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The world of ‘Heroes of the Dark World’ is grim.

War, disease, disaster.

The fated end is approaching, yet the gods remain silent while humans flounder in their desires. Kings seek war, nobles crave power, and priests are so blinded by gold that they cannot face reality.

However, just like starlight shining in pitch black darkness, hope exists even in the dark ages.

A hero.

An existence that accomplishes feats even the perpetrators wouldn’t dare to attempt.

In the game, the player’s role is fixed as the hero.

Choosing a profession is impossible; however, the game changes based on the player’s inclinations and items. The method of progression and ending is determined by the choices in the game scenario, and gathering comrades and the various events and stories that unfold receive some praise.

The player is a hero summoned from another world.

A candidate priestess of the Pope’s realm.

The third successor alchemist of the Magic Tower.

The great warrior barbarian of the plains.

An elf archer, the guardian of the World Tree and a sentry of the Great Sylvan.

Additionally, there were various potential comrades like the knight, inquisitor, bounty hunter, and necromancer.

Anyway, the superhumans on white horses will appear to save the world. There’s no need to embark on a quest like the protagonist possessed by a novel. Although, one can’t clarify whether the place the hero leads us will be heaven or hell. But at least, I thought it would be better than a future where everyone dies.

However, to survive in this harsh world, I realized I needed at least the strength to protect myself. The problem was I was born into an ordinary body without any special strength, and the Nostrim family was located far from the capital in a rural territory with no power.

When I realized that, I felt truly lost.

Yet, fortunately, I was born as the second son of a noble family. It was a crazy world that divided people based on the nonsense of having blue blood flowing through their veins, but ironically, that very nonsense helped me. In this bleak era, it was easier to become an upper-class person who could protect my life.

How could one incorporate into the upper class and survive in a world where lacking power, backing, or ability meant death?

The renowned French novel I had read in my past life had the answer.

Red and black.

Military uniform and priest’s robes.

Gaining merit for advancement or building networks for success.

So, I became independent on the year I turned into an adult. Graduating from the officer academy, I accumulated merit on the front lines and then withdrew to the rear. When whispers of being evaluated as a soldier who succeeded through key positions reached my ears, I thought that no matter what future approached, I would be able to survive.

On the day when heroes would be summoned to face a great disaster.

As I walked along the red carpet leading to the sanctum, I thought life was a bed of roses.

And when a woman appeared amidst the pure white light bursting forth from the summoning circle,

I truly felt that everything would go well.

I thought so.

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Episode 1 – The Gray Man

On the walking path near the sanctum where the hero summoning ceremony was taking place.

Everyone who attended had likely gone into the sanctum because the only things nearby were soldiers on guard and a middle-aged man sitting on a bench. The middle-aged man leaned back against the armrest while gazing thoughtfully at a folded newspaper.

I knew this middle-aged man well.

Colonel Clevenz Hendrik of the Kingdom Army.

A soldier from noble descent in the capital. His meticulous nature compelled him to double-check even the most trivial matters. His increasingly prominent gray hair meant he was always accompanied by hair dye and stress. His favorites were grilled fish and instant coffee made by the Magic Tower. Particularly, he drank coffee almost daily, having been warned by a doctor during routine health checks about his high blood pressure, yet he couldn’t give it up.

And the most important point.

Clevenz Hendrik is one of the key figures in the Kingdom featured in ‘Heroes of the Dark World.’

Neutral named ‘Clevenz Hendrik’ Brigadier General.

In ‘Heroes of the Dark World,’ the term “neutral” means that the player’s choice can shift between friendliness and hostility.

Due to the game’s nature, if the difficulty isn’t set to easy, it’s far easier to lose favor than to gain it. Rearranging everyone except characters with friendly inclinations can be viewed as potential adversaries. I remembered the heart-racing experience of seeing my favorability fluctuating like Bitcoin after just one choice.

Trusting the suggestions of a shit sommelier was a mistake, damn it.

I unintentionally frowned.

“Is something wrong with you?”

“Ah… No, Colonel.”

Before I knew it, Clevenz had finished reading the newspaper and was looking at me. The Colonel offered me the newspaper, which I cautiously accepted and tucked under my arm. It was a sensational tabloid dealing with gossip happening both domestically and internationally.

“Is it tough lately? I completely understand your feelings.”

“No, I’m fine.”

“If something difficult is bothering you, it’s okay to speak up, Colonel Frederick. I’m your superior.”

That was true.

This neutral-natured named character, a middle-aged gentleman in his forties, was my boss. It certainly wasn’t intentional, but somehow, I ended up rolling under this guy. Hence, I couldn’t help but know a lot about Clevenz Hendrik.

From a family loyal to military service for generations.

An elite soldier who has never lagged behind in promotions and is slated to rise to general.

Contrary to his appearance, he had a better personality than expected and was quite social.

Perhaps due to not showing difficulties since he was young, he never displayed a flustered demeanor. He liked taking care of those around him, often inviting subordinates over for meals at his home.

I hadn’t realized it while seeing him on screen, but he was a genuinely good person.

A person of his caliber would succeed anywhere and I wouldn’t deny he was an easy superior to serve.

