I’m a Chosen High School Second-Year Student.
Why am I chosen, you ask?
“You have been selected. You will be sent to another world.”
The goddess declares.
“This makes it the thirty-sixth time. Feels about as common as a normal body temperature.”
“Thirty-six times?! You’ve been chosen that many times?!”
The goddess looks shocked, but it’s only natural. If they keep using the same selection criteria, eventually, the job lands on me.
“Skip the formalities. Just send me over already. I want to get this done and go home.”
“Understood. I’ll skip the explanation and send you directly to the summoned world.”
With a wave of her staff, the goddess scatters glittering light, forming a portal to another world.
Without hesitation, I step through it.
When I open my eyes, I’m standing in the grand hall of some castle.
“Oh, brave hero! You have come at last. The summoning was a success!”
A man, dressed in regal attire, approaches. Looks like he’s the king.
“So, you’re the king. What do you need from me?”
“My, what a hasty hero. I was hoping to hold a grand feast in your honor first.”
“No need. I plan to finish your task quickly and return immediately.”
“How dull… Well, if that is your wish, so be it. You see, our kingdom is troubled by a Demon Lord.”
“Another Demon Lord, huh? Every world seems to have one causing chaos.”
“No, no, we’re not under attack.”
“Huh? Then why did you summon me?”
“The Demon Lord… has taken up residence in our lands.”
“Just living there?”
“Yes. But it’s causing problems for the neighboring villages.”
“What kind of problems?”
“Good deeds, mostly. Helping villagers in need, fixing broken castle walls, that sort of thing.”
“How is that a problem? Sounds like a good neighbor.”
“But think of the shame! If word spreads that the villagers were saved by the Demon Lord, they’ll be scorned and ridiculed. Truly, it’s a terrible nuisance!”
“So, it’s a matter of this world’s order, huh? I suppose that could be an issue.”
“Exactly! A Demon Lord should behave like one. Helping people is simply outrageous!”
“Alright, I get the picture. You want me to go talk some sense into the Demon Lord, right?”
“No, I want you to defeat them.”
“Seems excessive. Do I really need to go that far?”
“If you don’t, this kingdom will face ruin. Cohabiting with a Demon Lord will incur the wrath of the gods. Surely you understand the gravity of the situation.”
“So, it’s another one of those divine rules. Fine. I’ll take care of it.”
“Thank you! To aid you in your battle, we have prepared a treasure from our royal vault. I would be honored if you accepted it.”
“And what exactly is this treasure?”
“This here is the holy sword, Just a Stick.”
“Did I mishear you? I could’ve sworn you called it ‘just a stick’.”
“You heard correctly. It’s a genuine holy sword. The legendary hero used it to defeat the Demon Lord, and it has been passed down through generations in our kingdom.”
“How did the previous hero manage to defeat the Demon Lord… with a stick?”
“As I recall, he bested the Demon Lord in a bare-knuckle duel, then gave the Demon Lord a spanking with this very holy sword.”
“So, doesn’t that mean his fists were the real holy weapon?”
“A fist is just a fist. The holy sword, without a doubt, is this stick.”
“And you expect me to fight with this… stick?”
“Indeed. The plan is for you to win the fight barehanded first, and then give the Demon Lord a proper spanking with the holy sword.”
“I don’t want it. Got anything else?”
“Another weapon, you say… Ah, there is a demonic spear, but honestly, I would prefer you to use the holy sword. It’s more heroic.”
“I’ll take the demonic spear. What’s special about it?”
“When an enemy appears, it attacks automatically without you having to lift a finger.”
“That sounds incredibly convenient. I’ll take it. Bring it to me.”
“Very well. I’ll have it prepared. Also, just in case something happens to you, I want you to have this.”
“What’s that?”
“This is a miraculous candy made from highly refined and condensed demon stones. It can heal anything.”
“That could come in handy.”
“There are only three, so use them carefully. To show you how it works, for example—”
The king pops one into his mouth.
“Lick, lick… I was suffering from an incurable disease, but now I’m completely healed! Marvelous, isn’t it?”
“I’m not sure if it’s marvelous, but I am sure you just wasted one.”
“Don’t be so fussy. Two should still be enough for you.”
As we bicker, the demonic spear arrives.
“Good, the spear’s here. I’m heading out to slay the Demon Lord. Where should I go?”
“Here’s a map. The Demon Lord’s dwelling is marked. Head there straightaway.”
