I am rewriting this fanfiction. Here is the start of the new version. Don't forget to follow and subscribe to the story to inspire me to make it longer and better.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Alex Mercer was sitting in his small, private forest camp, reading a worn-out book he had recently purchased—a fairy tale about the Four Cardinal Heroes. The book described the legendary Sword, Spear, Bow, and Shield Heroes, who were summoned in times of great crisis to protect a world from monstrous invaders.
However, what caught Alex's attention was an unusual passage at the beginning:
"Though rare, there are times when a Fifth Hero is summoned. Their abilities vary greatly, unlike the four defined ones."
Alex frowned. A fifth hero? That wasn't something he had ever heard before. He flipped the page, but before he could continue reading—
A golden light enveloped him.
The book slipped from his fingers as his vision blurred. His body felt weightless, his surroundings faded away, and in an instant, he found himself standing in an unfamiliar place.
Alex blinked rapidly, adjusting to the bright interior of a grand ceremonial hall. Around him stood four other young men, all looking just as confused as he felt. Their clothing was modern, just like his—meaning they were also from Earth.
Before them stood a group of robed individuals, their faces filled with a mix of excitement and relief.
"Not four, but five heroes this time!" one of the robed men exclaimed.
Another man, seemingly the leader, stepped forward. He had silver robes adorned with intricate golden embroidery and an air of authority about him.
"Welcome, Heroes! Our world is in dire peril. The Waves of Catastrophe are upon us, and only you, the chosen ones, can stand against them."
The Spear Hero—a tall, blond young man—crossed his arms, scowling. "So you just pulled us out of our world without asking?"
The Sword Hero, a calm-looking guy with black hair, nodded in agreement. "You owe us an explanation before we agree to anything."
Alex glanced at his right wrist, where the alien artifact bracelet remained attached. A quick thought confirmed that his space pocket inventory was still functional. That meant he still had access to all his stored materials, blueprints, and even some of his advanced tech designs.
This world might be in trouble, but if his abilities worked here… then he had all the tools he needed to survive.
For now, however, they had to meet this so-called king and hear the full story.
ooooooooooooooooo
The grand doors of the throne room swung open as the five heroes were led inside by royal guards. The room was massive, decorated with red banners and golden chandeliers, and at the far end sat King Aultcray Melromarc on his throne, dressed in regal attire.
The heroes stood in a line before the king as he examined them with a neutral expression. Then, in a deep voice, he spoke.
"Welcome, Legendary Heroes. I am King Aultcray Melromarc, ruler of this kingdom. Now, before we proceed, please introduce yourselves."
The Spear Hero stepped forward first.
"Motoyasu Kitamura, 21 years old. I'm a college student."
Next was the Sword Hero, who kept his introduction brief.
"Ren Amaki, 16. High school student."
The Bow Hero went next.
"Itsuki Kawasumi, 17 years old. Also a high school student."
As expected, the king moved on without calling for the last of the original four heroes. Naofumi frowned but still stepped forward.
"Naofumi Iwatani, 20 years old. I'm a college student."
The king's expression stiffened slightly, but before he could respond, another voice spoke up.
"Alex Mercer, 22 years old. I'm a weapons and aircraft manufacturer."
For the first time, true surprise appeared on the king's face. The four heroes also turned to Alex, their expressions a mix of shock and confusion.
"A fifth hero?" Ren muttered.
"Didn't the legend only mention four?!" Itsuki whispered.
Motoyasu raised an eyebrow. "Wait, weapons and aircraft? You mean, like, real military stuff?"
Alex simply nodded.
The king took a moment to regain his composure before clearing his throat.
"It seems we have been granted an unexpected blessing. Five heroes instead of four. Regardless, the situation remains dire."
The king's expression turned grave as he continued.
"Our world is under the threat of Waves of Catastrophe—disasters that bring forth monstrous invasions. We have already faced the first wave, but in less than a month, a second, much stronger wave will descend upon us."
The room grew tense as the heroes listened.
"Each kingdom has magical hourglasses that count down to the next wave. Despite our preparations, we underestimated the danger they pose. The only ones who can truly fight against them… are you, the Legendary Heroes."
The weight of the situation settled in. The four original heroes exchanged looks, some appearing more eager than others. Meanwhile, Alex processed the information carefully.
