The sun hung zily in the sky as Himmel wahrough the Royal Capital's bustling streets. He had spent the st few days resting within the fines of the house, but today, he couldn't shake the restlessness stirring in his chest. He had no attat to this pce. The celebrations, the cheers of the people-it was all meant for someone else.

  Himmel, the hero of legend.

  But he wasn't really Himmel, was he?

  Pushing those thoughts aside, he stepped onto the stone-paved streets, letting the city's vibrant energy distract him. The air buzzed with the sounds of merts advertising their wares, children ughing as they pyed he fountains, and noblewomen gossiping in the shade of a café. It was lively-too lively for someone who wanted a quiet life.

  Yet, despite his efforts to remain inspicuous, people reized him immediately.

  "Sir Himmel! It's an honor!" a mert beamed, bowing his head.

  "Thank you for saving the world!" a passing woman called out with admiration.

  Himmel forced a polite smile and each greeting, but inwardly, he felt exhausted. Everywhere he went, people viewed him as a hero. A savior. But he wasn't here to bask in their gratitude. He had other pns-pns that involved magic.

  As he explored the market, the st of grilled meat caught his attention. His stomach rumbled, and before he k, he was standing in front of a food stall.

  "One skewer," he said, handing over a few s.

  The vendor practically glowed. "Sir Himmel, you honor me!" He handed over the skewer with both hands, as if presenting a royal treasure.

  Himmel took a bite, his eyes widening at the burst of fvor. "Damn... this is good."

  The vendhed. "Gd you think so! My family's been making these feions!"

  It was a small thing, but at that moment, Himmel felt ected to this world in a way that had nothing to do with heroism or fate. Just simple, good food.

  As evening approached, he returo his house, his thoughts drifting back to his real goal-magic.

  Settling onto the couch, he summoned his iory.

  Iory:

  ? Minor Mana Potion

  ? Grimoire (Basic Water & Ice Spells)

  Pulling out the grimoire, Himmel ran his fingers over the worher cover, then whispered, "Learn."

  The system's seductive voice purred in his mind.

  [Do you wish to learn Water and Ice Magic? Yes or No?]

  "Yes," he said immediately.

  A warm, tingliion spread through his mind as knowledge flooded in. It felt strange-like memories being impnted rather than lessons learned. Excited, he raised his hand to test his new magic.

  Nothing happened.

  Frowning, he focused harder, envisioning a stream of water f in his palm. Still, nothing.

  The system let out a dramatic sigh.

  [Unbelievable. You just learhe spell, and you're already failing? Truly worthy of your title, 'Dumb.']

  Himmel twitched. "Shut up."

  [I only speak facts, dear host.]

  Rubbing his temples, Himmel thought back to the fantasy worlds he had seen in anime. Most mages used staffs or wands, right? He muttered, "System, do I need a staff to cast spells?"

  [......]

  A short pause, then the system's voice retureasing.

  [Oh? Using your brain for once? What a pleasant surprise. Yes, most mages need a staff to properly el magic. You, however, cast spells without one... but good luck with that.]

  Himmel sighed. "Great. A me guess-the capital doesn't sell magic staffs?"

  [Correct! But don't despair, dear hero. The Holy City of Starhl has exactly what you need.]

  His i piqued. "Starhl...? That's where Heiter lives."

  Ding!

  [New Quest:]

  [Go to the Holy City and obtain a magic staff.]

  [Reward: 1 Mana Potion, 2 Healing Potions]

  Himmel stretched his arms. "Fine. I'll head there tomorrow. For now, sleep."

  But just as he was about to close his eyes-

  Thud.

  His body tehe sound had e from the window.

  Still as a statue, Himmel listened. His heightened senses picked up faint whispers. Shadows moved outside. Then, the tch clicked. The window creaked open.

  Two figures slipped inside.

  They were dressed in bck, their faces hidden behind masks. Assassins.

  "Are you sure this is the hero who killed the Demon King?" one whispered. "He must have gotten lucky."

  The sed assassin pulled out a dagger. "Doesn't matter. He dies tonight."

  The bde plunged downward-

  Only to stab iy sheets.

  "That was close."

  The assassins whirled, their eyes widening as they found Himmel standing behind them, a zy smile on his face.

  "F-!" One cursed, jumping back.

  The sed assassin narrowed his eyes. "You truly are skilled... but unfortunately, your luck runs out here, Himmel-or should I say... Alen?"

  Himmel's smile vanished.

  "What did you just say?"

  They didn't answer. Instead, they attacked.

  The first assassin lunged with his dagger. Himmel sidestepped, grabbed his wrist, and twisted sharply-crack! The man screamed, his on cttering to the floor.

  The sed assassin threw a needle coated in poison.

  Himmel caught it midair and flicked it back. The assassin barely dodged, but the needle nicked his shoulder.

  "Tch! Aim for his soul!"

  The first assassie his injury, pulled out a bck ring and slipped it onto his finger. Dark energy swirled around him as he began ting.

  Far away, in a shadowy realm, a woman's translut figure flickered like a mirage. Her calm expression shifted the moment she saw the ring.

  "Annoying," she muttered before vanishing.

  Ba the house, Himmel raised his hand instinctively. A blue magic shield shimmered ience, but the dark spell shattered it instantly, smming into his chest-

  Yet he remaianding.

  The assassins' eyes widened. "What the-he doesn't have a soul?!"

  "That's impossible!"

  Panic set in. "Retreat!"

  "Not happening."

  Himmel moved in a blur. His fist collided with the first assassin's gut, sending him crashing through the wooden wall. The sed turo flee-

  Ding!

  [New Quest:]

  [Kill them within 20 minutes.]

  [Failure: Death.]

  "...."

  Himmel stared at the notification, his eye twitg.

  "...What?!"

  The system giggled.

  [Oops~ Better hurry, dear host. The clock's tig.]

  To be tinued...