"Tell me, tell me this is a dream," I said.
I found myself bound by four heavy chains, two clasped tightly around my wrists and two more securing my ankles. The atmosphere was thick with horror as the ground around me became a grim tapestry of blood and rain, each drop mingling with the cries of the innocent being mercilessly hunted by monstrous creatures lurking in the shadows. The stench of fear hung in the air, more suffocating than the chains that confined me.
Amidst the chaos, a brave girl with blonde hair clad in shining armor burst into my view, her determination evident as she sprinted toward me, her eyes filled with a fierce resolve to rescue me from my torment. But just as hope began to flicker within me, her foot caught on a slick patch of blood-soaked earth, and she stumbled, nearly losing her balance. I could only watch in silent desperation, wondering if this truly was the end of the world.
"Is this a dream? Please tell me this is a dream." I said.
After I spoke the words, she was pierced by countless swords, each one striking like a lightning bolt from above. No, it wasn't just hundreds; it felt like a million gleaming blades raining down from the heavens. The sky darkened with the weight of their descent, each sword glinting ominously in the light, creating a surreal atmosphere as they continued to fall, relentless and merciless. The air crackled with tension, the metallic scent of steel mixing with the palpable fear that hung thick around us. And she is stabbed at her nonstop, I try to resist, I try to break free to save her, but I fail, I can't do anything. All I can see is her smile and everything turns black. All I did was just scream helplessly.
But let back to the present. My name is Zin Fortis, and I know it sounds unusual—it's a rare name that has followed me through each chapter of my life. Growing up, I faced years of relentless toil, not just from the demands of daily life but also from the heavy burden of loneliness. With my parents gone, I found myself navigating a world that often felt cold and indifferent. The isolation bred by their absence cultivated a desire within me: to be seen, to be loved, and to earn the acceptance of those around me. I poured myself into hard work, trying to prove my worth, believing that if I worked harder, I could change how others perceived me.
But one fateful day shattered that illusion. As I overheard friends, those I had trusted, call me foolish, a realization washed over me like ice water: I had merely been a tool in their hands. In a moment of desperation, I reacted impulsively, doing something I deeply regret—a haunting mistake I've tried to erase from my memory.
Now, as a teenager, I find myself surrounded by a circle of friends, one of whom I dared to hope would be more than a friend. I thought that finally, my relentless quest for belonging might bear fruit. But fate had other plans. One day, without warning, she ended our relationship and cast me aside, leaving me abandoned alongside my once closest friends. I still remember the laughter that echoed around me, a cruel chorus that enshrined my humiliation.
In that moment, I felt a deep ache in my chest, and as I stared at the ground beneath my feet, trying to become invisible, the laughter intensified. They began to bully me, a vicious cycle that stripped away my dignity each day, transforming me into the target of their disdain. I've lost count of how many times they've tormented me, and the joyful memories we once shared feel distant and hazy, overshadowed by pain. My glasses, once a reflection of my identity, have become casualties of their cruelty, shattered anew with each assault.
On yet another ordinary day, I returned home, seeking solace in my sanctuary—my room. As I lay on my bed, the cool air brushed against my skin, a stark contrast to the warmth of the harassment I faced outside. In that stillness, I searched for a fleeting escape from the chaos that consumed my thoughts.
"Ugh, that's strange, why do I feel so cold right now?" I'm confused.
When I open my eyes, I see a clear blue sky, surrounded by many trees and strange blue creatures that resemble slimes. Suddenly, a strong wind picks up, and everything around me turns dark as a large shadow looms above me. I feel uneasy, so I look up.
"W-what? What is that? It looks like a dragon!?" I'm surprised.
After witnessing the breathtaking spectacle of a dragon soaring through the sky, I turned my gaze toward a distant kingdom that lay sprawled across the horizon. This grand realm, once vibrant and bustling, now bore the charred scars of destruction, having recently suffered the wrath of the very dragon I had just seen. The air was tinged with the acrid scent of smoke, and remnants of smoldering buildings were visible in the fading sunlight.
Fortunately, it seemed that the loss of life had been minimal, but the devastation was evident. As I approached the gates of the kingdom, two imposing knights, clad in gleaming armor that caught the light like shards of broken glass, stepped into my path. One of them, his stern expression softened only slightly by concern, raised a hand and asked me:
"Stop right there, you can't go in without an adventurer card." The first Knight said.
"Adventurer card? What is that?" I asked.
I came to the unsettling realization that I not only understood their language fluently but could also articulate it with ease. Yet, an odd sense of calm washed over me, perhaps a consequence of immersing myself in countless manga and anime, which have imbued me with a peculiar sense of resilience in the face of chaos. What perplexes me, however, is the eerie silence that envelops the area despite the kingdom being engulfed in flames just moments ago, courtesy of a fearsome dragon's relentless assault.
As I scan the scene, my gaze is drawn to a pair of knights standing resolutely in front of me, flanked by a group of armored individuals bearing a distinctive insignia. The contrast between their composed demeanor and the devastation surrounding us is striking. Before I can delve deeper into the mysteries unraveling before me, the two knights turn their attention to me, their expressions stern yet curious, and ask in unison:
"Kid, you seem like you are not an adventurer or merchant. You can't go into the kingdom." Second Knight said.
"He is right, your outfit seems weird. Where are you from?" The first Knight asked.
