An Enemy Of The World As Soon As I Arrive

So...

To explain the current situation, we need to go back just a few minutes to before Shin arrives late to the party.

Whilst the class laughs their asses off at the comedic scene of Haruto’s shenanigans, they fail to notice the glowing magic circle expanding beneath their feet.

How one fails to notice a giant glowing magic circle is up to anyone’s guess.

What does matter is that they got teleported someplace, with a lot of yelling and shrieking involved. Alongside a few odd cheers from the Otaku gang.

The entire class gets whisked away and finds themselves in a grand cathedral. Expensive murals and masterfully sculpted works of theological art decorate the chambers.

The only things not invested with copious amounts of wealth are the pews and an old altar with several tablets and tomes. The pews and altar are of a design commonly seen in Protestant Christian churches.

As the class tries to absorb and digest the fact they’ve been isekai-ed, they are greeted by a tall old man in crimson cardinal robes. Flanking his sides are a dozen guards in heavy armor.

“Greetings, heroes. I am Cardinal Halsey.” The Cardinal bows respectfully, one hand hovering over his chest. The guards follow his example. “You might be confused as to why you’re h-”

“We know,” one of the students piped up. “You guys summoned us here because there’s a threat you guys can’t solve on your own, so you resorted to kidnapping us to help you solve it.”

The cardinal scratches the back of his head, “Umm… Well… Yes… But kidnapping is a bit strong of a word.”

“How else do you justify summoning people against their will to another world?” another student quips.

Pretending not to have heard the student’s remark, the cardinal does a headcount: “Let’s see, two, four, six…” His finger moves from person to person as he mouths the numbers. “...Twenty-six, twenty-eight, and twenty-nine. Alright, is twenty-nine the total?”

Twenty-nine?

The students can’t believe their ears.

Putting aside the fact that the cardinal ignored the kidnapping accusations, there is something more important on their minds.

One of them is missing.

The class president and resident ojou-sama, Rina Suzuki, raises her hand: “Do you mind giving us a minute to confirm? There should be thirty of us.”

Halsey nods. “By all means, please, go ahead.”

After a brief roll-call, it becomes apparent who among them is absent.

“Kyoshin is missing!”

“What? Whose was the last person that saw him?”

The students murmur, and everyone turns to look at the group containing Haruto, Ren, Aika and Yumi, the usual cohort Shin hangs out with. They shake their heads.

“Well, I suppose it’s good that at least one of us is safe at home.”

However, their sorrow over their classmate's absence is short-lived.

“I’m not going to lie though, getting caught up in an isekai is rad!”

“Excuse me!” Halsey attempts to say something, but the students continue to chatter.

“I’d love to go slay a dragon!”

“Me, I’d prefer rescuing a cute princess.”

“I wonder if we’re going to go through some hero ritual, get cool skills, equipment and stuff."

"I want to be a mage!"

"I want a katana."

One classmate tries to bring everyone back on track. “Guys, I feel like we’re forgetting something. How can we trust a bunch of kidnappers?”

“Yeah, you’re right, even if an isekai adventure is fun, the fact is we’ve been kidnapped.”

“Could they possibly be trying to brainwash us?”

“It’s possible, they might make us do hate crimes and commit genocide!”

The cardinal, hearing this, tries to defend himself, but his voice is drowned out by the energetic and eager conversational skills of high schoolers.

That is, until someone lent him a helping hand.

“Quiet! The cardinal is trying to say something.”

Even while in another world, everyone obeys the hierarchy, falling silent before Suzuki-sama’s command.

‘Ahem!’ The cardinal clears his throat. “I assure you, the Church and I have no ill-will toward you Heroes. Rest assured, we will compensate you appropriately for disturbing your lives and dragging you into our world’s mess.”

The class erupts into isolated pockets of conversation once more.

Mainly among the hot-blooded male group.

“Did you hear that? He called us Heroes!”

“Ooh! Does this mean there’s a Demon King!”

“Do we get to choose our class, or do we get it through some RNG ritual?”

“Heck yeah! I wanna be a Swordsman!”

