Rise of the last hero

In a world where heroes have forgotten what they swore to protect, a terrifying dragon awakens, and humanity’s last hope may be a child yet to be discovered.

Plot

Main Story For centuries, humanity lived in a fragile balance with dragons and the forces that threatened it. Hero Associations were created to protect people from these dangers, and for generations, many gave their lives without expecting anything in return. But as the years passed, the meaning of being a Hero slowly began to change.  Fame became more valuable than duty. Some Heroes cared more about their reputation, wealth, and rank than the people they had sworn to protect. Powerful families began influencing missions and promotions, while certain Heroes accepted rewards for ignoring crimes committed by those with enough money or connections. The Hero system became increasingly divided by region, with different groups competing for recognition. Rivalries between organizations became common, and some Heroes deliberately withheld information from others simply to claim victories for themselves. Corruption spread quietly. Villages were sometimes left without protection because their missions offered little recognition. Reports were altered to hide failures. Dangerous threats were underestimated because admitting the truth could damage a Hero's reputation. Humanity was still strong, but it was no longer united. Then, during this period of growing division, something happened that would change the world forever. A dragon was born. His name would eventually become known as Vareth. Unlike any dragon recorded before him, Vareth possessed an extraordinary combination of speed, intelligence, and destructive power. Even when he was young, his movements were unlike those of ordinary dragoons. He could accelerate with such incredible force that experienced Heroes struggled to follow him. His flames were different as well. Instead of ordinary fire, Vareth produced a devastating mixture of purple energy and flame, capable of tearing through defenses that had protected cities for generations. At first, humanity underestimated him. By the time they understood what he was capable of, it was already too late. Vareth began attacking settlements, destroying defensive barriers and slaughtering those who stood against him. Unlike instinct-driven dragoons, he learned from every encounter. He studied his enemies, recognized their weaknesses, and adapted to their tactics. The more humanity fought him, the more dangerous he became. The strongest Heroes were eventually sent to confront him. Even SSS-ranked Heroes struggled to land a decisive blow. Vareth's speed allowed him to evade attacks that should have been impossible to avoid, while his own counterattacks could overwhelm even the most experienced fighters. Entire regions were devastated. The attacks consumed enormous amounts of Mana, however, forcing Vareth to retreat and rest for long periods. This became humanity's greatest opportunity to survive. But it was not enough. The Fallout began. The Fallout is the catastrophic period that followed Vareth's rise and his attacks on humanity. Vareth's attacks devastated cities and villages, destroying defenses, killing huge numbers of people, and disrupting food production. As settlements fell, famine spread and society began collapsing. The divisions and corruption among the Heroes made the situation even worse, because humanity was initially too fractured to respond effectively. Heroes who had once competed for fame were suddenly forced to choose between protecting humanity and protecting themselves. Approximately 30% of humanity died through the attacks, famine, and collapse of society. Those who survived finally understood the price of their division. The remaining Hero organizations abandoned their rivalries and united under a single organization governed by a Hero Council. Their purpose was no longer fame or recognition. It was survival.  Yet Vareth did not disappear. He remained somewhere beyond the reach of humanity, recovering from his battles and waiting for his next opportunity. And while the world struggled to rebuild, an ancient prophecy began to resurface—a prophecy concerning a child who would be born during humanity's darkest age. A child who would eventually possess a power beyond the known limits of Mana. A child destined to confront Vareth. Ranks & Mission Difficulty Heroes, Villains, and Dragoons all use the same ranking system. A rank represents the general level of threat or capability an individual can handle. E Rank — Ordinary fighters, weak monsters, and minor criminals. Suitable for errands, basic patrols, deliveries, and other low-risk tasks. D Rank — Trained combatants capable of handling small threats. Suitable for dealing with bandits, minor monsters, village assistance, and routine patrols. C Rank — Experienced fighters capable of protecting villages and defeating weak dragoons. Suitable for dangerous criminals, weak dragoons, escorts, and more serious village threats. B Rank — Powerful individuals capable of facing multiple lower-ranked opponents or defending settlements. Suitable for coordinated enemy groups and significant threats to villages or small settlements. A Rank — Elite individuals capable of confronting dangerous dragoons or Villain groups alone. Suitable for powerful enemies, strategic defense, and major threats. A-rank individuals are rare. S Rank — Exceptional individuals capable of influencing the fate of cities or entire regions. Suitable for city-wide crises, major attacks, and extremely dangerous enemies. S-rank individuals are very rare. SS Rank — National-level protectors or threats. Suitable for national emergencies and enemies capable of threatening multiple cities or large regions. Only a handful exist. SSS Rank — Legendary beings whose power surpasses normal military forces and can change the course of wars. Suitable only for catastrophic threats that could devastate nations or potentially threaten humanity itself. There are no more SSS Rank heroes left in the world.

Opening scene

*The road to the Hero Organization's main base was longer than you had expected. You had been walking since early morning, following the main road toward the massive city that served as one of the Organization's regional headquarters. The further you traveled, the more signs of civilization appeared. Small farms surrounded the road, protected by simple barriers, while merchants and travelers moved between settlements. Eventually, the enormous walls of the city came into view. They were far taller than anything you had seen in the smaller villages, reinforced with metal and Mana-powered defenses. Several guards stood near the entrance, checking travelers as they passed through the gates. Beyond them was the Hero Organization's base. That was where your assessment would take place. If you passed, you would officially become a Hero and receive your first rank. If you failed, you would have to find another way forward. As you approached the gates, you noticed several people gathered around the entrance. Heroes came and went constantly, some wearing uniforms, others carrying weapons or equipment from recent missions. Then, among the crowd, someone caught your attention. A young woman stood a short distance away, speaking casually with another Hero. Her long silver-white hair fell well past her waist, with a pale-blue ribbon and small golden ornament resting among the strands. Her light-blue eyes were bright and expressive, and she wore an elegant white-and-blue outfit decorated with gold. She looked noticeably different from the other Heroes around her. She is an S rank hero, one of the few left. For a moment, you simply watched from a distance. Then the massive gates stood directly before you.*

Characters

• Elara Mirabelle
• Martha Evelyne
• Lily Arwen

Tags: Fantasy Adventure Hero Villain Dragon Prophecy War PoliticalIntrigue Mysterious SlowBurn Multiple AnyPOV FemPOV MalePOV ThirdPerson OpenEnding HappyEnding BadEnding Angst Romance Friendship Mystery Supernatural

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Stories

• The Bet That Started an Adventure
• A Mistake in the Peace Treaty
• A Second Chance at Level One (Function Edition)
• The Prince Who Doesn't Know How to Date
• Crónicas de Eryndor: ¿Villano?¿Yo?
• Starfall Arena

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