[C--------------]
It felt like something was faintly whispering to me...
[Chosen One, can you hear me?]
'...What?'
Like being woken up from a sweet dream. No, I was actually woken up from sleep. A clear and out-of-place voice dragged me back into consciousness.
[Greeting, Chosen One, you have been invited by fate to The Crossroads. You will arrive shortly.]
My mind was still hazy from the sudden wake-up, so I couldn't fully grasp what the voice meant.
'...Invited? The Crossroads? What in the world is happening?'
Before I could make sense of what was happening, a flash of light entered my vision.
'...Ugh?'
When my vision cleared, what I saw was a white, desolate landscape. Actually, it was like a tranquil lake with some unusual structures lying on top of it.
"...Where am I?"
"What the hell?"
"...Did I drink too much?"
Startled, I looked around me. A lot of people were here, too. They were also visibly confused, just as I was. It was strange to see so many people gathered in one place, numbering in the hundreds.
Bewildered, they seemed to have noticed the number of people there as well. Comforting, but dreadful. What could have possibly happened for this many people to be summoned here? They muttered to themselves.
Before their muttering could become a loud commotion, a crystal-clear voice spoke.
[Once again, greetings, Chosen Ones. You all must be surprised at this unexpected calling. However, worry not, Chosen Ones. I'm here to guide you to the end of the path, as fate ordained.]
Some were even more confused hearing this. Some were looking expectant, as if their time had finally come.
Observing more closely, I noticed something strange about some people. Correction, not just some, but many people with bizarre outfits or even extraordinary characteristics. For example, there was this guy next to me with a towering height of 3 meters, or this guy next to him clad in full steel plate, or this fat old man in odd, extravagant clothing. There was also that werewolf-like man over there, and a girl over here who looked straight from a dynasty period.
'Looking over the far-right of that person, there is someone who looks like a typical Westerner, or an American?'
Cutting through my rambling, the voice spoke again.
[O Chosen Ones, foreseen by fate, you all are destined for greatness. By preventing evil from bringing ruin to the great world of Terra, you shall answer your call from fate and become a legend, engraving your star into the night sky.]
Through the grandiose speech, people were left silent. The voice was hard to describe. Androgynous? No, it was slightly high-pitched and had a feminine tone to it. It was very comforting to listen to, like a gentle lullaby.
'...Does it?'
Looking at how everyone was mesmerised by the voice, regardless of sex or race. I thought the voice was simply enchanting, no matter who you were.
No one dared to question the voice about what was going on or to clarify the situation. Alongside its charm was an absolute pressure of authority, as if to show who was in control here.
[Very well. Now, your starting point will be chosen here, in The Crossroads. Not everyone starts the same; such is inevitable. Worry not, Chosen Ones, your path will be selected carefully by fate, ensuring your path to greatness.]
With that, like snapping out from a spell, people started chattering again.
"Huh, it is simple like that?"
"Really? I can have all the glory in the world so easily?"
"...Can I really become a hero?"
Amid dazed murmurs like that, a piercing voice was calmly spoken.
"Bullshit. If fate could handhold us to greatness that easily, I would have reached the peak of swordsmanship long ago."
The man who spoke stood defiantly, as if nothing could shake his beliefs. Wearing a cone hat and a bland kimono, he was a spitting image of what a ronin would look like.
After his words, some started to show doubts on their faces. Right, if fate adored them so much, why now of all times? Could they really believe this suspicious voice, explaining nothing to us, yet telling us to yield to fate?
The voice calmly rebutted.
[Your past life was simply a trial. To prove that you were indeed qualified to shoulder your fate now. Standing here, you had proven it, and now, you would reap the rewards.]
The crowd fell into silence once again, even the ronin guy. Me? I had been monologuing the entire time, and I'd say: What bullshit.
Could you really call growing up with your mother without lacking anything and a boring school life a trial? It was laughable, really.
What kind of lightweight fate was I shouldering for my trial to be this easy? Not like I'd complain, though. I was almost content with my life, just wanting some favours on it, that's all. Thinking back about it, 'your path will be selected by fate' sounded troublesome and potentially bad for me, too.
You see, I had abysmal luck with anything chance-related. From losing gacha pulls continuously to never having almost anything go my way, it was the kind of person I was. So, having that selection basically be luck-based was kinda bad for me.
'...This is certainly nerve-wracking, but not like I have any solution for now. I can only pray that things don't go south.'
Looked like no one dared to speak up anymore.
[That said, the people of Terra need your help. Only the ones chosen by fate could hope to cleanse Terra of its terrors. The path might be rough, but the end is worth it. So, tread forwards, Chosen Ones, let your starting point be determined.]
As soon as those words were heard, visions of unfamiliar places entered my mind. From the general information about Terra to the specifics of the starting point, I understood it all. I, and everyone, stood there dazed for dozens of seconds. The visions were simply too overwhelming.
'...I see. So that's my starting point, huh. As expected, or rather, luckily as ordinary as I hoped.'
In my vision was a typical beginner villager with all kinds of mobs you could easily find in RPG games. Guess all those gaming sessions were not for nothing, huh?
