Warning: The following piece of literature contains heavy spoilers for the Japanese Web Novel, known as Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari. Proceed to read with caution

Disclaimer: Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari is the property of Aneko Kusagi, Aiya Kyuu, MF Books, and Yen Press. Please support the official release

On a day like any other, my life changed.

"_, run!"

I yelled ferociously and lept at the man wearing a ski-mask. Wrapping my arms around him, I rushed forward and brought the both of us to the ground. The man struggled under my grasp and tried to break free from my hold.

Meanwhile my mind went into a frenzy.

Dammit, dammit, dammit. How the hell did I get into this mess?

I'm just a normal, average higschooler who likes video games. After another uneventful day at school, I was heading home like normal and ran into a troublesome situation. What I ended up stumbling into was a murder in progress.

Had it been any other time, I would've kept my distance to preserve my safety and run. However, my close childhood friend, _, was there too and in immediate danger. Without thinking about it, I charged the murderer and tackled him, trying to help my childhood friend.

With the murderer firmly under me, I fought his desperate struggle to escape my grasp. He wrestles with me and puts strength into his arms.

As if!

If I let him go, he might go on a rampage and harm or even kill _.

I fended off his shove and raised my arm. With a loud bang, my fist rammed into his chest. I felt his body loosen from the impact. There was less strength in his struggles. Good.

"Go now, _. Run away!"

I took the chance to turn back and yelled at my childhood friend, who was watching the scene in terror and shock.

"Eh? B-b-but. W-what about you?" (Childhood Friend)

She trembled and questioned my own situation.

"Forget about me. I'll be fine. Go!"

Suddenly, I felt force build up under me as the murderer redoubled his efforts.

How troublesome… was what I thought as I turned back to face the murderer again. However, all I was able to see in time was him pull out something from his hoodie pocket.

"That's!?"

"Hah! Now die!" (Murderer)

With vicious bloodlust, the murderer stabbed my side.

Unbelievable amounts of red liquid poured out from the wound.

After a short moment, the realization of what happened kicked in.

"Guuaaaa!"

Waves of sharp pain permeated through my body. Even through all the pain, I was able to feel the cold metal pierce through my flesh as the murderer dug it further and further into my wound.

My body began to contort from the stab. I momentarily let go of the criminal.

"N..N… No!" (Childhood Friend)

The despaired scream of my friend brings my mind back into focus.

That's right. If I let go of this guy, he'll get _. I… I…

"I can't let that happen!"

In a fit of desperate adrenaline, I struck back at the murderer, this time placing myself directly over him and going for his neck. My hands took a firm hold of his throat and began to squeeze tightly.

As a strangle him, the murderer continued to struggle and drove the knife further through my flesh.

I was in so much pain, I could barely think straight. I was nearly unconscious but my resolve never wavered as I continued to grip on the murderer's neck.

Sometime, after what felt like an eternity of pain and battle, I realized, with the knife lodged firmly in my sides, that I was gonna die.

Slowly, my consciousness began to fade, as did the murderer's. Regret began to come over me.

Looking back, I didn't have a really long or fulfilling life. I was just a normal highschool student whose hobby was VRMMO's. I hadn't done anything special or remarkable.

Thinking back to all those people I cared about, my friends, mother, father, _, and all the things I would never do, a brief sadness came over me. Facing my lost moments, only one thought existed in my mind:

I don't want to die.

"Ren!" (Childhood Friend)

The last thing I hear is my childhood friend calling my name.

Ah, that's right. I've already died once. To think I'd remember it now...

Regrettably, the hp bar on my status reached zero. As if a switch had been turned from on to off, my life was cut from my body. In the face of my enemy's attack, I… died.

I tried to look up. I tried to see the one who killed me. But my vision became blurry and my consciousness became harder and harder to maintain.

I see… so I died again. This is my second death but I sure would like this to not become a habit.

When I first entered this new world, I felt at home. It was just like the popular VRMMO, Bravestar Online, that I played. I thought I could start fresh. I could abandon my death and become a legendary hero, revered and respected by all.