Taking the map, I decide there’s no point lingering, so I head out immediately.
Just as I reach the corridor’s corner—
“Boo!”
Suddenly a girl jumps out.
And before I can react—
STAB!—
The demonic spear, acting on its own, skewers her on the spot.
The girl collapses to the floor.
“Ugh… The hero’s love… it hurts…”
“I didn’t do anything. The demonic spear just reacted on its own. It’s your fault for jumping out like that. It must’ve flagged you as an enemy.”
“I am this kingdom’s princess. I rushed here, hoping for a chance to meet you, Hero… but to think your love would weigh so heavily on me… I… I feel truly blessed.”
The princess, still sprawled on the floor, tears streaming down her face, seemed to be savoring her bizarre version of happiness.
“Quit babbling and call for your attendants. You’re going to die if you don’t get treated soon.”
“It’s fine. Even if my life ends here, I have no regrets. To die by your love, Hero, is an honor beyond measure.”
She’s hopeless. Reasoning with this airhead is clearly a waste of time. With a sigh, I pop one of my miraculous candies into her mouth.
“Lick, lick… Oh! It’s as if my wounds are healing…”
“So, the candy really can cure anything. But now I’m down to just one left.”
Leaving the foolhardy princess behind, I continue my journey to defeat the Demon Lord.
When I reach my destination, the place is eerily deserted. Perhaps everyone fled, fearing the so-called “troubles” caused by the Demon Lord.
I decide to search the area. As I round the corner of a house—
“Boo!”
A massive man, jumping out exactly like the airheaded princess did, is immediately impaled by the demonic spear. With a heavy thud, he collapses.
“Hey, you okay? I warned you—jumping out suddenly triggers the spear’s enemy detection.”
“Urgh… A most shameful end… for the Demon Lord…”
“Wait, you’re the Demon Lord? That was a pretty careless entrance for a final boss.”
“Never… in my life… did I imagine dying like this…”
“With an intelligence level on par with that airheaded princess, this was probably your only possible ending.”
“How… dare you… compare me to that fool of a princess… Ugh…”
Tears of frustration stream down the Demon Lord’s face.
“You’re a hopeless one. Well, you didn’t really do anything wrong, so here—eat this.”
I pop the miracle candy into the fallen Demon Lord’s mouth.
“Lick, lick… What is this? My wounds… they’re healing rapidly!”
“It’s a miracle candy that cures anything. Don’t worry—you’re fine now.”
“To think you’d not only save me but also give me such a treasure… For a hero, you’re quite the decent fellow. I like you.”
“The order of events feels a little off, but yeah—I’m just an all-around great guy.”
“In that case, let me give you this.”
“What’s this?”
“A Demon Lord commemorative pin badge.”
“I don’t want it.”
“How rude! It’s a one-of-a-kind treasure, unique in the entire world.”
“Great, but what am I supposed to do with it? You really gave me something useless.”
“You’re wrong! Plenty of people would kill to get their hands on this!”
“Is that so? Well, fine. I’ll take it, then. Stay safe, Demon Lord.”
I bid farewell to the Demon Lord and return to the castle.
“Oh, Hero! How did things go?”
I relay the whole story to the king.
“I defeated the Demon Lord. But I felt sorry for him, so I helped him out. In return, he gave me this.”
“What?! That’s the legendary Demon Lord Pin Badge! A prize you can only get by defeating him!”
“Judging from your reaction, I guess it really is valuable.”
“Hero… could you… could you give it to me?”
“I don’t mind, but… what about the Demon Lord?”
“Forget the Demon Lord! The pin badge is what truly matters!”
“So, in the end… a mere pin badge outweighs the cosmic order of this world. Such is the fleeting nature of existence.”
“Hyooooooh! I’ve longed for this so badly I could scream!”
“Well, my task is done. I think it’s time I returned to my world.”
“So soon? I’ll miss you.”
“I won’t. I’d rather get out of here and go back to my normal life.”
“But wouldn’t it be better to stay a bit longer and let the people celebrate your heroism?”
“No. I’m like a serpent’s trail in the sand—never truly a part of this world, but leaving a mark behind.”
“Hmm… An interesting outlook. Oh! There’s one universal truth I must share before you go.”
“Yeah? What’s that?”
“Hero… I love you.”
“Yeah… I love you too.”
And so, another chapter of my otherworldly adventures came to an end.
Maybe next time… I’ll get a better adventure.