Chapter 1: WELCOME TO ISEKAI

  My name is Zenoichi, a good-for-nothing loser. I don’t have a job, no skills, and not even 18 yet. I barely have enough to eat these days.

  But I wasn’t always like this. As a child, I was hardworking, scoring top marks in every exam. Everyone admired me.

  If I made even the smallest mistake, people would scold me.

  Everything changed when my parents died in an accident during my middle school years.

  For two years after that, I couldn’t live a normal life. I failed to finish school. Problems piled up until I attempted suicide multiple times.

  And then one dark, cold night...

  The wind blew through the cracks of my old, unlocked window. Branches scraped against it, as if mocking my despair.

  I sat in the corner of my dark room, illuminated only by the faint moonlight seeping through tattered curtains. The world around me was silent, but my mind was chaotic, haunted by painful memories.

  "Mom... Dad... If you were still here, I wouldn’t be like this," I whispered, my voice trembling.

  I stared at the small knife on the floor. My hand shook as I picked it up. The blade glinted in the moonlight, daring me to act.

  “It won’t hurt for long... everything will end,” I muttered to myself.

  Tears dripped onto the floor—perhaps the last thing I’d leave behind in this world. Just as I was about to go through with it, a sudden scream pierced the air.

  It was a woman’s voice, coming from the alley beside my house, filled with old junk and trash.

  Looking outside, I saw a mother and child confronted by a towering man.

  "Please, don’t hurt us!" the woman pleaded desperately.

  Startled, I rushed to the window and froze.

  A plainly dressed woman stood shielding her small, crying son. She tried to protect him with her own body.

  A man in his early thirties, wearing a new jacket, pointed a gun at her.

  “When will you pay me back?! Or do I need to deal with you right here and now?!” he shouted, his voice cold and menacing.

  "Please! Just a little more time... I’ll get you your money!"

  Her voice trembled as she held her son tightly, her face pale with fear.

  The boy sobbed. "Mom... I’m scared..." His words stabbed at my heart, reminding me of the family I once had.

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  I stood there, watching the desperate mother and son. They were so vulnerable, so terrified. Around me, the world seemed to freeze, yet my mind was consumed by conflicting thoughts.

  "Why should I help her? I’m just as broken..."

  I hesitated, but the memory of my family flashed before me—what I lost and couldn’t protect.

  Something stirred within me. This wasn’t like before. Helping them felt like a chance to reclaim a piece of myself.

  Finally, I took a deep breath and made a decision.

  "If I’m going to die... I should at least make it meaningful."

  Fear and hesitation melted away, replaced by determination. I grabbed the knife and shoved it into my pocket before stepping outside.

  “Stop!” I shouted, my voice raspy from not yelling in years. The man immediately turned his icy gaze toward me and aimed his gun.

  "Don’t meddle if you want to live!" he growled, his tone threatening.

  I replied calmly, as if I had nothing left to lose.

  "You wouldn’t understand... but I’m ready to die anyway."

  I rushed toward the mother and son, placing myself between them and the man.

  "It’s okay. I’ll handle this," I said, raising the knife.

  But before I could strike, a gunshot rang out. "BANG!" The bullet tore through my leg, and I collapsed in agony.

  "Ahh!" I screamed, clutching my wounded leg.

  The man walked over and kicked me hard in the jaw, sending me sprawling to the ground.

  "Pathetic. You can’t save anyone," he sneered, laughing cruelly.

  He turned his back to me, aiming his gun at the mother and son again.

  As he prepared to pull the trigger, I mustered the last of my strength. Crawling behind him, I bit down on his leg with all my might, drawing blood.

  "Argh! Let go, you freak!" He kicked me in the stomach, but the woman seized the opportunity. She grabbed an empty bottle from the trash pile and smashed it over his head.

  The man fell to the ground, dropping his gun. I scrambled to grab it, plunging my knife into his arm.

  "Ahh! Stop it!" he screamed.

  I glared at him, panting heavily.

  "If I’m going to die because of you... you’re coming with me."

  "W-what?!" he stammered, his voice quivering.

  I spoke with a grim resolve.

  "If I have to die... I won’t die alone."

  The man froze, terrified. My hands shook as I held the gun, sweat dripping down my face. Memories of my miserable life flashed before me—the countless times I wanted to end it all.

  But now, I stood here to save someone else.

  With my heart pounding, I steadied my aim and pulled the trigger.

  "BANG!"

  The man slumped to the ground, lifeless, as blood pooled around him.

  I collapsed face-down, breathing heavily. The mother ran over to check on me.

  "Are you okay? Why did you risk your life for us?" she asked, her voice shaking with gratitude.

  Her son grabbed my hand, tears streaming down his face.

  "Big brother... does it hurt?"

  I smiled faintly.

  "This? It’s nothing... as long as you’re safe," I whispered, my voice weak.

  "Are you okay?"

  "We’re fine... thanks to you," the woman said, tears brimming in her eyes.

  "But why did you help us?"

  "You reminded me of something... my family... the one I couldn’t protect."

  The boy held my hand tightly.

  "Big brother... you’re a hero!"

  I chuckled bitterly.

  "A hero? No... I’m no hero..."

  I looked at him and said softly,

  "Grow up strong, okay? Protect your mom no matter what."

  The woman cried.

  "I’ll never forget what you did for us. Thank you."

  I forced myself to stand, though every step hurt.

  "Don’t thank me. Just live happily... and don’t take risks like this again."

  The woman carried her son as she nodded and hurried away. I watched them until they disappeared into the distance.

  Exhausted, I