The Waves sounded like an escalating threat, and if this world's people couldn't handle them, then only the summoned heroes could.
"I understand the seriousness of this," Alex said finally, his voice steady. "But before anything else, we need details. How exactly are we supposed to fight these waves?"
The king nodded.
"That will all be explained. But first, there are other matters to attend to."
ooooooooooooooooooooo
The king sat on his throne, observing the five summoned heroes with a measured gaze. After a moment, he spoke.
"You will not be able to train together before the next Wave. If the Legendary Weapons remain too close to one another, their power will not grow properly. Therefore, you must separate."
The heroes exchanged glances, some seeming mildly surprised by this information.
"It is late," the king continued. "Tomorrow, you will each be assigned party members to assist you. For now, rest."
A maid stepped forward, bowing politely before gesturing for them to follow. She led them through the castle halls, eventually stopping before a grand set of doors. Inside was a luxurious chamber with finely crafted furniture, a large chandelier, and enough beds for all five of them.
Once the maid left, they settled in, and soon, idle conversation began. It didn't take long for them to realize something odd.
"Wait, your president is different?" Motoyasu asked, sitting on the edge of his bed.
Ren nodded. "Yeah. You mentioned a completely different leader from mine. And Alex, you said something about your country being in a war five years ago? That never happened in my world."
Itsuki rubbed his chin. "That means we all came from different versions of Earth."
Naofumi looked intrigued, but then the conversation shifted to something else entirely.
"By the way," Motoyasu said with a grin, "Shield class in games is usually the weakest. You'll have a hard time if this world follows RPG rules."
Ren crossed his arms. "It's true. Shields lack offense. No matter how much defense you have, you can't win without damage output."
Naofumi frowned at their comments but didn't argue.
Alex, on the other hand, ignored the conversation entirely. He lay back on his bed, hands behind his head, his mind elsewhere. His past military service had already taught him that war wasn't about numbers on a game screen—it was about strategy, experience, and preparation. His bracelet was still functioning, meaning he had a huge advantage the others didn't.
Tomorrow would be the real start of their time in this world.
The next morning, they were brought to a large chamber, where a small crowd of adventurers waited. The king stood before them, gesturing at the gathered fighters.
"These are the volunteers who wish to assist the Legendary Heroes. However, it is their choice which hero they wish to follow."
The adventurers began selecting their heroes. The Spear Hero, Bow Hero, and Sword Hero each received a respectable number of recruits, with adventurers eagerly stepping forward to join their teams.
However, when it came to Naofumi… no one moved.
The room fell into an awkward silence. Naofumi clenched his fists. "What? No one?"
The other heroes didn't say much in his defense. Motoyasu simply shrugged, and Ren looked away, uninterested.
Alex frowned as he realized something. The same silence hung in the air when it came to his turn.
No one volunteered for him, either.
He exhaled through his nose. Figures. They have no idea who I am or what I can do. They're following the heroes they recognize from their own legends.
Before the silence could drag on any longer, a voice cut through the tension.
"I'll join Shield Hero's party!"
All eyes turned to the source. A young woman with striking red hair stepped forward, smiling warmly. She was beautiful, with sharp green eyes and a confident posture.
"Are you sure?" the king asked.
She nodded. "Of course, Your Majesty. I wish to aid him."
Naofumi looked slightly relieved, though still irritated by the whole situation.
The king stroked his beard thoughtfully. "This is indeed unfair… Very well. Shield Hero and our Fifth Hero will receive additional compensation due to their lack of volunteers."
A servant stepped forward, handing each hero a bag of gold.
Motoyasu, Ren, and Itsuki received 600 gold coins each.
Naofumi, with one volunteer, was given 800 gold coins.
Alex, still without any teammates, received 830 gold coins.
As Alex took the bag, his eyes flicked toward the red-haired girl. Her expression was cheerful, but he wasn't fooled.
Something about her was off.
Her movements were too practiced. Her decision to join Naofumi felt too convenient.
She's up to something.
Alex remained silent, already making plans in his mind. He'd intervene before she could cause any real trouble.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
As the three other heroes left the castle, eager to start leveling up, Naofumi and his red-haired companion lingered outside the massive stone gates. The castle loomed behind them, its banners swaying gently in the breeze.
