When you hear “another-world fantasy protagonist,” you might imagine someone defeating enemies with overwhelming swordsmanship or blowing away the battlefield with extraordinary magic. However, the protagonist of “Sekai Saikyou no Kouei: Meikyuukoku no Shinjin Tansakusha” is, just as the title suggests, a person who “supports comrades from behind.” Atobe Arihito, the central figure of the story, is a man who worked as a so-called corporate slave before his reincarnation. Involved in an accident, he next arrived in an alternate world called the “Labyrinth Nation.” Suddenly thrown into a completely different environment, Arihito begins walking a new path in life as a labyrinth seeker in this world. Up to this point, it might seem like a classic another-world reincarnation story, but the unique intrigue of this work quickly kicks into gear with the job he ends up choosing.

The job Arihito takes on is called, simply enough, “Rearguard.” Hearing just the name, you might think, “Is it just a job where you stand in the back and provide cover?” But in reality, it is not something so simple. It is a support class harboring an astonishingly broad range of abilities, capable of contributing to attack, assisting in defense, and even handling recovery. Instead of jumping to the front line himself to defeat enemies one after another, he creates situations where his companions can display their maximum power. That is Arihito's fighting style. Placing a support role—often thought of as plain—as the main hero of the story and portraying head-on the concept that “supporting itself becomes strength” is the unique charm of this work.

As Arihito advances his labyrinth exploration, unique and quirky companions gather around him. Among them, a particularly intriguing presence is a demi-human mercenary girl drifting with a somewhat mysterious air. And then there is his beautiful boss from before his reincarnation, whom he unexpectedly reunites with in another world. Facing a person with whom he previously had a superior-subordinate relationship within the organization of a company, but this time as fellow seekers, makes you eager to see what happens next from this dynamic alone. Furthermore, as even more colorful members join and Arihito's support abilities combine with each of their strengths, the entire party gradually grows stronger. The structure where it is not just the protagonist getting strong alone, but rather “the protagonist's abilities shine precisely because his companions are there,” is truly fascinating.

What personally draws me to this work is how pleasantly it overturns the image of “rearguard = side character.” Even if Arihito himself does not step forward to land flashy strikes, his judgment and abilities enhance his companions' attacks, prevent danger, and rally injured members. In other words, even without standing in a prominent spot, he is controlling the battlefield itself. A protagonist whose words “Everyone, I'm 'supporting'!” feel this reassuring might be a rare sight. Anyone who prefers playing buff or healing roles in RPGs will likely find themselves empathizing, thinking, “Exactly, support roles are actually immensely important.”

Moreover, Arihito's ability is not depicted merely as power meant to gain an advantage in combat. The warmth of this work lies in how bonds with companions grow stronger through support. Helping someone creates trust, and that trust becomes the strength supporting the next adventure. Slightly different from the hearty, overpowered rampage one might imagine from the word “ultimate,” the process of climbing the ranks in the Labyrinth Nation while building teamwork with comrades is the major highlight. While possessing the tension of challenging formidable enemies and labyrinths, you can also thoroughly enjoy watching human relationships gradually evolve.

What you feel reading “Sekai Saikyou no Kouei: Meikyuukoku no Shinjin Tansakusha” is that becoming the ultimate does not mean “defeating everything all by yourself.” Protecting companions, healing them, drawing out their power, and strengthening the party itself—that, too, is a splendid form of being the ultimate. The story of Arihito, a former corporate slave, opening up the possibilities of the unknown class “Rearguard” while rising through the Labyrinth Nation alongside unique companions, is a perfect fit not only for fans of classic another-world adventures, but also for those looking for works where team battles and support classes take active roles. Precisely because the protagonist is in the back, the front line of the story becomes exciting. It is a labyrinth fantasy where you can enjoy such a reversed concept.