Chapter 0: The Story That Wasn’t Chosen

Asuka Kiryu was a novelist who had just been scolded by his superior.

His story was deemed not exciting enough to keep up with the trends of modern novels.

“Who do you think would ever read trash like this?”

His superior said those words while throwing the manuscript pages straight at Kiryu. With that single judgment, Kiryu was removed from everything connected to the world of his dreams.

The sky was overcast, and a light drizzle fell—as if reflecting his sadness.

Under the faint sound of rain, Kiryu kept walking forward without even attempting to shield his head with an umbrella.

He felt like a failure. Hopeless.

He remembered clearly how his light novel had once been booming and viral.
Now, that very work lay completely shattered in his heart.

“If only I could rewrite my fate,” he murmured quietly, his voice tinged with sadness.
“Maybe I’d change everything… so none of this ever existed.”

As he headed toward the station, the drizzle that had been falling suddenly stopped—only to be replaced by a torrential downpour.

Kiryu immediately ran toward the station along with the people around him.

“This is strange. The weather forecast said today would be clear.”

“Yeah, my smartphone said it was supposed to be hot today,” said two high school girls.

Kiryu merely overheard their conversation. To him, this sudden change in weather felt like a manifestation of his own sorrow.

Around him, everyone was busy with their own lives. Some were arguing. Others looked just as desperate as he was.

To Kiryu, today felt like a day no one could have predicted.

Then, suddenly, a strange circle—like a magic circle—appeared beneath everyone’s feet.

“What’s going on?”

“A magic circle?”

Panic spread instantly. A blinding light erupted, transforming the station into a royal hall.

There, an elderly and wise-looking figure welcomed them all.

“Welcome, chosen heroes,” the old king said to everyone present—including Kiryu.

“My name is King Aldric Valen Aurelion.”

Marble pillars towered high above, and golden light streamed through stained glass depicting gods who no longer answered anyone’s prayers.

The heroes stood in a line, still wearing the clothes from their original world.

Upon the throne, the king slowly rose.

“O guests from another world.”

King Aldric’s voice was calm, heavy, and authoritative—not the voice of a man accustomed to shouting, but of one who was always listened to.

“In the name of the Kingdom of Aurelion Sanctum, I welcome you.”

His gaze passed over each face before him—not the look of a ruler assessing tools, but the eyes of an old man reading burdens.

“You were not summoned by our personal will.”

“But because this world… needs you.”

Some heroes glanced at one another. Some clenched their hands. Others looked excited.

Princess Lysandra stepped forward, her gown softly shimmering, her expression serious—far too serious for a ceremony of victory.

“You may be confused,” she said.
“Afraid.”
“Or wondering why you were chosen.”
“Or whether this is all just a dream.”

She looked at the young faces one by one, then continued more quietly.

A noble at the side of the hall seemed about to clear his throat, but Lysandra raised her small hand—gentle, yet firm enough to stop anyone.

The king spoke again.

“You were summoned not solely by our will.”

“This world… stands on a fragile edge.”

He did not mention the gods.
He did not mention fate.

“And the old system of this world chose you.”

His tone grew heavy on the word chose.

Princess Lysandra glanced briefly at her father, then faced the heroes again.

“I will not say that the path ahead is noble.”
“Nor that everything will end happily.”

She gave a small smile—not the smile of royalty, but that of a human being.

“Being a hero in this world… is exhausting.”

Silence fell.

King Aldric nodded slowly, as if agreeing with his daughter’s words.

“But there is one thing we can promise.”

“The Kingdom of Aurelion Sanctum will not turn a blind eye.”

His gaze lingered on Kiryu—longer than it should have.

“Those who fight with sincerity…”

“…will be protected by us, as much as we are able.”

Princess Lysandra added softly, her voice almost a whisper that carried clearly through the vast hall.

“And if one day you doubt yourselves…”
“If you feel that every choice seems wrong…”

She took a breath.

“Know that you are not alone.”

Above them, the paintings of the gods smiled eternally—silent, unresponsive.

The silence in the hall had not fully faded when a royal official stepped forward, carrying a scroll sealed in gold.

King Aldric slowly broke the seal.

His brows furrowed slightly—not in doubt, but in weight.

“There is one task that serves as the primary reason for your summoning.”

He looked at the prospective heroes.

“The Demon King.”

Those words sent shock and surprise rippling through everyone.

“His name… is Vii,” the king continued.

Something trembled in Kiryu’s chest.

Vii.

The name felt deeply familiar to him.

Princess Lysandra continued carefully.

“He is not merely a threat.”
“His existence disrupts the balance of this world.”

Kiryu swallowed.

That was the opening line of chapter three, he thought.

A royal official spoke again in a formal tone.

“Before sending you to the battlefield, we must evaluate each hero’s potential.”

The knights began to move. Magic evaluation crystals were prepared, and faint magic circles glowed across the hall’s floor.

One by one, the prospective heroes stepped forward.

Light flared.
Crystals trembled.
Glowing symbols filled the air.

When it was Kiryu’s turn, he stepped forward without suspicion.

There were still too many coincidences to call it the truth.

The crystal was placed against his palm.

Nothing happened.

A mage blinked, then tried again.

“There is no magical response.”

A knight checked the crystal once more.

“No detection.”

Whispers spread throughout the hall.

Kiryu stared at his own hand, then at the crystal that remained lifeless.

A character without power.
Without blessing.
Without a combat role.

His heartbeat hardened.

Not from fear—but because he was beginning to understand.

This was not a coincidence.

He had not been summoned to this world.

He was acting out a script he himself had written.

And at that moment, Kiryu Asuka understood—

This world did not need a writer.

This world needed someone who would bear the consequences.