Before they could decide on their next move, footsteps approached.
Alex Mercer stepped forward, his hands in his pockets, his sharp blue eyes focused on Naofumi.
"Hey, Shield Hero. Got a moment?"
Naofumi crossed his arms, eyeing Alex warily. "What do you want?"
"A business proposal."
Naofumi raised an eyebrow. His red-haired companion also looked intrigued.
"Listen," Alex continued, "in my world, I was a successful businessman. Weapons, aircraft—you name it, I built it. And judging by how my abilities carried over, I can do the same thing here. I can make a fortune."
Naofumi's expression remained skeptical. "And why are you telling me this?"
"Because you're the only one here who's also getting screwed over," Alex replied. "You've got no party, no support, and from the way that king looked at you, you're probably not going to get much help either. But if you join me, we can get insanely rich—enough to prepare for future Waves better than any of those other guys."
Naofumi frowned, clearly unsure.
Alex smirked. "I figured you'd be skeptical, so let me show you what my power really is."
He lifted his right hand, and a faint blue glow pulsed from the alien bracelet on his wrist. A second later, a small mechanical object materialized in his palm. He crouched down and placed it on the ground—a compact, double-rotor helicopter drone.
With a few quick taps on his bracelet, the drone's rotors spun to life. The wind from the blades kicked up dust as it lifted off the ground, hovering steadily before circling around them.
The red-haired woman's eyes widened in amazement. "Incredible… A golem that flies!"
Naofumi, however, recognized it immediately. "That's… a drone."
Alex grinned. "Yep. And I can make a lot more of them. In fact, I can make an army of these things. Mass-produce military equipment. We're talking weapons, vehicles, fortifications—things this medieval world can't even imagine."
Naofumi glanced at the hovering drone, gears turning in his head. "If you're this powerful, why do you need me?"
Alex crossed his arms. "Because I need someone to protect my operation. Those three idiots don't realize it yet, but once Legendary Heroes get to high levels, they become insanely strong. If I focus on building, I'll need someone powerful watching my back."
Naofumi's frown deepened as he thought it over. He had nothing—no allies, no support, and no clear path forward. Meanwhile, the other three heroes had already secured their own parties. Even the king seemed uninterested in helping him.
"Alright," Naofumi finally said. "I'll join you. I need all the help I can get."
Alex smirked. "Good choice. Let's get to work."
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
The dimly lit café had a warm, rustic charm, the scent of baked bread and freshly brewed tea filling the air. Seated in a quiet corner, Naofumi and Alex leaned in slightly, speaking in hushed tones.
"Malty," Naofumi said, glancing at the red-haired princess, "give us a moment alone. We need to discuss things privately."
Malty pouted but nodded with a sweet smile. "Of course, Naofumi-sama. I'll be nearby if you need me." She stood and left, her elegant dress swaying as she walked toward the counter.
Once she was out of earshot, Alex leaned back, arms crossed. "Alright, here's the plan. First, I'll head to the library. One of my robots will scan and digitize the most important books. Knowledge is power, and I want access to everything this world knows."
Naofumi raised an eyebrow. "And what about me?"
"You," Alex smirked, "are going to meet with the local nobles. We need investments to fund everything. Show them what we've got, and they'll pour gold into our hands."
Naofumi frowned. "You sure they'll listen?"
"They will. We're heroes—they can't ignore us. And when they see what we're offering, they'll beg to invest."
The next few hours went exactly as planned.
At the grand Royal Library, a library worker's eyes went wide as a humanoid robot flipped through books at an inhuman speed, its metallic fingers gliding across pages and scanning them within seconds. For a hefty fee, the robot was granted full access, and within hours, it had already copied vast amounts of valuable knowledge.
Meanwhile, Naofumi and Alex were making rounds through noble estates. They were received with respect due to their status, but respect quickly turned into awe once Alex demonstrated his technology.
At a shooting range on one noble's estate, several lords excitedly took turns firing railgun rifles, their shots piercing through thick wooden targets with ease. The small drone helicopters hovered around, showcasing their agility, while one even carried a noble's wine glass through the air before landing gently on the table.
By the end of the day, their pockets were fuller than they had imagined.
