Rebirth as a Dungeon Master

The only sounds in Haruto Saito’s cluttered apartment were the soft beeps and whirrs of his gaming console, punctuated by the occasional clatter of snack wrappers. As sunlight filtered through grimy windows, he sat hunched over his controller, heart racing as he conquered yet another dungeon.

“This boss is going down!” he shouted, his excitement filling the empty room. Hours blurring into days, Haruto rarely saw the outside world anymore. He was a self-proclaimed NEET, finding his solace in the vivid realms of fantasy where he was a hero.

But reality came crashing down one fateful evening.

Just as he was about to land the final blow, his console emitted a strange spark. “What the—”

Before he could react, a blinding light enveloped him, and he felt himself being pulled apart at the seams. The sensation was like being obliterated and then reconstructed, as if he were a character in one of his games.

When the light faded, he found himself sprawled on soft grass beneath an azure sky, with a gentle breeze rustling through the trees.

“Where am I?” Haruto mumbled, eyes wide, taking in his surroundings.

Then, suddenly, a heavy thud echoed behind him. He turned, heart racing to find a hulking creature—a goblin, complete with a crooked grin and a rusted club.

“Grrrrah!” it growled, charging at him.

Time slowed as instinct kicked in. “Wait! I don’t have any weapons!”

Just as panic set in, a strange warmth flooded through him. Glancing down, he saw a shimmering light coalesce in his palm, transforming into a shining dagger.

“What the heck is happening?” he whispered in awe before the dagger fled his grasp and embedded itself in the goblin’s side, causing it to screech in disbelief and fall to the ground.

As the creature lay defeated, Haruto felt an unfamiliar confidence surging within him.

“Congratulations, Dungeon Master. You’ve just taken your first life,” a melodious voice echoed from nowhere.

“Dungeon Master?” He looked around frantically, searching for the source.

From the shadows, a girl emerged—her armor glinting in the sunlight, her expression calm yet intrigued. She had long silver hair cascading down her back and piercing blue eyes that sparkled with curiosity.

“It seems you’re not like the others,” she remarked, tilting her head. “What will you do now?”

“I… I don’t know,” Haruto replied, still digesting the reality of his situation. “But I guess I’m going to need some allies.”

A smirk broke across the girl’s face. “Then you’re in luck, Dungeon Master. I know just the right people.”

Haruto’s heart raced, excitement bubbling beneath his confusion. Perhaps this world held more promise than he ever dared to dream. He wasn’t just a player anymore; he was the one calling the shots.

With a smile that felt foreign yet exhilarating, he took his first step into the unknown, ready to embrace the adventure that awaited him.