“How basic. In a fantasy world, the best pick is definitely the Mage!”

“Fools! Who cares about the Classes? Skills are more important!”

“Excuse me!?”

“If we’re in a fantasy world, that means Elves, Spirits and Beastpeople exist, right?”

“Yeah?”

“Shouldn’t we care more about finding ourselves a hot girlfriend in this world? Since we’re heroes, there would be countless beautiful women wanting to get close to us. We can use this chance to finally get laid!”

“Brother! I’m sorry for doubting you!”

“Indeed! You are a true visionary!”

‘Idiots,’ every girl thought simultaneously.

Having had enough, the resident dicta-ojou-sama displays her authority, “Everyone be quiet! Let the cardinal speak!”

The class looked at the cardinal, who wore a strained smile.

Seeing the blatant look of annoyance written over his face, the students sheepishly apologize.

With all the excitement and hubbub out of the way, Halsey clears his throat and speaks. “What you have said is true, Demihumans such as Elves, Dwarves and the like exist and are prevalent in our world. Though I ask you to treat them with respect, they are not zoo animals to be ogled.”

“Why did you summon us? I’m not sure how we could help with anything. We’re not even adults yet. It seems rather suspicious to forcibly conscript minors into a conflict.” the skeptical student who doubts the cardinal asks.

Shame-faced, the cardinal agrees, “You’re right, there is a reason. Throughout the years in the history of Azra, numerous other Heroes have arrived before you. Some from other countries. We-”

“Hold on, so that means Shin might be in a different country than us?” someone interrupts much to Halsey’s mounting annoyance.

The cardinal lets out a sigh, “In all likelihood, yes. I can dispatch a message to the other branches to check if your friend has been summoned there.”

However, everyone’s worries were unfounded.

Or rather, their original worries were soon replaced by a different worry.

“Um, I’ve read my fair share of Isekai, so I know I’ll sound stupid for asking this, but is the summoning circle supposed to be glowing with this evil green colour?”

Haruto points to the ground, and everyone’s gazes follow his finger, directed at the summoning circle now shining with a green glow.

Several different complex symbols and formulas appear beneath everyone’s feet.

Cardinal Halsey panics. “Everyone evacuate!”

The guards escort the students off the summoning platform in a hurry.

Class 2B manages to get off the platform, but isn't able to leave the cathedral in time as the circle erupts in a brilliant flash of light!

Everybody shielded their eyes and recoiled several steps back.

Moments later, after the flash ended.

In the middle of the platform is Shin.

Haruto happily waves at the latecomer, “Oi! Shin! You’re late!”

Several classmates let out sighs of relief and yell at him with mock anger about his dramatic entrance.

Unfortunately, the church members weren’t as enthusiastic as Class 2B.

“Everyone, stay back!” cries Halsey. “Guards! Slay the heretic!”

“Hold on! He’s our classmate!” Some of the students try to stop the guards.

Unwilling to injure my classmates, the guards struggle to break free.

Thanks to his classmates' action, Shin was afforded a few seconds’ head-start.

Takahashi, the sports ace, and one of the guys blocking the guards yell at him to do the obvious: “Shin! Run!”

“You don’t need to tell me twice!” Shin shoots

Like the Roadrunner from that one cartoon, he hit the ground running.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shit! Shit! Shit!

Why is this happening?!

I just got isekai-ed to some Cthulhu temple ruins, then got isekai-ed again to a normal temple. Now the Church wants to bloody kill me for arriving late!?!

Bullshit!

Right now, I am running through some city streets. I don’t have the luxury to take the time to appreciate the fantastical new sights of another world.

"Over there! Get him!"

Shit! They’re getting closer and closer.

I don't know if it's the stress or my blood pressure, but a voice echoes through my head in a lazy tone.

‘Thou wishest for help?’

Duh, who wouldn't in this situation, dumbass!

But that's not what I say.

After all, people who offer you help in your time of need are one of two things.

Bleeding hearts or those who wish to manipulate and use you.

“Who are you?”

‘I have given thee a choice. Accept, or do not.’

