The Extra Can't be A Hero

Without hesitation, Fenric, Gale, and Adelia launched themselves at the Left Guardian, who still stood frozen in disbelief, its domain torn apart moments ago by Leon's surge.

Gale led the charge with fury unmatched, his three Suns radiating pale blue brilliance. Each flare pulsed with destructive energy, and with a roar, he brought them crashing down upon the scholar-like Clay God. The searing flames scorched the corrupted husk of the Left Guardian, burning through demonic rot and breaking down the once-impeccable barrier enshrouding its body. Its form began to combust, cracks spreading like spiderwebs across its clay skin.

But the Left Guardian would not allow itself to be overrun so easily. With a guttural cry, it conjured a storm of arcane wrath, an endless downpour of spells falling like a meteor shower from the sky.

The battlefield erupted into chaos.

Gale was forced to retreat under the relentless barrage, but Adelia and Fenric pressed on.

Adelia's unmatched speed and grace allowed her to weave through the rain of destruction, a blur of silver and white light. She closed in on the Wheel of Samsara just as it began to creak ominously.

"Just stop!!!"

With a cry of defiance, she swung Argent Sun, her rapier flashing like a bolt of lightning. The strike sliced through three of the six prongs and sent out a violent shockwave. But even Adelia's dazzling footwork could not keep her unscathed.

The barrage intensified, forcing her to retreat after her daring strike.

Yet Fenric did not falter. A Runic Monk forged through endless trials, Fenric embodied endurance itself. Shimmering glyphs lit up along his arms and chest as [Diamond Skin] activated, the runes forming an ethereal armour.

Thunderbolts shattered against him. Fireballs splashed harmlessly across his skin. Icicles melted on impact. He marched through it all, unwavering, until he reached the crown of the Left Guardian.

There, he placed his palm over his chest, where a sacred rune had been carved long ago—a symbol of his unshakable will. Channelling the essence of that mark, he unleashed his ultimate technique: [Fist of Runhildir].

A tidal wave of runic energy exploded outward as his diamond fist collided with the Wheel of Samsara. The blow shook the realm itself. The Left Guardian broke, its massive form crumbling, and for the first time in the battle, it fell.

The spellstorm faded, and Fenric stepped back, his breath heavy.

The three regrouped, eyes locked on the fallen figure, hearts pounding in cautious hope.

"I-Is it done?"

"Looks like it…"

Adelia reaffirmed Gale's silent whisper with conviction. They had just thrown everything at the Left Guardian; even if it still had some fight left, they didn't…

But contrary to their expectations…

The Left Guardian rose from the debris, its clay body now on the verge of collapse. Pieces of its body fell haphazardly onto the ground as its once stoic face, now corrupted by demonic energy, showed signs of wrath. And with a vengeful burst, it forcibly turned the battered Wheel of Samsara by one shift.

Once again, the domain shifted, but this time, it was far more harrowing.

The group now stood upon an ancient battlefield, a scarred land eternally ablaze with the fires of war. Towering figures loomed in every direction.

Clay demigods, sculpted for one purpose: domination. Each one commanded legions that seemed to regenerate endlessly, their formations replenishing like clockwork as broken weapons and shattered armour littered the bloodstained earth.

And yet, it wasn't the scale of the battle that robbed them of breath—it was the demigods themselves.

These beings were titans of war, each exuding an aura so overwhelming that it mirrored, if not exceeded, the presence of a Solaris Commander. But there weren't just one or two—there were dozens—each one a living calamity, radiating a power that defied logic and hope.

They were transported into yet another realm, one where blood flowed faster than water, and a place where no human could ever hope to survive more than ten minutes.

Asura: The Path of Warring Demigods.

Realisation sank in like a stone through water: they stood no chance.

Adelia fell to her knees, her rapier trembling in her grip before slipping from her fingers. Gale let his weapon drop with a hollow clang, his eyes wide with disbelief. Even Fenric, the ever-resilient monk whose optimism never wavered, lowered his stance, his diamond-clad arms slack at his sides.

For a moment, none of them could move.

Not from fear.

But from the crushing weight of absolute, undeniable defeat.

"I-Is this… where we die?"

Adelia unknowingly brought everyone's thoughts to life. None of them could go toe-to-toe with one Asura, let alone a few dozen. Leon, still holding onto the edge of his consciousness, glanced towards his final hope—Manon, the Sky Spear.

Alas, the ancient spearman didn't have the luxury of assisting them this time. Caught in his own battle with the Right Guardian of Judgement, Manon couldn't spare a single thought on the young'uns who had lost their will to fight.

Realising this… Leon knew that there was only one person whom he could count on. One person who stood any chance of saving his comrades… himself.

"Ella… Take the rest and run."

Leon stood up and limped to the front, ignoring the cries of his lover.

"L-Leon! What are you talking about?!"

