1 RETURNER'S ODYSSEY

PROLOGUE

"What bullshit, did you really think a mere pawn like you can defeat me?"

He let out an evil smirk

"like father like son I guess. You still haven't realised it yet have you ? Everything you have done till now , every monster that you killed , every near death situation, every weapon you have, every skill you used . It was all part of a big game , a game which has only one outcome- ME AS THE VICTOR. The system is a curse the more you use it, the more you become depended upon it until you are nothing without it. Destiny? The mere thought of it makes me laugh. You are in my hands, under my control. YOU HAVE LOST"

Still holding the slowly deteriorating dead body in my arms, I rose without saying a word. My body tensed as forces of death radiated from the left of my body and the blessings of the gods on my right.

"Still have the will to fight? Who do you think you are?"

He laughed mockingly

Rage overwhelmed me. From the inside I burned with both hatred and sadness. I will kill him. I SWEAR I WILL KILL HIM

[new stage unlocked: Lord of calamity]

"You became the very same thing you swore to destroy. How pitiful"

My mana turned fully dark, darkness that far surpassed the power of death and consumed the blessing of the gods. The forbidden power of calamity.

The darkness of calamity wrapped round me. I was no longer the man I used to be

"Today I Amaru Takushi…"

I brought out the demon king's broadsword that was now also enhanced by my new found power.

"WILL KILL YOU!"

Our swords crossed and it shook the earth. Way more violently than at the very beginning itself, the calamity that started it all. The reason for my return.

CHAPTER 1

Friday 21st December 2025

I sighed as I slumped in my chair and stared out of the window. As usual it was the girls' track club.

"Another regular Friday" I thought to myself. I sat in the back corner of the classroom, eating my lunch all alone.

"Look it's him, that weird otaku "

"Does he even have any friends"

"Shhh he'll hear you"

"You're damn right i can hear you" I thought to myself quietly

My name is Amaru Takushi, a 21 year old student in his last year of college. My mum is sick and my sister Yui goes to a prestigious highschool. I have to take care of them because my father left us when I was young, so now I work a part time job at a manga cafe. Since he left I have resented him but at the same time I still hope we get reunited some day. Let me get things straight, first of all I am not an otaku. I used to be until one day I realised how I was wasting my life, after that day I sold all my games and figures and decided to catch up on my studies. Second of all, I do have friends... they just happen to go to a different college . We hang out every weekend. We go to the arcade or the cinema or even just to eat ramen together. I truly am blessed to have friends like them.

"TAAAKUUUSHIIIIIII"

A shadow loomed over my head.The entire class went silent. I looked up and I guessed right, it was Atsushi, the biggest bully in this grade. His massive hand reached out and took my matcha flavoured kitkat, as much as I loved them I didn't even bother resisting, not that I'd dare to anyway. He could knock out even a gym teacher with a single strike if he so pleased.

"What do you want?" I asked impatiently, making sure not to go over the top. I didn't want to risk angering him.

"What do you mean what do I want? Can't I talk to my friend"

Damn bastard, only thing he uses me for is food and money, friend my ass. He deserves to die in hell along with those "mates" of his. More like damned dogs.

"Talking about friends, i'm going out with my mates today and i'll need some money, could yo-"

I didn't bother waiting for him to finish, I handed him a 5000¥ note. Without looking his direction. I couldn't stand the look on his face when he took money from defenceless guys like me.

"Thanks man, you are too kind. I owe you one."

Just like that he left with all his mates as they laughed at me, not even restraining themselves in the slightest. Even the girls in the classroom chuckled and the boys just looked with pity written all over their faces. I didn't like attention, especially not when It's negative. I got up and left for home.

"What does that bastard mean? He owes me one? He doesn't owe me anything he just spares me a fucking beating. If only I was strong"

"Yes, I wish to be strong"

"Stronger than any being in the universe"

Just then the ground shook, violent tremors shook the earth. All over Japan buildings collapsed and cars crashed.My ears suffered from the crashes and disasters that were audible. Earthquakes were common in this area but we'd never experienced one of this magnitude ever before. Almost as if it wasn't the earth but rather something... Far superior, far more divine, far more... stronger.

