Betrayed <Final>

«Ding! Your naivety led to your death, but... it's alright as I'm here.»

****

Hah~

It's cold.

The moment my eyes closed, I knew it would be over.

Instead of prioritizing my own power, I focused on the well-being of the people. And in the end, my powers diminished.

Not that I had much to begin with, since my stats were only raised twofold of what they originally were.

Compared to the heroes, I was, of course, nothing worth mentioning in their eyes.

The people and the world proved this point as well.

Each time I closed my eyes, I could clearly remember the vivid image of their gazes filled with an extreme sense of hate.

But why? Why rush when you could use someone? Why rush when you could use someone for your benefit, even if just for a while longer?

And that's what they did.

Whenever I was around, I would be showered with their worship, but the moment I turned my back, I was cursed.

My downfall was prayed upon by the ones I had cherished, by the very people I had saved.

When the nobles decided that shedding some blood would be beneficial for the people's future, I was the one who stepped in. When the nobles rebelled and the king went on a killing spree, I was the one that...

Sigh*

It doesn't matter. It truly doesn't matter.

But if this was what you wanted to show me, you have truly done a good job.

This world doesn't deserve your creativity; this world doesn't deserve your sympathy.

As my thoughts drifted into a realm of the unknown, I found myself slowly losing my sanity.

At first, it wasn't obvious, but with time, it slowly became so.

[The tutorial is now over. The host will be transported into his true body.]

[Ding! System has detected the heroes (1/4). Error: the system will be removing the host from this list...]

[(3/3) The heroes of Anteres have also been detected and will be transported alongside the host.]

[Ding! All system functions will be unlocked upon arrival at the final destination.]

[Ding! (2/2) Beings from the world of Anteres will also be transported to this new world.]

[(3+2+1=6). All individuals will retain their previous memories.]

[Ding! Due to the host's fundamental state, a bonus reward will be sent shortly.]

«This time your life and death will be in your own hands. The world you're being transported to is your own. So failure is not an option.»

As the vague voice of the system rang in my ears, I found my eyes... no, my senses themselves shutting down.

***

[Do you wish to return to the world of the heroes (Earth)?]

"Yes, we're sure," x2

[...]

****

(Heroes)

[Your world has been destroyed. The system will transport the host to a new world (Earth).]

When the three heroes saw the message that was displayed on their own systems individually, only one of the three held a look of regret, pity, and longing. However, that didn't last long since this was all just a façade.

"I couldn't care less about that accursed world. Whatever happens to it has nothing to do with me, so don't bother mentioning it," one of the three heroes said.

"You're as feisty as ever, don't you think so, Ray?" another hero intervened.

"And you are?"

"Sigh. Why are you like this, Ray? Is this how you treat friends, hmm?"

"Chris isn't wrong, Ray. This isn't how to treat fellow heroes," a female voice spoke up.

Upon hearing the familiar female voice, Ray and Chris couldn't help but turn their heads to the girl's direction.

"So you're here," Ray was the first to speak.

"Why would I not be?" the woman replied.

"Nothing, just curious I guess," Ray replied.

From the sidelines was Chris. The fiery-haired youth couldn't help but cutely puff up his cheeks as he stared at the two lovebirds before him.

Rumble! Rumble! Rumble!

The sound of thunderbolts crashing down was heard.

This prompted the heroes to look around the dark room that they found themselves in. Unfortunately, nothing could be seen.

It didn't take much longer for their bodies to casually fall to the floor and the room to shift from dark to white.

*****

Wakey! Wakey! Wakey! Wakey!

Morning ~

A day worshipped by all, a day that many choose to work.

As the alarm clock rang, the silhouette of a young man could be seen.

The young man was draped in simple hospital attire.

Suddenly, the young man's finger couldn't help but unconsciously twitch.

Maybe it was due to the alarm clock and maybe it was not.

As the youth awakened from his slumber, a slight groan escaped his lips.

"Where... Where exactly am I?" the young man said in an audible tone as he reached out to grab the alarm clock.

A pair of blue eyes that were comparable to the blue sky, vibrant dark hair—the youth's appearance held a touch of danger that made it hard for one to approach him directly. Maybe it was due to the dark circles under his eyes or maybe it was due to how thick the youth's eyelashes were.

As the young man slowly came to face the truth of reality, his eyes couldn't help but widen with a sense of shock and horror.

"Wait... Didn't I die? Why am I alive?" the young man said in a tone that held confusion.

'No... this is probably some illusion of some sort,' the youth thought as he tiredly made his way out of the bed.

Unfortunately, the youth didn't go too far due to how fragile his body was at the moment.

"Wait... What the hell is going on?" the young man murmured under his breath.

"I couldn't have possibly returned to Earth, right?" the youth tried to convince himself once more.

Suddenly, the urge to call out for the system overcame the young man.

'System'

[...]

'The system responded, then doesn't this mean... No, let's not jump to conclusions just yet.'

'Stats'

[Status]

Current status: civilian

[You've returned to Earth]

Host: Takashi

Age: 20

Strength: 10

Agility: 7

Intelligence: 6

Regeneration: 5

Mana: (Mana has invaded Earth)

Mana core rank:

Affinity:

Divinity: ???

Skills:

Weapon Mastery: None

Martial partners: ????

Stat points:

Title:

***

"So I wasn't wrong. Still, the whole situation is a bit..."

Before I was forcefully brought to another world, I had a normal life whatsoever.

Similar to the NPC in that accursed novel, my name was also Takashi.

At first, I thought that maybe this was most likely the work of the author, but now... I think I'm starting to have second thoughts on that.

Turning my gaze to the system, I stared at the familiar message that I once saw when I arrived in the world of "Anteres".

[The true Beginner's package has been restored. Would the host like to open?

Y/N]

'True Beginner's package?'

As the system's words replayed throughout my thoughts, I couldn't help but feel a sense of uneasiness.

However, deciding not to think too much about the situation, I shook away my thoughts as I swallowed that feeling.

"Open it."

[Ding! You've received "Dimensional storage (unlimited) 1★ (short sword) (Rune Stone ????) (Wind divinity+ Core) Beginner's grade Sword Skill: Dance of the Wind.]

Compared to last time, the Beginner's gift looks quite a lot more fruitful.

Shaking away my thoughts with the strength I could muster, I rose to my feet.

Crackle... Boom...!

A loud boom struck the surface.

Boom...!

Another frightening "boom" was heard, but this time, the agonizing cries of the civilians could be heard.

"Ahhhh... Help! This crazy bit... Ahhh!!"

Boom! Run! Run for your lives!!!

As the commotion became too much for me to just idly sit by, step by step, I limped over to the small window that gave me a display of the events outside.

****

Tall buildings were brought to their knees in an instant due to the relentless attacks of goblins.

Yes, you heard that right, goblins.

However, that wasn't the end of it. Coupled with the relentless attacks of the goblins, there was a single figure who was mindlessly running around the streets, biting and clawing at whoever she came in contact with.

It didn't take her victims long to resemble the undead.

"What the hell is this?! This... isn't this..." My words came to a stop as I swallowed hard.

The hospital was safe, but how long would that last? If my suspicion is correct, then whatever those outside are, it'd be best not to idly sit by and wait.