Another week had passed, and the air was thick with the tension of impending battle. The villagers and I had been working tirelessly to fortify our defenses, preparing for the inevitable next assault from the demons.

The chief had even sent a messenger to the royal capital, pleading for reinforcements. But the response?

“Don’t make up lies,” they said. “A demon general attacking your village? Ridiculous. You’re just seeking attention.”

Ridiculous. Seeking attention. Those words rang in my ears. How could they be so blind? The chief returned, his face etched with frustration and a heavy heart.

I sat him down, handing him a cup of tea. “Chief,” I said, “I know it’s frustrating, but we’ll make do. We’ve done it before, and we’ll do it again.”

He sighed, shaking his head. “Alex, it’s not just us. The capital is stretched thin. Between the fallout from Skyrend rampage and this new demon front, Solarius is barely holding itself together.”

The chief wasn’t wrong. The village newspaper had come with the latest updates: the Hero’s Party was battling a demon general at the front lines. The fight was brutal, neither side giving an inch. And with most of the royal army’s reserves deployed to the battlefield, villages like ours were left to fend for themselves.

I folded the newspaper and leaned back, staring at the ceiling of the village library where I’d taken up camp for planning. This timeline—it was just as I remembered from the game. One of the most grueling arcs, where Solarius teetered on the brink of collapse.

Resources dwindling, soldiers dropping like flies, hope hanging by a thread… and then, the turning point.

The True Hero’s Sword, "Nirvanger". The image flashed in my mind: the Hero, bloodied and broken, standing amidst his fallen comrades, the enemy closing in. Then, a beam of light from the heavens, the sword descending into his hands—a literal deus ex machina moment.

“That’s when the tides turn,” I muttered to myself. “The Hero gains the power to slay the demon general and rally Solarius. Classic RPG drama.”

But this wasn’t just a game anymore. This was my reality. And in this timeline, I couldn’t afford to sit on the sidelines waiting for the Hero to clean up the mess.

I stood up, rolling the map of the village defenses I’d been working on. “If the capital won’t help, and the Hero’s busy at the front, it’s up to us to survive this.”

Nyxis, who’d been munching on a fruit by my side, perked up. “Papa, are we going to fight more demons?”

I ruffled her feathers with a grin. “That’s right, sweetheart. But don’t worry—Papa’s got it handled.”

She chirped happily, and I turned to the villagers who had gathered around for the daily strategy meeting. “Listen up, everyone,” I said, voice steady but firm. “The capital won’t send reinforcements, but that doesn’t mean we’re done for. We’ve got brains, we’ve got magic, and we’ve got the will to fight. Stick to the plan, and we’ll show those demons what this village is made of.”

The room erupted in cheers, though their voices carried the weight of fear and determination.

Inside, I wasn’t as confident as I sounded. Belphagor wasn’t just any demon general; he was one of the toughest bosses I’d faced in the game. And now, he was coming for us—coming for Nyxis.

“This time,” I thought, clenching my fists, “I won’t rely on some heavenly sword or a scripted savior. I’ll carve our own path to victory.”

So by myself,

Ahhhmmm... Ahhhmmm...

So, let’s do a quick status check. My progress with chaos magic? Ehh… minimal. Let’s just say I’ve gained a tiny bit of control—barely enough to use it without feeling like my brain’s going to implode. Unlike the other magics, chaos feels alive. When I summon it, it’s as if a storm’s brewing in my hands, pulsating, itching to escape.

The headache I get is less intense now, but it’s still there—a rhythmic thump of raw energy.

“Ugh, let’s not think about that right now,” I muttered, shaking my head.

Back to the village defenses.

Using my earth magic, we’d prepared an underground escape route leading to a safe cave nearby. It was our fallback plan—a way for civilians to evacuate if things got out of hand. But honestly? I hoped we wouldn’t need it.

