WHFIO01

Chapter 1

The Tale of a Former Hero Who Became the Final Boss

Ruel stood, barely able to remain upright in her failing body, staring at the captivating figure before her.

The final boss of this game—the Demon God, Rezantia.

“If I can just defeat that thing… then I’ll finally return to reality.”

Not Ruel, but Yoo Hana, had transmigrated ten years ago into her favorite mobile game, Last Heroes.

It was a collection-type RPG where players summoned and raised heroes to stop the Demon God from bringing about the end of the world.

Driven by nothing but the desperate determination to return home, Hana gathered young heroes—barely ten years old at the time—and raised them into fine warriors.

Her only family, her grandmother, was waiting for her in the real world.

“I must defeat the Demon God and return home.”

Ruel steadied her faltering heart, raised a protective barrier again, and shouted to her comrades:

“Kasian, one more time—please!”

“Got it!”

Kasian immediately activated his taunt skill, drawing the Demon God’s raging orbs of magic toward himself. The shield Ruel had cast on him shattered under the barrage in an instant.

But before he could fall, Asteor’s healing spells rained down without pause, keeping Kasian’s life force just barely intact.

While Rezantia’s spells were locked onto Kasian, a spell circle flared to life beneath the Demon God—Lasiel’s binding magic.

Chains of light erupted upward, ensnaring Rezantia’s body.

Seizing the moment, Tezet’s blade shot forward, piercing straight through the Demon God’s chest.

With a guttural cry, Rezantia’s body lurched. From the wound gushed a flood of black energy, writhing like blood.

Kasian staggered back, narrowly escaping the explosion of corrupted mana.

“…Did we… kill it?”

Kasian’s forbidden words spilled out just as the others were catching their breath. Ruel glared at him with wide eyes.

“Doesn’t he know? That’s the resurrection flag line! Even villains nailed into their coffins come back to life if someone says that!”

Sure enough, anxiety gnawed at Ruel as she kept her eyes fixed on Rezantia’s corpse.

And then—

Whooooooosh!

A storm of black energy burst outward, sweeping across all five heroes.

Ruel squeezed her eyes shut against the gale, and when she reopened them—there was nothing left. No body. Only faint wisps of lingering darkness.

“Is it… over?”

Before she could breathe in relief, a blue system window appeared before her eyes.

[Quest: Savior of This World — Clear!]
Final Reward: Return to Reality.
However, since your body is now bound to this world, your return will only be granted through death.

“So… this is it.”

Relief washed over her, even as the strength drained from her body. She collapsed to the ground, her life ebbing away—not from wounds, but as though her very existence was being siphoned out.

Peace had come at last, and now the outsider had to pay the price of departure.

“I know I won’t really die… but this still feels unnervingly close to it.”

The first to notice something was wrong was Asteor, who rushed over in panic.

“Master? What’s happening? Are you hurt?”

Tezet and Lasiel followed quickly, sensing the severity of the situation. Kasian, who had been holding back after his tank role, hurried over as well.

“What the hell’s wrong with you?”
“Did that black smoke Rezantia released do something to you?”

Lasiel’s sharp eyes narrowed as he examined Ruel’s paling complexion, drawing his own grim conclusion.

Kasian rounded on Asteor.

“Hey, priest’s lackey! Do something! You’re the healer, aren’t you?!”

Normally, Asteor would have snapped back, but now all his focus was fixed on Ruel. He grasped her trembling hands, pouring healing magic into her without pause.

But no matter how much life energy he channeled, nothing changed. It was like pouring water into a bottomless jar.

“Her vitality keeps slipping away… Why? There are no wounds, no poison—so why is she…”

He knew it instinctively—Ruel was dying.

Asteor’s face drained of all color.

But Ruel gently pulled her hand free.

“…I’m fine.”

“Fine? You look like a corpse already!” Kasian roared, his voice breaking with fear.

Ruel winced at his tone.

“Great. At this rate, his yelling will send me off even faster.”

Despite the bickering, she could see it now—the fear in their eyes. These four men who had fought beside her for years were trembling at the thought of losing her.

“So… they did grow attached after all.”

She had told herself it was temporary, that she wouldn’t form bonds here. Yet as she looked at them now, she felt the hollow ache of leaving behind something precious.

“Guess I did care more than I thought.”

She forced her heavy eyelids open, gazing at each of them in turn.

Asteor: golden hair and blue eyes like the heavens, his youthful face shining with divine purity.
Lasiel: silver hair glittering like snow, arrogance etched into his beautiful features.
Kasian: fiery red hair and blazing golden eyes, strong as the sun itself.
Tezet: jet-black hair and green eyes like fresh leaves, still bearing traces of a boy’s innocence.

“Figures. Now that I’m dying, they’ve finally stopped arguing.”

Despite the hardships, despite her complaints, she felt proud—especially seeing the children she had once raised bloom into true heroes.

“…You’ve all worked hard. Thank you.”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

She coughed violently, cutting her words short.

The four froze, their expressions stricken.

“…And… I’m grateful.”

“No, don’t say anything! We just need to heal you first—” Asteor’s frantic voice trembled as his spells kept pouring light into her failing body.

“There must be another way! If we bring her back to the temple—” Lasiel’s voice cracked as he lifted her into his arms, clutching her like she might vanish if he let go. His usually composed eyes quivered with barely restrained panic.

He tried to form a teleportation spell, but before it could complete—

Ruel closed her eyes, her strength gone.