01x01 - Helck the Hero

[bunniefuu]

[tense music]

[wind howling]

[dramatic choir music]

[demon yelling]

[Helck wincing]

[Helck grunting]

[demon shouts]

[Helck yells]

[writhing noise]

[demon yelling]

That one seems peculiar.

I'm sensing a somewhat

unfathomable power within him.

[assistant]

Ah, so you've noticed.

That man is favored to be the

champion of the tournament.

His name is Helck.

He has battled his way through

the preliminary rounds.

He's a hero

from the human realm.

Did you just say

that he's human?

[opening theme]

[HELCK THE HERO]

[dramatic fanfare]

[blade slashes, stabs]

[demon roaring]

[blood sloshing]

[narrator]

Off in a distant land,

there was a lone human hero

who defeated

the powerful Demon Lord.

[CASTLE THOR]

Seeing an opportunity,

the human army stormed

the Demon Lord's castle,

taking control of it,

thus sealing their victory.

Joy and celebration

flooded the human realm

as all fear towards the

demonkin was washed away.

Then roughly three months

later, here in the Demon Realm,

a fierce competition

was just underway

to fill the empty throne

with a new Demon Lord.

My name is Vermilio.

[COMBAT LEVEL: 78,

VERMILIO THE RED]

Since Azudra is hindered with

injury,

I will serve as manager

for the tournament.

My name is Hon and I will

be assistant to the manager.

[ADMINISTRATIVE LEVEL: 48]

Nice to be working with you.

Now tell me, how is

the tournament going?

We finished the preliminary

rounds as of yesterday.

Many skilled warriors

are participating.

So hopes are high we'll

have a new Demon Lord,

even stronger than the

late great Lord Thor.

[Vermilio] And security?

I assume the barrier

is holding up.

[Hon] Everything

has been reinforced

since the last tournament.

Furthermore, to ensure that all

of the participants can

engage in pure competition,

we have prepared

this little document

known as the

"Deep Green Contract."

[Vermilio] I see.

Azudra is working

his usual magic.

- [Hon] Indeed.

- Wonderful.

Then moving on, I would like

to see some of it firsthand.

Do you have records?

I do.

I have it all right here.

Well, now. How interesting.

[Hon] The average level

of the combatants

for this tournament is 45.

A record high for us, ma'am.

[chuckles]

With such warriors,

we can do more than just

take back our realm.

We'll even be able to

take some land claimed

by those hideous humans!

That one seems peculiar.

I'm sensing a somewhat

unfathomable power within him.

Ah, so you've noticed.

That man is favored to be the

champion of the tournament.

His name is Helck.

He has battled his way through

the preliminary rounds.

He's a hero from

the human realm.

Oh yeah?

DID YOU SAY HE'S A HUMAN HERO?!

What the hell's a

human doing here?

Well, he managed to survive

through the preliminary.

He shouldn't even be

participating!

All of the races are

allowed to participate, madam.

Except for humans, obviously!

What's the matter

with those guys?

They're our mortal enemies!

Of course. [giggles]

You need not worry, ma'am.

He may be a human, but

he is actually a pretty-

[Vermilio] No, no, no!

[Hon shouts]

Well, if you would please

take a look at this first.

That was an

incredible victory!

Share a few words about how

you're feeling right now.

I despise the human race.

[crowd cheering]

Let's kick every human a*s!

[Helck laughing heartily]

So you see, there's

nothing to worry about.

LIKE HELL!

He's playing you

and everybody else!

It's written all

over his fat face!

Look at it

from his perspective.

A human hero has

invaded our sanctuary!

How could you let him in?

Didn't anybody stop to consider

the consequences?

Does everyone wanna die?

Oh gosh, well, I'm sure

it will all work out.

CONGRATULATIONS,

YOU k*lled US ALL!

He did sign the

Deep Green Contract.

Uh, what?

[Hon] This powerful document

nullifies all attacks

made against any being

outside of the ring.

Participants are incapable

of hurting anyone.

Even the great human hero

Helck doesn't have the strength

to overcome such a contract.

All right, so then

you're telling me

that this hero is

essentially powerless?

Uh-huh.

There is no creature alive

who can escape

the binding contents

of the contract

until the tournament ends.

No, I still don't

understand it.

[Rococo]

And Chupabra goes down!

