On both sides of the bridge, magical formations emitted crimson light, each measuring close to 10 m.

From the circle behind them came sword-toting skeletons, “Traum Soldiers” whose crimson glowing eyes were the same color as the magic circle. 100 Traum Soldiers already been stood on their side of the bridge, but their numbers were increasing every second.

From the other magical circle, a quadrupedal demon 10 m long with some sort of helmet on its head, spawned in. It’s massive form and triple horns resembling that of a Triceratops. However, its eyes shone crimson, its sharp claws and fangs sparkled ivory, and orange flames gathered around its horns, dancing up and down the creature’s spine as it moved.

Meld just whispered “Behemoth” and at that moment, the Behemoth took a deep breath and let out a deafening roar.

“Gurua~a~a~aaaaa!!”

“Tsu!?”

The sound caused Meld’s to return to his senses, and he quickly started to issue commands to everyone.

“Alan! Lead the students to the stairway and break through those Traum Soldiers! Kyle, Ivan, Gale! I need you guys to extend the best barriers you can! Stop that thing at all costs! Kouki, hurry and get to the stairs!”

“Wait a moment, Meld-san! We’ll help! That dinosaur-like monster is the most dangerous!? We’ll…”

“Fool! That’s a real Behemoth, at your current strength it’s impossible! It’s a 65th floor demon. Once a long time ago, the

“Strongest” known summoned Heroes battled it and were completely annihilated save two survivors. Hurry up and go! I can’t let you guys die!”

Even Meld’s expression faltered for a moment at the intimidating glare of monster in front of him. “I can’t just abandon you guys!” was Kouki’s response as he stood his ground. At the moment when Meld tried to reason with Kouki to retreat, the Behemoth roared and started to charge at them. At this rate, the retreating students would die in moments.

To prevent it, the strongest of Haihiri’s military spawned multiple full powered barriers.

“””Repel all Malice and Enmity, Absolute Providence from the Son of God, Herein a Sanctuary, You Shall Not Pass, “Absolute Virtue””””

The magical formula for this spell was engraved in the highest quality paper 2 m wide, the incantation having 4 phrases to activate it, and 3 of the Warriors were needed to cast it simultaneously. A barrier of such power could stop anything for 1 minute and the hemispherical barrier shined pure-white as it interrupted the Behemoth’s charge.

The moment the Behemoth clashed with the barrier, it emitted a shock-wave from the horns on its head, shaking the entire bridge and pulverizing anything below the behemoth’s feet. The retreating students screamed and fell as the artificial quake knocked them to the ground.

The Traum Soldiers were monsters that showed up on the 38th level and were heads above anything they encountered so far. The students panicked as they were sandwiched by a monstrous demon in the back and an army of undead super-soldiers in the front in the front.

They advanced recklessly, without any care for keeping rank, and aimed for the stairs. Alan, tried to calm them down desperately, but no one listed because of the imminent terror. One of the school girls was pushed from behind and fell down and she screamed as she lifted her head to see before her a Traum soldier brandishing its sword.

“Aaaaaaagh!”

She lifted her arms to cover her face and continued to scream as it swung its sword down.

Suddenly the Traum Solider Lost its footing and its blade missed the girl by a margin, striking the ground instead. Furthermore, the Bridge continued to bend like a wave, tripping up many Traum Soldiers along the way, and clearing a path for the students to follow.

Crouched 2 m off of the edge of the bridge was Hajime, who was breathing heavily as he continuously transmuted the ground. Like a land slide, the monsters on the bridge were guided off into the abyss. Wherever the hell they were, the concentrated mana in the area was amplifying his magic like a swimming pool of caffeine.

While drinking in the excess mana, Hajime groaned as he created another land wave and quickly approached the girl that fell down. He helping her up, Hajime spoke to the still stunned girl with a smile.

“Hurry Forward. It’s alright, if you calm down these skeletons are nothing. Because except for me, everyone else is a cheat!”

Hajime pat her on the back with full confidence, the next moment she uttered a quick energetic “Thank you”.

