At the bottom of the spiral staircase was another round room. There were a number of doors in the walls, each labeled with the name of a job: PALADIN, MAGE, FLORIST, FARMER, et cetera.
One of these was the HERO room. Following the king’s lead, Masato stepped inside, and what he saw made him forget all his doubts and frustrations. He gulped.
Swords. Beautiful swords.
“Wow… For real…?”
The room was made of stone that emitted a soft glow, and in the center of it was a boulder with three swords sticking out:
A sword the color of scorching-hot red lava; a sword that was deep blue, deeper than the sea itself; and a transparent sword the light shone through.
Masato had never seen a real sword before, but even he could instantly tell these were no ordinary blades. Rather than having the intimidating feel of weapons, these left him…awestruck, as if in the presence of something truly great.
“You can feel it, can you? You are a worthy hero.”
“W-well… I guess…”
“Now, Lord Masato. Pick whichever blade you like. I will entrust it to you.”
“…I can really take one?”
“You may. To tell the truth, these were created as the reward for a high-level quest, but gamers these days won’t bother if the exclusive first-login item isn’t something worthwhile. Basically, these are bait.”
“That’s…not what I wanted to hear.”
“Kids these days are so entitled! Heroes in my day used to set out armed with only a stick.”
“Sure, because the NES was soooo much better…”
“Well, Lord Masato. Your sword.”
“R-right…”
Masato stepped forward and without hesitation grabbed the translucent sword.
Why that one? Masato wasn’t even sure himself. It just felt right.
I wonder why… I’m just sure this is the one for me… No doubt about it.
The sun, the moon, stars. The hilt was covered in detailed metalwork depicting celestial bodies. Masato grabbed that hilt and pulled out the sword.
“Interesting. Lord Masato, you are a hero chosen by the heavens above.”
“Chosen by the heavens…?”
“The sword you’ve selected is the Great Holy Sword of the Heavens, Firmamento. Long ago, when this land was shrouded in darkness, a single swing of this legendary blade tore that darkness to pieces. According to the item description anyway.”
“Again, didn’t need that last bit. Either way, this is clearly an amazing sword. Although based on that backstory, I’m not exactly clear on how amazing. Specifically.”
“Then let me give you a clearer version.”
The king put on a pair of reading glasses and pulled a book out of his pocket. It said Official Guide on the cover. He flipped through it.
“Mm, Firmamento… 2× damage versus flying monsters, 3× critical rate. Of the event items, top-class attack. Can’t be sold.”
“That’s easier to follow but sort of ruins the mystique. At least try to respect the world building…”
“Don’t worry—we’ll make the proper edits for the official release.”
Masato didn’t think this being a beta was an excuse to phone it in. They could definitely try a little harder…but the king didn’t seem open to feedback, so he let it pass.
Anyway.
“What say you, Lord Masato? Getting into the spirit of things now?”
“Um… W-well…”
The king was right. He was hooked. The instant he’d laid his hands on Firmamento, the Holy Sword of the Heavens, Masato had felt something change inside him.
There’s a sword. In my hand.
That sensation was calling out to him. The desire burning in the heart of any man—the urge to do battle, as strong a desire for any male as the urge to live itself.
And the sword Masato held was legendary. A top-tier weapon. A promise that at the end of his adventure, at the end of his battle, he would be the best there was.
What reason could he have to cast aside such an honor? However long he searched for one, he would never find it.
“Sigh… I hate letting you talk me into it, but you have.”
“I know how you feel, but just accept it. This is your duty as a hero, Lord Masato.”
“Is it? I guess the whole hero thing really doesn’t make sense to me yet.”
“What are you saying? You hold the sword of legend in your hand! Only a hero could ever wield such a weapon! This is proof that you are, indeed, a true hero. Without question.”
“M-man, when you say it like that…it’s kinda awkward…”
Masato was a hero, without question. A true hero. A hero!
“No need to be embarrassed, Lord Masato. This is your calling! This world needs a savior. You are the chosen one!”
“P-pleeeease, don’t be silly! You’re too kind!”
A hero. The savior. The chosen one. If that wasn’t a three-blow knockout combo, what was?
“I merely state the truth. That is, whether this game ever launches to the public depends on these test results. It depends on what you do here. I’m begging you, help bring this world to the next stage! You’re the only one who can!”
“What’s that you saaay? Well, if you put it that way, I guess I’ll tryyyy—”
“Hee-hee-hee, I knew you’d say that, Ma-kun! I’m so proud of my little man!”
“Um…you are? Well, then… Hold on…”
“Maybe I should take some swords, too! Here we go!” Pop, pop.
Mamako pulled out the lava and deep-sea swords as well.
The legendary swords that only the chosen could use, and she’d just picked two of them up.
The king’s flurry of compliments had gone to Masato’s head, but this completely pulled the rug out from under him. Uh, wait? What’s going on? Can someone please explain?
“Er…um…Your Majesty? How…?”
“I’m sorry. I can say no more. Forgive this poor fool of an NPC… Oh, right, pass this guidebook on to Lady Mamako, would you? Good day!”
Pressing a gift for Mamako into Masato’s hands, the king turned and ran away.