Chereads / I’d Rather Not Be the Hero (But I Guess I Don’t Have a Choice?) / Chapter 41 - Chapter 40: Rise Against the Wrath

Chapter 41 - Chapter 40: Rise Against the Wrath

**Chapter 19: Rise Against the Wrath**

The arena had descended into a battlefield once more, but this time, the stakes felt impossibly higher. Kazuki and his friends stood side by side, facing an enraged Varkath, whose power seemed limitless. The General of Wrath had been pushed to his limits, but his aura was more terrifying than ever before.

Kazuki glanced at his companions. Serena's sword trembled in her hand, and Leo's usually bright eyes were dim with exhaustion. Lyra, though battered, gave him a nod of encouragement. They were all holding on by a thread.

Varkath stretched his neck, cracking the bones as if he was only just getting started. "This… is going to be fun."

"Stick to the plan," Kazuki muttered under his breath, his mind racing for any advantage they could take. Their earlier strategy had worked to some degree, but now Varkath was prepared.

Leo, his staff glowing faintly, stepped forward. "Serena, we need to be faster this time. No mistakes."

Kazuki raised his fists. "Let's end this."

The final battle had begun, but none of them could predict the true cost of victory.

The air was thick with tension as Varkath's sinister red aura twisted and flared around him like a living beast, ready to devour everything in its path. His hulking form loomed over the battlefield, and the ground beneath his feet continued to tremble as if the earth itself was afraid of his wrath.

Kazuki felt a heavy weight settle on his chest, the oppressive energy from Varkath pressing down on him. His body screamed in protest, each muscle aching from the relentless battle, but his resolve hadn't wavered. He glanced at his companions—Serena, Leo, and Lyra—all battered and worn, but still standing. They had come too far to fall now.

"We're not done yet," Kazuki whispered, more to himself than anyone else. His mind raced, searching for a solution. Varkath's power had grown even more terrifying, and their previous tactics had only scratched the surface of his true strength.

Varkath's lips curled into a mocking grin as he stepped forward, the ground cracking beneath his feet. "You fools. Did you really think you had a chance? You are nothing compared to me." His voice was laced with contempt, and his glowing red eyes bore into them, sending shivers down their spines.

Kazuki clenched his fists, determination flaring within him. He had felt hopeless before, but giving up was never an option. "Don't listen to him. He may be stronger, but we've faced impossible odds before, and we made it through. We just need to find his weak spot."

Serena's eyes darted to Kazuki, her sword gripped tightly in her hand. "We can't afford to wait. If we don't stop him soon, we won't last much longer."

Leo stepped forward, breathing heavily, the weight of his magical reserves dwindling. "He's pushing us to our limit, but that also means he's using everything he has. His arrogance will be his downfall." He raised his staff, its faint glow struggling to hold power. "We can still overwhelm him if we coordinate better."

Kazuki nodded, feeling the sparks of a plan igniting. "Serena, Leo, we need to hit him hard and fast again, but this time with everything we've got. Lyra, back us up. Focus on breaking his concentration."

Lyra gave a firm nod, her sharp eyes locking onto Varkath. "Got it. I'll hit him from the side when you need it most."

There was no time for second thoughts. With a shared look, the team sprang into action, their movements synchronized despite their exhaustion. Serena dashed forward, her blade gleaming under the pale light as she aimed for Varkath's legs again, hoping to disrupt his balance.

But this time, Varkath was ready. He swung his massive arm with frightening speed, blocking Serena's strike with ease. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the air, and Serena barely managed to avoid being crushed by the counterattack.

"You're predictable," Varkath sneered, his voice rumbling like thunder. "This is the end."

Before Serena could recover, Varkath raised his other hand, dark energy gathering in his palm. He thrust it forward, aiming to obliterate her in one devastating blow.

"Serena!" Kazuki shouted, panic seizing his chest. Without thinking, he rushed forward, pushing his body to the limit. His legs burned, but he didn't care. He had to reach her.

Just as Varkath's attack was about to land, Kazuki threw himself in front of Serena, raising his arms in a desperate attempt to block the energy blast. The impact hit him like a tidal wave, and pain exploded through his body as he was sent flying backward, crashing into the hard ground.

"Kazuki!" Serena screamed, her voice filled with horror as she watched him tumble across the arena, his body barely moving.

Leo's face paled as he saw their leader lying motionless on the ground. "No… No, this can't be happening…"

Varkath chuckled darkly, towering over them. "You see now? Your hero is nothing more than an insect beneath my feet."

The crowd watched in stunned silence, the weight of the situation sinking in. Had Kazuki, the one who had given them all hope, really fallen?

Serena's heart pounded in her chest as she stumbled toward Kazuki, her hands shaking. "Kazuki… please, get up… we need you." Tears blurred her vision, but she forced herself to stay strong. She couldn't break down now—not when everything was on the line.

Lyra moved to Kazuki's side, her face set in grim determination. "He's still breathing, but barely. We need to hold Varkath off. Serena, Leo, it's up to us now."

Leo wiped the sweat from his brow, his eyes narrowing as he faced Varkath once again. "I won't let it end like this. If we're going down, we'll take you with us, demon!"

With a fierce cry, Leo unleashed a barrage of magic, fire and lightning swirling around him as he poured every ounce of his remaining strength into the attack. The ground erupted in flames as the spells collided with Varkath's aura, causing the demon to grunt in irritation. The energy crackled and sparked, but Varkath's barrier remained intact.

"You're wasting your time, mage," Varkath growled, his voice dripping with contempt. "None of you can match my power."

But Leo didn't back down. With renewed determination, he pressed forward, his staff glowing brighter as he chanted another spell. "Serena! Now's your chance!"

Serena didn't hesitate. She charged toward Varkath, her sword blazing with light. She aimed for the cracks in his aura, the points where Leo's magic had weakened it. Her blade sliced through the air, and this time, it connected.

Varkath roared in anger as Serena's sword pierced his aura, causing it to flicker and waver. For the first time, he looked vulnerable.

But just as Serena prepared to strike again, Varkath's hand shot out, grabbing her by the throat. "You've been a thorn in my side long enough," he hissed, tightening his grip. Serena gasped for breath, her sword slipping from her grasp as the life was slowly choked out of her.

"No!" Leo shouted, panic filling his voice as he watched Serena struggle. He raised his staff, ready to cast another spell, but his body was too weak. His magic was nearly spent.

Just when it seemed like all hope was lost, a faint glow appeared in the distance. At first, it was barely noticeable, but then it grew brighter and brighter until it became a blinding light.

Kazuki's body twitched, then slowly, painfully, he pushed himself to his feet. His body was battered and bruised, but his spirit was unbroken. The strange light surrounded him, pulsing with raw energy.

The window appeared before Kazuki's eyes again, the familiar screen that only he could see.

**"Warning: The Wrath General is near critical levels. Hero status activation imminent."**

Kazuki's vision blurred as he focused on the words. A surge of power coursed through him, and he felt something shift within him—a new strength, a new purpose.

With a roar of defiance, Kazuki lunged forward, faster than ever before. In the blink of an eye, he was in front of Varkath, his fist glowing with an intense, radiant energy.

Varkath's eyes widened in shock as Kazuki's fist connected with his chest. The force of the blow shattered the demon's aura completely, and a deafening crack echoed through the arena as Varkath was sent flying backward, crashing into the ground with a thunderous impact.

Kazuki stood tall, his body radiating with the newfound power. His friends stared in awe, unable to comprehend what had just happened.