《Don't Have Heroes》 Chapter 1: Sinister Plans
Point of View: Magnus Bridge I have become the most powerful mage in this world; reality itself bends to my absolute power. Even the Gods fear me, and my strength is immeasurable. Yet, there is one thing I have never been able to achieve: immortality, mastery over time itself. Despite my ability to alter my appearance and rejuvenate my body, the essence of my life is slipping away. My body¡ªor rather, my shell¡ªis slowly dying. On my 284th birthday, after countless hours of research conducted in this desolate dungeon, I finally discovered the solution. I created an artifact capable of storing my soul and transferring it into a suitable vessel. I based it on the technique of demonic possession to develop a form of magical possession. This technique allows me to seize control of a human body''s latent mana, using it as if it were my own. From there, I manipulate the mana to control the rest of the body like a true master. It is true that this dungeon reeks horribly due to the decomposition of the hundreds of test subjects I used in my experiments. However, soon, this will no longer matter. The bodies scattered across the floor contribute to creating an environment I consider ideal for luring a strong adventurer¡ªsomeone worthy of finding this artifact. To ensure only a powerful vessel reaches this place, I have implemented a series of defenses. Intricate traps, relentless golems, watchful gargoyles, and deadly summons are strategically positioned, ready to activate at the slightest trace of mana. These measures will not only prevent insignificant individuals from advancing but also encourage the truly powerful to face the challenges, believing they have found a treasure of immense value.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. And indeed, they will. But the true treasure will be mine: a body worthy of carrying my immortal soul. I placed the orb on the pedestal in the center of the room. The stand, crafted from stone shaped like two skeletal hands, held it firmly in place. I retreated to the outer edge of the magic circle, whose runes would ensure a constant flow of mana into and out of the orb to maintain its energy. Additionally, supplementary crystals were scattered across the table, enriching the atmosphere with abundant mana. The energy here should last for a few centuries before depleting. This is a damned shot in the dark, but it¡¯s the only sensible option¡ªthis or becoming a lich. While I have no qualms about killing in the name of magic, I feel that taking lives to extend my own would be an unbearable moral burden. This method, on the other hand, ensures that only one sacrifice is necessary. I began the ritual. My consciousness faded, and I watched as my body collapsed while being drawn into the orb on the pedestal. My memories flashed before me like images projected onto a blank screen. Then, I was there. I could see and feel everything in the room through the mana, and I could communicate through my mind. But there was no one else. The world was now a dense haze of black shadows. And time continued to pass...
Chapter 2: Train Journey
Point of View: Christopher Roosevelt London was everything I imagined it to be: a truly magical city with stunning architecture. In fact, the whole world had become more beautiful since I started traveling. When you''re not successful, things are far more depressing and complicated. As a freelance banker, the freedom to have clients anywhere in the world¡ªand, of course, the excuse to travel¡ªwas a privilege of this profession. London, Paris, Tokyo, New York, Seoul... One of the perks of being Brazilian is having one of the best passports in the world. I was at London St. Pancras station. My goal was to get to Cambridge, my next tourist destination. It was rush hour, and many people were moving through the station¡ªsome waiting for their departures, others disembarking. In the background, a violinist played a beautiful rendition of ¡°I Want to Hold Your Hand.¡± Suddenly, I heard a commotion to my left, followed by a few frantic screams. It wasn¡¯t something that concerned me¡ªmy English was far from perfect, and getting involved in trouble in a foreign country was definitely not on my agenda. However, one phrase caught my attention: ¡°Thief! Stop the thief!