Chapter 1: A New Beginning
Ryoma felt a sharp pain in his chest as he took his final breath. He knew his life was over, the result of an accident that left him sprawled on the cold pavement. As his vision blurred, he lamented the hours he spent on his favorite game, "Eternal Heroes," instead of living a fuller life. His final thought was a wish: if only he could have another chance.
Darkness enveloped him, and for what seemed like an eternity, there was nothing. Then, suddenly, there was light.
Ryoma awoke to the sound of rustling leaves and the chirping of birds. He opened his eyes to find himself lying in a small, dingy room. The ceiling above him was wooden, and the air smelled of earth and hay. As he sat up, confusion washed over him. This was not his room, nor was it any place he recognized.
"Where am I?" he wondered aloud, his voice sounding strange to his own ears.
The door creaked open, and an elderly woman entered, carrying a tray with a bowl of soup. She was bent with age, her face wrinkled but kind.
"Ah, you're awake," she said, her voice warm and gentle. "You took quite a fall, young one. Here, eat this. It'll give you strength."
Ryoma accepted the soup, but his mind raced. Who was this woman? Where was he? He took a tentative sip of the soup and felt warmth spread through his body.
"Thank you," he said, trying to piece together his scattered memories. "But, can you tell me where I am?"
The old woman smiled. "You're in Reldin Village, a small place on the edge of the kingdom. You're lucky we found you when we did. What's your name, child?"
"Ryoma," he replied instinctively. "But, I... I don't remember how I got here."
The woman patted his hand reassuringly. "Don't worry about that now. Rest and recover. Everything else can wait."
Days passed, and Ryoma's strength slowly returned. The old woman, who introduced herself as Nana, cared for him with a kindness he had rarely experienced in his previous life. He learned that he was indeed in the world of "Eternal Heroes," a game he knew well. But he wasn't the protagonist or even a notable character. He was an orphan, a background character with no significant role in the story.
This revelation left him both terrified and determined. In the game's storyline, the world ended in ruin, with the Demon King emerging victorious. He knew the fate of this world, and he refused to let it unfold as it did in the game. He would change the future, no matter what it took.
***
A month later, Ryoma was well enough to leave Nana's house. She had given him a small room in her cottage and treated him like her own grandchild. The villagers of Reldin were kind but distant, their lives too busy with daily chores and survival to pay much attention to a lone orphan.
Ryoma decided to explore the village and its surroundings, seeking ways to grow stronger. He had no talent for combat, a fact he was painfully aware of from his previous life. But he had knowledge—knowledge of the game's mechanics, its characters, and its world. That would be his weapon.
One evening, as the sun set over the horizon, casting long shadows across the village, Ryoma found himself at the edge of the forest. He had a simple wooden sword Nana had given him, a relic from her late husband. It was heavy and unwieldy, but it was better than nothing.
He swung the sword clumsily, trying to remember the moves he had seen countless times in the game. His muscles ached, and sweat poured down his face. He was making little progress, his strikes slow and inaccurate.
"Trying to chop down trees with that twig?" a voice called out, startling him.
Ryoma turned to see a tall, lanky boy about his age leaning against a tree, watching him with amusement. His brown hair was tousled, and he had a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"I'm training," Ryoma replied, trying to sound confident despite his obvious lack of skill.
The boy walked over, his steps light and sure. "Training, huh? Doesn't look like you're getting very far."
Ryoma sighed, lowering the sword. "Yeah, well, everyone starts somewhere, right?"
The boy grinned. "Fair enough. Name's Elric. I live in the village too. Saw you around but never got the chance to talk."
"Ryoma," he introduced himself. "Nice to meet you."
Elric looked at the sword, then back at Ryoma. "Mind if I show you a thing or two? I'm no expert, but I know a bit about swinging a sword."
Grateful for any help, Ryoma nodded. "I'd appreciate that."
Elric took the sword and demonstrated a few basic stances and strikes, his movements fluid and precise. He handed the sword back to Ryoma, who tried to mimic the actions. It was difficult, but with Elric's guidance, he began to improve, if only slightly.
"You're not bad," Elric said after a while. "A bit rough, but you'll get there."
"Thanks," Ryoma said, feeling a small spark of hope. "Why are you helping me?"
Elric shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe I like helping people. Besides, it's not every day we get new faces in Reldin."
As the days turned into weeks, Ryoma and Elric continued to train together. Their friendship grew, and Ryoma found himself opening up in ways he never had before. Elric was easygoing and cheerful, a stark contrast to Ryoma's more serious demeanor. They balanced each other out, and Ryoma felt a sense of camaraderie he hadn't known he missed.
But Ryoma knew that training with a wooden sword and basic moves wouldn't be enough. He needed to find a way to gain real power, to make a difference in the coming battles. The knowledge of the game's storylines and characters gave him an edge, but it wouldn't be enough if he remained weak.
One afternoon, while practicing near the forest, Elric leaned against a tree, wiping sweat from his brow. "You know, there's a legend about a hidden cave somewhere in these woods," he said casually. "They say it's filled with old relics and treasures."
Ryoma's interest piqued. "A hidden cave? Do you know where it is?"
Elric shook his head. "Not exactly. But I've heard stories. It's supposed to be protected by some kind of barrier or something. Only those deemed worthy can enter."
A spark of determination ignited in Ryoma. This could be the opportunity he needed. "Let's find it," he said, a new sense of purpose in his voice.
Elric raised an eyebrow. "You serious? It's just a legend. Could be nothing but an old wives' tale."
"Maybe," Ryoma admitted. "But we won't know unless we try."
Elric studied him for a moment, then grinned. "Alright. I'm in. Adventure sounds better than chopping wood all day anyway."