Chapter 1 - Hero & Demon King Fighting Together

A vivid tableau of absolute devastation and annihilation stretched before their eyes, an unfathomable scene that defied any conventional description.

Cities lay in ruins, razed to the very ground, consumed by the relentless fires that ravaged every corner. The panorama resembled a nightmarish descent into the inferno, shrouded in billowing smoke and rivers of molten lava. Dismembered bodies littered the scorched earth, an abhorrent tapestry of gore that bore testament to the countless lives claimed by the ferocious battle. The acrid stench of blood and charred flesh hung heavy in the air, saturating the very fabric of this desolate realm.

Indeed, this was the macabre visage of a battlefield, where the clash of weapons and the incantations of spellcasters resounded through the hellscape, even as those present desperately tried to shield their ears from the cacophony.

BOOM!

With a thunderous impact, a male figure hurtled through the air, colliding with a precarious remnant of a once-standing building—an anomaly amidst the wreckage. The resulting crash reduced the structure to rubble. Another man, wearing a sardonic smirk, swiftly moved to support the fallen figure, yet both individuals paled in countenance upon beholding a horde of grotesque creatures barreling toward them.

These abominations seemed naught but mere puppets, unleashed to sow chaos and incite unrest. Their visages bore naught but gaping maws, insatiable orifices poised to devour all that lay in their path. The fallen figure, cradled by the human male, possessed ears resembling those of a lupine creature, yet he stood apart from the impending horde.

"Is this the extent of your stamina, Nemesis? Have you grown weary from mere pests, my supposed rival?"

"Silence, Genesis! Cease your mocking. Fatigue shall not overtake me so easily. The conclusion of this battle shall herald the utter annihilation of our foes."

"Never did I expect the ruler of demons to employ the word 'we' when referring to a human, and a hero at that. But let us desist from this bickering and unveil our combined might to these invaders."

With their voices resounding, two energies of contrasting natures converged—an effulgent, blood-red aura teeming with insidious desires and a soothing essence reminiscent of a maternal embrace, embodying the very epitome of virtue. Hand in hand, the two chanted incantations, their other hands brandishing gestures that unleashed their final, devastating maneuvers.

"[Destructive Series: Black Hole]"

"[Creative Series: Supernova]"

These potent spells, conjured forth by the Demon King and the Hero, hurtled through the air with unimaginable velocity, rendering them imperceptible to the naked eye.

With unwavering momentum, the attacks closed in on the encroaching creatures, merging into an indomitable force that eradicated the abominations in its wake. Yet, the immense strain of unleashing such colossal power inflicted a backlash upon the Demon King and the Hero, both of whom now coughed up blood, their bodies wracked with pain. However, this display of bloody expectoration failed to perturb them; instead, an inexplicable disquietude gnawed at their innermost beings. Both chose silence over discourse, grappling with the quandaries that plagued their hearts.

Kah! Cough! Cough!

A slight cough pierced the silence, drawing attention. The Demon King broke the ice, his voice resonating with a hearty laugh. "We are finished here, my friend. This was a grand battle to partake in, though regret lingers within my heart."

Fixated upon the Hero, the Demon King's gaze brimmed with a yearning for the grand duel they were destined to engage in. "Hehehehe... -Hahaha... -HAHAHA! You know the truth, Nemesis, yet you deny it or cling to your ever-optimistic nature."

"You are aware, as am I, that while we may have triumphed and brought an end to this tumultuous conflict, it is but a fleeting respite. Merely a temporary reprieve, holding the encroaching darkness at bay for a mere thousand years. My regret lies in the fact that my ultimate battle is waged against these wretched creatures, rather than engaging in a thrilling clash with you, my worthy adversary. Fighting alongside you has proven to be an enlightening experience, but still, I yearn for our final confrontation. Alas, I am denied that privilege, as we have sustained grievous injuries. Perhaps you should have abstained from this conflict, allowing you to preserve peace within the world for a few more centuries and guide future generations in their eternal struggle against the encroaching abyss." The Demon King poured forth his sentiments, addressing the Hero, who lay beside him, gazing upon the scene of their hard-won victory.