I could only think of two things. MUM! YUI!

I ran home as fast as my legs could take me, even if my body gave up, my mind never would as I thought of the comfort of my darling little sister and lonely fragile mother. I prayed as I ran, hoping for the best.

At last I arrived at the final turn. As i got home i dropped to my knees, not because of the fatigue though…..

The building had collapsed. My sister and mother along with it. The only two people that made my world worthwhile.

All I could do was stare silently. Tears formed and rolled down my cheeks that was already covered in dust from the falling debri and splashed onto patches of grass which was once a garden. I lost all will to live.

"Why? Why did this happen?"

I cried uncontrollably, I've never cried like this before.

Was this my punishment for wanting to be strong?

I knelt there, remembering all the memories we all had together as a family. Me, mum and my sister, one small happy family. Those days were over. I clenched my fist and punched the ground. Just like that, one earthquake and everything was taken from me.

Slowly my head tilted back until it was facing straight up. As if it was barely hanging on to my neck. The screaming and commotion was all blurred out, as if I was the only person in the world. I began to realise how I'd take them for granted. At dinner time I'd take my plate and go to my room. I wouldn't help them with laundry. I wouldn't even have the patience to sit with them to eat breakfast. The tears intensified. I screamed and shouted till my voice was hoarse. If only… If only I had a do-over.

As I stared up into the evening sky, a massive blue portal expanded covering as far as the eye could see. A single spark of light dropped out of the sky, and the explosion was beyond what one could imagine. That was the end. The earth exploded. It was a disaster, a catastrophe. It was truly….

A Great Calamity.

Friday 21st December 2021

Darkness.

I couldn't see anything, was I dead?

No, I still heard the horrible sensation of my ears ringing. So it wasn't a dream either?

My body was sore and didn't feel like my own…. I was afraid. I cried at the confusion and grief, alas I wasn't sure if I was actually forming tears.

Slowly I was able to open my eyes,they we're dry so it was safe to assume I wasn't actually crying. I felt comfort as I was in my room.

"This is strange though," I thought as I scanned the room.

Then it hit me almost immediately. Those thick black blinds blocking the sunlight, that shelf of countless games, that expensive pc setup.

Discomfort insanity replaced the last bit of comfort within me. I couldn't even begin to comprehend what was going on.

This is my room alright, or should I say was?

This was my room 4years ago. I ran straight to my bathroom and as I had guessed. I was 17 years old….. I was smaller. That explains why my body felt off. Just then my door slammed open and my sister, also 4 years younger, stomped in.

I dashed at her, arms wide and pulled her in for a massive hug, I was in tears.

"YUI , YOU'RE ALIVE" I cried as I grabbed her hard, not letting go.

She was caught off guard for a moment but when she came to her senses she forcefully pushed me away.

"Ew, gross" she said in disgust as she brushed her shoulders.

She looked down on me on the floor in tears and felt guilty. She knelt down and ran her small fingers through my silky brown hair as she said,

"Big brother, please don't cry. It must've been a bad dream. I'm right here and i'll stay here"

This time she was the one that embraced me for a hug. I felt warmth throughout my body.

This was it.

This was home.

Mother stood in the doorway.

"What are you two doing? Yui you'll be late for your first day of school. Takushi be a dear and drop Yui off on your way will you?"

As much as i wanted to run over to her and give her a hug, i resisted the urge, i couldn't make the same mistake twice.

Yui stood up, gave me a warm smile and walked out of my room. I needed a second to take this all in.

So one thing for sure is that I've come back in time. However everyone else is acting as if nothing's happened. Was it only me that came back?

Another thing I've noticed is that my mother was all well and fine. I remembered that she fell sick in 2023 for unknown reasons. This was further proof that I've gone back in time.

For now i decided to go with the flow so i stood up and turned around to get changed. But it seemed fate had different plans for me.

As I turned round there was a screen in front of me. It said one thing

[welcome to the game, _________]

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written by -

Abhinav Baranwal

Abuu