Reincarnated as a failed hero?! Watch me Defy Fate! - Chapter 156

Chapter 156: Flareth the God of Fire
The claymores struck with devastating force, each one powerful enough to cleave through mountains.

I raised my blade, channeling every ounce of my training into a swift defensive stance.

“[Yanagi-Uke!]”

My katana whipped through the air, deflecting each of Flareth’s relentless strikes one by one.

The arena shook as the divine flames crashed against my sword. The heat was suffocating, the sheer force behind his swings enough to send shockwaves rippling through the air.

I barely had time to react as Flareth surged forward again. His four flaming claymores spun in a deadly dance, each one aiming to carve me apart.

I gritted my teeth.

I can’t hold back.

Summoning my strength, I countered with a Black Flame slash, my katana igniting with the forbidden fire.

Flareth’s expression darkened. He clashed his flames against mine, and the two forces met in a violent explosion.

But I was the one being pushed back.

His fire was stronger. Hotter. It overwhelmed me instantly.

I slid backward, my feet barely holding their ground as Flareth’s overwhelming aura pressed down on me.

“What’s wrong, insect?! Is that pathetic flame the best you can do?!” he roared, his voice shaking the entire Spire.

I clenched my fists, refusing to yield.

I channeled more of my power, combining my Black Flame with my swordsmanship.

“[Tensho Kousen!]”

I swung my blade, sending a vertical slash of black fire hurtling toward him—a technique meant to cut through anything in its path.

The Black Flame roared, consuming the air itself as it raced toward Flareth.

But—

With a mere flick of his hand, Flareth swatted my attack aside.

I watched in shock as my unquenchable fire was extinguished instantly.

“What?!”

Flareth smirked, stepping forward.

“Your Black Flame is nothing but a pale imitation of true fire. And in front of me, the God of Fire… it is meaningless.”

I had no time to process his words before he attacked again.

His flaming claymores came at me from all sides, forcing me onto the defensive.

I blocked, dodged, countered—but no matter what I did, I was being pushed further and further back.

And then—

Flareth raised his sword high, the flames around him intensifying as he prepared to unleash his strongest attack yet.

“This is the end, insect!”

A massive wave of fire erupted from his blade, consuming everything in its path.

“[God’s Fire Wave!]”

I tried to move, but the fire was too fast.

Even with [Future Sight] and [Shadow Steps], I couldn’t outrun it.

There was only one choice left.

“[Dark Magic: Phantom Slash 5X!]”

I unleashed five crescent-shaped slashes, each made of shadow and Black Flame, aiming to cut through the inferno.

The moment they collided, a deafening explosion erupted—

But—

Flareth’s fire consumed my attack whole.

“No…”

I barely had time to react as the divine flames crashed into me.

“ARGH!”

The pain was unbearable.

My entire body was engulfed in fire, my flesh burning away.

Flareth laughed cruelly.

“Pathetic! My flames will reduce you to ash! Now, die!”

I could barely breathe. My vision blurred.

But—

I had been waiting for this moment.

Through the pain, I activated my secret skill—

“[Resonance.]”

I focused all my energy, attempting to absorb Flareth’s fire into my body.

For a brief moment, it worked—

Flareth’s eyes widened as he watched his own flames being drawn into me.

“What?!”

I gritted my teeth, enduring the unbearable heat.

I just needed a little more time—

But then, I saw it.

A red warning message flashed in my vision.

[Warning! Skill Resonance cannot absorb attacks from Flareth, the God of Fire!]

[This attack contains two elements: Fire and Divine. You cannot absorb both at once!]

—[Skill Failure! Side effects activated!]

And then—

The flames exploded back out of me.

“AAARRGGHH!”

Agony ripped through my body as the divine fire burned me alive.

I failed.

I collapsed, my entire body charred, smoke rising from my skin.

Flareth stared down at me.

“That’s what happens when you try to defy a god.”

I could barely move.

But I refused to fall.

I used my katana as a crutch, forcing myself back onto my feet.

Flareth’s smirk faltered.

“Still alive? You should’ve been reduced to dust.”

I panted, glaring at him.

“I’ve… died too many times to let this stop me.”

Flareth narrowed his eyes.

“You talk big, but you’re barely standing. Just give up. You can’t win.”

I took another shaky step forward.

And another.

“Why…?” Flareth’s voice was no longer mocking—it was genuinely confused.

“Why won’t you just die?! What is keeping you standing?!”

I tightened my grip on my katana. And then, I answered.

“Because I can’t lose here.”

Flareth’s flames flickered. I stepped forward again.

“I have to pass these trials.”

Another step.

“I have to become stronger.”

Flareth scowled.

“For what? To save yourself?”

I shook my head.

“No.”

I raised my katana.

“For my family.”

The flames around me wavered.

“For the people I love.”

Flareth took a step back. I locked eyes with him, my determination burning brighter than his flames.