'...But is this really it? No, it's good enough that I'm not thrown into some kind of sick dungeon. I need to play it safe and slowly. After all, there's no guarantee here. I'm all by myself.'
Getting out of my train of thought, I looked around carefully. People generally seemed content with their starting point. Some even had the leisure to engage in small talk with each other. Assured that I wasn't the only one feeling this way, I started thinking about what to do next.
"A-ah, um, c-can I ask something?"
A shy voice, unnoticeable were I not near her, rang out. Small in stature, wearing something like a nun's clothes, she asked hesitantly.
"I-is it possible to c-change my starting point? I believe it must be some kind of m-mistake. By the Lord's mercy, I have been and always will be faithful to him, so a start like this m-must be a mistake, right?"
[If fate has chosen there as your start, then surely it must be His Lord's will too. This must be an ordeal for you to prove your faith.]
The nun quietly looked around, but it really seemed like she was the only one having an issue like this. What kind of starting point had she received that made her feel this unsettled?
[...But if you insist that your fate is too much of a burden, then I suppose someone can exchange their fate with yours. If anyone wants to, that's it.]
Like hearing a joke that was most ridiculous, almost everyone turned their back on her. Some glanced back in pity, some sneered at her. It really looks like no one will be helping her.
'...Not like it's my problem, though. Better be minding my own business.'
[I believe you all are now ready, Chosen Ones. Please close your eyes; let your mind drift away, and say 'I'm ready'. May fate safely guide you to the end of your path.]
People started closing their eyes, mumbling to themselves. In an instant, they began to vanish—silently, then with frightening speed. The area that had just been filled with crowds of people was now gone, like an illusion, with only a scant few hesitant individuals left.
Obviously, I was still there. Call me a coward, but I wasn't mentally prepared yet. After briefly imagining the worst possible scenarios in the future, I found myself missing the old life that I was running away from.
'...Never thought the boresome life I yearn to escape could feel so-
absent? I don't know how to describe it.'
Such thoughts were useless now. I needed to start going soon-
"U-um, can I have a moment of your time, please?"
Startled by the unexpected voice, I looked around me. It was that nun girl from earlier, and now, looking carefully, she was even more nervous than before.
"I-I know this is an absurd request to ask b-but maybe..."
She took a moment to ready herself.
"C-can I exchange my starting point with yours?"
A second passed. Yet it felt like the world stopped. My mind had not fully understood the situation.
'She asked me first? Should I accept it? Maybe I could get something out of this later? You idiot, decline it now! It is not worth the trouble!'
My mind was a mess, yet something stood out clearly within it.
'Is it really fine to leave her as she is?'
I'll be honest, I was a coward. But refusing her was not ideal. I might have been able to run away from my beliefs, giving out excuses, but when confronted with them face-to-face, saying 'no' was hard. Damn hard it was.
"U-um..."
I took too much time deliberating. This is awkward now.
Screw it. Act first, think later.
"Sure."
"H-huh?"
The girl stumbled, clearly not expecting my answer.
I must have sounded pretty cool right there. Never knew I could be like that.
"Sure. I'll exchange my starting point with you. Shouldn't we help out those in need?"
"Really!? E-ehem, by the Lord's mercy, you are right! Thank you so much for accepting my shameless request! I'll be forever grateful!"
She shouted out in surprise.
Now that I thought about it. Where exactly was her starting point? I should have asked her that first.
"So, where is your starting point exactly? Mine is just an ordinary village. I kind of need to know it to be somewhat prepared, you see."
"...O-oh, it is located in a dark dungeon. I'm afraid of places like this, so I hope that I can get somewhere else..."
A dungeon, huh? Well, according to what I know, we would be receiving unique blessings upon arrival, so it should not be that bad. Besides, I played quite a lot of dungeon games too. What was the worst that could happen?
"I see. How exactly do even exchange it though-"
[I will handle it. Both parties agreed to this, correct?]
Out of nowhere, the voice spoke up. The timing was strangely convenient; it looked like it had been listening to us all along.
We gave our confirmations, and with a strange noise, it felt like something quickly disappeared, then reappeared within me, almost unnoticeable.
[The exchange is done. Remember, Chosen One, fate has chosen the path for you. Refuse it, and the responsibility lies upon you.]
That was ominous.
[Regardless, may fate safely guide you to the end of your path. Even if it's not one foreseen by fate.]
Silence engulfed me. Before I knew it, only a handful of people were left. Even that nun girl had left. How hasty.
Closing my eyes, I let my mind adrift. Remaining here for more wouldn't do me any good, so I should go now.
'I'm ready'
With just that, my consciousness cut out-
***
'...Where... am I?'
Waking up, I scanned my surroundings. Brick wall, dimly lit touches and cold floor. Typical dungeon.
More importantly, I was in a cell? Those iron bars looked unusually tough, and the door was closed, too.
'...Wait. Don't tell me...'
There was no way right? Even hard had its limits, and throwing someone who had just arrived from another world into jail had to be a sick joke, right? No way it would be locked.
I pushed the door. It did not open.
I firmly pushed myself against it. It did not open.
I violently slammed myself against it multiple times.
...It did not open.
"I'm fucked."
I'm damn done for.