15,000 gold coins in investment contracts.
Naofumi and Malty were visibly stunned by the sheer amount of wealth they had just secured.
The next morning, they continued visiting nobles, gaining another 5,000 gold coins worth of investments. By midday, Alex's robot had finished scanning most of the critical knowledge from the library.
Now came the real work.
Alex's AI assistant processed the data and soon transmitted a report to his bracelet. As expected, the entire continent was in a constant state of war, struggling against both the Waves of Catastrophe and political conflicts. Military resources were in high demand across all kingdoms.
Sitting in Alex's temporary workshop, he and Naofumi poured over the best options for production, assisted by AI suggestions.
"Railguns are out of the question," Alex said. "Too expensive to mass-produce."
"What about gunpowder weapons?" Naofumi asked.
Alex shook his head. "Not happening. This kingdom—and most of the continent—is ruled by people who still uphold slavery and racism. If we start mass-producing guns, they'll only be given to the ruling class. That means enslaved beastfolk and commoners won't get any benefit, and the ruling class will just use them for their own wars. That's not a fight I want to get involved in."
Naofumi scowled but nodded in agreement. "So what's the alternative?"
Alex leaned forward, tapping on his bracelet. A holographic display of a large, armored carrier vehicle appeared in the air.
"We start simple," he explained. "This is a harvesting drone carrier—an automated vehicle designed to deploy and manage drone fleets. These drones will gather rare magical plants from the wild while using sound deterrents and small laser flashes to keep animals away. The Shield Hero—you—will be responsible for protecting it during operations."
Naofumi crossed his arms. "Makes sense. Less risk, solid profit."
Alex grinned. "Exactly. Let's get to work."
A few days later, the first carrier was completed.
With most of their funds spent, it was time to recruit more manpower.
Together, Alex and Naofumi headed to the slave market.
Naofumi purchased two beastfolk slaves:
Raphtalia, a young raccoon demi-human girl with brown hair, fluffy ears, and a timid yet determined gaze.
A wolf beastfolk, a tall, lean young man with dark gray fur, sharp fangs, and piercing yellow eyes. He carried himself with quiet strength.
Meanwhile, Alex made his own purchases:
A bull beastfolk, a burly man with short brown fur, large curved horns, and a muscular physique built for heavy labor. His deep voice was calm and measured.
A fox beastfolk girl, smaller in frame with golden fur, large fluffy ears, and sharp amber eyes that gleamed with intelligence and mischief.
With their new recruits in tow, the real work was about to begin.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
The workshop was alive with activity as Alex worked tirelessly, his bracelet glowing faintly as it produced new armor sets for their teams. The air smelled of hot metal and oil as newly crafted armor plates, chainmail, and leather gear were laid out on a sturdy wooden table.
Alex examined his work, nodding in satisfaction. The warriors—Naofumi, Horn, and Jim—received heavy plate armor, strong enough to withstand direct hits from weapons and monster claws alike. Naofumi's legendary shield adjusted to his new armor, seamlessly integrating with it.
For the ranged and magic users, Alex crafted lighter protection. Raphtalia and Shy received reinforced chainmail underlayers with flexible leather armor over them—offering both protection and mobility.
Standing in front of a mirror, Alex adjusted his own chainmail armor, the silver links glinting under the light. He wasn't a front-line fighter like the others, but he still needed to be prepared for battle.
Naofumi turned slightly, testing the weight of his plate armor. "This is incredible. It fits perfectly."
Horn flexed his massive arms, the armor barely hindering his movement. "Solid craftsmanship, boss. Feels strong but not too heavy."
Jim, ever quiet, simply nodded in approval, adjusting his gauntlets.
Raphtalia ran her fingers over her leather chest guard, shifting her stance to test flexibility. "This is much better than those rags I had before..." she muttered, her fluffy ears twitching.
Shy grinned, spinning on her feet in her mage gear, the golden fur on her tail flicking playfully. "Finally, something that doesn't make me look like a street beggar!"
From the side, Malty—the red-haired princess—watched with growing intrigue. She had expected Alex to be just another summoned hero, no different from the others. But what she had witnessed in the past few days told a different story.
Alex Mercer wasn't just strong—he was a force of nature.
