Chapter 7: 7. ’Hero’ costume - phropecy or mistake?
AT THE SAME TIME
ALEXANDER
Several villagers carefully carried the heavy chest into the room like they were transporting a national treasure. Meanwhile, I was still standing there holding soup.
"Why is there a giant box outside my room?"I asked cautiously.
The village elder stepped forward dramatically.
"Hero."He placed a hand over his chest. "Please accept this sacred family treasure."
I stared at the chest, then at him, then back at the chest.
"That sounds dangerous."I said.
"Correct."The system appeared instantly.
"YOU ARE NOT HELPING!"I snapped.
"Master seems nervous."The system appeared instantly.
"Because every time people call me ’hero,’ something insane happens."I said.
Honestly, I was developing trauma. The villagers slowly placed the chest onto the floor with a loud THUD. The inn shook.
"IF THAT BREAKS THE FLOOR YOU’RE PAYING FOR IT!"Downstairs someone screamed.
"This armor has waited generations for its chosen owner."The elder ignored the screaming completely.
"Armor?"I blinked.
"Oh. Now I’m interested."Noa suddenly sat up straighter on the bed.
"Special reward detected. Village affinity reward granted. Level increased."The system flickered again.
"Wait what?"I froze.
"STATUS UPDATED. Name: Alexander Blackwood. Level: 4. Class: Gacha Card Summoner. Guild Rank: C. Skills: Dark Magic Control Lv.1. Titles: Goblin psychological disaster. The white saint’s chosen."A blue screen exploded in front of my face.
"Why does leveling up feel less exciting than the chest?"I muttered.
"Because your life priorities are collapsing."The system replied.
Fair enough.
"Open it, Hero."The village elder pointed dramatically toward the chest again.
"Please stop saying hero."I said.
Nobody listened and Scarlet looked curious.
"I also wish to see it."She said.
"If this explodes, I am blaming the holy one." Noa smirked slightly.
"Why ME?!"Scarlet looked offended immediately.
I sighed and slowly approached the chest. It was old. Really old. Ancient carvings covered the edges, and the lock itself looked expensive enough to pay my rent for five years.
"Why does a farming village even HAVE this thing?"I asked.
"We found it in a cave."The elder looked thoughtful.
"You WHAT?"I asked.
"It was under a sleeping bear."He said.
"YOU STOLE TREASURE FROM A BEAR?!"I asked.
"The bear seemed busy sleeping."The elder said.
I grabbed my head.
"I underestimated these villagers."Noa looked genuinely impressed.
"Probability of cursed item: 42%."The system flashed another warning.
"Nope."I immediately stepped backward.
"Be brave, Master."Scarlet gently pushed me forward again.
"YOU open it!"Scarlet said.
"I believe in you."Noa said.
Traitor. I slowly lifted the chest lid. The room filled with golden light instantly, and everyone gasped dramatically. Even Noa blinked in surprise. Inside the chest was black armor trimmed with silver and deep crimson cloth underneath. A long dark coat rested beneath the armor plates along with gloves, belts, and boots. It looked absurdly cool. Like something an overpowered protagonist would wear before accidentally starting a war. I stared at the armor for a long moment, then at the villagers. Then back at the armor.
"Why does this look like equipment worn by someone with actual talent?"I asked cautiously.
"Because it has chosen you, Hero."The elder nodded proudly.
"Please stop saying hero before I develop stress induced magic."I groaned.
Nobody listened. Scarlet gently picked up the black coat from the chest. The silver patterns shimmered faintly under the morning light.
"It is beautiful."She smiled softly.
Noa crossed her arms while examining the armor carefully.
"High quality mana threading. Ancient craftsmanship too."Noa said.
"You can tell all that by looking at it?"I blinked.
"I am a dark elf. We literally judge people professionally."Noa said.
"That explains surprisingly little."I said.
"Hero class equipment compatible with user. Equip recommended immediately. Current appearance rating: Acceptable."The system suddenly appeared again.
"What does THAT mean?"I narrowed my eyes.
"Low confidence detected in user’s fashion."The system grinned.
"I WAS EXPELLED THREE DAYS AGO! WHY WOULD I HAVE FASHION?!"I gasped.
"Master always looks good."Scarlet tilted her head.
"Why did you say that before I could?"Noa immediately looked offended.
"Was I not supposed to?"Scarlet blinked innocently.
The room temperature dropped slightly. I decided to ignore whatever terrifying argument was about to happen and grabbed the coat quickly.
"Okay. Wearing armor now. Nobody threaten each other."I said.
Probably my most important life skill lately. I slowly put the coat on first, then the gloves, then the armor plates. The moment the final piece clicked into place golden light burst around me. The villagers gasped dramatically.
"WHY IS THE BUILDING GLOWING?!"The innkeeper downstairs screamed again.
The armor fit perfectly. Actually perfectly. Like it had been custom made specifically for me. The black coat rested over my shoulders while silver lines glowed faintly across the chest plate.
"Okay that is admittedly cool."I looked down slowly.
"Equipment synchronized successfully. New passive effect unlocked: heroic presence. Side effect: user attractiveness increased significantly."The system practically vibrated.
"Excuse me?"I froze.
Scarlet stared at me silently and Noa stared too.
"T-THE HERO HAS AWAKENED!"The villagers collectively lost control of reality.
"HE LOOKS LIKE A LEGENDARY KNIGHT!"Another one screamed.
"THE PROPHECY IS REAL!"Third one added.
"WHAT PROPHECY?!"I pointed aggressively at the screaming villagers.
"The one about the dark-haired hero beside the holy saint!"The elder wiped emotional tears from his eyes.
I slowly turned toward Scarlet.
"I may have accidentally fulfilled local mythology."Scarlet smiled happily.
"ACCIDENTALLY?!"I screamed.
One of the village girls suddenly fainted.
"He’s handsome enough to be royalty..."Another whispered loudly.
"Nope. No. Absolutely not. I reject this entire conversation."I nearly walked directly into a wall.
"Annoying."Noa walked around me slowly while examining the armor.
"What?"I blinked.
"It suits you too well."She clicked her tongue.
"Master became even more attractive."Scarlet nodded immediately.
"STOP SAYING THAT LIKE IT’S A STAT BOOST!"I gasped.
Then another blue screen appeared.
"Correction: it IS a stat boost. Charisma increased. Nearby villagers affected: extremely."The system paused.
"This armor is evil."I stared at the screen in horror.
The villagers suddenly dropped to their knees again. ALL OF THEM. At once. The floor shook.
"WHY ARE YOU BOWING?!"I panicked immediately.
"Because the Hero of the White Saint has appeared."The elder lowered his head dramatically.
"I AM A C RANK ADVENTURER WHO PICKS BERRIES FOR RENT MONEY!"I screamed.
"Master does pick berries very efficiently."Scarlet looked thoughtful.
"THAT IS NOT HELPING!"I said.
"I think they are beyond listening now."Noa smirked slightly.
She was right. Outside the inn, I could already hear villagers shouting.
"The Hero has awakened!"One screamed.
"Prepare the festival!"Another one added.
"Tell the neighboring villages!"Third one suggested.
My soul nearly left my body. I grabbed my head with both hands.
"I just wanted a normal adventurer life."I groaned.
"Request denied permanently."The system answered immediately.
I hated how honest it was.