¡± To my right, the sound of a train echoed. It was a mechanical noise, the screeching of metal against metal on the tracks, accompanied by the sound of brakes. The chaos seemed to grow around me.Stolen novel; please report. Then, out of nowhere, someone bumped into me with force. I stumbled forward. And suddenly, everything changed. I saw a light¡ªintense, blinding. But then, as if the world had been switched off, the light disappeared. Everything went dark... ¡°Young hero, your wish shall be granted: a magical world with swords and sorcery,¡± a voice echoed in the darkness. But that wish was from ten years ago, back when I was down and out in my late twenties. All I want now is a comfortable life with the wealth I¡¯ve built. Unfortunately, I couldn¡¯t verbalize any of this. I was simply floating in absolute nothingness, unable to move. My head started pounding. Had it been crushed by the train? A childish thought crossed my mind: weren¡¯t people usually hit by trucks and transported to other worlds, not trains? Gradually, my back began to feel heavier. I felt something sharp yet soft against my fingers. A scent of fresh air filled my lungs, bringing the same sensation as walking near a forest or park. The moisture in the air brushed gently against my skin through the breeze. With my head still throbbing, I opened my eyes. A forest. ¡°Why the hell am I naked?¡± I gasped, feeling the pain in my lungs. ¡°Living beings get transported to other worlds, but clothes don¡¯t?¡± With effort, I propped up the upper half of my body, leaning on my elbows. I was in a small clearing, about three square meters wide, surrounded by dense forest. The temperature was pleasant, creating a mild atmosphere. My stomach growled loudly¡ªI was hungry. As amusing as it was to think about playing Tarzan, shouldn¡¯t I have been transported to a castle or something like that?
Chapter 3: Survival I Point of View: Christopher Roosevelt I stood there, forcing my mind to work. For anyone who''s ever watched the American series Naked and Afraid, the first thing to do in a situation like this is to find water. The human body can endure malnutrition longer than dehydration. Checking my body, I noticed I had more muscle mass than before. Maybe this was some kind of bonus for traveling between worlds? Another interesting detail was the absence of body hair; my skin was as smooth as a baby¡¯s. The forest around me was filled with a variety of sounds: crickets chirping, frogs croaking. But the sound I really needed to hear was that of water flowing¡ªeither crashing against rocks or running through a river. I also considered looking for animal trails¡ªanimals usually create paths to rivers that leave marks on the vegetation. Worst case, I could end up shredded by some unknown creature in this place. As time passed, I felt my irritation growing. Why couldn¡¯t this be a standard isekai? I was fine, happy, enjoying my life. And now? Here I was, in the worst possible situation: in an unfamiliar world, naked, wandering aimlessly through an unknown forest. I swear vengeance on the thief who caused my death.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. Lost in thought, I kept wandering through the forest. When I finally found the riverbed, after what felt like several hours, I realized the sun was already beginning to set. It was getting colder, and if I caught a cold here, I¡¯d be in serious trouble. Civilizations generally form near rivers, which meant that if I followed the river in either direction, I was likely to find a road or even a town nearby. But there were two problems... I was completely naked, and I had no idea how long this river stretched or how far I¡¯d have to go to find a town. The best course of action, then, was to focus on making cutting tools and finding a safe place to sleep. Without wasting time, I searched for two stones and began striking them against each other, trying to create a rudimentary blade. By nightfall, I was perched high in a tall tree near the riverbed. Using braided fibers from the giant leaf of a palm tree I¡¯d found, I made an improvised rope. I tied my torso to a thicker branch and leaned against the tree, creating a makeshift shelter to spend the night. Chapter 4: The Summoning of Heroes I Point of View: Lorian Vellorn The ritual was about to begin, and amidst the crowd, a handful of eager nobles vied to win the favor of the heroes. I couldn¡¯t blame them, after all. The summoning method created by the renowned Magnus Bridge brought super-soldiers to this world, weapons powerful enough to destroy entire kingdoms. The justification for such a power? ¡°We need heroes to face the Lords.