Rumors of a Hero

Okay, today I'm gonna be the hero!

Aww, I wanted to be him...

Heh. I remember playing games like that with Darunis when I was a kid...

No way, I'm the hero, Aldo, the Beastslayer!

Yay, Aldo!

Take this! Beast Fire Blaaast!

Ka-chiiin! Aldo's body is hard as iron. Fire won't work on him. Now take this! Aldo Beeeam!

Ka-pow! Boom! Thwak! Critical Hit!

Curses! Retreat to the Beast King's Castle!

Don't let 'em get away!

Did they say "Aldo"? Are people talking about me like I'm some invincible hero?!

I'd better look into this.

Hey kid, you got a minute?

What is it, mister?

Have you heard the stories about the, uh..."hero" that have been going around?

Can you tell me what the stories say?

Yeah! I know aaall about it. So, um, the castle got attacked, and he beat up the Beast King, and he's really strong, and his name's Aldo, and, and...

Sounds fine so far, but why is he being called a hero? What's so special about him?

So, he's really big and tall and muscly, and he's strong, and his body's made of iron! Attacks bounce right off it, pew! And he can break boulders with one punch and knock down castle walls with his kick. And he's got this secret move where he shoots lasers out of his eyes. Aldo Beam! He's sooo totally cool. People say half the damage to the castle was done by him. Nothing gets in a hero's way!

I never did anything like that!

Huh? Why are you so mad, mister?

Oh, uh. Y'see... My name's Aldo.

Wow, same as the hero!

You could say that, yeah. Actually, I am the Aldo who defeated the Beast King.

No waaay! You don't look strong at all. You're all skin and bones! The Beast King woulda eaten you for breakfast!

Sorry I don't live up to the hype. But it's the truth.

I dunno... You're so different from what I've heard. Is this a trick? Are you a conman?

No, I'm Aldo, the one and only. Honest. What'll it take for you to believe me?

If you're really him, you should be strong. I heard the merchants saying there was a monster on the Karek Swamplands they've been having trouble with. Go beat it up. If you can do that, I'll believe you.

All right, no problem. I defeat strong monsters all the time.

Yay, this is gonna be fun!

You're coming too?

Duh. How else will I know it was you that beat it?

Out of the question. It's too dangerous.

Don't be a party-pooper. Let's go!

How do I let myself get into these messes?

There it is. That's the monster, right?

Ewww, it's so gross! Hurry up and beat it!

Whatever you say. Watch and learn.

Pretty impressive, right? Do you believe me now?

What, just for defeating that thing? That was only a test.

A test?!

I never said that was the monster everyone's been talking about, did I?

You little... Okay, so where's the real one?

This way!

Hey, don't run off on your own!

So this is the monster we've been after. It really is this one this time, right?

Yeah, it is. I promise. Now, take it down!

All right. This time I'll show you what I'm made of!

Haaahhh... How's that? Not bad, huh?

Hmm... Maybe this thing wasn't so strong after all.

Wait, it's not safe!

Graaawr!

Aaargh!

Phew, that was close... Looks like it's time for round two. This time you're going down!

Are you all right?

Ow... That wasn't very heroic, mister.

I know, I'm sorry. I should have done better, huh?

But...I guess you were kinda cool when you jumped in to save me.

Gee, thanks. I think I've proved my worth enough for one day. Let's get you home.

Right!

Well, here we are. Was this little adventure proof enough for you?

Yeah. Uh...you were cool and all, but there's just one thing... My favorite ribbon got torn when you pushed me out of the way of that monster...

Oh, I'm sorry. Want me to buy you a new one?

No thanks. I'll keep it to remind me of the clumsy hero that saved me.

I can live with that. Does that mean you finally believe I'm the real Aldo?

You might not be everything I was expecting, but yeah, I can't deny it. Why is it so important to you what a kid thinks, anyway? Don't you have better things to do, Mister Hero?

Heh heh, when you put it that way...

Hey, how about you tell your friends what happened today? I don't want people to get the wrong idea about me.

Sure, I can do that! The old stories only took about a day to spread around.

*sigh*

Wait, you're the one who made all that up? You little!