Author Note: I bumped up the ages of various characters to avoid dealing with minors. This will affect essentially nothing. Some other changes to the continuity have been made, but events will largely follow those of the anime to start with. As we get going, they will diverge.
The story is written in the style of a screenplay. I will include a dramatis personae at the end of every chapter - a list of key characters who appear in the chapter, and short descriptions of who they are, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting people.
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SCENE: The masquerade. A giant town square is filled with elegantly dressed, masked DANCERS. Their clothes are incredibly expensive, showing gold, rubies, silk, intricate patterns and impossibly fine cuts. They spin and weave in a complex, perfectly coordinated dance, grouping up and splitting, moving as if more liquid than people. Music floats above the square.
NARRATOR: Ants! What can a single ant do? Nothing, really. Yet, a group - a society of ants - can build massive anthills, coordinate raids, cross rivers, and fell giant trees! And yet, even as they do that, no single ant can possibly understand the complexity of their society!
DANCERS are speeding up, forming a hypnotic, shifting pattern. The music speeds up with them.
NARRATOR: The laws governing antdom are incomprehensible to ants, and cannot be learned if you look at a single ant. Only when the entire system is in view, can they be studied. Humans are much alike: you cannot learn the laws of human society by looking at a single human. But then, what is a single human to do? If complex systems govern society, how could they expect to affect change?
DANCERS reach a ludicrous speed; it seems that at any moment, one of them will slip, fall, and bring the whole square down with them like so many dominoes. Music reaches a furious crescendo.
NARRATOR: But sometimes, when conditions are right, a system can be pushed over with a single blow!
Gunshot rings out over the crowd, and the music stops. DANCERS flee the square in perfect coordination, leaving it empty in moments, with a single person standing in the middle, a revolver raised into the air.
NARRATOR: It is by recognising these moments, that a single person can affect society!
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SCENE: An opulent, spacious hall, decorated with gold, silk and marble. Windows cover one of the walls, from the floor to the ceiling, letting in bright, morning light. A giant door - or perhaps a gate - takes up another wall, with a decorated red carpet leading from it to a throne on the other side of the room. Two rows of columns flank the carpet, going down the length of the hall, supporting walkways near the ceiling, where crowds of courtiers have gathered to watch the proceedings. Murmurs of whispered conversation echo around the walls.
The throne is occupied by THE KING. By their side, there are guards and a small group of close advisors. In front of the throne stand four young men, dressed in modern clothes unfitting of their surroundings. Each of them holds one of four weapons - a SHIELD, a BOW, a SWORD and a SPEAR. THE KING has just stopped retelling an apocalyptic prophecy, with a grave look on their face.
THE SWORD HERO: So, allow me to summarize. Once every few months, a set of portals opens up, spilling powerful monsters over a random location. If these monsters are not defeated, then the world moves closer to its end. These events are called “Waves of Apocalypse”.
KING: That is correct.
THE SWORD HERO: And in order to defend against these waves, you have summoned us - four ‘cardinal heroes’ - each of whom carries a special, legendary magical weapon. These weapons will grow in power over time as we fight the monsters.
KING: Yes.
THE SHIELD HERO: A shield is a weapon?
THE SWORD HERO: It’s magic. Even a fan could be a weapon with enough magic. Look -
He throws the sword to the side. After a moment, it winks out from the ground, and appears back in his hand.
THE SWORD HERO: We can’t even be separated from these weapons. Besides the weapons, we can access a mental menu, containing all our statistics, letting us keep track of our inventory, and so on.
KING: Indeed.
THE SWORD HERO: Currently, we are all level one, and therefore very weak. We would have to grind in order to be of any use in the waves. Unfortunately, the menu says that if we adventure together, we would level up slower, so we will have to split up.
KING: Yes, thank you. After a feast, we will bring in some volunteers to help you. And now, I believe it is time for the heroes to introduce themselves.
THE SPEAR HERO stands forth. He is blonde, tall, beautiful and exudes arrogance.
