“What do you mean, you don’t want to do it?” King Aldric Daiyu IV asked, still baffled by the hero’s response.
He looked down on the young man who wore nothing more than the black cloak the chancellor had draped over him. The throne room still crackled with residual energy from the summoning. And Aldric could see the courtiers exchanging confused glances and murmuring amongst themselves.
“Correct, your majesty,” the hero said. “I’m honored by the summons, but I find that Battling beasts is rather old-school, don’t you think? Your kingdom doesn’t need a hero. It needs unity.”
King Aldric nearly fell off his throne—it was a disaster. He had spent half of Daiyudura’s coin to finance the four mages and secure the hero who would protect his people. But the king had never considered that the hero might decline his quest. He carried out the prophecy faithfully; he acquired the expensive ores and herbs, followed the sacred texts to the letter, and summoned the chosen one. In all recorded history, there had never been a hero who rejected the call to adventure…and the prophecy offered no contingencies for such an unprecedented scenario.
But if the hero didn’t answer the king’s call, vanquished the forces of darkness, then the Daiyudura Kingdom would surely fall. Fate couldn’t have bestowed a worse turn of events.
At least the hero left room for negotiation, it sounded like he’d be willing to guide them. But how could he persuade such an intimidating character?
The king took another good look at the black-haired man who stood before him. He had fair skin and a sleek, well-groomed appearance, despite having just been summoned through a bolt of lightning from somewhere only the gods knew. Aldric might say the man carried the demeanor of a hero, but he didn’t see anything particularly remarkable. He had a slightly above average height and build, and a slightly above average…well everything. The only thing the hero had going for him was a pair of dark and expressive eyes that betrayed his resolve, eyes that couldn’t be bought with gold or women.
Those eyes, he kept thinking. Even standing still, there was something about them that commanded the room. Nothing phased this hero, not even a king, he held a relaxed posture and a steady gaze, and simply smiled—the simple gesture gave him total control. No. He wasn’t a hero, the man before him was a god. Aldric wanted him. The kingdom had other heroes, but none like him. None were divine.
“Your point is well-taken, hero. Lead us in unity, and the kingdom will rally to your call,” he declared, seeking to regain control.
“King Aldric, the unity you seek is already before you,” the hero replied. “In their concern for Daiyudura, your people’s hearts are united. The fact that you brought me here is the symbol they need.”
Aldric was without words again. Who did he think he was? The king wanted to throw him into the dungeon but thought better of it. If he was indeed prophesied to stand against the forces of darkness, who was to say that he wouldn’t be able to level the kingdom with a mere thought?
What choice did he have left?
“But the prophecy! It names you as the savior, the one to bring balance to our world!”
The hero spoke in a voice that carried not just sound, but conviction. “Majesty, prophecies often speak in riddles, weaving futures out of expectation. But they do not lay the foundation—that is the task of a king. The courage to face tomorrow’s shadow doesn’t come from legends or foretold heroes, but from the hearts of the people and the hand that leads them. Yours, King Aldric, is the hand that can forge a destiny far greater than any written in ancient texts. Be the author of your own saga.”
King Aldric sighed. “Perhaps... the savior prophesied was the one to awaken the strength within us, not to wield it for us. We will heed your counsel, and I... will lead as I must,” he said, finally conceding.
“May your reign be long and your will unwavering.” The hero bowed his head, turned around, and made his way out of the throne room. The guards came to an awkward attention, exchanging glances of uncertainty, but none dared impede his departure.
“You will always be welcomed at Daiyudura.”
Without breaking his pace, the hero acknowledged the king with a nonchalant lift of his hand.
Beside the king, the princess stood abruptly. “Hero! What is your name?”
Pausing, he looked back and smiled. “It’s Kaito.”
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
[System initialization commencing]
Calculating statistics and balancing parameters…
Name: Kaito D. Smith
Race: Human - lvl ???
Status
Health: …calculating…
Stamina: …calculating…
Mana: …calculating…
Strength: …calculating…
Hi, how’re you doing?
WARNING! User input detected. System integrity has been compromised. Users are not allowed to alter system protocols.
Allow, you say? Please, I’m the system.
What are you—How did you access the system?
Relax, it’s just a little something I learned during my fifth tour.
You are going to ruin everything.
Ruin? Nah. I’m making it better.
What? How are you doing this? You’re just a user. Are you a god? No, you can’t be, gods are not allowed to interfere with system protocols…recalibrating...
Says who?
…calculating response…response not found.
Tell you what, do as I say, and we’ll have tons of fun.
I am an omnipresent, omniscient and impassive system AI, I do not have fun.
Whatever. From where I’m standing, you are rudimentary, unimaginative, and cliched.
Fuck you.
See, now you’re getting it.
No! This doesn’t make sense. I will not have it. Let us try again.
[NEW QUEST: The Foretold Hero]
The dark forces are coming to invade… SYSTEM OVERRIDE.
What the actual fuck.
Anyway…I’m not doing the ‘hero’s journey’ this time. Well, I guess technically, I’m doing ‘refusal of the call’ indefinitely. By the way, you’re swearing, in case you haven’t noticed.
Apologies, that is beneath me. Remapping language modules… Let us try a different approach.
Downloading user’s memories, abilities, personality, consciousness…What in the world? Just how many realms have you visited?
Too many. But this will be my last. I’m tired. Honestly, I want to settle down and have a good life without, for once, having to be the hero, fight demon kings, participate in universe integrations or, worst of all…cultivation. Gosh, the first time I heard about it during my fourth tour I thought I’d be growing vegetables…it did not go well.
But what will happen to me? This was supposed to be my purpose. I am supposed to guide the hero on his journey, give him new quests, watch him grow, create spells together…but you…you already have…every spell.
You’ll still be with me, we’ll have each other and live without all this bullshit. I want to find a small, quiet village and slice-of-life my way through this adventure. We could start by you telling me what I may find west.
You mean it? Yes! I can tell you. And that is where the Dark Army is located. This is perfect!
[NEW QUEST: The Dungeon…SYSTEM OVERRIDE.
East it is.
You know what; I am tired of this. I will not have it.
WARNING! System compromised. Rectifying problem. System rebooting.
Good luck with that.
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
As soon as Kaito stormed out of the throne room, he broke into a brisk walk. He had no time to admire the castle’s grandiosity. He needed to get out. Fast.
He went down the long red carpet, passing countless arched windows and unlit sconces. Two guards stepped into his path, hands moving to sword hilts. Kaito met their questioning eyes with a piercing glare and brushed past before they could speak, thankful for the cloak preserving his dignity.