The battlefield was rigged with traps—pitfalls, explosive runes, and elemental wards—every inch of ground was a potential hazard for our enemies. The villagers were as ready as they could be, though nerves were running high. We all knew it was only a matter of time before the attack began.

And then, the day arrived.

The watchpost scout’s voice rang out in panic. “They’re here! The demons are here!”

I bolted up to the watchtower, Nyxis hot on my heels. As I reached the top, I saw the scout trembling, pale as a ghost. “S-so many... We can’t defeat them… We should run while we can!”

I grabbed his shoulders, steadying him. “Hey, listen to me,” I said firmly. “Do you want to abandon your home? The place where you were born, where your family lives?”

His eyes widened, but I continued. “Running won’t save us. It’s better to stand and fight, to protect what matters, even if it costs us everything. Be brave. Be a hero for your village. It's better to die protecting your motherland than cower and run.”

Something clicked in him. His breathing steadied, and he nodded. “Y-you’re right, sir. I’ll… I’ll do my part!”

“Good,” I said, patting him on the back. “Now, go get the chief and rally the battle formation. We’re in for a long fight.”

As he ran off, I turned my gaze to the horizon—and there they were.

An endless tide of monsters and demons poured toward us, darkening the land. Among them were higher-ranked demons, their twisted forms radiating malice.

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And at the center of it all, seated on a grotesque, bone-crafted throne carried by his troops, was Belphegor.

The bastard looked as smug as ever, laughing as he surveyed the village.

I clenched my fists. The watchpost scout hadn’t been exaggerating. There were at least ten thousand of them—ten thousand against us.

“This is it,” I thought, swallowing hard. “Life or death. Do or die.”

Nyxis tugged at my cloak. “Papa, are we going to fight them all?”

I crouched down, looking her in the eyes. “Yes, we are. But don’t worry. I’ve got this.”

She nodded with a determined chirp, her feathers bristling with energy.

Standing tall, I took a deep breath. My heart pounded, adrenaline coursing through my veins. “Alright, you oversized demon bastard,” I muttered under my breath. “You wanted a fight? You’ve got one.”

The battle for the village had begun.

“Time to show them what we’re made of.” I raised my hand, channeling mana into the air. My voice rang out, carrying across the village.

“ALL UNITS TO YOUR POSITIONS! IT’S TIME TO DEFEND OUR HOME!”

The villagers responded with a roar. Fear and hope mingled in their battle cries, but they stood ready.

“Belphegor,” I muttered, narrowing my eyes at the demon general lounging in his throne. “You picked the wrong village.”

The battlefield stretched before me, tense and chaotic, as the demon army charged forward like a tidal wave of destruction. The air buzzed with the snarls of monsters, the thundering of hooves, and the clanking of armor.

I stood at the frontline, my cloak billowing in the wind, issuing orders with as much confidence as I could muster.

"Archers, mages! Stay in position! Be ready to fire on my signal!" I commanded, my voice cutting through the cacophony.

The archers nodded, drawing their bows taut, their eyes focused and unwavering. The mages began channeling their magic, flames dancing at their fingertips, and arcs of energy crackling in their palms.

Alright, Alex, focus.

The village layout was my battlefield now. With the forest hemming it in, there was only one large path for the demon army to charge through. That chokepoint was both a blessing and a curse. I’d fortified it with traps, but the pressure of ten thousand enemies crashing against it… Yeah, no big deal.

But that’s where the man-eating plants came in.

Oh, yeah. Earth magic is awesome. Who knew all those sleepless nights in the library would pay off? One spell had summoned an array of gnarly, flesh-hungry vines that now lined the forest outskirts. It drained me dry when I cast it, but after a good night’s rest, I was back to full strength and ready to make these demons regret ever stepping foot here.

The demon army surged closer, their snarls growing louder. I raised my hand, focusing my mana.

“Earth Magic: Abyss Maw!”

The ground trembled violently, and then—crack!—a massive pit opened up beneath their charging forces. Screeches filled the air as demons and monsters tumbled into the gaping hole, a chaotic mess of flailing limbs and confusion.