Hajime had ruined the surrounding Traum Soldiers’ footing and sunk them neck deep into the ground, he took that moment to survey the battlefield. Everyone was in such a panic that they were fighting without any organization or teamwork, and as such, were quickly losing ground to the Remaining Traum soldiers organized assaults. At this rate, it was highly likely that everyone would die. Alan is still trying to organize them, but it was not going well, and more reinforcement Traum Soldiers through the new magic circle every second they wasted.

“They need a They need a figure head to follow out of this mess….. Amanokawa-kun!”

Hajime started to sprint towards Kouki’s party.

Behemoth was still thrashing the barrier, creating powerful shock-waves, and damaging the already groaning bridge ever more. There were already cracks in the barrier and it was only a matter of time before it and the bridge gave in. Meld had joined in the reinforcement of the barrier but it was like adding a drop into a half empty bucket.

“Ah, Crap! It won’t hold for much longer! Kouki, hurry and retreat! You guys go too!”

“No! I will not abandon you guys! We will all survive this!”

“Ku, to be so egotistical at this moment…”

Meld was urging them to withdraw, but with a heavily summarized explanation on why so Kouki did not take his advice and refused to “abandon” them. Though from the look in Kouki’s eyes, he wanted to challenge the Behemoth.

It could be attributed to his adolescent mind. He was overestimating himself, because he was showered with too much praise.

“Kouki! Listen to what Meld is saying and retreat!”

Shizuku, who understood the situation, grabbed Kouki’s arm in and attempted to reason with him.

“This isn’t the first time we’ve been unreasonable! I’ll back you up!”

“Thanks, Ryutaro!”

Ryutaro’s statement just fueled Kouki’s attitude even more and Shizuku clicked her tongue in defeat.

“Don’t get drunk on your own fantasies! Baka!”

“Shizuku-chan”

Kaori is worried for the irritated Shizuku.

A boy jumped out in front of Kouki.

“Amanokawa-kun”

“Na-Nagumo!?”

“Nagumo-kun!?”

Everyone was surprised even further when Hajime put both his hands on the ground and a stone hand rose out of the ground, sending an incredibly confused Kouki cartwheeling through the air and into the horde of skeletons. He then grabbed Ryutaro’s shoulder and started yelling in a desperate tone.

“Hurry help your classmates! If you hadn’t noticed, the entire class is having their asses handed to them by the Traum soldiers!”

“Why did you suddenly-? What are you even doing here Nagumo?”

“No time to explain, Comply within the next five seconds or I’m throwing you too!”

That was all the motivation Ryutaro needed to start sprinting after Kouki, whose ADHD brand of justice had lost interest in the barrier and was now desperately trying to rally the students. Hajime showed such unexpected force, Shizuku and Kaori were left stunned on the spot. Until now, they had never heard Hajime use curses, threats, or really any kind of harsh tone.

“Can’t you see what’s going on? If those two are left alone their bound to do something stupid if we leave them alone!”

Hajime pointed towards the students while one hand grabbed onto Shizuku’s arm. In the direction he pointed at, there were his confused classmates being surrounded by Traum Soldiers. Kouki was already taking the blunt of it off the students for now, but with the ever growing number of soldiers they’d soon be overwhelmed.

“They need as many people as possible to distract the monsters so that Alan can regroup the students!”

Stunned at seeing their classmates in chaos, the shaking Shizuku nodded her head.

“I understand! I’ll go immediately. Sorry, Nagumo-san!

“Go!”

The moment Meld looked back at Kouki’s agreement to retreat, the barrier finally fell to the Behemoth’s onslaught. The Massive shock-waves caused by the raging monstrosity shot straight for Hajime and the others. Hajime quickly threw his hands down and created a wall to take most of the force as the bridge rocked violently. Dust whirled as the Behemoth’s bellow shook the air around them.

On the ground, Meld and three of his knights lay groaning. Their loss of mana not helped by the constant movement of the ground under them. Hajime and party had fallen over, but they quickly recovered as Hajime tried using his transmutation to keep the ground as stable as possible.

“Ryutaro, Shizuku can you buy me some time?”

