Summoned - Isekai for a Sinner

"Hero, you must be confused," The young girl said. She was short, standing at around his shoulder height if he were to estimate. Long, chestnut hair parted for a pair of beady, curious hazel eyes.

The young girl let out a cough. "Allow me to introduce myself before the Hero. My name is Isabell, the Priestess of the Kingdom of Caternia. I apologize for such an abrupt request-" She looked away. "-But please follow me. We will debrief you in time."

Ray nodded in understanding and sat up. The priestess nodded in return, then turned around and walked down the hallway behind her. Ray followed suit, ever cautious, and a bit frightened of the conspicuous guards lining the hall.

While following, he couldn't help but notice the sheer luxury of his surroundings. It appeared to be some kind of place of worship, each wall and pillar meticulously carved out with figures of various mythical creatures and supposedly notable humans.

Alongside the exquisite craftsmanship stood a few paintings. Two of a hefty figure adorned with several gold accessories, including a sword and a crown--- probably the king--- and the last depicting a beautiful woman draped in a white cloth. It looked extremely lifelike, as if she could pop out of the canvas at any moment.

'A goddess?' That was his best guess. '...Would everyone here also be sent to hell?'

A rather dark thought.

"We're here," The priestess said, interrupting his thoughts. She then turned around. "I have arrived with the hero."

With that, the pair stepped out from the hallway and into a large chamber. Inside, there were around fifty or so guards, all keeping intense watch. A large throne sat at the end of the columns of guards, seating a familiar, hefty figure. If Ray wasn't comfortable before, then he surely was now. As he walked down the aisle, a chill ran up his spine as all 50(?) pairs of eyes seemed to lock on him. However, he had more pressing concerns.

"Kneel," The priestess signaled. "You are in the presence of the king."

Ray complied silently.

"What is your name, Hero?" The king asked.

"My name is Ray Paradis," Ray recited like it was second-nature to him. All that time as a salaryman didn't make him less of a human without a reason.

'I'm too good at this already.' He smirked inwardly. Maybe it wasn't the best thing to brag about, but who cares?

"Ah, Hero Ray Paradis. Welcome to the Kingdom of Caternia." The king cleared his throat before continuing. "We've summoned you to request your aid humbly."

"It's only my duty," Ray responded expertly.

"Oh, how humble you are!" The king let out a hearty laugh.

Ray mused. 'I guess humility and flattery are universal.' In fact, it proved so effective at currying favor that the king was now laughing.

'But what is this feeling of overwhelming...anxiety?'

He couldn't shake it off.

'Quest' The thought seemed to come naturally to him.

[

Quest: What's a Hero that isn't informed?

Ray Paradis, as the new savior of the over 7 million good citizens of Caternia, it is of utmost importance to be in the know.

Meet with the king (0/1)

Gain your first skill (0/1)

Defeat your first enemy (0/1)

Reward:

Caternia Likeability +1

EXP + 5

Punishment:

♫ 'Cause this is thriller, thriller night

And no one's gonna save you ♫ (Hell)

]

It was odd. For such an imperative quest, he only got 5 EXP. That was only a fourth of the EXP threshold for level 1. Additionally, if this world operated by videogame logic, then the EXP threshold should increase, meaning the 5 EXP reward is rendered even less significant.

Clearly, that Joe guy and his own upper management did not play fair.

And so the disquiet remained squirming in Ray's stomach, but better anxious than eternal suffering.

"I'm glad our hero is so humble," The king said with an ear-to-ear grin. "Our kingdom is currently in dire straits. The Demon King had revived once more, and his henchmen will soon arrive at Caternia's walls- According to the Oracle, in no more than six months. Thank you for lending us your aid, Hero. The Kingdom will support you with its full might."

Ray gulped.

The king gestured over to the priestess. "Escort him to his residency, will you?"

Subsequently, the priestess lowered her head. "As you order, Your Highness."

The pair stood up and exited the chamber. Ray trailed just behind the priestess as she guided him to his residency. After walking down a couple of similarly lavish hallways, they passed the castle's courtyard, which was more like an extremely expansive garden, before finally arriving at a sumptuously decorated estate, barely separated from the castle walls.

"Wow," Ray couldn't help but voice his awe. 'I've only ever seen these things on TV.'

"This will be your residency from now on," She said, delighted at the Hero's satisfaction. Ray nodded as the priestess promptly left, leaving Ray to have the rest of the day to settle down.

----------------------

"This is so nice!"

Ray jumped on the king-sized bed. It had everything he ever wanted in a bed: perfect cushioning, cold sheets, and all the room he needed to spread out. For a moment, he simply lay flat, savoring the sheer comfort of his newfound luxury. However, his cheer eventually died down as his mind drifted.

'...How did I even end up in this situation?'

His hand moved to his face, smothering it.

'Hell? Hell? Suffering?'

"Why, God? Did you send my parents to hell, too? I wanted this to end already!"

Tears began to fall from his eyes as his face grew hot. He couldn't comprehend what had just happened to him. Everything he ever knew, his job, his life, everyone he had ever met and loved, gone, just like that- and all over one stupid mistake.

After a few minutes of crying, he sat up and wiped his tears.

Then, he pulled up the screen, fists clenched.

[