Prologue: Reincarnation

When it reached 2030, the amount of hikikomori around the world increased rapidly and unnaturally. No one really knows why it happened and no one has stopped it. In fact, even now, in 2042, people have given up on those who have become a shut-in NEET.

I, Tatsuya Kimihiko, am one. I'm a 25-year-old hikikomori. I started my life as a NEET when I was thirteen, in 2030, and I enjoyed it. There were several times when my parents tried to get me out of my room but I sooner or later scurried back in. When my sister got married, I, of course, left my sacred haven and had to go congratulate her with a half fake, but half genuine smile.

Love. It's something that only those blessed with good looks and a decent personality get. Though I don't know how my sister became married. Especially with her shit-eating personality. When we were younger, she would always manipulate me into getting what she wanted and once I became a shut-in, she trashed my TV and PC many times. I won't lie that she is nice sometimes.

In high school, I only went if we had finals or midterms. Those were pretty easy, to be honest. Even my teacher said that I could become a CEO of a big company if I wanted to. However, she also said that I was wasting my talent.

What does she know?! She's teaching children because she couldn't get a decent job herself. She should just mind her own business. CEO is too hard and too much work. I'd rather just gain money by gaming and being the best at that. Leading a whole company isn't my thing. I'd probably do it if I could lead a new life, but, obviously, reincarnation isn't real. Not like in anime.

From now, until I die, I'll be a shut-in NEET, hikikomori, until I die. I'll be loveless and friendless, but that's fine. Living my life to the best of my current abilities is all I can do. It's too late to change anything now. Not that I completely regret my choice.

There was a slight knock on my door. I glanced over for a second and continued playing my game. There was another knock. There's really no point in ignoring it. It may be my delivery of the new game that came out. It was called Dark something VI... I forgot. Luckily, I'm playing a single-player game, I won't lose anything if I pause.

And so, I paused the game and took off my headset. Placing down my controller, I stood up.

'Coming!'

I shouted while stretching out my limbs. God, my limbs hurt. I feel like I'm being executed via ushizaki. After finishing my short stretch session, I sauntered over to the door and undid the chain as well as the lock. Opening the door, I talked before anyone could say anything.

'Is it my delive–'

'Hey, Tatsuya.'

A female, who resembled me, called out to me with a smirk on her face. It was my sister, Kei Hasegawa. Almost instantly, I pulled the door, but a foot stopped the door from closing. It wasn't my sister's foot, but her husband's.

'Open up, Tatsuya. We just want to talk.'

Here comes her husband, my brother-in-law, Shiki Hasegawa. With him here, I can't really escape, can I? Well, I have to let them in, otherwise, they'll get mom and dad here.

I open the door and invite them inside.

'Come in.'

They followed me inside. My room was quite neat for a hikikomori. I'm guessing that's what they were thinking. I went into the fridge and got some cold water for them. I gave them each a cup, and they sat down on the bed. I put my headset back on and continued playing.

'Tatsuya, what are you playing?'

Kei-nee asked.

'It's an FPS game, though single-player. The single-player aspect is nice. The graphics and everything are amazing, and so is the story. Controls are smooth too.'

'Kei, there's no point in beating around the bush.'

I could hear Shiki say. There's something they want to tell me, but I think that I can already guess what they're going to say. Even if Kei has a shit-eating personality, she still cares about me and wouldn't want to hurt my feelings, but her husband is the opposite. He's never liked me–Shiki is probably doing this on Kei's request.

'Tatsuya.'

I continue playing, pretending that I can't hear him. I could hear him grunt. Even though I ignored him, he continued to talk.

'We got you a job. It's an office job and you can earn decent money from it. Kei and I pulled some strings for you. Accept it.'

I didn't stop playing or anything. Shiki seemed to be waiting for my response, but I didn't respond at all. I could hear him say, "I see," and heard shuffling from behind me. The next thing I knew, my TV screen had been broken. I moved from my position quickly to dodge the chair that had been thrown at it.

Taking off my headset, I dropped my controller and marched over to Shiki. Grabbing his collar, I started throwing a fit at him.

'What are you doing?! It should be clear that I was playing the game!'

'You have guests and you don't pay attention to them?'

