Bullet Knight: A Mercenary's Journey to Another World

Over the mountain ranges where chaos and destruction waged an eternal battle day and night, warriors from across the country engaged in fierce combat. From my vantage point at the pinnacle of the mountain, I observed the unfolding situation.

Suddenly, a mysterious figure emerged, appearing strangely familiar. With icy eyes fixed upon me, she pointed her sword directly at my heart.

Reacting swiftly, I tightened my grip on my sword, poised to strike. A wide grin spread across my face, exuding confidence and determination.

"I swear, I declared fervently, that I shall endure in this world. I will protect those dear to me, and anyone who dares to snatch them away will meet their demise."

Even if humanity… branded me an enemy… I would not waver in my resolve.

"Ah, what a peculiar dream" I muttered upon waking.

My name is Fujioka Kazuki, and I am a third-year high school student. In my class, I'm known more as a nerd. Recently I've delved into the world of otaku culture.

Throughout my time as a high school student, I haven't made many friends. It's not that I'm a complete recluse, but I simply prefer conversing with individuals who share my hobbies or have something in common.

However, I have managed to forge friendships with like-minded individuals who share my interests. I've always yearned for an exciting and adventurous life, filled with journeys and visits to countries I long to explore. This mundane existence has left me feeling trapped.

Recently, I stumbled upon the captivating realm of anime and fell in love with it. My family, in an attempt to spur me toward new opportunities, insisted I move out of the house. They send me a monthly allowance to cover my necessities in this new abode.

Lately, I've come across a popular online game that has been trending. I decided to try it out for myself, and it turned out to be a dating simulator, a game where one can date adorable girls.

For an otaku like me, this is a dream come true. A friend of mine recommended this particular dating simulator, the same one I had seen online. Well, I suppose it's time to give it a shot and experience it firsthand.

"Hey, check this out," someone called out.

"What are you playing?" another voice inquired.

"It's an eroge. Do you know about it?"

"Uhh… No."

"It's pretty nice if you give it a try."

"Yeah, I'll check it out later."

As days went by, Kazuki immersed himself in the game recommended by his friends. He played it late into the night and even until dawn.

"I'm exhausted. Wait, what time is it?"

"Oh, no! I'm late!"

With lightning speed, he leaped out of bed and dashed out of the house, sprinting until he reached his destination. After the bell rang, he hurriedly made his way to his classroom.

As Kazuki entered the room, he was met with an unwelcoming atmosphere. His days would only get troublesome when these troublemakers confronted him.

Ignoring them as if they were invisible, Kazuki walked towards his seat. However, there was always one person, sitting beside him, who couldn't resist being noisy and teasing

"Many, you sleep like a rock. What were you up to last night?"

"I bet you've been playing those erotic games. No wonder you're always tired in class."

"Ew, you play those perverted games every night? That's disappointing."

Kazuki attempted to reason with them, but they treated it as part of their daily routine, finding amusement in their laughter. The one who persistently meddled with him, Hayate Nakamura, was the main instigator of Kazuki's daily teasing.

The other two students accompanying Kazuki were Watanabe Ichiro and Tanaka Genji, collectively forming the trio of trouble makers who frequently tormented him.

Kazuki, being an otaku, had been labelled as unpleasant by some, but that didn't mean his actions or appearance were repugnant. He maintained neatly trimmed hair and dressed appropriately. He refrained from engaging in problematic behaviour, and his honest and polite demeanour didn't inspire.

He was simply passionate about anime, games, and manga. On that very day, a female student approached Kazuki's desk, casting a sweet smile in his direction.

"Good morning, Kazuki kun. Last as usual, I see!"

The girl, named Fujikawa Akari, passed by Kazuki's desk with a cheerful disposition. In this school, those who were on friendly terms with Kazuki were few, consisting mostly of individuals who shared his hobbies.

Akari was known for her immense popularity among their classmates. She stood as one of the classroom's goddesses. Beyond her stunning looks and appealing appearance, she actively participated in various club events, further cementing her status. Many students admired her, and most boys in the class found themselves drawn to her.

So, why would Akari take an interest in someone like Kazuki?

Due to the impact of staying up all night playing video games, Kazuki often dozed off in class. His unreasonable behaviour led him to become inattentive during lessons. However, despite his flaws, Akari still showed concern for him, even though she was highly sought-after and adored by many. For Kazuki, he had chosen his own path, guided by his hobbies.

"Thank you for worrying about me, Akari-san," Kazuki expressed his gratitude.

"No problem. By the way, you're quite interesting to talk to, Kazuki-kun."

Why were they glaring at him with such a murderous aura? Beneath the silent gaze of everyone, Kazuki could only force a bitter smile as he responded to Akari.

In response, Akari's expression brightened considerably. Why was she showing such delight? Even the people around Kazuki began to cast more intense glances his way, causing him to tremble and break into a cold sweat.

Kazuki had always found it unbelievable. Why would the most beautiful girl in the class care so much about him? Apart from her innate kindness, he suspected there must be another reason for Akari's special treatment.

"Kazuki-kun, Isn't it tough dealing with all the teasing every day?"

"Well, is Akari looking after him again? Seriously you're too kind," remarked one of them.

"That uninteresting guy is hopeless, no matter how much you try to talk to him," added another.

Among the four, the only one who greeted Kazuki was Akari's best friend, Takahashi Aiya. She was known for her long, silky hair which served as her trademark. Her stunning appearance coupled with her sharped eyes and cool personality, made her immensely popular among their classmates.

She excelled in athletics and participated in every school event, particularly shining in the Kendo tournament where she remained unbeatable. Elegant would be an apt description for her, and she stood taller than most girls.

Beside Aiya stood Adachihara Daichi, an enthusiastic individual who consistently achieved excellent grades. He was known for his motivation and encouraged his classmates to forge ahead. Despite his remarkable reputation, his academic performance surpassed the average.

He harboured a dislike for unmotivated individuals like Kazuki, often shooting him harsh glances and ignoring his presence. However, this morning, as Aiya and I conversed, Daichi couldn't help but wear a forced smile and attempt to mend their relationship.

Aiya had already noticed Akari's feelings toward Kazuki, yet she hesitated to interfere and acted normally between the two of them. She desired to shield Kazuki from unwanted meddling and allow him the freedom to pursue what he wished.

As they returned to their seats, Akari glanced back at Kazuki, leaving him feeling bewildered. Nevertheless, as everything settled down, he dozed off in class until the sound of the bell roused him.

The third member of the group was a male student named Ito Katashi. Beneath his cold exterior, he possessed a cheerful nature and proved helpful to his friends. Additionally, he displayed impressive athletic prowess, standing tall at 189 cm with a muscular physique. He prioritised assisting his classmates whenever possible.