"Fake... as in, a fake hero?"

"Yes, apparently someone is claiming the title of 'hero.' What I find unforgivable is that they dare to call themselves a 'hero' in the first place."

I had hoped for even a sliver of mercy, but reality was harsh.

No, this is all a misunderstanding. It’s a massive misunderstanding.

I’m not calling myself a hero—it’s just something everyone else started saying on their own! I’ve never once uttered the words, 'I am a hero!'

"But why did you decide to take down this supposed fake hero, Ms. Rey?"

Desperate to find a way out, I tried to steer the conversation. Rey seemed unnaturally combative, but I obviously had no desire to fight her.

The fact that Sanshita couldn’t even bite her was proof enough that Rey’s strength was on a different level.

Ivy looked confident, but honestly, I didn’t need any more unnecessary attention drawn to us.

"It's nothing complicated. I just find it offensive, that's all. A personal grudge of sorts."

"What exactly do you find offensive?"

"The fact that they don't understand the weight of bearing the title of 'hero.' It angered me so much that I left my village to deal with it."

No room for compromise—her grudge ran deep, and it was clear she wouldn’t listen to reason.

I glanced at Ivy.

"Meep!"

Leave it to me, Ivy seemed to say.

If she found out later through rumors and investigation, it would only cause more trouble. It was better to come clean now and deal with it.

After a moment’s hesitation, I spoke up.

"Uh, Ms. Rey? I’m really sorry to interrupt, but there’s something I need to tell you."

"Go ahead. Say whatever you like."

"The so-called hero... it’s probably me."

"...What did you just say?"

In an instant, the atmosphere changed.

A chilling aura, sharp and oppressive, slammed into me.

The air grew heavy, as if it had gained a sticky, suffocating quality, pressing down on my shoulders and head.

So this is what they call pressure.

"Let me hear your story," she demanded.

Her once-kind eyes were gone, replaced by a sharp glare that felt like it could cut through steel.

And then—

In the blink of an eye, she vanished.

CLANG!

Before I even registered what had happened, the barrier Ivy had set up activated, deflecting her.

Rey’s outstretched hand was stopped by the shield.

It looked like she’d tried to grab me.

She immediately stepped back, shaking her hand as if to ease the sting of the impact.

"Incredible… to counter so quickly," she muttered, impressed.

"Meep," Ivy snapped, glaring at Rey. Don’t touch Bruno. She was clearly angry.

Rey, however, didn’t pay Ivy any attention. Her gaze was locked onto me, her expression full of calculated intensity.

She seemed convinced that I had been the one to counter her attack.

I wanted to correct her misunderstanding, but the air around us made it impossible.

Given how quickly she moved, Rey was furious.

"I won’t kill you," she said. "But I will fight you with some seriousness!"

The sound of her sword sliding from its scabbard—shhhhlink.

The bare blade gleamed crimson.

At a glance, it was clear this wasn’t an ordinary weapon. It was likely one of those legendary magic weapons said to come from dungeons.

"Meep!"

I’ve got this, Ivy reassured me.

"Okay, Ivy. I trust you."

Rey was undoubtedly strong.

But Ivy? She wouldn’t lose to anyone.