The Hero could not suppress the question that welled within his soul. "Enough with your words. Why, in all circumstances, must I partake in this battle? Yet, now, we possess naught but uncertainty and the final spell of sacrificing the remnants of my own life force." As the Hero extended his hand, preparing to unleash the spell, a firm grip clamped upon his wrist—none other than the Demon King's, who regarded him with the wounded gaze of a lover betrayed.

"Do you truly believe this to be our salvation?"

"It is our final hope," Genesis replied.

"Then why must you bear this burden alone? So that you alone may claim all the glory the world has to offer? I shall not be left behind. Let us embark upon this final path together." With those words, Nemesis released his grip on the Hero's hand.

In that moment, a tacit understanding passed between them, guiding their subsequent actions. Both raised their hands, causing twin magic circles to manifest upon the ground beneath them. These arcane sigils began to draw forth strands of enigmatic energy, siphoning power from both entities. As the energy absorption intensified, their corporeal forms crumbled into ashen fragments, scattered upon the winds.

"I hope we have made the correct choice..." Nemesis and Genesis uttered their final thoughts in unison, their voices harmonizing as if fated to intertwine.

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***TO BE CONTINUED, THANK YOU FOR PLAYING THE GAME!***

I found myself gazing at the notification screen that had just materialized before me. Lost in contemplation, I pondered the final words of both Nemesis and Genesis.

It was just a game, of course, inconsequential to most. Yet, as a self-professed perfectionist and sufferer of obsessive-compulsive disorder, I was wont to replay the game countless times, immersing myself in the last utterances I had missed. Such was my patience and fervor.

As the notification sound faded into the background, a deep sigh emanated from behind me. I knew precisely who it was without turning around—my brother, Haber. Rising from his seated position, he spoke with a mix of exasperation and curiosity.

"You've been playing that game again, Ken!"

"And you, Haber, why do you carry that novel around as though it were a cherished treasure or a lifeline?"

Haber harrumphed in annoyance upon hearing my

words, his irritation palpable. Sensing the opportunity to ruffle his feathers, I couldn't help but chuckle.

"I must admit, I admire your dedication to that novel. You've been reading it over and over since you were a mere child. Sometimes, I wonder if you devoted as much energy to your studies and textbooks, those top achievers would weep tears of blood."

"Indeed," Haber replied with a mix of pride and sarcasm, before continuing our banter. "But let's set aside the pursuit of academic excellence for now. I find myself perturbed by this novel—it always leaves me with a disconcerting feeling, as if something is missing or incomplete. I've read countless novels, and this one just doesn't add up."

"Well, it is rather peculiar, but I am content simply to play the game and enjoy the accompanying novel. Its ending or lack thereof makes no difference to me."

"Ken, do you know what I admire most about you? It's your photographic memory. You remember every word as though you had just read it, while I've spent years trying to memorize the entire text. I suppose my little brother is an exceptional genius."

I pinched my nose in response, swatting away Haber's hand playfully. "Hey! Stop that! I may be the younger one, but I'm only a year younger." A humph accompanied my retort.

"Why cease such affectionate gestures? Is it not the duty of an elder brother to care for his younger sibling, especially after our parents passed away?"

"Yeahhh..."

A brief silence enveloped us, before Haber broke it with a gentle smile. "Why wear such a sorrowful expression? You always make that face when you're lost in thought. Well, I'm headed to the convenience store for some shopping. What would you like to eat?"

"Are you leaving me home alone? I'm coming too!" I pleaded, my eyes adopting the guise of a pleading puppy.

"Oh, that's odd. You haven't ventured outside in quite some time. In that case, let me retrieve your wheelchair." Haber's soothing smile remained, his gaze filled with parental warmth.

"Quickly, take a seat. We mustn't dawdle."

Returning his smile, I ruminated on the course of our lives.

"I must be heaven's favorite to have such an extraordinary older brother."