The Kingmaker System Chapter 1: Prologue. Not the kind of death I pictured.

Russian Roulette, an intriguing game, hinges entirely on luck. A fortunate soul might survive to recount the tale, while the less lucky face their funeral. And frankly, dying from a bullet is terribly painful. I ought to know; I’ve been there. That’s precisely why ensuring one’s safety is paramount when engaging in perilous activities.

While I find the game fascinating, I must confess a preference for chess. Crafting and executing strategies is my forte. It’s a safe endeavor, and unlike being on the front lines, I merely direct the pieces while they perform the heavy lifting. Simple, and secure.

However, I was entirely unaware that this very approach would eventually lead me into a predicament. How, you ask? Allow me to rewind and begin from the start.

***

The bullet whizzed past mere inches from my head. With a scowl, I returned fire, taking down the individual who had dared to aim at me.

I fired again, neutralizing another terrorist, and quickly took cover to reload my weapon. This was my final magazine. We hadn’t anticipated a full-blown shootout; this was merely meant to be a discreet surveillance of a suspect. How did it escalate to this point?!

“Chief, I’m running low on ammunition,” I heard my subordinate’s voice crackle through my earpiece.

“So am I. Hold on,” I replied.

I eliminated another militant and scanned the area, searching for any discarded firearms from the fallen enemies. Nothing.

“If you’re out of bullets, stay in cover,” I ordered.

This was a risky situation. We were critically low on ammunition and hadn't even managed to secure bulletproof vests. Good grief.

“I desperately need a vacation after this,” I muttered.

“Same here.”

“I’m heading to Goa.”

Hearing these two immediate responses, I rolled my eyes.

“Focus!”

The situation was troublesome, not solely because of the ongoing gunfight, but because it was the weekend, and the weekend is reserved for Anime Day. After a week of diligently working at the Intelligence Organization to safeguard the nation, I had one precious day to indulge in a marathon of my favorite anime series, sprawled comfortably on my sofa. But thanks to these scoundrels, my plans were unequivocally ruined.

I shot another terrorist squarely in the head and resumed my cover as the cacophony of gunshots from my subordinates and the enemy echoed through the dilapidated mill. Backup had been requested, but it would likely take some time to arrive.

It might seem peculiar that someone tasked with national protection harbored a passion for anime, so allow me to clarify. I chose this profession primarily for its financial remuneration and, admittedly, the thrill—who wouldn't desire to be a real-life James Bond?

Born into a family grappling with financial difficulties, my only viable paths to a stable future with a decent income were either a conventional 9-to-5 corporate role or a government position. I opted for the latter.

“Chief, I believe it’s all clear now!” I heard one of my subordinates exclaim through my earpiece. I cautiously surveyed the surroundings, anticipating any hidden terrorists before deeming the operation concluded.

“Okay, all clear!” I announced, a wave of relief washing over me as the ordeal finally ended.

We tallied the number of terrorists we had neutralized, amounting to their complete elimination. Everyone reported to me; a total of seven officers, including myself, had participated.

“Someone call an ambulance. I’ll contact HQ,” I stated, pulling out my phone.

“I was so frightened,” Laila confessed, wrapping her arms around herself. I offered a comforting pat on her shoulder.

“You performed admirably for your first mission. Most recruits panic entirely,” I reassured her. She managed a shaky smile.

She was a new recruit, and this was her inaugural mission. I recalled my own reaction about six years prior during my first assignment. I fared much worse; the guilt of taking a life for the first time inflicted upon me days of nightmares and a persistent fever. Had it not been for my Chief back then and my own unwavering resolve, I would have undoubtedly quit.

I officially reported “Mission Complete” to my superior, and as we prepared to depart the scene, a subtle movement in my peripheral vision caught my attention. I turned, my eyes widening in alarm as I saw one of the injured terrorists stirring, aiming his weapon directly at Laila. My body reacted instinctively, propelling me to push Laila out of harm's way just as the deafening sound of a gunshot reverberated through the air, followed by the urgent shouts of my subordinates as they eliminated the assailant.

