Notes: Hi, it's been a while. Rest assured, I have not abandoned this one. Please enjoy the update.

(O.O)

Later that evening, Tora sat on the steps of the stairs in their compound's back porch. He was staring intently at the night sky in deep thought.

He had been going over the other player's earlier words that day. Despite his resolve to not get involve in the party that would be trying to move forward in the game, he was still in conflict with himself about it.

On one hand, he can continue to move on and support his original decision to live this virtual life watching over the kids in the compound with sister Rosa. On the other hand, he could stop acting like a coward and actually do something and help everyone escape the game.

In his mind, he knew he made the right choice, but in his heart, he knew he was making the biggest mistake of his life.

"It's not a sin to be afraid, you know," a voice from behind him startled the veteran hero.

"Sister Rosa! Man, don't sneak up on an old man like that! You nearly gave me a heart attack."

The nun giggled at the man's exaggerated display. "I am sorry." She then moved from the door way she was standing and sat beside the lone hero.

The two sat in silence as they continued to stare at the night sky, before the young woman repeated herself.

"It's not a sin to be afraid."

Tora scowled at this statement. Not liking where it could possibly be going.

"What do you mean, sister?"

"I mean, you shouldn't think that you are being the worse of humanity just because you are afraid," she tell him, looking straight into his honey colored eyes.

"I don't-"

"Don't lie, Tora-san," she cut him off. "I see the disgusted look and hate you aim at yourself every time the topic about you going out there to help save everyone comes up."

He turned his head away from the nun.

He really didn't like where this was going.

"I know you want to do more than what you're already doing to help save everyone, but you are scared of actually doing something, like going off against this level's boss so everyone can progress in the game. I know that this is most likely because there is a chance that you would actually get yourself killed in the process of helping."

Tora turned his attention back at the young woman in amazement at her painfully accurate description of his mental anguish.

"That's some observation, sister," he commented. "But it doesn't explain what you mean earlier about being afraid is not a sin."

"It means just that, Tora-san. It means that it is alright to be afraid of dying in this game. It is alright not to join the party tomorrow that are planning to raid the boss of this level. There is no need to feel guilty and angry at yourself for feeling feeling that way. You're only one man, you know. One ordinary man, who just happened to be one of the selected few who got to play the game first."

"Wa-How did you-"

The nun giggled again. The older man was a very expressive creature. He never ceases to amuse the young nun and the children with his openness and emotive personality.

"You really didn't think I would not know about that, did you? I mean, that man earlier made valid points already that were dead giveaways of you being one of the beta users of this game."

The veteran slumped, looking even more gloomy. "You must then think the worse of me because I am not gonna help those people," he stated.

"Were you not listening to what I said? I told you that it is alright to be afraid and not join those other gamers tomorrow. It is not wrong to feel the need to protect yourself more than others."

"No, it's not. But it's selfish, and if I remembered correctly, in the good book, that is equivalent to being bad as well."

"Tora-san, I have read the good book. Nowhere inside it said that you have to sacrifice your life for everyone. God would never ask his people that."

"Pretty sure, he asked that to at least two or three of his people. And I am certain that he sacrificed his own kid, as well for the greater good of all."

"And there begins the misconception of the Lord's will. God gives tests to his people. He does not ask something of you that you cannot and are not able to give. He asks for your faith and trust and rewards you for it. Never would the Lord ask you to give up your own life so everyone can live."

There was a gleam in the other woman's eyes as she stated this. Rarely did she have anyone anymore who she can converse the Word of her Lord to. And right now, she was showing her passion in regards to her Faith.

"And as for His son, Jesus knew what was asked of him. He was able to give his life because that was what he was able to give to save everyone. He was created to save people. He was created to be a hero of the people. Our Saviour. He was meant to die for our sins and we now are living in grace because of him and everyday we give him our thanks." She paused to allow the man time to digest her words, before continuing.

"But, Tora-san, you are not Jesus. You were not created to save the lives of people of this game. You are an ordinary man, who decided to play a game that a madman created. You're in the same position as everyone else is. You are trapped here and you do not have the obligation to actually risk yourself for others."

"So you're saying it is alright to be selfish? To want to live long enough to see my family again?"

"I am saying that you are human. And is not bad or evil to want to live. Period. You want to survive and I believe, God would never judge wrongly you for doing so."

Silence filled the air as Tora took all the nun's words in.

She had a point. It was not a sin to want to survive. But the nun had one fact that she did not add to her equation and was the real reason why doing nothing was weighing heavily on his conscience.

He looked away before asking. "What about heroes?"

"What about them?" she asked, looking confused at the sudden change of the subject.

"Are the created to give up their lives to save everyone?"

There was a pause. The nun looked like she was really considering her next words before finally answering.

"Are heroes not human as well?" she asked rhetorically, before continuing, "They were created with Next Powers, but it is their choice to save others. To risk their lives for others. They would not be evil if one day they decide that they can no longer risk their lives for the people of Sternbild. In fact, I am pretty sure that heroes even get retirement plans for when they do decide to stop hero work."

"So you're saying that heroes are not wrong if ever they would stop saving people."

