《Am I really a hero》


 Summon

    The alarm clock


    THE shill buzz of an alarm clock cut through the silence of the early morning. A hand shot out from under the blanket, fumbling for the snooze button. The room feel quiet again.


    ten minutes later, the alarm blared once again, silencing it more force this time. beneath the blanket, a muffled voice groaned, just five more minutes.


    but five minutes turned into ten, the alarm screeched for the third time. This time, the blanket was thrown aside, revealing a disheveled figure blinking at the sunlight streaming through the window


    ''''Ugh, fine I''m up'''' he muttered, Rubbing his eyes


    The morning rush


    it was the same routine every day. late again. he glances at the clock on his phone 7:45 AM. school started in thirty minutes, and the bus stop was fifteen minutes away.


    ''''Perfect, ''he said sarcastically, jumping out of the bed. there was no time for breakfast not that he had much of an appetite anyway. grabbing a towel, he rushed to the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face before hopping in the shower.


    By 7:55, he was dressed in his school uniform, hair still slightly damp, and slinging his bag over his shoulder. As he slipped on his shoes, he muttered, ''if i miss the buss, it will be a problem am already 3 times late this week with the fourth one my parents will be call.


    A Strange Feeling


    He reached for the front door, but something made him pause. the air felt .... of. there was a strange hum, faint but persistent, like the buzz of electricity. He looked around but show nothing unusual, the house quiet, just as it was always in the mornings.


    Shrugging it off, he grabbed the door handle. As soon as he touched it, a strange warmth spread through his fingers, and a flash of light darted across his vision. He blinked rapidly, his heartbeat quickening.


    ''''what the hell...'''''' he whispered, stepping back.


    The hum grew louder now, vibrating his ears. the door seemed to grow faintly, a soft light leaking from the edges.


    ''''is the sun reflecting on it weirdly or something?'''' he asked, trying to rationalize the situation. Taking deep breath, he turned the handle and pulled the door open.


    The Bright Light


    The moment the door swung open; the light exploded outward, engulfing everything. He staggered back, throwing his arms to shield his eyes, but the light was blinding. his feet seemed to lift off the ground, his body weightless as if the gravity itself had vanished.


    Panic gripped him .He reached out, but there was nothing to hold onto just an endless expanse of glowing white. the hum in his ears became defeating, like a storm ragging all around him.


    ''''What''s happening? where am I?'''' he shouted, but his voice was swallowed by the void. His heart raced as the light grew brighter, hotter, until he could feel it burning his skin.Stolen story; please report.


    And then, just as suddenly as I it started, the light vanished.


    The fifth hero


    before he could process what had happened, heavy footsteps echoed around him. Figures emerged from the shadows of the forest knights in gleaming armor, their swords sheathed at their sides, their, sides. their expression was stern, but their eyes widened slightly as they looked at him.


    One of them, a tall elf woman clads in flowing Grobes, stepped forward. Her silver hair shimmered under the strange sky, and her emerald, green eyes studied him intently. She carried a staff topped with a glowing crystal, its light pulsing faintly.


    ''''The fifth hero has arrived,'''' she said softly, her voice carrying a melodic quality.


    Another figure stepped forward a towering elf man in silver armor, a crimson cape billowing behind him. his chiseled features were sharp and cold, his piercing gazed filled with disdain as he looked the boy up and down. he rested one hand on his hilt of his sword and sneered.


    ''''This...is the hero/this child? ''He said, his voice laced with contempt. ''Pathetic. I''ve seen peasants more impressive than this.''''


    The boy blinked, still disoriented. ''Hero? What are u talking about? I''m just a--''''


    ''''Silence,'''' the armored elf barked. '''' you were summoned for a reason .do not waste our time with your whining.''''


    the robed woman shot the commander a sharp look.''''Enough, commander Althar. He''s disoriented. its natural.''''


    The command the robed woman turned to the boy, her expression softening. ''I am lira, the summoner who called u here. this is commander Althar,''''she said, gesturing to the armored elf. ''And these are the knights f silver vanguard. we''ve summoned you to this world because we need your help.''''


