Chapter One : Rebirth of an Ideology

—I don't understand.

—I don't understand.

—Where did I go wrong? Why did everything turn against me?

Somewhere in my heart, I already knew the answer. I didn't like it—it was ugly, and I turned to look away. I chained it up with an endless length, and pushed those imprisoned words down to the depths of the dark abyss, but I was blind. I couldn't see nor ask myself why such a chasm existed within my soul.

What was justice? What was the entire meaning of using the terminology?

I didn't even know the response to the question anymore. The phrase that I'd use from one end of the continent to the other. To act in the name of justice and to punish all of the evildoers present on the land, that was what I'd strived for. To take down those who challenged the law, and eliminate those who were of wickedness.

—Who am I trying to fool now?

—I don't remember who I was even talking to.

—I don't remember who I was fighting.

It hurts so much. The pain growing in my heart crept out from within. I whimpered out a quiet voice, unable to even move a muscle. Even if my body had its strength, perhaps it would have been better to have stayed down. I was on the wrong side most the time anyways. Barely anyone would miss me if my life slipped away now.

—Dammit.

Why did it happen this way? How could the very ideology that I cherished turn its back on me?

I knew the answer to that as well. I felt my soul shiver as I muttered my lasting words.

—I was too naive.

When I woke up in this world, I thought it was a dream come true. My only escape from my awful life had been within the games. The only light in my life had been a bunch of ones and zeros. I would spend as much time as I could, relaxing in this false world and do what I truly wanted to do. Even then, some things wouldn't go the way I wanted it to and that entire day would be spent on a waste.

Outside, I was nothing. Ignored by my peers, assaulted by the upperclassmen, untrusted by the adults that were supposed to be my parents. I hated it all, and I couldn't do a single thing about it. I couldn't breathe in that atmosphere, eventually digging a continuous rut that never thought about ending once. I could only trust the world of games, and the community that spawned behind them.

However, games must have given me a false hope for my reality. I wouldn't have any explanation why I hadn't taken my own life by then.

I recalled my earliest memories of this so-called justice. They were online players who liked to help out other weaker players and punish the player-killers or scammers. They were idolized by this game's playerbase, and I was no different. Praises were sent over to their way constantly, even when they weren't on active duty. I looked onto the spectators and applauders as I realized the empty feeling in my heart.

I couldn't remember the last time I've been praised before, reality or gaming.

I spent that night trying to grab any bits of praises that I could have received in my lifetime, but surely enough, I was deprived of it. Like a weed among a flower field, I must have been the only one to feel this way.

That's why I wanted to learn what this 'justice' was. I wanted to make acts of this 'justice', so that I could feel what it's like to be liked by your peers, respected by your upperclassmen, and acknowledged by the adults I called my parents.

It never worked once.

I remember one time where I noticed a guy getting beaten up by the same upperclassmen who would lash out on me. They've found a new victim for their rotations. Of course, I was trembling in my feet, but 'justice' required you to have a heart of steel. I ran in to try and protect the victim, obviously getting my ass kicked in the process. I contributed nothing as they still hit the person I was trying to protect, but I thought about the the pain that was spread across two bodies instead of the single one. I thought it was fine. When the bullies had left, I looked over to my peer to had been struggling to stand up straight.

He opened his mouth, wiping the blood on his cheek.

You're an idiot. You only made them angrier.

I was in a dismay. I didn't understand. Was this not what was justice was?

Where was my praise? Where were the words I yearned for?

It was a rainy day, as the water patted against my idle face. I laid there for minutes, maybe even an hour, yet no one bothered to even come to ask if I was alright. I wouldn't even been able to answer if they were people though. My mind had been consoling my shattered heart. My eyes pointed up to the grey skies as the quantity of drops seemed to increase by the second.

Huh. I forgot... my umbrella.

The water was freezing. I was probably going to get a cold if I stayed any longer, but I couldn't find the might in me to sit up. I simply allowed the raindrops to slam against my skin and clothes.

I discovered a conclusion after thinking there for so long.

I didn't have power. Unlike the players on the server, I didn't have the strength to follow through the ideology. They had the gear and stats to display punish and aid to those worthy of each. I was simply me, a boy that couldn't change his life even if he tried, and nothing could change that. The word justice had been practically meaningless in my hands. I could throw that word around for my entire life, and I would not come close to finding what I wanted.

The rain… It wasn't letting up, was it?

My one hope of an ideology, axed before it could even start.

My body had been soaked, let alone my uniform. I needed to get home as quickly as possible before my parents got angry with me. Rather, I should have said angier than usual.

