The battle quickly turned chaotic.
Demons poured into the throne hall from every direction. Steel clashed, spells exploded, and the screams of monsters echoed through the castle.
I tightened my grip on my sword.
Think.
What was the Demon King's weakness again?
I tried to remember the original story.
There had been something important… something that allowed the hero to defeat him.
But before I could think any further—
"Behind us!"
Several demons suddenly rushed toward the back line.
"Damn it!"
I dropped my backpack onto the floor and unsheathed my weapon.
Clang.
Slash.
The first demon lunged forward.
My blade cut across its neck.
Another jumped toward the healers.
I stepped forward and stabbed it through the chest.
But more were coming.
This fight between the Hero and the Demon King… it won't last much longer.
I glanced toward the throne.
Leo and Taiga were fighting the Demon King head-on.
Their clash shook the entire room.
The Demon King's broadsword smashed against Leo's blade while Taiga tried to restrain his movements.
Think.
There was something important about this place.
Something about the throne.
My eyes scanned the room desperately.
Then—
I saw it.
Behind the Demon King's throne.
A small crack in the stone wall.
My eyes widened.
That's right.
The Demon King's real heart isn't inside his body.
It's hidden inside the wall behind the throne.
"That's it…"
"That's his weakness."
If Leo stabs the heart behind the wall, the Demon King will die.
I turned toward Leo and Taiga—
But another group of demons rushed toward us.
Someone had to protect the back line.
I clenched my teeth.
Then I looked at the closest person beside me.
Dia-chan.
"Dia-chan!"
She turned toward me immediately.
"Yes?!"
"I need you to tell Leo and Taiga the Demon King's weakness!"
Her eyes widened.
"…What?"
"You have to go to the front line and tell them!"
She shook her head immediately.
"No… I can't."
Another demon rushed toward us.
Clang.
Slash.
I killed it quickly.
Dia-chan grabbed my arm tightly.
"I can't leave you!"
Her voice trembled.
"I'm afraid… I might lose you again."
More demons rushed forward.
I cut one down while pushing another away with my shoulder.
"Dia-chan!"
I grabbed both of her shoulders.
"Listen to me."
"If we don't tell them, this fight will never end."
"But—"
"I'll be fine."
I forced a smile.
"Please."
"I'm begging you."
Her hands trembled.
I pulled her into a quick hug.
"Go."
"I promise I'll come back alive."
"No matter what happens, I'll return to you."
For a moment, she didn't move.
Then slowly…
She nodded.
"…Okay."
She turned and started running toward the front line.
I watched her pink hair disappear into the chaos of the battlefield.
Please make it in time.
---
Moments later—
"Taiga!"
I heard her voice echo across the hall.
She told them.
Taiga roared and rushed forward.
"LEO!"
He grabbed the Demon King's arm and forced him backward.
"NOW!"
Leo's eyes widened.
He saw it.
The crack in the wall behind the throne.
Without hesitation, he thrust his sword forward.
The blade pierced deep into the stone.
Then—
A horrible scream filled the throne hall.
"AAAAAAARGH!"
The Demon King's body froze.
Cracks spread across his skin.
"This… can't be…"
He collapsed onto the floor.
And then—
His body began turning into black smoke.
The remaining demons around the castle also died and began disappearing like the Demon King.
For a moment…
No one spoke.
Then someone shouted.
"We won!!"
Cheers erupted across the hall.
People laughed.
Some fell to their knees in relief.
Others cried.
The Hero had defeated the Demon King.
This was the ending of the story.
I stood there quietly.
Watching everything.
Listening to the cheers.
Finally…
I had reached the ending.
The story I loved so much.
And yet—
For some reason…
My chest felt strangely heavy.
Then I remembered.
Ah.
Right.
This is where my role ends.
A moment later, a screen appeared in front of him.
"Congratulations. You have reached the ending."
The next line was what truly shocked him.
"Time left until you die."
A countdown appeared before him.
"04:59."