NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8: Auto System Awakening
Renji scoffed. "Tch. Running away already?"
Rikuya shrugged. "Nah, man. I'm just embracing fate. It's clearly been decided I'm too cool for this little hero club."
The nobles exchanged glances, baffled by his casual attitude. Some spoke among themselves, while others shook their heads in disappointment.
The king exhaled, rubbing his temple. "Very well. Since you are cooperative, I will grant you a small amount of gold to aid in your departure. Consider it a gesture of goodwill."
Miss Tanaka looked between them, lips pressed into a thin line. "This isn't right…"
Eldrin remained impassive. "It is necessary."
Rikuya stretched, rolling his shoulders. "Cool, cool. So, should I take the front door, or do you guys wanna throw me out the window for dramatic effect?"
One of the nobles scowled. "A disgrace until the very end..."
Renji smirked. "Just don't die too fast, will you? Wouldn't want to miss out on the fun of hearing about your miserable downfall."
Rikuya yawned, waving him off. "Yeah, yeah, save the villain monologue for later. I'll be sure to send a postcard."
Miss Tanaka opened her mouth to protest again, but the king raised a hand, silencing any further debate. "Enough. The matter is settled. Hero Rikuya, you will leave at dawn."
Rikuya gave a mock salute. "Aye aye, Your Majesty. I'm honestly looking forward to it."
…
Daybreak
Daybreak broke over the kingdom as Rikuya prepared to depart. He stood outside the castle gates, a small magic pouch filled with the gold the king had granted him hanging from his belt. He examined it with a wry smile.
"Not bad for a hero who's supposed to be a walking liability." He gave the pouch a gentle pat. "At least this'll keep my belly full when I'm off proving myself somewhere else."
Just then, Eldrin approached, his robes rustling softly. He stopped a few paces from Rikuya and cleared his throat.
"Rikuya."
"I apologize for how things turned out. I know it wasn't the ideal welcome… you could have still had a life if you weren't brought to this world. Please, take this."
He extended a folded map toward him.
"I hope this will aid your travels."
Eldrin stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"Rikuya, listen carefully. Life in the capital is expensive, and in all honesty your gold won't last long here. I advise you to leave the city and settle in a village where costs are lower and you can rebuild at your own pace."
He paused, glancing around before continuing, "Near the eastern gate, you'll find a cart station. The transport carts run daily and can take you to a village where life is simpler. Find a man named Lindor, tell him Eldrin sent you—he should lower your cost to five silvers instead of one gold. Trust me, you'll be better off away from the capital. Your life here will only drain your resources."
Rikuya raised an eyebrow, accepting the map with a slight smirk. "Well, old man, looks like you're not entirely heartless after all."
He glanced at Eldrin. "And hey, surviving a fantasy world isn't exactly rocket science, is it?"
Eldrin managed a small smile. "Perhaps… although I don't know what this 'ro...ket' you speak of is, but as long as you are a bit cautious, everything will be alright."
Rikuya folded the map carefully and tucked it into his pouch. "Guess I'll find out soon enough," he said.
With a final nod to Eldrin, Rikuya stepped away from the castle, ready to forge his own path in a world that was as unpredictable as it was brimming with magic.
…
City Streets
Rikuya walked through the streets, arms folded behind his head as he took a look at the city around him.
Stone-paved streets stretched wide, worn smooth by the wheels of carriages rolling past.
Some were elegant, bearing noble crests, while others were rugged, carrying merchants and traders eager to sell their wares.
The scent of fresh bread, sizzling meats, and exotic spices drifted from food stalls lining the roads, where vendors called out.
Adventurers in armor walked with confidence—some with gleaming weapons strapped to their backs, others wrapped in cloaks that barely concealed the glint of daggers at their hips.
The sound of turning gears could be heard in the distance, along with a large horn. One could only conclude it was some sort of mechanical transport.
Airships drifted above, their sails billowing despite the lack of wind.
Rikuya smirked, adjusting the pouch at his belt. "Alright, I'll admit, this place has style. Feels like I walked straight into an RPG loading screen." He glanced at the towering cathedral in the distance.
"Now all I need is a suspicious old man handing out a glitch quest, and I'm golden."
Then, something caught his eye.
A group of beastfolk women stood in a narrow alley, their heads lowered.
Their clothes—if they could even be called that—were barely scraps of cloth covering anything. Loose, ragged tops barely covered their chests, and their skirts were little more than torn strips of fabric.
Most had their midriffs and legs fully exposed. But what stood out most were the thick, black collars around their necks, pulsing faintly with red glowing runes.
Rikuya's smirk faded. He sighed. "Guess every fantasy world setup isn't complete without 'em… Slaves," he muttered.
Suddenly, a sharp BUZZZ crackled through his skull. His vision blurred for a second as a mechanical voice echoed in his mind:
『System calibrating…』
Rikuya winced, rubbing his temple.
"The hell was that?"
He shook his head.
"Great, now I'm hearing voices. Fantastic start."
Before he could dwell on it, voices nearby caught his attention.
"Look at his clothes… is he from some distant kingdom?"
"I've never seen that style before… Maybe he's a noble in disguise?"
"Could he be some foreign merchant? His outfit looks expensive."
"But those fabrics… definitely not from around here."
"And that black hair..."
Rikuya blinked and glanced down at himself. Compared to the medieval outfits, cloaks, and armored guards all around, his modern-style uniform stood out like a sore thumb. No wonder people were staring.
"Right," he exhaled. "Might need to do something about this."
BUZZZZ
A sharp pulse rattled through his skull again, making him wince.
『Auto-Hero System Online』
A translucent purple holographic window popped into existence right in front of his face, floating mid-air like some kind of AR interface. The glowing text scrolled smoothly:
『All settings have been calibrated.』
『No threats currently detected.』
『System on standby mode.』
Rikuya blinked, leaning back slightly as if that would somehow make the floating window disappear.
"...The hell?"
『Congratulations, host. You have obtained the mantle of Auto-Hero.』
『You will now be made to function as this world's deterrent force against threats.』
"Wait... What!?"