"Oh, for fu*k's sake! Why the fu*k is my luck so down bad? Ever since I awakened my mana core, nothing but trouble has been coming my way. I keep running into massive beasts I've never even heard of before. And now… I can barely move; my back's killing me."

"So this is it, huh? I wish I could se—" As he was about to say his last words, a familiar voice called out from behind him.

"Alex! Alex, are you okay?" The voice grew clearer, and from behind a rock emerged Maren, the old man's expression twisted with shock as he took in the sight before him. The creature before Alex was terrifying, a sight that would make even the bravest shudder.

"A… rank 3 beast in this forest?" Maren's voice trembled as he processed the scene. "There should only be rank 2 beasts at most in the outer forest. How did this thing end up here?"

Though Maren himself was a rank 3 magician, he was only in the middle stage. Without knowing the exact sub-stage of this beast, he realized the fight could be close. Rank 3 magicians and beasts often matched in strength, though a higher sub-stage could mean just enough extra mana to tip the balance—an advantage, even if slight, could be deadly.

Seeing the beast in front of them, Maren turned to Alex, a grim determination in his eyes. "Alex," he began, his voice steady despite the fear in his gaze, "you're the only other magician in the village. If I don't make it out of this… promise me you'll protect my daughter and the village."

This was a favor Alex had once offered both Maren and his daughter, Lira, telling them he would help however he could if the time ever came. Now, Maren was facing the reality of that promise, knowing the beast couldn't be left unchecked. If it rampaged freely, it would tear through the village without hesitation.

Maren had taught Alex that each rank of beasts represented a significant leap in power. Rank 1 beasts could shatter trees and rocks with ease. Rank 2 beasts had the strength to devastate parts of the environment. Rank 3, like the one before them, could destroy an entire small village. Rank 4 could level a small town, and Rank 5 could bring a large city to ruin. Beyond that, ranks 6 through 9 were shrouded in mystery—Maren had never seen anyone of those ranks, as they were considered exceedingly rare.

Unlike Maren, who was focused on the beast before them, Alex's mind was racing in an entirely different direction. 'Oh, come on,' he thought, 'why do I have to end up in the most cliche situation ever? It's like one of those cringy stories where the old man dies to protect someone, then the so-called hero has to look after his granddaughter—and, of course, she always ends up as one of his ten wives or something.'

He rolled his eyes inwardly. 'I can't stand that kind of development, but what choice do I have? Guess I'll just play along.' He felt no desire to follow that path. Unlike those tales, he only had eyes for his girlfriend, Elara. 'Even if Lira does confess to me someday, I'll find a way to gently change her mind.'

Stolen story; please report.

As Maren assessed the beast before him, his thoughts drifted to his granddaughter. Though he'd entrusted her to someone as young and relatively unknown as Alex, he couldn't help but feel a lingering worry. Still, Maren felt confident in his decision. His unique skill allowed him to read the minds of opponents ranked below him—a limited ability, since it didn't work on those at his own level or higher, but it had been enough to gauge Alex's intentions.

"So be careful, and get back to the village," Maren urged. "Help them reach a safe place."

"wait but if I go who can help you here, you are gonna die"

"Hey, brat, don't underestimate me," Maren said with a determined smirk. "I'm still far from being defeated. My original rank is rank 4—I can handle this, but it'll take some time. So go, get to the village, and help them!"

As he spoke, the pressure around him intensified, and his body became shrouded in fierce red flames, radiating an overwhelming aura that made the air feel thick and heavy.

"Alright, but do your best to survive, okay?" Alex said firmly. "I don't care about anyone else in the village—I owe your family a favor, so that's who I'll protect. But... I hope you make it back."

With that, Alex turned and sprinted into the woods, heading straight for the village.

"Sorry, but I won't be able to make it back," Maren said grimly. "This isn't the only beast I'm up against. There are over fifty rank 2 beasts... and even two rank 3s."

As he spoke, he removed his shirt, revealing a muscular frame with defined six-pack abs. His muscles were powerful, veins visibly running from head to toe. This transformation was due to his unique skill—his final ability, "Sacrifice by Death." As the name suggested, it allowed him to ascend by one main rank, from rank 3 to rank 4, at the cost of his own life.

Once activated, his death was inevitable; not even a plot armor could save him from the finality of "Sacrifice by Death." This skill allowed a magician to ascend only up to rank 5—going beyond that would be too broken, even if one sacrificed their life. The restriction ensured that no one could break the balance by reaching rank 6 through this skill, no matter the cost.

As Maren's flames intensified, the entire battlefield turned into an inferno. The heat warped the air, and the ground cracked beneath him, scorched from the relentless waves of fire pouring from his body. Ahead of him loomed a horde—over fifty rank 2 beasts and three rank 3s closing in fast.

Maren charged forward, fists ablaze, cutting through the swarm with precise, powerful strikes. Each blow lit the creatures on fire, reducing them to smoldering ash. The rank 2 beasts fell back in waves, but the rank 3s pushed forward, testing every ounce of his strength. He held his ground, driving them back with swift punches, his fiery fists leaving trails of heat in the air.

But he could feel the cost. Each strike, each surge of flame, was draining his life force, pushing his body to its limits. His breaths came heavier, but he didn't falter—there was no turning back.

The three rank-3 beasts lunged at him together, forcing Maren to channel everything he had left. His flames roared, spreading in a final surge that scorched the ground and engulfed the beasts in a blazing storm. They thrashed, struggling desperately to extinguish the fire consuming them, but it clung relentlessly, growing hotter with every second.

As the flames finally settled, the charred remains of the beasts stood motionless, reduced to blackened charcoal.

Exhausted, Maren dropped to one knee. The flames around him faded as his life force ebbed away, but he had done what was needed.

Maren has died.