The hero is an idiot

The castle is shaking. The system is screaming in error. Somewhere above, the so-called "Hero's Party" is scrambling in confusion.

I'm grinning like a madman.

Because the script is gone.

The dungeon is no longer following the divine prophecy.

If Sir Leon thought he could march in here and effortlessly end my life, he's in for a very rude awakening.

I turn to General Horns, who's still staring at me like I just pissed on the holy scriptures.

"Status update."

His expression hardens.

"The collapse of Floor 98 has split the hero's party. The rogue is missing. The saint and the mage are together, but their path forward has been cut off. The hero, Sir Leon, is alone but advancing."

Alone.

Perfect.

"Summon my elite guards," I say. "We're going hunting."

General Horns hesitates. "My Lord, are you planning to confront the hero directly? Even separated, he is still—"

"Oh, no," I chuckle. "I'm not fighting him head-on. I have actual intelligence. I'd rather humiliate him first."

Let's get one thing straight—Sir Leon isn't some tactical genius.

He's the typical overpowered golden boy who solves all his problems by swinging his sword really hard.

That works when enemies fight him like NPCs in a scripted event.

But I'm not an NPC.

I refuse to be one.

Right now, he's charging through Floor 99 like a good little protagonist, expecting me to wait obediently on my throne.

Too bad for him, I'm already moving.

I sprint down a hidden passage, my mind racing. If I time this right…

A system notification flickers into view.

> [WARNING: Sir Leon has reached the Throne Room Entrance.]

[Final Boss Event Triggered.]

[Commencing Cutscene…]

I grin.

The game still thinks I'm in the throne room? Good.

That means Leon is about to walk into a completely empty boss chamber.

A minute later

> [ERROR: FINAL BOSS MISSING.]

[EVENT FLAG FAILED TO TRIGGER.]

[RECALCULATING…]

Boom.

Another explosion shakes the dungeon as the system scrambles to compensate.

Leon was supposed to walk in, hear my villain speech, and then kill me in a fair fight.

Instead, he's staring at an empty throne, with the castle collapsing around him.

And from what I remember of his character, there are only two ways he reacts to confusion:

1. Blind rage.

2. Even blinder rage.

Which means—

> [Sir Leon has decided to CHARGE FORWARD.]

I grin.

Hook, line, and sinker.

Because if he had any brains at all, he'd stop and rethink his approach. Maybe look for his missing teammates, or check for traps.

But no.

He's still treating this like a normal boss battle.

Which means he has no idea that I'm already waiting for him.

I stop in the middle of a crumbling hallway, watching the dust settle.

This is it.

Any second now

A golden blur crashes through the wreckage ahead, Sir Leon himself, his sword blazing with divine energy.

His armor gleams, untouched by debris, because of course it does. His expression is pure, righteous fury.

"Where is he?!" Leon bellows, his voice echoing through the ruins. "Demon King! Face me!"

I slowly step into the dim torchlight, my cape billowing dramatically behind me.

It's important to look cool.

"Looking for me, hero?" I smirk.

Leon's eyes lock onto me, and I swear I hear the system chime with boss music.

"So," he snarls, gripping his sword, "you abandoned your throne to hide like a coward?"

I tilt my head. "Oh? That's funny, considering you're the one walking into my trap."

His expression flickers.

Just for a second. But that's all I need.

Because Leon's confidence comes from his overpowered stats and divine cheats.

He's never actually had to think.

He lunges at me, blade flashing, aiming for my head.

And the moment he enters my range—

I sidestep.

> [Sir Leon has activated: HOLY STRIKE.]

[Attack Missed.]

He stumbles, eyes wide.

"What—?"

I snap my fingers.

The floor beneath him collapses.

Leon plunges straight into the abyss.

I hear his scream fading into the darkness below, followed by a distant crash.

A system notification flickers.

> [Sir Leon has fallen to B1F: Labyrinth of Eternal Suffering.]

[New Quest Assigned: Escape the Labyrinth.]

I cross my arms, watching the dust settle.

And that, kids, is why you never put all your points into strength.

Leon is a cheater, but even cheats have limits.

Right now, he's stuck in one of the worst places in the dungeon.

The Labyrinth of Eternal Suffering is a maze designed for lost souls.

A place where time distorts, monsters regenerate, and the exit constantly shifts.

Not even his divine sword can cut through walls when they reshape themselves.

The best part is I didn't even touch him.

The gods can't accuse me of breaking their stupid prophecy when I never actually fought him.

He defeated himself.

I turn away from the gaping hole, rolling my shoulders.

"Well then," I mutter. "One problem down. Time to clean up the rest."

Because the saint and the mage are still alive.

The rogue is still missing.

And the gods won't sit still after this.

But now, it's my turn to play the game.