    ''''my help?'''' he asked, his voice shaky. ''I think you''ve got the wrong person. I''m just a high school student''''


    ''''You are now one of the five summoned heroes, chosened to protect our world from the threat that looms over it,'''' lira interrupted gently.'''' the summoning ritual does not make mistakes. You were chosen because you have potential to save us.''''


    The boy''s head spun. This had to be dream.it was impossible. Summoned heroes like Anime? Other world? none of this makes sense is it a dream.


    Lira''s expression softened furthers she placed a hand on his shoulder.'''' I know this overwhelming, but we''ll explained everything. You''ll meet the king, and he would share the full details of your purpose here.''''


    Commander Althar snorted. ''If he survives the journey.''''


    ''What do you mean?'''' the boy asked nervously.


    '''' The capital is seven days away from here,'''' Lira explained. ''The roads are dangerous, and the forest are filled with beast and bandits with silver vanguard protecting you, you will be safe.''''


    Althar smirked, crossing his arms. ''if he listens to the orders and doesn''t slow us down, that is. You may be a summoned hero, but don''t think for a moment that your special. To me, your just another burden.''''


    The boy bristled at the comment, clenching his fists.'''' I didn''t ask to be here, ''he muttered under his breath.


    Althar narrowed his eyes but said nothing, turning to bark orders at the knight.


    The Journey Begins


    Lira gave the boy a reassuring smile. ''don''t mind him. H¨¨s always like that, come we should leave. the forest isn''t safe after dark.''''


    The knights formed a protective formation around the boy as they began their journey, their boots crunching against the forest floor. Lira walked beside beside him, occasionally glancing at him with mix of curiosity and concern.


    As they moved Depper into the forest, the boy couldn''t help but feel a growing sense of unease. The tress seemed to be loomed closer, their branches twisting like gnarled hands. Strange noises echoed in the distance low growls and high-pitched screeches that chills down his spine.


    ''''What exactly am I supposed to do here?'''' he asked, breaking the silence.


    ''''All will be explained in time, ''Lira replied. ''For now, focus on staying alive.''''


    The boy frowned, his unease growing. This wasn''t just some strange dream. this was real and as the knights ''torches flickered in the encroaching darkness, he realized that he was far from home and far from safe.


    End of chapter 1

 Illusion of the stalkers

    Chapter 2: The Illusion of the Stalkers


    The sun had begun its slow descent, casting long shadows through the towering trees. The dense forest stretched endlessly in all directions, its silence unnerving. There were no birds chirping, no rustling leaves¡ªonly the faint sound of boots crunching against the damp earth.


    The group moved in formation, with the knights in the lead, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords. Lira walked beside the protagonist, her gaze scanning the surroundings cautiously. Althar, as usual, kept a few paces ahead, his presence radiating authority.


    The protagonist¡ªstill shaken by the summoning¡ªtried to process everything. Seven days to the capital. Seven days to figure out why he was here. Seven days to survive.


    But something felt¡­ off.


    A creeping chill crawled up his spine, like unseen fingers brushing against his skin. His footsteps felt lighter, almost as if he was walking on air. He stopped, blinking.


    Then, everything shifted.


    <hr>


    The Illusion Takes Hold


    The trees around him twisted unnaturally, their trunks elongating, stretching into the sky like grotesque towers. The ground beneath him rippled like water.


    And then he saw them.


    Skeletons.


    Not the brittle, dry-boned kind that crumbled at the slightest touch, but eerie, shadowed figures with glowing hollow eyes. Their bodies flickered like mirages, their grins stretched impossibly wide.


    Lira stopped mid-step, eyes widening. ¡°No¡­ this is¡ª¡±


    But before she could finish, the world shattered around them.


    The protagonist found himself standing in front of his home.


    The city lights flickered in the distance, the warm breeze of an evening brushing against his skin. His phone buzzed in his pocket. He could hear the faint sounds of laughter, the hum of traffic.


    He was¡­ back?


    Was everything just a dream?


    Confused, he stumbled forward, reaching out for the door handle.