¡± Pure nonsense, thinly veiling the greed of the King and the nobility. Valion, the son of the Count of Taldrin, approached and placed a hand on my shoulder. ¡°Do you think the heroes will be good people?¡± he asked, gazing at the circle surrounded by priests, where three unconscious children, each around twelve years old, lay motionless. ¡°Actually, you mean to ask if they¡¯ll be easily manipulated,¡± I replied, my words sharp as a needle, casting a sidelong glance at my friend before turning my attention back to the children in the circle. ¡°Don¡¯t you think this ritual is cruel? I mean, they¡¯re just children. What happens to their memories, their feelings, their souls?¡± ¡°A life for a life. Regardless, this is something that must be done. Without defense against the Lords, the kingdom of Calyndor will... no, I dare say the entire continent will fall¡ªfrom the dwarves in Grimdal Fortress, to the elves in the hidden realm of Aeloria, to the Veridian Empire. Nothing can resist the Lords.¡± To avoid accusations of treason, I held my tongue. As much as I cherished my friendship with Valion, I couldn¡¯t help but wonder if his words were the result of brainwashing or merely an excuse to justify cruel greed. That psychotic mage is hailed as a legend, when everything he created should be considered taboo.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. I glanced briefly at our king, Eryndor Valier of Calyndor, as the mages began chanting in an ancient language I couldn¡¯t understand. The wretched man was smiling... A brilliant light filled the room, illuminating every corner of the grand hall. The magical circle activated by the priests and mages began to pulsate with vibrant energy, flowing like an invisible vortex toward the three unconscious children at its center. It was a spectacle both fascinating and unsettling. Intricate runes appeared on the children''s bodies, glowing with supernatural intensity. According to ancient studies, these marks acted as catalysts, enabling the reincarnation energy to bestow extraordinary abilities upon the heroes: immense physical strength, superhuman agility, impenetrable resilience, and a natural affinity for magic¡ªeverything mages and warriors in this world could only dream of achieving. Yet something felt wrong. When the light finally faded and the runes vanished from the children¡¯s skin, an uneasy silence filled the hall. Anxious whispers arose among the mages. They were visibly nervous, exchanging troubled glances and gesturing hastily. Even Abimael, the royal archmage and high priest, looked deeply disturbed. He approached King Eryndor Valier of Calyndor, leaning in to murmur something into his ear. The confident smile on the king¡¯s face vanished instantly. For a brief moment, a grimace of frustration crossed his features, but it was quickly replaced by the stoic and calculating expression he always displayed before the court. ¡°The ritual was a success,¡± he announced loudly, masking any trace of concern. ¡°Now, I ask the mages and priests to take the children to a place where they can rest and recover their strength. Guards, please escort the nobles out of the palace.¡± As the crowd began to disperse, I couldn¡¯t help but notice the tension in Abimael¡¯s gaze and the restrained nervousness in the mages¡¯ movements. Something had gone wrong¡ªthat much was clear. The king might have masked his emotions, but I wasn¡¯t a fool. Something about this ritual hadn¡¯t gone as planned, and I intended to uncover what it was¡ªno matter the cost. Chapter 5: Summoning of the Heroes II Point of View: Kaori Tanaka The morning sun touched my skin, and footsteps echoed in the room as I curled up under the blanket. The sound of blinds being opened made the light even more unbearable, forcing my eyes to squeeze shut. The fresh morning air filled my lungs, but all I could think was, ¡°Mom, just five more minutes¡­¡± I groaned and buried my face in the pillow, which, for some reason, felt softer than usual. ¡°Miss, His Majesty is waiting,¡± an entirely unfamiliar voice said from beside the bed. ¡°His Majesty?¡± I murmured, still half-asleep. I opened my eyes abruptly and sat up, scanning the room around me. This wasn¡¯t my bedroom. I was in a large bed, inside an enormous room. The ceiling and walls were made of gray stone, while the floor gleamed with smooth, white marble. To the left of the bed was a polished red wooden desk, and in the center of the room stood a small table surrounded by two red velvet armchairs. ¡°Was I¡­ kidnapped?