Joker

The status examination was complete. The atmosphere in the great hall remained chaotic, but not from the rumble of bidding—rather from anxious whispers and calculating gazes from the country representatives on the second floor.

Some people were still busy discussing matters regarding the [Hero].

Well, who could have anticipated that?

I had never even put his name on my list of candidates who would become the [Hero].

I mean, who would have thought that person was Kenji?

Even so, this event continued.

This time there were two categories of people. First, those who understood and were confident in their status. Second, those with grim faces because they had low status or no status at all.

"Attention, Summoned Ones!" Jacov's baritone voice echoed throughout the hall. "Based on the status verification results and the absolute decision of the Royal Council, you will be placed in various countries that need your potential the most!"

I felt a wave of tension envelop the room. No offers, no choices. Only unilateral decisions.

I knew from whispers I'd heard earlier that this Council was the highest political body governing most of the continent's territory, and their decisions were law.

"First, Saruwatari Takuto, Class [Fighter], a Class with excellent combat abilities!" Jacov continued, pointing toward Saruwatari who looked tense. "He will be placed in the Verdantia Empire."

Saruwatari sighed with relief, or perhaps shock.

The placements continued. Names were called, Classes mentioned, and destination countries announced. I watched how the country representatives on the second floor took careful notes, some nodding with satisfaction while others looked disappointed. Clearly, there had been lobbying and negotiation processes happening behind the scenes, long before we were summoned here.

There were some students who were angry upon realizing they would be forced to go to designated places, but ultimately they gave up.

"Next, Nakamura Takeshi. Class, [Paladin]! As you know, Paladin is one of the most important core Classes for fighting the [Demon Lord]!"

When Nakamura was introduced, everyone sitting on the second floor began staring at him more intensely. I could sense some kind of strange pressure in the air.

This wasn't just pressure from ordinary stares or killing intent.

Something was off.

What was this unpleasant feeling?

"Based on intense discussions among Council members, Nakamura Takeshi, with his status as [Paladin], will be placed in the Verdantia Empire." Jacov announced with a final tone.

That decision surprised several representatives from other countries. There were whispers of dissatisfaction from people on the second floor, who clearly also wanted Nakamura.

The Verdantia Empire had already gotten Saruwatari, and now they were also getting the highly important [Paladin].

This was a major political victory for them. I could see a thin smile on the face of someone who was likely a Verdantia Empire representative.

About 100 or more of us had already been placed, and all countries had received their quotas.

"Alright, that was the final placement announcement! With this, the allocation process is complete!"

Wait... that means...

This was beyond my expectations. From now on, what would happen to me? I began to feel nervous, but I had no choice but to maintain my sanity.

"Wait! You missed us!"

"That's right! You haven't placed me yet!"

Shouts came from all directions, from people who had no status like me and people who had Classes but weren't the type useful in battle.

However, I felt surprised hearing these people prefer to be placed. I knew the reason, I knew it very well, but somehow it sounded very funny. Ironically, some sounded like they were begging to be allocated.

Because being allocated meant a guaranteed future, available housing. Different if you weren't placed—your future remained gray. No one knew what would happen to you.

"Those of you without placements are free to leave." Jacov spoke with a cold tone, as if reading a clause from a regulation. "The Royal Council has decided that resources cannot be allocated to Classes that do not have direct strategic contributions."

Those words were like a devastating blow. This wasn't just about status, but about how the Council and these countries assessed our 'value.' It was clear there was manipulation in the evaluation process or even in the 'useful' criteria they established.

But I couldn't just stay silent being treated like this. I had to demand my rights as one of the summoned.

Honestly, in normal situations I wouldn't want to do troublesome things that required courage and determination like this.

However, I had to do it anyway, to survive.

I walked before that old man, Jacov, and began my own story. This was the first step for my tale—let us begin this foolish and boring prologue.

"I won't accept this..."

I captured everyone's attention; all gazes in the great hall turned toward me.

"What do you want to say?" Jacov asked, his voice now filled with a cold tone that leaned more toward the political policy just announced.

This was very thrilling. For a moment, I felt like a main character in a story. Being the center of the world.

I had always wanted to experience something like this—a moment where the entire world's gaze was directed at me.

Was this the feeling that main characters always experienced?

Then, I began this nonsensical and ridiculous conversation.

"I just want to ask for what's rightfully mine. You who summoned us arbitrarily and discarded us arbitrarily when you knew we couldn't be useful. Isn't that going too far?"

"Do you know that people who don't work can't eat?" Jacov replied, his tone cynical. "The Royal Council's policy is clear. Our resources are limited, and only those proven capable of contributing deserve them. Wasn't this explained during the status verification process?"

"I always hear those words, but at least return us to our original world."

"I already said this before—you cannot return."

"Then at least give us compensation to live in this world. Or will the Three Kingdoms Council let us starve on the streets as proof that you're incapable of managing such a small problem?"

Jacov's face looked very annoyed hearing my words. Honestly, in normal situations I wouldn't want to do something like this and I don't think I'd ever be able to because it's embarrassing. But I would change—I at least had to learn to adapt in this world.

"T-That's right!"

"Yes! You can't just abandon us like that! This isn't just about individuals, but about your reputation in the eyes of the council and the gods!"

Those who weren't sold began giving me their support after hearing my words. The percentage of those unsold was about more than 20 percent of all summoned students.

"So, you want the Empire to provide 'allowances' for you useless ones?"

"Not allowances. Responsibility."

"I see..."

His face smiled disgustingly. It seemed he would show his true face. Well, I had already considered this possibility.

"...But we don't need to be responsible if you don't exist, right? Especially if your existence actually causes political instability among the kingdoms."

"What are you saying, bastard!?"

"Are you planning to kill us all!?"

Everyone who heard his words began protesting. Among those already placed, some felt relieved and sighed with relief, while others felt horrified hearing his words.

Then, among those unplaced, some were angry while others felt resigned and fearful.

"I think there's some truth to that. But I feel sorry for those who were placed, because they're forced to fight against creatures they don't know, and there's no guarantee they'll return safely."

I could see it. Everyone's faces changed when they heard my words. It seemed they had returned to reality. Those who considered this a game world would see the reality that this wasn't a game. They would realize they could die anytime and anywhere, die in places they didn't know.

"That is their obligation to help us. That is the agreement approved by the country representatives here."

"That is not their obligation. You're just forcing that task on them."

"What is your real purpose?"

My purpose? I just wanted to waste time foolishly with all this nonsense, but if this was as I suspected, then now was the time.

I pointed toward the top of the hall, and the hall's roof suddenly shattered like glass. Dozens of humanoid creatures with jet-black color, two meters tall and possessing a pair of six-meter-long wings, destroyed the hall's ceiling.

"This is my purpose."

From the sky, countless black roses fell, making this moment more dramatic.

If I couldn't become a main character, I just needed to become a Joker in this foolish story.