I answer without hesitation. “Yes! I need help!”

Not like I have much of a choice in this matter.

The voice responds, 'Very well.'

The next moment, light shines beneath my feet, I look down and see…

‘Sigh.’

Another teleportation circle.

Goddamnit. I think I might lose my lunch this time.

…

Okay, getting dropped in a forest in the middle of nowhere, separated by my classmates, and hunted by a bunch of weirdos?

Ugh…

Not a great start for an isekai adventure.

Can god or whatever entity that’s looking out for me give me some sort of isekai starter pack so I don’t starve to death in the woods?

A green screen suddenly pops up in front of my face.

[Two new skills are available!]

Two skills? Nice! Ask and ye shall receive! Let’s see what they are...

What? You wanted more of a reaction from me?

Too bad. I don’t know if it’s because my brain’s fuzzy from being mentally abused or because I’ve read plenty of isekai novels, but cliche things like a status screen aren’t enough to faze me.

Anyways, I examine the two skills on the screen.

[Eyes of The All-Knowing (Incomplete)

Grants the user knowledge of whatever item they wish to look into.]

What’s with the hyped up name and the generic description?

Isn’t this literally just an Appraisal skill? But it’s labelled ‘incomplete’. Perhaps there’s something more to it.

I check out the next skill.

[Eldritch Mote

Hurl a tiny mote of otherworldly energy. Be careful where you aim it, as the spell will do near-irreversible damage to the target.]

Eh? Now it’s the name that’s boring but the content is OP? These Eldritch skills sure are strange.

Now then, how do these skills work?

[Normally, a skill is thought-activated. However, due to your low level, verbal components are required. Saying the name of the spell out loud will suffice.]

Alright, let me test this out.

I point at a tree, “Eyes of The All-Knowing!”

God, I feel like a Chuuni saying that.

[Tree, nothing special about it.]

…

The heck? I get that I used it on a tree, but should the description be so lackluster?

Eh, guess it works, I won’t use the other skill just yet. Don’t know how much devastation I might cause, and I don’t want to attract the wrong sort of attention in these wilds.

Now, how do I get rid of this screen?

[To dismiss the screen, simply think about it. If the mind is lacking, verbally command it. To summon it once more, think about it. Verbally command it if the mind is still lacking.]

I feel like I’m being dissed, but there’s no harm in doing what it says.

“Away!”

The screen vanishes without a trace. No smoke, no bright lights, no sparkles. It’s like it never existed.

As I ponder the uniqueness of this world’s status system, a voice cries out through the woods.

“Back off! Scram!”

Someone’s in trouble close by. Unfortunately, the voice doesn’t sound like it belongs to a young lady being harassed by monsters or bandits.

Instead, it’s a gruff old man’s.

“Shoo! Away with you!”

Ugh… I might not be a degenerate, but even a man like me has his fantasies, alright?

Anyone would rather save a damsel than some old man.

Nonetheless, I should check the source of the commotion and see if I can help out.

Having a native of this world owe me could prove beneficial. I could have him introduce me to the customs and rules of this world.

Then again, he could betray me for a few coins. I still don’t know what kind of path I’m walking down. A slow life? Power fantasy? Dark fantasy? Revenge? Trash harem?

‘Sigh.’

Whatever, I’ll save him first and see how things play out.

I hurriedly ran through the woods in the direction of the sounds.

Soon enough, I make it to the edge of the forest.

I hide behind a tree and poke my head out to observe the situation.

Beyond the forest is a large, flat, dusty-tan dirt road. On the road is a farmer, dressed in stereotypical Western fashion: overalls and a straw hat. Behind him is a cart with several rough sacks, obviously containing goods.

What immediately sticks out are the green, pointy bat-eared children harassing him.

The farmer uses a hoe to keep them at bay. As he fends them off, I hear him yell profanities: “Back off, you little green pissants! Go back to the filthy sewers where you belong!”

Goblins, eh? Normally, the first hostile entities one encounters in an isekai fantasy would be slimes or something similarly weak.