The contest.

Hang on a second.

I think I know what he's after.

[Rococo] Nine, 10.

Helck the hero

has done it again!

Wait, what's this?

Helck wants a little more

action before this is over!

He's using your precious

green contract to his advantage.

Right now, nobody but his

opponents in the tournament

can stand against him.

[Rococo]

Chupabra is still down,

completely helpless!

What is Helck going to do?

You can see what

he's doing, can't you?

He'll fight through

the tournament

and slowly but surely,

he'll slaughter every

warrior we have

who's strong enough

to become the Demon Lord!

[Rococo] Look at this.

He's lending a hand!

You're a pretty

tough fella.

Well, you pummeled me.

[Rococo] Aw, what

a touching moment.

Looks like a

cool enough guy.

Then what the hell

does he freaking want?

It's so hard to believe

he's legitimately

interested in being

the Demon Lord?

Absolutely not!

He obviously has

some sort of dastardly,

ulterior motive!

Besides, even if he

did win the tournament,

there's no way the citizens

would just accept him

as Demon Lord!

- You rock!

- We love you!

You're the man, man!

I'd say he's

getting along well.

[Vermilio yells]

[echoing boom]

Am I the only one here

with any brains?

I mean, come on!

We're practically begging

the humans to invade us!

Please try to see it

from the- [shouts]

We are out of options.

I'll just have to eliminate

the human myself!

About that contract.

It also nullifies attacks

we might make on

the participants.

Holy crap, you're an idiot!

Now look, you need to

make his next match

someone he can't beat.

So fun fact, Helck kind

of has a combat level of 99.

[Vermilio spurts]

Level 99!

Are you freaking kidding me?

That human is

gonna win for sure!

[Hon] I believe I said he's

the one who's favored to win.

[Vermilio]

You've k*lled us all!

[Hon] Oh my. Isn't this

a lovely night tonight?

Humans have such

short lifespans.

How the hell did

he get to level 99?

Dammit. We're in

some deep trouble now.

My liege, will I be

facing any punishment

for this unfortunate

misunderstanding?

Oh, most definitely.

And let me say, a simple

demotion won't cut it.

Ah, please, no! I

don't handle pain well.

I'm the one who should

be crying right now, okay?

Let me at least help

you with a good strategy.

You honestly think

there's any way for us

to defeat a level 99 hero?

Oh, I got a great idea!

That was fast.

We can just change the

format at the next match.

I will destroy you

if you suggest poker!

No, my idea was actually

to build a house.

A what?

Yes! A house of cards!

Whoever is the first to

build one is the winner.

And get this! We'll make sure

our hero gets a deck of cards

that are extra glossy.

All right, I'll admit that

would definitely help us

level the playing field a bit.

But remember, we're

talking about a tournament

that decides the

next Demon Lord.

Imagine what

everyone will think.

I know, I know, but please

just give me a chance.

[Vermilio groans]

Please, one eensy teensy

chance, my lady?

[Vermilio growls]

[birds chirping]

[narrator] The human realm.

This is Asta, a demonkin spy.

[SPY LEVEL: 55]

Under the orders of Vermilio,

she was dispatched

to gather information

about the human hero Helck.

Her mission is just beginning.

However

What's going on?

Where the heck is everybody?

What do I do now?

Anybody here?

[footsteps]

Well, okay, then.

I'll just have to report

back all the nothing

that's going on here.

[trumpets blaring]

I admit that I was concerned.

Never thought they'd go for

this house of cards nonsense.

[Rococo] Here come

our brave warriors!

[Helck chuckling]

I heard they're doing

something different

than a battle this time.

It's a whole mew game now.

They don't need very

much to be entertained.

[Rococo] Thank you for

your patience, everyone.

We continue the quest

for our new Demon Lord!

Let the competition begin!

[bell chimes]

[crowd cheering]

Well, this is lame.

Yes ma'am, lame indeed.

[Rococo] The rules

of this match are simple.

All the participants have to do

is complete a 10-story

house of cards.

Only those who finish in the

top 10 will be able to make it

to the next round.

Who among them will be

the first to finish?

Oh, no! Helck the hero is

struggling with this one,

ladies and gents!

He's falling pretty far

behind the other participants.

[Helck sighs]

[Vermilio chuckling]

Just look at him.