“Archers, fire!” I shouted.

The archers loosed their arrows, each one hitting its mark. Hidden oil barrels, strategically placed along the demon horde’s path, burst open, spilling their contents across the battlefield. Black, viscous oil coated the writhing pit of demons and monsters.

The stench was overwhelming, but I didn’t falter.

“Mages, your turn! Ignite it!”

The mages unleashed their fire spells, streaks of flame arcing through the air. The moment the fire touched the oil, it erupted into a roaring inferno. The pit became an infernal trap, engulfing the demons in flames.

The screams of agony echoed, a gruesome symphony of war.

----------------------------------------

I clenched my fists, watching the chaos unfold. My chest tightened. This wasn’t a game anymore—this was real.

“Calm down, Alex,” I muttered under my breath, forcing myself to take slow, steady breaths. “This is war. It’s horrible, but we need to win. For the village. For peace.”

Nyxis hovered beside me, her gaze filled with concern. “Papa, are you okay?”

I looked down at her and forced a reassuring smile. “I’m fine, Nyxis. Don’t worry about me. Stay behind the lines, okay? Papa’s got this.”

Her little hands tightened as she nodded.

----------------------------------------

The fire blazed on, but the demon army wasn’t done yet. I could see Belphegor in the distance, barking orders from his throne. The next wave was preparing to charge.

I gritted my teeth. “Alright, Belphegor, round one goes to me. Let’s see how you handle round two.”

With renewed focus, I turned to my troops. “Hold your positions! This battle isn’t over yet!”

The battlefield roared with chaos as the inferno raged on, consuming wave after wave of demon troops. But, of course, that smug bastard Belphegor wouldn’t sit still for long.

From his makeshift throne carried by his underlings, he shouted, his guttural voice cutting through the air.

“Ahh, what the fuck is this?! That pesky human thinks fire will stop us?! Mages, stop gawking and do your job! Make a way forward, now!”

The demon mages sprang into action, chanting guttural incantations. The ground trembled again—not by my doing this time—as an earthen bridge began to rise over the burning pit. It groaned and cracked as the demons stomped across it, their fiery comrades still screaming below.

Great. So they’re stubborn.

"Alex!" shouted the Chief, standing beside me with his battle axe in hand. “They’re adapting. We can’t let them gain momentum!”

“I know,” I muttered, scanning the battlefield. My mind raced. The demons were advancing faster now, pushing through the smoke and flames. Their archers and mages joined the fray, sending volleys of arrows and spells hurtling toward us.

“Shields up!” I shouted to our front lines.

The villagers and adventurers at the barricades raised their shields just in time, deflecting most of the incoming projectiles. Some broke through, though, and I could hear the cries of pain from those caught in the barrage.

The demon warriors were closing in. Their snarls and roars were deafening, and their brute strength was terrifying. Facing them head-on was out of the question. We were outnumbered and outclassed in raw power.

"Alex, what’s the plan?” Lucy called out, her staff glowing faintly with defensive magic.

“Survive,” I said firmly. “We just need to survive and outlast them.”

I turned to Nyxis, who hovered nearby, her expression a mix of worry and determination.

“Nyxis,” I said, crouching down to her level. “You’re our secret weapon. Stay back for now, but when I give the signal, unleash everything you’ve got. Got it?”

She nodded fiercely. “Yes, Papa!”

The demon warriors were nearly upon us. I raised my hand, calling out to our archers and mages.

“Focus fire on the bridge! Slow them down as much as possible!”

A barrage of arrows and spells rained down on the demons, but they pressed on relentlessly. Their sheer numbers were overwhelming, and their warriors began to breach the barricades.

I clenched my fists, summoning my mana. “Earth Magic: Quaking Fault!”

The ground beneath the advancing warriors buckled and cracked, sending several of them tumbling into newly formed chasms. But more kept coming.

