E-Rank or SSS-Rank: I Awakened a Skill That Shouldn't Exist-Chapter 78: Help! Fire God

Chapter 78

"What just happened...?" Kael muttered, staring down at the fallen Red Vanguard. Then, something caught his eye—movement on a distant alley.

He squinted.

There—just for a moment—he saw a figure disappearing behind a building. A man, cloaked in shadow, moving with silent purpose. Ash-gray hair. A strange outfit, part ninja, part samurai.

"Where are you going?!" one of Kael’s friends shouted behind him. They were still stunned, unsure how Kael had managed to survive the fight. They assumed he’d be too weak to move after it—but by the time they called out, Kael was already gone.

He sprinted through the alleyways, heart pounding. His instincts screamed at him to stop, but curiosity and desperation drove him forward.

"Hey! Stop!" Kael shouted.

The mysterious man didn’t break stride.

"I said stop, please!" he begged.

This time, the man halted—but didn’t turn around.

"You... you killed them, didn’t you? The Red Vanguard. That was you..."

There was no proof. No evidence. But Kael’s gut told him the truth—this stranger had taken them all down, silently, with terrifying efficiency.

The man finally spoke, his voice calm and cold.

"I only eliminate my targets. The beasts... they’re not one of them."

Kael took a hesitant step forward. "Please. The portal boss is too strong. Our guild leader can’t hold it back alone. People are going to die—civilians, children—everyone..."

The man turned his head slightly, but didn’t look back.

"If you want salvation, seek it from heroes. I’m not one of them."

And then, like mist under moonlight—he vanished.

Kael stood frozen, breath ragged. Heroes? he thought bitterly. We are the Hero Guild. And we’re losing.

He clenched his fists.

"I have no choice," he whispered.

---

Back at the Silver Guild...

Kael burst through the entrance, ignoring the shocked looks as he sprinted through the halls. He didn’t stop until he reached the underground confinement room.

Inside, Han sat calmly, still restrained, surrounded by his other restrained friends.

Aiden raised an eyebrow. "What now? Did this guy come to declare Han his long-lost lord again?"

The others chuckled. After Kael’s last outburst, nothing could surprise them anymore.

Then Kael dropped to his knees.

And slammed his forehead into the floor.

Once.

Twice.

Again.

And again.

"Hey—what the hell is he doing?!" Aiden shouted, alarmed.

"Is this guy even sane?!" Ron asked.

"Stop that!" Han said, eyes wide. He didn’t even recognize this guy.

Kael raised his bloodied face, eyes desperate, pleading.

"Please... forgive us. Forgive our arrogance, our ignorance. The portal is red... it’s only a matter of time before we’re wiped out. You’re our only hope. Not for us... but for the children, the elderly, the innocent civilians. Please..."

His voice cracked.

"Fire God... help us."

_ _ _ _ _

Back on the Battlefield

Silver Wing shot through the air, aiming another strike at the massive beast’s head. But the creature raised its arm, metallic knuckles gleaming, and blocked the attack with a thunderous clash. Before Silver Wing could recover, the beast clapped its hands together, unleashing a concussive force that sent him hurtling through the air.

Raven caught him mid-flight, gently lowering him to the ground.

"This isn’t working," Raven muttered, frustration in his voice. "That thing’s defense is too strong."

"If we don’t take it down soon, the guild won’t hold out," Silver Wing said grimly. Scanning the battlefield, he saw his comrades struggling—overwhelmed by the sheer number of beasts. He made a decision.

With a burst of energy, he soared into the sky. His wings curled inward, glowing faintly, then exploded outward—firing dozens of razor-sharp feathers at blinding speed. They tore through the horde, clearing a path and giving the guild members a moment to breathe.

Silver Wing dropped back to the ground, landing hard on one knee. He was pale, panting.

"Sorry..." he whispered. That move had drained him completely. He wouldn’t be able to fight again anytime soon. The boss would have to be handled by the others.

Raven gave a quiet nod. He wasn’t upset. He knew Silver Wing would give everything to protect them. He always did.

"I guess I’ll have to do this myself," Raven sighed. The odds were brutal—less than zero, maybe—but he tightened his grip on his whip and stared down the towering monster.

The beast began charging another dark energy beam. But before it could release it, a shockwave slammed into its head, staggering it. An instant later, an energy slash carved a deep wound across its face.

"You’re not alone," came a voice beside him.

Two heavy thuds followed. Bron and Shae landed on either side of him—battered, bloodied, but still standing.

Raven’s eyes relaxed slightly in relief.

They were hurt, all three of them. But together, they might stand a chance. At least until Silver Wing recovered.

"Then let’s hit it with everything we’ve got!" Raven roared.

He snapped his whip forward, activating its energy. It glowed, then curled tightly around the beast’s leg. With a cry, Raven yanked with all his strength. This time, the creature stumbled—caught off guard.

Bron didn’t hesitate. He leapt, driving his fists into the beast’s face, each punch echoing with shockwaves that made the monster stagger and roar in fury.

Shae twisted the hilt of her blade. The cool blue aura flared into a searing red. She dashed in low, slicing deep into its leg. The creature howled and crashed to the ground.

The group gasped for breath, sweat and blood dripping. They had given it their all from the start. There was no holding back now.

But it wasn’t over.

Raven’s eyes narrowed as the beast slowly rose again, its face twisted with rage. It growled, low and thunderous.

"Now it’s angry," Raven said with a dry chuckle. "Great. We were barely surviving before..."

Still, he shook his head. No. This wasn’t the time for doubt. Go into battle believing you’ve lost, and you surely will.

At the far end of the field, Shin loosed five arrows, each glowing with condensed energy. But the beast swung its massive arm and shattered them all mid-air.

Even so, the team was already moving again—attacking with renewed ferocity, dodging, striking, pushing forward.

They weren’t done.

They wouldn’t fall.

Not yet.

To be continued...