But, of course, reality is cruel. I was far from a hero. The knowledge I held was not only useless but became my downfall. I made mistakes, mistakes I could never take back. The comrades I never truly trusted died believing in me, and innocent civilians I'd never met but trusted in the strength of the heroes were slaughtered by the hundreds. Without considering the possibility of death or the lives of others, I acted all cool and did something unforgivable.

Yes, that's right. If I have to name a single mistake, it'd have to be my personality. I was conceited. I was reckless. I was stupid.

To all those that believed in me… I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

Dammit… why did it have to end like this? I have so many regrets left. I still haven't atoned for my sins. I haven't avenged the deaths of my comrades. Who's gonna look after Wyndia once I go? There's still so much to do after this battle.

Ah, right. Didn't I say I'd confess my love after the battle? Perhaps that death flag was what doomed me. How foolish…

In the end, though, I guess it's okay if I die. Even if I fall here, everyone else will succeed my will. They'll carry on my hopes and win the battle. In the end, as long as Eclaire and Wyndia and everyone are smiling, it doesn't matter what happens to me, right?

As if!

What's the point if I'm not there with them?

Naofumi, Itsuki, Motoyasu, Gaelion, Wyndia, Eclaire…

I can't die here.

I don't want to die.

I DON'T WANT TO DIE!

""Oooo…"" (Crowd)

The sound of amazed voices enter my ears.

"What?" (Ren)

"Eh?" (Itsuki)

I was unable to hold back my surprise. Before my very eyes, the scenery around me had warped. Instead of the open, bloody battlefield filled with the sounds of combat, I was suddenly indoors within a massive room populated with many people, most of whom were dressed in robes. There also happened to be a suspicious altar with a magic circle inscribed in it, underneath where I was standing.

I was immediately confused. Where was I? How did I even get here? Teleportation? But I don't remember using Transfer Sword or anything…

I took a quick glance around the room to see if I could find any clues and noticed the people standing next to me. Naofumi, Itsuki, and Motoyasu were all in similar situations, glancing around with confused expressions on their faces.

Also, the clothes they were wearing were weird. No, their clothes were all completely normal, from one point of view. After all, they were wearing t-shirts, jeans, hoodies, even a school uniform, and other modern apparel. They were all clothing that belonged to a different world.

Speaking of which, I soon realized that I was wearing something similar. An all too familiar, track jacket and pants covered my lean body. I recognized them immediately. They were the clothes that I had worn when I was first summoned… no, it can't be.

"Oh, honorable heroes. Please save our world!" (Summoner)

"Huh?" (Itsuki, Motoyasu, & Naofumi)

A robed man stepped up and shouted out much to the surprise of the others.

And there it was. Everything was playing out exactly as I remembered it. No doubt about it, this is definitely the day I had first been summoned.

No, no, no, hold on, that can't be right. How could I possibly be back to when I was first summoned? In fact, didn't I just die? Shouldn't I be, I dunno, dead!? Is this supposed to be my life flashing before my eyes? Is this how it worked?

Calm down, Ren. If Naofumi were here (Oh wait, he is.), he'd probably tell me to stay cool and analyze the situation. First, check my status…

… oi, what's with this status. It… hasn't changed at all. I'm still Lv. 160, the same as I was when I died. All of the swords that I had unlocked were still there, though my gold and drops were gone.

Things aren't adding up. I'm back in the place and time when I was first summoned yet my status hasn't reverted to level 1. At first, I suspected that I'd somehow travelled back in time, but that would've turned back my levelling progress as well, right? What the hell was happening?

"This is outrageous..." (Ren)

I sigh, glaring unhappily at my status.

"Yeah. You can't just bring us here without our permission. Not only that, you're making us work for you. Isn't that just slave labor?" (Itsuki)

Eh? Oh right, this was still happening.

I assume that while I was blanking out, examining my status, the robed man had explained why we were brought here and now Itsuki was complaining.

You sound angry but you're smirking, Itsuki. Aren't you just happy that you're in a game world? Well, I was too.

