"... ughh"
A faint growl can be heard coming from the man who was kneeling on the ground. Around him was full of ground craters that seem to be accompanied by a faint smoke. At first glance, this might seem to be the work of so many meteors falling to the ground one after another.
However, the man on his knees seemed indifferent to what was happening around him. His face is surrounded by wounds but still, its gentleness remained as his eyes lit in burning determination as if to say that he will do everything just to fulfill what he wants.
He forcefully picked up his sword that was currently lying on the ground. Although his hands were full of blood, he still tightened his grip on his weapon, and little by little he stood up using his remaining strength to continue the fight.
He pointed his sword toward the creature in front of him.
This is his opponent. The enemy of humanity. Considered to be the strongest monster.
The demon king.
Even though it had so many wounds on its body, it was still full of the dignity of a warrior. No one will think that this is the king of demons who has no other desire but to invade the whole world.
"... Human, you are a true warrior. A Hero indeed. However, in this battle, you will still fall!"
After the demon king said his proclamation, he then stretched out his both arms.
Suddenly, there was a flow of energy coming from his body as it quickly gather and became violent in his hands as if it were ready to eat even human souls.
Without waiting for a response, the demon king rushed directly to the wounded man. His speed was incredible that even a person with a considerable perception can't certainly afford to follow his movement.
In a blink of a second, the demon king shortened the distance and arrived right in front of the man.
"Abyssal Flame !!"
Naming his skill, the glow in his hands grow larger and become a raging black flame as he thrust it into the man's body.
Wearing a confident grin, the demon king was now ready to decide the outcome of the battle to his victory when he suddenly heard a voice full of calmness.
"Heroic Rage."
BOOOOM!!
There was an explosion occurred.
The area where the clashes had happened quickly turn into a sea of smoke.
Probably because of the unknown force that received the demon lord's attack, it caused a quick impact on him causing him to stagger a few meters away.
After the smoke cleared, the demon king with his wide eyes stared at the man in front of him who was entirely standing on the ground seemingly unfazed by what had occurred.
"I-Impossible!" He fearfully exclaimed. He could not quite imagine that his strongest skill capable of killing even the massive dragon with a skin of steel, would not even be able to end his opponent's life.
As if nothing happened, the man looked at the demon king while wearing an unperturbed face as he opened his mouth.
"Sorry... But I have to kill you. Even the only weapon I have left is my own life"
With both of his hands gripping on the sword, he closed his eyes for a moment. Strong white energy begin to flow in his sword while the skins in both of his arms were slowly burning.
Heroic Rage
An S-rank skill that can basically triple his physical and magical attributes.
However, this powerful skill was the only thing he does not want to use this time because he have no mana left. If he uses this skill without mana it will consume his life force instead.
But now he had no other hope but to pour his remaining strength into this last attack even though he do not know what would happen next.
Wrapped in powerful energy he finally opened his eyes and in the next moment, only a flicker of aura was left in his place as he was already behind the demon king.
His opponent cannot keep up with the sudden speed as it tries to turn its body but it's too late.
It was pointless.
With all his might the man gritted his teeth as he slashed down his sword.
"——— !!!"
A strong shockwave suddenly occurred, and the whole place was instantly engulfed by a blinding light.
After quite some time, the light around the place was gradually started to disappear. The area become clear and what was left on the desolate battlefield was only one person.
He was covered in blood while his sword was now totally broken which only the hilt has remained.
The ground in his front created a much larger crater, a shred of evidence of how much power he unleashes.
thud
With no strength in his legs, perhaps due to accumulated damages in his body, he loses his stand and began to fall as his back lay in the ground.
"haahh... so this is my last fight, huh"
He breathed heavily and spoke weakly while half staring at the sky. The black clouds are gradually disappearing and the sun is starting to shine around him.
The claps of lightning that always roared in the territory of the demon king were also gone.
The whole place had become so peaceful.
"... It's a fierce battle."
He muttered as the strong flame in his eyes was starting to disappear until it became tranquil. After that, the raging aura around him completely subsided.
Perhaps because of the worsening pain in his body, accompanied by the loss of a lot of blood, he suddenly recalled the events of his life in three years since he was called to this world.
It was a rainy afternoon. As he was on his way home from the school he was attending, suddenly a large circle full of unknown writings appeared at his feet. After that, he was summoned to this world.
Hero
This was the title given to him after he was summoned.
Of course, since he is the hero, he was tasked to seize and defeat the demon army to stop the great invasion happening on the other side of the world.
He started training his body with talented people especially in the field of combat so that he could properly use the new power he received.
At first, it was fun.
He was fascinated with the technique of swords and the different tactics of battle. A dream of the youth especially for him who was an Earthling with a naturally weak, fragile physique and no trace of power before he came to this world.
Over time and with each suppression of the enemy, along with the shouts and praise of others, he realized that he was carrying the future of the people.
He resumed his duty and allied with the forces of neighboring nations to utterly put an end to the demonic army.
And to everyone's expectation, he continued to fight.
Days pass and with each advance, the enemies become stronger. With the exception of him, his comrades were no longer in sync and died one after another. People begin to doubt the hero's ability without even mourning the extreme outcome of his friends.
Yet he can only move forward amid the deaths of those who are close to him.
After all, he is the Hero.
Exists to save the world.
Exists to serve the world.
Fame
Money
Power
He had these things — but he still can't be happy enough. He has full of regrets and if he could rewind the time, he would rather disobey this world.
He was tired.
The only reason he kept fighting was the promises he made to his comrades. And to this very day, he had fulfilled them.
He wanted to celebrate the success of his journey with them not with the people who knew nothing but to complain and blame him.
But up to this point, with his body full of blood, he was alone.
"Hey, Raiden. Was it really peaceful at your place? You didn't visit me after you disappeared. I'm lonely now."
He complained saying the name of the first friend he had made after coming to this world.
"...I'm tired. I want to live in peace you know that." He continued to talk, the strength of his voice starts to dwindle.
He let out a deep sigh.
"I guess ... this is my end."
He looked at the sky once again while wearing a contented smile on his face.
"But ... at least ... I've succeeded."
He said those words softly while praising his accomplishments. He spread both of his arms to feel the peaceful surrounding. Even if he was resting in a lifeless place, it was already enough for him.
Ting!
[Calculating reward...]
[Calculating reward...]
.
.
.
A sudden monotonous voice resounded in his head but with his life starting to fade, he can no longer stay awake as his eyes slowly started to close. His face become calm and the tension in his mind subsided.
The last seep remaining flickered out and soon his heart stopped beating as darkness engulfed his vision.
.
.
.
[Calculating reward...]
[Completed!]
[Voice of the God: Oh hero from the Earth! Your mission has been completed. For I, the God who creates and destroy, was munificent enough to grant your rewards. Please live on!]
[Preparing for the Sacred Art of Creation: Soul Transfer...]
[Estimated time— 24:00 hours]