Hushed whispers filled the air, their source indiscernible.

'What noise was that?'

The whispers persisted, growing louder.

"I- is w-th gr-t sorr-w that t-e H-ro Sucura, who h-ld…" a solemn, unknown voice reverberated.

As I tried to open my eyes, a wave of grogginess overwhelmed me. It felt like a sledgehammer had struck me. A piercing pain throbbed in my head, making me feel dizzy and nauseous.

It was a struggle to even attempt to lift myself up. The cacophony surrounding me was so intense that it felt as if my ears were bleeding.

Despite the discomfort, I strained to concentrate, attempting to decipher the unknown voice's message amidst the clamor. The words were barely audible over the tumultuous sounds assaulting my senses.

Yet, I remained resolute in understanding the voice, knowing it was crucial to my predicament.

"Th-s decis-on w-s n-t ma-e l-ghtly,…"

'It is futile… I cannot comprehend a single word, and… the voice appears to belong to a man.'

I attempted to open my eyes once more, but everything was so blurry.

Squinting my eyes, I tried to focus on what lay in front of me. Gradually, my vision began to clear, revealing my surroundings. I found myself lying on the ground, with a red carpet covering it.

As I looked up, my gaze was drawn to a grand throne that radiated an aura of power and authority. Standing in front of it was a man with a cold and imposing demeanor.

He appeared to be in his mid-thirties, dressed in a black coat and tunics that gave off an air of regal sophistication. Resting atop his head was a golden crown, adorned with exquisite jewelry and gemstones

'What is this?… A vivid dream or something else…?'

Confusion and bewilderment gripped me. I could not make sense of the scene unfolding before my eyes.

The King spoke, and I strained to understand each syllable, hoping to grasp my current situation.

" … failed to protect the village…"

'Failed? Village? What the hell are you talking about?'

I wanted to voice my thoughts, but I refrained from doing so, as my throat felt parched. Instead, I scrutinized my surroundings. However, something caught my eye. Above his crown there was a number.

[Lvl. 54]

'What is that?… Huh?… a level indicator, perhaps?'

As I glanced towards the King's left, my eyes fell upon a breathtakingly beautiful woman.

She had hazel eyes and long cascading black hair. She held a staff in her right hand, topped with a floating orb emitting an ethereal glow.

[Lvl. 65]

'Is she a Queen…? Well, it seems self-evident..'

As my gaze shifted towards the King's right, I noticed a massive knight standing tall and imposing. Scars were etched across his face, telling a tale of numerous bloody battles. He possessed a sturdy build, and his armor appeared to be crafted from the toughest material. A heavy aura emanated from him, exuding a certain degree of power.

[Lvl. 91]

I focused on his features, trying to remember where I had seen him before, but it was all vague in my mind.

Unfortunately, I couldn't recall where I saw him, but it felt like it was on the edge of my tongue, like I wanted to say it, but couldn't.

Suddenly, the knight looked at me with his piercing gaze and expressionless face, as if he could see the very marrow of my soul. My body instinctively shuddered, and my hair stood on end.

I slowly retracted my gaze and looked to my right.

I froze on the spot, it is appalling as if Medusa had appeared before me and turned me to stone.

Slicked-back white hair, oceanic-azure eyes, a lean figure and strikingly attractive features. I could never forget that face… that face it belonged to Luke Pearce, also known as the [Hero Route] from the Netorare Game.

[Lvl. 31]

A booming voice echoed through the palace, drawing my attention back to the King.

"I, Chamethyirios the IV, King of the Kingdom of Daichetus, hereby banish Hero Sucura Vesper for failing to protect the Village of Meroeda," declared the King, his regal tone resounding throughout the hall as he gazed at me impassively.

'Sucura Vesper? An odd name… Wait a minute… If I remembered, he would die in the hands of Hero Vyn also called the [Slave Route] in the beginning of 'Event III: The Clue of the Marionette' following his exile.'

'I've been forcefully transmigrated into this body without consent? How audacious!'

I inadvertantly gripped the red carpet tightly beneath my hands.

'This body already considered dead weight once he leaves this Kingdom.'

The king spoke, "I welcome Octavian Reodulff, the new hero chosen by Goddess Nirva, to our Kingdom. Your noble duty is to protect our people from harm, and I have faith in your abilities. You are an inspiration to us all, and we are proud to have you serve our Kingdom. May the Goddess Nirva bless you with strength, courage, and wisdom on your journey."

[Lvl. 29]

I observed Octavian, who exuded confidence. Her beauty captivated the men around her; her smooth skin, shoulder-length brown hair, and voluptuous figure were mesmerizing.

One of the NPC heroes in the game has great potential and is a valuable ally to have. She is particularly useful as a stalwart defensive companion. Her presence in the game extends across four out of the five available routes, her availability starts with Event V.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Octavian said with a graceful curtsy. "Your warm welcome humbles me, and I feel honored that Goddess Nirva has chosen me as the hero of this Kingdom. I vow to do everything in my power to protect the people and defend this land against all threats. May the Goddess Nirva guide us on our journey."

The King gave a subtle nod and trudged back to his throne, taking a seat upon it with a regal air.

I inwardly sighed at my situation, feeling a sense of hopelessness wash over me.

I was not someone who knew every nook and cranny of the game; in fact, I had only partial knowledge of it and often skipped over certain dialogues.

Whenever I delve into the world of comics, it seems that the protagonist is always endowed with an extraordinarily lucky streak, as if the universe is revolving around them, gifting them with absurd abilities.

However, as I ponder upon my own circumstances, a niggling doubt creeps into my mind: am I not somewhat akin to those characters especially those who transmigrated?

While the idea of risking everything and relying solely on my abilities holds a certain appeal, my instincts are urging me to exercise caution and avoid taking such a daring leap of faith.

Despite the cautionary signals from my intuition, I chose to ignore them and muttered under my breath a silent invocation, "Rebirth"