Light of The King (1)
[Flame Chaser] has an exclusive boss fight at the beginning of the Hell difficulty level. The boss that must be defeated to start the game is "Trevor the Evil."
He is supposed to meet the protagonist today, just before the enrollment ceremony begins.
In the future, the protagonist, Kevin Islana, will face many powerful enemies, and this is just the beginning. It's all thanks to Kevin's special abilities.
The rain has stopped.
The time has come.
I glance at the large clock tower in the center of the academy.
Right now, the time is 7:30 AM, thirty minutes before the official start of the enrollment ceremony. Sunlight finally shines through the cracks of the dark clouds that are slowly dissipating.
I immediately head to the "Sirius Forest," located just outside the academy's main gate, while recalling my memories of playing the game to find the way.
After climbing the hill, I will find a small cabin, the protagonist Kevin's temporary residence while traveling to Sirius Academy. He is supposed to leave the cabin today and finally head to the academy.
My destination is a grassy field that appears in the middle of a forest path surrounded by dense trees. Kevin will use this path to reach the academy.
There he is...!
I stop my steps in the distance after reaching my destination.
A blonde-haired man is seen fighting something with a strange shape. The man is panting before finally being thrown by the creature's attack, collapsing and leaning against a tree.
He is dressed like me, and his clothes are completely dirty from the fight. He is badly beaten.
Looking at his body proportions and familiar face, I immediately recognize his identity.
Kevin Islana. The protagonist of the game [Flame Chaser].
I try to check his stats, and my right eye glows faintly.
[Kevin Islana]
Level: 20
Race: Human
Element: Light, Holy Fire
Danger: X
An information window appears, revealing details about the blonde-haired man who has fainted, confirming that he is indeed Kevin Islana.
After completing the tutorial in Hell difficulty, the player's level is automatically set to 20. The poor protagonist who has fainted must have completed the tutorial.
And standing not far from our unfortunate protagonist is a man whose body is shrouded in darkness. Does he even have a gender? I don't know. His form is strange. Similar to a human, but not quite. A truly bizarre creature.
His limbs appear limp. Both of his arms are bent backward—if he were human, it would be horrifying.
His hair is pitch black, even darker than mine, so dark that it seems like light cannot penetrate it. Yes, this creature is the infamous first boss that always appears in Hell difficulty. A boss that has driven many players to despair since the beginning of the game.
I identify the creature, and my right eye glows faintly.
[Trevor the Evil]
Level: 90
Race: Demon
Element: Dark, Water
Danger: High (Recommended to run!)
That is "Trevor the Evil."
Level 90... the difficulty level is undoubtedly high, as evidenced by this damn system telling me to just run.
Appearing just before the game officially begins, as the gateway to Hell difficulty, Trevor is a sign of the chaos to come. That is "Trevor the Evil."
On the other hand, Kevin is only level 20. In his current condition, it's clear he will lose. If he takes a direct hit, he will die instantly. Fortunately, he managed to withstand the boss's attacks and is now unconscious, barely alive.
Well, I can't blame him. Due to the "Hell" difficulty, enemy levels are extremely high. However, the experience points gained from defeating enemies with such a huge level gap are almost the same as in other difficulties, only slightly more.
The developers' dark intentions are evident here. They seem to want to discourage players from even glancing at Hell difficulty—they are truly insane.
From a plot and logical standpoint, it's impossible for Kevin to defeat Trevor now.
So, the goal is ultimately to survive until "help" arrives.
Yeah, help is supposed to come later, but it seems everything has started earlier and will end earlier too. Eventually, the help that will arrive is Liana Astralin, the "Second Seat" of the "Magic Department," who will subdue the demon herself.
Then...
What are you doing, Kevin?
Did you run out of stamina and get knocked down like that?
Come on, please wake up...
Of course, Hell difficulty requires a level of complex control that can only be achieved through grueling training that makes you want to die. But even so, what's happening now...
Trevor slowly approaches the unconscious Kevin. Black, dense water orbs float in the palm of his hand. It's a type of magic that combines two elements: dark and water.
...And this is the crazy world we're in. The game hasn't even officially started, but the world is already on the brink of a bad ending.
What will happen to me if I die here?
What will happen if a bad ending occurs? Will I return to Earth? Well... I'm already dead, so I should go to the afterlife, right?
...My fate is truly unfortunate, huh.
I don't know how to resolve this situation.
The only thing that guarantees my survival is completing this insane game.
At the end of the story, it is said that the protagonist, Kevin, becomes a famous magic knight who wins many battles.
Moreover, Sirius Academy is the most prestigious hero academy representing humanity, and one can live comfortably with a diploma from Sirius Academy.
However, for that to happen, the player must defeat the final boss, the Evil God—Primordial Evil, Erebos.
Of course, that won't happen without the help of that unconscious bastard.
Now..., I need to think of the best solution to resolve this situation...
Oh, that's right, the cheat code...
Additional 100 stat points, immediately!
I quickly open the Status Window and click on the Potential <
•Growth Rate
Physical Training Efficiency (C): 28/100
Magic Training Efficiency (F): 0/100
Learning Efficiency (S): 100/100
•Elemental Resistance
Fire Resistance (D): 6/100
Ice Resistance (E): 1/100
Water Resistance (D): 6/100
Lightning Resistance (F): 0/100
Rock Resistance (D): 6/100
.....
....Huh? Where's the combat racial trait?
