The throne room of Solaria had seen kings crowned, traitors beheaded, and wars declared.
But today… it saw something far worse.
A smug hero with perfect hair.
Kai Veyron stood awkwardly between the pillars, shifting from foot to foot. His boots were still muddy from yesterday's dungeon trip. His shirt had a mysterious jam stain. His brain was still recovering from seeing shadow-beasts wearing his childhood crush's face.
He was not ready for a royal audience.
Especially not this one.
The king stood at the dais, flanked by the royal court. Beside him was Princess Elira, arms crossed, radiating silent fury. Yulia stood with her crystal tablet, already analyzing. Lira leaned against a pillar, motionless and unreadable. Virela looked amused, like she was watching a play she'd already seen end badly.
And then… the fanfare blared.
A golden light filled the entrance hall.
Guards stood at attention.
And a voice echoed out:
"Presenting the Chosen Hero of the Holy Kingdom of Aurellia—Sir Zephyr Alarion!"
He entered like a man stepping out of a divine painting.
Flowing blonde hair. Polished silver armor etched with celestial runes. A massive sword strapped to his back that gleamed with enchanted light. His smile sparkled. Literally.
Kai squinted. "Is his face glowing?"
"Yes," Yulia said flatly. "That's a prestige buff."
"Why does he have a prestige buff?"
"Because he's beloved by a celestial faction."
"…I can't even get my system to show me a working inventory."
Zephyr strode forward and bowed gracefully.
"Your Majesty," he said, voice rich and confident. "It is an honor to stand among such noble company. And of course…" He turned to Kai, his smile widening. "To meet my fellow Chosen."
Kai raised a hand. "Hey."
Zephyr chuckled. "I've heard… much about you."
[System Alert: Rival Detected – Zephyr Alarion]
Hero Class: Blessed Knight
Charm: MAX
Popularity: MAX
Divine Favor: MAX
You are now the second-favorite Chosen Hero.
[Kai Veyron's Confidence –1]
The court murmured with awe as Zephyr recounted his exploits.
Cleared a Class-A dungeon in two days.
Tamed a wyvern mount.
Rescued a saintess from cursed bandits.
Delivered food to orphans (and healed them with a smile).
"I did that once too!" Kai blurted.
The room turned to him.
"…I delivered noodles. To a guy named Tony. And he… didn't die."
The silence could've crushed a mountain.
Zephyr smiled again. "How noble."
Later, in the palace courtyard, the two heroes stood alone — under heavy but very interested observation from the royal guards, the harem girls, and the king himself.
Zephyr leaned on his sword like a gentleman.
"You're quite the talk of the continent, Kai."
"Mostly by accident," Kai admitted.
Zephyr chuckled. "And yet, fate chose you."
He stepped forward.
Voice lowered.
Smile sharpened.
"Why do you think that is?"
Kai scratched his head. "Uh… RNG?"
"I think," Zephyr said, voice barely above a whisper, "you're dangerous. In a way even you don't understand."
Kai's system pinged.
[Passive Ability Triggered: Aura Reading – Rank F]
Target: Zephyr
Surface Thoughts: "I have to kill him before they realize the truth."
Kai froze.
"…Wait, what?"
"Hmm?" Zephyr said, smile never fading.
"Did you just—"
Before Kai could finish, a voice cut in.
"DUEL!"
Elira marched into the courtyard, sword blazing. "As royal protector of the Hero Kai Veyron, I demand a test of strength."
Zephyr raised an eyebrow. "You wish to fight me?"
"No," Elira said, eyes locked on Kai. "He will."
Kai blinked. "I WHAT—"
The Duel Was Set.
The entire palace gathered around the central courtyard.
Wards flared. Healers stood by. Betting pools formed instantly.
Kai stood at one end, holding his frying pan.
Zephyr stood at the other, drawing his glowing greatsword in a flash of divine light.
"May the best Hero win," Zephyr said.
"I'd settle for surviving," Kai mumbled.
[System Advice: DO NOT ENGAGE DIRECTLY.]
Use chaos. You are chaos.
The duel began with a trumpet blast.
Zephyr lunged with inhuman speed, his sword humming with holy power.
Kai dove. Tripped. Slammed face-first into the ground.
Zephyr's blade missed by inches.
Kai bounced, rolled, and accidentally kicked a loose stone directly into Zephyr's shin.
Zephyr stumbled.
Yulia blinked. "Did… he just trip into a counter?"
Lira nodded. "Classic Kai."
Virela smirked. "This is better than theater."
Zephyr regained balance. Slashed sideways.
Kai ducked — and his frying pan caught the blade on pure dumb instinct.
The weapons clanged.
Light met nonstick aluminum.
Zephyr's blade cracked.
Everyone gasped.
Even Zephyr froze. "How…?"
[System Alert: Unnamed Frying Pan – Artifact Grade: S]
Enchanted by accident.
Property: Indestructible.
Hidden Passive: Reflects divine arrogance.
Kai just stood there, stunned.
"…Okay. Now I'm impressed."
Zephyr stepped back, eyes narrowing.
"You're not normal."
"Yeah," Kai said. "People keep saying that."
He raised the frying pan again.
But the duel never finished.
Because at that moment, a scroll appeared in the air — glowing with emergency mana.
Elira caught it.
Her face went pale.
"Demon incursion. Near the border."
Yulia took the scroll. "High-level forces. Dozens of deaths. Requesting Hero assistance."
Zephyr turned to Kai.
"Looks like we'll see who the real Hero is."
Then he vanished in a flash of divine teleportation.
Kai turned to the others.
"I feel like I just got pantsed by God."
[System Update: Rival Hero Plotline Unlocked]
Zephyr Alarion – Hero of Light
Agenda: Unknown
Threat Level: Rising
Warning: He knows. And he's watching.