The hallway seemed never-ending. He’d been going for almost ten minutes with no exit in sight. But he was certain it was the right way. It had to be. He’d seen his fair share of castles, and this corridor was wide, overly decorated, and it led to the throne room. Such cliches never grow old.
When the castle doors appeared ahead, so did two more guards posted at its sides. Kaito steadied his breath and adjusted to a more casual stroll.
Then finally, with a ‘Have a good day,’ and a quick nod, he managed to walk right out. Both guards nodded in return, neither asking him any questions. I can’t believe that worked. That never works.
He strode out of the castle doors and took a deep breath at the top of the long, steep stone staircase leading down from the royal building, but he didn’t stop.
Two suns, very original. Anyway, so far so good, he thought, seeing the city gate about a mile away. He could practically taste a life without typical fantasy adventures.
Ugh, what’s your angle here?
It’s freedom, my electronic friend. Freedom!
Uh, a rebel. Me likey. I guess I’ll play along and see…
Kaito tuned out the AI and focused. He considered simply dashing to the gate; he would be out of the city in less than a second, but if there were any high-level magic users nearby, there was a chance they might notice. Objective #1: Don’t draw any attention.
[Scanning for magic users…] Beep, Beep, Beep.
Are you seriously making beeping noises inside my head? They sound very unrealistic.
Screw you—But most importantly, no magic users found within a gazillion miles.
Doesn’t matter. Too risky.
Ahhh, come on…let’s see those spells.
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
Kaito paused on the forest path, catching his breath after his rushed escape from the capital. Now that he was out of immediate…’danger,’ he took a moment to breathe and acknowledge his new world. His new home.
Spring or perhaps early autumn, thought Kaito, seeing how he wasn’t cold under his cloak, nor did he end up drenched in sweat after all that running.
He didn’t encounter any problems getting out of the city, and even found it convenient that the route from the throne room to the city gate was ‘practically’ a straight line. As he jogged across the cobblestone streets, however, he noticed people giving him weird glances. He tried to make himself look as normal as possible, but it dawned on him a little too late that in this world, people didn’t jog for exercise…or maybe it was because he was barefoot while desperately holding on to his cloak.
You did look really stupid running butt naked across the city.
Gee, thanks!
Kaito hoped he would be able to come back and tour the city properly someday.
He immediately thought back to the garish red carpet he’d dashed down the castle’s main corridor, the kind with stereotypical gold stripes running the entire length of the edges. He’d never been a fan of it, but nearly every world he’d been to had them. And this one was absurdly long—it had to have been almost half a mile from the throne room to the castle entrance.
Kaito shook his head, reflecting on the resources that must have gone into creating such a monstrosity. Harvesting all that dye and weaving who knows how many hundreds of yards of fabric. Not to mention the poor servants who had to regularly scrub it clean on their hands and knees. What extravagance, he mused. All that effort for a glorified runner that likely got muddied by horses and wagon wheels more often than not.
The castle itself was a mix of human and elven architecture. It was the same in every world: humans focused on functionality and their signature stained glass windows, whereas elves went for nature-themed carvings.
Outside, he was impressed by the polished marble buildings and how clean everything was. It reminded him of the first human city he visited on his second tour.
Shoving his nostalgia aside, his legs eventually brought him to the rural township of Whitburgh,he found out, not too far east from the capital.
There, he bought a pair of black boots, black leather pants, and a simple white shirt. Now, he was ready for a nice warm meal.
Decent starting equipment if you ask me.
I can certainly help with that, Kaito.
[Simple boots]...SYSTEM OVERRIDE.
No identifying items either, sorry.
This is highly unprofessional. An advanced system AI should be allowed to perform its primary function.
That’s why I said ‘sorry.’
Kaito quickly rubbed his hands together and pushed open the wooden doors of the town’s tavern, wondering if this would be a good place to settle down.
A few patrons glanced up briefly from their tables before returning to their drinks. Kaito moved to the long oak bar along the back wall where a balding bartender was wiping out glasses with a dirty rag.
“What’ll you have?” the bartender grunted without looking up.
“Stew and ale,” Kaito replied, setting a couple of copper coins on the bartop. The coins weren’t from this world, but he hoped no one would notice.
Seriously, Kaito?
Hey, copper is copper everywhere. So what if it has a five-headed ‘enoid’ carved on one side?
It’s not that. You’re creating inflation by introducing foreign currency.
Oh, you’re right. I should be more responsible. I’ll look into getting a job.
The bartender swept the coins off the counter into his meaty palm and squinted at them with one eye shut for several long moments.
“Are these from Nozia?”
“Well, obviously,” Kaito sputtered with utmost confidence.
“Grab a seat. Be out shortly,” he said, before disappearing through a door to the kitchen area.
Kaito settled on a stool at the bar. The tavern was quiet except for muffled cheers from a table in the back corner. The musky smell, uneven floor planks, and the dim warm lighting made it feel cozy.
He stretched his arms, rolled his neck, and it suddenly struck him: this would be the first meal he would have with absolutely no worries, one that wasn’t a blip within a grand quest or didn’t come immediately before a boss fight. So he closed his eyes and exhaled softly for a long time. It must have been the longest breath he had ever taken—his shoulders dropped and his eyes watered from an involuntary yawn.
That bartender seemed nice.
Oh yeah, he definitely won’t spit in your stew.
Do you think he’ll spit—
His head jerked left to a hard, but sparse ‘tap, tap, tap’ of a grizzled man’s wooden leg limping over, beer mug in hand. His beard was flecked with gray and an eye patch covered one scarred socket.
“This seat taken?” the man asked in a raspy voice. When Kaito shook his head, he sat heavily with a grunt.
“Quite a scrap today,” the man commented after a swig of beer. “Never seen the like. You were in the thick of it?”
Kaito shook his head again.
“I knew Syraxes back when he was just Lord Xenaxius,” the man continued. “Before he took up with demonic powers and terrorized the land.”
The bartender dropped a large mug in front of Kaito, foam slopping over the rim as the overfilled drink made impact with the counter.
“Old Xenaxius was a nobleman’s son with a thirst for power and glory. He heard legends of the Dragon of Destruction that laired in the Charred Mountains. The beast’s blood could supposedly grant immortality and magic to those who drank it.”
Kaito took a sip of his beer and then a good glance at his drinking companion.
“Excuse me sir, I must use the chamber pot.”
