Shujinkou Janai!

I stood dumbfounded in front of the city burning bright red.

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(……I see! I’m so stupid!)

 

 

When my brain finally grasped what was happening in front of me, the first thing that came to my mind was regret.

 

 

I had mistakenly thought that the event of the attack on Ash City had also disappeared because the “Hero” of this world wasn’t the .

However, even if they had chosen a different origin, the Ash City would still have been attacked and destroyed by monsters.

In other words, the attack on Ash City would have taken place even if the “Hero” hadn’t broken the seal in the Cave of Trials.

 

 

The release of the seal in the Cave of Trials was probably just a trigger, or perhaps, it just coincided with the monster attack, but there was no significant connection between the two.

 

 

(If I just thought about it a bit more, I should have been able to see it coming!)

 

 

I grit my teeth at my own carelessness.

Just then, a gust of wind blew the smoke from the city away for a moment, bringing with it a burning heat and the sickening smell of something being scorched.

 

 

[How awful……]

 

 

Hearing someone murmur behind me, I was in total agreement.

The city, which was supposed to be solid and surrounded by high city walls, was under attack from above.

Countless Gargoyles and Flying Devils covered the sky above the city just like black dots, while those Gargoyles also brought with them common monsters, dropping them from the skies.

 

 

[Airborne drop……!]

 

 

Each of those gargoyles had the strength of a mid-game monster.
In other words, they had the ability of a mid-level Adventurer.

I understand, not only theoretically, but also through my senses, that the city couldn’t withstand this monster attack.

 

 

It was a nauseating sight.

However, that wasn’t the only thing that caught my eye.

 

 

[O- Over there! Someone is……!]

[Wha!?]

 

 

I hurriedly lowered my gaze a bit, and there I found someone being attacked by a Gargoyle.

Seeing the Gargoyle’s hand striking the person’s chest, I felt my blood seething.

 

 

[Tch!!!]

[Rex-san!?]

 

 

As I left everyone behind, with someone gasping in surprise, I hurriedly rushed out.

 

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(Why!? This place, this event…… Ahh, dammit!!! I’ll shelve that for later!)

 

 

Forcing the chaotic thoughts aside, I imbue magic into my sword.

 

 

[……!]

 

 

Tracing an ∞-like trajectory with my sword, I activated an Art that increases my movement speed when activated.

In that instant, I accelerated to a scary speed.

Immediately, gaining the momentum of a severing wind, I approached my destination so fast that I felt like my legs would tangle up.

 

 

(Ahh, dammit!)

 

 

Although I just got killed for saving someone, I really didn’t learn from my actions.

However……

 

 

[If it’s just a Gargoyle!]

 

 

With it so focused on attacking, its back is defenseless.

Towards such a defenseless body, I unleashed a blow with all my might.

 

 

(!)

 

 

As if to pull a screw out of one’s body, I unleashed a full-powered thrust.

 

 

[Kyaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!]

 

 

Gargoyles originally aren’t the kind of enemy that the early-game Rex could defeat with a single strike.

However, with a deafening scream, the Gargoyle I attacked disappeared.

 

 

(The speed boost dash and the flank attack still work wonders huh.
No, this isn’t the time for that!)

 

 

Taking my gaze off from the disappearing Gargoyle, I ran over to the person who was being attacked.

 

 

[Are you alright!?]

 

 

The person being attacked by the Gargoyle was a girl with bright blue hair.

The girl, covered in scars, took one look at me, and for some reason, she had a relieved smile on her lips.

 

 

[Thank…… goodness.
Rex…… nii-sa……]

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[Eh……?]

 

 

Hearing words I didn’t expect, I froze for a moment.

 

 

[The city…… Monsters…… Run away……]

 

 

After saying this, she closed her eyes, as if she had run out of energy.

 

 

(I see, this is……)

 

 

After defeating the Sealed Demon in the game, the Hero party would find that the city was under the attack of monsters after they left the cave.

 

 

And after that, you’ll find a girl laying in front of the city.

From what I’ve read, she was Rex’s sister who lived in Ash City, and if I’m not mistaken…… Her name should be Lecilia.

