Planning Stage

I was just wondering.

If I got sent to another world without any cheats, how am I gonna survive?

First of all, I don't think I had done anything special in life to deserve any of that stuff.

This is the what-if build in case I got reincarnated to the regular Isekai with game System. No cheats—with not even the mastery of the world's language.

The best build that I could think of also comes with the assumption--'ll never know where I'd end up in the first place.

First of all, the most important part is the preparation before the imminent Isekai event occurs. Knowing all the stereotypes and know-hows picked from reading a lot of Isekai stories can help—but more often than not, you might just be a random mob instead of the main character.

No cheats, just the same privilege as the original residents—you'd probably get even less since your original world didn't have magic, and you have to accustom yourself to it.

First of all, if it's your thing, you can even try to learn some martial arts in the meantime. Most of the regular stuff will consist of being an Adventurer. It was never wrong to try to defend yourself, even if you're not into fighting. The one you can rely the most upon when it counts is yourself. You can't rely on someone else to protect yourself, at all times.

Best of all, when you're just a mob, as long you know how to stay in the low-danger areas, your encounters would rarely be dangerous. It'd just be some uneventful mob life without anything interesting happening, but you earned it—you're not the main character. It's too shameless if the god piled up all his conflicts on a mere mob and neglected his own MC.

You can also focus on strengthening your spiritual abilities. Doing breathing exercises, yoga, tai-chi quan—or something like that will help you condition your body. So, when you went to another world, overflowing with magical energy, you'll get used to it faster. The magic in Isekai has something to do with the manipulation of energy. If you're already used to it in real life—where there's no magic at all—you'll do it a lot easier in Isekai world.

Knowing the customs of medieval ages can also help. Although it's kind of uncommon for them to speak ornately, at least in the stories—it never hurts to learn them. It helps to deal with those of Nobility, so to speak.

Plus, finding the most accurate lores you can think about the common races, like Dwarves, Elves, Orcs, Beastkin and etc. You can compare it to your findings by the time you've arrived. Having previous knowledge can help you familiarize things further.

Learning lots of languages can help, also the ones suited for Fantasy setting like Latin and Runic letters, or those that make use of Kanji.

It's also a good thing to learn how to confidently deal with people. As you were new, in some completely foreign language, and no mastery of that language to boot, it's so easy to be subjected as an enemy and get ousted.

When I think about it, man, those typical Isekai protagonists got real easy on everything, unlike a Mob such as myself.

To top it off, was the Exploration skills. Reviewing Boy Scout 101—how to cook, set your tent...and how to dismantle the monsters—surviving in the wild—fighting...

Wow, there's a shitload of things to learn.

I honestly didn't think I could master them all. I guess I wasn't cut out for Isekai.

Actual Isekai

"Takeshi, it's morning! Today's your first school day—don't stay in bed too long!"

I've heard Mom's voice...

What's going on?

The moment I woke up...it's not any different than my previous world! Even my room was the exact same as back then.

I was ten years younger; going to high school as a routine.

While I was riddled with confusion, a solemn voice rang inside my head.

"Stop complaining! As long the world's just a bit different, it's still an Isekai, isn't it?

God.

You mistook Isekai for Second Chance.

"You fool," God harrumphed, "In the first place, there's never a Second Chance. Chances are not given! You decide your own fate and create your opportunities! This transmigration, for example, is the result of your efforts."

Followed by a brief pause...

"This world may appear the same, but things may not happen as you know it!" he shouted, "There is no butterfly effect. In a different world, it's a given, for things to proceed differently!"

I was completely at loss for words...

"What should I do?"

"Do what you should."

...and that's how my life as an unexpected Isekai protagonist began.

Eh, I'm the protagonist, right?

"Only a self-centered person thinks that way. You think the world revolves around you? Fool!"

...ah, okay.