Four Heroes from the Familiar World
"Luna, already asleep?"
"No."
Sera called out to Luna, who lay on the bed across from hers. While she had only gotten to know Ares and his sister Mari after enrolling in this school, Luna had been with her since very early childhood—they were, as they say, childhood friends.
Back then, the timid and tearful Sera often became the target of boys' mean pranks. It was only natural, given how adorably radiant she had been even as a child. Luna always protected Sera from those boys. As the daughter of a martial arts family, Luna had trained rigorously from a young age and was strong and brave enough to overpower most boys her age. The two quickly became inseparable, attending the same schools and classes together as best friends ever since.
Just yesterday, Sera had been enjoying her school life with Luna, Ares, and Mari—the four of them laughing together. That was before they were summoned to this strange world.
"Luna... can I come over there? I want to sleep together..."
"Yeah, sure."
At Luna's response, Sera beamed and grabbed her pillow, scurrying over to Luna's bed.
"Heehee."
"..."
Like a puppy burrowing into its mother's embrace, Sera curled up and snuggled into Luna's arms. Luna's expression remained stoic as she lightly held Sera, but there was a subtle hint of contentment about her.
"Luna's embrace is so warm."
"Yours too, Sera."
"..."
The two lay quietly for a moment, saying nothing. Sera spoke first.
"What... what do you think will happen to us now?"
"..."
Sera still couldn't believe their situation. Part of her hoped it was all a dream—that she'd wake up in her own bed as usual. But it felt far too real for that. She recalled the day's events.
Sera, Luna, Mari, and Ares had been on the school rooftop, basking in the warm sunlight during lunch. Sera had been pouring her heart into cooking lately, all for Ares, the boy she secretly harbored feelings for. But her skills were still lacking, and Mari—Ares's sister—had bluntly called it "poison." Ares and Luna had praised it, saying it was delicious, but Sera vowed to improve.
That vow became meaningless before the day was out. Midway through their rooftop meal, a massive burst of light enveloped them, and Sera lost consciousness.
When she came to, the four of them were in this bizarre world. Unknown lands, an empire, humans and monsters, heroes and Demon Kings. They'd heard plenty from the locals, but it all felt unreal. Of course it did—they hadn't experienced anything yet. The weight of a hero's mission was still distant to them.
"It's okay. I'll protect you, Sera."
Luna squeezed Sera's shoulder reassuringly.
"Luna... I'm not a kid anymore, you know."
"Doesn't matter. Even if I turn into an old lady, I'll protect you."
"Pfft... what kind of talk is that? You say the weirdest things sometimes, Luna."
Sera managed a brief laugh at Luna's words, then spoke again after a pause.
"Still... thank you, Luna. I'm really glad you're here."
"..."
Perhaps embarrassed by Sera's directness, Luna's impassive face flushed slightly—but Sera, nestled in her arms, didn't notice.
Sera murmured, "Ares... would he protect me like you do, Luna?"
"..."
At the mention of Ares's name, Luna's expression returned to normal. She replied curtly, "That guy's a severe siscon."
"Pfft... true, but... I was still surprised when Mari said she'd sleep with him. At our age, don't people usually have separate rooms?"
Sera phrased it as common sense, but inwardly, she envied Mari. If she were Ares's little sister, could she use that as an excuse to sleep together? But that wouldn't mean anything real.
"It's fine. Ares is kind. He surely thinks of you as precious too."
"Yeah... he even came to properly say goodnight earlier."
Sera could barely hold a conversation alone with Ares without blushing, but in this unknown world, being with him didn't seem so bad.
Soon, the two drifted off to sleep.
...
"This can't be... it's impossible!"
"..."
Siola gaped in disbelief, her eyes wide. Even the Demon King, Ernate, bit her lip in silence.
The communication orb displayed the figures they were discussing. No... it was more accurate to say heroes, plural.
"Heroes... not one, but four?"
Indeed, the orb showed not a single person, but one boy and three girls. All of them were dazzlingly handsome and beautiful—youths who seemed worlds apart from an ordinary middle-aged bachelor like Minwoo. They looked freshly summoned and confused, but the boy was calmly comforting the girls.
Minwoo asked, "Is it that strange for there to be multiple heroes?"
"...At least, it's never happened before."
Minwoo nodded silently at Ernate's reply.
"Demon King..."
Siola gazed at Ernate with a despairing expression. Ernate closed her eyes and said, "...It's just speculation, but it seems this irregularity arose because they tampered with the summoning ritual on their end."
"No way..."
Even handling one hero was daunting—now there were four. Siola felt dizzy.
"..."
Unlike the two women's intense reactions, Minwoo simply watched the orb quietly.
"You've gone silent all of a sudden. Do you know those heroes?"
At Ernate's question, Minwoo gave a wry smile. "Well... you could say I know of them."
Whether they knew him was another matter. Minwoo thought of it like fans and celebrities: fans know the star, but the star doesn't know each fan individually. His connection to them was similar.
Ares, the heartthrob who spread rumors among the girls right after enrollment, was a perfect all-rounder with a gentle personality. His popularity was evident from the mountain of chocolates on his desk every Valentine's Day.
Mari, the genius girl who skipped grades to top her year, was Ares's little sister. Despite her petite, cute appearance, she was quite the sharp-tongued one—but that gap charmed plenty of boys. Some even called her the "little queen" among the male students.
Sera, cute and elegant enough to have been scouted as an idol or model, was the school's undisputed top beauty, known to everyone. Even by Minwoo's standards—spoiled by 2D anime girls—she was stunningly beautiful. Her bright, cheerful nature and lack of arrogance made her beloved by boys and girls alike.
Luna, tall and sharp-featured for a girl, hailed from a martial arts family and had placed in major tournaments. The media focused more on her striking, androgynous beauty than her skills, granting her explosive popularity among men and women alike—distinct from Sera's charm.
Minwoo had heard all the rumors. These four were the school's most famous faces, shining so brightly they seemed plucked from a comic. Of course he knew them.
They were young and beautiful, monopolizing admiration, envy, and jealousy from their peers. And Minwoo had been one of those who envied them.
"I'd like to hear your thoughts."
"..."
Perhaps reading something in Minwoo's expression as he stared at the orb, Ernate eyed him with a subtle glint. Siola, standing behind, waited tensely for his response.
"Certainly... those kids pique my interest."
"Interest?"
Not hatred? Ernate and Siola wondered, but Minwoo didn't elaborate. Instead, he gave them the answer they wanted.
"Understood. I'll cooperate in dealing with them to the best of my humble abilities."
"Oh! Excellent! You've made a wise choice!"
Ernate beamed at Minwoo's resolve to fight even four heroes. Siola didn't show it outwardly, but she seemed relieved he wasn't hostile.
"However..."
"Hm? Some request? Speak it. If it's within my power, I'll grant anything."
"In that case..."
As Ernate thrust out her ample chest and agreed readily, Minwoo smiled, pulling the glow stick from his pocket.
"I'll need both of you to cooperate with my little experiment."
The glow stick in Minwoo's hand already pulsed with a red light.