Chapter 9

"…Did I win?"

After confirming that the Doom Demon, whom I had stabbed from behind, had completely vanished, I finally relaxed my shoulders.

(I never thought I'd die twice in such a short period of time...)

No matter how you look at it, my life has been too tumultuous.

As I thought this, I lifted my head.

"Rex-san!"

A figure ran over to me.

"I'm glad! Rex-san, I'm so glad!"

It was Mana, the healer of the new party.

She touched my body as if to confirm that I was alive, then suddenly came to her senses and stepped back, looking up at me with tear-filled eyes.

"S-Sorry. I'm glad, but... how did you...?"

If you didn't know the trick, you'd be surprised, but it's not that big of a deal.

After thinking for a moment, I answered briefly.

"The power of the 'Healing Phantom Powder.'"

I had used two items before the battle.

One was the 'Mystic Steam,' which temporarily boosts all stats and provides automatic HP and MP recovery buffs, but has the side effect of reducing all stats after ten minutes.

While using the 'Mystic Steam' alone is risky, this drawback can be negated by using the 'Healing Phantom Powder' together.

The 'Healing Phantom Powder' has the characteristic of 'healing' as its name suggests.

In other words, it has the incredible effect of 'rewinding and healing.'

This item has no effect when used, but five minutes after use, it resets the user's status to the state it was in when the powder was used.

In game terms, it saves the character's state when the item is used and automatically loads it five minutes later.

If used properly, it can reset stats before the 'Mystic Steam's' side effects kick in, and in some cases, even revive the user after death.

"S-Such an item exists...?"

Mana seemed shocked by the explanation, but in the game, the 'Healing Phantom Powder' wasn't considered that useful.

This is because the 'Healing Phantom Powder' has a significant drawback.

The most effective part of the 'Healing Phantom Powder' is that it can revive the user after death.

However, this effect cannot be used on the main character.

This is because in the game, "if the main character dies, it's game over," and even if you use the 'Healing Phantom Powder,' the game will be over before it takes effect!

(Well, I'm grateful that I'm a supporting character.)

I don't know if this world also has a "game over" when the main character dies, but in any case, I'm just a supporting character named Rex, not a "player" or "main character."

Even at the brink of death, I could hope that the 'Healing Phantom Powder' would revive me.

I feel a bit uneasy about the fact that I died once, but fortunately, my memories seem to have been fully carried over, so I'll be happy for now.

In any case, I had successfully navigated this death event without actually dying.

As I was about to head over to Rad and the others with a quiet sense of accomplishment, "it" began.

"What, that is...!"

Rad's voice of surprise.

Suddenly, a majestic female figure appeared in the western sky.

Everyone was shocked by the figure projected in the sky, and I watched it with deep emotion.

Ah, right.

This is the first world event common to all main characters.

The "Words of the Beginning," which marks the end of the opening event and the start of the adventure.

Can you hear me?

Can you hear me, my beloved children who fill the world?

Can you hear my voice?

The evil god 'Rasurfi,' who once sought to rule the world, is about to be resurrected after a thousand years of sealing.

If Rasurfi is fully resurrected with all its power, you will have no way to resist.

This time, Rasurfi will achieve its goal, and this world will fall under the rule of the evil god.

Please, I beg of you.

To defeat the dark god, I need your strength.

Destroy the statue imbued with evil energy hidden in the deepest part of the twelve dark ruins.

You have two years.

Only you can be relied upon.

Please...

Please, save the world...

After saying only that, the light figure in the sky disappeared.

"The savior goddess..."

Everyone was flustered by the sudden appearance of the goddess and her prophecy.

Some of the defense forces who had rushed over knelt and prayed, moved to tears.

I glanced at Rad and the others.

Rad was just dazed, Nue was quiet, Mana was determined, and Prana seemed uninterested as they looked at the sky where the goddess had disappeared.

What is the true "main character" of this world thinking about this miracle?

Are they trembling with the mission to save the world and resolved to help the goddess?

And.

Just like them, I, too, was quietly resolved.

...I am weak now.

The Doom Demon is indeed a high-level monster, but in the game, there are countless monsters stronger than it.

To prevent the resurrection of the evil god, I will have to cut down these monsters and complete the events.

So—

—I'll push all the troublesome things onto the game's main character and live a peaceful retirement!

...Yeah.

After all, it's too much to suddenly ask a normal person who has lived and worked normally in Japan to wield a sword and kill monsters!

I'm not a barbarian.

Let's do things more civilized, really.

After almost dying once, or rather, dying twice, I'm completely at peace.

I've been swept along by the situation and acted like a game's main character, but I shouldn't have any obligation to contribute to this world.

Of course, I'll help those I can with my own strength, and I'll do the minimum to prevent the world from ending.

But saving the world and fighting life-or-death battles with monsters should be left to the main character.

I've been given a second chance at life.

I will live for myself!

From now on, I'll keep my distance from the cutthroat world and use the knowledge I gained from the game to live an interesting and easy life!

(First, I need to make money! With money, most things can be solved! And by doing favors with my game knowledge, I can live off the scraps and enjoy a sweet life!)

Strategies for what to do next kept popping into my head.

My mood lifted, and I even felt as if infinite possibilities lay before me.

The world's crisis and battles with powerful enemies from the game are none of my business.

I will walk my own path.

Because—

—I'm not the main character!

☆ ☆ ☆

On this day, October 10, 664th year of the Sword Emperor Era.

The "prophecy of the savior goddess" witnessed by all humans in the world.

The news of the fall of the city of 'Earth' due to the subsequent monster attack shook the world.

The era of drowsy peace and tranquility, which lasted for centuries, came to an end, and the age of 'courage and power,' as told in the myths, began.

This concludes the prologue.

Please look forward to Mr. Rex's future exploits!

Ah, no, I don't have much stock, but I plan to update one chapter a day for a while.

I don't know how far I can go, but if you support me with evaluations, bookmarks, and encouraging comments like "Don't stop updating...," I believe the flowers of hope will bloom. Thank you!