"The rest are in no condition to fight," Leon explained.

"Neither are you!"

"Please, Ella… I've got this."

Leon lied through his teeth with a brilliant smile: "Remember? I'm Leon Bright. The Hero of this generation, the man who will save the world and… the man you chose. A threat like this won't defeat me."

Leon peeled his lover's shaking fingers from his arm and gently stroked her emerald hair. Thinking that this would be the last time he'll feel her warmth, Leon pulled her in and landed his lips on hers. The kiss was short, but it conveyed all of his intentions in that one brush. And at the same time… it gave him the strength and conviction to continue with his decision.

"Go," Leon commanded. "I'll catch up with you later."

"... no, I won't leave."

"Ella."

"NO!!!"

Ellahan stamped her feet down, defiant in the face of her lover's command.

"If you are going to die, I will be right there by your side."

Ellahan—no, the Saintess—raised her hand, and divine power surged forth like a rising tide. In that moment, her true domain awakened, and the veil of mortality was cast aside. She fully embraced the mantle of the world's greatest holy figure, her presence transcending the mortal coil.

A blinding light erupted around her as the Tree of Origin unfurled its branches across the horizon, its roots threading through both earth and sky. From her back burst radiant wings, forged of purest light, casting long halos that shimmered with sanctity.

The ground quaked beneath her, not in fear, but in reverence. As she descended, her form became a beacon of grace, and all who witnessed her were struck with the undeniable truth: She had become divine.

"You…"

"The Hero always needs a Saintess, right?"

Ellahan squeaked adorably as her magic filled the hearts of those who had given up. Leon's fatigue, which had been piling up since arriving at Olavaguel, was washed away at that moment. His mind was clear, mana replenished, and body rejuvenated… Leon finally saw the world clearly as it was.

"You're right… And the Hero… needs to save the world."

Leon raised Ascalon once more, his blade shining with greater resplendence than ever before.

"That's the meaning… of my existence."

[Well said, junior!]

A booming voice thundered within Leon's mind, forcing him to pause. Instinctively, he knew where to look as he glanced down at the ornate blade in his hands.

"A-Ascalon?"

[Close! My name is Idrytis Solaris! The original owner of Ascalon!]

"I-Idrytis Solaris?!"

Leon had heard that name before! In fact, he'd heard it a little too much. Year after year, the Solaris House would celebrate its history, and even amidst its legendary past, one name stood out above all others.

The man who stood side-by-side with the Dragons and ended the Great Dragon War. The man who inherited the Golden Dragon Sovereign's essence and became the first ever Dragon Slayer. And… the man who founded the great Solaris House.

The Solaris Founder—Idrytis Solaris.

"Leon? What's the matter?"

"You can't hear him?"

"Hear what?"

Ella tilted her head, confused as to why Leon was suddenly behaving so peculiar.

[Heh, surprised, aren't you? Don't worry, I'm not a ghost that has come to haunt you or steal your body. I'm just a memory fragment sealed within this sword.]

Idrytis Solaris ignored Ellahan entirely and spoke directly to Leon. And that captured his attention.

"Memory fragment? T-Then, why are you appearing now?"

[Hmmm, that's a good question. Honestly, I'm not sure how this whole thing works, but your vessel finally emptying and accepting the Solaris bloodline played a part.]

"My vessel?"

[Did you not notice? When you emptied the Primordial water within your soul, your body fully transformed into a Solaris.]

"W-What?!"

Stunned, Leon turned Ascalon and observed himself in its reflection. His blue eyes had turned golden, and his stunningly blonde hair was turning darker by the minute. In no time, Leon would be indistinguishable from a regular member of the Solaris bloodline.

[Of course, that wasn't the only factor. The Wheel of Samsara, your girlfriend awakening as the Saintess, and the reaffirmation of your heart all played a role in waking me up. Though if you would like to awaken the other sleeping beauty, it would take a lot more.]

"Sleeping beauty?"

[Heh, figure that out yourself. Besides, do you have the luxury of thinking about that when there's an army of Asuras in front of you?]

Idrytis Solaris playfully withheld information and diverted Leon's attention to the looming threat over his shoulders.

"R-Right," Leon spoke to Ascalon like a madman, drawing a concerned gaze from Ellahan beside him. However, Leon ignored that completely as he spoke.

"Is there a way we can win this?"

[Impossible, with your current ability, you'll be lucky even to destroy one Asura, let alone the rest.]

"... so what do you suggest?"

[Well… Remember when I said I'm not here to steal your body?]

"... what?"

[Sorry, junior. I lied! Teeheh!]

As Leon's consciousness started to fade, he began to see the image of a laughing elder, who seemed to embody the presence of a sovereign and the playfulness of a jester. Alas, Leon was powerless to stop his influence.

"... you."

[Don't worry. I'll deal with those weaklings and return your body to you in one piece… probably?]