One million years ago, the planet of Travia flourished with peace and prosperity. Three main species inhabited bountiful profuse lands. The elves (known as 'aeri' in the ancient tongue), dwarves (known as 'rorn'), and the beastfolk (known as 'lirana').
The graceful elves populated lush forests and were magic-centred. The rugged dwarfs resided in magnificently sculpted underground tunnels and specialised in the art of blacksmithing. And finally, the brisk beastfolk mingled among both elves and dwarves. The beastfolk were established in many areas of expertise. Cat-people were sly and agile. Mole-people living in harmony with dwarves, and so on.
However, a few thousand years ago, two gods descended upon Travia. A holy god and an evil god. In the old tongue, the holy god was referred to as 'Gahd', whilst the sinful god was known as 'Seyton'.
The words 'God' and "Satan' were directly derived from the old tongue.
As the clash of gods continued, each side began to summon their own minions. The spawn of the gods sprawled across the entire world, and conflicts emerged everywhere.
After many centuries, Seyton was defeated, and Gahd left the world to protect another.
Minions of both sides still roam the world today as the two dominant species: Humans (known as 'hareian'), and Demons (known as 'Muumuu').
Even now, major tension occurs between the two races.
However, no major conflict has arisen for more than 600 years. After the great human-demon war; one that lasted an entire century, the late True Demon and the late Angelic Hero decided to form a pact. Neither side shall start a war.
"But, since then, many have forgotten the true terrors or war. The Demon Lord reigning over the borderlands has begun to mobilise an army. We have successfully summoned a [Angelic Knight] from the otherworld, Ray Tanaka the [Miricle Human] to help fight this evil!" The king, Braiher, raises his hand.
An uproar of cheers erupts in the palace. "We, along with the four other countries that govern Humanity are mobilising an army. We have four [Miracle Human]s in total, and forces eighty thousand strong. In five months’ time, we will march and remove demons, the horrid scourge of Satan from our planet!"
It had been a week since I was summoned into this world. During that time, I learnt about this world, its current precedent and my role. I set [Hero] as my secondary class, and went to the Class Church, underwent the classing ceremony, and unlocked [Swordsman] as my primary class.
Within this week, I have come to learn that I am a monster.
In this world, strength is evaluated by a combination of level and rank.
The Adventurer's Guild, a major - albeit nonpolitical - powerhouse has a ranking system used to represent the strength of an individual.
By assessing rank, level and achievements, the Adventurer's Guild can precisely determine that power.
I am apparently a high Diamond-badge, second only the rumoured Mithril-badge.
However, today I am fated to encounter other monsters just like me.
A meeting with the three other [Miracle Human]s is scheduled later this evening.
Other people from Earth, just like me.
Incidentally, it seems the fifth country had failed the summoning spell twice.
That means two other people from Earth lie somewhere in this world.
I yearn to find them.
However, I am, admittedly incapable of such a thing.
Which is why I will help the lives in front of me instead. Within these five months, I will train profusely and prepare for a second war.
If temporary suffering and genocide can lead to a permanently prosperous future, I will gladly accept that trade-off.
I listen in to the rest of king Braiher’s speech, before taking a step outside the royal palace. Red leaves flutter down from trees, landing graciously on the smooth, marble walkway.
They dance like little spirits, wisping around to form subtle shapes and patterns.
----
Finally time, I march to the rendezvous point; a small teashop owned by one of the kings’ aides. Keqak had recommended this place, and I must say, gosh is it lovely.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
As I enter the shop, a young man blocks me from walking in.
"Sir, I am terribly sorry. The Elk has been reserved by an established customer." He says, bowing his head down at me. "Only four people can enter…"
He pauses, before looking at me again and glancing at his notepad.
"My mistake. This way, [Hero] Ray"
He leads me inside the establishment. Articulate paintings cover the walls. Some writing is beautiful scribbled along the window.
Todays special: Gal'per Liver - 1 silver coin.
Chef's recommended: Boiled Pokrey - 2 silver coins.
As I walk in, I see three figures stare at me. One big burly man, one slender woman and a young boy.
"Hello," I say, waving my hand at them. "I am Ray Tanaka. Born and raised in Japan, I was a third year in Fujikawa high."
"Well, I suppose it would be rude if we failed to introduce ourselves. I am Mat. Born and raised in America, I was 33 years old before… well… before I came here," states the burly man. Mat wears a set of heavy plate armour with spikes jutting out of the shoulder. Arms-crossed, he gazes at me, his big, bushy brows snapped together.
"Oh, are we doing introductions? Yay, I love intros!" says the boy. "So, uh… what do I say again? - Oh right! Names Raphael. Raph is fine though. Actually, please call me Raph. I prefer it over Rapheal. I grew up in Spain, but moved to Australia before… I got here.
Sitting next to Mat, they almost juxtapose perfectly. Raph's pale skin contrasts with Mats darker tone. Mats huge frame towers over Raph's small frame.
While Mat is covered head-to-toe with armour, Raph wears virtually no gear. A large bow slings on his back, and a pouch of arrows are tied to his waist.