My steps were heavy, as I trudged along the sidewalk. Deep puddles had already been formed on the road, and the world seemed so nice to allow a car to drive right onto it, spraying me with the murky shower. I couldn't even care anymore. My vision had already been blurring. I was losing sight of what was ahead of me. My questions started to flood my mind.

Was it wrong for me to want to feel special?

Was it wrong for me to want to be praised?

And then—

—I couldn't feel my arm.

—I couldn't feel my legs.

—I couldn't feel my entire body.

A truck had swerved from the wet road and into the sideway. I don't ever recall the truck driver honking his horn to warn me, but if he did, I wouldn't be able to hear. Even if I saw the truck sliding over to me, I may have simply stood there.

—I wanted to die.

—Let me have a life where I can have the strength to exert this 'justice'.

—Let me have a life where I can be praised for my actions.

And I did. And I'll beat up all of the evildoers that existed on this land. And I had the chance to be praised for the justice that my strength could now support.

But I lost that chance, destroying it with my own hands.

For great power could dictate a great justice, but with great power came with a great responsibility. I realized that much too late.

There was somebody trying to call for me as I laid limp on the ground. Their hands were shaking my body as their figure came into my sights. I couldn't make out their image clearly, but the posture that they took up. I must have been in their arms, but I couldn't remember who it might have been. I tried my hardest to see past the natural filter of unconsciousness, but I came to no avail. How much blood did I already lose?

"Itsuki-sama… Itsuki-sama...!"

That voice… It was familiar. It tortured my soul to not be able to remember who this person was. I flipped through the possible names of people that could be in this person's position right now, but other than the three other heroes, I couldn't grab a single name. The pain that was devouring my body had been stopping me from thinking any further.

I sheepishly chuckled, considering that I had nothing else to do. There was nothing else I could do, just like how my original life went. I was never in control in my own life, not even in the world that was waiting for the four heroes to take the stage.

—Huh? Rain?

I didn't ever recall the battle having such grey clouds for it to start raining, but I couldn't even confirm it for myself. The world around me had gone dark, fading into the abyss I never knew existed until my justice was taken away. Yet for some reason, I spent the remaining flames in my heart to muster up a fitting ending. I didn't understand the words, but I felt like they were the right things to say.

"I'm… sorry… for everything..."

My eyes slowly closed as my last few breaths escaped me for the second time in my memory. My chest slowed down, as the feeling in my body ceased to exist, as if I was beginning to float out of the physical land.

"I'm… sorry…"

What was the definition of justice? Was this the justice that I deserved in the end? For everything I did?

—I never understood it.

"Oh, Greatest Heroes! Please lend us your strength and save our world!"

I blinked. Those words were familiar like a fleeting dream.

My mind must have been making a delusional mess of myself again. I had to double take my surroundings to check out what was actually happening, but none of it registered with me yet. I grabbed the strains of my head in a confusion, trying to remember everything that happened so far. There was nothing about returning to a castle, but my memories were a blur. Perhaps that could have happened, but as I turned to my right, I begun to believe that it wasn't the case.

The Spear Hero, Motoyasu Kitamura.

The Sword Hero, Ren Amaki.

… The Shield Hero. Naofumi Iwatani.

They were all stationed, standing next to each other's side. All three of them were visually confused as I was, so I was thankful that I wasn't the only one who had been out of the loop.

"Ren, what's going on?" I asked the Sword Hero who had been directly adjacent to me. "Why were we called back to the castle?"

"Huh?" Ren had looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "Why do you know my name? I don't ever recall meeting someone like you."

—What? That wasn't funny, Ren.

As I took a closer look at the lined up heroes, there was something I missed the first time I glanced at them. Their polished amoursets, clothing, and in Motoyasu's case, various accessories, had all been missing. Even their legendary weapons had been reseted to their default. All they had were their normal clothing that seemed like it was ripped from their respective worlds. Nothing about their outfits screamed that they were living here for years on end.

My hand instinctively placed itself on my own clothes. To much of my surprise, I had reclaimed my old uniform somehow. The oddest thing about this was that I could have sworn I've outgrown this—

My eyes darted back to the bow I held in my hand, and they twitched as they caught the sight in full unexpectedness. I didn't have the same weapon that I entered the battlefield with anymore. It reverted back to the default setting.

I rapidly open up the game-like menu, trying to find the information that should have been listed there.

—Level 1.

—Stats had been correlated appropriately.

—However, all the bows I've unlocked had remained.

I found myself staring nervously at the screen.

What exactly was going on? I know that I went into battle, and I know that I died during a fight alongside the other Heroes, so why was I back here of all places!? The altar, the summoning circle, the people who were looking you us with expecting eyes. It's like I've—

—traveled back in time.

