"Impossible…" The word escaped Erica's lips. The image in front of her was too vivid. That monster—she knew it. It was a boss that was supposed to appear during the second year at the Academy.
The Chapter 2 Boss.
In the game, it took a full party of future heroes to defeat it. If successful, their names would begin to spread at the Academy.
That was the core progression of the Open World RPG Rising the Star Hero.
The Minotaur swung its axe with brutal force.
Whoosh!
A mercenary who rushed in was flung away like a ragdoll, crashing into a tree with a sickening CRACK! He didn't move again.
"Damn it!" another mercenary shouted, stabbing forward with a spear.
But the Minotaur's axe deflected it with a deafening Clang!
The beast roared—
"Groaaar!"
—and stomped the ground, sending out a shockwave that threw everyone off balance.
Wait… the Chapter 2 Minotaur should have the fire element…
Something was wrong. This one had no fire. Was it not fully awakened?
"…Ah."
A memory surfaced. Someone on the game forums had once mentioned it—
The successor of the Red Tower Master died three years before the main storyline began.
No way…
Erica turned to the red-robed Mage. She remembered now. Her name—Pyra Heliosta, heir to the Red Tower.
If Pyra died here, it would spell the downfall of the Red Tower. But if she survived and defeated the Minotaur… the Chapter 2 boss would never appear. And the hero's awakening might never happen.
Damn it! What should I do?!
ARGHH!
Another mercenary was slammed into a rock wall.
This isn't a game anymore…
No routes. No save points. If she died—everything ended.
"Flame Burst!"
Pyra cast a mid-tier spell.
SWOOSH!
A fireball formed into a blazing spear, crashing into the Minotaur's chest.
BOOM!
The blast pushed it back, but it wasn't enough.
"Damn it! That thing has high magic resistance," Pyra growled.
ROAR!
The Minotaur charged toward Pyra.
SWOOSH!
A massive sword swung.
CLANG!
It clashed against the Minotaur's axe—screeching metal on metal.
"Fire Bolt!"
Erica's fire arrow hit the Minotaur's face, making it flinch.
"Hyahh!"
The mercenary captain drove his sword forward, pushing the beast sideways.
"This thing's tough," he muttered.
"It's got strong magic resistance. We can't rely on spells alone," Pyra added.
"I have an idea," Erica said.
She noticed the Minotaur's face was its weak point. She suggested the mercenaries distract it while targeting its rear legs.
"That's brilliant!" the captain shouted.
"Everyone! Distract it and go for its back legs!"
"RAAAAH!"
The mercenaries charged again.
CLANG!
The captain blocked the Minotaur's strike.
"Take this!"
One sliced at its leg, leaving a shallow wound.
"GROAR!!"
The Minotaur rampaged.
"Firebolt!"
"Flame Burst!"
SWOOSH!
Erica and Pyra's magic hit its face.
Over and over, they pushed it back—until the beast finally collapsed.
"Huff… huff…"
The mercenary captain panted heavily.
"Did we… do it?"
"W-We won!"
"Yeahhh!!"
Cheers erupted. Weapons raised high.
"Erica, are you okay?"
The old woman rushed to her.
"Hahh… I could use some bread, Granny," Erica gasped.
"Look at this kid. Still standing," Pyra said, wiping sweat from her brow.
I nearly passed out…
Erica sat down, holding her head.
"Here, drink this."
Pyra handed her a blue potion.
GLUGK!
She downed it in one go.
"Ugh… tasteless…"
But her head cleared.
TRING!
A strange sound echoed in her mind. A neon-blue screen appeared before her.
[We have detected significant timeline disruptions.]
What…? Why is the game system showing up here?!
[HOST LIFE IN DANGER.]
No way… The Minotaur's already down!
Suddenly, a cold chill swept the field.
Darkness cloaked the Minotaur's body.
It rose again—eyes glowing, tears of blood dripping down its face.
"No way! It was dead!" one mercenary screamed.
GROARRRRR!
A shockwave blasted everyone back.
The Minotaur vanished—then reappeared in front of the captain.
CRANG!
Its axe struck—barely blocked by the captain's sword.
"GYAA!!"
He was hurled into a tree.
"Captain!!" someone cried out.
Then—it appeared behind Erica.
"Erica! Behind you!!" Pyra shouted.
"Warmth Aura!"
The old woman embraced Erica, shielding her.
KABOOM!
They were both launched into a boulder.
"Granny! Wake up!"
Erica panicked.
Damn it! If only I had a potion…!
"Inferno Lash!"
Pyra unleashed a blazing whip, binding the Minotaur.
"Damn it! I can't hold it for long!"
Another screen flashed before Erica.
[HOST LIFE IN DANGER]
[FINAL SOLUTION INITIATED]
[SYSTEM ONLINE]
"Khak… khak…"
The old woman coughed, pulling a strange stone from her pocket.
"Erica… I believe in you…"
The old woman's voice was barely a whisper—like the wind's last breath. In her trembling hand, she placed a glowing red stone—its light flickering like a dying flame.
Without another word, she closed her eyes. Her breath slowed… her body limp in Erica's arms.
"What is this…?" Erica stared at the stone, brows furrowed. Her grip tightened—as if refusing to let the old woman's warmth fade.
"Granny! Please wake up!!" she screamed, shaking her.
[Analyzing…]
A new system message floated in the air, breaking the silence.
[High-tier Summoner Stone detected.]
[Assessing compatibility…]
[Host currently unqualified to use.]
"Damn it!" Erica cursed, glaring at the stone. "You're useless!"
Her eyes widened. She recognized this shape. A Summoner Stone—but not just any. This belonged to the Dark Mages. Why did Granny have it?
Then the pieces clicked together.
The Minotaur… its sudden appearance… the unnatural power… the resurrection.
This wasn't just a power spike. This was a resurrection ritual.
"I get it now…" Erica whispered, her voice trembling. "The Dark Mages… they revived it. And they're after Pyra…"
Her fist clenched. Her body shook.
"Hey! Stupid system! Isn't there anything else I can do?!"
[Emergency override: Restrictions lifted.]
[Adjusting compatibility…]
[Use the Summoner Stone to awaken the creature within.]
Erica looked at the stone again.
If this was the only way… so be it.
She poured her mana into it. Her body trembled from the overwhelming energy—far beyond her limit.
The stone lit up in brilliant red, draining the light from everything nearby.
[Ignis Aeter has been summoned.]
From the blaze, a massive shadow took form. Wings of fire, piercing eyes, and a divine aura like a god from ancient times—though incomplete, its presence was undeniable.
This was not a full summon… only a fragment. A shadow of its true form.
Amid the flickering flames, Erica held her grandmother—silent, unmoving.
But now, before her, stood a symbol of hope.
Ignis Aeter… had answered her call.