A week before chaos

Days turned into weeks, and at last, the preparations were complete. The battle against the Demon King was about to begin.

Volse: “We must defeat this Demon King and bring peace to this world!”

Everyone: “YEAHHHH!”

(I never thought he would make the demons this strong. Even the ones I used to kill with a single strike have now become troublesome enemies.)

(In this one month, our preparations were barely enough. The parties we sent to gather information about the Demon King never returned, and we soon realized the demons were multiplying at an alarming rate.)

What should have been a small party’s mission to face the Demon King had now turned into leading an army of a hundred thousand. Fifty thousand knights, ten thousand magicians, ten thousand healers, twenty thousand archers, and ten thousand of various other professions. In just one month, the Hero’s party had slain countless demons until only the king himself remained.

Volse: “Everyone ready!?”

Everyone: “READY!!!”

Volse: “Magicians, cast your buff magic!”

Magicians: “Yes! Draco Strength! Wind Step! Golem Body! Recovery Boost!”

The spells multiplied their strength, speed, endurance, and recovery a hundredfold.

Volse: “Knights, front with me! Magicians in the middle and rear! Healers at the back! Let’s go!”

With a massive-scale teleportation spell, the magicians warped all 100,000 soldiers right in front of the Demon King’s castle. Excitement and determination filled the air—they wanted this to be the last battle.

The moment they arrived, the magicians launched a bombardment.

Magicians: “FIRE BURST!”

Ten thousand magicians chanted in unison, unleashing fire magic like a catastrophic bomb. The Demon King’s castle was reduced to ashes in an instant.

But as the smoke cleared… there he was. Unscathed. Thirty meters tall, sitting on his throne as if nothing had happened.

Vares: “So, the answer is no. Well then… be ready.”

Volse: “ATTACK!!!”

The battle didn’t even last an hour. The Demon King annihilated almost the entire army. Swords, spears, spells—none could leave a scratch. Meanwhile, his every strike pierced through even the strongest defenses, his blows impossible to heal or undo.

Aldegier and Toba were slain. Eva was cast away to some unknown place. Even the Hero trembled before such overwhelming power… but he stood his ground. He had to.

Volse: “What the hell… this bastrd… even buffed a hundred-thousand times over, I can’t even scratch him!”*

He clenched his teeth, resolved himself, and roared:

Volse: “FANAAAA!!! USE IT ON MEEE!!!”

Fana understood. The ultimate spell. The forbidden one.

With this, the target would grow a billion times stronger. And with the Hero’s special ability, that would multiply into a quadrillion. But the cost… was death.

Fana: “Are you trying to die!?”

Volse: “I have no choice! DO IT!”

Fana: “…I see. Goodbye, Volse. — Divine Body!”

Volse: “Goodbye.”

His body erupted with a terrifying aura of red, black, and white. He braced himself, eyes locked on the Demon King.

Vares only chuckled.

Vares: “You sacrifice your life for nothing. Why not try another day? I could wait, you know.”

Volse: “Don’t underestimate me! — DIVINE LIFE!!!”

His aura shifted, becoming even more monstrous. From one quadrillion times stronger to one sextillion. The Hero had reached the unimaginable.

And yet, Vares still looked unimpressed.

Vares: “With that much power, you could destroy the world with just a single step. Power corrupts, Hero.”

He stomped the ground, shrouding the world in a protective light—preventing it from being destroyed outright by the Hero’s strength.

Vares: “Now then, hit me with all you’ve got.”

The Hero dashed forward. The speed was beyond reason—so fast the world itself seemed frozen, time itself reversing as he advanced. His fist slammed into the Demon King.

BOOOOOOM!

The impact erased countless planets, stars, even galaxies. The universe itself trembled, collapsing into chaos. Darkness spread everywhere.

But because of Vares, the world did not shatter.

Vares: “So this… is the peak of humanity.”

The Demon King bore only a light wound.