Though they were in some pain, the two of them pressed forward at Hajime’s request. Since Meld had been disabled, it was up to them to do something.

“I’ll do what I can!”

“Somehow, I’ll do it!”

Both of them rushed the Behemoth.

“Kaori, start healing Meld and his men.”

“Okay.”

Kaori quickly went to work. Hajime was already beside Meld creating selter to prevent the effects of battle from reaching them. Although it seemed useless when looking at the battle, it was better than nothing.

Kouki on the other side of the room saw the commotion, and took the chance to try and finish the beast.

“Divine will! Perish all evils with your light! The breath of God! Blow away the ominous clouds and purify this world! The mercy of God! Forgive all sins with this strike! “Heaven’s Might”!”

An aurora gushed out from his “Holy Sword” and gouged out sections of bridge as it shot towards the Behemoth. Ryutaro and Shizuku desperately flung themselves out of the way as the bombardment of light hit the creature dead on. Light filled the area where as the demon bellowed in pain and rage. The bridge shook violently, and cracks Spread across the paved stone.

“If it’s…. just this much…Ha-a Ha-a”

“Did that do it?”

“I hope so.”

Ryutaro and Shizuku, got up after being flung to the ground for the umpteenth time that day and Kouki panted heavily, as the surrounding students gaped in awe. That skill earlier, was his trump card the most powerful magic he could active without emptying his entire mana pool. Kaori had finished treating the fallen Soldiers and Meld was actively trying to stand up.

But from the swirling clouds of ash and dust…

Came an all too familiar roar.

A red light glowed in the swirling torrents of dust, before a blisteringly wind hot blew in all directions from it. The Unscathed behemoth roared with absolute fury as its form rippled like water. Spikes grew out of its exposed back like an army bearing its weapons and its skin burst into molten hot flames as it grew to dragon-like proportions. It raised its head and bellowed, deeper and louder than any natural thing should as its horns started to glow red hot. Magma Dripped from its helm as it gazed at Kouki with murderous eyes.

“Don’t just stand there! Move!”

Meld’s voice helped shook everyone back to their senses and they started to run for their lives. The Behemoth soon rushed them with new-found vigor, like a falling meteorite the Behemoth barreled down on Kouki and the students.

There was no way to avoid it there were too many people and the monster now spanned the width of the bridge, shock-waves radiated from its every step. The knights Kyle and Gale jumped forward and quickly tried to create a magic barrier, but as soon as the creature touched it, it shattered like glass. The sudden collision stunned the monster for a moment and sent the two brave tumbling to the floor.

“Can you guys move?”

All he got in response were groans. They were probably paralyzed by the shock and pain of the explosion. The damage to their internal organs was likely severe.

Meld called out to Kaori. When he was looking for Kaori, Meld’s sight caught hold of Hajime.

“Nagumo-san! Take Kaori, restrain Kouki and retreat!”

Seeing melds Meld’s desperate state, Hajime Knew he wasn’t going to make it if he fought the behemoth. The thing would likely crush him to bits or collapse the entire bridge on them before they even got half the students to safety. So he made a suggestion, a simple easy to understand, logical suggestion

Meld hesitated, but the Behemoth was already combat ready its helmet Sizzling with red light. They had no time.

“Are you sure you can do it?”

“If I can’t the same amount of people are going to die anyway. Only difference is the survivors still have the kingdoms greatest military officers to teach them, rather than have them die honorably in battle.”

Meld could easily see the resolute gaze Hajime had, and he couldn’t help himself from smiling.

“I can’t believe I’m trusting my life to a kid, I’ll be sure to return the favor when we all get out of here.”

“Yes!”

At that Meld headed towards the Behemoth. He released a simple magic to provoke it, and the thing took the bait immediately. With its head wreathed in flames, it charged at the small man in front of it. Meld stood there poised, and at that moment, a small incantation could be heard.

“Blow “Wind Wall”!”

He back stepped at the same time as he chanted. Like a comet, the Behemoth landed on the barrier with enough force to shatter mountains. The “Wind Wall” was able to deflect the shock-waves and debris from the impact back onto the creature as it thrashed against its own force.

