Reichi stood at the edge of the glowing abyssal pit, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His body was covered in deep gashes, and his simple iron sword was snapped in half. Behind him, the 'Great Demon King's' lair rumbled with ancient, terrifying magic.
"Erina... help me..." Reichi coughed, reaching out a blood-stained hand toward the beautiful woman in white priestess robes.
Erina, the Saintess of Light, looked down at him. But there was no worry in her eyes. Instead, a cold, mocking smile played on her lips. Beside her stood Prince Kael, his golden armor shining brightly.
"You've played your part well, Reichi," Erina whispered, her voice like ice. "The 'Weakest Hero' from Japan. Your only purpose was to trigger the sacrificial seal. Now that the door is open, we don't need a useless battery like you anymore."
"What... what are you saying?" Reichi's heart froze.
"He's saying you're a sacrifice, boy," Prince Kael laughed, stepping forward. He kicked Reichi's chest, sending him staggering back toward the edge of the darkness. "We'll take your 'Hero Essence' and become true gods. Goodbye, Reichi. Enjoy the void."
Erina didn't even look back as she channeled a burst of light magic, blasting Reichi off the cliff. As he fell into the swirling purple darkness of the abyss, the last thing he saw was the woman he loved laughing in the arms of another man.
[System Notification: Heart Rate Zero... Soul Integrity Failing...] [Condition Met: The Betrayed One's Grudge...] [Initializing 'Dimensional Reconnection'...]