Suddenly, I was in a dark room where a robed figures greeted us.
Confused, I looked around and saw three familiar faces with really wacky equipment. I am also wearing a shield.
I was confused. Is this a delusion? I thought I gave up my powers? Have I gone crazy?
They saw me and started crying. This feeling in my chest. It was real.
"Big brother!!" It was Senri. She launched herself and embraced me. She looked pretty. Free of the delusion, she recovered nicely. She also had a sword at her hips for some reason. I hugged her back. Reuniting after so long made me start crying as well.
"Itou..." I said as I saw him bowing down towards me. He was similarly crying and had a bow on his back.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry you went through so much and I wasn't there for you. It was my fau-"
"No. Everything was out of our control. Everything that followed was my choice. You, my friend, are not to blame."
A heavy burden was lifted from his shoulders.
"Thank you!"
Mio watched the scene with satisfaction. She had a spear equipped.
The robed men were perplexed that we knew each other. They went on to describe the situation.
"Our world is in a fragile state and teeters at the brink of destruction. We beg you heroes, please lend us your aid."
We were baffled. Another world?
"I'm inclined to hear you out." I wasn't fully trusting of these people yet.
It seems my allies are of the same mind.
"Our king will meet with you and negotiate the terms of your stay here along with rewards."
I care little about rewards. Will we be able to return? Senri must be worried sick about our younger siblings. I don't know what the deal is with Mio, but Itou is likely in the same boat with his parents.
"Is everything OK with Yuto and Uki?"
"Yes, they're holding up fine. Our caretaker is kind and reliable. I'm a little sad we're worlds apart, but I know they are strong."
"You Itou?"
"Same here. I'm not sure what my parents will think, but I feel that I left them on a good note. They were relieved when they learn of my innocence."
"I am also doing fine. I have confidence Shinjou will round up the rest of the Committee in my absense." She said sensing pattern. I'm glad we have a capable senior here with us.
***
We entered a large, gaudy chamber where the king and his retinue awaits us.
"Ahem. So you all know each other?" The king asked perplexed. He also looks at me with animosity specifically. My friends and I picked up on that.
"Yes. We are all comrades. He specifically brought us together." Mio gestured to me.
The king face soured slightly, but recovered.
"Please introduce yourselves heroes of another world. You are able to access your status by calling it."
We all did so.
"I am Mio Kunosata. I study the human brain. I am also have medical training. I've worked with the police force in our world to eliminate an evil organization, the Committee. My status has master level first aid, master level surgery, intermediate psychology and it says I am the hero of the spear." The king and nobles were impressed. "Takuru is my charge by the way." Slightly taken aback now.
"I am Senri Minamisawa. I was experimented on by the Committee, but managed to escape. I am skilled with the way of the sword and am Takuru older sister. I'll beat up whoever bullies him!" Impressive and threatening. "I am the hero of the sword, have intermediate swordsmanship, master level disguise, and intermediate guard.
"I'm Shinji Itou, but prefer to be called Itou. I'm not that special and was part of the newspaper club. I hate psychopaths as they've taken so much from us. I am the hero of the bow, I have master level rationality, intermediate investigation, and intermediate dismemberment." We blanched at his third skill. "I am Takuru's best friend. I can vouch for his character."
"I am Takeru Miyashiro. I am the president of the newspaper club. I am the hero of the shield. I have master level investigation and the passive skill unity. It disables the experience penalty when heroes party together." Instantly clamor occurs. Apparently the skill changes the rules of the game.
"Silence!" The king commanded. "As much as I dislike the shield, I am not a fool to not recognize the importance of that skill. The four heroes will journey together."
So he gave up the pretense huh.
"Tell me shield hero, what do you and your comrades want?"
"We simply want to protect people and crush evil. A home base would be nice as well as some starting gold."
"Fine." The king was satisfied that my requests were reasonable, but was still displeased.
"Heroes~. Won't you let me join you? I promise I will be a valuable asset to your party." She behaved coquettishly to both Itou and me.
We were all on guard. She gave a similar feeling to my fake dad, though he hides it better.
Sensing the group's attitude and how the king soften at the sight of his daughter, Itou politely refused citing that a new member at this point would be too soon and that working on teamwork with members we all know would be more efficient.
Miffed, but understanding, the king grants our request while Malty fumes.