blankly looked at the interface. Of course, he was no stranger to this phenomenon. The problem lies in one thing.
[Please be the Hero to Save the World!]
Yes, it's the excessive request of the interface that wished him to be a Hero.
Urapus thought it was ridiculous. If he didn't receive his memories, the present him may eagerly accept the proposal.
"Before I regain my memories, my subconscious mind actually wanted to be a Hero... Goddess, is this what you meant? That I'll be the Savior again?"
Urapus thought wryly. Indeed, no matter how far he wanted to run away, he admitted it to himself.
He's indeed the First Hero. He is the Hero of Dawn. The man who single-handedly protect the Blue Earth for over 30 years.
No matter how many times he wanted to discard these identities, the moment he accepted these monikers, he'd already become who they were.
Still, Urapus refused to be a Hero.
The past and present Urapus acknowledged the fact that the First Hero, someone he used to be, is a figure no one could replicate. The First Hero is someone who embodied the ideals of a Hero, and it's exactly because of this that he fell.
The new Urapus... His objective is to save the world. As for the inhabitants? If they didn't cooperate, they could go fuck themselves.
Urapus took a deep breath.
At most, he'll protect the world. But he refused to protect its inhabitants.
In the end, he is no longer the old Urapus.
"It's that enough for you?"
The interface showed an exaggeratedly cheering emote. The emote is based on the cute face of a gray-haired girl, with shining big blue eyes.
"Er, so is this your form?"
[Yes!]
The avatar gives him a thumbs up, looking quite flustered. It was quite clear that the world was forced to do this, all for the sake of saving herself.
"You know, I'm quite curious. Why did you choose me? Over hundreds of years since my passing, surely some worthy individuals could protect you."
The avatar shook her head vigorously, childishly puffed her cheeks,
[They are all greedy individuals! With fickle pride and ego at the size of a planet! I even started to immigrate the passing souls to be the heroes, yet they're even worse!]
[Urapus is the only one who genuinely protected me. Urapus even did so for 30 years! If not for Her Excellency Astra, I would've already initiated extinction for the current civilization when you died!]
At the end of her speech, the avatar's eyes turned teary, as if someone had really wronged her. Urapus felt a bit of pity. So even after hundreds of years, no one could take the mantle of the First Hero?
The present him has already been informed, but he wanted to hear it from the will of the world herself.
"Am I that exalted?" Urapus dryly chuckled. But it seems like the world took it a little bit too seriously.
[Yes! Urapus is the most exalted human being on Earth! The only being who is willing to protect me all for the sake of my well-being!]
The avatar starts to pant, looking at him with excessive admiration. Urapus shivered.
It makes him wonder.
The residue of his aura from his past life was inherited by the present him. After all, it was something that manifest by his will. It's this aura that allowed him to lead the Awakeners to fight off against the Outer Forces when he was still the First Hero without any refutation.
He could look into it because of his memories as the First Hero. So how could Roxanna detected it? From the way she acted, it's quite obvious that she was aware of his unusual aura.
"Can you tell me about Roxanna Harden?"
[Roxanna Harden is the second person I admire after you! She's given her life for me, thus I regressed her back to this year.]
"You could do that?
[I could! But it consumed all of my authority. It was also because she died young, so my authority to regress her back was enough. I was planning to support her, but then you suddenly appeared! My beloved Hero...!]
Urapus swallowed. Just what kind of authority the world has to be able to regress a person?
"Please maintain your image."
After a moment, the world started to show the system's features. The reason why it was called [The Hero System].
Urapus's gaze turned strange as he looked at the information presented by the interface. He thought it would be as simple as him saving the World, but it seems like it was meant for something else.
[Status]
| Host: Urapus
| Realm: Mortal Stage 2
| Quality: Rare (Legendary)
| Talent: Unbreakable Will (?), Loved by the Stars (?), Limit Break (SSS), World's Beloved (SSS), Ash Controller (C).
| Ability: None (Locked)
| Hero Points: 0 HP
[Hero, you should read the information about your talents. It's best to know them so you can take full advantage!]