"If they have a good reason to stop then, it should not be taken against them. Take Wild Tiger, for example."

The older man flinched at the mention of the name. But it went down unnoticed by younger woman.

"He's been in the business for quite some time, and even though his powers are obviously diminishing. He still chooses to continue his work, and that makes him admirable. A true icon of what a hero should be. But that does not mean everyone would hate him or lose their admiration of him if he ever decides to finally put down his mantle and live like the rest of us."

If the older man was honest with himself, he would not feel shame at the tears that were falling down his eyes. No one had ever been able to say such truth about him, as the nun before him had done.

Ever since he started this new reality, he had always felt disgusted with himself for not doing more to help everyone leave the game. The hero in his raged at his decision to simply wait out the game until they get out.

It wasn't him. The voice always said.

But now, after hearing what the younger woman said, he felt validated that he wasn't doing anything wrong. He felt contented, that he wasn't making the biggest mistake of his life.

"Thank you..." was all he said.

(O.O)

The next morning was like any other morning for the inhabitants of the Children Center where Tora and a nun lived. Both adults were making breakfast for their younger charges and some of the children, who entered the kitchen early, were already enjoying freshly hot pan cakes.

It was amazing that a skill, that both adult players never thought were useful when they first started the game, was one of the best abilities they in the game. The ability to cook food was one of the basic skill not many players would select during the process of creating their avatar but both adults picked them because they thought it would be cool to have in an online game and were now using the ability to the fullest.

It was helpful one to have when you are currently supervising a large group of children stuck in the game.

The peaceful morning was not when to last though when both heard the cries of a couple of their charges who just entered the kitchen.

"What's wrong?" Sister Rosa asked the two 7 year olds, who ran into the room.

"Richie and Elgard left to join the raid in the dungeon!" said one of the two distress children and she lifted a letter in her hand to show to the two adults.

The couple tensed at that. It was Tora, who grabbed the letter and read its contents. Fear slowly filled his heart as he finished reading the short letter.

"Tora-san, what happened?" The nun asked her companion, looking equally scared as she stared at the older man's horrified expression.

"They left to join the raid," he answered.

"No..." was all the faithful nun could say as tears fell down her cheeks.

Richie and Elgard were one of the older children in their care. The two were 13 and 14 years old respectfully. Proficient gamers, who still decided to join their little home since they were at least smart enough to admit that they still needed the care of an adult.

Why the fuck did they decide to change that mindset, now of all times?

"Tora-san, what do we do?" Sister Rosa asked her older companion.

"I'll go after them and bring them back safely," he stated with great conviction that eased the young woman beside him.

(O.O)

"Idiot! Why did you do it alone?!" Tora yelled at the only party member who was kind enough to let him join the fight when he couldn't get the two teens to leave with him.

"You were a beta tester, weren't you?" the man, Diabel, stated with a knowing look,"

"How-"

"I heard you. Since you joined our party, you've been telling everyone what to do and what would happen. I figured this isn't your first time fighting this boss."

"Then why the hell didn't you listen when I said we were suppose to fight together?"

"You should know what I was doing," he said with a paid expression.

"You were after the last attack bonus rare item. You were a beta tester too?" this shocked Tora. He hadn't expected to see someone like him.

"Please…Please defeat the boss. For Everyone," were his last words before dying and finally disappearing from his arms.

"He was just like me, yet he did what I couldn't do," Tora thought, as he stood from where the other had died.

"I'll go too," Aoiba, which was the irritating young man with glasses that he met again the day before, said.

"Thanks. We'll do it just like the sentinels," Tora said, putting one hand one on the sword in his back.

"Got it," his companion said, raising his blade before sprinting towards the enemy.

CLANG!

Was the sound of his blade as it collided with his enemy's weapon. The monster in front of him roared as it pushed him backwards, breaking their weapons' connections. It swung its axe towards him with an unbelievable speed that he barely dodged before delivering a powerful kick that landed on the majority of his body and flung him several feet away.

He hadn't even recovered from the blow when the beast once again launched another strike with its axe, aiming to the majority of his body. It was only because of his battle instincts and experience from his hero work in real life that he was able to dodge the attack.

Tora heard the beast scream and watched in approval as his companions were able to land a critical hit from behind the monster while it was occupied with attacking him. He did not waste time and started his own counter attack. He activated his second skill, something he had gain in one of his adventures when he was still doing beta testing for the game.

Just then his vision sharpened and immediately he launched himself at his opponent.

He called out to Aoiba.

"We do this last attack together!"

With great speed, he attacked the beast, along side his younger companion.

With his second skill, he and the other man, sent a barrage of timed slashes to the direction of the current monster they were facing.

The beast was no match for the tagged teamed attack sent to him by the two skilled players.

It was then that the older one of the two completed the attack with a long upward slash that sliced the monster in half before disintegrating into a million particles.

He landed on his feet but bulked at the sudden tiredness he felt from the fight.

He won! He couldn't believe it.

"We won," he heard someone scream from behind him.

It was what broke the silence for everyone and the large party started cheering. They actually cleared level one's floor boss.

