ALL NOVEL Chapter 6: Chapter 5:
In the afternoon, Himmel found himself growing restless inside the house. The quiet, though comforting at first, had become stifling, and his curiosity about the Royal Capital had been gnawing at him since he arrived. Deciding to act on that curiosity, Himmel stepped out into the bustling streets to explore.
The Royal Capital was a vibrant city, alive with energy and activity. Merchants shouted their wares, offering everything from exotic spices to finely crafted jewelry.
Street performers entertained passersby with acrobatics and music, while children darted between the crowds, laughing and playing. As Himmel walked through the city, he noticed how everyone he passed seemed to recognize him.
"Good day, Sir Himmel," a merchant greeted, bowing slightly.
"Thank you for your service, hero!" another citizen called out, their voice filled with admiration.
Himmel smiled and nodded politely at each greeting, though the attention felt overwhelming. His identity as the hero who had defeated the Demon King was something he hadn't fully come to terms with, and he was already planning to leave the capital soon. His goal was to explore this new world and pursue the study of magic. For now, however, he allowed himself to enjoy the bustling life of the city.
Himmel stopped at a food stall, the enticing aroma of grilled meat drawing him in. "One skewer, please," he said, handing over a few coins.
The vendor smiled, quickly preparing the food. "Here you go, Sir Himmel. It's an honor to serve you!"
Himmel took a bite, his eyes widening at the explosion of flavors. "This is amazing," he murmured, savoring every bite. It was a small but enjoyable moment that reminded him of the simple pleasures this world had to offer.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, Himmel continued his exploration, wandering through markets, residential areas, and even a quiet park where children played. By the time he returned to his house, the sky was painted in hues of orange and pink, and he felt a pleasant weariness from the day's adventures.
Back at the house, Himmel sat on the sofa and opened his inventory.
Inventory:
• Minor mana potion
• Grimoire (basic water and ice spells)
Himmel pulled out the grimoire. It was an old, leather-bound book, its cover adorned with intricate symbols. Holding it in his hands, he said, "Learn."
The system's familiar voice chimed in his mind: [Do you want to learn water and ice spells?.]
Yes or no.
"Yes," Himmel replied without hesitation.
A warm sensation filled his head as the knowledge of the spells was transferred to him. It was an odd but exhilarating experience, as if new pathways were being carved into his mind. Eager to test his new abilities, Himmel stood up and attempted to cast one of the spells. He extended his hand and concentrated, envisioning water forming in his palm.
Nothing happened.
Frowning, Himmel tried again, this time imagining ice instead. Still, there was no result. Frustrated, he considered asking the system for guidance but hesitated. Then he remembered his title: Dumb.
He sighed, deciding to figure it out on his own. Recalling scenes from the anime he had watched in his previous life, he thought about how mages always seemed to use staffs or wands. "Huh... Staff?" he muttered to himself.
"System, do I need a staff to cast spells?"
The system responded promptly: [Congratulations, host, for using your mind. I was beginning to wonder which title I should give you if you asked me.
Ahem!..... Anyway, yes, every mage needs a staff, and you are no exception. Well, technically, you are an exception somehow, but for now, you need a staff.]
"...."
"So that's the case," Himmel said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "But today, while exploring the city, I didn't see any magic staffs for sale. Does that mean this city doesn't have any?"
[You are correct. This city doesn't have what you're looking for. But don't worry, you'll be exploring the world soon. Go to the holy city of Starhl. That's where you'll find what you need.]
"Starhl?" Himmel echoed. "That's where Heiter lives. Well, that makes things easier. If I see him there, I can ask for help."
Ding!
[New Quest: Go to the holy city and get a staff for yourself. Reward: 1 mana potion and 2 healing potions.]
Himmel smiled at the system message. "Alright, I'll leave tomorrow. For now, I should get some rest."
He closed the system interface and prepared for bed, his thoughts swirling with plans for the journey ahead. Just as he was about to drift off to sleep, a sudden thud startled him.
The noise came from the window. Himmel's heightened senses immediately picked up on two silhouettes outside, dressed in black clothes and masks.
"Assassins," he thought, his body tensing. But why were they here? This wasn't part of the story he knew.
Himmel pretended to be asleep, keeping his breathing steady as he observed the intruders. The assassins opened the window and slipped inside with practiced stealth, their movements almost silent. One of them approached the bed where Himmel lay while the other kept watch.
"Are you sure this is the hero who killed the Demon King?" the first assassin whispered. "He must have gotten lucky."
The second assassin nodded, pulling out a dagger. "Doesn't matter. He dies tonight."
The dagger came down, stabbing into the bed-only to strike empty sheets.
"That was close call," a voice said from behind them.
The assassins whirled around to see Himmel standing there, his eyes glinting in the dim light.
"F-!" one of them cursed, jumping back.
"So it wasn't just luck," the other said. "But too bad for you, you have met us Himmel-or should I say Alen?"
The name hit Himmel like a thunderbolt. "Who are you?" he demanded.
The assassins didn't answer. Instead, they charged at him.
Himmel moved in a blur, disappearing from their sight and reappearing in front of one of them. He delivered a powerful kick to the man's head, sending him crashing into the wooden wall.
"Damn it," Himmel muttered, glancing at the damage. "I only have this house, and now you've destroyed it."
The remaining assassin stared at Himmel in shock. "Aim for his soul!" he shouted.
The first assassin, recovering from the blow, pulled out a strange ring and slipped it onto his finger. He began chanting, dark magic swirling around him.
Meanwhile, in a distant, shadowy realm, a translucent figure of a young woman watched the scene. Her form flickered like a hologram, her expression calm.
When she saw the ring, her demeanor changed. A flash of irritation crossed her face, and she vanished.
Back in the house, Himmel raised a shield spell to block the incoming attack. The dark magic collided with the shield, shattering it instantly. The spell struck Himmel, but... nothing happened.
The assassins froze, their expressions turning to disbelief.
"What the... He doesn't have a soul?"
"That's impossible!"
"Retreat!"
The assassins turned to flee, but Himmel wasn't about to let them go.
"Not so fast," he growled, taking a step forward.
Before he could act, the system's voice chimed in his mind:
[New Quest: Kill them in 20 minutes. Failure: Death.]
"..."
Himmel stared blankly at the notification.
"What?!"
End Chapter 5:
"Enjoying the story? Don't forget to send some Power Stones my way. It keeps the motivation flowing!"