The audience

An important looking older man sat on the throne. He leaned forward as he spoke. "My name is Aultcray Melromarc XXXII, and I rule these lands. Heroes, show me your faces!"

He didn't make a good first impression. "Now then, I will begin with an explanation. This land, no, this whole world, is on the brink of destruction. The others with me spoke up.

"Well, I guess that makes sense, considering you're calling us from another world." "Yeah, figures."

I'll try to summarise the King's story: There was a prophecy about the end of the world. Many invasions would appear, and they would wash over the world, again and again, until nothing remains. Unless the waves were repelled and their accompanying calamities avoided, the world was doomed.

There was also a large and ancient hourglass that would signal the times. The hourglass predicted the arrival of the waves, and its sands began to fall one month ago.

According to legend, the waves would come in one-month intervals. In the beginning, the citizens of the land mocked the legends. However, when the sands in the hourglass began to fall, a great calamity visited the land.

A portal appeared in the country, Melromarc, a fissure to another dimension. Terrifying and horrible creatures of void crawled out from it in great numbers.

At the time, the country's knights and adventurers were able to repel the advance of the creatures, but the next wave was prophesied to be even more terrible. At this rate, the country was doomed, having no way to ward off the impending disaster. Considering the situation nearly hopeless, the kingdom decided to summon heroes from another world. That about sums it up.

"Of course we plan to compensate you all for your efforts." the king continued. "I have made arrangements to support you financially, and also to provide you with whatever you may require, in gratitude for your efforts on our behalf.

"Very well then, heroes. Tell us your names," the boy with the sword, the Sword Hero, stepped forward first and introduced himself.

"My name is Ren Amaki. I am 16 years old and a high school student." The Sword Hero, Ren Amaki. He was an attractive young man. His face was handsome and he was relatively short, maybe 160 centimetres. If he cross-dressed, you'd think he was a girl. His face was so calm. His hair was black and cut short. His eyes were piercing and his skin was white. All in all, he made a cool impression. Like a quick, slim swordsman.

"Alright, I'll go next. My name is Motoyasu Kitamura. I'm 21 and a student." The spear hero, Motoyasu Kitamura. He seemed light-hearted and friendly, like an older brother. His face was at least as well kept as Ren's, the type of guy who was sure to have a girlfriend or two. He was probably about 170 centimetres tall. His hair was pulled back in a ponytail. All in all, he looked like a caring older brother.

"Ok, my turn. I'm Itsuki Kawasumi. I'm 17 and still in high school." The bow hero, Itsuki Kawasumi. He looked like the quiet, piano-playing type. He was the shortest of us, probably around 155 centimetres. His hair was slightly wavy, as if it had been permed. He was like a soft-spoken younger brother.

The last one was the Shield Hero. "My name is Naofumi Iwatani. I'm 20 years old and a student." The king looked down at him condescendingly.

I felt goose bumps crawling up and down my spine. "So then. Ren, Motoyasu and Itsuki, correct?" "Your Grace, you forgot me." "Ah yes, forgive me, Mr Naofumi.

So the old man was a bit slow on the uptake.

"Now then, heroes. Please confirm your status and give yourselves an objective evaluation." "Huh?" What did he mean by status?

"Level 1... That makes me nervous. "Good point, at this rate, who knows if we'll be able to fight at all." "And what should we do? These numbers seem awfully low." "Yes, well. You will have to go on a journey to further hone your skills and strengthen the legendary weapons you possess."

"Strengthen them? You mean these things aren't strong to begin with?" "That is correct. The summoned heroes must raise their Legendary Weapons themselves. That is how they become strong."

Just as we were about to embark on an adventure, the king spoke again. "Wait a moment, heroes." "Hm?"

"The four of you should set out separately to find your own companions." "Why is that?" "According to the legends," he began, "the legendary weapons you possess will interfere with each other if you form a party. Both your weapons and yourselves can only grow when you are apart from each other." "I don't really understand this, but if we stay together, we won't be able to level up, right?"

Huh? They found instructions. They all started reading at the same time.

Caution: The Legendary Weapons and their owners will suffer negative effects if they fight together.

Caution: It is better to use the heroes and weapons individually.

"So it's true...". "Regardless, evening is approaching. Heroes, you should rest for the night and prepare to leave in the morning.

In the meantime, I will find you companions from the village below." "Thank you." "Thank you." We all thanked the king and retired to our rooms for the night.

Only then did they realise they had forgotten me. The victim from another world.