Before I can utter a word, a girl approaches me with a sense of urgency in her stride. She appears to be just a year older than I am, her long blonde hair cascading around her shoulders like strands of sunlight. Her armor sparkles, emblazoned with a distinct emblem that resembles a gathering of figures, representing the people of the Kingdom. Yet, what strikes me most is her warm smile—it radiates kindness and reassurance, a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere around us. I find myself unexpectedly surprised by the comfort her presence brings.
"Hi, I'm Alice, Alice Silverthorne, from Holy Knight. And you are?" The girl said.
"Ah, I'm Zin Fortis, I'm not sure what to say but I'm from a different world," I responded.
Upon hearing the revelation, Alice and the knights stand frozen in disbelief, their expressions a mix of shock and concern. They quickly usher me into the grand halls of the kingdom's castle, a stunning structure adorned with intricately carved stone and vibrant tapestries that tell the tales of old. Inside, a multitude of knights gathers, their armor glinting in the ambient light, while a distinguished group of Holy Knights stands resolutely at attention, their golden insignias gleaming.
Before me, on a beautifully crafted throne draped in rich fabrics, sits the king, a regal figure with a commanding presence. His piercing gaze surveys the room as he prepares to address the unfolding situation. Flanking him are four mages, each exuding an aura of power. They are clad in robes embroidered with arcane symbols, their hands subtly glowing with magic, ready to intervene should the need arise. The atmosphere is thick with tension as the gravity of the moment settles in.
"Where am I? Why do you guys stare at me like that?" I'm confused.
"Apologies for my rudeness; I am King Aurelius Valerius of the kingdom. We utilized a spell called 'summon' to bring you here, but due to an error, you did not materialize within the summon circle. Instead, you appeared outside of it. I sincerely apologize for the mistake." The king spoke.
"We are so sorry for summoning you but we are summoning you because we need someone to save the world from the Demon King. The reason we summon you and not someone better, that the summon circle chooses someone who has potential." He spoke again.
"Can you bring me back?" I asked him.
"We're sorry that we can't do that, if you don't want to fight then it's okay, we will a bag of small money and a place to stay as an apology." The king said.
Before I could speak further, one of the members of the Holy Knights, Sora Sinclair, spoke:
"Wait, we summoned him so he has a duty to save the world. He can't run and hide like a scaredy cat."
"Even though it's a good reason but that's our fault for summoning him to this world," the King tries to convince.
Another member of the Holy Knights comes up and his name is Arthur Aethelredk, the leader of the Holy Knights.
"He is right, Sora, we can't force a stranger to fight a Demon King," Arthur said.
"Thank you for explaining Arthur, So Zin here is the bag of money and we will bring someone to help you lead the way to a place to live." The King said.
After the grand announcement, a wave of excitement swept through the hall, prompting everyone to exit in a flurry of chatter and laughter, all except for Alice and Arthur. Arthur stood awkwardly clutching a heavy bag of gold coins, a gift from the mage, its metallic clink echoing ominously in the now-empty room. I had assumed that Arthur would guide me to my new residence, but I quickly realized I had misjudged the situation. The king, with a regal presence that commanded attention, spoke up, drawing my focus away from my thoughts.
"Zin, the person who will guide you to the place where you will live is Alice." The King looked at both of us and said.
Alice and I are shocked by what the king said. Arthur comes near me, gives me the bag of money, and says:
"Here is your money kid, good luck with your new life."
"Thank you, sir," I respond.
"Why me, Majesty?" Alice asked.
"Because he will live in the same house with you, so please show him, Alice," The king said.
Our destination lay ahead—Alice's house perched majestically at the top of a big hill, surrounded by the dark, whispering forest. The path wound through the tall trees, their trunks looming like silent sentinels. As we walked, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow across the landscape. I could see Alice's expression—a mix of determination and unease—as we trudged onward, the weight of the King's command hanging heavily between us. Shows me every place in the kingdom, and many towns, and some markets.
"I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable," I said while heading to her house.
"It's okay," she said, giving me a warm smile.
As we step into her house, I notice how messy it is. I glance at her, and she avoids my gaze, looking flustered. She quickly cleans up, I stun for a few seconds, and decide to help her.
After wrapping up my cleaning duties, I make my way to the adventure lobby—a bustling hub filled with eager adventurers. Alice, a familiar face, greets me with a serious tone, urging me to head there if I truly want to survive in this unpredictable world. As I step into the lobby, I can feel countless eyes upon me; a wave of curious stares from seasoned adventurers washes over me. With a mix of trepidation and excitement, I approach the registration desk to sign in and officially become an adventurer.
Once registered, I move to a testing station where a small crystal awaits. Following the protocol, I drop a sample of my blood into the crystal, watching intently as its vibrant colors shift and swirl. The crystal reveals my power level to be disappointingly weak, which aligns with my own self-assessment. However, to my surprise, the onlookers gasp in astonishment as the crystal also highlights my possession of numerous skills—most notably the strengthening skill, along with several other abilities that can amplify my power. The crowning revelation, though, is that I have the potential to learn any elemental powers I desire. A mixture of admiration and disbelief fills the room, and I can practically feel the weight of their astonishment pressing against me. Overwhelmed, I grab my adventurer card and quickly make my exit.
Back home, the lovely scent of dinner wafts through the air, indicating that Alice is busy preparing a meal to celebrate my new status as her roommate. Choosing to ignore the warm atmosphere, I retreat to my room, pulling open the window to welcome the refreshing evening breeze. The cool air brings a moment of clarity, allowing me to reflect on the day's unexpected events.
"Now I will start a new life in another world."