I was a Nerfed Hero in Another World

Merleen's Point of View

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A brief foreword of the chapter (I don't know if that's what its called).

(Extra short chapter… In short, a filler. If you want to proceed to the next story, go ahead. The purpose of this story is to show Merleen's side on how she really likes Arthur…. Or kinda like how she started having feelings for him. Again, if you want to skip this part and carry onto the next story, please do so! I have a lot in store for you, readers! And thank you so much for reading this story!)

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Arthur is a peculiar guy. Even though terrible things had happened to us, he remained cheerful and nonchalant. However, under his mask, Arthur wanted nothing but to be a hero.

But he was a hero in my eyes! Arthur saved me from despair, and even changed the way I spoke!

After fleeing from the ruined village, I lost everything. There was nothing that remained inside of me. Even my self-esteem plummeted to the ground, burying itself with the hazel dirt. I realised I hated including myself in conversations.

"It's better if I disappeared from this world," my mind groaned every time I opened my eyes.

I could sleep a wink even after walking out of my village. I could turn my heels back, but my feet refused to listen. My mind also seconded that idea, telling me I would not receive any merit from returning to that village.

Since the town had already crisped into cinders, there was nothing I could do but move forward.

I kept looking at the ground and wandered into the dreadful forest. My mind went blank, thinking about food every time I took a step forward. However, when I reached the old tree, all the berries disappeared.

It was as if the forest mocked me, telling me I did not deserve to eat anything at all. I nailed that thought inside my head and blamed my shortcomings. Since I had these powers, everything went into turmoil. This magic became a curse, not a blessing.

And that changed when Arthur drifted from the water! I could still remember his body floating from the lake as he headed to the waterfall.

If I had not saved him, Arthur would have died by now! But he didn't!

I became a useful person for the first time in my life. And at that point, started these turbulent emotions.

Every time Arthur would remind me how special I was, my cheeks would burn up! I thought I got myself ablaze by my own light!

But I wasn't! Silly me.

After a few nights, Arthur told me about his past. He explained that the world he lived in differed from ours. Arthur did not have any experience in magic. Arthur also said that he did not have any friends to talk to.

"Arthur was just like me!" my heart said, while beating all the blood throughout my body.

Arthur lost everything, but he kept continuing forward. He also regretted something that had happened earlier before meeting him from the lake. That man told me that the father he knew died saving him.

"If only I had powers, maybe I could save him," Arthur whispered, while clenching his fist.

Fate had played an irony in our lives, and Arthur and I were the characters of the play. I was a gifted mage with absolute power, while Arthur had limited strength but a steel heart. The two of us regretted opposite things. And yet we felt connected through our hardships in life.

And that made me closer to Arthur. He became the light that paved away my darkened road. If I had not met him near the lake, maybe I would have died from hunger... I might have died eating away from my despair, wishing to bring back time.

Arthur taught me how to live in the present. And when the mercenaries showed up, I wanted to protect him. I wanted to be with him for the rest of our lives.

My body moved on its own and fired the cursed magic that killed my parents. The weapon that I truly despised became a shield to protect Arthur. I gave up my life for the sake of Arthur.

Arthur lost his arm in the battle. I thought he would lose his life from all the blood loss he experienced. But the gigantic wolf came to our rescue and carried the two of us on its back. Without uttering a word, I complied with the beast and went deeper into the forest.

That hound brought us to a miraculous place full of wonder and awe. I couldn't help myself but gape at all the scenery in this place. It was as if the world around me became a blessing, especially when I was beside Arthur.

After a few hours, Arthur woke up and greeted me. I could not help but cry a thousand tears as soon as I saw his face. My heart trembled every time our hands touched. But instead of feeling discomfort, my body sensed pleasure….

Well, if it were not for the beast moving in our direction, I would have felt that way.

The wolf that saved us turned out to be Fenrir. That animal transformed into the shape of a human girl around our age. The girl claimed herself as Fenrir, the dire wolves queen.

Fenrir told us she needed a guide towards the demonic kingdom. I only heard about that place for children's books from my village. And since I knew nothing about that, Arthur stepped up and accepted her offer.

And now, we arrived in the Kingdom of Caerleon. Arthur said that he wanted to refill our resources before we could proceed to the demonic kingdom. We also needed transportation to arrive at the designated place.

I did not know what monsters we would face next... But as long as I was with Arthur; I felt safe throughout the trip, together with Fenrir.