"P-please, at least have an audience with the king before you do anything rash. You can negotiate the details of your compensation there."

One of the summoners walked over to the door and opened it. Light poured into the dark, stone room, ushering us to join it on our way to the throne room.

"Alright, then." (Itsuki)

"I guess we can spare some time." (Motoyasu)

With a few side remarks and sluggish shrugs, Itsuki and Motoyasu follow the summoner.

Hmm… well, I suppose I should also join them. For now, since I don't really know what's happening, I'll play along and observe the scene. There might be some clue to this weird situation I've been placed it.

"C'mon, let's go." (Ren)

I call out to Naofumi, who was lagging behind, signaling for him to also follow.

"Ah, right." (Naofumi)

Looking closely, Naofumi seems a lot more… innocent. His face doesn't give the impression of a guy who hates everything. Rather than the slanted glare I'm used to, his eyes are larger, round, and full of colour. He seems naïve and sort of cheerful. Huh, I guess irritation wasn't always his default state.

"Uh, is there something on my face?" (Naofumi)

"N-no. Nothing. Let's hurry before the others leave us behind." (Ren)

After a short walk through a stone hallway with many windows, where everyone else gaped at the scenery I was all too used to, we arrived at the familiar audience chamber.

"Oh? So these are the Legendary Heroes."

Oh, it's Trash. No, he wasn't called Trash back then, was he? What was his proper name again?

"I am the king of this country, Aultcray Melromarc the 32nd. Raise your heads, Heroes." (King)

Oi, they weren't lowered in the first place, Trash. Oops, I should probably stop thinking of him as Trash, or I'll accidently say it out loud.

Anyways, Trash, I mean, the king begins to tell us about the wave. I don't really pay much attention to it all since I've already heard it once; just like how you'd skip the tutorial of a game you've played before.

Besides, I probably know even more than the king at this point, such as the true nature of the wave… Wait, what was it again? That's weird, why can't I remember it. Not only that, there seems to be a few other holes in my memory. This might have something to do with my current situation.

"This sure is convenient for you, making us work for free." (Itsuki)

"… it does seem selfish, you know. Dragging us into this when it has nothing to do with us." (Motoyasu)

"Well, it's true we have no obligation to help you. And suppose we do save the world, only to get sent home empty-handed after all out hard work? Nobody would take a risk like that unrewarded." (Naofumi)

"Urk…" (King)

After the King's tutorial explanation, the others raise their obvious complaints.

"Of course, it goes without saying that we were planning to richly compensate you for your efforts. Besides that, we'll also prepare discretionary funds to support you on your journey. It's a small price to pay to ensure your cooperation in saving our world." (King)

"Well, as long as you promise. But don't think that means you own us. We're just cooperating as long as you stay on our good side." (Itsuki)

"That's right." (Motoyasu)

Itsuki's acting a little cocky here… Ah right, he doesn't yet know that he has to start at level 1. With everyone worshipping him as a legendary hero, he probably thinks that he can actually take on the kingdom as he is.

"Now then, Heroes. Tell me your names." (King)

"Ah, right. I'll start. My name is Amaki Ren, age 16." (Ren)

In response to the king, I quickly introduce myself.

"Your occupation?" (King)

"Hero…er, Highschooler…" (Ren)

Out of habit, I responded by calling myself a hero.

"Heh. Hero? You're adapting quite quickly to this world, aren't you?" (Itsuki)

Itsuki sneers, but I ignore it. It was my mistake after all. I should probably avoid saying anything or looking suspicious.

"Right, I'll go next. The name's Kitamura Motoyasu, college student, 21." (Motoyasu)

"Oh, me now? My name is Kawasumi Itsuki. I'm a 17-year-old high-school student. (Itsuki)

"Guess I'm last. The name's Iwatani Naofumi, and I'm a 20-year old college student." (Naofumi)

Hm? After everyone's introductions, the king seemed to glare at Naofumi with contempt.

