I was a Nerfed Hero in Another World

"Galehaut, do you know that bard?" I asked, and pointed at the spot that the mysterious person left. "That person with a harp doesn't look like a villager."

I did not have a clear look at the man playing with the musical instrument, since I had just arrived by now. And when I wanted to interact with the mysterious person, that bard vanished before me. Even the families beside the bard did not know where that person went.

It was as if that human had special abilities besides strumming the strings from that harp.

"No…. I haven't. But that bard was good with the kids. So I had to invite her! She also was not a threat to our kingdom or the shelter," claimed Galehaut, while looking at the chair.

"Okay," I answered, and switched to a different topic. "Anyway, is Fenrir upstairs?"

Galehaut nodded. "Yes. And she's waiting for you."

After our exchange, Galehaut gave me some privacy to talk with Fenrir. He knew that something was up, and I needed to leave this town soon, which would fall around noon.

I climbed the series of steps and arrived in front of the door. Merleen tagged along, with her hands clasped against each other. Merleen also unlatched herself from the children, calling her downstairs, hoping that they could play with her. But since we did not have any time, Merleen refused and slipped away from the family.

I knocked on the door and called for Fenrir. After three knocks while shouting her name twice, Fenrir unlocked the doorknob and slid the door open.

"What do you want?" the cold wolf asked, while staring blankly into our eyes.

"Didn't you want to leave this place? We're finally leaving," I announced, while crossing my arms. "Did something happen? Something that you hate? Or something that's clouding your mind?"

Fenrir averted her gaze and refused to give me an answer. She caressed her hands and looked on the ground, while slowly shaking her head.

"It's nothing."

With one word, Fenrir disrupted the conversation and invited us inside. But as we stepped foot inside her room, there was nothing there but the bed Galehaut provided. It was as if Fenrir used nothing but the comfort of that mattress.

"I have nothing to bring besides myself. And since we're hunting our meals, there was no point saving some on our way," Fenrir said, and walked in front of me. "The sooner we leave, the better. I hate this town more than anything in the world…."

Those words struck my heart, since I also said that when I was still a student. Every time I went to school, I would always curse my setting, vowing to myself that I would not return to that hell. However, my parents kept forcing me to attend my classes. And in the end, they won and dragged me inside that place.

I never meant those words when I told them. I hated my school because of the people inside those rooms! Students bullied others for their own entertainment, while others mocked them using false stories. Those gossips would end up hurting other people. Hence, the description of hell kept resurfacing inside my mind.

"I know how you feel," I said, and continued. "And I know that there's something on your mind. The ferocious Fenrir, who could kill thousands of foes, had trouble battling against your thoughts."

As soon as I told the latter, Fenrir pinned me on a wall with her claws aimed at my throat. But instead of fearing for my life, I nudged the nails down and continued my words.

"You may be the most powerful member of our team, but you could still have weaknesses. Every powerful player also has their weaknesses. And I am grateful for helping me save this town. I would not have done it without you, Fenrir. So if you need me, I want to be there with you-."

Before I could finish my sentence, Merleen appeared at my side and shook my body. She stared into my eyes and gave Fenrir and me her angelic smile.

"We'll…. be there for you. Merleen and I, of course. Come down if you're ready. We'll be waiting for you in the lobby."

I concluded my lengthy speech, hoping that I moved to the stone heart of Fenrir. She slowly lowered her weapon and freed me from her pin, knowing that I did not pose a threat to her well-being. After listening to my words, Fenrir stood still in front of me while watching Merleen and I returned downstairs.

Within a few moments, the door closed from behind, telling me that Fenrir organized her thoughts. All of us had silent battles worth fighting more, regardless of our personalities. Fenrir was not the type of person who would bluntly share her thoughts with us…. strangers. And I could only hope that the time would come when she would express her concerns to our team.

Although it looked like Fenrir was bossing us around, the three of us had the same goal. We wanted to visit the demon kingdom and meet the demon lord in his castle. The three of us had different goals (technically, Merleen had the same goal as mine), but we walked the same road.

If anything happens, Merleen, Fenrir, and I would have each other's backs. We proved that moment when we fought against the king. It was when Fenrir saved my ass and worked with the mercenaries, who nearly killed her puppies.

"Merleen," I asked.

Merleen heard my call and tilted her head. "Why?"

"What if you're Merleen? What if you had someone to protect, and those mercenaries attacked you for their own reasons? And then, after a few days, you'd fight with them? What if we put ourselves in Fenrir's shoes?"

It was a random thought, but I wanted to know Merleen's thoughts. She was still part of our team. So everyone should consider all of her ideas before making any decisions.

"Hmm…. I don't know!" Merleen confidently replied. "I'm not Fenrir! I'm just Merleen! I'm just me!"

"Yeah, but-."

"But Fenrir is different…. Different from all of us. She keeps placing a wall in front of her, enjoy pushing us at the sides! She rarely talks! And if she does, the two of you would butt heads! Fenrir doesn't like someone ordering her around. But she also dislikes ordering people around!" Merleen continued. "I think I would have done what Fenrir is doing! If she thinks her actions are good, I will support her!"

Despite living alone with that curse around her arms, Merleen kindled the light inside my dimmed heart. Even her answer was spot on, showering everyone with a glistering hope whoever had heard it.

Merleen did not want to give her own thoughts, since that mage girl knew she wasn't Fenrir. And even if she became Fenrir, Merleen claimed Fenrir had been doing the right thing.

I, who got reincarnated inside this world, did not learn a thing. If there was a problem I couldn't solve, I would always run away. Despite wishing to become a hero, I would abandon those who would call for my help without turning back.

However, I already buried that past life of mine in the bottomless pit. After hearing Merleen's answers, there was without a doubt that I matured as a person.

I caressed Merleen's head and replied, "Of course…. Of course, we will support Fenrir."

Merleen widened her eyes and leaned her head closer to mine. She even rubbed her body and grabbed my hand, hoping that I would continue patting her head. I brushed her hair until Fenrir finally showed herself in the lobby.

However, instead of greeting us with a warm welcome, Fenrir raised a brow and exclaimed, "What are you two doing?"

"Patting Merleen? What? She likes it!" I retorted, while shrugging my shoulders.

"Come on. Let's leave this place before sunset. I don't want to travel at night. It's hard to see and fight against monsters and bandits," Fenrir said, and went towards the door.

But before she could leave the shelter, I called out for Fenrir, asking her to turn around. She complied with my request and crossed her arms.

"What do you want?"

I went towards her, with Merleen tagging behind me. Nobody was inside this room right now. So it became the perfect time for me to introduce this to Fenrir.

"I want you to have this," I mumbled, and activated my system.

I fiddled with the buttons and pressed countless options before going to the right setting. Within a few seconds, the transparent box appeared, asking me this question.

[Fenrir is currently a member of your party. Do you wish to share the system with her?]

As soon as that text appeared, two buttons asked me the question. Upon clicking the button "yes", the box minimized and flew towards Fenrir's head. It was as if a two-dimensional message went towards her via email inside this fantasy world. The little mail icon seen on various internet sites used to send mail to different people was the first thing that went into my mind.