This was the kind of life he deserved: a private room just for him, a comfortable bed, and a somewhat quiet roommate.
—Now this is living.
Though it was true the room was far too poor to be called luxurious, with housing prices these days, it was without a doubt the best he could hope for.
He began playing with his fingers, moving them back and forth. He was already starting to grow tired of being so motionless. It had led him to think about many things.
In short, he was bored.
He stood up and grabbed the bars with both hands, pulling them toward himself.
Nothing.
—There has to be a way to escape…
—I wouldn't recommend it —Star spoke from the next cell.—Even if you got out, you'd die from the infernal heat.
—Nothing I haven't experienced already.
He paced from side to side, thinking. Maybe he could pretend to faint, and when they opened the cell, run? It was stupid, but it might work.
He vaguely remembered an escape like that… from some show he watched long ago…
When had he watched it?
He couldn't remember.
—Maybe I should break the bars?
He had a pickaxe in his inventory. If he worked hard enough, he could slowly chip through the bars and, once the dwarves let their guard down, run for it.
Though there was another problem there:
How would he leave the city when everyone was armed?
And more importantly, they were dwarves…
He couldn't exactly blend in.
There was another detail too.
—Inventory.
The system did not respond.
—Stats.
Nothing…
—There has to be some way…
While he was still processing everything and unsuccessfully searching for a means of escape, a group of dwarves came down to the cells, shouting as was already customary—something he did not understand.
They forced both him and Star to come out.
—You are not taking me away from this bed.
He clung to the bars while two dwarves dragged him by the legs. Eventually they lost patience and yanked hard.
He let go.
They led both of them through a long corridor filled with portraits of dwarves he did not recognize. Every step made him feel like he was about to face some kind of final boss.
They reached a door and stopped before entering. They muttered among themselves, then Star looked at him.
—They say you can't enter with that weapon —said Star.
—I can't let go of it…
Star seemed to explain this to the dwarves.
They frowned.
They tried to take his weapon away, but failed. No matter how much they tugged, it remained attached to his hand, glowing with its familiar shine.
One dwarf raised his axe.
—They say that… maybe it'll have to be cut off…
—Cut off what? —asked Froggy impatiently as he saw the axe-bearing dwarf approach.
—Your… you know…
—W-wait. I have a much better idea that doesn't involve cutting anything. W-we can wrap it.
—Not a bad idea —Star replied before speaking to the dwarves.
They wrapped his weapon in many layers of cloth, forming a strange bundle that still glowed faintly.
Then they made him enter.
It was a rustic office, with weapons hanging from the walls and some kind of furnace or work area. It was clearly a forge, looking more like a workshop than a conventional office.
And in front of him sat an old dwarf with a white beard that reached his stomach.
A large scar crossed his face.
Froggy was forced into a chair across from him.
—I declare myself innocent of all charges —he announced before anyone said anything.
The dwarves began murmuring and looked to Star.
He started translating Froggy's words for them.
—They're asking about your guide. I told them you're a hero, and they want you to prove it by saying their names or pulling some object from nothing. You can do that, can't you?
Froggy swallowed.
—Yeah… you know… about that… tell them my system shut down. Overheated. Stuff like that.
—Does that mean you don't have it? —asked Star.
—Yes, I don't have access to it right now.
The dwarves' stares sharpened after hearing that. Their suspicion began to grow.
—They want you to identify yourself. What faction do you belong to, demon?
—Demon? I'm a hero! What I'm saying is true.
—Forgive my doubt. A man in underwear without a guide—the most basic thing a hero possesses—cannot be one.
Every gaze in the room fell upon Froggy.
—…
—This is the last time they ask. Answer —Star's voice sounded severe.
—…
A dwarf approached with his axe.
Froggy saw it aimed at his neck.
—You are clever… you've discovered me… I am a… DEMON! HAHAHAHA!
He burst into exaggerated laughter, opening his eyes wide.
The dwarves stepped back instantly, tensing up. All of them readied their weapons.
—What is a demon doing in a place so far away?
—Because I was hungry, HAHAHA!… Also, there is an army, yes… a very large one and… uh… if you hurt me, you'll regret it.
Star repeated his words to the dwarves.
The dwarf chief struck the ground with such force that the whole room trembled.
He rose and glared at Froggy with intense hatred.
Froggy held the stare defiantly.
—You are lucky, HAHAHA! I am… uh… a deserter. I'll give you information… but don't hurt me.
The dwarves looked at one another.
—They said they'll think about it.
Froggy nodded.
—That's all.
The dwarves escorted both of them back to their cells, except this time they chained both his feet and locked what looked like shackles around them.
Then he watched them leave and collapsed onto his bed.
—That was close…
He had bought time…
Demonic being?
He was a hero—but without the system to help him.
He had to do something.
The dwarves looked ready to attack him at any moment, and without the system, he was not sure he could revive.
So he had to gain time…
—Hey, Star…
—Be quiet, demon.
—It's not true… I really am a hero.
—You're far too ugly to be one. I suspected it from the start.
—Ugly? No! That's not important right now! I only said it so they wouldn't kill me!
—Whatever you say, demon.
—You don't believe me?
—You've done nothing to make me think otherwise.
—Fine! I'll tell you whatever it takes so you'll see I'm a hero. Ask whatever you want.
—What were you like in your world?
—I, well… was a… champion? Yes… something like that…
—Well said, demon, but you won't fool me.
—I'm not one! I lost my memory because of the system.
—Uh-huh. Earlier you said you didn't have one. You contradict yourself.
—I do have one… but it left.
—We're back where we started.
Froggy sighed.
How had he gone from glorious hero to being considered a demon?
—I've got it! I'll prove I'm a hero.
—And how do you plan to do that?
—Every hero has a legendary weapon.
—You mean the trash stuck in your hand?
—Correct. If I weren't a hero, I could let go of this weapon. I am one, so I can't.
—The heroes I've seen do not live with their weapon glued to their hand.
—But this one glows! It's different. It's… a legendary weapon.
Even he did not fully believe what he was saying.
—You still haven't convinced me.
—Fine. I'll prove it another way.
He began removing the cloth from his arm until the knife was free.
Then he walked with difficulty toward the bars, dragging his shackles behind him.
He pushed the knife through the gap between the bars.
—Stop hating me and you'll see the light turn off.
—Are you an idiot?
—Do it.
Star looked at the knife protruding from the cell, glowing brightly.
If he was truly sincere, he didn't seem like a demon.
Just an ugly human.
Very, very ugly.
But he felt it:
Deep down, very deep down, a small doubt.
What if he really was a hero?
It was a question with no answer.
Star sighed.
The knife stopped glowing.