Chapter 2

I'm a bit short on the first episode, aiming for something light to write and easy to read.

The style is also quite relaxed, so please enjoy it leisurely.

"Wh-what, no way, what's this?"

While facing the unfamiliar man reflected in the blade, he muttered to no one in particular.

I died and now exist as the game character "Rex" in a place I don't recognize.

So, is this it?

Did I think about the game just before I died, which is why I was reincarnated into the game world?

No, no, no, is there such a ridiculous story?

Besides...

Even if I concede a hundred points and assume that something like an isekai reincarnation from an anime or light novel happened to me,

(Why, of all people, Rex?!)

He screamed in his heart.

--- Rex Toren.

A popular character, known for his prominent actions in early events, especially among female players.

He is often mentioned alongside the equally popular light prince Aine, and is called the "dark handsome" in contrast to Aine, the "light handsome."

I can somewhat understand why.

His gruff attitude and stern expression.

His slender body and jet-black hair.

If asked whether he is light or dark, he is undoubtedly dark.

If asked whether he is bright or shadowy, he is undoubtedly shadowy.

Despite being often portrayed this way, in terms of the game, Rex is not a particularly important character.

He is a side character who rarely joins the party unless a specific start is chosen.

In terms of performance, his initial level is an exceptional fifty.

This is by far the highest among characters who join early in the game.

A level of around sixty is enough to defeat the final boss, so this is a level range typically seen in the later stages of the game.

His stats are balanced, and he is a versatile character skilled in swords, magic, thief skills, and even basic alchemy.

In the early stages, he performs admirably with his high level and versatile abilities...

However, his potential for growth is virtually non-existent!

Compared to a typical level fifty character, he is overwhelmingly weak, and his latent potential is low.

In other words, he is a "rescue character" often found in games.

He is powerful at first, wielding a strong silver spear, but as the party grows, he gradually becomes less useful, like an aging paladin.

I think to myself, "Don't get so caught up in game logic in such an emergency," but I can't help but wish that if I had to be reincarnated, it would be as a protagonist with growth potential, or as the light prince Aine, who was in the illustration I saw just before I died.

(I, I, I shouldn't be saying such things! )

First, I need to ensure my safety before figuring out the situation.

I managed to deal with the goblins using "Rex's" strength, but I'm just a regular citizen from peaceful Japan.

I don't want to stay in a place where monsters roam.

(From the story and the monsters, this must be the first dungeon of the city start, the "Trial Cave.")

Once I calm down and recognize that this is the Brelle world, I can clearly identify the familiar place.

I know the way well enough to escape to the outside.

First, I need to get to the nearest town and then think about what to do next... the nearest town?

"Oh..."

I couldn't help but let out a sound.

I could feel my face turning pale.

The large city of Aarth, "Rex's" hometown, is right next to this Trial Cave.

However, it might be very dangerous to run there.

Because, I know this.

If this world is a game, the city will soon...

"--- Be destroyed by a monster attack!"

※ ※ ※

【Start Select】

Origin ①

《City Boy Who Dreams of Being an Adventurer》

Difficulty: Easy

Initial Class: Young Leo

Initial Companions: Varies by choice

Affiliation: Adventurer Guild

Restrictions: None

In Brelle, you can choose one origin from multiple options, starting the game in different places and situations.

During the very early stages, the opening sequence follows the chosen origin, and after completing the tutorial quest, you can freely advance the adventure.

Among the seven types + α of origins in "Brave & Blade," the origin 《City Boy Who Dreams of Being an Adventurer》, along with 《Imperial Knight Apprentice》, is one of the easiest.

The tutorial integrated into the early story is easy to understand, and the story line is straightforward and accessible, making it a standard and recommended origin for beginners.

However, even though it is easy, compared to the more challenging starts like 《Betrayed Slum Orphan》, 《Offered Dark Child》, and 《Kidnapped Noble Son》, the story flow is quite tough.

The story of 《City Boy Who Dreams of Being an Adventurer》 begins with the protagonist forming a makeshift party with three other boys and girls of the same age.