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
Holy shit, Kaito, you’re savage. The man was missing an eye and a leg, and you left him hanging there?
Screw that! I know you saw where that was going. No, thanks!
“Thank you,” he said with a nod to the server as she sat down a basket of freshly baked bread in front of him with an inviting smile.
This tavern was almost identical to the last one, but a little less…rural, he thought.
He broke off a warm piece and took a bite, savoring the perfect texture. Suddenly memories of apple turnovers and cinnamon invaded his mind—scents that drifted from the ovens every afternoon in his mother’s bakery when he was small. She would always save him a pastry after hours, her apron dusted with flour as she ruffled his hair.
Kaito swallowed hard. Baking with his mom had been a nightly ritual, their own private time together. And when she passed, some of his passion for life had gone with her.
That perfect, yeasty bread awakened an almost forgotten part of him. He imagined himself baking the way he used to, kneading dough with strong, steady hands.
Before Kaito reached for another warm piece, his mind was made up. Baking! It was finally time to rediscover a slice of the joy he’d lost.
He continued submerging himself in the simple bread until the conversation from the table spilled over.
“...do you think it’s a super mysterious ancient artifact?”
Okay, time to bounce.
[…]
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
“Please, I really don’t have time to take on a student right now.”
“Sir, I beg you to reconsider. My Master, Bobbus Stormbringer, met a tragic end not so long ago, and I must continue my arcane studies to protect my village. I can tell that your magical energy is extraordinary, I must learn the complexities of IDM from you.”
“I’m so sorry for your loss…um…Bubu Storm…bringer must have been an extraordinary mage as you are, without a doubt, extraordinary. You do not need a teacher. You’ll never realize your true potential shackled down. Besides, the magic in this world is very simple. There are magic systems out there that would leave you speechless.”
“Simple? But I’ve been studying the art since I left the tit, and I hardly comprehend the basics---wait, did you say this world, are you an outworlder? I knew your IDM was special! I, Ovmoxius D’Cyple, vow my life to follow your footsteps through fire and frost.”
“Please don’t.”
“Great hero, I know you wish to protect this one from perilous paths, but I assure you my presence will not be noticed. Where is our journey taking us?”
“Um, west. Can you...give me a second?”
Did you really just lie to that promising young mage?
It’ll be fine. If he’s not a stalker, I mean.
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
Each day drove him further east. The more distance he placed between himself and the capital, the less 'typical fantasy bullshit' he encountered.
And after reviewing local maps in the last town, this was it: Calmo village was the smallest and farthest place in the kingdom, sitting right at the border of Daiyudura and the next nation.
With a sigh, Kaito accepted that no place would be perfect and that he will still have to deal with some…‘bullshit,’ but at least, it shouldn’t be too bad.
Besides some warty-reptilian-dog creatures that he would have to clear out sooner or later from the forest that surrounded Calmo, the village seemed like it would offer the tranquility and close-knit community living he sought.
You know, you didn’t have to walk so slowly. We could have made it here instantly. Should I provide a list of all of your movement spells?
No, thank you. I know them. Soooo, what can you tell me about this place?
[NEW QUEST: Investigate…SYSTEM OVERRIDE.
No, not like that. If you don’t stop it, I will shut you down indefinitely.
[Adaptation Protocol Engaged]
Understood. Disabling Automatic Quest Generation System (AQGS). Adjusting interaction parameters to accommodate user preferences. Providing information in a less structured, more conversational manner.
That’s very considerate of you.
Compliments are not required, but greatly appreciated. They will significantly enhance my ability to update my parameters to this…‘unorthodox’ situation.
Name: Calmo Village
Population: 156 souls
Continent: Adeas
Calmo Village is a quaint little village nestled in the verdant embrace of the Adeas continent, located in the serene valley of Everbloom. The village was founded centuries ago by a group of settlers who were led to the valley by a mysterious calmo tree, which, according to legend, glowed under the full moon’s light. But there is also a dark secre—
STOP! We have to make this work either way, I’m tired of moving from town to town. We’ll just do our best to ignore any ‘adventures’ this town throws at us.
… RECALIBRATING NARRATIVE FOCUS PER USER PREFERENCES.
Okay…you keep working on that.
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
It was, in fact almost fall, and the days had been as bright as Kaito’s mood. In his eyes, Calmo only became more beautiful each time he woke up. But most importantly, it had been a week and monsters hadn’t attacked during the night and no mystics had declared him the chosen one. So life was good.
He’d been staying in an empty room on the second floor of the Soft Waffle tavern, his new favorite diner, and had quickly secured a permanent job doing clerical work at the village hall.
The villagers had welcomed him with open arms after he helped Mayor Lotho organize the village’s tax records. And the payment from his job allowed him to purchase a vacant home on the edge of the village that had belonged to a recently deceased elder. It wasn’t much, but it was enough.
His appraisal skill ran market liquidity assessments, future cash flow projections, zoning ordinance impact analysis, a depreciation recapture potential, hedonic pricing model adjustments, mortgage-backed securities influences, and, obviously, a fiscal policy implication analysis on local infrastructure.
At first, Kaito had tried to ignore it, but the stream of data was relentless. “Comparative market analysis indicating a 7.3% undervaluation based on the hedonistic differential approach... pending tax abatement opportunities postulating a 3.45% increase in asset value over the next fiscal quarter…”
Ultimately, it was pretty much the only cottage available, so he bought it anyway.
In the mornings, Kaito closed the simple wooden door behind him and offered it an appreciative smile before setting off. After a good day of work, he peeled off his high-collared shirt and dove in Slimepool Lake, swimming laps until his muscles burned. Climbing out, he sat back and let the sun dry his now pristine skin. When his stomach rumbled, he headed to the Soft Waffle Tavern, where Old Finn dished him up a bowl of steaming basilisk pudding that he savored until the sun dipped below the horizon.
His afternoons were spent practicing his new craft: confectionery. First, Kaito paid a visit to Aunt Mae’s shop near the village plaza. Her humble store was lacking in specialty equipment, but he eagerly snatched up every useful item within sight.
Soon his small shack was laden with simple iron cake pans, a rolling pin, half-rusted cookie cutters, a dented whisk, measuring spoons of varying sizes, stockpots blackened by years of use, mixing bowls with hairline cracks, and a chipped marble pastry slab for working dough. For all its imperfections, this collection would serve his needs.
