The castle loomed high, its ominous structure towering as if its spires could pierce the clouds. The drawbridge was tightly shut, while demons patrolled the walls. From behind the trees, the hero party hid in silence, watching cautiously.
"Hey, I didn't expect we'd get this far," said a scar-faced man — Garwin.
The other four heroes glanced at each other. They felt the same.
"There's no turning back now," replied a woman with bluish-purple hair — Lora, a powerful mage blessed with a hero fragment.
Garwin pounded his chest with excitement. "Alright! Then how about we attack right now?!"
The others exchanged looks, silently exasperated by Garwin's impatience. Lora finally let out a deep breath.
"Hold on — we all do have a plan, right?"
They looked at each other again — then nodded simultaneously.
Seeing that, Garwin grinned wide. "Then let's go take down the Demon King!" he shouted, stepping forward toward the castle.
"Wait!" shouted a red-haired man — Roki, a master archer with a hero fragment. "Are we… seriously doing this?"
Garwin spun around and smacked Roki's head without hesitation. "What are you talking about?! We came all the way here! You've got a hero fragment too, don't you?!"
"Ow…" Roki rubbed his head, grumbling. "Alright, alright. But… what if we fail?"
"Don't worry," Garwin replied confidently. "We can definitely win. Even I, the one without a hero fragment, managed to stand here with all of you."
The others nodded in agreement. Lora looked at Garwin and gave a faint smile.
"You're right… if we got this far even with you not having one, maybe we really do have a chance."
Garwin nodded. "Enough talking — let's move!"
He marched forward toward the Demon King's castle, the others following with resolve in their eyes.
Roki smirked. "Well… this is going to be fun."
"Shut up, Roki. Let's go," Lora muttered sharply.
---
Garwin leapt forward to the castle gate. He drew his twin blades from his back and slashed at the demons. His attacks were swift and brutal. The demons were startled by the sudden assault, but quickly prepared to retaliate.
Garwin cut them down one after another. Meanwhile, his companions dashed into the castle, leaving Garwin alone to face the horde.
"Come at me, all of you! If you want to die, then step right up!" he roared, driving his blade through a demon's chest. He sheathed his swords and pulled a spear from his item box.
"Oh, right," he said as he spun the spear effortlessly. "I forgot to say — I've mastered every weapon type."
With incredible speed, he thrust and hurled the spear, dominating the battlefield. Some demons hesitated, stepping back in fear — but Garwin gave them no chance. He grabbed his greatsword and unleashed a devastating swing, wiping out the rest in a single, overwhelming strike.
When the battlefield finally fell silent, Garwin stood amidst the fallen demons, breathing heavily.
"Yeah… no time to rest." And he dashed into the castle.
---
Inside, the castle was far larger than it appeared outside. Endless winding corridors stretched before him. In the distance — battle sounds. He sprinted toward them and arrived at a massive hall.
There — his comrades were already engaged in a fierce fight against the Demon King.
Garwin immediately took command. "Hey! Follow my instructions! Lora — freeze his legs! Roki — Light Arrow! Luna — buff everyone! Leon — strike with your Trinitas sword! I'll take the front!"
They were taken aback for a moment — but quickly nodded. Lora raised her hand and formed an ice magic circle. Roki drew his bow of light. Luna chanted a buff spell, and Leon readied his sword.
The Demon King grinned — but his legs were instantly frozen. Roki's Light Arrow blinded him briefly. Leon seized the opening, slashing across his face — and Garwin followed with dual dagger strikes.
"Keep going! Leon — from the back! I'll take front!"
Leon rushed behind him, and the two struck together. Lora imbued Garwin's daggers with fire and unleashed 30 lightning circles at once. Roki added pressure with Dark Arrow — while Luna continued buffing.
As the Demon King lost his footing — Garwin swung his sword at his neck and kicked him into Leon's blade. The Demon King dropped to his knees, a sword through his chest. Roki fired again — and Lora's thunder struck at the exact moment.
In one swift motion — Garwin beheaded the Demon King with both daggers.
Silence fell over the room. No one moved until Roki finally whispered:
"I think… we actually won."
"YES! WE WON!!!" Garwin shouted with burning joy.
Cheers erupted. They laughed, shouted, embraced each other.
Garwin collapsed to the floor, exhausted but smiling. "Who would've thought we'd really make it?"
Lora approached, wiping sweat from her brow. "Honestly… I didn't think we'd get this far either," she said with a soft smile.
Garwin chuckled. "Well, I guess we'll go down in history as legends."
Lora smiled warmly. Roki and Leon sat beside them, weary but satisfied.
"You're one hell of a fighter, you know?" Lora said, patting Garwin's shoulder.
Garwin smiled. "Without you all, I never would've made it here. Lora, Leon, Roki, Luna… all of you are incredible."
Roki snickered. "You're making us sound really cool, you know."
"Because you are," Garwin replied. "Oh right — Leon, Luna — I heard you two are getting married after this?"
Leon's face instantly turned bright red while Luna giggled.
Roki pointed and laughed. "Look at that! Leon's blushing so hard!"
Garwin burst into laughter. "Just don't forget to invite us, okay?"
Lora chimed in, "Of course! That's a wedding we must attend."
Luna smiled — but before she could reply, Garwin's expression shifted. He looked directly at Lora.
"But… if someone were just a little more honest about their feelings — maybe I'd be getting married too."
Lora froze. "Y-You… idiot! Why are you looking at me like that?!" she snapped, face bright red.
Garwin chuckled. "Come on, just admit it already."
Roki and Luna burst out laughing. Leon just smiled.
But the cheerful atmosphere shattered instantly. A sinister aura filled the room — forcing everyone to their knees. A massive magic portal tore open — and a gigantic demon emerged, wielding a crushing mace.
They were frozen in place. The demon fixed its gaze on Luna — and in a split second — swung.
Her body was obliterated instantly.
"LUNA!!!" Leon screamed — charging without thought.
"DIE, YOU DEMON BASTARD!!!"
But it was futile. With a single strike — Leon was smashed into the wall — dead.
Lora trembled, face pale. "Impossible… Even I, the strongest mage, can only form a hundred magic circles… he has a thousand…"
Thousands of spells were unleashed. Explosions consumed the room.
When it was over — only Garwin remained — kneeling, body shredded. He looked around — Roki was gone, leaving only a single leg. Lora's lifeless body lay nearby.
Tears fell from Garwin's eyes as he held Lora in his arms.
"I'm sorry… If only I could turn back time — I would save all of you…"
He slowly closed his eyes, accepting his fate.
But in the darkness — a voice called his name. And Garwin awoke… somewhere else.