THE SPEAR HERO: I’ll go first! Kitamura Motoyasu, 23 years old, college student. Pleased to meet you!
THE SWORD HERO follows after. He is dark haired, with noble features, and is idly picking at dirt from under his nails.
THE SWORD HERO: Next is me, I suppose. Amaki Ren. 18 years old, finishing high school.
THE BOW HERO continues the line up. Brown haired and shorter than the other three, he is dressed in bright, orange clothes, complimenting his smile.
THE BOW HERO: I am Kawasumi Itsuki. 19 years old, college student.
KING: Hmm. Ren, Motoyasu and Itsuki, huh? Thank you heroes for introducing yourselves -
THE SHIELD HERO: Wait, what about me?
KING: Oh, forgive me. Please, go ahead.
THE SHIELD HERO: My name is Naofumi Iwatani, 20 years old, and also a college student.
KING: Excellent. Of course, once you have defeated all the Waves, you will be rewarded handsomely.”
REN, THE SWORD HERO: Good. You didn’t expect us to defend you for free, did you?
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SCENE: A feast hall, filled with dozens of tables full of food. Dozens of tables are covered with small plates of varied food: dumplings, sandwiches, soups, puddings, tiny pies, and so on. Courtiers pass between tables, mingling with one another
The four heroes are huddled around one of the tables, discussing the events. Occasionally courtiers approach them for an introduction and a short chat, before leaving.
NAOFUMI: Man, no way am I remembering any of their names afterwards.
MOTOYASU: Ha! Are you one of those people who never reads lore text?
NAOFUMI: Wait, lore text? What are you talking about?
The other three heroes share a look between them.
MOTOYASU: Ah, from the item or quest descriptions? It mentions a lot of these people.
NAOFUMI: Item descriptions?
MOTOYASU: …yes. From the game, remember?
NAOFUMI looks around, clearly not understanding.
NAOFUMI: Are you saying that, back on Earth, you played a game set in this world? So you already know who everyone is and how everything works?
MOTOYASU: Yes, of course.
REN: Me too.
ITSUKI: Same.
REN: Wait, how did you end up here then? I logged into the game and it pulled me in.
MOTOYASU: Yeah, me as well.
ITSUKI: Uh-huh.
NAOFUMI: I went to the library for some light reading and opened a book from the shelf. Didn’t have time to read anything besides the title.
The other three heroes laugh.
NAOFUMI: Oh man, really?
REN: Well, no wonder you ended up as a shielder then. Nobody played them in the game, the class was badly designed.
The other two heroes nod.
NAOFUMI: Seriously? So I also get the short end of the power stick?
ITSUKI: Oh, don’t worry too much. Things are a bit different here: only one player per weapon, so even if you are weaker, we could still use your help. And you’d have a party, right?
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SCENE: Back in the audience hall. A long row of volunteers is standing in front of the King’s throne. They are kitted in all sorts of gear - armor, bows, swords, magic staves, and so on.
KING: And now, the volunteers would choose whose party they would join.
ITSUKI: We don’t get to pick?
KING: No. These people are volunteers - I cannot force them to follow any of you. They will make their own choices.
Volunteers line up behind their chosen heroes. None pick NAOFUMI. He looks distraught.
NAOFUMI: What? Nobody? Come on, I also need a party!
KING: Hmm. I admit I haven’t been expecting this.
NAOFUMI: What? Did something happen?
KING: It seems that there have been rumors that the Shield Hero doesn’t know anything about our world. It is only natural that none of the volunteers want to risk their life in this situation.
NARRATOR: Perhaps loudly discussing things at dinner is not the best idea!
NAOFUMI looks around, in shock.
NAOFUMI: How can I fight the Waves like this? I can’t even kill anyone, all I have is a shield…
NAOFUMI turns to ITSUKI.
NAOFUMI: Hey Itsuki, could you at least give me one guy? You have five of them already…
MYSTERIOUS VOLUNTEER: Sir Hero!
Lightly armored, red-headed woman with a sword at her hip steps out from behind MOTOYASU. She is stunningly beautiful, and dressed richly.
