When I was young, I craved a life where I could be special. Didn't we all?

We just wanted the chance to be special and have some sort of mystical ability and such. Maybe even become some sort of hero.

Hah! Maybe that was one of the reasons why I so easily latched onto media such as games and anime. They provided an outlet for me to vent out my dreams and frustrations in the modern world.

Even back then, when I was nineteen years old, I still occasionally splurged just to satisfy my otaku needs whenever I could, just so I could feel that excitement watching this badass characters do something badass.

Oh, sorry for not introducing myself. My name is Christopher Eve's and, as I previously stated, I was just your average nineteen-year-old American citizen.

I was working as your run-of-the-mill salaryman, making it through life with one paycheck after the other.

I lived alone in an apartment complex. Yep. I was single nor did I have any living relatives. But whatever, it's not like it was too late for me to get married, right?

...

Ok, whatever. Let's move along, shall we?

I was making my way to work on the local bus. While riding, I was playing a little mobile game on my phone, the game was called Dungeon Destroyers.

It was your standard MMORPG with basic mechanics. Nothing too complicated by mobile standards.

At the time, I was playing a shielder character, a build that only allowed shield based combat. In truth, the build wasn't really suited for combat, mainly just for tanking hits and the occasional support skill.

My inspiration for the build was from Aneko Yusagi's novel, The Rising Of The Shield Hero's protagonist, Naofumi Iwatani, the shield hero. After being summoned to the kingdom of Melromarc, and discovering his shielder class is not suited for combat, he is betrayed by his comrade, the eldest princess of the kingdom, Malty who charges him of sexual assault. Due to this, his fellow heroes, the heroes of the sword, bow, and spear, turn their backs on him, forcing him to prepare for the waves of apocalypse alone with zero funds, companions, and trust.

I don't know why, but the overall character of Naofumi really got me addicted to the series. Maybe because his reactions to events were relatable, or that his shield skills were badass, but the character and in turn the show, soon became my favorite piece of fiction to read and later on, my favorite manga and anime to watch and wait to be released.

Hmm. I could stay here all day telling you about how much I loved the series, but you're probably not here for that, are you?

Anyway, while playing the game, I noticed I got a new email. As the rode to work would at least take a half an hour, I decided to check it out.

The email was sent by an unknown user, and the subject just stated: Lottery Winner.

'Hmm? Have I entered a lottery recently,' I thought. I hadn't recalled ever doing something as foolish as to waste my money on a lottery ticket.

I immediately scrolled down to read the contents of the email. What I saw was quite shocking:

[You're will die alongside everyone else on the bus.]

I immediately developed a cold sweat. W-was this a threat? Who did I anger to the point that they'll want to kill me? More importantly, how the hell did they know where I was? The bus was a long way from the bus stop. The only way they could've known where I was is if they're also on the same bus as myself.

I looked up from my phone, scanning every other passenger on the bus. None of them I knew nor looked suspicious enough to threaten to kill me.

I looked back at my phone.

[If you want to know who I am, that'll be saved for another time. Just refer to me as Mr.J.]

Below the threat was this other piece of text that had been recently sent.

I immediately went to read the hefty amount of text the messenger sent.

[Do not misconstrue this as a threat. In a couple of minutes, the bus will run into a truck, killing the passengers in both vehicles. This event cannot be avoided.]

What?! How does this so-called 'Mr.J' know this?

I immediately began looking around, searching for a way to get out of the bus. I still had many years before me! Think of the amount of yuri I wouldn't be able to watch if I were to die!

'Wait. Why am I taking this so seriously? This is probably a prank from some kids on the bus.'

'Y-yeah. It's just a prank.'

Trying to calm myself, I decided to read some more of the email—

[Just to make things clear, this is not a prank. Take everything I say very seriously.]

I immediately felt like chucking my phone out of the window, but I restrained myself from doing so and continued onwards.

[To make a long story short, you've been selected from the entire group of passengers to be reincarnated.]

...

I slowly typed out a response.

[Ok, where are the cameras? Who the hell is sending this to me? Is it Jeff or maybe Mary. I told you not to fuck with me outside of work like this.]

After sending it I almost immediately got a response.

[This is not your coworker. I'm a being willing to give you a second chance at life out of the goodness of my heart. Will you accept such an offer?]

Although I was heavily suspicious, I decided to comply. I don't know why. Maybe just for fun.

[Sure.]

Immediately, I was met with a response.

[Ok. Before being reincarnated you must answer a survey. Once done, you shall be reincarnated to the world of your liking.]

'A survey? Is it going to ask me about my personal information,' I thought jokingly.

Putting my thoughts aside, I was sent the survey.

[You shall be asked three questions. Each of which's answers shall be used for your reincarnation. Now presenting the questions:

What world do you wish to reincarnate in?

a.) In the exact world I'm currently in

b.) In a world that is dominated by sci-fi/fantasy logic and abilities

c.) In a world of fiction (If so, tell us the name of the fiction and who you want to become.)

What point in time do you wish to reincarnate from?

a.) From the beginning, as a baby

b.) From a teenager who's lived most of their life

c.) At _ point in my fictional characters journey.

What unique skill do you wish to obtain alongside your reincarnation?

Type here: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

]

At the the three questions, I answered accordingly:

I wish to be reincarnated as c, in the body of Naofumi Iwatani from the fictional series The Rising Of The Shield Hero.

I choose c, I wish to be reincarnated in Naofumi's body when he's just been summoned to the kingdom of Melromarc.

I choose to be reincarnated with The Gamer ability from The Gamer. The status window, skill learning, and everything else to boot. Keep it as strong as it already is. I hate nerfs. In addition, I wouldn't mind if the ability to learn skills were a tad bit quicker than usual.

With that, I sent my response, obtaining another in turn.

[Thank you for sending your answers. We wish you a happy reincarnation!]

I snorted at the response. This was definitely on the list of weirdest things I've experienced.

I turned my head to the front of the bus only to see a truck coming right at us.

Before I could say anything, it was too late. The two vehicles collided, an explosion occurring for whatever reason.

After that, everything went black.

That was until I heard it—

"O, Heroes! Please save our world!"

"What?!"

I and three others shout in unison.

'Huh?'

I immediately turn my head, despite my confusion, I was perfectly calm, which in itself confused me even more.

The men in robes who stood before me held expressions filled with both awe and urgency as they stared intensely at the four of us.

Besides me stood three other people each holding a sword, bow, or spear in hand.

'Huh?! W-what is this...?'

I was in a room made of stone, the floor covered in geometric patterns that had been painted in some sort of fluorescent material. There was also an altar of some kind. It looked like something magical, straight out of a fantasy.

Wait. We were on an alter?

I looked down at my body. I was wearing an unfamiliar green tracksuit and shorts.

I proceeded to look at my arm. There, a silver shield with an emerald jewel at the center was placed right on top my arm. Despite its looks, the shield was actually quite feather-light.

Immediately, I understood the situation.

Christopher Eve's story ended in a bus crash.

Naofumi Iwatani's has just begun his story with his summoning to the kingdom of Melromarc.

I had been reincarnated as the main protagonist of The Rising Of The Shield Hero.