Chapter 14 - Plot Detected, High Grade Monster Crystal
BOOM!
Another explosion echoed.
The entire gym groaned as part of its outer wall finally gave way, sending another cloud of dust into the street.
I didn’t wait to admire the destruction.
The moment I was sure the masked man could not properly fight, I grabbed my bicycle and sprinted in the opposite direction.
Every breath hurt, even my ribs screamed in protest.
My hands trembled from the adrenaline.
I dragged the bicycle around the corner of a nearby building before crouching behind it, finally allowing myself a moment to breathe.
From there, I still had a clear view of the ruined gym.
The masked man I’d crushed the throat of was still alive.
Though barely.
He was clutching his neck while struggling to breathe.
Then, several figures burst out from the collapsing building and judging from their masks they were likely his comrades.
One immediately rushed toward him.
"What happened to you?"
The injured man wheezed, glaring around the street.
"...A brat."
The newcomer frowned before pulling a small glass vial from his pocket.
A pale blue liquid shimmered inside.
Without hesitation, he uncorked it and poured the contents down his throat.
The effect was almost immediate.
His ragged breathing gradually steadied, though he still coughed violently every few seconds.
’A healing potion,’
It really was convenient living in an interconnected world.
Healing potions like that originated from the Magic Empire and had become one of the European Union’s largest exports after the dimensional convergence.
They worked on ordinary people, Heroes, and even some monsters, making them one of the most valuable commodities in the world.
"What a cheat."
Meanwhile, the man had finally recovered enough to stand.
His masked face slowly swept across the street searching for me.
A second later.
WEEOOO! WEEOOO!
The sharp cry of police sirens cut through the chaos as relief washed over me.
’Finally,’
The masked group exchanged quick glances.
"Tch! Forget him, we are leaving."
One of them grabbed him by the shoulder.
The next moment, they disappeared with surprising speed.
Only after they vanished did I finally let out the breath I’d been holding.
"That was close."
The area quickly descended into chaos.
Police vehicles screeched to a halt while emergency responders flooded the scene.
More Heroes arrived shortly afterward, securing the perimeter with practiced efficiency.
I remained where I was for another minute before cautiously peeking back toward the remains of the gym.
The old gym owner slowly emerged from the rubble.
His clothes were torn and blood ran down the side of his face.
His one arm hung limply by his side while fresh wounds covered the rest of his body.
He looked exhausted but he was alive.
A figure suddenly rushed toward him.
It was the young swordsman.
His usually calm expression had completely fallen apart.
"Master!"
He reached the old man in only a few steps, immediately supporting his injured body before shouting for a medic.
The old Hero merely smiled and patted the young man’s shoulder as though trying to reassure him.
Watching the scene, a strange feeling settled in my chest.
A Master and disciple duo in a continent where Heroes exist.
A mysterious attack and masked villains likely targeting that talented young swordsman.
An old mentor covered in blood.
"..."
I stared silently for several seconds.
"You’ve got to be kidding me." I said a cliche phrase.
That wasn’t some random gym owner.
That wasn’t some random young man receiving a sword.
And this definitely wasn’t some random terrorist attack.
"This,"
I looked toward the ruined Fitness Club one last time.
"This is a fucking plot!"
***
By the time I reached my apartment, the adrenaline had finally begun to wear off.
Which meant everything hurt as hell.
"Ow."
I unlocked the door, and leaned it carefully against the wall.
Only after making sure I haven’t broken any bones did I finally relax.
"Punching him felt so satisfactory."
My ribs strongly disagreed to that statement.
After taking a long shower, I changed into a loose T-shirt and collapsed onto my bed.
"So, why today?"
I muttered at nobody in particular.
"If it had happened half an hour later, I would’ve already been home."
Instead, I’d nearly gotten myself killed over a bicycle.
"..."
Back on the other Earth, a building collapsing was a once-in-a-lifetime tragedy.
Here, it was a normal Monday.
I let out a tired laugh.
"Did the difficulty of the world increase?"
My thoughts drifted back to the ruined gym and the young swordsman calling the gym owner him Master.
"My continent is that of Heroes, what is happening, really?"
I rubbed my aching chest complaining out loud.
I have walked straight into an event that clearly belonged to someone else’s story.
And almost died because of it.
I clicked my tongue.
"If a god is controlling this scene as a trial, then you’re doing a terrible job."
I looked toward the ceiling.
No answer, or the system window of a constellation appeared in front of me.
Probably for the best.
If one had answered, I had several complaints prepared.
After lying there for another minute, I forced myself to sit up.
Complaining wouldn’t make me stronger.
I opened the bedside drawer and carefully took out a large crystal wrapped in soft cloth.
The moment I unfolded it, pale blue light filled the room.
A High-Grade Monster Crystal.
Mira’s gift, the one I had failed to use
Unlike ordinary crystals, this one was almost perfectly transparent.
Wisps of condensed energy drifted lazily inside, as if an ocean had been compressed into something small enough to fit in my palm.
It wasn’t cheap.
Not even close.
For a newly Awakened Hero, this single crystal was worth months of salary.
"You really spoiled me haa..."
A faint smile appeared on my face.
Even after leaving without saying goodbye, she still made sure to interfere in my life.
I closed my fingers around the crystal.
Its surface felt cool against my skin.
There was no point saving it, as now, I know that I could awaken my aspect.
If today’s fight had taught me anything, it was that Bronze Rank wasn’t enough.
Not even close.
I climbed onto the bed and crossed my legs.
The room gradually fell silent.
The moment I began absorbing energy, the crystal reacted.
Soft blue light spread across its surface.
Tiny strands of pure energy seeped from within, flowing into my palms before entering my body.
A cool sensation washed through my body.
It merged with my own body almost effortlessly.
I felt something trying to awaken inside me as the energy was greedily absorbed.
But as the saying goes: Nothing happens smoothly.
Especially not when you had two Earth’s worth of memory.
"AHHHH–!"
I screamed feeling tremendous pain.