The Hero Turned Into A Potato And The World Fell To Ruin

"After researching for many years, I eventually found a way to control the blood moon." As Myza said that, he raised his right arm.

Then, to Liu Ji's astonishment, Myza's right arm turned into fine sand and fell to the ground.

Next, Myza gently moved his shoulder, and a wisp of sand rose from the ground, transforming back into his hand, leaving Liu Ji staring with his mouth agape.

"The blood moon wouldn't leave this place as long as I don't die. And as long as I stayed in the desert, the blood moon couldn't harm too many," Myza said, a bitter smile on his face. "Thus, I linked myself to this desert, becoming part of it. As long as the desert exists, I am immortal.

"However… The price was steep. This body has no sense of taste or smell and can't leave this land. I even lost my arcane powers, so when I'm bored, I can only tinker with magic constructs. After all, building them doesn't require magic as long as there's an energy core."

"Y-you…" Liu Ji stammered. "You've stayed here alone for thousands of years just for the sake of this world?"

"Yes. After all, it was her wish." Myza sighed. "Unfortunately, half the world was still destroyed by someone, and I was powerless to stop it…"

"Half the world was destroyed by someone?" Liu Ji was stunned. This was the first time he had heard about it due to the language barrier.

"Yes, the same one who destroyed this city. With a single blow, he flattened everything in the vicinity. I think that the reason you turned into a potato was because the lingering effect of the blessing you had made you instinctively transform to avoid him," Myza explained.

"Your companions call him 'The Tyrant,' and the reason they are trying to cross this desert is because the other side of the world has been almost destroyed by him."

"Th-that's…" Liu Ji was stunned and at a loss for words. Upon recalling the sadness and worry shown on the faces of Yaine and the others, he suddenly understood the implicit meaning behind this.

"Well, now that I've told you my story, it's time to talk about your future," Myza said, looking toward Liu Ji. "I want to ask you this: Are you willing to save this world, going up against that tyrant who single-handedly destroyed half the world, whom even I can't deal with?"

"Huh?" Liu Ji blinked several times, "M-me? No, that can't be right. Besides, didn't you say I was retired…"

"Yes, you're retired, so you don't have this responsibility," said Myza. "No, even if you weren't retired, this responsibility still wouldn't be yours. That damned magic forcibly dragged you into this world without any logic. No one has the right to force you to take on any responsibility."

"Uh." Liu Ji gulped nervously. "I guess you're about to say a 'but'…"

"No, before I mention the 'but,' I can offer you another choice," Myza said. "Stay here, and you can live out your life peacefully. To the Tyrant, this place is just a tasteless wasteland. As long as the blood moon remains, he won't set his own foot here. Unless you plan to spend the next few thousand years as a potato, this place might be the only safe spot in the world for you as a retired hero."

Liu Ji's eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't expected Myza to propose such a plan.

Which also meant to say, besides here, the entire world wasn't safe now?

At first, Liu Ji thought that Myza was using a figure of speech when he said the Tyrant destroyed half the world. But from what it sounded like, that didn't seem to be the case…

"I understand. Making such a decision all of a sudden is extremely difficult." Myza sighed. "After all, it's a completely new world you've come to. If it were me, I'd want to look around. And… though you haven't been with them long, you seem to like your companions, right? Especially that half-Ifrit girl?"

"Ah, yes, I do. They're all really nice people, after all," Liu Ji said while rubbing his nose. "As you said, finding someone willing to seriously teach me magic isn't easy…"

"Yes… It's a pity. If you don't plan to fight the Tyrant, you'd best start distancing yourself from them." Myza sighed once more. "Every one of them, and perhaps everyone from that side of the world, is a poor soul whose country and home were destroyed by the Tyrant. The hatred and fear when they speak of him is the same as that of those fortunate survivors of my wrath back then.

"That half-Ifrit girl, especially. In her, I see a bit of my former self. I can't keep them here, but once they leave, only two fates await them."

He turned to face Liu Ji, looking him straight in the eyes. "Either they'll die at the hands of the Tyrant or his minions before they grow strong, or they'll eventually face the Tyrant head-on. If you want to join them, you need to be prepared for the same fate."

Liu Ji, looking at Myza, swallowed with some difficulty.

Having just been flooded with an overwhelming amount of information and decisions that would determine his entire future, his brain felt overloaded.

Myza patted his shoulder and said softly, "You have time to think. I can't use magic anymore, so I'll need their help to rebuild the city. But after this period, I think you'll have to make your decision."

With that, he started walking toward the stairs leading underground.

Liu Ji watched his retreating figure for a moment, then turned to look at the ruined city behind him.

"Haa… destroying a city in one blow. What is he, an atomic bomb in human form?" Liu Ji felt his head ache.

Perhaps, as Myza said, rather than fighting such a monster, living out his days here peacefully suited him more.

That would be more like a retired hero.

But…

Liu Ji's eyes lingered on the hatch covering the stairs leading underground. Down there, a group of companions he had only recently met awaited him.

Perhaps his relationship with them wasn't that established yet, and if asked to risk his life for them, Liu Ji honestly wouldn't be willing.

But the thought of them possibly being ruthlessly killed one day as their faces filled with unwillingness…

Liu Ji swallowed hard, recalling the moment that day when the scout's curved dagger slashed toward Yaine.

If he hadn't intervened and Yaine didn't have a backup plan, that dagger would have sliced through her throat…

Liu Ji tried imagining it, the blade slicing through, blood spurting out from her neck, her despairing head rolling to the ground.

Liu Ji took a deep breath, then called out to Myza who was about to head underground.

"Mr. Myza," he asked, "if I join them, can I really change anything?"

Myza stopped, turned back, and smiled gently.

"No, I never said that, but… there's one thing I can say with certainty. If the decision you make now leads to future regret, an endless life will become nothing but endless torment."

With that, he opened the hatch and descended the stairs.

Liu Ji remained where he was in a daze, gazing out into the vast desert, his eyes filled with confusion.