The morning sun had just arisen from the east, but the town was buzzing as usual.
Golden light slipped through the towering buildings, casting long shadows beneath the stalls that lined up through the main street side.
Jin sniffed the thick air, which filled with the sweet scent of freshly baked bread or sothing savory like at skewers, rousing his appetite.
Many wooden wheels were creaking over the paved stone road, rumbling past him as the coachn barked his order to clear the path.
"It’s livelier than usual".
Jin scanned his surroundings, walking with a purpose in mind. His black coat fluttered slightly as he walked silently, yet without pause.
It’s been a week since Dannan announced the martial arts festival.
At first, Jin was baffled by the sudden news, but they, the others, began to proactively shower the man with questions until Jin grasped so of them.
The martial arts festival itself was an annual event held every year at the Prothys Academy, located in the middle of the continent.
It would bring together other institutes from various places, such as the academy that pursued a path of craftsmanship and others.
’I never thought that there were other academies besides the one I attended’. Jin shrugged his shoulders, careful not to bump himself into others.
Jin heard he would be going to an academy. But never thought of choosing what kind of academy that was.
At that ti, the boy was too preoccupied with his own training, wanting to beco strong and leave everything to his parents.
He was neglecting his own path.
However, Jin had no clear purpose in the academy. He had already acquired the necessary knowledge, complented by his prior experience in his past life.
Additionally, his strength was already significantly above that of others.
One thing that was still gnawing at his heart was his unknown fate as a scripted Villain.
However, with the existence of the system and quest. Jin managed to deflect so of the tragic conclusions but couldn’t help thinking.
Was Jin’s fate entirely in his grasp? Or was he still dancing in the palm of the invisible hand that pulled him into this world?
Jin shook his head, dismissing the negative thoughts that would later turn into a plague.
"Finally, arrived".
He stood in front of a shop near the junction with the na Malik’s Vault written on the wooden plaque.
With a light push, Jin stepped inside the building, and he was welcod by the clear chi of the bell that soothed his heart.
"Excuse ". Jin’s brows furrowed, seeing a man sitting behind the counter.
The man was around forty with a gentle appearance. His ssy, short brown hair swayed as he shifted his attention.
"Yes, welco to our store." The man stood up, put away the tools in his hand, and walked toward Jin.
"May I help you? Do you need sothing in our store?".
"No, I ca here for the things I ordered last ti".
Jin took a small parchnt from his item box, proof of his transaction the other week.
The man adjusted his round glasses and leaned closer, his brows knitted.
"I see, you are Jin Midnight.. The man straightened up and nodded. "My wife has inford about it."
Jin blinked, ensuring that his hearing was still functioning correctly. ’Wife? How does she know ?’.
Then, from behind the counter, a curtain fluttered open, revealing a familiar, petite woman.
"Dear, I made you so hot milk." The woman’s eyes widened, and she opened her lips. "Oh, custor Jin, did you co for the necklace?".
"Yes, Mrs. Colina. I planned to retrieve it last week, but there was sothing within the academy so".
Jin scratched his cheek and slightly bowed his head.
"Ah, I heard about it. Are you alright? Luckily the monster wave could be stopped".
"Yes, thanks to the teacher".
The two continued the conversation, leaving the man’s mouth hanging open as he lurked in the shadows and retrieved the items in the back.
"Oh, god, I forgot my manners. I should hurry and take your item".
"Here is the requested item".
Before Colina moved from her position, her husband appeared from the back, bringing three wooden boxes with simple designs.
The man opened the lid one by one, revealing three glittering silver chains with various jewels on their heads.
"Thank you dear. Jin you might check it yourself".
After Colina said that, Jin stepped toward the counter and observed the necklace closely.
His erald eyes locked onto the item in the middle — a slender necklace made from Mithril, with its centerpiece a pendant shaped like an eye.
It resembled a predator’s eyes, gleaming viciously in yellow color with a sharp black slit, watching as if ready to strike at any mont.
As he pondered for a few seconds, Jin lifted his head and asked Colina and the man who was sipping the steaming milk.