¡± I gasped, leaping to my feet and using the bed as a barrier between myself and the unknown woman. She was dressed like a maid, wearing an outfit that reminded me of the themed caf¨¦s otakus love. However, she wasn¡¯t young like the employees at those caf¨¦s. She looked about forty, with blonde hair neatly tied into a bun and eyes that exuded authority. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, young lady. Everything will be explained shortly,¡± she said in a firm but respectful tone. ¡°Please, follow me.¡± I hesitated, my heart racing as my eyes darted around the room, searching for any clue about where I was or how I¡¯d ended up here. With few options, I cautiously stepped forward, still keeping the bed between us. ¡°If this is some kind of prank or joke, it¡¯s not funny¡­¡± I muttered, trying to stay calm even though my trembling voice betrayed me. The woman didn¡¯t respond. She simply turned and walked toward the door, gesturing for me to follow. The hallway was brightly lit, adorned with suits of armor and framed portraits of people I¡¯d never seen before. After passing through the corridor, we descended a staircase that led to an exit. As we passed under a stone archway, I couldn¡¯t help but notice the courtyard¡¯s ornate decor, with fountains and flowers arranged in artistic patterns.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! Something felt off. I didn¡¯t feel like myself. My hands were smaller, my height was different, even the way I moved seemed unfamiliar. I was wearing a white tunic the woman had given me. On top of that, this place looked nothing like Japan. Maybe it was some ancient Western castle? We entered another building, walking down a similarly decorated corridor. The portraits here, however, only depicted men, all sharing similar features. I noticed the frames bore inscriptions in a language that wasn¡¯t Japanese, but for some reason, I could understand it. We stopped in front of an ornate door, which the woman pushed open firmly before motioning for me to enter. Hesitant, I stepped inside and took in my surroundings. The room was filled with people dressed extravagantly, like they were attending an old-fashioned ball. The hall was vast, lined with six marble columns that stretched from floor to ceiling, flanking a red carpet leading to a throne at the far end. Seated on the throne was a tall, robust man who looked about fifty. His stark white hair was spiked, and he wore a gray robe adorned with gold details, with a white plume draped around his neck. ¡°Welcome to Calyndor, great hero. I am King Eryndor of the Valier royal family,¡± he said, his intense gaze locking onto mine. What was I supposed to do in a situation like this? Bow? King? Hero? ¡°What kind of nonsense is this?¡± I blurted out, even more confused. ¡°Oh, great hero, you have been chosen to save this world from a dark threat. They call themselves the Lords. To face them, you have been blessed with a new body, one that possesses abilities beyond those of an ordinary human. We will provide you with all the support necessary to grow and become strong enough to confront our enemies.¡± What was he talking about? None of this made sense. Where in the world was Calyndor? Why was he acting out some kind of fantasy role-playing game? ¡°I¡¯m not playing this game. I want to go home,¡± I said, my voice trembling. ¡°I understand your confusion, but if you are here, it means you died in your world. There is no home to return to.¡± He gestured with his hand, and the maid stepped forward, holding a cushion with a small silver mirror on it. ¡°Take it,¡± she said, extending the mirror to me. Reluctantly, I took it and looked at my reflection. A blonde-haired, green-eyed child stared back at me. None of the brown hair I¡¯d known my entire life was there. This person¡­ wasn¡¯t me. Chapter 6: Survival II Point Of View: Christopher Roosevelt I woke up sneezing. My concerns about catching a cold came rushing back, along with my mental priority list: food and decent shelter. My current inventory? A stone knife and a rope made of braided leaves. As I was going over these items in my mind, the ground shook. A shiver ran down my spine. I stayed in the tree but climbed higher into the branches, hiding among the leaves. I struggled to control my heartbeat, which felt like it was about to leap out of my throat. Then I saw it. Near the riverbed, a massive creature about four meters tall. It looked like