Mental Rebirth: The World's Savior Was Not Me, but My Childhood Friend and Stalker

In this cruel world, my childhood friend turned into a stalker. Her name is Touko Oizu. I can’t pinpoint exactly when it started, but it was already a fact by the time I realized it. I first felt something was off when I visited her room. While she was away, I stumbled upon an album filled with candid photos while looking through her bookshelf. It wasn’t just photos – there were collections of my hair and belongings I thought I had thrown away. I managed to keep my composure and acted normally around Touko, but since that day, I haven’t shaken off the feeling of discomfort.

At school, she would always follow me around. She had a good public image, so no one seemed to realize she was my stalker. Everyone thought we were dating, and we had to be careful when alone.

I was lying in bed, probably in a hospital. I couldn’t move, and I heard a regular beeping sound. Someone was screaming nearby. Why was I thinking of her at a time like this? There must be better things to remember as life flashes before my eyes.

As my consciousness faded, my head was filled with thoughts of her.

[You have received a reincarnation bonus.]

When I came to, I found myself in a different world. The scenery needed to be more familiar. The first thing that hit me was anxiety. Amnesia? How do I get back from this unknown place? Where’s my wallet? Despite being anxious, I decided to head towards a city visible in the distance.

“Stop, do you have a pass?”

A man resembling a gatekeeper stopped me at the entrance to the city. I needed a pass to enter, as a Demon Lord had been invading with monsters. Slowly, I started to grasp the situation. I had died and reincarnated in a different world. Otherwise, this man talking seriously about a Demon Lord would be insane.

“I’m not from this world; you might not believe me, but…”

“That’s a tough one… wait, your outfit, are you a reincarnated person?”

My current outfit was a school uniform. It seemed rare to them, and upon confirmation, the gatekeeper’s attitude changed. He let me into the city and even escorted me to the central area, likely the residence of the city’s lord.

After a lengthy discussion, there was a prophecy in this city.

“When the apostle of destruction threatens the world, a savior from a different world will appear.”

The Demon Lord had suddenly risen to power, conquering people’s lands.

So, I am the prophesied child, destined to save this city and eventually the world. I was given money and tasked with gathering comrades to fight the Demon Lord.

It was an honorable mission. Who would have thought I’d get such an opportunity? Immediately, I headed to a tavern suitable for gathering companions.

“Welcome, Savior Yuasa-sama. I am Hollow, the court strategist. The Lord has commanded me to assist and accompany you on your journey.”

Hollow bowed deeply and explained about the tavern. It was simple – choose the desired personnel from the list in the hiring book. They were mercenaries making a living in this world.

I quickly listed some strong-looking individuals.

The team to defeat the Demon Lord was small, with just four of us, including Hollow.

“Too many would be a problem for food supplies. This number is just right.”

“Yeah, just watch from behind, Savior-sama. We often hunt these monsters.”

One of the members, Won, was confident, a muscular warrior. The other, Shiz, was quiet but reliable, according to Won, and more than capable of the Demon Lord’s subjugation.

“Alright, let’s go defeat the Demon Lord!!”

My life was just beginning. I would become the savior, defeat the Demon Lord, and become a hero in this world. It’s okay; everyone is so supportive. There must be a deep meaning behind this prophecy!

◆

I underestimated the situation.

Won was dead, his body split in half, his entrails scattered about in a gruesome display. Hollow had run away. According to the monster before us, its minions had captured and tortured him. Shiz was severely injured but barely alive, though his life was hanging by a thread.

“I had high hopes for the prophesied child… but aren’t you too weak? You’re no different from an ordinary person. But, getting such a look from you… it sends shivers down my spine.”

So spoke the female commander of the Demon Lord’s army, known as Shukure, as she licked her lips and gazed at me trembling.

“Stay away from the Savior, you vixen…! In this situation…!!”

Shiz’s body began to glow. Did he have a trump card? A miraculous turnaround was about to start!

“Shut up, I’ve lost interest in you; just die, will you?”

My hopes were quickly dashed. With a sweep of Shukure’s claws, Shiz’s head was severed. His body swayed and then fell.

“Ah, ah, ahhhhhh!! Please, I’m sorry, forgive me, save me!! I can’t do anything!! I don’t know anything about this world!!”

I was going to be killed. I threw away all my pride and prostrated myself. I didn’t know if such gestures were understood, but at least my lack of hostility should be clear.

“What’s that? When begging for a wish, you should look properly at the person, no? You’re not even showing your face. Are you mocking me?”

“No, it’s not like that! Is this better? I have no intention of fighting at all!”

Realizing the cultural difference, I quickly raised my face and clasped my hands together, pleading. Shukure watched with a satisfied smile.

“Well, since you’re begging so much, maybe I won’t kill you.”

“Really?!”

I saw a glimmer of hope. I was not the Savior; the misunderstanding was cleared. I thought she would let me go…

“I’ll make you my pet. First, I’ll remove your limbs so you can’t resist.”

I was speechless. Of course, someone who can kill so ruthlessly and cruelly wouldn’t change their mind over a plea. I was frozen, like a frog under a snake’s gaze.

“Hehe… such a wonderful expression… Maybe I’ll take a little taste right here…”

As I fell into despair, Shukure’s face lit up with sadistic pleasure. Any resistance would only invite more cruel treatment. Perhaps being kept alive as a pet was still…

The moment Shukure’s fingers touched me, it happened. A massive explosion. Shukure was minced right before my eyes. The dust was so intense I coughed. It was like a meteor had struck.

“Long time no see, Yuusha! Sorry I’m late, ehehe, were you waiting?”

As the dust cleared, there stood my childhood friend, Touko Oizu, holding Shukure’s severed head in her hand.

The city was in a festive uproar. The prophecy was true. The Savior had finally come, and a parade was being held. Defeating a Demon Lord’s army commander was such a shocking event.

“You did well, Savior-sama! To think you’d defeat one of the commanders so quickly!!”

“No, that’s… I didn’t do anything. This woman did.”

I pointed at Touko. Being lifted didn’t feel bad, but I was done with life-threatening events. I decided to live a slow life as an ordinary townsman.

“Oh, you? Come to think of it, you’re also wearing unfamiliar clothes, right?”

“Lord, Yuusha is just being modest. He didn’t need someone like me; he could have easily done it alone but chose to lift his companions. He seems deeply troubled by the destruction of his other companions…”

“Eh, no.”

“Indeed! I thought so! Rest assured, Savior-sama. The fallen comrades will be honorably buried as heroes. Of course, we will also welcome Touko-sama as an important companion of the Savior from now on. How wonderful. I was worried another boaster had shown up. Don’t worry! Those who impersonated the Savior, as you can see, are punished as slaves.”

The lord pointed to several people in filthy clothes and shackles. I realized they were other reincarnates from different worlds, falsely labeled as imposters and punished, just like me.

“Ah, yes, that’s right. I am the Savior. Please look after me in the future.”

Dangerous. I immediately decided to keep up the act of being the Savior. I needed to escape this city. I couldn’t stand being with these insane people any longer.