“Even if I have to fight a Demon Lord… or a god like you—”

My dark aura surged, my Black Flame reigniting as I prepared for the final strike.

“I WILL NOT LOSE!”

….

Flareth laughed coldly. “Hah! You talk big, but where’s the proof? You think words alone will convince me? Show me real power!”

I clenched my fists, my body still smoldering from his flames. My entire being ached, but I refused to kneel.

Fine. If he wanted proof, I’d give him everything I had.

“[Forbidden Dark Magic: Abyssal Wrath Mode!]”

A surge of Dark Magic erupted from my body, the air itself twisting under the sheer pressure of its presence.

My hair grew longer, transforming into a pure white color, a sign of the abyssal power coursing through me.

The ground trembled beneath me as another spell activated.

“[High Dark Magic: Yami no Shogun!]”

A shadowy aura engulfed my body, materializing into a formidable black samurai armor, its surface crackling with Dark Magic.

Flareth’s smirk vanished for a brief second as he took in my transformation.

But I wasn’t done yet.

“[Force Aura Supreme Level!]”

An uncontrollable surge of energy exploded from me, creating powerful shockwaves that sent the surrounding flames flickering wildly.

The arena shook as my aura expanded, so intense that even the fire angels surrounding us recoiled in awe.

For the first time, I saw something unexpected—

A flicker of excitement in Flareth’s eyes.

“Wahaha! Look at you!” He grinned wildly. “So, the little bug has some bite after all! This might be fun!”

I tightened my grip on my katana.

“Enough talking. Prepare yourself.”

Despite the agonizing pain wracking my body, despite the burns and exhaustion weighing me down—

I stepped forward.

Flareth’s flames surged once more, his eyes filled with exhilaration as he prepared to meet my attack.

And then—

Just as our swords were about to clash—

A sudden message flashed before my eyes.

[Warning! You are too exhausted to continue!]

[Abyssal Wrath Mode: Deactivating.]

[Yami no Shogun: Dispelled.]

[Force Aura: Disabled.]

“What?!”

A cold darkness overtook me.

My strength vanished in an instant, and my vision blurred as my knees buckled beneath me.

I was falling.

The last thing I saw was Flareth’s eyes widening in surprise.

Then—

I crashed into something soft.

Or rather… someone.

A warm, comforting scent filled my senses, and my head landed on something incredibly soft and plush.

I barely had the strength to process what was happening, but I caught a glimpse of golden hair.

And then—

Miranda’s voice.

“You really overdid it this time, didn’t you?”

I blinked weakly. My face buried itself deeper into her chest before I fully realized what was happening.

She was holding me.

More accurately—

I was resting my head directly on her chest.

“This is bad…”

Even in my weakened state, my face turned red.

She ignored my reaction and turned her gaze to Flareth.

“Flareth! I’m taking him with me. He needs rest! If you keep pushing him like this, he won’t even be able to show his full potential. Let me heal him for a day! You’re fine with that, aren’t you?”

Flareth scowled, crossing his arms.

“Tch. Fine!” he snapped. “Heal him up. But he better be here tomorrow at the same time, or I’ll consider his trial a failure!”

That was the last thing I heard before my consciousness faded.

…

I awoke to warmth.

Not just any warmth—but a comforting, gentle heat.

As my vision cleared, I realized I was in a cozy, well-lit room.

I was lying on an incredibly soft bed, and the air was filled with the sweetest fragrance I had ever smelled.

It was… intoxicating.

I tried to sit up, but then—

I felt it.

Something wrapped around me.

Or rather—someone.

I froze.

Slowly, I looked up—

And saw Miranda the Goddess of Protection.

She was asleep, her arms wrapped around me, her chest rising and falling softly as she continued to whisper healing incantations in her sleep.

She had been healing me this entire time.

I didn’t know what to say.

Did she stay up all night taking care of me?

She looked so peaceful.

But at the same time—

My face turned beet red.

Because right now—

I was completely buried in her embrace.

This is bad.

Very bad.

I could already feel my nose bleeding.

If this continued, I was going to pass out again—

Ahhh, crap. Not again!!

I froze, my entire body stiff as a board.

The situation had officially escalated from bad to catastrophic.

If I stayed like this any longer, my soul might actually leave my body.

I needed to escape.

Now.

But as I tried to move again—

She murmured something in her sleep, her fingers lightly gripping my shirt.

And then, in the softest, sleepiest voice—

“…Don’t go….”

My breath hitched.

A sharp pang of guilt shot through me.

She must have been exhausted—pushing herself so hard to heal me, staying by my side the entire time. And now, even in her sleep, she didn’t want me to leave.

I swallowed hard, forcing my racing heart to calm down.

…Fine.

Just for a little longer.

Just until she wakes up.

I let out a deep sigh, resigning myself to my fate, and carefully closed my eyes.

Praying—desperately—that I wouldn’t pass out from sheer embarrassment before morning.