MYNE, THE MYSTERIOUS VOLUNTEER: I am Myne.
MYNE makes a curtsy, then turns toward MOTOYASU.
MYNE: Would you allow me to join Sir Shield’s party? I think it would be unfair to leave them with no companions.
MOTOYASU scratches his head.
MOTOYASU: Are you sure? Well, if you are, I don’t mind.
With volunteers distributed, THE KING gives every hero 600 silver coins as starting money. NAOFUMI gets 800 to compensate for their smaller party.
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SCENE: Evening in a large, busy tavern. The room is busy and loud, with waitresses running between tables, bringing food and drink. All four heroes, as well as their parties, are having a final meal before setting off out of town on the next day. The heroes are sitting together, with their party members spread throughout the room. They are discussing their life back on Earth.
REI: I’ve been wondering, Naofumi - what are those?
He points at NAOFUMI’s chest. On his shirt, there are three decorated pins. One of them has a red star.
NAOFUMI: These? Oh, they are my student club emblems. You could get free food at the student faculty if you wore them. One was for singing, another for history… All sorts of stuff, really.
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MYNE: Sir hero!
MYNE waves to NAOFUMI from across the room.
NAOFUMI: Oh, Myne is calling me. I’ll go talk to her - maybe she wants to discuss what we will do tomorrow.
ITSUKI: Cheers!
NAOFUMI gets up and heads to MYNE’s table.
MYNE: Oh, please, take a seat.
NAOFUMI takes a seat. They order some food, and MYNE orders wine.
MYNE: Don’t you want to drink Sir Hero?
NAOFUMI: Oh no, I don’t drink.
MYNE: But we are celebrating!
NAOFUMI: Still.
MYNE pouts, but lets the issue go.
NAOFUMI: Thanks. I think I will head upstairs - big day ahead.
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SCENE: NAOFUMI in his rented tavern room, preparing for bed. The room is sparsely furnished - with a simple bed, a desk, and a closet, with little in the way of decoration. A set of chainmail armor is draped over the desk.
NAOFUMI: This whole situation is quite something. Brought to another world, forced to fight these Waves… At least it seems I made some friends already. Myne showed me around town, so soon I won’t be behind on my local knowledge. Even got this armor fitted to me, which was very nice of her - I wouldn’t have known what to buy first.
NAOFUMI hefts the bag of silver in his hand, then takes out a dozen coins, and stuffs them in between his clothing and the shield.
NAOFUMI: Eh, why not. I feel a bit like a paranoid tourist, but I won’t break a habit built over years of college travels. This way I won’t be out if someone steals my wallet.
NAOFUMI undresses, gets into bed, and crawls in. As he drifts asleep, he murmurs.
NAOFUMI: Maybe things will turn out alright. I could even achieve something big in this world.
The room goes dark.
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SCENE: Morning. NAOFUMI is sleeping in his bed, turning from one side to the other. His earth clothes are where he left them, but the suit of chainmail, as well as the bag of silver, are gone.
NAOFUMI wakes up, and gets out of bed.
NAOFUMI: What the - fuck! We’ve been robbed!
NAOFUMI quickly puts on his clothes, and rushes out of his room. He heads to the room right across, and knocks on the door.
NAOFUMI: Myne! Wake up - we’ve been robbed!
The door opens as he knocks on it - it is unlocked. The room behind it is empty - Myne is nowhere to be found.
NAOFUMI: She must have gone downstairs to get breakfast.
He rushes towards the stairs leading back to the tavern hall, but is stopped by a squad of armed guards heading in the opposite direction. The lead guad, wearing a crested helmet, glances at his shield, and his face contorts in disgust.
GUARD WITH FANCY HELMET: Shield Hero? Please come with us. The king has summoned you to the castle.
NAOFUMI is surrounded by the guards, and is lead outside, confused.
