Darkness.
That was all Hiroshi remembered when the blinding white room finally vanished. His body felt light—too light—and the ground that greeted him was anything but soft.
"Oof! Ow—what the hell?!" he cried, face-first into dirt. Grass poked his cheek. Something chirped overhead. And yes—was that... a slime?
A translucent blob bounced past him like it didn't have a care in the world.
"What the hell just happened?" Hiroshi muttered, slowly pushing himself off the grass. One minute, he was walking home after pulling an all-nighter on his final project. The next, some glowing screen popped up in his face, and he was yoinked into what looked like a divine Apple Store.
That room.
That damn goddess.
Her long, golden hair, eyes glowing like stars—and that smug smile like she was better than him.
"You are far too plain," she had said, bored. "Your stats are garbage. Your face is forgettable. Your existence will bring down the reputation of this world."
And then—boom. Banished. No second chances. No dramatic farewell. Just a flick of her hand and a sarcastic "Good luck not dying."
What kind of divine discrimination was that?!
"I didn't even want to be here in the first place!" Hiroshi shouted to the sky. A bird pooped in response.
Typical.
Before he could curse the heavens further, something flickered in his vision.
> [Initializing World Blessing...]
[Individual: Hiroshi | Status: Rejected by the Goddess]
[Admin Override Detected...]
[New Authority Granted: "The World's Favor"]
"Wait, what—?"
> [Congratulations, Hiroshi. Though rejected by the Goddess, the World has chosen you. A hidden System has been installed.]
[Your journey begins now.]
He blinked.
A hidden System?
He blinked again.
YES. A HIDDEN SYSTEM.
"Okay, okay, okay. Calm down," he muttered, heart racing. "This is just like one of those isekai games. That's good. Systems are good. Systems mean survival."
He took a breath and swiped his hand instinctively. A clean, glowing blue screen opened like a hologram.
---
[Status]
Name: Hiroshi
Race: Human
Class: Unknown
Level: 1
Skills: [Hidden]
Titles: "Rejected by the Goddess," "Chosen of the World"
Inventory: [Empty]
---
"Looks pretty bare," he said. But something about the words "Hidden" made him grin.
He wasn't starting from nothing.
He was starting from secrecy.
Suddenly, a rustle echoed from nearby bushes. Hiroshi's entire body froze.
Please don't be a goblin. Or a wolf. Or an elf on drugs.
What stepped out was... a girl?
Long white hair. Fox-like ears. A flowing blue robe with a high slit that definitely wasn't weather appropriate. Her golden eyes locked onto his.
"…A human?" she said.
"Hi!" Hiroshi waved before he realized he was still covered in dirt and grass. "Uh, don't attack. I come in peace."
The girl blinked slowly. Then narrowed her eyes.
"You're not from around here."
Hiroshi laughed nervously. "Yeah, uh… long story. I'm a traveler."
"…From where?"
"Distant lands. Beyond the horizon. Very mysterious. Very distant."
The silence between them grew awkward. The wind rustled her silver hair, and Hiroshi scratched the back of his head.
Great. First person he meets and he already sounds like a suspicious weirdo.
"You're not lying," she said at last. "I can sense it. But you're definitely not normal either."
Well, crap.
"Look," he said, holding up his hands. "I don't mean harm. I'm just trying to figure out this world. I have no weapon, no food, and no clue where I am. Can we, like, not stab each other?"
The girl tilted her head. Then, to his surprise, she sheathed the ornate dagger he hadn't even noticed in her sleeve.
"I'm Mira," she said. "Wandering swordswoman."
"Hiroshi. Wandering... guy."
A pause.
Then—she laughed. Like, full-on giggle.
"Alright, strange guy. I'll help you. You're too clueless to survive five minutes out here alone."
"Rude, but fair."
She extended a hand. "There's a village nearby. Follow me."
As they walked, Hiroshi snuck glances at her. Her steps were graceful, but her gaze was sharp—scanning the forest like a pro. She definitely wasn't some random girl. Maybe a mercenary? Or an exiled princess? Or both?
"So," she said, glancing back. "You got anything on you? A weapon?"
"Uh, not exactly."
"Any magic?"
"Also... not exactly."
"So you're useless?"
"I prefer the term 'unrefined.'"
"Great," she sighed. "Just stay close. If anything shows up, I'll handle it."
Internally, Hiroshi sighed in relief. He wasn't ready to reveal the System—or the bow skill quietly simmering under [Hidden Skill: Emberstring].
He needed time. He didn't know who to trust yet. And if the Goddess hated him, how many others were in on it?
---
The forest soon opened into a valley. Smoke curled from distant chimneys. Wooden fences marked farmland. Hiroshi's stomach rumbled at the smell of baked bread on the wind.
"Finally. Civilization," he muttered.
"You sound like you've been crawling in the wild for weeks," Mira said, amused.
"Emotionally, I have."
As they approached the gates, Mira turned. "One rule: don't say anything dumb. People here don't trust outsiders easily."
"Noted. I'll be as boring as dry toast."
She nodded.
They passed through without issue. Mira was apparently known here. Hiroshi kept his head low, trying not to gawk at talking raccoon merchants, armored lizardmen, and a dwarf arguing with a sentient broom.
Everything was insane—and kinda awesome.
Mira led him to a small inn and ordered a meal for them both. Hiroshi nearly cried when the stew touched his tongue.
"So," she said once they were seated, "what are you doing out here?"
Time to lie with confidence.
"I was summoned… by accident," Hiroshi said. "Someone or something dumped me out here before I could get answers."
Mira narrowed her eyes but didn't press. "That explains your clothes. You don't dress like anyone from around here."
He looked down at his modern jacket and jeans. "Yeah, not exactly peak fantasy fashion."
"You'll need better gear. And a weapon."
"Can I get a discount if I cry hard enough?"
"No."
Fair enough.
---
Later that night, as Mira snored softly on the second bed, Hiroshi stared at the ceiling.
His fingers twitched.
With a whisper, he opened the system.
> [Skill Unlocked: Emberstring Lv1 – Summon a bow of flame. Basic projectile magic infused.]
[Daily Quest: Survive | Penalty: ???]
He exhaled.
The world didn't hate him. The system was his secret weapon. If he played this right, he could thrive—quietly, secretly.
And maybe someday… make that smug Goddess regret ever casting him aside.