While the behemoth was distracted with meld, Hajime advanced from the left of the giant and threw his hands onto the ground.

“Transmute.”

The Behemoth’s Struggled as the surrounding debris molded around its head and limbs like living clay. The more stone it destroyed to free itself, the deeper it dug into the ground, making it easier for Hajime to trap it. Bracing its legs against the earth, it began trying to dig itself out of the prison that was being built around it, but Hajime softened the ground under its feet and took away its leverage. He constantly hardened and softened the stone, sinking the beast deeper and deeper into its own grave.

The ground became red hot as the enraged giant, started burning its way out. The ground rumbled and burst as molten stone and fiery rocks flung about the air like an erupting volcano, Hajime desperately creating tendrils of rock to restrain the enraged Behemoth.

In the meantime, Kaori and the recovered knights were gathering the students and carrying Kouki’s party back. On the side with the Traum Soldiers, the students had regained some of their composure and started making cooperative assaults keep the path Hajime had opened clear.

“Wait! There is still Nagumo-kun.”

Kaori protested as Meld withdrew.

“This is his plan! We are going to clear the Soldiers and make a safety zone for ourselves, and then we will bombard the

beast with magic! Until then, he’s the only one who can keep the bridge together long enough for us to escape.”

“Then, I’ll stay and help him!”

“Not possible! Your healing is needed to keep Kouki and his front-line in top condition!”

“But!”

Meld shouted at the protesting Kaori.

“Don’t let his effort be in vain!”

“Tsu!?”

Including Meld, the other one with the highest power was without a doubt Kouki. If she did not use her healing magic effectively, they’d succumb to their wounds long before they could make a path out. That is why it is necessary for her to join the retreating group. They didn’t have to time argue, if they weren’t fast enough Hajime will run out of mana and the Behemoth would kill them all.

“Breath of Heaven, Fill to the brim, Purify and Heal, “Heaven’s Blessing”!”

Even if she looked like she wanted to cry, she continued healing her injured classmates. A pale light engulfed Kouki as magic healed his injuries and restored his mana. Meld placed a hand on Kaori’s shoulder and nodded. She nodded back as she turned around to look at the scene of Hajime stalling the Behemoth, before retreating with the rest.

The numbers of the Traum Soldier increased with every moment they waited and they already numbered around 200. They all filled up the stair side of the bridge, but with Kouki and party leading them, the students started to make headway

Luckily, Kaori’s healing magic was able to prevent any deaths, but with the growing number of wounded, they were running out of time. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say they were in a desperate race against time, and every second they spent in that room meant another reinforcement of skeletons, another group of wounded students and another crack in the bridge beneath their feet.

If they didn’t have the knights’ support, Kouki’s motivating performance, or Kaori’s healing magic, they would’ve fallen apart in minutes.

Despair struck the students who realized it, Everyone was at their limits. When they thought it was finished…

“Soaring Flash!”

A pure-white slash exploded right through the ranks of Traum Soldiers, blowing many into the abyss. Skeletons quickly tried to fill the gap left by their fallen brethren, but the students could already see it. The stair, the passage to freedom guarded by a sea of swords and the only goal on their minds.

“Everyone! Don’t give up, I’ll open up a path!”

Kouki screamed those lines as the “Soaring Flash” tore through the enemies. The students were re-energized by their renewed hope for freedom.

“What have you guys been doing this whole time? Remember your training, and start cooperating with each other you fools!”

The Meld charged into the crowd of enemies, breaking through their ranks as his voice commanded the class. Hope filled the minds of the students as they followed close behind. Kaori finished chanting, her magic doing its job. She’d cast a simple relaxation spell earlier, but combined with Meld and Kouki’s performance, its effect was magnified a hundred times over.

Anyone with an aptitude for healing started to heal everyone and everyone any aptitude for magic cast spells from the rear guard. The vanguard formed a firm rank and steadily advanced, crushing anything in their path. Monsters fell one by one, until the class came to the edge of the magic circle.

Soon, the path to the stairs were opened once again for all to see.

“Everyone advance! We need to secure the stairs!”