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SCENE: Back in the castle audience hall. The crowds are absent now: only the KING, his guards, the other heroes and MYNE are present. MYNE is standing next to MOTOYASU, who is wearing the same suit of chainmail that was taken from NAOFUMI’s room. As NAOFUMI is led through the doors, everyone turns to face him, their faces grave.
NAOFUMI: What is going on? Myne, someone robbed us -
MYNE shrinks away from him, hiding behind MOTOYASU. NAOFUMI looks confused, until a guard behind him kicks him in the back, making him sprawl on the ground. The other guards unsheathe weapons and surround NAOFUMI.
NAOFUMI: What is going on? I was robbed, and now this -
KING: Shut up, scumbag!
KING sighs, and covers his face.
KING: Myne, you poor adventurer, could you please testify once more for us, as you have done for me in private?
MYNE, from behind THE SPEAR HERO: T-the Shield Hero barged into my room drunk and pinned me down. He said “The night is still young” and tore my clothes off. I somehow escaped and ran to Sir Motoyasu, who was staying at the same inn, for help!
NAOFUMI: What the hell?
MOTOYASU: If she hadn’t asked me to wait till dawn and call the knights, I would have cut you down myself!
NAOFUMI: What? I went straight to bed after dinner last night! I don’t even drink!
NAOFUMI notices the chainmail.
NAOFUMI: Wait, that chainmail…
MOTOYASU: What about it? Myne gave this to me as a present when I met her at the pub yesterday.
KING: To think that the Shield Hero would commit the gravest sin in this country. In Melromarc, even attempting to sexually assault a woman is punishable by death! If you weren’t a hero, you would be executed immediately!
NAOFUMI: Executed? I am telling you, you’ve got the wrong idea! I didn’t do it! I don’t drink, and I haven’t even been in Myne’s room!
GUARD WITH FANCY HELMET: Your highness, when questioned, tavern keeper confessed that he saw Sir Shield utterly drunk last night. Furthermore, when we searched the Shield Hero’s room, we found this on his bed!
GUARD WITH FANCY HELMET presents a set of female underwear. MYNE schrieks and covers her face.
MOTOYASU: You animal!
KING: There you have it. Undeniable proof.
NAOFUMI: What? This is all a setup! Come on, Itsuki and Rei, surely you saw that I didn’t drink last night?
ITSUKI: After you left to talk to Myne, I haven’t seen you.
REI: Me either. You think that just because you are a hero you can do whatever the hell you want and get away with it?
NAOFUMI: That’s not even the least bit true!
MOTOYASU: You are not the be all and end all in this world! Know your place!
NAOFUMI looks around, confused and panicked.
NARRATOR: Slowly, realization dawns.
A ray of light from the dawning sun reaches through the windows of the hall. As it touches NAOFUMI, SPIRIT OF NAOFUMI is revealed to be standing behind them, speaking their thoughts.
SPIRIT OF NAOFUMI: I see. Joining me was just a ruse meant to destroy me right here. It was all a lie!
NAOFUMI gestures to MOTOYASU and MYNE.
NAOFUMI: You two planned this together! It’s the only explanation!
REI: Refusing to admit his guilt and making nonsensical accusations.
ITSUKI: They never should have summoned the shield hero.
NAOFUMI: Fine. I don’t care anymore. Just send me back to my world. And summon a new shield hero or whatever the hell you want? Why should I have to go through this for this world?
MOTOYASU: Yeah, get lost, who wants to fight alongside a rapist?
KING: I’d love to do as you wish and kick you out, but the legend says that new heroes can only be summoned once all four cardinal heroes die. You can only go home after you fight off all the incoming Waves.
Shocked realization spreads through the heroes. NAOFUMI uses this moment to bat aside the sword of one of the guards. As he does this, his shield emits a blast of force, sending the other guards stumbling back.
NAOFUMI: Get off me. Will you throw me in jail until the next wave?
KING: I won’t imprison you. Scum or not, you are still a hero, one of the only beings who can fight the Waves. But news of your crime is already spreading among the people. This is your punishment. Don’t think you will ever get to lead a decent life in this country.