"May I?".
The two exchanged silly glances, barely holding a chuckle, and nodded.
Jin took the necklace in the middle and snapped the joint before putting it on his neck.
The cold and tingling feeling as if caressed his skin made him aware that he already finished one of the assignnts Artemis had placed on him.
Although he was still unaware of what her request was. But for now, he exhaled in relief and stored the other two in his item box.
Jin took several gold coins from his storage and put them on the counter.
"Thank you, it was all amazing in design".
"I’m glad for fulfilling your request".
"If you need so fix and adjustnt, you can co to this store again".
Colina and her husband said that simultaneously, which made Jin parted his lips in joy and bid his farewell to the two.
"I will take my leave".
After bidding his farewell, followed by the fading clattered bell.
Jin stepped out into the street and took a deep breath. His feet brought him into the bustling place, filled with various food and screams from the vendors.
"How about it, kid? You want to try so?".
"This fruit is fresh, co and see".
"Here are so skewers from a horned rabbit and a mad boar".
He was overwheld by the offer, as he stopped by each stall and bought so of its products, even though the food and ingredients inside his Item Box remained untouched.
The boy didn’t hesitate to splurge his money, knowing he owned more than fifty platinum coins stashed in his Item Box.
A reward he gained after selling the Ancient Dragon mana stone to the King.
Jin walked around while holding a warm paper bag. Inside was brown at with sizzling fat from a horned rabbit, inciting a growl from his stomach.
He bit into the tender at and let the juice flow into his mouth, with a hint of earthy taste from the herbs that enhanced its flavor even more.
One by one, he gobbled the skewers, leaving only the stick that he collected inside the bag.
As he planned to bite the last piece of the at, a sharp cry broke his thoughts.
Jin shifted his attention to the source and stiffened, for he witnessed a chaotic atmosphere as a carriage ca into view.
The driver pulled the reins, shouting, but the panicked horses had already galloped.
In the middle of the street, a young Demi-human girl trembled as she saw the looming disaster about to crush her.
People scread; so even tried to jump toward the girl to protect her, but it was too late.
’This is bad’.
At the last minute, Jin tapped the surrounding mana, and his body burst into a vibrant green. His figure blurred and arrived near the girl and snatched her into his arms, tumbling over the carriage’s deadly passage.
The horses roared past, missing them by an inch as Jin and the girl rolled over the cobblestone, then stopped at the opposite street.
Jin, who lay on his back, gazed downward to feel the girl’s trembling still didn’t subside. He hesitated for a mont before patting her back and calmly said.
"...You’re safe now".
"...Uuu, *hic". The girl’s hands clawed through his fabric while she was sobbing in his chest.
"It’s okay, I’m here with you, It’s okay".
He raised his body to stand up and looked around, watching all the commotion he caused.
"I’m truly sorry". Jin lowered his head in front of the masses, creating a wave of murmurs that spread like wildfire.
The coachn, who saw the girl was safe, loosened his grasp on the reins and exhaled. "...Be careful next ti".
With a flick from his hand, the horse whined before it proceeded slowly on the street, leaving the silent area.
A few seconds passed as the carriage disappeared from sight; Jin straightened his back and looked toward the still-crying girl.
He then moved his legs away from the scene, pondering where he should take the girl.
After several decisions, Jin brought the girl into the center of town and sat on the benches that circled the fountain.
"Have you cald down?". Jin carefully placed the girl on the bench while he knelt before her, ensuring their eyes were at the sa level.
"Um, thank you, big bro".
The girl nodded, and her expression brightened for a little. Her triangle sharp ears twitched continuously as her fluffy tails fluttered behind.
’Is she a fox?’. Jin observed the girl and felt the tug on his sleeve.
"Big bro, what’s your na?". The girl’s sharp athyst eyes blinked adorably, stirring Jin’s protective side.
"My na is Jin, how about you?".
Her fluffy tail perked up, and she parted her lips in joy. "Hiyori na is, Tojima Hiyori".
"Tojima?". Jin’s eyes widened.
"Hiyori’s father was a great rchant from the east".
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