Chapter 10: Countdown to chaos

MONTH RUKE, DATE 17

This is really bad!

From the atmosphere of the city... the streets... the buildings... and the people around me, I knew something was wrong. When I saw the big sign that said “Welcome to Miosmo City,” I froze on the spot.

If I remember correctly, our academy instructor said this study trip was supposed to be held in the holy city of... Santu-something.

Even after being reincarnated, my old habits still repeat themselves. But—maybe this is just the usual pattern of a side character who suddenly gets dragged into the main plot.

“AHAHAHAHAHA! PERFECT!” my laughter burst out in the middle of the crowd.

Well, I’ll just apologize later—problem solved. Now, while there’s still a chance—

“Mama, why is that person laughing by himself?” asked a little kid in front of me, stopping my steps.

“Don’t mind him,” the mother replied quickly, pulling the child away.

I gave an awkward smile as people around started staring at me sharply, as if I was some kind of street lunatic.

Yeah, seriously, why the hell did I suddenly laugh like a madman in the middle of the road?

Drawing attention like this is clearly not my style. I’d better get away from this crowded station area. Right now, what I need is to find an inn—and something to eat.

After leaving the train station, I entered a quieter district. It was there that I met a newspaper vendor, and the way he promoted his paper immediately caught my attention.

“Exclusive News!”

“Exclusive News!”

Since I figured I’d need information about this city, I decided to buy one. “Hey, old man, how much for the paper?”

The annoying-looking man chuckled softly, scanning me from head to toe.

“From your appearance, young man, I’d say—you’re not from Miosmo, huh?”

Seems like this old man’s going to talk a lot. Better act normal and keep the conversation short.

“Yeah, that’s right, old man. So how much for the paper?” I replied.

“Two bronze coins... and I also want to offer you this map,” he said,pulling out a rolled-up parchment from his bag.

“Young man, I recommend you buy this too. It’s a hand-drawn map, and I’m selling it for just one bronze coin,” he added.

I examined the map. The paper looked ancient—like something fished straight out of a trash bin.

 Three silvers and twenty-four bronzes. That’s how much I have left in my wallet right now. It’s enough to survive... maybe two days in a city like this. But if I run out of money, becoming a Hunter is the easiest option. Luckily, this city has a Hunter Association.

“Alright, old man, I’ll take both the paper and the map,” I said, handing over the coins, then received them from him.

“Good choice, young man. Miosmo will make your journey interesting,” he replied as I walked away.

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I walked around for a bit, looking for a restaurant where I could rest and fill my stomach.

The streets of Miosmo were lively. Some people wore white clothing, walking toward the same direction. Then, right at that moment, the sound of a bell tower echoed loudly from the direction they were headed.

That bell came from a large cathedral visible from afar. Judging by their robes, those people must be followers of some religion in this world. Even from here, the cathedral could be clearly seen.

“Hey, have you heard the news...”

I caught a bit of people’s conversation on the street, and it reminded me of the vendor’s words—“Exclusive News.”

I immediately opened the newspaper.

Inside, it contained information about one of the famous bishops— Sorder Nourhall, who would visit the cathedral in Miosmo. This bishop was known for rarely appearing in public.

There were also a few reports about something that happened a few weeks ago— a failed dungeon expedition conducted by a group of Anima sorcerers.

The names listed here were all well-known mages. How could sorcerers of that level fail?

“This is interesting—really interesting!” I muttered.

My instincts were clear—this must be connected to something bigger. Everything had already been set in motion, and my arrival in Miosmo wasn’t meaningless.

I could feel it... someone was approaching quickly from behind. Finally! The Miosmo City subplot—comes to me on its own.

That person swiftly snatched my bag. I tried to grab it back, but all I caught was the rolled-up map, while my bag was taken and the thief escaped through the narrow alleys.

I held the map in my hand, while running to the alley. I focused on my breathing first, before channeling Anima energy to jump onto the building. The purpose—so my heart could channel the Anima gradually.

From above, the alley led to only one exit. I leapt from roof to roof. The old roofs creaked—crack—as if they were about to collapse under my feet. But after that... I reached the end of the alley, ready to intercept the thief.

Where’s the thief?

Not far from there, I saw the thief being held down by a gloomy-looking man. I quickly dropped down at the alley’s end. My instinct told me—this man was the main character of this story, and my meeting with him must not stand out too much.

I quickly put on the face of someone who’d just finished running, and stepped out of the alley in a hurry. Then I pretended to look around before spotting the thief.

The man noticed my presence.

“Oi, are you looking for this?” he called out, holding up the bag in the thief’s hand.

I could... feel it. This man was also an Anima sorcerer. Most of the Anima users I’ve met in this world tend to use their energy excessively— in short, they have poor control, wasting Anima for nothing.

“Oi, you there, are you listening or just daydreaming?”

“This is your bag, right?” he continued, walking toward me.

Meanwhile, the thief trembled as he handed my bag back.

“Yeah, this is mine. That thief suddenly took it from behind,” i said as I accepted the bag.

“He ran really fast. I was lucky you were here, sir. Thank you.”

“Well, be careful in this city. A Vatican Academy student should always stay alert,” said the man.

He knew the academy uniform I was wearing.

“Then, I’ll take this thief to jail. Farewell.”

All right, what is the thing a side character would usually do at a time like this. Something like giving a gift might not be suitable at a time like this, I better ask about the things characters usually do in cheap stories.

“Before that, may I know your name, sir?” I asked before introducing myself

“By the way, my name... is Rio Smith,” I said.

I lied to him, my real name is actually Zefan Cranston. Creating an alias is one of the things on my 'things I want to do as a side character' bucket list. One of my wishes should have been fulfilled by now. Even if it's in another world, I will do the things I want to do.

“Grats Sevilla. Nice to meet you, R-i-o Smith,” replied Grats.

“I’m busy. See you again,” he said before leaving.

Sevilla?

If I recall, in the report about the failed expedition, there was one person with that same surname among the listed Anima sorcerers. My instinct was right—if I follow the pattern, this man, Grats Sevilla, is the main character of this story.

Perfect.

But before starting my move, i need new clothes... and something to hide my face. But then suddenly, right in the middle of the city street, without warning, my stomach growled.

Gruuk... Gruuk...

The smell of toasted bread from a nearby shop reached my nose. I tried to hold it in, but it seemed I had to fill my stomach first. I went straight into the bakery and ordered one of the breads.

“Excuse me, I’ll take one loaf of bread, please.”

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Thank you for reading this :3