Chapter 4

"You are the 68th hero."

A somewhat high-pitched voice, reminiscent of a woman, announced this. Was the death I thought I experienced just a dream? I vaguely wondered about this.

"..."

"Are you listening? You are the hero."

When she said it again, I turned my attention to her. I understood that she was talking to me, but I couldn't grasp the meaning of her words. In a daze, I responded to her.

"I don't understand what you're saying."

"Ah, I see. Would you like me to explain?"

She told me this calmly, without much change in her expression, as if she was used to it. From her attitude and tone, I thought she must be experienced. Regardless of the hero business, I was apparently the 68th.

Why am I alive and called a hero? Where am I, and who is she?

Many questions came to mind, but she was so composed that I felt almost overwhelmed by her presence.

Looking back, there might have been some kind of magic in the air, something that numbed the spirit of the summoned.

"Then, I will show you to your room. We can talk there..."

After saying this to me, she started walking, and I tried to follow her, but my legs wouldn't move, and I collapsed on the spot.

As my consciousness faded, I saw her figure, the one I had been talking to.

Even though we had been talking, I hadn't really paid attention to her appearance. I didn't know why, but she looked exactly like the black mage from a game I played in my teens.

After I woke up, the explanation I received can be summarized as follows: This is not the Earth where I was born and raised, but a different world. There is a "magic" that summons souls with the potential to be a "hero" after their lives in their original world have ended.

Since my life in the original world has ended, I cannot return to Earth.

I don't understand why being summoned as a soul would come with a physical body, but my appearance hasn't changed from what it was on Earth. The only difference is that I look about 18 years old.

A "hero" is apparently a "position" given to someone summoned to protect humans from beings called "monsters." My sister and I both loved reading adventure novels, so we read a lot of them. I never thought such a role would be given to me.

As for why heroes are summoned, it seems that the summoned individuals receive great physical and mental benefits. Physically, this could mean enhanced strength or immortality, varying from person to person. Mentally, it means having much more "magic power" than the people in this world.

However, I am now lying on a bed in a white room.

To put it bluntly, my illness hasn't been cured. The only difference is the world I'm living in; my role hasn't changed.

It seems that I haven't been physically enhanced or endowed with a lot of magic power. I have only average abilities, just like the people in this world.

For me, that was fine. I didn't need great power or special abilities. If I could receive some benefits,

I wanted my illness to be cured.

Even though I was given the role of a hero, I couldn't fulfill that role due to my illness. Just like on Earth, I ended up receiving treatment in what seemed to be a hospital room.

The treatment, however, didn't involve any methods to cure my illness. I just lay there.

Basic necessities are provided, but I think the most accurate description is that I'm being held captive and monitored under the guise of treatment. They summoned me without my consent and now, finding me useless, they won't give me freedom. But even if I could be useful, I doubt they would give me freedom.

Either way, there is no salvation for me...

I receive almost no information. I will likely be alone, slowly moving towards death, just as I was on Earth. There is no real difference...

If I must point out a difference from my time on Earth...

It's that there is no one to support me here. I am completely alone.

I realized for the first time how unsettling and lonely being alone can be. I now understand the value of my parents and sister. My family cared for me more than I ever realized.

In a white room, similar to those on Earth, but in a different place, I thought about my family...

Thank you for reading.