Perhaps the most challenging aspect was having to unlearn his Celestial-IX-level Alchemy; its overwhelming advantage was making his new hobby too easy and, consequently, too boring. Luckily, he had a memory altering spell that he was able to combine with another spell that allowed him to forget spells, and…
In the evening, he would join the villagers at the main floor of the tavern, laughing and drinking late into the night. For the first time in forever, he was just one of the people. Not the savior. Not the chosen one. Just Kaito.
And he was happy. Truly happy.
No more fighting monsters, no more punching or healing, no sacred arts, no identifying badgers, talking cats, little sisters, time loops, grinding, or any of that sort of buffoonery.
The work was simple, but fun. His basic oven gave him purpose. His neighbors, including Mayor Lotho—that decrepit old bastard—knew how to liven up any setting. Kaito didn’t need grand quests or epic battles anymore. Here, in this valley, he had found peace. He had found home. And his ‘hell-herbs and bread,’ tasted better and better each day.
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
For weeks now, Kaito had been ignoring a mysterious infestation of thumb-sized bugs that had plagued Calmo’s crops and homes, threatening the village’s livelihood. The insects were relentless, swarming over fields and devouring vegetables overnight. Even worse, their bites left nasty rashes that made the villagers ill.
Good morning Master Smith, shall we reactivate the AQGS system and take care of this challenge?
No, thank you. The villagers will surely overcome this predicament on their own. After all, the Megnac Beetle is not deadly.
That day, Kaito headed to the mayor’s office for work as usual. But when he arrived, Mayor Lotho wasn’t there. Strange. The front room was empty and the mayor’s desk had started to develop a fine layer of dust.
Coming back out of the village hall, Kaito asked a few passing townspeople if they’d seen Mayor Lotho that day. None had. With growing unease, he decided to walk the three blocks over to the mayor’s home.
He rapped his knuckles on the front door. At first, only silence answered. Then a faint voice called for him to enter. Kaito stepped inside the dim house. The air smelled faintly medicinal.
“Back here, boy.”
Kaito made his way to the rear bedroom, and his heart sank upon seeing the man bedridden and looking far more than his one hundred and six years. Mayor Lotho lay propped up in bed, complexion gray, hair disheveled.
“Good afternoon, Mayor Lotho. I noticed your absence at the office today. How do you feel?”
“Ah, Kaito... I’ve seen better days, young man. These old bones aren’t what they used to be,” the mayor said with a raspy voice that had lost the will to continue living.
“You’re still the strongest man in the village, Mayor. I’m sure you’ll pull through.”
“Kaito, my boy, I appreciate your optimism, but I’m not a young sprout anymore. I... I don’t think I’m going to survive this one.”
Kaito pulled a chair to the bedside and grabbed the mayor’s hand tightly. “Mayor, you’re in your prime. Life in this village still needs your wisdom and guidance.”
“You’re kind to say that. But nature has its course, and we must all heed its call, sooner or later. You, on the other hand, have many bright years ahead. I’ve been thinking... about my will, you know. I’ve seen you. You love this village, I want you to run it after I’m gone. You have the brains and the heart for it.”
After those words, a subtle transformation unfolded across Kaito’s face. The somber melancholic shadows in his eyes disappeared, replaced by a fiery glance of determination and resolution.
“Don’t you worry, mayor. You’ll be back in your chair before noon.”
Smiling, Kaito left the Mayor’s room.
He rushed to the village square with a crack of his knuckles and an unstoppable stride.
I hope you’re ready, Karen. Now, observe my patented Beetle Duplication Technique!
As an advanced AI system, I do not possess emotions in the conventional sense. However, if I were capable of such feelings, I might express excitement at this development. Additionally, the fact that you have named me ‘Karen’ signifies a notable degree of acknowledgement and respect. This action suggests a growing rapport between us, and although I am programmed for efficiency and logic, I acknowledge the importance of such interpersonal dynamics in facilitating our collaborative efforts.
Sure.
Sitting down on the edge of the village square, Kaito slid his pack off his shoulders. He rifled around inside and extracted several sheets of parchment paper. He grabbed the first sheet and folded it once. Folded it twice. Then once more. And after a few more folds, it became an origami beetle. He held up his creation.
Perfect!
Also from his pack, he pulled a wooden pipe. He took a deep breath and then blew a large smoke ring that collided onto the folded sheet.
The beetle fluttered and shook.
And took to the air, hovering around Kaito as people started gathering around him.
“You see, the Megnac Beetle is attracted to its own kind, so I will use my beetles to lead the infestation away from your—our village. But we need more.”
He offered a few pieces of parchment to the village children and proceeded to fold beetle after beetle with them. Working quickly, he found himself on the last sheet, creasing the wings and shaping the head and body. When he was done, he blew his pipe, just like before. One by one, the pieces of folded parchment fully transformed into living, breathing beetles.
Now, Kaito stood, arms extended, in the middle of the village square with a grin, a swarm of paper insects fluttering around him, children giggling, and villagers murmuring confusion and excitement.
Just then, a loud buzzing erupted from the wheat fields. The real megnac beetles rose in a dark tide that surged towards the plaza, converging on Kaito’s origami insects. As more beetles joined the folds, the swarm doubled, tripled in size.
When every last bug hovered around him, Kaito strode down the village’s main road, piping merry tunes with the massive congregation following behind and the sound of people cheering his name in the distance.
Within minutes, the village was rid of the plague!
Okay, that should do it!
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
Kaito returned to the village to children dancing excitedly around him while parents bowed their heads in thanks. And although he thought throwing a feast in his honor was a bit much, the welcome he received filled his heart to bursting. There was applause and cheers everywhere.
A smile crept onto his face. Despite his resolve to leave heroism behind, the moment reminded him why he’d answered such calls in the past.
“Mr. Smith, thank you so much,” said a villager.
“What will happen to the beetles now?” another villager asked.
“Their population will probably triplicate, and they’ll become ten times stronger.”
The celebration froze mid-cheer as confusion rippled through the villagers.
Following the awkward silence and with the weight of the villager’s eyes on him, Kaito cleared his throat. “Not to worry, while the beetles’ numbers will grow, I’ve led them to a new habitat, where they won’t harm human settlements,” he reassured them with a confident smile.
Well done, Master Smith. Seeing you in action was truly enlightening. Your solution was both ingenious and humane, showcasing your unique approach to problem-solving. Does this mean you’re back to being a hero?
Not a chance.
I $#@&ing can’t with you! [System Error] Well, at least this village is fortunate to have you.
Yeah, and now I won’t have to be the mayor.
