After the discussion, we were escorted by a lady to the dining hall. Following dinner, we were then guided to the resting room, where we were informed about the location of the bed chambers and then the lady left. I looked at the mirror in the room and realized that I don't recall this character at all that I looked in the mirror but my physic is really strong, although hidden. My name in the Status appeared as Kaito Genkei which is confusing since my name is Niraj Kumar. {He will be referred as Kaito in this world}
After resting for a while,
Kaito "what is your name?" I inquired while pointing at Naofumi.
"Naofumi Iwatani, seriously what took you so long? You asked me to be quiet when king ignored me, why?" he replied, with a confident straddle in his voice.
While I am aware, I need to feign ignorance. I must calculate every step, plan everything in advance, and figure out how on earth I ended up here. I am not supposed to be in this place.
I said, "There is a reason the king is ignoring us, and it should be because of your shield or something else. That's why I asked you to be quiet; otherwise, it might have created problems for us."
The real reason is the previous shield hero, but I will blame his shield, although the shield is the actual cause if you think about it, if he didn't have it there will be no problem.
I continued "Hey guys, this is just like a game, don't you all think?" I question while looking at the other guys.
"Like a game? I think it actually might be a game. I know called Emerald Online." said Motoyasu
"Never heard of it. What is it?" Naofumi asked
"Naofumi, have you even played an online game before? It's famous!"
"Nah, I've only played stuff like Odin Online, or Fantasy Moon Online. Those are pretty famous too."
"I don't know what any of you are referring to. This is nothing like an online game. It's more like a console game." Itsuki said
"Motoyasu, Itsuki, you're both wrong on this one. If anything, it's a VRMMO."
"No way. Even if we suppose, for the moment, that we are in an online game, it still must be the sort that you control by a mouse, or with a controller."
Ren looked confused by Motoyasu's theory, and he jumped into the conversation. "A mouse? A controller? What kind of antique games are you guys talking about? These days, aren't all online games VRMMO?"
"VRMMO? I guess you mean a Virtual Reality MMO? Cut the sci-fi crap. You know the tech isn't ready for stuff like that yet."
"Huh?!" Ren nearly shouted in surprise.
"Um, excuse me? You all seem to think this is like a game you know. Can I ask what the names of those games are?" Itsuki raised his hand and answered quickly: Brave Star Online. Emerald Online.
I spoke up next. "I don't know. I mean, are we even in a game world?" and Naofumi agreed with me, acting ignorant about the situation.
"I see. As for my opinion, this reminds me of a console game called Dimension Wave."
"Wait a second. Let's try to collect what we know for sure."
Motoyasu rested his head on his hands and tried to calm us down. "Ren, This VRMMO you speak of means exactly what we said, correct?"
"Yeah."
"Itsuki, Naofumi, you guys understand what he means, right?"
"I think it sounds like a game from science fiction, but yes."
"I think I read about something like it in a light novel once."
"Fair enough. That's about all I can think of too. Okay then, let's start with some common-sense questions. You can all name the current prime minister, right? Wait hold on before that, you didn't tell us your name did you now?" Motoyasu question 'huh I guess I didn't?'
"Alright, my name is Kaito Genki and I am not interested in this activity so I won't be answering your questions. You can continue, but I think we all are from different world."
"You seem confident huh?" Motoyasu asked
"Just continue, what you were doing." I spoke
"Sure. Okay, let's all say it at the same time."
"Masato Yuda."
"Gotaro Yawahara"
"Enichi Kodaka."
"Shigeno Ichifuji."
They went on to compare their knowledge of Internet terms, famous Internet sites, and famous games. None of our examples matched up. In the end, they didn't seem to share any references at all.
"It kind of seems like we all came from different Japans." Itsuki spoke
"It does seem that way. I certainly can't imagine how we could be from the same place." Motoyasu
"I guess that means that there is a Japan in all our parallel worlds?" Itsuki
"I thought at first that we could just be from different time periods. But none of our experiences match up, so that can't be it." Ren
"Goddam it!" Naofumi took no time to disguise his anger.
The three of them started whispering among themselves so that I couldn't hear what they were saying. "Yeah… but he… he has a Shield."
"I knew it… Motoyasu, you too?"
"Yeah…" Naofumi
"All right, so is it fair to assume that we all have a pretty good idea about how the system in this world works?"
"Sure." Motoyasu
"Done it a thousand times."
"I think I get it well enough."
"Well, there you have it… but wait! Am I the only amateur here?! This suck."
"Kaito, do you know anything about this game or anything related?"
They all started looking towards me, but I prefer not to attract attention. However, this person persists in involving me in their conversation.
"Well, now that I think about it, this world is similar to Clash Online," said Kaito.
"So, even you know about it, but I'm the one left in the dark," remarked Naofumi.
"If it gives you any comfort, I myself don't know many things compared to these three, but at least I know the basics. I will tell you more later," Kaito assured.
"W…Well…. Maybe you guys could teach me what I need to know to fight in this world? There were no games like this where I'm from." Ren narrowed his eyes and glared at Naofumi. Again, ice-cold. For whatever reason, Motoyasu and Itsuki were looking at Naofumi with kindness.
