Chapter 1 — The Interrupted Fate

The sun was bidding farewell, painting the city in golden and orange hues.

He, the ice cream vendor, adjusted his cart one last time that day.

Another shift ended. Another simple, yet dignified day.

The scent of hot asphalt mingled with the gentle breeze.

Children ran through the streets. Laughter. Life. Peace.

As he counted the last coins, something caught his attention.

Across the street, a little girl chased a colorful ball.

Small. Distracted.

A car approached at high speed.

He didn’t think.

Dropped the cart.

Ran.

— Get out of there! — he shouted with all he had.

He pushed the girl onto the sidewalk.

The impact came like a crushing wave.

Silence.

Darkness.

⋯

The sound of wind woke him.

He blinked against the intense light.

The ground was soft. Vibrant grass. Flowers he had never seen before.

He sat up.

Touched his own body.

No pain.

Firm muscles. Young.

Very young.

— Where... where am I?

Mountains in the distance. Dense forests.

Pure air.

He ran to a stream.

The reflection in the water didn’t lie.

— What... what happened to me?!

— I look like I’m 18?

Even though he clearly remembered being thirty-nine.

Voices in the distance.

Knights emerged from the forest.

Shining armor.

Swords and spears pointed.

— You! What region are you from? Identify yourself!

— I... don’t know...

— I just... was... where am I?

Suspicious looks.

Murmurs.

They decided to escort him to the castle.

⋯

The castle looked like it came out of a fairy tale.

Towering spires.

Crests with a crowned bee in every corner.

In the main hall, a woman awaited on the throne.

Majestic.

Sharp eyes.

— Is this... the last of the summoned?

He didn’t answer.

He didn’t know how.

He and 19 others were chosen. Objective: defeat the demon king and his nine celestial generals.

Others received magical weapons, titles, reverence.

He... nothing.

He tried to hold a sword.

The metal fell.

As if it rejected him.

He tried a shield.

Same thing.

Whispers.

Contempt.

— Must be a mistake — said a minister.

— No mana. No weapons. No magic. How can he be a hero?

The queen frowned.

No title. No role.

He was sent to the kitchen.

⋯

New humiliation.

Cutlery slipped.

Knife, fork — everything broke in his hands.

Everything he touched was rejected by his body.

He ended up eating with his fingers.

Guards laughed.

The cook too...

He just lowered his head.

Murmured...

I was chosen... I was chosen...

Then this world needs to know!