Why does everyone always demand results from others, only to complain when those results are delivered? They should be grateful for what they receive, even if it seems useless at first. I believe everything serves a purpose eventually.
Why does everyone constantly seek shortcuts? Why do they crave ease over adversity? Life should present us with difficult trials, not simple tests solved through shortcuts. We should overcome life's challenges through effort and hard work.
I find myself increasingly frustrated watching humans who always want the easy way out. Even when they achieve their desired shortcuts and conveniences, they remain ungrateful for what they've received. Take mobile games, for instance—the system seems unfair when it features equipment purchasable with real money, giving wealthy players significant advantages over those using free equipment.
I've encountered countless comics, novels, and anime depicting fantasy worlds where protagonists start strong without reason, or receive power directly from gods. These stories often feature high school students reincarnated into fantasy realms, becoming powerful without effort or dedication.
How is that fair? I'm not envious—it simply means the protagonist will never grow. They'll forever depend on divine gifts rather than personal development. I despise seeing people who don't work hard from scratch and remain ungrateful despite receiving advantages. Humans prioritize selfish thoughts and constant complaints.
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...
I walked through the city center, surrounded by people absorbed in their smartphones. I gazed up at the bright sky, sighing deeply. This world I inhabit grows increasingly populated with humans dependent on convenience and shortcuts. My city boasts advanced technology, leaving everyone focused on their sophisticated phones capable of anything, including gaming.
Slipping both hands into my jacket pockets, I stopped at a crosswalk and looked up at a billboard advertising the trending game "Conqueror of World." The advertisement held no appeal for me.
"Whatever the game, money surely makes players strong. Isn't there a game that relies solely on effort and hard work?" I stopped staring at the advertisement.
"Not in games or anything here, but you could strive in another world called Touri..."
A voice—distinctly male—suddenly reached my ears. I looked back at the billboard and saw a strange figure in a dark red robe concealing his entire body, even his face. Only shadows were visible beneath the hood.
"Huh...?" When I blinked, the robed figure vanished from my sight.
"Touri...?"
"A world different from where you currently live. Touri is the core of the universe, where nothing is impossible! It's a fantasy realm containing different races, tremendous powers, and magic. In that world, there are no shortcuts or excuses for not trying. If you don't strive, you'll face a harsh existence there, including death and torture in the world called Touri."
My eyes widened as I saw the strange man standing directly before me.
"What—"
SWOOOOSH!!!
Suddenly, cars and motorcycles sped past at maximum velocity. "Eh...?" I looked around to see people laughing at me for daydreaming when I could have crossed the street.
"How could I see that strange man? He appeared in the advertisement I saw moments ago, then stood right in front of me before disappearing when the traffic light turned green." I sighed and waited for the light to turn red.
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...
Minutes later, I arrived home with an expression of excitement about weight training. I wanted to become strong through extremely difficult exercises, but training would feel easier if I gave maximum effort! My goal was to become a strong man capable of protecting someone I deeply love—though I haven't found that person yet. It's better to prepare early so I can face future challenges!
I hurried into my room, filled with exercise equipment and a computer I used solely for researching self-improvement and strength training methods. I had downloaded numerous fitness videos covering various exercises and stages, never forgetting to study to develop my mind. My brain needed broad knowledge and experience.
Training diligently means nothing if you can be defeated by someone with extensive knowledge and experience. After nearly three hours of exercise, my body showed development. My arm muscles felt firm, and I was developing abdominal muscles. I stopped lifting the moderately heavy weights and approached my study chair.
"Hah... hah... hah..." I grabbed a towel from the chair and wiped sweat from my entire body.
"My body feels weak now. Perhaps it's time to rest." I looked at a photo on my study desk—a picture of me with my parents. My mother died from rape; my father was murdered. At that moment, I felt weak and powerless, only able to watch helplessly as they were killed brutally.
The memory filled me with rage. I placed the photo on my wardrobe. "I promise, Mother, Father... I will become stronger so I can protect someone I love and consider important! I won't be weak like before!" I spoke with serious expression, then walked toward the bathroom to clean my sweaty body.
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...
I turned on the shower, and warm water cascaded over my body. "I'm a high school graduate who can't continue to university because I lack money... Damn it, if only I had been honest with Mother and Father about my perfect grades. I took shortcuts by cheating and hiding answer sheets under my desk..."
My parents despised shortcuts and people who didn't strive with their capabilities.
"I should have confessed and faced my mistakes then... I shouldn't have sought those damned shortcuts!!! I SHOULD HAVE WORKED HARD!!! I SHOULD HAVE RELIED ON MY OWN MIND, DAMN IT!!!" I punched the wall before me.
"If you want to atone for that mistake, you should start working hard..." The familiar voice returned. I glanced back and saw the strange robed figure.
"You seem unworthy of being human... You're more suited to be a Legend... You could become a worthy Legend through the spirit and effort you possess now. Your family's death has transformed you into someone different, young man."
Water droplets entered my eyes. "Ugh!" I blinked and looked forward—the strange man had vanished again.
"What's wrong with him...? Why do I keep seeing him...!? Why do I keep hearing his strange voice...!?"
For several minutes, I continued seeing and hearing him everywhere. How could I constantly hear his voice and see him? He always mentioned the world called Touri and the race called Legends. What was he trying to tell me? Was this some anime scene? It's not real!!! Everything's impossible in this strange world.
I turned off my computer because I kept seeing him in every application—from games to MetTube and HeadBook. I stepped back upon witnessing this, thinking the strange man was a virus or a modern ghost.
"Better just sleep..." I stepped back, jumped onto my bed, and lay down while stretching my aching arms. "Nothing's better than resting through sleep and dreaming of meeting my soulmate."
I slowly closed my eyes and fell asleep quickly from exhaustion. Perhaps exercise always made me drowsy. My vision suddenly showed a dark room where I saw the strange robed figure smiling.
"Eh...?"
"Welcome, Shiratori Shira." The strange man called my name. Yes... my name is Shiratori Shira, a nineteen-year-old recent high school graduate. Today I seemed to suffer from a severe condition, constantly encountering this red-robed figure who smiled broadly when meeting me in this dream realm. Wait... is this a dream or reality?
I could only listen to what the strange man would say next. "Why...? How do you know my name...? And why do you keep appearing everywhere!?" I asked with serious expression.
"I am a god, and I have an offer for a hardworking human like you."
"Eh...?"