I wonder if these schmuckos are the goofball kind or the sex offender variety.

Regardless of which version they are, it’s a classic staple for goblins to look ugly as hell, and these guys most certainly fit the bill.

I should probably help out, the guy doesn’t look like he can handle it all by himself.

Time to put my skills to the test.

I think now’s the time to use Eldritch Mote.

I make a gun with my hand and point at one of the goblins, “Eldritch Mote.”

A crackling blackish-green mote shoots out of my finger.

‘Zwack!’

In an instant, the chest of one Goblin loudly bursts open in a torrent of blood, surprising both the farmer and the dead Goblin’s comrades.

‘Zwack!’

Without wasting time, I hurl another mote, creating a gaping hole in the next Goblin’s torso.

After the death of the second Goblin, the rest of the green pack begins to panic. However, the farmer is one step quicker.

‘Bam!’

An iron hoe bashes the skull of a nearby Goblin in. Its head splits open, revealing fleshy red and grey matter. Going with the flow, the farmer deftly swings his tool and breaks the spine of another one of the disgusting little critters.

Not wanting to be outdone by a literal peasant with a farming tool, I throw a few more motes. Unfortunately, without the element of surprise, several of my shots miss the panicking Goblins, but I manage to take out two more.

Barely seconds after my intervention, the Goblins’ numbers had been whittled down to almost half of what they started with.

With their ranks almost depleted, the survivors glance at the corpses and make a hasty retreat, squeaking while scurrying away in fear.

Unfortunately for them, they were running toward the forest, where I was hiding.

Sensing no threat, I boldly step out from behind the tree and finish off the critters with several close shots.

‘Zwack!’ ‘Zwack!’ ‘Zwack!’

In a few moments, the remaining survivors turned into chunks of flesh.

Despite shooting off all those spells, I don’t feel tired in the least. I examine the corpses. It seems I severely underestimated the firepower of my spell.

Whilst I marvel at my cheat Eldritch powers, the farmer walks up to me, grateful for my assistance. “Thanks for the help. My crops would’ve been stolen if you hadn’t helped. What’s your name, stranger?”

Damn? Is he a Texan? That’s a real nice countryside accent he’s got going on.

“My name’s Shin, I’m new to these parts.”

Shoot, I forgot. I should’ve gone with a pseudonym.

Ah, whatever. The Church has probably put out a description of my appearance already.

I just pray this farmer is ignorant of my wanted status.

Looking at the farmer stroking his bearded chin like he’s hearing about an exotic cuisine for the first time, I think I can safely say I’m out of the Church’s sphere of influence, for now.

“Shin? An unusual name, an unusual appearance, wearing unusual clothes and using unusual magic…”

…

Oh, you have gotta be kidding me-

“Are you an Otherworlder, by any chance?”

…

Should I lie, or should I tell the truth?

He clearly knows I’m from another world, so it’d be suspicious for me to deny it.

Hmm…

After giving it some thought, I decide to go with the truth. If he tries to sell me out later, I’ll just shoot him with Eldritch Mote.

“If you’re asking whether I’m from another world, yes, I am. Popped in just five minutes ago.”

“Ah! No wonder.” The farmer nods to himself, “Whoops, where are my manners? The name’s Ralph. As you can see, I’m a farmer.”

As he speaks, something appears before my eyes.

It's the green screen again, but this time, it’s a new announcement.

[You’ve received a Revelation.]

The frick? Am I seeing this right? A quest mission? What’s this, a Korean game system novel?

Also, Revelation? Really? Don’t make it sound like God gave me the Ten Commandments. What’s so divine about an octopus?

[*&^%1@#$U commands you to establish a presence in a neighbouring town.]

Oh, sounds easy enough, just preach about the end of the world and the worthlessness of everyone’s lives. Are you effing kidding me!?! The moment I do that, the Inquisition will come rushing over like wolves smelling meat!

[Become a key figure of the town.]

“What? You mean become the mayor or something?”

[3^NI2?>%*&@ leaves it up to you to decide.]

The screen disappears the next moment as if it had never been there.

