Looks Like I Have No Choice

"System Window," I said with a smooth exhalation.

[SYSTEM WINDOW]

Name: Samuel Peterson

Level: 1

Age: 17 Years

Gender: Male

Current Condition: Anxious, Scared, Cold

Status Infliction: None

Title: Hero

~{QUEST DETAILS}~

[FEATURES]

~ Stats~

~Skills[Locked]~

~Inventory [Locked]~

~Character List~

~Shop [Locked]~

~Arcana Value [Unrestricted]~

<You have not met the requirements to unlock some Features>

{More Features will be added subsequently}

[END OF INFORMATION]

Suddenly, everything became clear, the path I could take opened up.

"… Arcana Value."

And, I saw my only path to survival.

[Arcana Value]

User Level: <1>

Arcana Level: <1>

Arcana Available: <1>

{See More}

"See more…"

[Arcana List]

Name: The Fool

Number: #00

Status: Unlocked

Cost: None

{One Unrestricted Use Available}

[END OF INFORMATION]

"Perfect!"

The moment I saw this, a smile formed on my face.

I looked beside me and saw the kneeling Priestess.

She looked at me with such sorrow and hope that my heart ached once more.

The young lady still had trust in someone as pathetic as me. I had no particularly good abilities or immensely powerful stats.

However…

"Thank you." I smiled at her.

… I knew for sure now…

"Hero…" She murmured, with more tears falling from her eyes, as my confident grin was reflected in her eyes.

… I wasn't going to lose!

"Please, Sarah…"

I flashed her one final smile.

"… Call me Sam."

The evening wind blew, sending the smell of blood and gore my way.

My nose tingled, and my eyes widened. My body trembled in anticipation, and my legs began to move.

As I walked, my eyes took in the sight of all the Demons in front of me.

I could see their Status indication—the Names, Levels, HP, and MP of each and every one of them.

Once I was done, it was finally time for the next step.

'See you all soon.'

"GRUUOOOOOO!!!" They bellowed.

Unfortunately for them, their voices could no longer reach me; their weapons couldn't touch me.

If I couldn't beat them now, the solution was simple.

"Arcana Call: The Fool…"

I would have to try again.

>VWOOOOOOOSSSSSSHHHHH<

_________________________

I didn't get it at first.

No, it probably just never occurred to me since I had been so preoccupied with only my favorite aspects of the book, and the overpowered part of being Transmigrated to another world.

But, it was only when my mind was completely calm that I remembered.

I had indeed been Transmigrated into another World. It was the same one as in my favorite Novel.

The storyline progression was the same too.

But, I had made a fatal error in judgment.

My first memory of the MC's story in T.W.TS.S. was his 15th Transmigration.

He was overpowered beyond description, and his experiences kept him composed and completely in control of most situations.

However, reality was not like a novel.

If indeed I wished to recount the experiences of the MC, and live in the same world as he did… then I should have been ready for the implications.

Yes, that's right, I was sent to the very beginning.

Not the 15th round… but the very first.

The scenes of the first Transmigration were only referenced by the MC, and a few flashbacks were shown in the actual Novel.

However, it was a well-known fact that the Author didn't dwell very well on it.

That was probably why I didn't immediately remember the little details that were given in the original story.

The dirty tent.

The war-ridden world.

The wasteland

The desperate humans

And… their utter eradication.

It wasn't until I had completely calmed down that I remembered.

These people were doomed.

__________________________

Pure darkness.

I felt inescapable darkness surround me. However, it only lasted a moment.

Because, after the darkness came light.

It shone so brightly that I felt overwhelmed by it.

However, this only lasted a moment too.

Then, as I felt my consciousness return… I heard someone speak.

"Oh, Hero!" A feminine voice called out to me.

My lips curled up in a smile.

'So, it worked… it really worked…'

I knew the next line, and the one after that.

Memories of what would happen after this introduction, and even beyond, came rushing back to me.

'… So, I'm back.'

I rose from my kneeling posture, feeling the damp environment of the dirty room and watching the five people who kept me company.

Sarah and her four guards.

The environment was the same as I remembered. It was the moment I arrived, right after being summoned… and before accepting the Root Quest.

If I played my cards right, then I wasn't going to be bound by the Primary Quest.

It would be difficult, but… if I followed the original story, I would be able to escape.

I would survive!

It was completely possible. But—

"Summoners, I understand your plight…"

—Would I really do something like that?

The MC in the original novel often regretted some of his actions.

One of the most traumatic and plaguing guilt he always had was abandoning the people here.

It wasn't as though his life became any better after escaping the Camp.

He suffered immensely, had to face a lot of difficulties, and eventually… he survived and grew stronger.

It had been a long, arduous path for him.

Still, he initially didn't regret his actions, despite how much his guilt plagued him.

Why?

He did it for survival.

There was no way he would have survived if he hadn't run away, right?

Right?!

WRONG!

It wasn't until after completing his first round that he realized his errors.

He made a mistake and let the Camp perish.

As a result, he'd had to suffer even more before achieving greatness and defeating the Demon God.

'Even at that, it's nearly impossible to pull it off…'

I knew just what was required of the MC. It wasn't something I had the courage or mental strength to do.

Which was why—

"… I will help you. Do you trust me?"

—I intended to make a different choice!

My audience, all five of them, looked at me with complete awe.

Their eyes displayed surprise and utter relief that I was going to accept them—and so quickly too at that.

"Yes! We completely trust you! Please save us!"

[SYSTEM NOTICE]

<You Have Earned The Complete Trust And Loyalty Of These (5) People>

{They Will Be Added To Character List}

~You May Check The Information Of Those Whom You Have Built Certain Relationships With In The Character List~

[SYSTEM NOTICE]

<You Have Accepted The Root Quest: Save Us>

{Your Actions Have Been Recorded In The System's Records}

SYSTEM NOTICE]

<A Quest Has Been Issued>

{The enemy forces have begun their assault and your aid is required to fend them off.}

<Parameters>

Success: Resist the Opposition alongside your allies and drive them away.

Failure: Your allies are eliminated and the Base is completely wiped out

—Reward: 5 Stat Points. 1 Skill (Active/Passive). 10 Karmic Value.

—Failure: Death

~Do You Accept This Quest?~

[Yes] [No]

"Very well. I accept."

Words couldn't describe the immense joy and relief they had when they saw me.

"Since you trust me, then… listen carefully to what I'm about to say," I said to them, stepping out of the summoning circle.

I had their complete loyalty and trust, so I doubted they would go against anything I said.

This was the only thing I could do at this point, but… at least it would save everyone!

"There isn't much time. Now, then… let's turn the tables around, shall we?"