Chapter 39. The Hero Returns
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The monsters charged across the land with only one target in mind: the gods! Whether they were adventurers marked by divine presence or those blessed by the gods, they were to be slain—all of them. Anything associated with the gods was to be destroyed.
The massive floor boss, Goliath, roared with every step, causing the ground to tremble. Broken crystals were ripped from the earth and wielded as weapons, each swing unleashing a powerful gust of wind.
Can humans really defeat such a monster?
Perhaps monsters of the same caliber—Level 5, Level 6, or even the extraordinary Level 7—might stand a chance. But what if they had to face an entire horde on top of that?
Is it truly possible for one person to challenge this cataclysmic scene alone?
If anyone could do it…
Cyd grinned as he raised the sword, Fire Moon - Kaguratsuchi. The crimson light it emitted seemed to illuminate the entire 18th floor, and the intense heat warped the surrounding space.
"That magic sword…" The adventurers buried in the dirt gaped.
The sheer presence it exuded surpassed that of conventional magic. What kind of power resides within that blade?
"Kaguratsuchi… farewell," Welf closed his eyes.
As the creator of Kaguratsuchi, he knew exactly what magic lay within it—flames capable of burning the ocean dry. In exchange, the sword could only be used once!
Afterward, Kaguratsuchi would disappear. It was the first magic sword he forged, made to prove himself, and later abandoned because he hated magic swords.
"Welf, keep your eyes open!" Cyd called out, raising his voice. "Don't forget why you reclaimed it in the first place!"
Welf hesitated, then slowly opened his eyes.
"Come, Kaguratsuchi, prove yourself to your creator," Cyd gripped the sword tightly. "With only one life… let's see just how brightly you can shine. You are not a weapon of corruption!"
As if responding to Cyd, the crimson light grew even brighter, almost bursting into an endless sea of flames.
"Kaguratsuchi!"
Cyd took a step forward and swung the sword. The fiery blade left a dazzling trail of flames in its wake.
Crack—
A small crack appeared at the tip of the sword, with faint red light seeping through. It was a sign that the sword was nearing its limit—a one-time-only chance.
Boom—
A wave of flames descended.
Even Welf, the sword's creator, stood in awe. The scorching fire raged across the land as if it were alive, devouring the monstrous horde in an instant.
Roar—
Goliath roared, wildly swinging its crystal pillar, uprooting trees and stopping the advancing flames with the gusts it created.
Crack—
More cracks appeared along Kaguratsuchi's blade.
It had reached its limit.
But it wasn't enough!
It hadn't yet shown Welf its true brilliance.
"Then let's consume even the winds that sweep the world," Cyd grinned and raised Kaguratsuchi once more.
Small fragments continued to fall from the sword as its life neared its end—an inevitable fate—but it was still here, wasn't it?
"This can't be!" Welf stared in disbelief as Cyd lifted the sword, now covered in cracks, as if a light breeze could shatter it.
The more a magic sword is used, the closer it comes to destruction. That last attack should have been Kaguratsuchi's limit!
"That's why I'm challenging it…" Cyd muttered as he swung the sword.
Crash—
As Cyd's swing descended, the crimson blade shattered into countless pieces, each glowing faintly.
It had reached its end.
Boom—
The wind was consumed by the flames, and the true crimson firestorm engulfed Goliath's body. Goliath's tough skin was instantly burned away, and the crystal pillar it wielded bypassed the liquid phase and turned directly into vapor.
Roar—
Goliath howled, flailing its arms as immense magical energy surged within it, fueling its unparalleled regenerative abilities. The flames would eventually burn out, but its magic would sustain it until then.
This sea of flames, capable of burning everything, was both its death knell and its best shield. No one could survive in this world!
That's right! It was an impossibility!
But here stood a challenger, known as a hero!
They had challenged the impossible time and time again, and they themselves were impossible.
Cyd stepped into the flames.
The fire that had driven Goliath to the brink now cloaked Cyd like armor, blending seamlessly with the scales that formed his cape.
Roar—
Goliath snarled and lunged at Cyd, its massive fist crashing down.
It could sense, despite being somewhat subdued, that the person before it was blessed by the gods. Their aura was incomplete but layered in a way that made them seem like a walking deity.
Clang—
[Reforged Pandora] emerged from the flames, its enormous blade glinting coldly as Cyd slowly raised it. The sea of flames swirled around [Reforged Pandora] as if drawn to it.
"Watch as the impossible becomes possible," Cyd smiled, swinging [Reforged Pandora].
Boom—
A hundred-meter-long blade of flames erupted with a roar, sweeping across the battlefield before gradually dissipating.
Goliath's massive fist was reduced to ash within the flames, and its gigantic body twisted in agony as it was consumed by the blazing inferno.
It roared, it howled, and then it was reduced to ashes…
The massive crystal fell, crashing into the ground.
With Welf's support, Bell managed to stand, staggering a few steps forward.
From within the sea of flames, a pure white figure raised its right hand high. The burning flames formed a cloak around it, and the flag that danced in the flames around its neck bore the marks of victory.
The impossible had become possible, a resounding victory for humanity. And the one who stood at the forefront, who turned the tide, who brought hope to the people, could be described in only two words:
A hero!
No one cheered; they simply gazed in reverence at the pure white figure slowly emerging from the flames.
Unexpectedly, the invincible figure did not inspire fear, but a sense of peace—a peace that even calmed their restless hearts.
He had not, nor would he, take a single life. His blade was always directed at despair.
He is…
Bell rubbed his eyes, straightened his posture, and looked up at the approaching Cyd.
"Welcome back, my teacher."