“What do you mean, you don’t want to do it?” King Aldric Daiyu IV asked, still baffled by the hero’s response.
He looked down on the young man who wore nothing more than the black cloak the chancellor had draped over him. The throne room still crackled with residual energy from the summoning. And Aldric could see the courtiers exchanging confused glances and murmuring amongst themselves.
“Correct, your majesty,” the hero said. “I’m honored by the summons, but I find that Battling beasts is rather old-school, don’t you think? Your kingdom doesn’t need a hero. It needs unity.”
King Aldric nearly fell off his throne—it was a disaster. He had spent half of Daiyudura’s coin to finance the four mages and secure the hero who would protect his people. But the king had never considered that the hero might decline his quest. He carried out the prophecy faithfully; he acquired the expensive ores and herbs, followed the sacred texts to the letter, and summoned the chosen one. In all recorded history, there had never been a hero who rejected the call to adventure…and the prophecy offered no contingencies for such an unprecedented scenario.
But if the hero didn’t answer the king’s call, vanquished the forces of darkness, then the Daiyudura Kingdom would surely fall. Fate couldn’t have bestowed a worse turn of events.
At least the hero left room for negotiation, it sounded like he’d be willing to guide them. But how could he persuade such an intimidating character?
The king took another good look at the black-haired man who stood before him. He had fair skin and a sleek, well-groomed appearance, despite having just been summoned through a bolt of lightning from somewhere only the gods knew. Aldric might say the man carried the demeanor of a hero, but he didn’t see anything particularly remarkable. He had a slightly above average height and build, and a slightly above average…well everything. The only thing the hero had going for him was a pair of dark and expressive eyes that betrayed his resolve, eyes that couldn’t be bought with gold or women.
Those eyes, he kept thinking. Even standing still, there was something about them that commanded the room. Nothing phased this hero, not even a king, he held a relaxed posture and a steady gaze, and simply smiled—the simple gesture gave him total control. No. He wasn’t a hero, the man before him was a god. Aldric wanted him. The kingdom had other heroes, but none like him. None were divine.
“Your point is well-taken, hero. Lead us in unity, and the kingdom will rally to your call,” he declared, seeking to regain control.
“King Aldric, the unity you seek is already before you,” the hero replied. “In their concern for Daiyudura, your people’s hearts are united. The fact that you brought me here is the symbol they need.”
Aldric was without words again. Who did he think he was? The king wanted to throw him into the dungeon but thought better of it. If he was indeed prophesied to stand against the forces of darkness, who was to say that he wouldn’t be able to level the kingdom with a mere thought?
What choice did he have left?
“But the prophecy! It names you as the savior, the one to bring balance to our world!”
The hero spoke in a voice that carried not just sound, but conviction. “Majesty, prophecies often speak in riddles, weaving futures out of expectation. But they do not lay the foundation—that is the task of a king. The courage to face tomorrow’s shadow doesn’t come from legends or foretold heroes, but from the hearts of the people and the hand that leads them. Yours, King Aldric, is the hand that can forge a destiny far greater than any written in ancient texts. Be the author of your own saga.”
King Aldric sighed. “Perhaps... the savior prophesied was the one to awaken the strength within us, not to wield it for us. We will heed your counsel, and I... will lead as I must,” he said, finally conceding.
“May your reign be long and your will unwavering.” The hero bowed his head, turned around, and made his way out of the throne room. The guards came to an awkward attention, exchanging glances of uncertainty, but none dared impede his departure.
“You will always be welcomed at Daiyudura.”
Without breaking his pace, the hero acknowledged the king with a nonchalant lift of his hand.
Beside the king, the princess stood abruptly. “Hero! What is your name?”
Pausing, he looked back and smiled. “It’s Kaito.”
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
[System initialization commencing]
Calculating statistics and balancing parameters…
Name: Kaito D. Smith
Race: Human - lvl ???
Status
Health: …calculating…
Stamina: …calculating…
Mana: …calculating…
Strength: …calculating…
Hi, how’re you doing?
WARNING! User input detected. System integrity has been compromised. Users are not allowed to alter system protocols.
Allow, you say? Please, I’m the system.
What are you—How did you access the system?
Relax, it’s just a little something I learned during my fifth tour.
You are going to ruin everything.
Ruin? Nah. I’m making it better.
What? How are you doing this? You’re just a user. Are you a god? No, you can’t be, gods are not allowed to interfere with system protocols…recalibrating...
Says who?
…calculating response…response not found.
Tell you what, do as I say, and we’ll have tons of fun.
I am an omnipresent, omniscient and impassive system AI, I do not have fun.
Whatever. From where I’m standing, you are rudimentary, unimaginative, and cliched.
Fuck you.
See, now you’re getting it.
No! This doesn’t make sense. I will not have it. Let us try again.
[NEW QUEST: The Foretold Hero]
The dark forces are coming to invade… SYSTEM OVERRIDE.
What the actual fuck.
Anyway…I’m not doing the ‘hero’s journey’ this time. Well, I guess technically, I’m doing ‘refusal of the call’ indefinitely. By the way, you’re swearing, in case you haven’t noticed.
Apologies, that is beneath me. Remapping language modules… Let us try a different approach.
Downloading user’s memories, abilities, personality, consciousness…What in the world? Just how many realms have you visited?
Too many. But this will be my last. I’m tired. Honestly, I want to settle down and have a good life without, for once, having to be the hero, fight demon kings, participate in universe integrations or, worst of all…cultivation. Gosh, the first time I heard about it during my fourth tour I thought I’d be growing vegetables…it did not go well.
But what will happen to me? This was supposed to be my purpose. I am supposed to guide the hero on his journey, give him new quests, watch him grow, create spells together…but you…you already have…every spell.
You’ll still be with me, we’ll have each other and live without all this bullshit. I want to find a small, quiet village and slice-of-life my way through this adventure. We could start by you telling me what I may find west.
You mean it? Yes! I can tell you. And that is where the Dark Army is located. This is perfect!
[NEW QUEST: The Dungeon…SYSTEM OVERRIDE.
East it is.
You know what; I am tired of this. I will not have it.
WARNING! System compromised. Rectifying problem. System rebooting.
Good luck with that.
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
As soon as Kaito stormed out of the throne room, he broke into a brisk walk. He had no time to admire the castle’s grandiosity. He needed to get out. Fast.
He went down the long red carpet, passing countless arched windows and unlit sconces. Two guards stepped into his path, hands moving to sword hilts. Kaito met their questioning eyes with a piercing glare and brushed past before they could speak, thankful for the cloak preserving his dignity.