The Hero didn’t stop. He punched again, and again, and again. But each strike only destabilized the cosmos further, tearing reality apart, without dealing true damage.

Vares had seen enough.

Vares: “…Goodbye, Hero.”

And with a mere gesture, he erased Volse’s very existence.

Looking at the collapsing universe, he muttered:

Vares: “He really would’ve destroyed everything… just to kill me. If his mind still lingered, would he stop? …Eh. Probably not. Humans would rather destroy the world than kneel.”

With a snap of his fingers, Vares restored the universe. The light that cloaked the world faded. But the Hero was gone.

Seeing this, the army despaired. They fled. Fana teleported the survivors back to the kingdom, though she stayed behind.

Fana: “Teleportation!”

Vares: “Good job. So tell me… why are you still here, little mage?”

Fana: “…Because I must face you. Even if it costs my life!”

Vares: “Your pride won’t give your people hope, you know.”

Fana: “……”

Vares: “…Go home.”

He sent her back to Rosos with the survivors. At the same time, he broadcasted the truth across the world.

Elves: “Impossible! You say our princess is dead!? Lies!”

Draco race: “Toba… is dead!?”

People: “The Hero lost!? How could this be!?”

Fear and despair spread everywhere.

Vares: “Three years from today, I will wipe all of you from existence. So… live your lives.”

His words plunged the world into darkness, but also united the races like never before.

—Flashback ends—

Rei: “…Three years.”

Choki: “Yep. Those words threw everyone into a panic. That’s when Fana used her magic to lock their memories. Only a few know the truth.”

Rei: “…Were you in that battle?”

Choki: “Yeah. As a knight.”

Rei: “I see… So, when will it happen?”

Choki: “Next week.”

Rei: “…WHAT!?”

*(Next week!? That’s insane! How the hell am I supposed to fight demons in just a week!?) *

Rei: “…Thanks for the info. Here, a gold coin.”

Choki: “Ohohoho! Time to buy some booze!”

Choki left, and once he was far enough, I released the illusion I had placed on him.

Rei: “…A week, huh?”

I began drafting a plan in my head.

(First, I need to learn magic. Second, I need to learn about demons. Third… I must train my body.)

I left the alley and headed to the market to buy food. The bustling streets made me nervous, but I pushed myself forward.

That’s when a delicious aroma caught my nose—grilled beef.

Rei: “Excuse me, how much for the grilled beef?”

Shopkeeper: “Welcome! Three bronze coins each.”

Rei: “I’ll take three, please.”

Shopkeeper: “Right away!”

—A few moments later—

Shopkeeper: “Here you go.”

Rei: “Thank you.”

I handed him a silver coin and received a single bronze coin in change. Curious, I asked about the currency.

Rei: “Sorry, I’m new here. Could you tell me the value of a silver coin?”

Shopkeeper: “Of course! Bronze is the lowest. One silver equals fifty bronze. One gold equals twenty silver. And one royal coin equals ten gold.”

Rei: “Ah, thank you very much.”

Shopkeeper: “No problem.”

I walked back to the refugee camp while eating the grilled beef. The strong flavor mixed with special sauce had me hooked.

At the camp, I looked for Lady Fana to ask her to teach me magic. After a long search, I learned she was out.

(Dammit… wandering around like an idiot, only to find she’s not even here.)

Just then, she returned. Summoning all my courage, I approached her.

Rei: “Excuse me, Lady Fana. I wonder… would you teach me magic?”

Fana: “Just read the books in the library. Don’t bother me.”

Rei: “Could you at least tell me what magic is, and if I can use it?”

Fana: “…If I tell you, will you leave me alone?”

Rei: “Yes.”

Fana: “Magic is a phenomenon created through incantations. But if your imagination is strong enough, you can skip the chant. Magic consumes mana, and when that runs out, it eats into your life force. That’s my view of it. And yes, you can use magic. Now go away!”

I left before she got angrier. People stared at me, so I rushed back to my room.

“I’ll talk to her again later…”

I tried to use magic on my own. In my mind, I imagined a small water orb forming in my palm. But nothing happened.