My body recoiled from the impact, and I stumbled back, momentarily dazed as I regained my balance. I quickly turned to check on Laila, hoping she was unharmed, only to notice her staring at me with an expression of sheer horror. A sensation of warmth began to seep from my chest, a growing wetness spreading across my shirt. Wait… did I take the hit instead?

I glanced down at my chest, my fingers finding a dark stain marring my blue shirt. The shock was immediate, yet I felt no pain. My subordinates rushed to my side instantly as I sensationally felt my strength rapidly draining, and Laila caught me as I slowly sank to the ground.

My subordinates seemed to be descending into madness as I was shot, and I waved my hand, attempting to quell their panic.

"C-Calm down, everyone. I'll be-" I coughed, feeling the hot blood spray from my lips.

"Chief! Oh my goodness!"

It was only then that the agony set in, a pain I couldn't compare to any other I had ever endured in my life, at least physically.

Laila cried out, placing her hands over my wound in a desperate, futile attempt to staunch the flow of blood. Given the location, I knew the bullet had likely pierced my lungs or my heart. The pain was excruciating; I couldn't even manage to utter a sound as I felt my lifeblood drain away rapidly.

The agony was so overwhelming that I was rendered immobile. Was this truly how I would meet my end? Well, at least it would be an honorable death, a martyrdom, I supposed.

And with that realization, for the first time in my life, I felt I could finally face myself, no longer needing to avert my gaze as I always had.

It was a deep-seated insecurity, a feeling that I would never be enough, that I could never truly bring happiness to anyone by being a part of their lives. I always felt like a substitute, easily discarded and forgotten.

"Chief! Chief!" My subordinates were truly frantic all around me.

I was still conscious, but I knew it was only for a fleeting moment. At this point, I simply wanted to yield to the overwhelming pain. Usually, I could sense my chances of survival, but this time, it felt as if the grim reaper himself stood beside me, a dark silhouette against my fading vision.

"The ambulance is on its way, Chief, please hang on!"

"It'll take too long, hurry and get her in the car!" I felt someone lift me, and the warmth of a body supported me.

"Chief, please don't leave us!"

"Chief, I'm so sorry!" Laila sobbed, still engaged in her desperate efforts to halt my bleeding.

These were the young ones I had taken under my care, and I found solace in the knowledge that they were all safe. At least I wouldn't depart with the crushing guilt of their demise occurring in my stead.

"Tha..." I croaked, my lungs burning with the meager amount of air I managed to draw in.

Suddenly, it was as if I were witnessing a fast-forwarded movie of my life. Scenes from my past, encompassing family, friends, my workplace, and all the moments of joy and sorrow, began to flash before my eyes. The reel spun at an incredible pace, yet every detail remained astonishingly clear.

"Chief, Chief, please hold on. We'll get you to the hospital quickly."

"Yeah, please Chief, stay strong."

At least now, the pretense of strength would cease, the act of facing the world while concealing my vulnerabilities would end.

I could sense my subordinates rushing me towards the hospital, but with each passing second, my senses began to slip away. My mind was a jumble, consumed by the regrets of my life; and among all things, this was not the death I had ever envisioned for myself.

My vision started to fade, and their voices became muffled, like distant white noise slowly consuming the remnants of my hearing.

Yet, their tears and anguished cries managed to touch my heart. At least I wasn't dying alone and cold, unlike some of the officers I had known. Those who cared for me, those who worried about me, were here, and I was fading away in their embrace.

"Tha..." I parted my lips again, feeling the blood pool in my mouth.

"Thank... you... all." I whispered, my eyelids growing too heavy to keep open.

"Chief! Chief!"

"Chief, no!"

My eyes fluttered shut, and their cries echoed in my ears for a moment before silence descended. At least now, I could finally embrace true rest.

Before concluding any mission, it was paramount to ensure the complete elimination of all adversaries. But who could have foreseen that a Chief Intelligence Officer would fall victim to a rookie's blunder?

Such was my demise, a thirty-year-old virgin Otaku.

***

[Soul meeting the necessary criteria has been identified. Transfer process is initiating.]

[Transfer at 20%...]

[Transfer at 50%...]

[Transfer at 75%...]

[Transfer at 99%...]

[Transfer successfully completed 100%.]

[New system is now activating...]