A typical day for me. A trip to the anime store, some hanging out with friends, and then heading home. That's what I expected, but boy, was I wrong.
"Thanks again, Kenji! Have a nice one!" The cashier's smile was infectious as I exited the anime store. As I made my way to the train station, I couldn't help but notice the ice cream stand. It was a place my dad and I used to frequent, but now run by the daughter and son while their parents were away. I decided to stop by for a scoop and to say hello.
"Yo!" I waved at the sister, her face lighting up as if she'd seen a ghost. "KEN KEN-KUN!!!" she exclaimed, running over to hug me. The brother chimed in with a snarky grin, his memories of making me laugh as a kid still fresh. "Well, I'd be, how's it goin', kid!"
"Yeah, it's been a while," I replied, "and can you not call me that anymore...?" The nickname 'Ken Ken-Kun' had haunted me since childhood, but the sister insisted, and it made me smile, despite my confusion.
After catching up and enjoying some ice cream, I finally made my way to the train station. Just as the train was about to arrive, I spotted Nanami and decided to make another pit stop to say hello. Knowing her little brother was going through some rough times, I wanted to check in on her.
"Yo! Nanami, how's it going?" I greeted her with a curious look. Her bright smile was a welcome sight, a stark contrast to the worries she'd been carrying.
"Kenji-kun, hey!" Nanami replied, her smile reaching her eyes. She explained how she'd missed her first train due to a bookstore visit but shared good news about her brother's recovery.
"That's great to hear!" I exclaimed, offering my support before my train arrived. Waving goodbye, I made my way towards the platform, but then, a scream pierced the air.
"AH!!!" A woman's cry of fear echoed through the station. I turned, only to be shoved onto the train tracks...
I tried to stand but found my shoe stuck to the rail. People reached out to help, but it was too late. The train was closing in, and I was frozen in place, unable to move. As it struck me, everything went black...
Then, I found myself floating in a strange space. "Is this heaven?" I wondered aloud.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
"Something like that," a figure replied.
"Who are you?" I asked, bewildered.
"My name is Rita, the goddess of reincarnation," she announced proudly. "And it's very nice to meet you, Mr. Onimaru."
"Ew, don't call me Mr. That's my dad's name. Just call me Kenji," I interjected.
"Fine, Kenji. I have a question for you," Rita said, eyeing me with interest.
"No, I don't want to be sent to another world. Just let me die, please," I pleaded, hoping to avoid whatever she had planned.
Rita ignored my request, summoning a portal beneath me. "Shut up, you sexy idiot!" she retorted, As I plummeted through the swirling portal, my mind raced with a whirlwind of thoughts. The rush of air whipped past me, and I clutched at the fabric of reality, desperately trying to anchor myself. But there was no turning back now.
Images flashed before my eyes—scenes of a world unlike any I had ever known. Strange creatures roamed vast landscapes, and towering cities stretched towards the sky. Magic crackled in the air, and the very essence of the world pulsed with energy.
Suddenly, the portal spat me out, and I crashed onto solid ground with a thud. Dust and debris clouded the air, and I coughed and sputtered, struggling to regain my bearings. As the haze cleared, I found myself in the midst of a bustling marketplace, surrounded by curious onlookers.
"Hey, watch where you're going, buddy!" someone shouted, jolting me back to reality. I scrambled to my feet, trying to make sense of my surroundings. Everything felt surreal, like I had stumbled into a dream.
But there was no time to dwell on my confusion. Rita's words echoed in my mind, reminding me of the task ahead. If I wanted to survive in this new world, I would need to adapt—and fast.
With newfound determination, I set off into the unknown, eager to discover what lay beyond the crowded streets of the marketplace. Each step forward brought me closer to unraveling the mysteries of Hermaniya, and though fear gnawed at my insides, I refused to let it hold me back.
Hours turned into days as I navigated the unfamiliar terrain, learning to fend for myself in a world fraught with danger. Along the way, I encountered a myriad of characters—some friendly, others not so much—but each encounter taught me something new about the world I now called home.
As I journeyed deeper into Hermaniya, I couldn't shake the feeling that my arrival was no mere coincidence. Rita's cryptic words lingered in the back of my mind, a constant reminder of the fate that awaited me.
But despite the uncertainty that lay ahead, I refused to give up hope. With every passing day, I grew stronger, honing my skills and forging new alliances. And though the road ahead was fraught with peril, I knew that as long as I stayed true to myself, I would find a way to overcome whatever obstacles stood in my way.
And so, with determination burning in my heart, I pressed on, ready to face whatever challenges the future held. For in this strange new world, anything was possible—and I was determined to make the most of it.
I wonder though am I the only one sent here?