His burly hands

don't have what it takes.

He hasn't even managed to

compete the bottom floor.

I must say, I feel

sorry for the warriors

who will fail here

without the chance

to show their full potential.

No matter, we can just put

any of the noteworthy ones

under my command.

I'll need a full list

of the fighters-

[hands clap]

[Vermilio gasps]

I must hone my focus.

[Helck yells]

[contestants shout]

[Vermilio gasps]

[echoing expl*si*n]

[tense music]

[triumphant choir music]

[Rococo] Holy guacamole!

Helck is like a blur as he

stacks layer after layer

of cards on the table!

[Vermilio gasps]

[Helck grunts]

[Rococo] And he's finished!

Just like that,

Helck has won the match!

[crowd cheering]

That's ridiculous!

How does someone

move that fast without

knocking any cards over?

Come on!

That's against the damn rules!

[barking]

Yeah, he's a big cheater!

Well, I never thought

it would go like this,

but I'm not sure it's a good

idea to change the rules now.

Oh, yes it is. This is our

chance to get rid of him.

[contestant]

What? Against the rules?

Ha. Sounds like

sour grapes to me.

[barking]

[COMBAT LEVEL: 38,

KENROS THE GODSPEED]

Did you seriously think this

contest was really

about something so simple as

building a house of cards?

- Huh?

- Huh?

Huh?

Let me break it

down for you guys.

The house of cards

that we are building

represents our home base.

It is the Demon Lord's castle.

The act of stacking

the cards is a metaphor

for expanding the castle

to greater heights.

So in essence, my friends,

this is a contest

where we must be able to

protect our own castle

while wiping out

that of our opponents'.

The gust of wind

triggered by his aura

was something we all should

have defended against,

a two-pronged strategy!

Because anyone incapable of

finishing a simple castle

of cards has no right to

become our next Demon Lord.

You had your chance

and you failed!

Why is he reading

so much into this?

He's ruining everything!

This guy is a blathering idiot.

[COMBAT LEVEL: 50,

HYURA THE IMMORTAL]

He's speaking nonsense.

[crowdmember 1] Oh man,

this house of card

stuff is deep!

[crowdmember 2]

I totally knew there had

to be more to this match.

[crowdmember 3] It all

makes perfect sense!

You saw it right here, folks!

Helck The Hero is

the first to finish!

[crowd cheers]

[Helck laughs]

But it ain't over yet!

[frantic music]

Eat this!

[contestant]

Hey! Don't burn my cards!

[explosions booming]

I'm afraid it's impossible

to make it against the

rules down, my lady.

Ah. That meathead was

planning this the whole time.

He already knew

he was going to win.

He intentionally threw the

entire match into chaos

and turned everyone else against

each other in the process.

Now half the participants will

end up injured and worthless!

- I hate this guy!

- Madam, please!

I'm sure it was nothing

intentional or nefarious.

More like a coincidence.

YOU NEED TO SHUT YOUR

BIG FAT WALRUS MOUTH!

GODDAMMIT!

[expl*si*n booms]

Badass! Fireworks!

That guy's a hero.

Helck yeah!

Hello, Asta.

It's good to hear from you.

[SPY LEVEL: 48,

INTELLIGENCE OPERATIVE: ISTA]

Took you long enough

to report in.

[Asta] Yes. Sorry, Ista.

[narrator] Type-2 special

abilities.

Some citizens of the empire

have unique talents activated

upon creating certain

conditions.

For example, twins Asta

and Ista, can send messages

to one another through the

action of drinking coffee.

[Ista] So what's

the situation like?

Well, I did figure

a few things out,

but first, how's

the tournament going?

That's checkmate.

You've bested me.

[Rococo] And Helck

claims yet another victory.

Exactly why you should have

blocked with the damn pawn!

Come on!

I'm sure we can get him

on the next one!

It's going to be

a sculpting match.

I made sure his carving

tools will be dull and rusty.

Check it out!

[Rococo] And there you have it.

Straight 10s!

We're having a food w*r next

and I made sure

to really mess

with him this time!

Just make me

one of the judges.

No matter what he cooks up,

he gets a zero!

You're going to show

yourself in public, my lady?

Don't have a hissy!

I'll wear a disguise so everyone

thinks I'm an ordinary judge.

