"Excuse me, what’s going on over there? Why’s it so crowded?" Chu Xueyue pointed toward a stage-like structure in the distance—probably an actual stage—and asked a girl running a roadside stall.

"Oh, that? I heard some bigshot’s visiting today. Everyone who got the news showed up at dawn. But folks like me can’t get close. I wish I could see who it is!" the stall girl replied.

"Huh? Why not?"

"’Cause I’m working. Duh."

"..." *Fair point. Guess jobs really do come first.*

"Hey, wanna buy something? My prices are fair, and I’ll even give you a discount!" *Man, if she were on Earth, she’d be the ultimate workaholic.*

"No thanks."

"Aw, too bad."

Seeing the undimmed fire still burning in the girl’s eyes, Chu Xueyue yanked Albert away. *Hmph. Don’t think I’ll buy stuff just ’cause you’re a girl. I may be a flirt, but my wallet matters too.*

*...Okay, fine. I just didn’t bring cash today.*

Albert: "Xueyue, shouldn’t we buy something? There were lots of things perfect for you. If we leave now, we might never find them again."

Chu Xueyue shook his head. He *had* spotted many tempting items, but buying them now felt wrong. Relying on Albert’s money for so long already weighed on him.

"Nah. I can’t use them yet anyway. If I really want them, I’ll buy them later. Nothing’s so rare that money can’t fix."

"Alright."

"Let’s hurry to that stage. Who do you think’s coming?" Chu Xueyue asked. Truth was, he didn’t care—he knew nothing about this country’s history.

"Probably the new Dragon Slayer Hero. He’s been the talk of the town. If it’s him, this crowd makes sense." Albert answered. They’d returned just half a month ago—the same day the Dragon Slayer triumphantly came home. In that short time, his fame had only soared. Guessing it was him was only logical.

Chu Xueyue glanced at Albert, the *former* Hero, and sighed softly. *Better not bring that up on such a festive day.*

"RUN!"

"GET OUT OF HERE!"

Shouts erupted ahead. They looked toward the stage—people were fleeing in panic, eyes wide with terror, as if something monstrous lurked there.

"What’s happening?" Chu Xueyue asked.

"No idea. But *they* know." Albert wasn’t a prophet. No way to predict sudden chaos.

The fleeing crowd was disheveled and bloodied. *Definitely trouble.*

Albert moved to grab someone for answers. Even as a mere mercenary now, he couldn’t run. This country still held people he wanted to protect.

**ROAR!**

**Awooo—!**

**BARK BARK BARK!**

**MEOW MEOW MEOW!**

Beasts’ roars flooded the academy grounds. No time to question anyone. Albert bolted toward the stage.

"Wait! I’m coming too!" Chu Xueyue grabbed his arm, stumbling but holding firm.

Albert turned. Instinctively: "No. It’s too dangerous. Your strength—"

"Today’s different. *You’re* different too. Still think you’re the Hero you were? You’re just a mercenary now."

*Today’s Chu Xueyue wasn’t yesterday’s.* After yesterday’s brutal trials, he at least knew how to survive. And deep down—*So you’re a Hero too, Xueyue? Even hating that title, you’d still stand up to protect others?*

Truth was, Chu Xueyue wanted to flee with the crowd. He’d only been in this world half a month—a normal high schooler, not some "super elite." His first instinct was escape. He’d meant to drag Albert away for protection, but his mouth betrayed him: *"Let’s fight together."*

*Seriously?! Damn Hero System! Forcing my body like this? Can’t Heroes ever run away?!*

"Fine. Stay sharp. If things go south, run first."

*Wait—how about we just go home?*

"Don’t worry. I’ll keep myself safe."

"Then let’s go."

...

"So, Hero," Evelyn murmured beside Zhang Yong at the stage’s center. They stood like spectators, not guests. A dozen ferocious beasts—summoned by over a hundred demon mages’ suicides—now rampaged through the audience, clashing with the academy’s mages. "How do you like this welcome ceremony? Seems this nation’s mages grew complacent. Letting so many of us slip in..."

"Do humans here fear everything? Most who fled were mages. Barely two hundred stayed. Don’t they know there’s strength in numbers?"

"Heh." Evelyn’s smile held either mockery or contempt. "They have power. Why die for others? Surviving means growing stronger. Getting what they want. That’s humanity here, Hero."

**"WHO DARES DISRUPT THIS PLACE WHILE I AM PRESENT? SHOW YOURSELF!"**

A roar drowned out the chaos, echoing from above the stage.

"The headmaster’s top mage, I believe," Evelyn mused. "Name? Sorry, slipped my mind. Just some old codger anyway."

The crowd’s spirits lifted at the mage’s arrival—their savior had come.

"I can’t take him on yet. Handle it, Evelyn." Zhang Yong eyed the floating figure. He’d arrived days after Chu Xueyue; even with insane talent, he wasn’t max-level yet.

"As you command, Hero."

Evelyn hurled a pitch-black stone toward the mage.

*Ah. Purple today, is it?*