"""…"""
The three of us soundlessly wait for the woman to talk.
"Er, Hello? You're not sleeping, are you?" questions Raph as he zooms in on the silent woman, noses almost touching. "I mean, sure, secretly catching Z's is nice, but this is serious, isn’t it?-"
"I would prefer if you not stood so close to me. Sorry for keeping quiet, but I would prefer not to talk about my past." She utters. "What I will say is that my name is Melony, and that I was born in Korea."
"Yikes! No need for the scary intro. Fair enough though, I also have a checkered past"
"So…" I begin, attempting to ease the tension in the room, "what classes did you select?"
"What class I picked? I chose [Archer]. Don't the bow and arrows give it away?" Raph questions inquisitively.
"Me? I have elected the [Brawler] class, a combination of the [Tank] and [Fighter] class." Mat says his spiky armour rattling.
However, all we get is a one worded, brief response from Melony: "[Mage]"
Already, I can make out each person’s personality. Raph, the youngest and by far, most laid-back looks barely fourteen. Having someone like him here certainly cuts the tension.
Mat, the oldest, and by far, the most serious, has a straightforward and sincere personality. A good and reliable man in times of crisis.
To be honest, I cannot derive much from Melony's demeanour. All I can tell is that either she is a woman of few words, or has something to hide.
"Jeez, the tension in this room is really nerve-wracking. Guess I'll break that tension like our buddy Ray over there."
"So… we all got that [Hero Pack] or something with the overpowered loot, right? So how come our getups look different if we have the same Items? I mean, I have a bow and Ray has a freaking sword!"
Mat cuts in, voicing his idea. "Perhaps our items vary to suit the user? Mine certainly contrasts with everyone else’s."
"Perhaps the stat of our gear is also different?" I ask. "With gear equip, my stats get boosted from 1,000 each to an average of 3,500 each"
Raph stands there, dumb-folded. Mat whistles in admiration. Melony just nods.
Mat is the first to speak up. "3,500? Ray, I must say I am beyond disbelief. My gear only boosts my stats to 2,000 each"
"Same!" Raph exclaims, chirping in.
Melony just nods again, agreeing with Mat and Raph.
"Maybe you are a true hero?"
Another voice joins the conversation.
"Keqak?!" I stammer in surprise.
"You know that old mage looking guy?"
"Yes, I was the one who summoned Ray. I apologise for overhearing your conversation, but I swear I bear no ill will. When I summoned Ray, I knew something was amiss. I spoke to the other court mages who had summoned heroes. My summoning took a massive 5,000 mana. Theirs, only 3,000 mana.
"Keqak, you mean to say your mana stat exceeds 5,000?" Here I thought I was abnormally strong, and Keqak casually waves around his stats like nothing.
"Hohoho! Yes, in fact, my mana stat is 7,000. However, the rest of my stats are centred to a humble 5,000. But do not be let down! The number of Mithril-grades such as myself can be counted in one hand. And I have spent oh-so long training to reach this pinnacle. You heroes are overflowing with potential to become Mithril-grades yourselves!"
"I do admit, the sound of Mithril-grade sounds promising." Mat says, "but what did you mean when you said Ray was a 'true hero'?"
Keqak pauses for a moment. "I will be with you briefly. This is a complicated matter, and I must deduce how to explain it in a simple way."
After a moment of silence, Keqak clears his throat and begins to talk. "You see, the spell that bought you here was a fabrication of summoning and dimensional magic. The spell searches for suitable candidates. However, as the spell cannot search indefinitely, a user must be chosen before the mage runs out of mana. All of you have immensely high affinities for heroism - hence, your selection. However, Ray is a perfect candidate. His wavelength matched exactly with the spells. Because of this, more mana was required to summon him. This is because he was able to draw out more of the spells inner power."
"Whoa! Should I call you Mr. Hero now?" Raph asks teasingly.
For the rest of the meeting, we add each other to our parties before parting our own ways.
This way, we can quickly chat using the system without the use of related skills.
As expected, moment we leave the teashop, a I get a notification icon that pops out.
When I click on it, unsurprisingly, the sender is Raph.
[Raph]: Hi guys! Just testing the chat function! [Raph]: Wait one moment, I think I found something cool… [Raph - Hero of Mercy]: Ta-dah! [Mat]: Is there a way to mute this thing? [Raph :D]: Aw, stop the hate :c [Ray]: Haha, your personality sure is over-the-top. One moment, I'll add a setting to the chat. [Mat]: Many thanks, Ray [Ray]: No problem. [Raphy]: Eh, I guess that works out too. You guys gonna change ur nicknames or summin'? [Mat]: No. [Ray]: Perhaps? Anyway, I was wondering after I saw Raph’s first nickname change, what heavenly virtue are you all assigned to? [Raphy]: Mercy for me! [Mat]: Me? I was assigned as a Hero of diligence. [Melony]: Temperance. [Raphy]: Wait what? You were lurking here the whole time? Isn't that kinda stalker-ish? [Melony]: … . . .