"Save your world?" Motoyasu asked, to reaffirmed. "Is that what you asked?"

"Yes." The robed man who loudly requested this of us bowed his head. "There are various complications regarding your situations, but we have summoned you four as the Heroes that will save our world. It is teetering on the edge of destruction, so I beg of you four on behalf of the kingdom! Lend us your strength!"

The other three had been in a disbelief of what they were witnessing, while I stayed quiet. I closely paid attention to everything that was happening instead. I remember being told that I wasn't using my head at all when it came to problems like these and that caused me to jump to conclusions I created. Time to heed those words.

Though, if I was honest with myself, I would probably say that I was at a complete consternation to say anything at all. My mouth hadn't even bothered to close after dropping to what seemed like the ground.

Naofumi was the first to talk. "I guess it won't be too much—"

"What if I refuse?"

"Yeah, I think I'm going to pass."

The robed man looked up from his begging position in a shock from the responses that Ren and Motoyasu had given, overwriting what Naofumi was going to say. Their attitudes had definitely been the same as they were in the beginning, but their excitement could still be sensed underneath those bluffed words.

It felt like only yesterday when I felt the same way.

"Don't you two think you're being too harsh? Let's hear the guy out to know the situation better, at least."

Ren and Motoyasu looked to me as I spoke. They eventually nodded in agreement, as the logic was rather sound. It was important for me to reaffirm what was happening anyways, to make sure that my guess was correct. Naofumi gave a light-hearted smile to me, as that was what he was probably thinking as well. He just didn't say it, but that smile stabbed a wooden stake into my heart.

To think that Naofumi had such an innocent smile before.

"Well, we'll have you speak with the king. He'll discuss with you for whatever you need to know and possible compensation for your troubles."

The Heroes nodded, but I kept my straight face.

If I remembered correctly, it was the king of Melromarc and his daughter that sent Naofumi spiraling into his initial downfall. However, I couldn't say anything conclusive yet. I decided to simply follow the lead of the others, pitching in comments every so often, just as I've done before.

The hallway to the king's chamber appeared to be smaller than I remembered, but the light shining from the windows had been a pleasant feeling on the skin. As we walked as a group, I looked over to Ren, whose gaze I felt peering backwards.

This was no good. He didn't forget about the fact I knew his name somehow, but maybe it was. I'm not too sure, but I'll have to let it go for now. He'll be either curious or wary of me after our meeting with the king. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

Motoyasu was leading the group, let alone the man in the robes. If this was reverted Motoyasu, then he was as much as a lady-lover like before. It's kinda odd seeing him not look at women with disgust in his eyes, but I didn't know which one I preferred more. With the king's plan, Motoyasu's blind eye had been used as the core pawn in trying to deflect the Shield Hero as an enemy, so I'll need to look out for that. If only my mind bothered to remember the details of such formulations, then I would know what to look for specifically.

And then there was Naofumi, the Shield Hero in question. A mixture of compassion and bitterness arise every time I see the man, not to his own fault. He had simply did what had to be done, and I should be thankful it ended the way it did.

We arrived at the king's doors as the man in the robes opened it up. At the other end of the room, the king sat comfortably in his throne. I believe Naofumi referred him to Trash whenever he talked about the king.

"So you are the Heroes?" the king asked us as we stepped forwards into the columned decorated area.

"Yeah, and you're the one that wanted to summon us?" Motoyasu asked, almost defiantly. "What is it that you want us to do? Surely, you're not expecting for four randomly selected people that you pulled out to do your work for you? That kinda seems sick and twisted."

"I wonder how much you've considered the situation for us on our side," Ren added in with an layered hostility. "If you're not careful, we might actually turn on you."

—Ah, I remember the reason why they were acting this way, despite them being excited.

"Allow me to introduce myself, Heroes. I am Aultcray Melromarc XXXII, and I am the king that rules these lands." He remained on his throne without budging an inch, as his hand stroked his white beard. "I'll tell you of what the situation is for us to resort to a summoning such as this."

As the king explained the nature of the waves and how the world was on a pathway to destruction, I couldn't help to immediately question what was being told. It made have been due to their lack of knowledge as such a force, but the true reasoning behind the waves of calamity was—

—Huh? I… I can't remember.

It was inexplicable. I knew that what the king spoke of was false, perhaps not to his fault, but I couldn't find a proper replacement for the explanation.

—Dammit, what exactly was going on!?

"I don't see how this has to do anything with us," Ren announced. "If your world is being slowly gutted by these 'waves' you speak of, then explain to us why we, as residents of other worlds, have any obligations to save it."