a lizard with wings connected to its forelimbs, resembling a pterosaur but with a sturdier head, like a Komodo dragon¡¯s, filled with sharp teeth. The creature dipped its head into the river, either fishing or drinking. ¡°I¡¯ll call it a Wyvern,¡± I thought. If that thing can fly, I¡¯d better stay hidden in the trees¡¯ canopy. I climbed down, my thoughts racing. The river was no longer safe; drinking water or building a raft to follow it downstream would be a monumental challenge now. ¡°You can call me a coward, but there¡¯s no way I¡¯m fighting that thing,¡± I muttered nervously, letting out a shaky laugh. Since I¡¯d had enough water for now, I decided to move away from the river and into the forest. ¡°Time to look for fruit.¡± I followed my own rule: if animals are eating something, it¡¯s probably safe for me, especially if they¡¯re primates. As I walked, I found a small tree with a thin trunk. I broke it and began carving it as I went, trying to make it as straight as possible. Once the shaft was well-shaped, I used a piece of fiber to create a spear. ¡°Now I have a weapon. It¡¯s not very strong or deadly, but it¡¯s a defense mechanism.¡±This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. After walking for a few hours, I came across a small clearing. At its center was a massive boulder, twice my height and ten times my width. A fissure split the rock, perhaps the result of years of erosion. Approaching cautiously, I inspected the interior. The inside of the rock had eroded, forming a small cave with stalactites dripping water. ¡°Looks like a safe spot,¡± I thought as I entered. ¡°Where is this water dripping from the ceiling coming from?¡± Inside, the grotto was spacious, with solid stone walls. There was enough room for a man to lie down, but most of the floor was occupied by a pool of crystal-clear water. Around it, the stone floor was covered in moss, which I¡¯d need to clear away. Lighting a fire here would be risky. I knelt by the pool and leaned closer. That¡¯s when I saw my reflection for the first time. I looked younger, maybe around sixteen, and more athletic than I remembered. I¡¯d never been much of a sports fan. My hair was dark brown and completely disheveled, and my skin was pale but slightly yellowish. ¡°Anemia?¡± I quipped to myself, amused. As I was about to get up, my foot slipped on the moss, and I fell toward the pool. I tried to catch myself with my arms, but it was deeper than it appeared, and soon I was fully submerged. My entire body plunged into the water. I tried to swim desperately, but I¡¯m a terrible swimmer. You can¡¯t be good at everything, after all. As the dim light from the grotto faded above me, I realized I was running out of air. Then, my feet touched the bottom. With a push, I propelled myself upward, flailing my arms. My head broke the surface, and I clung to a flat surface, coughing and spitting out the water I¡¯d swallowed. When I looked around, I realized I was no longer in the grotto. ¡°Oh, great. Random isekai event. What is this, a dungeon?¡± I muttered. A corridor stretched out before me. Shivering from the cold, I got to my feet and began walking, each step echoing in the darkness. Chapter 7: Rebirth
Who is following here, I need everyone to go back to all the previous chapters and read them again, due to the analysis of the Brazilian audience, the chapters have been deepened. I also need you to give your analysis and comment on the content. The final version will be published in a few months. Point Of View: Magnus Bridge How much time has passed? Well, I¡¯m not sure. The room around me was still. In the dim shadows that my vision could reach, figures danced in the darkness. Sometimes, an insect or bat crossed the space silently. I made the most of my time thinking about magical formulas, spell structures, runes, invocations, curses, and other things of that nature. However, there were times when I felt I was forgetting some of these things. Perhaps it was due to time¡­ memory does not endure over centuries. Although I no longer had a physical body to feel anxiety, the idea of no adventurer passing through the doors troubled me. What if the energy runs out? What if I lose all my thoughts? How much time has passed? If I had transformed into a Lich, I would only need to massacre one or two civilizations. Did I make the right choice? As I lost myself in daydreams about past decisions, a crash echoed through the room. A humanoid figure entered the space. Although I could only see distorted shapes in the shadow, something about the mana around this being seemed strange. ¡°Welcome, young adventurer. Congratulations on completing this dungeon. I am the Dungeon Master, and as a reward, I will grant you the highest knowledge.