"Tora-san!" The two teens cried as they ran towards their guardian and saviour.

The older man caught the two in his arms and hugged them. He was so happy they were safe. Had he arrived any later, they would have been dead.

"You saved us!" The two boys said.

The crowd started cheering as well knowing full well that statement held true for everyone in the party.

Well, almost everyone...

"You bastard!" someone from the crowd yelled.

Tora released the two and looked up to see that it was one of the leaders of the party, who from earlier he tried to warn not to continue with the quest.

"Why did you do it?! Why did you let Diabel die?"

"Let him die?" he was confused.

Why was he being blamed for what happened to that man? He wasn't even part of the party. He just came inside with them to make sure the kids didn't die.

"You knew. You knew that technique the boss used! If you'd told us about that up front, he wouldn't have died!" the man exclaimed.

"He must be a beta tester," a random person from the crowd said, pointing a finger at Tora. "That's how he knew all the boss's attack patterns. He knew but he didn't tell us. Other beta tester are here, too, right? Come out!"

The crowd's cheerful atmosphere vanished. Showly, the members of the party were giving him a wary expression.

"This is bad..at this rate.." Tora thought slightly panicking regarding the situation.

"Shut up!" Richie screamed, "You ungrateful assholes! Tora-san, came to save us! He did warn us about the boss but none of you listened! Especially you!" He pointed at the man who started all this.

"You called him a coward and told him to leave. But he didn't and he saved us and this is how you will repay him?! By blaming him for what happened? You guys should be ashamed of yourselves!"

"He's a beta tester and he should've helped more in the first place, and you want us to thank him for that?! Kid, you're out of your mind!" the man stated.

This irked Tora, he was okay by being called names but who the heck was this guy to say that to his charge?

"He could have told us. He could have joined the party and shared his experience. But he kept silent and didn't even help."

"If this is the reception he'd be getting. It's no wonder he didn't want to let anyone know he was a Beta," Aoiba said from beside him, surprising him a bit.

He's defending me?

"He saved us. You should thank him, yet you lot a condemning him," Elgard joined, "We may be kids but at least we know how to treat a hero when we see one."

This statement stirred something inside of him he never expected to feel again. His sense of pride as a Hero of Sternbild. It was then that he stood up and placed a hand on the shoulder of each teen who were defending him and stepped forward to face the crowd.

"You're right. I was a beta tester," he stated. This earn him a gasp from the majority of the crowd.

"And like you, I am stuck in this world too. Maybe you're right. Maybe I should have said something. Or done something to help. But like everyone here, I was scared. Truth be told I still am. I'm scared of dying so I didn't want to do anything that would cause me to die in this place, because I have people waiting for me back home."

Familiar faces of his friends and family flashed before his eyes.

His partner's face lingered a little longer in his memory.

Bunny.

"But today, I realized something. Everyone here has someone back home too. Someone whose waiting for them in the real world. Hoping with all their might that there is a way to see their own loved ones again. The only difference between us is you lot are doing something do actually make that happen."

Tora turned his gaze at his accuser.

"Look, I'm sorry your friend died. He did it to help everyone. He was more braver than me," he said with sincerity and regret written all over his face.

He then turned to the crowd.

"I can't turn back time, and save those who lost their lives but I can change who I am right now. I'm done waiting and ignoring everyone's pleas when I can do something to help us get back home. So from now on, I'm doing everything in my power to help everyone get back home," Tora declared, surprising everyone with his conviction.

Most people in the crowd looked amazed, some still kept their wary expression. But one of them still looked angry.

"If you're that sorry, then you can leave all your equipment and give everything you have to us. You're a worthless lowlife and we can make more use of them than you!" Tora's accuser stated.

Both teens beside him tensed at that. They knew that there was a good chance Tora would actually do what they just demanded of him. They that their savior was the kind of person who always put others before himself no matter what everyone there was saying.

Sure, he may have admitted to everyone that he didn't help much in moving forward in the game, but they knew he didn't spend his entire time in this world doing nothing at all.

Tora was the one who helped fund the Center. He also helped in gathering as many children there as possible and was the one who made sure there was enough supplies for everyone.

He wasn't a worthless lowlife as what this person was telling everyone.

Both teens reached for their swords. They were prepared to fight these asshole to protect their guardian and his belongings.

Of course it wasn't needed.

The two boys were quite surprised when their Tora replied with a resounding-

"No."

"What?"

"I said no," Tora repeated.

"The hell? You said you were sorry," the man said.

"I am. But I also said I will use everything within my power to get us out of here," the older man stated, "And I need my stuff to do that. I fought monsters with katana skills on floors far above us. I know alot more, if you think this boss was hard try fighting the boss in floor 8."

"I'm not giving them up just so you can get your petty revenge. Diabel, in his last moments, asked me to defeat the monster. I did that. I plan to honor his memory by fighting until I destroy the final boss."

The crowd was silent after that.

Tora took this as his cue to leave the party. But not before taking out the rare from the boss they just defeated. It was an all black coat.

Shrugging, he immediately equipped the item and dawned a new look. He nodded in approval and left the party with the two teens and Aoiba tailing behind him.

(O.O)