So, I couldn’t just mutter something like “I’m worried you might wipe out the hero and his comrades.”

“There’s nothing wrong. Really, I’m fine, Colonel.”

“Then why do you wear such a long face on a day like today?”

At this sudden question, my mind began racing. I thought that if I uttered something strange, there wouldn’t be any points left for my seniors, so I needed to devise a quick and cautious response.

This is the sanctum meant for summoning heroes. The world is in chaos, with fires breaking out in the Empire and Kingdom alike. So, the sanctum is packed with high-ranking officials from the entire continent, all focused on the single hero set to be summoned.

Summoning a hero isn’t something that can be done at any time; it’s a rather complex process requiring various protocols and agreements. This is due to international laws and the decree of the cult, which dictate that summoning a hero without reason will be interpreted as preparations for war targeting neighboring countries. With the world on the brink of ruin, who has the luxury for that?

Nonetheless, it’s crucial that a hero would indeed be summoned, and everyone’s attention on the continent is focused on our kingdom’s sanctum. The pleas of envoys sent from various countries wanting to come to the sanctum had begun months before, and troops were hastily deployed to secure the area. This was to ensure the safety of the esteemed guests, both domestic and foreign.

Of course, the summoning of heroes is a delicate matter, and ordinary people are unaware of what’s happening. But the numerous villains existing in this absurd, pathetic world wouldn’t possibly be ignorant of the hero’s summoning.

So, why was I frowning here in front of the sanctum?

After a quick and careful deliberation, I finalized a plausible answer.

“I was worried that a terror incident might occur.”

Clevenz nodded, seemingly satisfied with my answer, and smiled.

“Times are indeed troubling, aren’t they?”

“Didn’t an incident happen recently due to dark magic?”

“The rejection of dark magic has intensified since the new pope ascended. Someone unreasonably challenging might act violently if one suddenly pulls a knife to their throat.”

In truth, I wasn’t really worried about a terror incident, but I pretended as if I was.

In this horrific world, one small blessing is that things like ninjas bursting in and wreaking havoc during the hero summoning ceremony don’t occur.

But I only knew that because I had played the game. These folks were oblivious.

“…And while, yes, we’ve received some information regarding potential terror from the Magic Tower and the Empire, they are mere unrealistic fantasies, so we’ve just handed them over to deal with it. Don’t worry too much, Frederick.”

Of course, Colonel Clevenz, who worked in intelligence, knew nothing would happen.

Having tracked down well over a hundred spies, tapped communications, and decimated the networks that had spread across the kingdom, he turned that network against numerous enemy intelligence operatives. Thanks to this guy, the promotion bottleneck was resolved, and employment opportunities opened up, so those folks ought to bow down to our kingdom thrice a day.

Anyway, there’s no way someone elite in the intelligence agency wouldn’t predict a terror attack. If that day ever came, it would likely be the day the kingdom fell.

With those idle thoughts in mind, I entered the building where the summoning preparations were completed. Walking along the red carpet from the entrance to the hallway, I suddenly felt a strange sensation. With a hero about to be summoned, it truly felt like all my troubles were ending. No longer would I have to worry about the approaching end and lose sleep over it; I could finally lay back and sleep soundly.

Of course, I knew this wasn’t the end, but the fact that there were five people to fight on my behalf lightened my heart.

Just what would the hero summoning ceremony feel like, I wondered?

Having watched high-definition cinematics numerous times, I still longed to see it in person.

“Looks like it’s already started.”

Light was spilling out from the doorway.

There were certainly many people inside, yet the sanctum was wrapped in silence, not a single breath to be heard.

The Colonel took me across the corridor, peering into the room where the summoning was taking place.

A pure white light.

At first glance, it appeared as if the sacred light flowed through the circuit of the summoning circle, emanating brilliance, and I held my breath to witness the spectacle. Strange and metaphysical shapes alongside incomprehensible letters were arranged in the circuit, gradually radiating a more intense shine. As the light brightened the dark sanctum to its peak, the structure of the summoning circle collapsed and pure white flames shot up to the ceiling.

The heatless white flames spread from the ceiling, causing some to topple over in surprise while others clutched their chests and sank to the floor. Even I, who was ignorant of mana or divine power, could feel the swirling force like a tempest.

The column of fire continued to blaze for a while before finally fading like smoke.

And then,

From among the extinguished flames emerged a woman. While her visage wasn’t entirely visible, her fiery crimson hair, reminiscent of flames, left a strong impression. After confirming the hero surrounded by cheers and applause, I turned my head.

I thought while witnessing the successful hero summoning.

This life is a success of sorts. If I hang in there just a bit longer, I’ll receive my pension, and by the time I return to my hometown, the hero will have saved the world, allowing me to live well on my pension for the rest of my life.

Suddenly, the 28 years of life I had spent after falling into a game world flashed before my eyes. Overwhelmed, I felt tears welling up, so I gritted my teeth while applauding.

In the remaining time, my life held only a flowery future.

For a while, I joined the crowd in applause, thinking so.

But then,

“Colonel Frederick Nostrim. I congratulate you on being chosen as a comrade of the hero.”

Suddenly, the difficulty level of my life transformed into hell.

 

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