Belphegor laughed maniacally from his perch. “Is that all you’ve got, human?! Burn your own resources if you want, but you’ll fall soon enough!”

I gritted my teeth. “Not on my watch, you overgrown pest.”

The battle raged on, chaotic and unrelenting. Every second felt like an eternity, but one thing was clear: if we wanted to win, we’d have to hold out until the right moment. And that moment was coming.

The chaos of battle grew fiercer with every passing moment. The demons pressed forward like an unrelenting tide, their roars echoing through the smoky air. Our arrows and spells were thinning their ranks, but it wasn’t enough to break their momentum.

This is bad. If we don’t change the flow soon, we’ll be overwhelmed.

I turned to the Chief, who was already in the thick of it, his axe cleaving through a demon warrior with a strength that belied his injuries. “Chief, fall back and regroup the melee fighters! We can’t let them breach the barricades entirely!”

He gave a curt nod, his face grim. “Got it! Don’t die on me, Alex!”

I glanced up and spotted Belphegor still lounging on his throne like the egotistical maniac he was, barking orders at his troops. He didn’t even care about the carnage around him; he was laser-focused on one thing—Nyxis.

My fists clenched, and I had to force myself to stay calm. Not yet. He’s baiting me to rush him. I need to keep my head in the game.

“Papa!” Nyxis called out, hovering just behind me. “They’re getting too close! Can I use my magic now?”

“Not yet,” I said, my tone sharper than I intended. Her expression faltered for a moment, and guilt stabbed at me. I softened my voice. “Soon, Nyxis. I promise. Just hold on a little longer.”

The enemy mages began launching more powerful spells, fiery projectiles and shadowy tendrils soaring toward the barricades.

“Lucy!” I called out. “Put up a barrier—now!”

She raised her staff, chanting quickly. “Barrier Magic: Divine Aegis!”

A shimmering dome of light enveloped the front lines, deflecting the worst of the onslaught. But I could see the strain on her face.

“Lucy, don’t push yourself too hard!”

She shot me a fierce look. “I’m not letting them through, Alex! Focus on the fight!”

I turned back to the battlefield just in time to see the first wave of demon warriors breach the barricades.

“Front line, hold the line!” I shouted.

The melee fighters surged forward to engage the demons in close combat. Swords clashed against claws, and screams filled the air as both sides took casualties.

We’re holding, but barely. Time to tip the scales.

I raised my hand, channeling my mana. The familiar, pulsating energy of chaos magic stirred within me, threatening to spiral out of control. I gritted my teeth and focused.

“Chaos Magic: Rift Spikes!”

Black and red crystalline spires erupted from the ground in a chaotic pattern, impaling several demons and blocking off one of their main approaches. The strain of the spell made my head throb, but I held firm.

Belphegor finally stood from his throne, his massive frame looming over the battlefield. His voice boomed like thunder.

“You think your little tricks will stop me?! Humans, prepare to face the might of a demon general!”

He leaped down from his perch, landing with a thunderous crash that sent shockwaves rippling through the ground. His troops cheered wildly, their morale surging.

“Nyxis,” I said, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. “Now’s your time.”

Her golden eyes blazed with determination as she stepped forward. “Yes, Papa.”

She spread her wings, and a radiant aura enveloped her. The wind itself seemed to bow to her command as she began to chant in a melodic, otherworldly tone.

“Sky Magic: Tempest Surge!”

A massive gale swept across the battlefield, tearing through the demon ranks like a hurricane. Lightning crackled through the storm, striking down dozens of enemies in an instant.

Belphegor snarled, his eyes locking onto Nyxis. “There you are, my precious experiment!”

He charged toward her, his massive sword raised.

But I was faster.

“Not so fast, you overgrown pest!” I roared, intercepting him with a fiery slash from my sword, augmented with chaos energy.

Our blades clashed, sending a shockwave that rippled through the battlefield.

The real fight had begun.