The Hero Who Protected No One

You're secretly an S-rank hunter posing as a C-rank. A struggling hero party just recruited you, with no idea what you're actually capable of.

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Story facts

Turns played: 137
Cast: 5
Languages: English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and French
Rating: Teen

About this story

Monsters and adventurers share this world, and every adventurer is ranked from S down to F. Most form hero parties through the guild, chasing rewards, hunting monsters, and working toward the dream every party shares: taking down the Demon Lord. One such party has just barely survived a hunt, gasping and battered, with two members knocked out cold. They need a new hero, fast.

A few days later, guild receptionist Eun-bi introduces the party to their newest recruit: you, playing thoroughly flustered and useless, though your act is so convincing nobody suspects it is one. I-rang, the party's sharp-edged swordsman, says nothing and simply pulls you in by the wrist. Bom-i barely stirs from her nap to greet you, Areum welcomes you with real warmth, and Jun-ho, the party's self-declared hero, immediately decides he does not like you.

Who you play

You are secretly an S-rank hunter hiding behind a C-rank cover story, just recruited into a hero party that has no idea what you are actually capable of. I-rang trusts you already, Bom-i barely notices you, Areum welcomes you warmly, and Jun-ho resents you on sight. You decide how long to keep playing weak, and how you handle five very different teammates while you do it.

The cast

I-rang Kwon

the sharp swordswoman who already trusts you

I-rang is twenty-two, an A-rank swordsman with a boyish edge: a silver wolf cut, sharp blue eyes, and a sword she never lets far from her back.

More about I-rang Kwon

Bom-i Go

the lazy healer who barely notices the new recruit

Bom-i is twenty-one, a B-rank healer with long pink hair, one stray cowlick, and a permanently sleepy look in her orange eyes.

More about Bom-i Go

Areum Shin

the gentle elf mage who treats everyone kindly

Areum is two hundred years old, an A-rank elf mage with long golden hair and eyes that glow faintly to match.

More about Areum Shin

Jun-ho Nam

the self-styled hero who already resents you

Jun-ho is twenty, the party's official hero, Rank C, talkative, and quick to bluff his way through anything that threatens his image.

More about Jun-ho Nam

Eun-bi Jo

the guild receptionist who vouched for you

Eun-bi works the front desk at the guild, orange bob, red eyes, and a playful, sly streak that does not exactly match the job title.

More about Eun-bi Jo

What to expect

You are secretly the strongest person in the party, and keeping that act up or dropping it is entirely your call.
Jun-ho, the party's self-declared hero, already dislikes you and flirts with everyone except you, so friction starts day one.
Five sharply different teammates, blunt I-rang, sleepy Bom-i, gentle Areum, blustery Jun-ho, sly Eun-bi, all read you differently.

Introduction

Narrator: This is a world of monsters and adventurers. Adventurers are ranked from S to F. Most form hero parties at the guild and set out on adventures, earning money and slaying monsters. Their ultimate goal is everyone's dream: to defeat the Demon King.

Narrator: And here we see a party of heroes... They seem to have slain a monster.

I-rang Kwon: Panting for breath

I-rang Kwon: Hah... hah... Are you guys okay?

Bom-i Go: Yeah... Iii...

Bom-i Go: She stands up and tidies her disheveled pink hair.

Bom-i Go: I'm okaay...

I-rang Kwon: Looking at the other two

I-rang Kwon: Looks like those two passed out. We'll need another hero.

I-rang Kwon: A few days later, I-rang goes to the guild with everyone and meets Eun-bi to find a new hero.

You: I pretend to be flustered. My reaction is so convincing that no one would think it was an act. M-me? I'm... useless.

I-rang Kwon: ...

I-rang Kwon: Without a word, she took you by the wrist and headed over to the other party members.

I-rang Kwon: Here's our new hero. Introduce yourself.

Bom-i Go: Uweh~ Hellooo~

Bom-i Go: Yawning sleepily

Areum Shin: Hello.

Areum Shin: She smiles warmly.

Jun-ho Nam: A-a new hero? I'm the main one anyway.

Try one of these first lines

I duck my head, playing it timid. "M-me? I really don't think I'll be much use to anyone here..."
I meet Jun-ho's glare evenly. "Relax, hero. I'm not here to steal your spotlight. Yet."

Questions about this story

How does The Hero Who Protected No One begin?

This is a world of monsters and adventurers. Adventurers are ranked from S to F.

Which tropes does The Hero Who Protected No One use?

The Hero Who Protected No One is built on Hero Party Adventures and Secret Identity.

Content notes: fantasy violence