Urapus agreed with the World. However, what made him speechless was his original talent, the Ash Controller. It was an S-rank talent, yet in the system, it could only be counted as a C-rank.
It could be deducted from this how utterly ridiculous his other talents are. Two of them even surpassed the SSS rank of the system, veiled in mysteries!
There's also the realm...
"Hah, this thing truly opened my eyes. Let me guess, they're based on a higher plane of existence, right?"
[I'll tell you more when you reach the Sovereign realm, Hero! Or in your case, Mortal Realm Stage 12.]
Urapus wryly nodded. He feared that if he took in too much information at once, he'd be feeling hopeless. Even the so-called peak, the Sovereign realm, could only be counted as the Mortal Realm.
Then what about the Goddess...?
Thinking of this, Urapus shook his head. He'll be there to meet her. He definitely will. With the help of this thing, it'd be possible.
Urapus intended to save the world, but the system was too precious. He admitted he was too arrogant just now.
Perhaps the system has other meaning rather than saving the world.
[That's also a secret!]
Urapus nodded. Figured.
[Hero, right now, it's best for you to improve your realm as much as possible. 5 years later, the Outer Forces will once again wage a war, causing devastation on the mainland. Please prepare to your best capability!]
"Alright. I understand."
Soon, the information regarding his talents was revealed, filling him with excitement and expectation.
For most people, discovering a higher existence made them despair, but Urapus was a being that could single-handedly fight against the Outer Forces.
He was acknowledged as the strongest Awakener in history!
Of course, he'll be excited upon discovering the extended path of power!
[Unbreakable Will (?)]
| You are unbreakable. Despair, fear, wrath, greed, lust, pride, envy, jealousy, none of them could bend you. You are the man of your own choice.
| You are immune to certain emotions if the circumstances are detrimental for you to harbor them.
[Loved by the Stars (?)]
| The Goddess of Stars, Astra, adored you. The stars give you strength.
| Increased combat power by 10 times in exposition of the light of stars. Grant the ability to manipulate the power of the stars.
| The host will be weakened if exposed to excessive light of stars. (Surpassed the Mortal realm to reduce the weakening by 50%)
| The drawback will be erased if the host reaches the [Omitted] realm.
"That's why..."
For an expert like him, it's not hard to figure them out. For example, the reason why he would be weakened when the sun was at its peak was because of the excessive exposition to the light of the stars.
It was too much for his current realm, thus instead of improving his power, it weakened him. Perhaps to wield the power fully, he must reach a certain realm.
As for the Unbreakable Will, this is the reason he could devote himself as the Hero. It's the reason he could accept the execution without wreaking any havoc, and it's the reason why he currently has no desire to subject the people to his revenge. The reason he harboured no hatred for mankind.
It's the reason he was loved by the world and was adored by the stars.
"So everything stemmed from this, huh?"
This is his true talent. The talent that was not given by anyone else.
Urapus continued to look into his talents, cupping his chin in wonder.
[Limit Break (SSS) (Evolvable)]
| You are a man of unpredecented talent and will. Thus, with the right amount of stimulation and hard work, in an explosive moment, you could break your limiter, becoming a higher state of your current self.
| Forms:
Form 1 (???) (Locked) (1%)
Form 2 (???) (Locked) (0%)
Form 3 (???) (Locked) (0%)
Form 4 (???) (Locked) (0%)
[World's Beloved (SSS) (Evolvable)]
| The world adores you. In the world that adores you, you will be immune to diseases and illness. Your recovery will be increased by 500%. Outside the world that adores you, it will support you on your journey, sharing 20% of its energy for you to use.
| It will evolve as the world gets closer to you.
"They're already SSS-rank by the system standard, yet they're still evolvable?"
Urapus has no idea where the Limit Breaker came from. Perhaps it stemmed from the Unbreakable Will.
But he certainly knew about the other talent.
"Getting 20% of the world's energy outside the world is certainly a good thing. However, assuming that I have to be in space, I must reach the General realm first before I can enjoy it."
"There's no need to mention the boons inside the planet. Exaggeratedly, I'll be pretty much Immortal."
As for the requirement for it to evolve...
