Certain things are true no matter where you live - the rural parts of any country tend to be boring for the younger generations, and it’s no different in Japan. The best you can do is find some sort of hobby to pass the time when you can’t go out to play with friends.

  For me, that hobby was reading manga. I was obsessed; the weird kid who would rather sit and read quietly than catch bugs or play baseball. Never quite the outcast, but I struggled to connect with others.

  When father's work transferred him to Tokyo, it felt for a short time like life was sending me some kind of sign - I had no real friends, and our new home was just a short train ride away from Akihabara -the heart of Otaku culture- where I would finally find my place with other manga lovers.

  When things like that happen, when circumstances line up just right, it can feel like your whole life has been predetermined.

  But it can all change in an instant - a single deviation. A simple glitch and fate unravels.

  The crossing sign changed a few seconds too soon, before the light was red, and I never saw the truck - I was too busy checking my schedule for the day. I couldn't hear it coming because of the loud music in my ears. The only indication that something was wrong came from a sudden impact, pain, and darkness.

  When I came to a few minutes later I saw foreigners, an older woman and her daughter, crying. The ambulance had already arrived, and the man who saved me was dead, his life traded for mine.

  My fate, whatever it may be, now belonged to a stranger.

  Pure, blinding white. A hallway which seemed to go on forever in one direction, but ended at a large wooden door the other way; the entire corridor was lined with metal folding chairs, interspersed at regular intervals with potted plants. There were a handful of people present, all looking confused and not one of which had spoken a word. A flash of light came from beneath the door, followed by a few moments of silence before it swung open.

  As the door opened a short woman was revealed, with green hair and brown eyes. Whoever she was, she wore a long white gown, moving with an ethereal grace as she stepped into the hallway “Hiroki Sato, you’re." she paused, looking at the man closest to the door, her next appointment. “You’re not Hiroki.”

  “No Ma’am, I ain’t.” Yhe person in question stood up, towering over the woman who had come from inside the door. “William Jones. Pardon my askin’ but… where am I? Purdy sure I died but this ain’t the pearly gates.”

  “I see… Mr. Jones, you should probably come inside, we need to talk.” the green-haired woman sighed, pushing open the door to let her unexpected visitor inside.

  William stepped inside and immediately took a seat, crossing his arms as a scowl crossed his face. “I’ve done right, y’know. Lived honest, clean. Done my best ta’ be a good husband, raise the kids well.”

  “Your moral character isn’t in question, Mr. Jones,” the woman explained, taking a seat behind a large wooden desk. “It seems there’s been something of a mixup; you weren’t supposed to die yet. It seems you stopped someone else’s death, and our system decided you have to take his place.”

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  William remained quiet for the time being, taking some time to examine the office. It was white, like the hallway; aside from the desk and a few chairs, the room was occupied by a number of filing cabinets which encircled the room.

  After reviewing the files on her desk, the green-haired woman spoke again, “My name is Sarita, I’m a representative of the Hero Placement Group. We deal with reincarnation into alternate realities.” she explained, “As for why you’re here. When certain people die they’re given the opportunity to relocate to a different world, one facing some sort of crisis, in order to become a hero.”

  “And I’m guessin’ this Hiroki fella was one of ‘em?” William asked. “But since I went and shoved him outta the way”

  “You were taken in his place. I’m sorry about this whole mixup, Mr. Jones. We can make sure you reach your correct afterlife,” the goddess confirmed. “It might take a few days, though.”

  “Now hol’ up Ma’am. When ya’ say yer makin’ folks into heroes, what’s that mean?” William inquired, staring intently at the strange woman. “If there’s work needs doin’, and there ain’t nobody to do it on my account, I figure I’d best help with it.”

  “Wait, really? You’ll take Hiroki’s place, just like that?” Sarita stated, suddenly a bit flustered as she picked up a folder on her desk. “Right, heroes. Um. Okay, in simple terms the Gods aren’t allowed to directly interfere with mortal worlds, however, sometimes a situation pops up that the locals aren’t able to deal with themselves. When that happens, we find people from other worlds that are going to die soon and recruit them to help.”

  The goddess quickly collected herself at that point, coughing softly before continuing, “In this case, your bit of impromptu heroism, saving Hiroki, means you’re in line to take his place -all the usual rules apply. We’ll give you some sort of blessing, make sure you can speak the local language, and send you to the target reality.”

  William nodded along as she spoke; something felt a bit familiar about this. When the goddess reached the part about blessings, the man loudly snapped his finger. “This is one a’ them Ee-say-ky things, ain’t it? My little girl likes that stuff. ”

  “Isekai, yes. It’s quite a popular literary theme in your world, as I understand,” Sarita nodded. “Then you’re willing to take the job? There’s a reward at the end, of course -if you’re able to complete your assignment. We can grant you access to the afterlife of your choice, you could join us as a god, or--”

  “Ah’ll help you folks with your lil’ problem, then you just go ahead and send me home,” William stated plainly. “Ranch’ll be short-handed without me and we got quotas to meet.”

  “I’ll need to pull some strings, but given the unusual circumstances, I think I can arrange for that,” Sarita agreed. “Things should be all sorted out by the time you’re done. Now, there’s the matter of your blessing. We typically offer legendary weapons, advanced magical powers, things like that.”

  William scowled, shaking his head, “Ain’t need no magic or fancy weapons. Just git me granddady’s revolver and my huntin’ rifle. I’ll figure it out from there.”

  “Are you sure? There’s nothing else you want?”

  “Gonna need lotsa ammo for ‘em. Couple thousand rounds at least, an’ a cleanin’ kit.”

  “How about this, I’ll make it so your weapons don’t need to be maintained, and we’ll get you something that produces ammunition for them.”

  “Them’s reasonable terms. Alright, ma’am, send me in.” William stood up, extending his right hand, “And y’all can just call me Big Bill.”