CHAPTER 39: FEAR FROM HEAVEN

"Now show me what you can do," the Behemoth said. Its body began to glow gold, light radiating from its skin and eyes. With a single motion, it turned and released a force that pushed Nolan back.

"What is this?" Nolan muttered, gritting his teeth as he slid across the ground. "All this while, I’ve known I was strong... but I’ve never unleashed everything. No more holding back. Let me see what I’m truly capable of. Let me release every single thing inside me!"

He stopped in his tracks, spreading his arms wide. His voice rose into a shout as his mana surged, forcing itself out of his body and condensing into raw energy. The air trembled as a red aura wrapped around him, burning brighter with each second.

"So this... this is where I’ve reached," Nolan whispered, his body now engulfed in crimson power.

The divine beast’s eyes blazed even brighter. It halted, staring directly at him. For a long moment, they simply looked at each other. Then Nolan dashed forward, fists flying as he struck with relentless speed.

The Behemoth casually swung one massive hand and smacked Nolan back. Nolan stumbled, but his eyes hardened and he pushed forward again.

"I’m going to give it everything I’ve got," he shouted. "I’ll defeat you no matter what it takes! The only thing driving me forward is Celia and Linda—I want them to believe in me! To believe I’m ready to fight even a fallen Archangel!"

Nolan’s body erupted with even greater light, his aura blazing so fiercely that it turned most of his mana into crimson energy. He lunged again, faster than before, fists hammering with full force. Energy crackled and swirled between his hands as he stretched them forward, shaping the raw power into a massive surge aimed at the Behemoth.

The divine beast tilted its head. "Impressive. A mortal has managed to reach such a level... even with borrowed power." Its voice lowered. "But it’s still not enough to defeat me."

It opened its massive jaws. Flames roared out, swallowing Nolan’s crimson blast, burning it away as though it were nothing.

Nolan froze, staring in shock. "I’m not done yet!" he roared, charging again.

The Behemoth flapped its enormous wings, rising into the air. The weight of its power pressed down on the chamber.

"Gravity," it said. The air itself turned heavy, slamming Nolan to the ground. His limbs trembled as he tried to stand, every muscle screaming.

"What is this?!" Nolan gasped. "I thought I was strong enough... No—I don’t care!" He forced himself upward, his aura flaring, but the weight pinned him where he stood.

The Behemoth’s lips curled into a smile. It raised its massive paw and brought it down like a hammer. The blow smashed into Nolan, launching him across the chamber. He crossed his arms over his face, but the impact still hurled him into the stone wall with a thunderous crack.

Dust rained down. Nolan slumped to the ground, blood trailing from the corner of his mouth. Slowly, he pushed himself up, staggering to his feet. His hand brushed across his face, smearing blood.

Then he smiled. "This... is the first time I’ve really bleed since I came to this world."

"Do you want to give up now, mortal? If you beg for mercy, I might forgive you and spare your life," the Behemoth said.

"I won’t beg," Nolan answered, his voice steady despite the blood on his lips. "In my previous world, I was looked down on. Everyone mocked me—my family, the people I cared about, the ones I had feelings for. They all trampled me because I was fragile, because I was weak, because I had a petty mindset. But now, in this world, I’ve become someone. The two most beautiful women I’ve ever met admire me. I don’t know if they love me because I’m strong, or if they only want to use me... but I don’t care. All I know is this—I will protect them. I’ll grow strong enough to keep them safe. They thanked me, they appreciated me. I will make sure they never shed tears. Let me suffer, let me bleed—but they will not."

"So I was right," the Behemoth rumbled, lowering itself closer to him. "You’re not of this world. And to put others before yourself... foolishness. It will earn you nothing."

Nolan stood straighter, breathing heavily, yet unyielding.

"You are strong," the Behemoth continued, its eyes gleaming with ancient fire. "And even in the short time you’ve fought me, your power has grown. But let me show you what true fear is. Fear—poured from heaven itself."

The dungeon shook as the Behemoth roared. Above them, a massive golden circle appeared, glowing like a celestial gate. It split open, light pouring out, and then bolts of divine thunder crashed down. Nolan sensed it and tried to move, but his body froze in place.

The lightning struck him. Agony ripped through him, his screams echoing through the chamber as the power seared his flesh and soul.

"This... this is one of my powers," the Behemoth declared, its voice reverberating like a god’s decree. "Condensed for you, mortal, but even as it is—this energy could erase the world itself."

Nolan’s body convulsed, his vision fading. I can’t move. I can’t see. This is pain... this is what true pain feels like. Sorry, Celia. Sorry, Linda. I wasn’t able to protect you. I wasn’t able to get stronger. In the end... I always lose. I’m going to die...

But as the thunder scorched him, a faint smile crossed his lips. He looked up at the Behemoth through the storm.

The Behemoth paused, then spoke in a voice almost solemn. "Be proud. At least you faced me. You endured one of my full powers. You were strong, mortal. Your death will not be in vain."

"I remember your name... because you are truly remarkable," the Behemoth said, its deep voice echoing through the dungeon. "You quenched my hunger for battle—something I have not felt in the last three hundred years. Yes... your name. I remember it. Nolan Thorn."