"Getting closer to the world? Does that mean—"
Having a certain idea, Urapus blinked and was about to talk when the avatar of the world appeared again. This time, the avatar was looking at him angrily, like a wronged girl.
[Don't have any ideas on me, Hero! Y-You're not worthy yet!]
Worthy?
What do you mean by worthy?
Urapus was dumbfounded as the avatar crankily stomped her feet, erasing herself from the interface. From her reaction, he confirmed something.
"..."
So he truly has to be like that—
[PERVERT!]
Ignoring the accusing avatar, Urapus began to ponder. The Limit Breaker sounds powerful, especially since it assumed these forms, which were locked because of the lack of his parameters and stimulation.
He has some ideas what sort of benefits these forms will grant.
Urapus checked out his last talent. The most standard out of them all.
[Ash Controller (C)]
| Grant the ability to control 70% of ash in the world.
"As expected."
Urapus acknowledged the advantages of the system. If he knew them all in his previous life, he could make a clear goal for himself.
The boons he got are the intricate and detailed information about himself, which he lacked severely in the past.
"But how about these HP?"
The Hero Points sound odd. Does that mean he must act like a Hero or something? And what does it do?
[You could try out what you assume to be the right method to receive it, Hero. As for its use, you will unlock a feature when you gather 1,000 HP so you can use it. Good luck!]
After a brief confirmation and exploration, Urapus finally understands the whole thing about the system, along with the so-called Hero Points.
[Also, in the future, there will be quests. Look forward to it!]
"Alright, I'll work hard."
Without him realizing it, they already arrived home. Father stretched his back as he unlocked the door's car. Today was indeed stressful.
The pressure of multiple families, the crushing expectation of his son, and the roller coaster of emotions by the ever-changing talent of his son.
Ren already expected all of this. After all, his son is always the center of attention wherever he goes. Still, it's exhausting as hell!
"So what do you want to do, Son? Today is also your birthday, after all."
Ren patted Urapus gleefully. One of the reasons he named him after the First Hero is because of his birthday. The Assessment was held on the date the First Hero was born, and it was also his son's birthday!
"I just want to train really hard, Father. Now that I know my talent, perhaps Father could train me?"
It would be ideal if he could train on his own. But Urapus is different now. He has a family that he loves.
"Nu-uh. Urapus's birthday is a precious day! I heard that your girlfriend will come today. So greet her properly! I don't want my son to be sweaty when his girlfriend comes!"
Ren was already excited, but Natashya refuted him with a chiding tone. Urapus obeyed her. Just a day of no training wouldn't affect him anyway.
Besides, Roxanna is a good company. She is a regressor, a precious asset to ensure the safety of the world.
It's been a while since he talked with like-minded people.
As for Mother's teasing, Urapus waved them off easily. He's not so inexperienced to be flustered by a playful jab.
[Quest Detected!]
[Quest: Roxanna Harden I]
[Roxanna Harden, the leading figure of the Blue Earth in the future, has regressed. It would be best for you to guide her on the right path.]
[Objective: Guide Roxanna Harden in her cultivation.]
[Requirement: Roxanna Harden reaches the Mortal Realm Stage 9 before the age of 8.]
[Reward: 1,000,000 HP, the Evolution of Roxanna Harden's Talent, Awakening Roxanna's blessing.]
"That's quite a sum!"
Currently, Roxanna is in the same realm as him.
Mortal Realm Stage 2 to Mortal Realm Stage 9 seems like an arduous task, but for Urapus, 4 years are feasible.
As for her talent's evolution, it would be better for him. Who doesn't want their comrades to become stronger?
Urapus also wondered. What kind of blessing Roxanna would have? It's so intriguing. He smiled curiously.
"Ah! There she is!"
Mother excitedly looked at the incoming limo. Urapus also stared, contemplating his plans.
As the vehicle stopped before their house, a small figure came out.
Her trademark white hair shined in the sunlight, with her glittering crimson eyes.
Roxanna Harden is the closest being to the First Hero.
"Hello, Urapus! Happy birthday!"
The usually cold girl smiled, waving her little hand at him.