I try to will it back into existence, but all I’m able to summon is the status window listing out my skills and level.

Welp, that was helpful. I turned my attention to Ralph, who was musing and rambling about something. Typical middle-aged men's behaviour.

“Do you know any good way to develop a reputation in a town?” I interrupted.

The farmer breaks away from his train of thought and answers, “Easy! Be rich or famous!”

That’s way too simple, and I have none of those qualities.

“I’m neither of those.”

“Then be an Adventurer! Fastest way to become rich and famous!”

Shoot! How did I not think of that!? Oh, wait, I’m supposed to lay low so those fanatics don’t catch me!

Hmm, but I’m not sure how else I’m supposed to find employment.

I don’t have any legal papers since I’m literally from another world, and those goddamn fanatics will probably have all the major settlements under close watch.

Heh, fanatics hunting a guy named Cultist who's an actual cultist.

How absurd.

Yet, for some reason, it happened.

“I’m not sure if I’m cut out for it. You seem better suited to be an adventurer, given how you fended them off."

“What? You think I’m skilled?" He laughs, "Wait until you meet the guards! I only did two years of mandatory service!”

“Mandatory service?”

“Yeah. Since you’re an Otherworlder, you might not be aware of this, but we've got ourselves a bit of a problem with Demons. To make sure everyone can defend themselves, they make us go through two years of service with the local garrison." He stops, realizing he forgot to ask something: "You know what Demons are?”

Oh, of course there’s Demons throwing things into chaos in a fantasy world. There’s always a Demon King.

Now I wonder if it’s going to use the classic ‘kill the Demon King because he’s evil and wants to conquer the world,’ or go down the ‘the Demon King isn’t evil but has to wage total war because of humanity’s greedy, abusive, expansionist policies’ route.

Either way, it doesn't concern me that much.

“Yeah, I heard of Demons. They’re just folklore where I’m from.”

“Wow, you guys are really lucky. The Demon Kings and their detestable underlings are running amok more than usual. At the rate things are going, we might get another war.”

“Demon Kings?”

I heard that correctly, right? Demon Kings, plural?

Ralph confirms, “Ah, right, forgot you’re from another world. ”

The hell!? Isn’t this world overusing the trope way too much!?

I’ve heard of dark lords splitting their souls and getting revived several times over, but having several dark lords at once!? How is the story supposed to progress!?

Only that company run by that capitalistic mouse can come up with such an absurd, overused and cheap setting!

“Not sure myself, but I hope things don’t escalate into a full-blown war at the Frontier. Things are tough as is with the surge in monsters.”

Aside from the part about the surge in monsters, the word ‘frontier’ caught my attention.

Based on classic isekai tropes and settings, a place called the ‘frontier’ is most likely located in an isolated region where local lords are the rulers, not some king or religion.

Such a place wouldn’t be monitored closely by other nations, unless some sort of disaster arose.

If communication doesn’t travel as far or as quickly out there, then people are less likely to recognize me and report me to the Church.

Plus, humans and all the other peaceful citizens of this realm are going to be more concerned about the Demon threat than some rogue Otherworlder.

On another note, since there is a monster problem, I might be able to build up a reputation that can shield me from those fanatics if I use my powers to help the locals.

However, for my deeds to be known, I must register as an adventurer, which means I must find an Adventurers’ Guild in some town.

I turn to my trusty former conscript farmer, “Do you mind telling me where the nearest town is?”

I avoid words like settlement or village as I’m not sure if those levels of civilization are advanced enough to have an Adventurers’ Guild.

Ralph smiles. “Of course, I can take you to town myself. Are you going to join the Adventurers’ Guild?”

My eyes widened. “How did you know?

He chuckles, “Seems like the only place for someone in your situation. Besides, it’d be a waste not to use those skills of yours.

I’ll take you to the Guild myself, I have some errands to run in town anyways.”

Thus, my isekai adventure begins.

I have become the enemy of the Church immediately upon landing, and my first party member is a farmer.

Surely things couldn’t get crazier, right?

…

I need to shut my dumb mouth.