Chapter 1 - Prologue: Reincarnation

For the past thirty-five years since I was born, it seems like I’ve spent most of my time engrossed in games.

 

It was during my third year of elementary school that I first encountered games, specifically RPGs.

 

In exchange for promising my father that I would study, he bought me a F*con.

 

And it was while playing Dragon Quest that I was utterly captivated.

 

Stepping into a new world, beginning a new life.

 

Such an experience completely consumed me.

 

Becoming a hero, defeating monsters, and growing stronger with each victory.

 

I was instantly hooked by the excitement and thrill.

 

I did manage to fulfill the promise of studying, but all other time was devoted to playing RPGs.

 

Maintaining decent grades, my parents didn’t question my gaming habits.

 

Even after graduating from university and becoming a working adult, I couldn’t shake off that exhilaration.

 

But…

 

“Oh, how I wish I could relive those feelings from back then…”

 

I mumble while staring at the ending screen on the display.

 

Recent RPGs make defeating enemies and leveling up easy. Some even have automatic controls and level-up features.

 

“That’s not what I’m looking for… That’s not it…”

 

Challenging powerful foes repeatedly, the sensation of growing stronger.

 

The excitement of testing skills, items, and more.

 

That’s the kind of game I’m searching for.

 

But perhaps I’ve simply grown up and forgotten the feelings of my childhood.

 

Or maybe I’m just out of touch with the times, a relic left behind in a bygone era.

 

Those were joyful times…

 

Words spoken by an aging individual.

 

Entering my forties, I might have indeed forgotten the emotions of my youth.

 

“It’s a bit disheartening to think about.”

 

With the widespread use of the internet these days, most people follow theories and strategies outlined in articles.

 

Simply pursuing strength, deconstructing games rationally and logically.

 

But that’s not the message I want to convey.

 

That’s not the enjoyment of RPGs I want to emphasize.

 

Working out strategies in my own way, constructing my own approaches – that’s what makes it enjoyable.

 

Amidst my disappointment, I casually scan through the game section of internet news, as I usually do.

 

There, my attention is drawn to a small article.

 

“Atlantis Games Announces New Title After Twenty Years”

 

Atlantis Games is a game company that was popular when I was still in junior high school.

 

Known for their ultra-difficult games.

 

Perhaps, with this company, there’s still hope…

 

Recalling the sensation of the games I played during junior high, I eagerly await the release with a hint of excitement.

 

Two months have passed, and I’ve finally cleared the new game from Atlantis Games that I read about in the internet article, “World of Witchcraft.”

 

“It’s truly a masterpiece. Great story, excellent mechanics, numerous hidden elements – it was an incredible experience.”

 

I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s the best game in the past twenty years.

 

While playing this game, I disconnected from the internet. Only after fully completing it do I finally check reviews and wikis related to this title.

 

“Oh, the low ratings were just a joke. And it seems it’s been selling really well. It even monopolized the top spot on social media trends at its release. Impressive.”

 

Well, considering what a masterpiece it is, it’s probably only natural.

 

Currently, the end credits are rolling on my monitor, and I’m indulging in sentiment while listening to the ending theme.

 

As the credits finish scrolling and the music concludes, a notification appears in the top-right corner – an achievement unlocked.

 

“Achievement: Heir to the Throne”

 

The achievement title likely relates to the story.

 

In this game, you interact with the kings of seven countries, eventually becoming the ruler who united the continent.

 

So, not only combat, but also negotiation and verbal battles are sometimes required.

 

It seems that, according to what I found on the internet, it’s possible to clear the game with just verbal battles without any combat.

 

“Oh… it’s over. But there seem to be achievements I haven’t unlocked yet, and there should still be plenty of completion elements left.”

 

While indulging in sentiment, I mutter to myself, and then another achievement notification appears in the top-right corner.

 

“Hidden Achievement Unlocked: Reincarnation of the Villain”

 

And within the now darkened screen, a window pops up in the center.

 

“Start the new story ‘Villain Reincarnation Arc’ from here. Begin? Y/N”

 

A hidden achievement? The Villain Reincarnation Arc?

 

Feeling excited by these words, I decide to look up the term on the internet.

 

However, there are zero search results, indicating that this element hasn’t been discovered by anyone yet.

 

“Could this mean that I’m the first one to find this?”

 

The gamer in me stirs with excitement.

 

Perhaps this “villain” refers to Albert Alschwartz, the childhood friend of the main character who appears in the main story.

 

He was originally born in the same village as the protagonist and grew up together in the same village.

 

But one day, their relationship soured, and they ended up walking different paths.

 

Though both share the goal of uniting the continent, they clash due to differing methods.

 

Is this story allowing me to progress as the villain protagonist?

 

The full extent of his skills is not revealed in the game.

 

He appears with debuffs right from the start.

 

The reasons behind these debuffs are also undisclosed, leaving much about him shrouded in mystery even after clearing the game.

 

What’s understood is that his skills can grow and evolve individually.

 

In this game, except for HP and MP, stats are not quantified.

 

While there are likely internal numerical values, they aren’t displayed for the sake of immersion.

 

Hence, in battles, you rely on only your “Skills” and “Resistances.”

 

Skills are used by consuming MP, and their levels increase with proficiency.

 

Furthermore, they’re divided into various categories, such as swordsmanship and magic.

 

Resistances, like skills, also have levels determined by proficiency, affecting the strength of your resistance.

 

For example:

 

―――――――――――

 

Name: Taro Yamada

Title: Villager

HP: 1000

MP: 100

Skills: Swordsmanship – “Flower, Bird, Wind, Moon Lv.1,” “Wind Slash Lv.1”

Magic – “Water Cutter Lv.1,” “Grand Explosion Lv.1”

Utility – “Item Box Lv.1,” “Skill Appraisal Lv.1”

Resistances: “Fire Resistance Lv.1,” “Hunger Resistance Lv.1”

Unique Skill: None

 

―――――――――――

 

It’s something like this.

 

By the way, a Unique Skill is a skill that only one person can possess, characterized by its uniqueness.

 

Albert Alschwartz, the villain, likely possesses such a Unique Skill.

 

“Well, I’m curious about Albert’s life too. Besides, my gamer instincts are telling me to press Y.”

 

At the beginning of the game, the protagonist and villain Albert are already in an antagonistic relationship.

 

From the protagonist’s words, it’s revealed they were childhood friends, but there’s no further information.

 

So, I’m deeply curious about what kind of life he’s led and what his relationship with the protagonist was like.

 

“This game still leaves plenty of room for analysis even after clearing it. There seem to be numerous analysis sites on the internet as well. It’s probably one of the popular aspects too.”

 

However, if I clear this hidden story, I sense that most of the mysteries will be unraveled.

 

“Heh, sorry, fellow analysts. I’ll be ahead of you in unraveling these mysteries.”

 

I chuckle to myself and align the cursor with the Y button in the Y/N prompt that’s displayed on the screen.

 

“All right, let’s start.”

 

And in the next moment, as I right-click the mouse,

 

My consciousness is forcibly snatched away, and my vision begins to fade to black.