"All right then, your big brother Motoyasu will, as best he can, teach you the basics." Motoyasu sounded fake, with that big smile on his face.
"First of all, and I'm only talking about the game I know, Emerald Online… but you're a 'Shielder.' Basically, your job is to use the Shield and protect people."
"Uh huh." Naofumi
"In the beginning, your defense is super high, which is great and all, but as you go up in levels, the damage you start to take gets a little unbalanced." Motoyasu
"Uh huh…" Naofumi
"There are no high-level Shielders. At higher levels, it's a useless class." Motoyasu
"No!" Naofumi
"What about updates? Were there no updates?" Like… to balance out my class?!
"Nope. Because of the game's system, and because of the game's population, the class was abandoned pretty early on. It's really not good for much. I think they had even planned to delete the class altogether…" Motoyasu
"And I guess I can't change jobs?!" Naofumi
"Well, the associated jobs are all… how to put it? Dead." Motoyasu
"And I can't change?" Naofumi
"Nah, the game never let you switch to another job tree." Motoyasu
"WHAT?! Was I really stuck with the worst job in the game?" Naofumi
"What do you guys think?" Naofumi asked, turning to Ren and Itsuki, but they both turned away from me.
"Sorry…"
"I feel the same…"
Then, I saw the three of them move in the corner of my eye. Ignoring Naofumi and me. Well, I knew their attitude would shit but seeing and experiencing it were two different things. They were now all deep in conversation about the game.
"Naofumi, let them discuss. I will tell you the basics of Clash Online," Kaito said. Naofumi looked gratefully at me. Then, I shared only the essentials because providing too much information may either make Naofumi dependent on me or leave him as a gullible idiot and I myself don't know much from anime. I don't aim to save the world; I just want to live my life. I might help him in between, and that's it.
Information given is basically his powers-ups
[ party formation, crafting, monster drops, material absorption]
After receiving the information, he appears to be able to see all the systems. Well, I know that only by believing in it will unlock these options, and with all this information, he should be able to not only survive but make his journey a whole lot smoother than in the anime. I informed him about visiting the church to know when the wave will strike this will help to avoid the church later on and told him to be careful and not to trust anyone easily, but he seems aloof about it. Well, your doom, dude—I informed you, but you ignored it; your loss. I've completed my responsibility for guiding. Besides, I can't reveal too much because we are under observation by those spies of king.
That was it. I told him I am going to bed, he said thank you, and I replied with "You're welcome."
Break Bed chambers
I was trying to sleep but couldn't because of what happen. Despite my efforts to fall asleep, I lost track of when I finally drifted off. Suddenly, a ding-like sound interrupted my rest.
[Welcome, host, to the Omniverse System. The host is requested to maintain silence as we've been under observation for an hour. The host is recommended to communicate through their mind," the System explained.
"So, finally, just like other fictional novels, I am going to have my own system," Niraj asked.
"Yes, host. I will be explaining the basic functions of the system. If the host has any problems regarding it, they can ask me. However, answers to other problems cannot be given due to my programming," the System replied.
"Well, can you tell me about how I came here?" Niraj asked.
"Sorry, host. I can't. It goes against my programming," the System responded.
"Worth a shot," Niraj sighed. "Can you at least tell me about who was observing us?"
"No," the System replied bluntly. "A straight no. Okay, System, you explain your functions."
The system clarified its functions, essentially stating that it provides the host with knowledge, skills, items, abilities, summons and creatures from the omniverse. In other words, it serves as a source for acquiring a diverse range of information, capabilities, and entities to enhance the host's capabilities and experiences. Points are earned through activities such as rescuing and assisting others. The accumulation of these points is a result of engaging in various helpful endeavours.
However, the purchasing process entails that specific universe will be selected from which you can get knowledge, skills, items, abilities, weapons, summons and creatures will be available every month and then change accordingly. Five options will be given from each section will be accessible during this period them ranking from white to gold.
{Everything is ranked in five colours from lowest to highest [white, red, green, blue, gold].}
"Host has been offered a magical core (Magical core increases magical power of a user permanently and a boost in mana regeneration by 20% and create a reserve of 10% of Mana points. Gives +2 to each magical stat for every level-up. Rank-gold) with the ability of Metamorphmagus (Ability to alter appearance, can be maintain at the cost of 1 mana unit for 10 second). Five basic spells from each element magic have been offered. These abilities have been offered for your previous life contribution. A weapon is randomly selected to offer mastery. Axe mastery (Rank-green) obtained. It offers basic fighting experience with the weapon and 40,000 points. All these rewards will be transferred now."
I suddenly felt a huge wave of information in head and started to fall an asleep. I woke up by the sunlight in the room in the morning.