'Guests? The only guest is Kei-nee, not you. I don't want that job opportunity. I'm already gaining money from competitions.'

If he was some other guy, or if Kei-nee wasn't here, I would've punched him senseless. I drifted away from him and went over to my phone. I'd better start to order a new TV as soon as possible. If I order one now, from that nearby tech store, I should be able to get it within 6 hours.

'We're giving you a proper opportunity! Accept it!'

'So, you're saying that gamers don't work hard?'

'Exactly what I'm saying. You've never done anything for anyone. And now, we're giving you the chance.'

I'm done with his bullshit. If I ask Kei-nee to tell him, then he should understand it. I continued scrolling on my phone, as I turned to Kei-nee.

'Kei-nee. Tell your ignorant husband who gave you ¥1,500,000 for your wedding planning.'

Shiki's face looked surprised. Just as I expected, he didn't know. He turned to Kei-nee. She looked slightly worried, but she told him eventually.

'Shiki. It was Tatsuya who paid for our wedding. If not for him, we wouldn't have had it.'

Ah, finally, I found a decent TV. It's bigger than my, now, broken TV. I'll probably be able to watch my prime-time anime on it too. Then, I order it and use my credit card. It'll be here in 8 hours, or so it says.

'Shi-Shiki? What are you doing?'

Man. I'll have to be without games for 8 hours. I was planning to pull off 4 all-nighters starting from today, but I guess I'll have to start tomorrow.

'Shiki... You should put that away...'

For now, I guess I'll watch anime. Maybe I'll ask Kei-nee to join me. Eh, but what about all of those times she worked me as a slave? I know Kei-nee loves shoujo anime, so, I guess I could tease her with those.

'TATSUYA!'

'Huh?'

I heard Kei-nee's scream of warning, but, it was too late. If I didn't open that door for them, this wouldn't have happened. If I had accepted that job proposal, this wouldn't have happened. But seriously, why is this fucker stabbing me because I paid for his wedding? Did he think I was below him or something?

My stomach felt hot. There was this unbearable pain circulating my body. I wanted to scream, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. More like it was too hard to. The knife exited my stomach, and I fell to the floor. The weapon Shiki was holding dropped in front of me. Kei ran over to me and grabbed my body.

Her mouth is moving, but I can quite pick out what she's saying. "Tatsuya!" is what she's saying. See that? I'm a master at lip-reading. Ah, shit, my vision's getting blurry too and the pain is going away. I'm starting to feel cold now. Is someone brushing ice on me or something? Well, it doesn't matter. Looks like I'm going to die. Damn, I guess no one will be at my funeral. Something is dropping from the eyes of the blurry figure. Tears? Is Kei-nee... crying?

It's my fault that I'm dying. If I wasn't a hikikomori, maybe I would've lived longer. However, even if I say that, I won't regret living life as one. Depending on how I lead my next life, I guess I'll be a leader and become strong in the world.

Fuck... My vision's gone. The feeling in my body is gone. The sound and smell have disappeared. What was I killed over again? I don't remember. My mind seems to be fading too. I wonder what I'll be in the next life?

[I'll grant you a new life. Don't worry, it'll be full of success.]

Huh? Who's there? Who are you? I thought I died, but it looks like I'm floating in a void of darkness.

[Yes, that's because you are. As for who I am, you can call me Zyn. I'm similar to God, but not quite him.]

I see. So, what's this about you granting me a new life? Or am I simply dreaming in death?

[You're not. I'll grant you a new life in a different world, and you can achieve success, but you will have to work for it.]

What type of world is it, may I ask? I can't simply believe what you say since you might be a figment of my imagination.

[I understand. This world is a fantasy world, similar to the ones you see in novels and anime. You'll be reincarnated as... actually, I'll keep that a secret, but once you get summoned there. You will have to work to survive.]

You seem quite entertained. I can tell, even if I can't see you.

[You are the reason. Well, enjoy the world ahead, Altair. Oh, Altair Nox will be your name, because your jet-black hair and eyes will change the world. Next time we meet, I hope you'll be stronger. Bye for now, Altair Nox.]

The world around me started to light up. I was entering a new world.

MEANINGS:

(Ushizaki is a form of execution where the criminal's limbs are attached to runaway cows and their limbs are pulled off. It's an old form of execution in Japan.)