"This kinda sounds like you're expecting us to work under you with a chain around our necks," Motoyasu added. "It doesn't exactly bring the best of persuasion to our side."

"Those two have a point," Naofumi continued. "I'm more concerned with if there's a safe way to get back home or not."

The king kept silent, blankly staring at the Heroes who were more or less cool with the situation, as they were trying to suppress their smiles, but acted in such a unrelenting mannerism. Though, I understand the reasoning.

I opened my voice to drive the point across. "Simply put, we're not going to do this simply because you summoned us and gave an entire speal that you need our help. That would be free manual labor, and I'm rather sure that everyone here is against that idea." The three other Heroes nodded to my neatly-worded aggression.

The king turned to the person standing besides, as it to whisper a few lines of dialogue, before glancing back at the four Heroes lined before him. "Very well. We will make proper compensations for your efforts, and as the Heroes of our land, you should focus on becoming strong. Therefore, we will consider your financial positions and provide with whatever you need, if we can get our hands on it."

I saw the three others pump their fist to each other, as they succeeded in trying to get the best start possible. The negotiations were complete, though in my case, they were probably useless. Nevertheless, I grinned to see the group had been acting old friends, knocking my fist against the hands that raised to me.

"Alright," Motoyasu said with an overwhelmingly boisterous attitude, "I guess we could spare some time then."

"As long the promise is kept, I'll help out," Ren said, crossing his arms.

Naofumi and I made shorthanded comments, basically adhering to what Motoyasu and Ren had said.

"Now, please introduce yourself, Heroes."

To the king's command, Motoyasu was the first to make his stand.

"My name is Motoyasu Kitamura. I'm 21 years old, and I'm a college student."

Ren followed up with his own simple introduction.

"Ren Amaki. I'm 16 years old, and I'm currently a high school student."

I looked to Naofumi, and silently nudged the air to let him go next. I remembered that the king had cut Naofumi's introduction off before he could say it, as the three other Heroes had already went. If I go last, then there would be no reason to stop his words.

"I'm Naofumi Iwatani, and I'm 20 years old. Like Motoyasu, I'm a college student as well."

It was my turn to introduce myself. I took a small step forwards, placed my hand on my left breast as if it was a pledge and I spoke the words I wanted to say. My eyes burned through the man sitting in front of me. I will solidify my ideology that has renewed and to not waste the second chance I've been given.

"I'm Itsuki Kawasumi, 17 years old—"

With this, I'll make everything right. I won't let my naivety control me.

"— I'm a hero and ally of justice."

And that started with taking down the first major problem.

I don't remember why he hated Naofumi, and I don't recall what the plan was in detailed pieces, but I knew I had to do something before it was too late. This time, I won't do it for the praise, nor will I share my pride and accomplishments with the people. A mission I decided to undertake that'll make a clear divergence in the timeline, but it needed to be done. I gripped the silver bow that was a part of me tightly.

For the king was corrupt, therefore he was the enemy of justice.

—The assassination of the king of Melromarc.

Afterword

I've recently found this series thanks to all the buzz about the anime, and I was really liking this series. I eventually stumbled across a fanfiction call "Redemption of the Sword Hero" by Zikari8, which I discovered to be a deviation of "Reprisal of the Spear Hero", an official spin-off. From what I've seen from the collection of fanfictions, this was the only one of its kind— placing a hero in Motoyasu's position of time reversal. I found myself liking Reprisal more than the original timeline.

There was only one hero that hasn't gotten the spotlight yet.

Thus, we have "Rising of the Shield Hero", "Reprisal of the Spear Hero", "Redemption of the Sword Hero", and now, I presented "Recourse of the Bow Hero."

Let's be honest. Itsuki was insufferable. That's why I took the liberty to change up his backstory and some of his attitude, while trying to retaining the nature of Itsuki's character. (*tries not to laugh*). I wanted to change how Itsuki went about things in his mind, since it wouldn't be interesting to have a story from a perspective of someone who was the definition of words justice, praises, and ego rolled into one item.

However, I will try and approach this how Itsuki would try and go about things normally. He's not a perfect character because of the time reversion, and he'll go about things his way, even if it's not really the best way to handle things.

I won't be too well-versed in the web novel, (but I'll be trying to catch up on all the chapters) so I'm going to try and match up to the end of the first major arc. You can say that the combination of all three previous works influenced the production and existence of Recourse of the Bow Hero, so if you haven't checked it out, look to Zikari8's "Redemption of the Sword Hero" and tell him to update, for the love of God.

I'm pretty lazy to continue anymore, so I'll see you later.