[chimes shimmering]

[harp trills]

[Vermilio moaning]

I love it

[Hon shouts]

[Rococo] Hibachi Helck is

on his way to the semifinals!

Tell us what

you're feeling today.

The demon realm's groovy!

[crowd cheers]

[Vermilio whimpers]

I wasn't able to lie.

Why was it so delicious?

Ngh. I knew I should

have added candied yams.

One of those judges

looks familiar.

Son of a b*tch!

That ice cream was tasty!

I could just k*ll that guy!

Please hold your temper.

An expl*si*n here would

surely have casualties.

Yes. Yes, I know.

Hmm?

Wait, who is on this poster?

I haven't seen any of

these guys out there.

Did they not show up?

[Hon] Oh, no, no,

no, no, my liege.

They were all highly

skilled fighters

expected to do well

in the tournament

until they fought Helck

and got their asses kicked.

[Vermilio yells]

[Hon] Ah. She's gonna blow.

I need a barrier.

Cookachoo!

You okay?

Do you have any tape?

Um, sure.

[orchestral music]

The trials cannot

continue like this.

I must find a way

to protect our citizens.

[Ista] Lady Vermilio.

I've just gotten some intel

from Asta regarding Helck.

Hmm.

[Kenros] Yo, Helck.

Great stuff out there.

[Helck] You too, Kenros.

What are you looking at?

That some sort of picture?

Sure is. You want to see?

Heck yeah!

Ah ah ah!

Oh, come on. I want to-

[Helck and Kenros laugh]

I'm gonna get it!

The lunkhead hero

and babbling buffoon.

It's like the circus left a few

of their dumbest clowns behind.

If either one of them

touches me,

I'll cut their fingers off.

[Ista] This Helck person has

an enormous bounty on his head.

He has been labeled as

the worst criminal

in all of human history.

And his crime was

k*lling his own brother.

[tense music]

Well, he may be a hero,

but he's still just a human.

Such a disgusting race.

So what can you tell me

about the brother?

Yes. So about that.

His brother was the one who

brought down Demon Lord Thor.

Wait. So Helck isn't the one

who defeated the Demon Lord?

That's correct.

That hero was named Cless.

It seems there were

two heroes born into

the world this time.

[tense music]

[Kenros] Yoink.

Woo-hoo. I got it!

[Helck] Okay. Have

yourself a look.

Oh, is this guy your brother?

Yep. That's right.

Oh, I can totally

see the resemblance,

but he's way more

of a hunk than you are.

I know, right?

He gets it from our mama.

Oh, really? A hunk?

There's one more thing

I should mention.

Asta said that she visited

three different towns,

but she couldn't find a

single human in any of them.

No one?

And based on how

things were left,

it's like people had been

there living normally

and until very recently.

[rapid footsteps]

Lady Vermilio, there's

trouble in the north!

I'm afraid to report

Castle Urum has fallen.

That's impossible!

Demon Lord Urum is guarded

by a squad of elite soldiers!

How did the humans find warriors

with the strength to fight that?

They must have somehow

found even more heroes!

I don't think so.

There were no heroes reported.

Just some kind

of strange knights.

White knights clad with wings.

They must have been much

stronger than any humans

we fought before.

I've never heard of anything

like humans who have wings.

Are the citizens okay?

[Hon] Good news, bad news.

I'm afraid Lord Urum

stepped in and

sacrificed himself

to buy time for everyone else.

It allowed for most

of the soldiers

and residents to escape.

Dear God.

He must have fought to

the end with such honor.

[Helck yells]

[hollow thud]]

[Kenros laughs]

Rock, paper, scissors.

[tense music continues]

Hate to ask, but

is there any chance

the humans have somehow

learned of the capital?

I'm honestly not all too

concerned if they discover that.

The biggest issue is the

fact they have marched

upon our land and have now

taken control of Castle Urum.

If they still have strength,

the next place

they'll attack is here!

Reinforce the barrier and

prepare forces for combat!

Right away.

[Helck yelling]

[loud crack]

[Hyura gasps]

[Kenros laughs]

I didn't feel a thing!

That green contract

does the trick.

Crazy, right?

[both laughing]

[Vermilio growls]

Those g*dd*mn humans.

What in the hell

are they up to now?

[ending theme]

[narrator] Next time:

"Anne from Management"