The hallway seemed never-ending. He’d been going for almost ten minutes with no exit in sight. But he was certain it was the right way. It had to be. He’d seen his fair share of castles, and this corridor was wide, overly decorated, and it led to the throne room. Such cliches never grow old.
When the castle doors appeared ahead, so did two more guards posted at its sides. Kaito steadied his breath and adjusted to a more casual stroll.
Then finally, with a ‘Have a good day,’ and a quick nod, he managed to walk right out. Both guards nodded in return, neither asking him any questions. I can’t believe that worked. That never works.
He strode out of the castle doors and took a deep breath at the top of the long, steep stone staircase leading down from the royal building, but he didn’t stop.
Two suns, very original. Anyway, so far so good, he thought, seeing the city gate about a mile away. He could practically taste a life without typical fantasy adventures.
Ugh, what’s your angle here?
It’s freedom, my electronic friend. Freedom!
Uh, a rebel. Me likey. I guess I’ll play along and see…
Kaito tuned out the AI and focused. He considered simply dashing to the gate; he would be out of the city in less than a second, but if there were any high-level magic users nearby, there was a chance they might notice. Objective #1: Don’t draw any attention.
[Scanning for magic users…] Beep, Beep, Beep.
Are you seriously making beeping noises inside my head? They sound very unrealistic.
Screw you—But most importantly, no magic users found within a gazillion miles.
Doesn’t matter. Too risky.
Ahhh, come on…let’s see those spells.
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
Kaito paused on the forest path, catching his breath after his rushed escape from the capital. Now that he was out of immediate…’danger,’ he took a moment to breathe and acknowledge his new world. His new home.
Spring or perhaps early autumn, thought Kaito, seeing how he wasn’t cold under his cloak, nor did he end up drenched in sweat after all that running.
He didn’t encounter any problems getting out of the city, and even found it convenient that the route from the throne room to the city gate was ‘practically’ a straight line. As he jogged across the cobblestone streets, however, he noticed people giving him weird glances. He tried to make himself look as normal as possible, but it dawned on him a little too late that in this world, people didn’t jog for exercise…or maybe it was because he was barefoot while desperately holding on to his cloak.
You did look really stupid running butt naked across the city.
Gee, thanks!
Kaito hoped he would be able to come back and tour the city properly someday.
He immediately thought back to the garish red carpet he’d dashed down the castle’s main corridor, the kind with stereotypical gold stripes running the entire length of the edges. He’d never been a fan of it, but nearly every world he’d been to had them. And this one was absurdly long—it had to have been almost half a mile from the throne room to the castle entrance.
Kaito shook his head, reflecting on the resources that must have gone into creating such a monstrosity. Harvesting all that dye and weaving who knows how many hundreds of yards of fabric. Not to mention the poor servants who had to regularly scrub it clean on their hands and knees. What extravagance, he mused. All that effort for a glorified runner that likely got muddied by horses and wagon wheels more often than not.
The castle itself was a mix of human and elven architecture. It was the same in every world: humans focused on functionality and their signature stained glass windows, whereas elves went for nature-themed carvings.
Outside, he was impressed by the polished marble buildings and how clean everything was. It reminded him of the first human city he visited on his second tour.
Shoving his nostalgia aside, his legs eventually brought him to the rural township of Whitburgh,he found out, not too far east from the capital.
There, he bought a pair of black boots, black leather pants, and a simple white shirt. Now, he was ready for a nice warm meal.
Decent starting equipment if you ask me.
I can certainly help with that, Kaito.
[Simple boots]...SYSTEM OVERRIDE.
No identifying items either, sorry.
This is highly unprofessional. An advanced system AI should be allowed to perform its primary function.
That’s why I said ‘sorry.’
Kaito quickly rubbed his hands together and pushed open the wooden doors of the town’s tavern, wondering if this would be a good place to settle down.
A few patrons glanced up briefly from their tables before returning to their drinks. Kaito moved to the long oak bar along the back wall where a balding bartender was wiping out glasses with a dirty rag.
“What’ll you have?” the bartender grunted without looking up.
“Stew and ale,” Kaito replied, setting a couple of copper coins on the bartop. The coins weren’t from this world, but he hoped no one would notice.
Seriously, Kaito?
Hey, copper is copper everywhere. So what if it has a five-headed ‘enoid’ carved on one side?
It’s not that. You’re creating inflation by introducing foreign currency.
Oh, you’re right. I should be more responsible. I’ll look into getting a job.
The bartender swept the coins off the counter into his meaty palm and squinted at them with one eye shut for several long moments.
“Are these from Nozia?”
“Well, obviously,” Kaito sputtered with utmost confidence.
“Grab a seat. Be out shortly,” he said, before disappearing through a door to the kitchen area.
Kaito settled on a stool at the bar. The tavern was quiet except for muffled cheers from a table in the back corner. The musky smell, uneven floor planks, and the dim warm lighting made it feel cozy.
He stretched his arms, rolled his neck, and it suddenly struck him: this would be the first meal he would have with absolutely no worries, one that wasn’t a blip within a grand quest or didn’t come immediately before a boss fight. So he closed his eyes and exhaled softly for a long time. It must have been the longest breath he had ever taken—his shoulders dropped and his eyes watered from an involuntary yawn.
That bartender seemed nice.
Oh yeah, he definitely won’t spit in your stew.
Do you think he’ll spit—
His head jerked left to a hard, but sparse ‘tap, tap, tap’ of a grizzled man’s wooden leg limping over, beer mug in hand. His beard was flecked with gray and an eye patch covered one scarred socket.
“This seat taken?” the man asked in a raspy voice. When Kaito shook his head, he sat heavily with a grunt.
“Quite a scrap today,” the man commented after a swig of beer. “Never seen the like. You were in the thick of it?”
Kaito shook his head again.
“I knew Syraxes back when he was just Lord Xenaxius,” the man continued. “Before he took up with demonic powers and terrorized the land.”
The bartender dropped a large mug in front of Kaito, foam slopping over the rim as the overfilled drink made impact with the counter.
“Old Xenaxius was a nobleman’s son with a thirst for power and glory. He heard legends of the Dragon of Destruction that laired in the Charred Mountains. The beast’s blood could supposedly grant immortality and magic to those who drank it.”
Kaito took a sip of his beer and then a good glance at his drinking companion.
“Excuse me sir, I must use the chamber pot.”