I look through the entire status window, but I don't find what I'm looking for. The combat racial trait should be there, like in the game. But right now, it's missing.
Triinnnnggg–!!
A bell-like sound rings in my ears, and a notification appears.
[Special Combat Skill has been added!]
...Huh?
I immediately open the status window again, and sure enough, a special skill has been added as per the notification.
[Special Combat Skill]
Heroic State (F): 0/100
...Hoo, look at this. This seems to be what I need.
I allocate all 100 additional stat points I have into [Heroic State]. The stat points are applied without issue.
As for the existing potential, I think it's adjusted to my old body. I was a soldier and have been on the battlefield, so I've often dealt with things like that, except for lightning, of course. If this were Earth, and you were struck by lightning, your chances of survival would be very slim, and I've never been struck by lightning.
Anyway, I'll ignore the rest for now. This is all to defeat that Trevor!
Trinnnggg–!!
The bell sound echoes in my head again.
[Congratulations! The potential of [Special Skill–Heroic State] has been upgraded from F to S!]
[You have acquired the unique trait [Savior]!]
[You have reached MAX potential in [Heroic State]. The unique trait [Savior] has been granted!]
It's only natural to pour everything into this potential. Judging from the system granting this, it should be very helpful, especially with its unique traits, although I can't be sure yet.
Alright, let's just try it...
I then head to an open area and activate the [Hero Rider] ability.
"Hero Rider, activate."
A pistol appears before me, and a belt materializes around my waist.
...This... I think I understand how to use it.
Then, as Trevor approaches Kevin, I fire a bullet at him, causing an explosion that makes him aware of my presence and directs his gaze toward me.
"..."
[...]
His dark purple eyes stare at me. A face that resembles a human but not quite. His elongated body is truly disgusting. And when he looks at me, he grins so wide that it seems to tear the corners of his mouth. Frankly, it's revolting.
[Hello?]
Trevor tilts his head as he greets me.
One of Trevor's unique traits is that he can only say "Hello," earning him the nickname "Hello-man."
[Hello Hello Hello Hello Hello Hello Hello Hello Hello Hello Hello Hello Hello Hello?]
He trembles with excitement and immediately rushes toward me at an insane speed!
Without hesitation, I extend my right hand, and a card appears before me. The card depicts a blonde-haired young man wearing a crown, holding a beautiful sword.
...This... impossible...
...King Arthur?
What kind of card is this? What effect will it have? My heart races nervously.
Then, my body suddenly tenses. My blood heats up and boils—it feels like something significant has changed in my body.
[A demon has appeared!]
[A threat to the world has been confirmed!]
[The unique trait [Savior] has been activated, and your stats have increased dramatically!]
[Your skill tree has increased by +10!]
[Status]
Name: Rei
Level: (90)
Gender: Male
Year: 1
Title: Otherworldly Hero
Mana: 25000/25000
Mana Recovery Speed: (B-)
Stamina: (B-)
Strength: (B-)
Intelligence: (S)
Willpower: (S)
Oh...
Look at this level and these abilities...
How amazing...
Unlike before, I feel like I can crush a large boulder with my bare hands.
I take the card and assume a stance.
Trevor points his hand, which has transformed into a sharp blade, toward me.
Then, just before it touches me...
I swipe the card across my belt, and the surroundings change.
A large room that clearly resembles a king's throne room, and I also feel an extraordinary presence behind me. The presence, which was sitting, immediately rises and stands behind Rei.
"Henshin!"
Light envelops me for a moment, and the extraordinary presence merges into my body. My body transforms, and a beautiful armor covers me. My right hand holds a magnificent golden sword.
...Excalibur.
I quickly regain my awareness of the battle. Trevor's sharp blade, aimed at my face, is right in front of my eyes. I dodge it and leap away.
This reflex... is amazing.
There's no reflex stat, but I'm sure my reflexes have improved dramatically.
After catching my breath for a moment, I immediately charge at Trevor.
We fight for a while. When he swings his arm, transformed into a sharp blade, I dodge it. Then, when I try to slash him, Trevor blocks my sword with both of his arms.
This continues until I finally find an opening due to Trevor's carelessness.
Slaash—!
My sword cuts off his right arm, causing him to stagger back.
That's when I realize I can't waste any more time, and I finally raise both hands while holding Excalibur.
I close my eyes and focus my mana into Excalibur. I can feel it—slowly, Excalibur begins to shine brighter and brighter, not just from my mana but also from the mana of nature.
At that moment, I recall a phrase about the legend of King Arthur.
"His sword shines, a dream that all warriors scattered in battle—past, present, and future—hold and mournfully exalt as their final moments approach.
He carries their will as his pride, bidding them to remain steadfast in their loyalty.
Now, the undefeated kings sing aloud the name of the miracle he holds in his hands."
I then slowly open both eyes. I take a step forward, and that step creates a massive pressure wave that spreads in all directions. Particles of light shine around me, as if the world is illuminating me. I raise Excalibur with determination high above my head. Then, I take a deep breath—
Yes, this is the moment...
Like in the legend.
Like in the anime [Fate] that I once watched.
"Ex....caliburrr!!"
Then, I swing both hands forward along with the sword. A massive energy blade of light erupts toward Trevor, finally splitting everything in its path, including Trevor himself. Lastly, after splitting a distant mountain, the energy blade rises into the sky, forming a giant pillar of light that towers high.