They go to the 《Trial Cave》, a gateway for new adventurers, where they learn basic operations such as lock picking, puzzle solving, and combat while progressing to the deepest level.

If they touch the ominous pattern at the deepest level, their first adventure should end successfully, and they would stand at the starting line as adventurers.

However, when the "protagonist" touches the pattern, the seal is broken, and the demon sealed in the deepest level is revived.

With the help of the veteran adventurer 《Rex Toren》, who happened to be investigating, they manage to escape the death trap, but the demon leaves a foreboding prophecy before dying.

"If you try to defeat me, it's already too late. The signal for the resurrection of our god has been raised. Go back to your city and see for yourselves."

When the protagonist and his party hurriedly leave the cave, they find their former hometown engulfed in smoke and screams, with blood and magic flying everywhere...

※ ※ ※

"--- This is no joke!"

I understood why "Rex" was in the dungeon.

It must be right after the game starts, just before "Rex" saves the "protagonist" and his party from the 《Sealed Demon》.

(If I had run to the city without thinking...)

In the game, the city is attacked by level forty monsters like 《Gargoyles》 and level fifty-five 《Flying Devils》.

After the attack, the city of Aarth becomes the 《Demon City Aarth》, occupied by monsters, including level sixty enemies, which are end-game class.

Even with Rex's initial level of fifty, he is no match for them.

(Then, should I run to another city...?)

If I do, I might survive.

However, in that case, the city of Aarth would be destroyed by monsters, and the "protagonist" and his party, who didn't receive Rex's help, would be killed by the sealed demon.

"No! This is a complete dead end!"

Even without considering moral issues, if the important character "protagonist" dies in the Brelle world, the world itself might be destroyed.

In that case, there is only one option...

--- "Stop the 'protagonist' before the event starts."

I have been to the Trial Cave a few times and have a vague memory of the route.

If I push myself to the limit, I should be able to catch up with the "protagonist" and his party before they reach the deepest level, the 《Sealed Chamber》.

Even if the story gets messed up, I don't care.

I'm just a company employee, and I'm not equipped to handle dangerous situations or save the world.

That's right.

While stopping the seal from being broken, I could teach the "protagonist" about the game and let him save the world.

As I thought this, I felt my spirits lifting.

(First, I need to find the "protagonist"...)

I have a clue.

The treasure chest that has been in my sight since I woke up in the dungeon.

This is a big hint.

(Luckily, there is only one treasure chest in this dungeon. So, my current location must be at the end of the three-way intersection just inside the entrance. If that's the case, the shortcut to the 《Pterodactyl Path》 is visible, so the route closest to the goal is... this way!)

Once I made up my mind, I couldn't waste any more time.

Relying on the faint memories in my head, I sprinted towards the depths of the cave.

※ ※ ※

"... This is bad."

On the way, I didn't get lost by any traps, and there were no monster attacks as I had feared.

In Brelle, once a monster is defeated, it doesn't reappear until the next day.

So, I must be following the path cleared by the protagonist's party, but...

(Are they moving faster than I expected?)

Perhaps because I changed from a sedentary office worker to the veteran adventurer Rex, my physical abilities have greatly improved.

I'm moving through the dungeon at a speed that surpasses even the game, yet I can't find the protagonist's party.

This dungeon is essentially a tutorial, so the risk of death is almost non-existent, but there are hidden doors and puzzles that take time to solve.

I thought I could catch up quickly since I know all the secrets, but...

(If they're not in the next room, the only place left is the deepest level... the Sealed Chamber.)

I burst into the room, trying to hide my growing anxiety, but it was empty.

"Damn!"

I cursed, but there were signs of a recent battle.

Someone had definitely been fighting here just a moment ago.

(They're moving too fast! Could it be that the "event" can't be changed by human will!?)

Shaking off the possibility, I kicked the ground with all my might.

I sprinted through the winding passages at a speed I couldn't achieve in Japan and emerged into a spacious area.

(There they are...!)

What I saw was a large room with ominous murals covering the walls, and at the far end, a group of boys and girls.

And at the very back, two boys were just about to touch the seal...

"--- Stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop