The Standby Hero
Ren Tachibana was summoned from modern Japan into a fantasy world at just fifteen years old—not as the chosen hero, but as a standby. Without special powers or unique gifts, he fought alone for seven long years, protecting a kingdom that saw him only as a backup until the true heroes finally arrived.
Cast aside and forgotten, Ren must face the harsh truth of his own existence: was he ever truly a hero, or just a placeholder in a world that never wanted him? Without bitterness or revenge, he embarks on a quiet journey of rediscovery, seeking purpose beyond the titles and glory that were never meant for him.
In a land where legends rise and fall, sometimes the greatest strength is found not in fame or power—but in the courage to live on when forgotten.