Kouki started to run as soon as he shouted and the recovered Shizuku and Ryutaro accompanied Kouki in the charge. They cut through the encircling Traum Soldier like a hot knife through butter, breaking through the besiegement in minutes. Kouki cast every spell he could think of to prevent the gap from refilling with skeletons.

“Wait everyone! We still have to save Nagumo-kun! He’s still distracting the Demon!”

Many of Kaori’s classmates looked back, and saw the desperate battle between Hajime and the Behemoth

“What's he doing?”

“He’s fighting the demon alone!”

Meld answered the questions the students had.

“Vanguard don’t let any Traum soldiers near us! Rear guard prepare your long range magic! Bombard the Behemoth with spells so he can escape!”

Hajime felt his mana running out, and fatigue seemed to block his ability to absorb it from the ground. He quickly surveyed his surrounding and noticed that everyone had retreated. Ranks were being formed and magic was being prepared for the last part of the plan.

Behemoth was still struggling, he’d have a few seconds before it broke free if he stopped restraining it. In the meantime he had to get some distance. He took a deep breath to calm the heartbeat that thundered in his ears. He couldn’t keep the bridge stable very much longer, timing was going to be important here.

Dozens of cracks formed in the restraints that held the Behemoth the moment he let go. At the same moment, Hajime began sprinting away faster than he had in his entire life.

5 seconds after Hajime started to run away, the Behemoth burst free, roaring with triumph and fury. The rage present in its eyes quickly found Hajime, and it’s muscles tensed with anticipation of its new prey.

However, a rain of hundreds of lights caught its attention.

Like shooting stars painting the night sky, magic of countless colors bombarded the Behemoth. It remained completely unscathed, but the explosion of light and sound confused the beast long enough to take its attention from Hajime.

Hajime lowered his head and while hundreds of lethal spells passed over his head, inches from his face. There was no way his friends would be able to miss. The distance between the Behemoth and him was also 30m.

However, something unexpected happened.

One of the “Fireballs” in the endless stream of spells, bent slightly and started to head his way, almost like it was aimed at him.

(Huh!?)

Before Hajime noticed what had happened, the “Fireball” struck the ground right in front of his eyes. He fell back as the force of it knocked him off his feet. He didn’t take any real damage, but that one second it took him to get back up was more than he had.

The Behemoth quickly got over the harmless spells that were hitting it and charged the disoriented Hajime. The already unstable bridge rocked under the thing's massive weight as Hajime tried to create a wall to defend himself. For the third time, the demon crashed into a large barrier, an crushed it like glass.

Hajime was knocked backwards by the force, landing a few yards from his destination, but because of his pounding head, hazy vision, the looming Behemoth before him, and the impatience screams and roars from his classmates in the distance, he didn’t notice the enormous cracks in the bridge around him…..

…Until they finally gave out

The bridge had finally reached the threshold of punishment it could take and collapsed under the behemoths feet, spreading outward toward hajime.

“Guaaa!”

Behemoth clawed desperately to find a place to hold on to, but the ground under its feet was gave way and it fell into the abyss, its Death throes vibrating the air.

Hajime crawled to escape somehow, however every place he held onto collapsed.

“Ah, not good…”

While he thought that, he turned his gaze towards his classmates. He saw Shizuku and Kaori holding Kaori back, like she wanted to jump after him. His other classmates were pale and had their hands over their eyes or mouths. Meld and the Knights had a mortifying expression on their faces.

The scaffolding that held Hajime finally crumbled. He fell backwards into the dark abyss, while he tried to grasp the dimming light.

---------------------------------------------------------

Authors note: Okay

1.) I'm doing this as practice Because it's my first Fanfic

2.) I do not care if you have constructive criticism, I appreciate it if you do. I do not however appreciate people using the rating system because you don't like the concept. if you know you don't like it DON'T READ IT

3.) I'm doing this because I liked the original at first(minus some points I found strange) and I wanted to change only a few things, so I'm trying to be as faithful to the original as possible

4.) I'm not an expert writer, so if you want me to fix something, tell me what it is. I can't help you if you only give me a vague description of the problem.

Rant over.