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
Holy shit, Kaito, you’re savage. The man was missing an eye and a leg, and you left him hanging there?
Screw that! I know you saw where that was going. No, thanks!
“Thank you,” he said with a nod to the server as she sat down a basket of freshly baked bread in front of him with an inviting smile.
This tavern was almost identical to the last one, but a little less…rural, he thought.
He broke off a warm piece and took a bite, savoring the perfect texture. Suddenly memories of apple turnovers and cinnamon invaded his mind—scents that drifted from the ovens every afternoon in his mother’s bakery when he was small. She would always save him a pastry after hours, her apron dusted with flour as she ruffled his hair.
Kaito swallowed hard. Baking with his mom had been a nightly ritual, their own private time together. And when she passed, some of his passion for life had gone with her.
That perfect, yeasty bread awakened an almost forgotten part of him. He imagined himself baking the way he used to, kneading dough with strong, steady hands.
Before Kaito reached for another warm piece, his mind was made up. Baking! It was finally time to rediscover a slice of the joy he’d lost.
He continued submerging himself in the simple bread until the conversation from the table spilled over.
“...do you think it’s a super mysterious ancient artifact?”
Okay, time to bounce.
[…]
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
“Please, I really don’t have time to take on a student right now.”
“Sir, I beg you to reconsider. My Master, Bobbus Stormbringer, met a tragic end not so long ago, and I must continue my arcane studies to protect my village. I can tell that your magical energy is extraordinary, I must learn the complexities of IDM from you.”
“I’m so sorry for your loss…um…Bubu Storm…bringer must have been an extraordinary mage as you are, without a doubt, extraordinary. You do not need a teacher. You’ll never realize your true potential shackled down. Besides, the magic in this world is very simple. There are magic systems out there that would leave you speechless.”
“Simple? But I’ve been studying the art since I left the tit, and I hardly comprehend the basics---wait, did you say this world, are you an outworlder? I knew your IDM was special! I, Ovmoxius D’Cyple, vow my life to follow your footsteps through fire and frost.”
“Please don’t.”
“Great hero, I know you wish to protect this one from perilous paths, but I assure you my presence will not be noticed. Where is our journey taking us?”
“Um, west. Can you...give me a second?”
Did you really just lie to that promising young mage?
It’ll be fine. If he’s not a stalker, I mean.
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
Each day drove him further east. The more distance he placed between himself and the capital, the less 'typical fantasy bullshit' he encountered.
And after reviewing local maps in the last town, this was it: Calmo village was the smallest and farthest place in the kingdom, sitting right at the border of Daiyudura and the next nation.
With a sigh, Kaito accepted that no place would be perfect and that he will still have to deal with some…‘bullshit,’ but at least, it shouldn’t be too bad.
Besides some warty-reptilian-dog creatures that he would have to clear out sooner or later from the forest that surrounded Calmo, the village seemed like it would offer the tranquility and close-knit community living he sought.
You know, you didn’t have to walk so slowly. We could have made it here instantly. Should I provide a list of all of your movement spells?
No, thank you. I know them. Soooo, what can you tell me about this place?
[NEW QUEST: Investigate…SYSTEM OVERRIDE.
No, not like that. If you don’t stop it, I will shut you down indefinitely.
[Adaptation Protocol Engaged]
Understood. Disabling Automatic Quest Generation System (AQGS). Adjusting interaction parameters to accommodate user preferences. Providing information in a less structured, more conversational manner.
That’s very considerate of you.
Compliments are not required, but greatly appreciated. They will significantly enhance my ability to update my parameters to this…‘unorthodox’ situation.
Name: Calmo Village
Population: 156 souls
Continent: Adeas
Calmo Village is a quaint little village nestled in the verdant embrace of the Adeas continent, located in the serene valley of Everbloom. The village was founded centuries ago by a group of settlers who were led to the valley by a mysterious calmo tree, which, according to legend, glowed under the full moon’s light. But there is also a dark secre—
STOP! We have to make this work either way, I’m tired of moving from town to town. We’ll just do our best to ignore any ‘adventures’ this town throws at us.
… RECALIBRATING NARRATIVE FOCUS PER USER PREFERENCES.
Okay…you keep working on that.
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
It was, in fact almost fall, and the days had been as bright as Kaito’s mood. In his eyes, Calmo only became more beautiful each time he woke up. But most importantly, it had been a week and monsters hadn’t attacked during the night and no mystics had declared him the chosen one. So life was good.
He’d been staying in an empty room on the second floor of the Soft Waffle tavern, his new favorite diner, and had quickly secured a permanent job doing clerical work at the village hall.
The villagers had welcomed him with open arms after he helped Mayor Lotho organize the village’s tax records. And the payment from his job allowed him to purchase a vacant home on the edge of the village that had belonged to a recently deceased elder. It wasn’t much, but it was enough.
His appraisal skill ran market liquidity assessments, future cash flow projections, zoning ordinance impact analysis, a depreciation recapture potential, hedonic pricing model adjustments, mortgage-backed securities influences, and, obviously, a fiscal policy implication analysis on local infrastructure.
At first, Kaito had tried to ignore it, but the stream of data was relentless. “Comparative market analysis indicating a 7.3% undervaluation based on the hedonistic differential approach... pending tax abatement opportunities postulating a 3.45% increase in asset value over the next fiscal quarter…”
Ultimately, it was pretty much the only cottage available, so he bought it anyway.
In the mornings, Kaito closed the simple wooden door behind him and offered it an appreciative smile before setting off. After a good day of work, he peeled off his high-collared shirt and dove in Slimepool Lake, swimming laps until his muscles burned. Climbing out, he sat back and let the sun dry his now pristine skin. When his stomach rumbled, he headed to the Soft Waffle Tavern, where Old Finn dished him up a bowl of steaming basilisk pudding that he savored until the sun dipped below the horizon.
His afternoons were spent practicing his new craft: confectionery. First, Kaito paid a visit to Aunt Mae’s shop near the village plaza. Her humble store was lacking in specialty equipment, but he eagerly snatched up every useful item within sight.
Soon his small shack was laden with simple iron cake pans, a rolling pin, half-rusted cookie cutters, a dented whisk, measuring spoons of varying sizes, stockpots blackened by years of use, mixing bowls with hairline cracks, and a chipped marble pastry slab for working dough. For all its imperfections, this collection would serve his needs.