"Host, I have explained everything that I needed to. My program ends here. Good luck, host. I hope you survive. From here on, the system won't be having any conversation with you." System
"Well, let's check the status first"
Kaito Genkei (Niraj Kumar)
Class: Battle Mage
Equipment: None
Other-World Clothes
Skills: None
Magic: All types
Status
Attack 20
Magical Attack 24
Defence 16
Magical Defence 23
Agility 19
Free Points 5
HP (Defence *5) = 16*5 = 80
MP (Magical Attack *4) = 22*4 = 88
Elemental damage all= 20
Kaito found himself in a different class, suspecting it might be connected to a magical core. As he contemplated this, a maid approached him.
"Good morning, sir. Breakfast is ready in the dining hall," the maid informed.
"I'll be there," Kaito replied.
"Okay, sir." Kaito couldn't help but note, "I might be receiving more respect than the shield hero."
After we finished eating breakfast, we waited in anticipation for the king's summons. It was only natural to have a little spare time in the morning; no one wants to feel rushed out of bed. Finally, when the sun was fairly high in the sky, around ten o'clock, the king called for us.
"The Heroes please enter."
The doors to the audience chamber swung open to reveal a group of
fifteen strangers, all dressed as though they were about to embark on an
adventure of their own.
There were knights among them.
The king certainly knew how to show his support.
We all bowed to the king, and settled in to listen to his proposal.
"As we discussed yesterday, I have called for others to assist you in your
journey. Apparently, my call did not go unheeded."
If there were three assistants provided to each of us, we might just
survive.
"Now then, gathered adventurers, please choose the Legendary Hero
with whom you will travel with."
The five of us lined up.
The gathered adventures shuffled over in our direction, and formed little
clumps before their intended partners.
Six people stood before Ren.
Five people stood before Motoyasu.
Four people stood before Itsuki.
And before me and Naofumi?
Give us drum roll.
Zero.
"But sir!" Naofumi called to the king.
The king was unnerved by his protest.
He spoke, "I did not anticipate anything like this."
"He's not very popular, is he?" The minister sighed, as if there was
nothing he could do about it. The king, for his part, seemed disinterested.
The men in robes were whispering something to the king, and they all
seemed to laugh. But why?
"So, there are rumors?"
"What is it?" Motoyasu asked. He wore a strange expression.
"It seems that people are whispering around the castle. They are saying that among the four Heroes, the Shield Hero and the fifth summon does not know very much about our world."
"What?!" Naofumi
"Your Majesty, this fifth summon is called Kaito Genkei, and the shield hero goes by the name Naofumi Iwatani." That seemed to slightly anger him, but hided it quickly.
"The legends say that the four summoned Heroes will have an
understanding of our land. People are wondering if you will truly be able to
fulfil the conditions set out in the legends."
Motoyasu poked Naofumi in the side with his elbow.
"I guess someone was eavesdropping on us last night."
Naofumi starts to rants hastily.
"Ren! You can't even use Six people! Let's share!"
The adventures standing around Ren (and men among them) all
suddenly huddled behind him, quaking in their boots. They were behaving
like terrified little sheep.
Ren looked annoyed, and scratched his head, perplexed. Then he said,
"I'm more of a loner, myself. So, if you can't cut it, I'm leaving you behind."
He said it relatively forcefully, but none of the people behind him
showed any signs of moving.
"Motoyasu! What do you think of this? Isn't it horrible?!"
"Well…"
By the way, I'd like to point out that there was not a single man among
the adventurers with Motoyasu. It looked like he was setting up a brothel or
something.
"Well, I don't want to be biased here… but uh..."
Itsuki looked a little confused but seemed to be saying that he couldn't
exactly refuse the help that he'd been offered.
All the adventurers gathered around Motoyasu were women. I guess he
really did have a way with them. It was like some kind of involuntary
attraction.
"I suppose it would be fair to split them evenly, with each of us getting
three. But then again, it's not gentlemanly to deny them once they've made
their decision." What Itsuki said sounded fair enough, and everyone in the
room nodded along.
"You mean I need to go it alone?"
"Sir, if it please you, I could serve with the Shield Hero." The bitch with Motoyasu raised her hand to volunteer.
"Hm? Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Are there any others among you that would throw your lot in with Mr.
Naofumi or Mr. kaito?"
Some of them were looking at me, perhaps considering joining my party. I can't let that happen; I can't trust any of them since the king appointed them.
"Your Majesty, I don't want to force anyone. I will recruit my companion myself."
…No one moved a muscle. The king sighed heavily.
"I suppose there is no way around it. Mr. Naofumi and Mr. kaito, you'll have to recruit others to accompany you while you are traveling. Each month, I will supply all of you with the necessary funds for your journey, though in compensation for today's events, Naofumi's first payment will be higher than the others."
"Y…Yes, sir!" Naofumi
"Now then, Heroes, I have set aside these funds for you. Please accept
them."
Attendants placed envelopes in front of each of us.
"I have set aside 800 pieces of silver for Mr. Naofumi and Mr. Kaito, and 600 pieces for the rest of you. Please take these funds and begin your journey."
"Yes sir!" We all answered in unison.
Each of us made our obligatory bow of gratitude before backing out of
the audience chamber. Then we moved out of the castle and I decided to move out separately.