SPIRIT OF NAOFUMI: The bastard must have started the rumor himself.
NAOFUMI: Then I’ll see you at the Waves.
NAOFUMI scowls, spits on the ground, turns around, and marches out of the hall.
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SCENE: A forest next to the town.
NARRATOR: Some people learn best from books; others, from live instruction; still others, from practice. But there is one fact that remains true for most everyone: You cannot truly learn something, down to your very bones, until it affects you personally.
NAOFUMI: Rat-fucking bastards!
Man previously known as Shield Hero is punching a tree. Tears stream down his face.
NAOFUMI: All I wanted was a fucking chance!
NARRATOR: Everything in the world appears set against him! He has neither allies, nor money, nor power!
NARRATOR: Wordless cries of dismay echo from his chest. He briefly considers ending it all.
NARRATOR: And yet, in the back of his mind, somewhere deep within the confines of his brain…synapses fire, connections linking together!
NARRATOR: These sparks grow, join up, and turn into a furious cascade, a flash of lightning that illuminates the void of despair surrounding him!
NARRATOR: This flash waxes, shifts, morphs, and turns into…a feeling! A desire! Desire for life! For survival!
NARRATOR: It is a call of the heart made in the darkest moment, a single spark that could set a forest ablaze, saying “No! I will not go silently into the night!”
NARRATOR: But a desire, on its own, is worth little. What good is a desire for an impossibility?
NAOFUMI slumps against the tree. He slides to the ground, his hand clutching his chest.
NARRATOR: There is nothing he could do. He is all alone.
NAOFUMI’s hand brushes up against the university club badges on his chest. He glances down on them. One of them - a red star, with writing around it - shines bright.
NARRATOR: He remembers words he heard long ago. Ones that, at the time, sounded like empty platitudes.
SPIRIT OF THE PAST: To be a socialist is to believe that humanity can always do better. That even in the darkest night, the stars would not go out. That even if the entire world is full of evil, even if you are the last socialist in the world, even if all the armies in the world are against you, even if the road to a better future seems immeasurably long, you should rise up your tools and say ‘We can build it!’
NARRATOR: The spark of desire touches these words, turning them into the driest kindling! Desire ignites, and turns into…conviction!
NAOFUMI, THE FIRST SOCIALIST: You fucking bastards. You think you can just wipe your boots with my face, because you are ‘royalty’?
There are no more tears on NAOFUMI’s face. His face is contorted in a grimace of cold rage!
THE FIRST SOCIALIST: Because some fucking ancestor of yours killed enough people to put a crown on their head? Because you pillage and rob enough people that your troves of blood money can pay for an army? Because if anyone so much as farts against your wishes, you can cut off their head?
NARRATOR: Conviction hisses, heats up, boils over, and explodes, turning into a plan!
THE FIRST SOCIALIST: I will make you regret bringing me here, you feodal pieces of shit. I will bury you in the ruins of your own fucking castles. I - no, we, the workers you tread over, the peasantry your types always stomp into the ground, will dance so hard on your graves that you will hear the music in your fucking afterlife.
THE FIRST SOCIALIST stands up, and walks away from the tree. As he does so, he whispers.
THE FIRST SOCIALIST: There is no time to waste: material conditions have to be engineered.
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DRAMATIS PERSONAE
THE NARRATOR. Visiting us from the Ultimate Survivor Kaiji. Voice of drama.
SPIRIT OF THE PAST. Voice of all that comes from Earth.
SPIRIT OF NAOFUMI. Voice of the heart.
NAOFUMI IWATANI, THE SHIELD HERO. The only socialist. Protagonist.
KITAMURA MOTOYASU, THE SPEAR HERO. Tall and handsome. Oblivious.
AMAKI REN, THE SWORD HERO. Dark and brooding. Practical.
KAWASUMI ITSUKI, THE BOW HERO. Bright and shining.
MYNE. Sorceress adventurer extraordinaire. Betrayed Naofumi.
GUARD WITH FANCY HELMET. Captain of the royal guards.