Chapter 2: The Prologue [2]

It really was unfortunate that they had to die today.

Well, according to the novel, they had to.

But, more importantly, for me to survive, they had to.

The question then remained...how?

I was just some random high-school student who enjoyed reading books and occasionally playing cards.

How could I possibly defeat an army that had trained for tens of years in combat and a hero who quite literally had god on his side?

Well, the "hero" had the book god on his side.

Unfortunately for him, I had the author or the world's and his god's creator on mine.

That's why, upon realizing my situation, I didn't make any sudden movements or attempt to run and hide.

It would be futile anyway.

The area around the cathedral was probably in shambles from the "hero's" fight with my minions, so escape was impossible.

And where would I even go from there?

The nearest civilization from here was hundreds of miles away.

Seeing the "hero" raise his light-blue sword and slowly point its tip at me, I finally sat up straight and looked to the right.

And, like a loyal dog waiting for its owner, a light-blue holographic screen that could only be seen by me was waiting.

I wasn't special in this case; those who were enlightened had a system menu they could use to check their skills, abilities, and mastery.

=======

[Athen / 16]

▶ Stats

[Rating: E+]

--> [Strength : E]

--> [Stamina: D-]

--> [Speed: D-]

--> [Perception: D]

--> [Vitality: E-]

--> [Magic Power: E]

▶ Gift

--> N/A

▶ Traits

--> Demon God Lineage [1 / ?]

---> Devil Transformation: Take the form of a Devil. 

▶ Skills

--> N/A

=======

Staring at the abysmal system menu in front of me, I couldn't help but groan and shake in my chair.

The book's author hadn't mentioned that his final antagonist was an evolving one anywhere in the book...

The fight between the main character and the final antagonist was still years away, so it shouldn't have been necessarily surprising that the antagonist was so weak right now.

However... how did the demon prince manage to defeat the current "hero" and his entire army then!?

Currently, I was probably weaker than any of the hundreds of soldiers before me.

And the hero?

He was miles ahead of me in terms of stats, skills, and even lineage.

I mean...I didn't even have a gift or aspect yet.

Of course, from the book, I knew the demon prince's gift was sword-related as he fought the protagonist with one, but why wasn't it on my system menu?

In terms of strength, speed, vitality, and agility... I was probably the same as my old self on Earth!

Putting aside the demon prince's terrible stats, I glanced confusedly at the top portion of the system menu, which read, "16."

I was the same age as myself on Earth, the protagonist, and the book's main cast...?

The book also hadn't mentioned the demon prince's age anywhere in the book as far as I could recall, and when you think of a final antagonist, "teenager" doesn't really come to mind.

So, when I had been transmigrated, I had just naturally assumed that I had taken over an adult's body.

Shifting my gaze away from the system menu, I stared down at my body, which was now illuminated by the "hero's" divine blue sword.

My entire body was surrounded by a baggy black cloak, showing no skin in the slightest.

Even my hands, neck, and feet weren't visible as the cloak stretched all the way from the bottom of my chin to the cathedral floor.

Raising my hand, which was covered by the sleeve of my cloak, I attempted to feel the skin on my face, but instead, I felt a cold sensation rush against my body as my fingers touched a stone-hard material.

"A mask as well..."

The demon prince seemed to have gone through extreme precautions to protect his identity and appearance.

However...wasn't everybody here supposed to die today?

So, what did it matter if they saw his appearance?

Shaking my head, I glanced at my last hope of survival on the system menu.

The first stage of my devil's lineage.

The heroes, alongside a couple of descendants from royal families, also possessed lineage abilities...in fact, I was staring at one right now.

The infamous current "hero's" divine-blue sword was said to be infused with the power of the sacred and holy god, Astrea.

Although the reality of my situation and the possibility of my death was starting to creep in, I decided to trust the book.

In the book, the demon prince had won this fight, cementing himself as the new demon king.

And, from my system menu, it was quite clear how he had done it.

However, it was odd.

This ability had to be somewhat powerful as it was part of the demon god's lineage...so how come the demon prince hadn't used it in his final fight with the protagonist?

In fact, within the entire book, the words "Devil Transformation" hadn't been mentioned once.

Did the ability come with some enormous drawback that made the demon prince not want to use it...or was it simply useless?

As I internally came to a decision, a loud voice suddenly echoed from below.

Shifting my gaze downward, I saw the "hero" with his mouth wide open as he pointed the tip of his light-blue sword at me.

"Stop looking back. The only way now is ahead."

Pausing for a moment, perhaps for dramatic effect, the "hero" looked back over his right shoulder at his army and continued.

"If we do not win today...we trust that our ancestors and descendants will follow our path. Even if we do not end the fight right now, take pride in being a stepping stone towards our eventual but inevitable victory."

Raising his free hand to the ceiling, the "hero" gazed at my mask before upping his tone and screaming.

"BECAUSE WE ARE HUMANS. THE INDOMITABLE HUMAN SPIRIT CHARGES ON, EVEN BEYOND DEATH!"