    And then¡ª


    "It¡¯s not real."


    The voice echoed, distant yet familiar. A sharp pain stabbed through his mind.


    The world flickered.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    The illusion cracked.


    <hr>


    Lira Breaks the Illusion


    Lira clenched her staff, her hands trembling. ¡°Stalkers,¡± she hissed.


    These creatures weren¡¯t normal undead. They didn¡¯t attack with claws or weapons¡ªthey preyed on the mind, dragging their victims into an endless nightmare. If she didn¡¯t act fast, they would be trapped here forever.


    She turned, scanning the group. The knights were frozen, their eyes vacant, caught in their own hallucinations. The protagonist was reaching out toward thin air, his breathing uneven.


    ¡°No,¡± she muttered, gripping her staff tighter.


    She slammed the base of her staff into the ground. ¡°Lumis Dispel!¡±


    A surge of golden light burst outward, washing over the forest like a tidal wave.


    One by one, the illusions shattered. The world snapped back to reality. The twisted trees.


    Reformed into their natural shapes. The distant laughter vanished, replaced by the eerie silence of the forest.


    The protagonist gasped, stumbling backward, his body drenched in sweat.


    ¡°That was¡­¡± he panted, still dazed.


    But before he could recover, the true horror began.The Battle Against the Stalkers


    The skeletal creatures screeched as they emerged from the shadows, their hollow eyes now burning with fury.


    The knights, now freed from their illusions, immediately drew their weapons. One of them swung at the nearest Stalker¡ªonly for the blade to pass right through.


    ¡°No effect?!¡± a knight gasped.


    Lira¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°They¡¯re magic-born. Physical attacks won¡¯t work.¡±


    A sickening laughter echoed through the trees as the Stalkers advanced.


    Lira gritted her teeth. ¡°I need time to cast the banishment spell. Protect me!¡±


    The knights quickly surrounded her in a defensive formation, raising their shields. But without magic, they were defenseless.


    And then¡ª


    A sharp whoosh cut through the air.


    A silver blur shot forward.


    Commander Althar.


    Unlike the other knights, his sword glowed with a faint golden hue¡ªspirit energy.


    With a single swing, he cleaved through the first Stalker. The creature shrieked, its body splitting apart before dissolving into black mist.


    Althar smirked. ¡°Finally, a real fight.¡±


    He moved like a predator, cutting through the creatures with effortless precision. His aura-infused blade struck true, sending the Stalkers screeching into the void.


    Meanwhile, Lira stood in the center, eyes closed, her hands weaving intricate patterns in the air. A soft glow surrounded her as she chanted, her voice rising above the battle.


    But the Stalkers weren¡¯t finished yet.


    One of them slipped past the knights, rushing toward Lira.


    The protagonist, still breathless, saw it move¡ªbut his body wouldn¡¯t react fast enough.


    The creature lunged.


    But before it could reach her¡ª


    Althar moved.


    His sword pierced through the Stalker¡¯s skull, disintegrating it instantly. He clicked his tongue in annoyance. ¡°Stay out of the way, human,¡± he sneered at the protagonist.


    The boy clenched his fists, frustration burning in his chest. He hated this.


    He hated being useless.


    <hr>


    Victory and Aftermath


    With one final incantation, Lira slammed her staff into the ground.


    ¡°Banish!¡±


    A massive wave of radiant energy burst from her staff, washing over the battlefield. The remaining Stalkers let out ear-piercing shrieks before they disintegrated into nothingness.


    Silence fell.


    The knights let out slow, shaky breaths, their grips on their swords loosening.


    Lira sighed in relief. ¡°It¡¯s over.¡±


    The protagonist sat on the ground, his head still spinning.


    Althar sheathed his sword, his expression unreadable. ¡°Tch. That was pathetic,¡± he muttered before walking away.


    Lira turned to the protagonist, offering a hand. ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    He hesitated before taking it, pulling himself up. ¡°¡­Yeah.¡±


    But deep down, he knew the truth.


    If this was just the beginning¡ªthen he was in way over his head.


    The journey had only began.


    End of Chapter 2