"Hmm. Ren, Motoyasu, and Itsuki, eh?" (King)

"…uh, your majesty? What about me?" (Naofumi)

"Oh, my. My sincerest apologies… Naofumi." (King)

Yeah, no doubt about it. The king was purposely agitating Naofumi. I don't really remember it well, but doesn't the king have some sort of secret agenda against Naofumi. It's because he's the shield, isn't it. How silly…

"Now, if everybody could please confirm their statuses?" (King)

Well, I already checked my status back in the summoning room so I don't really need to. Ah, but, the king is looking at us, so I should at least pretend to do so.

Hm? As I start to open my status, I see the other three look around confused.

"Umm… how do we do that, exactly?" (Itsuki)

Itsuki timidly asks the king for help. I kinda remember being the one to teach them back then, so I guess I'll do so now.

"Ah, don't worry. There should be an icon in your peripheral vision, if you focus. Focus on it and you'll open your status, Itsuki." (Ren)

I do it myself, as if to demonstrate, though they can't actually see my own status.

Amaki Ren

Class: Sword Hero Lv. 160

Equipment: Dragon Era's Hour Hand (Legendary Weapon), Otherworldly Clothing

Skills: Phoenix Gale Sword, Meteor Sword, etc.

Magic: Magic Enchant, etc.

Yup, nothing wrong here… wait, what was that weapon I was holding.

Immediately, I look down and realize that I wasn't holding the Small Sword that I'm supposed to have or the Houou Sword I was using when I died. Instead, a pure black sword rests in my hands shaped at the top like an arrow. I must've not noticed since I'm too accustomed to having my sword and didn't check.

I vaguely remember gaining this sword back when I visited the Filorial Sanctuary. Let's check its description.

Dragon Era Hour Hand 0/300 LR

Equipment Bonus: N/A

Ability: Time Reversal

Special Effect: World Divergence

Time Reversal? Could it be that this sword was the reason why I've gone back in time to the day I was summoned?

The King and the other heroes began talking again but I ignored them to examine the sword. As the name suggested, its form resembled an oversized clock hand. Its stats, though, were pathetic and were definitely not made for combat. Other than that, the only things that stood out about the sword were its special abilities.

After a little twiddling with the menu, I found out that Time Reversal couldn't be manually activated. Does that mean it only activates by itself under certain conditions? If so, finding what conditions activated the ability would be crucial.

Looking back, I can only think of two possibilities for the activation of Time Reversal: Death or Regret. Leaving aside the first one, you see it a lot in fiction where a main character's regret causes him to go back in time to change the past. Perhaps, when I died, the sword answered my unfulfilled regrets and sent me back to fix my mistakes.

As for the other one, death wasn't a condition I was willing to test out. If I'm wrong, I'll just die without going back in time. Still, going back in time after death, sounds far too similar to the familiar concept known as respawning. It is a game-like world so… maybe?

"…we will gather companions for you – the best of the best, have no worries. However, the day grows late. For now, rest yourselves and gather your strength. Your journey begins tomorrow." (King)

Oh, it seems that while I fiddling around with the sword, all the explanations were finished.

"Thank you." (Itsuki)

"Yeah, thanks." (Motoyasu)

Leaving behind a few words of gratitude, we relocated towards the guest quarters the king had prepared for us.

Afterword:

Hello, this is Zikari8, author of this fanfic and overall miserable guy. Lately, I've been left with a lot of free time for an extended period of time and decided to funnel all that time and energy into writing... cause that's what I do when I'm not busy (Which is 90% of my life).

I really like Ren. As the series continued, he's become more and more of a protagonist, such that I think he's the most shonen-like hero among the four divine heroes. With that in mind, I felt like he needed his own series from the beginning of the adventure, but I wasn't satisfied with just a re-writing of the series from his persepctive. Inspired by the side story, Startover of the Spear Hero, I took the same premise and applied it to Ren. Result came out pretty well so I thought I'd sare it with y'all.

Anyways, this has been Zikari8 here, man of abandoned stories and no continuations. There's a lot of things wrong with my writing, that I'm too lazy to fix, so I'm counting on you all to spur me to do so by reviewing. Otherwise, tune in for more chapters later. Bai.