His ability to create advanced technology, gather massive investments, and now forge armor superior to anything in the kingdom… it all pointed to one undeniable fact: he was no ordinary hero.
For the first time, Malty found herself reconsidering her position.
Did she really want to stay with Naofumi? Or would her ambitions be better served at Alex's side?
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
The sun was beginning to set as Alex and Naofumi's teams returned to the city, the armored carrier rolling through the streets with its drone fleet secured inside. The profits from the day's gathering operation had been immense—rare magical plants collected from the wild forests were sold to alchemists and noble buyers for a fortune.
As they sat in a private room at a tavern, Alex leaned forward over the table, tapping his fingers on the wooden surface.
"This is just the beginning," he said, his sharp blue eyes glinting with ambition. "If we can scale up operations, automate more processes, we'll have a true monopoly over high-quality materials."
Naofumi crossed his arms, considering. "Not a bad idea. But we should also have a backup plan. The kingdom might not like us having too much power."
Alex smirked. "That's why we expand slowly, make strategic partnerships. If we control the supply lines, the economy bends to us."
Before they could continue plotting, Alex's AI assistant chimed in through his bracelet, displaying a digital map in front of him.
[Lute Village – Mineral Deposits Detected]
Alex quickly pulled up more information and frowned. "Looks like there's an old mine near Lute Village that used to be profitable, but after the first wave, it became infested with monsters. Nobody's been able to reclaim it."
Naofumi raised an eyebrow. "And you're thinking of clearing it out?"
Alex grinned. "Exactly. If the minerals inside are valuable, we can reopen operations and claim ownership."
Naofumi nodded. "Fine. Our teams will take care of it. If it works, we'll have another income source."
The next day, both teams departed for Lute Village. The armored carrier parked just outside the mine entrance, its AI-controlled railgun turrets scanning the surroundings for threats.
Inside the mine, the air was thick with dust and the faint glow of magical ore veins. The tunnel walls were lined with green crystals, pulsing slightly with raw magical energy.
At first, the caverns seemed clear, but as they advanced, a deep, guttural growl echoed from the darkness.
Then, a massive two-headed dog monster lunged at them.
"Contact!" Alex barked, raising his modified light machine gun.
Horn charged forward, his massive war hammer slamming into the beast's side, sending dust and loose rock flying.
Jim leaped in, his claws slashing at the monster's exposed flank, drawing deep wounds.
"Keep it back!" Naofumi shouted, raising his shield just in time to block a crushing bite from one of the heads.
Alex took position behind cover, bracing his weapon. With precise bursts of gunfire, he shredded into the beast's body, the high-velocity rounds punching through its thick hide.
Shy and Malty unleashed magic attacks, fireballs and lightning bolts searing across the cavern, further weakening the monster.
After a grueling battle, the two-headed beast finally collapsed, its body twitching before falling still.
Everyone took a breath, but before they could relax—another two-headed dog emerged from the depths.
This time, it struck fast, injuring Jim and Horn before anyone could properly react.
"Fall back!" Alex ordered.
With injuries mounting and resources depleting, the teams retreated back to Lute Village, using the armored carrier for cover.
That night, as Jim and Horn were treated, Alex and Naofumi sat around a table, examining samples of the green magical ore they had collected.
Naofumi rolled one of the glowing crystals between his fingers. "Alchemists will pay a decent price for this. But if we clear out the mine, we control the source."
Alex smirked. "Exactly. This is just the start."
ooooooooooooooooooooooooo
It took two more days of relentless fighting, but eventually, every corner of the mine was cleared of its monstrous inhabitants. The battles had been intense—feral beasts, lurking creatures, and even strange magical abominations had tried to reclaim the depths, but the combined efforts of Naofumi and Alex's teams ensured victory.
The noble overseeing the mine was at first skeptical, but after receiving multiple credible reports confirming its safety, he had little choice but to grant ownership of the now-cleared mine to both heroes.
"You've done what even my best men failed to accomplish," the noble admitted as he handed over official ownership documents to Naofumi and Alex. "The mine is yours. Do as you see fit."
Later that evening, both parties gathered for a small celebration in Lute Village's only tavern. Drinks were passed around, plates of food stacked high, and the exhaustion of battle melted away as everyone took the time to relax.
