Normally, {Guides} are summoned to explain the mechanics behind these statuses.
Gods assigned to a {Hero} lay everything out from the very beginning. They provide the basics, answer any questions, and send the hero off to a designated kingdom to start their journey.
If a hero gets confused about something, we {Guides} answer their questions in their heads.
We don't have physical forms—think of us like a call center, but for cosmic guidance. It sounds simple, but in reality, it's a mess. I wouldn't call myself an expert either; I'm just a messenger.
But here's the thing: for the gods, this whole system isn't about saving the world.
It's about their pride.
They pick a random mortal, toss them a handful of blessings and items, and expect them to fix everything.
Honestly? We're probably slaves to this system.
It's just always been this way. We don't get a say in it.
And when I say "we," I mean all of us.
There used to be many versions of me—countless Hermes clones, each guiding their own hero.
But now, all of them are dead.
If you ask me, being sealed was better than living like this—
"And this whole conversation is going in circles! No, like a loop!"
Oh my god, this guy is annoying. How do you just dump your tragic backstory on me and expect me to play along?
"I'm sorry. It's just... very hard for me right now."
Yeah, no kidding.
"If you're so desperate to be sealed again, I'll just send you back!"
"IT'S NOT ABOUT THAT!!!"
Whoa.
That's the first time he's actually yelled at me.
…Heh. Not to get all sentimental, but I think it's less about his situation and more about himself.
"It's about us being ignorant about this whole thing!"
"We were wrong, okay?!"
"Just because the {Heroes} succeeded and we {Guides} were rewarded, we thought we were above it all. We were given high status, praised by the gods—but we never questioned anything. We never pushed back. We just… followed orders."
…Huh.
We're seriously getting off track here.
"But we were wro—"
"Then stop rambling about how you never took action!
"Do you want my sympathy? Is that it?!"
"You're making me feel guilty just listening to you!"
But is this really fine…?
I mean, I'm hardly one to talk.
I acted entirely on my own selfish desires.
I never took this whole thing seriously.
But seeing him like this…
I don't know.
It hurts.
Why?
I was just an ordinary guy who wanted a quiet life. I never asked for much.
I worked a dead-end job for what? Just to slave away for years without ever stopping to think?
I never questioned it.
I just existed.
And when the goddess summoned me, I was just… done.
I didn't care. I just wanted to sleep.
So I did.
I thought I was free, but I was wrong.
I couldn't just ignore everything.
But I forced myself to.
If I hadn't woken up, if I had just stayed asleep, I probably wouldn't have achieved anything in my life.
In other words, I was just an ignorant loser who didn't want to deal with any of this.
Is that so wrong?
If you're truly ignorant, then what does that make me?
At least you thought about your mistakes.
Me? I didn't even try.
So don't talk like you're the only one struggling.
I know you regret it. I can hear it in your voice.
I can see it in your face.
You know you can't change the past.
But I'll give you a chance.
If you truly regret your actions—
Teach me.
And together, we'll atone for both our sins.
…
…
…
And I got caught up in my emotions again.
What was that all about?!
"Atone"? "Redeem ourselves"? What kind of shonen protagonist nonsense am I spouting?!
Sure, I meant what I said, but—
…Oh god.
I already admitted I can't redeem myself.
We sat there in awkward silence.
Neither of us said a word.
It was at least ten minutes. Maybe more.
I stole a few glances at him.
He looked really guilty.
I probably did too.
…This is weird.
Finally, after another five minutes, he sighed and looked at me.
"I'm sorry."
"When you woke me up, everything just… flooded back. My regrets, my anger—it was all sealed away with me. But you're right. If I truly regret my mistakes, I should prove it."
…What an earnest guy.
I had a feeling he was the type to take everything seriously.
It's honestly a little sad to see him like this.
Man. I'm such a hypocrite.
But hey, I'm not a bad person.
And drama really isn't my thing.
So let's just help him out, yeah?
"And I apologize for earlier."
Hermes took a deep breath before standing up straight.
"Let me formally introduce myself. I am Hermes, your assigned {Guide}. {Hero}, I will guide you and answer any questions you have after your briefing with the {Gods}. Call upon me, and I shall answer any curiosity you may have."
…Ah, spoken like a true guide NPC.
I'm kinda jealous of how earnest he is.
"John Michael. Pleasure working with you."
I reached out my hand.
He hesitated.
Then, slowly, he took mine.
We shook hands.
…It kinda felt like we were making a contract.
I let out a small laugh.
He gave me a questioning look—
And then, without realizing it…
He was already smiling.