 

 

Lecilia would tell Rex about the attack on the city and to run away before drawing her last breath.

It was supposed to be an impactful opening that gives the players a sense of hopelessness but……

 

 

(Like hell if I care about that now!)

 

 

Concentrating on my left hand, I accessed the inventory, an item storage function that everyone had in game.

Taking out a Healing Potion from my inventory, I poured it over the girl’s wounds.

 

 

[……Ughk!]

 

 

The unconscious girl softly groaned, but the painful wound quickly healed.

By the time I had used up all the healing items I had on hand, her wounds were completely gone and her color had somewhat improved.

 

 

(She’s going to be alright with this, right?)

 

 

In the game, when the Hero party went out of the game, there was no monster by Lecilia’s side, and she was already on the verge of dying.

Perhaps, the encounter with her was a little earlier than in the game because the fight against the Sealed Demon didn’t happen.

 

 

I guess that means my actions also changed events just a little bit huh.

 

 

[Oi, old man! This is bad!]

 

 

However, I don’t have the time to think about that.

When I looked up upon hearing Rad’s words as he caught up with me, I saw the group of Gargoyles who had taken hold of the ramparts had noticed us and were making a fuss.

 

 

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[……Let’s run away.]

 

 

I quickly turned my back on the city as I picked up the unconscious girl.

 

 

[B- But, the city is……!]

[That’s impossible.]

 

 

The gates are tightly shut from the inside, and inside the city are hordes of monsters that even Rex can’t beat.

The option of going to help them is……

 

 

[But that city is Mana’s hometown! I’m sure she has family and friends there……]

 

 

However, Rad’s shout blew away such dry calculations.

Seemingly having realized what he just said, he hurriedly looked back to Mana.

 

 

She looked down for a moment, but she quickly and clearly stated.

 

 

[……Let’s run away.]

[Sorry.]

“”

 

 

I do feel guilty for her, but even if I go help them, I will only die in vain.

We have to get away from here as soon as possible……

 

 

[However! Which way are we going to run?]

[Ahh……]

 

 

However, Mana’s next words reminded me of the harsh reality.

 

 

That’s right……

I remember now.

I remember it clearly now.

 

 

When you start out as , your initial Partner Character “changes according to your choices”.

We would need to make a choice here.

 

 

There are two towns where we can go from this place.

A small fishing village located at the end of the next fork, towards the road leading to the north, “Umina”.

A town located further east on the road leading back to the without turning at the fork, “Rikushia”.

 

 

 

 

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—————The choice of our destination would determine our fate.

 

 

 

 

 

In case we head east to Rikushia, we’ll be ambushed by Gargoyles before we reach the town.

Although I…… Rex fought them back desperately, the Gargoyles had the number advantage and he would be unable to protect the entire party.
The new adventurers, with the exception of the Hero, would be wiped out.

 

 

However, if we head north to Umina, a Lv60 Doom Demon would pursue the party, and Rex would stay behind to hold it off.

The new adventurers, including the Hero, would somehow be able to reach Umina, but Rex would be killed in his useless struggle.

 

 

East or North, the ultimate choice.

If I choose East, three of these young boys and girls with good futures will die, and if I choose North, I will die.

Whichever choice you make, you will have to make sacrifices, and you will never  be able to see the friends you abandoned again.

 

 

[Goddammit.
You’ve got to be kidding me……]

 

 

Sweat began pouring out of me.

 

 

What the heck is this?

Wait.

Just wait a damned minute……

 

 

For Pete’s sake, I’m just a salaryman.

I’m just an ordinary guy living in modern Japan, surrounded by all the convenience of civilization.

 

 

There’s no way I can make such a life and death decision……

 

 

[Old man! They’re starting to move……]

 

 

Turning my attention on the city wall, I saw the Gargoyles about to take off towards us.

We’re running out of time.

 

 

Gritting my teeth, I inwardly swore at the game writers who came up with this situation.

 

 

(What should I do? Which option should I choose?)

 

 

However, if we stay here, we’ll just end up dying a dog’s death.

Everyone’s eyes are on me.

 

 

Making up my mind, I chose————-