Raphtalia, normally reserved, was smiling brightly, while Jim and Horn exchanged stories of their toughest fights over mugs of ale. Shy, meanwhile, simply enjoyed watching the chaos unfold, her fox ears twitching as she listened to the conversations around her.
Malty, sitting near Naofumi, was watching Alex closely. She had seen what he was capable of—his advanced weaponry, his technological genius, his ability to turn nothing into profit. And now, he owned a mine, commanded an army of machines, and had wealth steadily growing by the day.
After the celebration, Naofumi left with his group to protect the drone carrier, ensuring that rare magical plants would continue to be harvested without interference from wild beasts.
Alex, however, immediately got to work organizing operations at Lute Mine.
The first step was securing labor—he purchased numerous cheap slaves from the city, ranging from human criminals to demi-human outcasts, and brought them to the village. He also placed a notice in the city, offering paid work for any free laborers willing to join.
Within a few days, the mine began to see activity. Tunnels were reinforced, extraction sites were mapped, and the first carts of magical ore were pulled from the depths.
However, security was still an issue. With more people arriving, there was a higher chance of bandits or corrupt officials attempting to interfere.
Alex quickly assembled a small group of humanoid robots, their sleek metal bodies resembling armored knights. Each one was equipped with a railgun rifle, their glowing red eyes scanning the village with machine-like precision.
The villagers, once wary, soon realized that these robotic sentinels were not just for show. When a group of bandits tried sneaking into the mine at night, the railgun turrets on the carrier detected them immediately, and the robots gunned them down before they could even set foot inside.
With security ensured and the workforce growing, Lute Village was quickly transforming into a hub of industry—one that belonged to Alex and Naofumi alone.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
The Dragon Hourglass loomed before them, its eerie glow casting flickering shadows as the sands within shifted ever downward. Alex and Naofumi placed their hands upon its surface, and at once, a pulse of energy coursed through them. A bright flash, then the numbers revealed themselves.
[Time Until Next Wave: 20 Hours]
Naofumi narrowed his eyes. "Not much time," he muttered.
"Enough," Alex replied, arms crossed, sharp blue eyes already calculating. "If we don't waste any."
Without hesitation, the two left the temple and moved swiftly through the bustling streets, the weight of the coming battle heavy upon them. Merchants and adventurers alike called out their wares, but the heroes had no time for distractions. They acquired rations, medicines, and enchanted arrows, ensuring every piece of equipment was battle-ready. At the same time, Alex deployed five of his newly-constructed humanoid machines, each armed with railgun rifles and secondary swords. The red glow of their artificial eyes cast an eerie light as they stood motionless, awaiting orders.
Jim eyed the machines with suspicion. "These things are unsettling."
"They'll be useful," Alex stated simply, checking the ammunition belt on his silenced machine gun. "Especially since we can bring them with us when the Wave starts."
Naofumi nodded grimly. From their research, they had learned that the Dragon Hourglass allowed heroes to bring limited reinforcements, meaning these machines would teleport alongside them when the battle began. It wasn't much, but any advantage could turn the tide.
As the final hour passed, the city grew tense. People hurried indoors, locking their doors, praying to whatever gods they believed in. Then, without warning, light engulfed them. A strange sensation of weightlessness overtook them, and when they opened their eyes, they stood in the open plains just outside Lute Village.
Naofumi immediately scanned the surroundings. He spotted three distant figures moving swiftly away. The other heroes had already run off in separate directions, not even acknowledging them. His grip on the shield tightened. "Cowards," he muttered.
Alex, unfazed, flicked on his alien-tech radio. "Naofumi, you hear me?"
"Loud and clear," came the reply.
"Then let's move."
They ran.
Ahead, the village loomed, and even from this distance, the signs of chaos were clear. Some villagers had managed to flee in time, but not all. Screams echoed from within, mixing with the unholy shrieks of monsters. Shadows twisted and moved through the streets—twisted wolves with multiple eyes, insect-like horrors skittering along the walls, and winged beasts circling overhead.
Alex's gaze was sharp as he raised his machine gun. "Evacuate who we can. Kill what we must."
Naofumi raised his shield, stepping forward. "Agreed."
And with that, they rushed into the fray.