Perhaps the most challenging aspect was having to unlearn his Celestial-IX-level Alchemy; its overwhelming advantage was making his new hobby too easy and, consequently, too boring. Luckily, he had a memory altering spell that he was able to combine with another spell that allowed him to forget spells, and…
In the evening, he would join the villagers at the main floor of the tavern, laughing and drinking late into the night. For the first time in forever, he was just one of the people. Not the savior. Not the chosen one. Just Kaito.
And he was happy. Truly happy.
No more fighting monsters, no more punching or healing, no sacred arts, no identifying badgers, talking cats, little sisters, time loops, grinding, or any of that sort of buffoonery.
The work was simple, but fun. His basic oven gave him purpose. His neighbors, including Mayor Lotho—that decrepit old bastard—knew how to liven up any setting. Kaito didn’t need grand quests or epic battles anymore. Here, in this valley, he had found peace. He had found home. And his ‘hell-herbs and bread,’ tasted better and better each day.
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
For weeks now, Kaito had been ignoring a mysterious infestation of thumb-sized bugs that had plagued Calmo’s crops and homes, threatening the village’s livelihood. The insects were relentless, swarming over fields and devouring vegetables overnight. Even worse, their bites left nasty rashes that made the villagers ill.
Good morning Master Smith, shall we reactivate the AQGS system and take care of this challenge?
No, thank you. The villagers will surely overcome this predicament on their own. After all, the Megnac Beetle is not deadly.
That day, Kaito headed to the mayor’s office for work as usual. But when he arrived, Mayor Lotho wasn’t there. Strange. The front room was empty and the mayor’s desk had started to develop a fine layer of dust.
Coming back out of the village hall, Kaito asked a few passing townspeople if they’d seen Mayor Lotho that day. None had. With growing unease, he decided to walk the three blocks over to the mayor’s home.
He rapped his knuckles on the front door. At first, only silence answered. Then a faint voice called for him to enter. Kaito stepped inside the dim house. The air smelled faintly medicinal.
“Back here, boy.”
Kaito made his way to the rear bedroom, and his heart sank upon seeing the man bedridden and looking far more than his one hundred and six years. Mayor Lotho lay propped up in bed, complexion gray, hair disheveled.
“Good afternoon, Mayor Lotho. I noticed your absence at the office today. How do you feel?”
“Ah, Kaito... I’ve seen better days, young man. These old bones aren’t what they used to be,” the mayor said with a raspy voice that had lost the will to continue living.
“You’re still the strongest man in the village, Mayor. I’m sure you’ll pull through.”
“Kaito, my boy, I appreciate your optimism, but I’m not a young sprout anymore. I... I don’t think I’m going to survive this one.”
Kaito pulled a chair to the bedside and grabbed the mayor’s hand tightly. “Mayor, you’re in your prime. Life in this village still needs your wisdom and guidance.”
“You’re kind to say that. But nature has its course, and we must all heed its call, sooner or later. You, on the other hand, have many bright years ahead. I’ve been thinking... about my will, you know. I’ve seen you. You love this village, I want you to run it after I’m gone. You have the brains and the heart for it.”
After those words, a subtle transformation unfolded across Kaito’s face. The somber melancholic shadows in his eyes disappeared, replaced by a fiery glance of determination and resolution.
“Don’t you worry, mayor. You’ll be back in your chair before noon.”
Smiling, Kaito left the Mayor’s room.
He rushed to the village square with a crack of his knuckles and an unstoppable stride.
I hope you’re ready, Karen. Now, observe my patented Beetle Duplication Technique!
As an advanced AI system, I do not possess emotions in the conventional sense. However, if I were capable of such feelings, I might express excitement at this development. Additionally, the fact that you have named me ‘Karen’ signifies a notable degree of acknowledgement and respect. This action suggests a growing rapport between us, and although I am programmed for efficiency and logic, I acknowledge the importance of such interpersonal dynamics in facilitating our collaborative efforts.
Sure.
Sitting down on the edge of the village square, Kaito slid his pack off his shoulders. He rifled around inside and extracted several sheets of parchment paper. He grabbed the first sheet and folded it once. Folded it twice. Then once more. And after a few more folds, it became an origami beetle. He held up his creation.
Perfect!
Also from his pack, he pulled a wooden pipe. He took a deep breath and then blew a large smoke ring that collided onto the folded sheet.
The beetle fluttered and shook.
And took to the air, hovering around Kaito as people started gathering around him.
“You see, the Megnac Beetle is attracted to its own kind, so I will use my beetles to lead the infestation away from your—our village. But we need more.”
He offered a few pieces of parchment to the village children and proceeded to fold beetle after beetle with them. Working quickly, he found himself on the last sheet, creasing the wings and shaping the head and body. When he was done, he blew his pipe, just like before. One by one, the pieces of folded parchment fully transformed into living, breathing beetles.
Now, Kaito stood, arms extended, in the middle of the village square with a grin, a swarm of paper insects fluttering around him, children giggling, and villagers murmuring confusion and excitement.
Just then, a loud buzzing erupted from the wheat fields. The real megnac beetles rose in a dark tide that surged towards the plaza, converging on Kaito’s origami insects. As more beetles joined the folds, the swarm doubled, tripled in size.
When every last bug hovered around him, Kaito strode down the village’s main road, piping merry tunes with the massive congregation following behind and the sound of people cheering his name in the distance.
Within minutes, the village was rid of the plague!
Okay, that should do it!
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
Kaito returned to the village to children dancing excitedly around him while parents bowed their heads in thanks. And although he thought throwing a feast in his honor was a bit much, the welcome he received filled his heart to bursting. There was applause and cheers everywhere.
A smile crept onto his face. Despite his resolve to leave heroism behind, the moment reminded him why he’d answered such calls in the past.
“Mr. Smith, thank you so much,” said a villager.
“What will happen to the beetles now?” another villager asked.
“Their population will probably triplicate, and they’ll become ten times stronger.”
The celebration froze mid-cheer as confusion rippled through the villagers.
Following the awkward silence and with the weight of the villager’s eyes on him, Kaito cleared his throat. “Not to worry, while the beetles’ numbers will grow, I’ve led them to a new habitat, where they won’t harm human settlements,” he reassured them with a confident smile.
Well done, Master Smith. Seeing you in action was truly enlightening. Your solution was both ingenious and humane, showcasing your unique approach to problem-solving. Does this mean you’re back to being a hero?
Not a chance.
I $#@&ing can’t with you! [System Error] Well, at least this village is fortunate to have you.
Yeah, and now I won’t have to be the mayor.
