— YUUTA MISAKI —
The screen's harsh light flickered in front of Yuuta as he sat absorbed in the game he was playing.
A second monitor beside it played an anime he watched half-heartedly at the same time.
It was already the second week he had been sitting at his PC almost constantly.
Yuuta did have a job as a store clerk, but he was currently using his vacation time to do nothing but play games.
His room was dark and messy. Empty energy drink cans were scattered across his desk and the floor. Stacks of empty pizza boxes piled up in one corner.
Four years ago, Yuuta had moved out of his parents' house. He wanted to escape the pressure his father had always put on him.
Now he was free. Living as an otaku and working only on the side.
Since then, however, his family had kept their distance from him—and he no longer had any friends.
So he lost himself even more in games, anime, and eventually became addicted to porn.
The screen flickered again.
He had lost. Again.
Yuuta sighed gloomily and let himself fall back into his gaming chair.
His gaze drifted up toward the ceiling.
"I'm starting to get sick of this. Nothing ever changes. Every day is the same. I wish I'd be summoned as a hero into an isekai world."
Suddenly, a blinding light flared up on the floor beneath him.
It looked like a pentagram.
Yuuta jumped in shock—but just as quickly as it appeared, it vanished.
And with it, his entire room.
His surroundings changed in an instant.
Sunlight streamed down between tall white pillars that supported a massive ceiling, illuminating a crowd gathered around him.
He was surrounded by many different people and races—beastfolk, ordinary humans, furries, and even dwarves and elves.
For a moment, Yuuta panicked, but he calmed down surprisingly fast.
He looked around in amazement. Was he dreaming? Had he really been summoned to another world?
He rubbed his brown eyes.
But it wasn't a dream.
The air smelled fresher. It was cooler. He could hear scattered voices and whispered murmurs.
"Where am I?" he finally dared to ask aloud.
"Welcome, Hero," a calm female voice greeted him.
At the same time, many of the people around him began speaking to him. Their words flew past his ears—probably greetings, questions, demands.
A woman dressed in white robes with blonde hair and a generous bust raised her hand. Behind her back, Yuuta noticed long white wings.
A birdwoman?
"Silence," she commanded sternly—and the crowd fell quiet instantly.
Yuuta looked up at her in astonishment. Her legs resembled those of a bird.
"I am the temple maiden Ajax," the woman introduced herself. Her eyes were hidden behind a blindfold.
"We have summoned you to our world, Hero."
This is amazing! So amazing!
Yuuta rejoiced inwardly. He felt like dancing—like jumping into the air from excitement.
When would something like this ever happen?
He only knew the isekai genre from anime and games and had never thought something like this would happen to him of all people. To others, maybe—but not him!
"What is your name?" someone beside the woman asked immediately.
The birdwoman raised a finger to silence the man, but Yuuta smiled.
"My name is Yuuta Misaki," the black-haired young man replied.
A murmur ran through the crowd, as if his name were a legendary phrase they had all been waiting for.
"Yuuta Misaki," the woman repeated slowly.
"I summoned you to our world. Know this—our world is facing a great catastrophe."
A catastrophe?
The thought made him uneasy, but Yuuta was an isekai hero now! One of many! He could proudly join the ranks of famous isekai heroes!
This world needed his help! He might still be at the beginning of his journey, but surely he would soon grow strong enough to defeat the mighty Demon King.
"Yuuta Misaki," the woman continued, raising her hands.
"I saw a vision—and it was dreadful. Soon, the so-called Demon Kings will awaken once more. They will grow stronger and bring a great calamity upon this world!"
Demon Kings? More than one?
Well, whatever. There would probably be some kind of guide or training system to help him become a powerful hero.
Still, Yuuta felt excited—even if the task sounded overwhelming.
"And know this… this entire burden—"
Her voice broke. Was she crying? Sobbing?
Now Yuuta felt uncomfortable. He barely knew her, and she already seemed to pity him. Were these Demon Kings really that powerful?
Yuuta gathered his courage. He had to help this sad and suffering world. They needed him! He would do whatever it took to save them!
After all, life as an isekai hero paid off—even if things got rough. Adventures! Women! Women falling in love with him! And of course, action-packed battles! He was the hero! This had always been his dream!
The woman in front of him calmed herself again. The crowd stood in heavy silence.
"The entire burden rests upon a small wolf girl—one who is accompanied by death."
…What?
Seriously?
The fate of the world rests on a small wolf girl? Not me?
Then why summon me? Aren't I the isekai hero?!
Yuuta felt irritation rising inside him, but he didn't show it outwardly.
"A small wolf girl?" he asked again.
"Yes," the woman confirmed.
"In my vision, she bore the entire burden.
That is why I summoned you. Find her—and help her!"
Yuuta stood still. Everything was quiet.
Slowly, it dawned on him that this task was far from small—it was enormous.
He had to find this little girl?
But where should he even begin?
Suddenly, a translucent blue panel popped up in front of him. White letters were written across it:
Main Quest Acquired:
Search for and find the small wolf girl accompanied by death. Together with her, seek the Six Entities.
An interface! Just like in games!
But… what were these Entities? She hadn't mentioned them at all.
He touched the blue panel. It vanished instantly.
Cool!
"I understand," he said obediently.
"But where should I start searching?"
Silence followed. Even the woman said nothing.
Then she answered. "Rely on your own abilities. I do not know where you should begin. But you must find her. It is vital. Otherwise, this world will perish."
Yuuta swallowed, feeling overwhelmed.
This wasn't quite how he had imagined it.
Still—he was an isekai hero. And surely, the things he had always dreamed of would come to him.
"Alright. I'll do what I can."
The woman smiled faintly. She still looked deeply worried.
Yuuta knew now that he had to help.
But where should he start—and how?
He looked at the many different people surrounding him.
"Maybe… they can help me."