“Huh? Why isn’t it working?”

“Am I missing something…?”

I tried again and again, but failed each time.

“…I’ll just ask her.”

I went back down and found Lady Fana experimenting with magic.

Rei: “Excuse me, Lady Fana. For some reason, I can’t use magic. Could you tell me what’s wrong with me?”

She glanced at me, then reached out.

Fana: “Give me your hand.”

Rei: “Here.”

The moment she held it, I felt energy surge into me.

Rei: “Wh-what’s happening!?”

Fana: “I’ve given your body a taste of magic. It activates your ability to produce mana.”

Rei: “Then… the water orb I used yesterday, wasn’t that magic? I thought it was.”

Fana: “No. Magic devices don’t awaken mana. Now try again.”

I did. This time, a small orb of water formed in my palm. I grinned.

Fana: “So you used your imagination to activate it?”

Her tone was different. Startled, I lied.

Rei: “No, I just… whispered the spell with low tones.”

Fana: “Fine.”

Rei: “Thank you, Lady Fana.”

Fana: “Yeah, sure.”

I returned to my room, grabbed the clothes I’d been given, and headed to the tailor shop.

After a long walk, I arrived. An elderly woman greeted me, the owner. I asked if she could adjust my clothes, and she said yes, though it would take until tomorrow. I agreed and browsed her shop.

I found an outfit that suited me.

Rei: “How much is this one?”

Tailor Granny: “Ten silver coins. It’ll automatically fit your body.”

Rei: “Really? Then I’ll take it. Also, do you have a mask?”

Tailor Granny: “Yes, let me find one.”

She returned with a suitable mask.

Tailor Granny: “There you go. Including the adjustment, it’ll be twelve silver coins total.”

I paid, changed into the new clothes, and looked in the mirror.

(This looks good.)

Rei: “Thank you, ma’am. I’ll come back tomorrow.”

Leaving the shop, I decided to visit the library. After asking around, I found a free library where anyone could read as much as they wanted. I studied books on magic for hours until nightfall, then started heading home.

On the way, I spotted a girl with light blonde hair and aquamarine eyes, counting money alone in an alley. I almost walked past, but two thugs approached her.

They argued, and one slapped her across the face.

Thug 1: “I told you to bring more money!”

Thug 2: “Use your body or something! Just give us more tomorrow! Your debt’s piling up!”

Girl: “I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I’ll do better tomorrow…”

Her tears made it impossible for me to leave. When one of them raised his hand to slap her again, I grabbed it mid-swing.

Rei: “Stop it!”

Thug 1: “Unhand me bast*rd! Who the hell are you?”

Thug 2: “Is she you friend or something?”

Rei: “You don’t need to know.”

Thug 2: “This guy is funny! Let’s beat him!”

Thug 1: “For sure.”

They started surrounding me, and thug 2 was about to throw a punch, but instead, he got punched by thug 1.

Thug 2: “Eat this!”

*BONG*

Thug 2: “What the hell, man!? Why are you punching me!?”

Thug 1: “You’re bothering us, dammit!”

Thug 2: “Hahh!?”

With my ability i make thug 1 see thug 2 as me and they start fighting each other, which made the guards come to arrest both of them.

The girl: “Who are you, mister?”

Rei: “My name is Eir.”

The girl: “My name is Resa, nice to meet you!”

Rei: “Who were they?”

Resa: “They’re debt collectors.”

Rei: “How much debt do you have?”

Resa: “I don’t have a debt! I already paid it in full, but they never see it that way. They keep saying I must pay interest, even though we never agreed on that.”

Resa’s stomach suddenly growled, making her blush in embarrassment. I only looked at her with a smile and handed her one silver coin.

Rei: “Buy some food with this money. See ya!”

Resa: “Ehh, but…”

I started walking away from that place, and with an illusion, I made myself invisible to Resa’s eyes.

Resa : “Thank you Mister Eir!”