¡± I spoke theatrically, as I had rehearsed countless times. A sneeze echoed in the room. ¡°Why are there so many corpses here?¡± asked a male voice. At least now I knew the gender of my guest, I thought. ¡°Do not fear. These corpses are of researchers who died in a magical accident long ago. I am the remnant of the knowledge from those studies. Now, come closer and place your hand on the orb. I will transfer the knowledge so that you may become the most powerful wizard.¡± It was partly true: they really died because of mistakes and accidents I caused. But he didn¡¯t need to know everything. The shadow moved. His arm lifted. Just a few more centimeters, I thought, watching anxiously. Then, the hand stopped and recoiled. ¡°I refuse. This is clearly suspicious.¡± ¡°What do you mean, refuse?¡± I wasn¡¯t expecting this. I couldn¡¯t let him leave; who knows how long it would take for another adventurer to pass through the dungeon. And what if there was no one else? ¡°Young adventurer, is there anything else you desire besides knowledge? Perhaps treasure?¡±Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. ¡°Uh, well... think about it: a room full of corpses promising absolute power inside a dungeon? It¡¯s kind of, how should I say it? Suspicious?¡± I couldn¡¯t read his expression due to my visual limitations, but his words carried distrust. ¡°But is there any treasure in this room? Where?¡± ¡°I see that this caught your attention, young adventurer. Allow me to propose a deal: I¡¯ve been trapped in this dungeon for centuries. Take me with you on your adventure, and I¡¯ll show you where my treasure is hidden.¡± Now, I just had to wait. As soon as he touched me, his body would be mine. Muahahahahaha! Silence filled the room. The figure remained motionless. ¡°My name is Christopher. Do you have a name, talking ball?¡± The voice echoed again. As if that mattered! I thought to myself. After all, his consciousness would be supplanted. ¡°I am the supreme wizard Magnus Bridge. You must have heard of me.¡± Silence returned. Impatient, I dared to speak again: ¡°So, what now? Do we have a deal?¡± The figure began to move, extending his arm toward the orb again. ¡°Ah, alright. Not like I have anything better to do, after all.¡± He sighed. ¡°But I swear, if this is a trap, I¡¯ll break you in two.¡± A wave of energy swept through the room as his fingers touched the surface of the orb. I felt my existence flowing toward the figure. There I was: I could clearly see the environment around me. The glowing orb had lost its light, and the room was lit only by the mana crystals scattered across the tables. But something was wrong. The torches that were supposed to light up when the dungeon was activated remained extinguished. ¡°Did the talking ball run out of energy?¡± The voice came from my mouth, but it wasn¡¯t me speaking. I tried to move my arms and legs, but nothing happened. Something was wrong. ¡°Now, how am I going to find the treasure and get out of this damn dungeon?¡± Once again, I spoke¡­ but it wasn¡¯t me. Then, a realization came to my mind: this body didn¡¯t have enough mana to be controlled. How the hell did this guy get through the forbidden forest and complete the dungeon? Then, I understood: the dungeon hadn¡¯t been activated. He had no mana. No trap or monster had been triggered. But that didn¡¯t explain how he made it through the forest. He ¡ª or rather, I ¡ª began to move, inspecting the room. He stopped in front of my corpse, bent down, and started removing the cloak I was wearing: a black cloak ornamented with golden threads on the edges, giving the outfit a royal and dark air. He was looting my own corpse. That¡¯s when I noticed something else: I was completely naked. My realization hit immediately, reducing me to a shadow of my former greatness. A dungeon, a prison. This wasn¡¯t what I had planned when I started my journey for immortality. Yet, here I was, trapped in a body I couldn¡¯t control, a body of a crazy man who was naked. I searched his mind to try to understand how I ended up in this situation, which seemed at least ridiculous. And then I saw it, a completely different world. A hero from another world, but he was weak. Who summoned someone so weak to this world?