Nora stumbled out of the shop, her head still spinning. The chilly breeze on the street helped cool her flushed cheeks just a little.
All she'd wanted was to ask for some time off so she could go buy a clean set of bedding and a fresh robe. But what did the store manager say?
"Sure. Then let's go together after dinner tomorrow—I've got a few things I want to buy too."
Going shopping… with the store manager…
Nora was still dazed, and before she knew it, she'd already returned to her shabby little shack.
Looking around at the place she could barely call a "home," then thinking of that beautifully decorated shop, Nora instinctively pouted.
Ron… His Highness.
He was the Seventh Prince… what was she even thinking?
To the store manager, this must just be an ordinary shopping trip, right?
Just like how nobles always had their attendants follow them when going out.
What was there to overthink?
And yet…
Nora flopped down on the straw-padded bed, turning her head to stare blankly at the ground.
Looking back on the past ten or so days, it all felt like a dream.
Thanks to the store manager's kind help, she now had a stable job. She'd even received her first paycheck and started learning how to read and write.
Just weeks ago, such a life had been beyond her wildest imagination.
But now, it was all real.
All of it, thanks to the store manager.
Even though he spent most of his time in the study or out running errands, and they didn't spend that much time together each day…
To Nora, her entire day now revolved around the store manager.
She knew she should be content.
And truthfully, she was.
The store manager would occasionally make time to play Legendary Kill with her, and that alone made her happy—she didn't dare hope for more.
But today, when he suddenly suggested they go shopping together, Nora couldn't help but feel a tiny "ambition" stirring inside her heart.
Still, that little ambition was quickly smothered inside her small, rundown shack.
The next afternoon, Ron left the shop and headed toward the Chaos City Magic Academy.
He had already arranged to meet Harper the previous night—they were going to study the Scalevine's defensive properties.
System Notification: Temporary Mission Triggered.
[Temporary Mission] — [Evade the Assassination]:
["Objective: Evade assassination attempts from three members of Wild Rose until they give up or are neutralized."]
["Reward: Chameleon Radish seed and cultivation method."]
Whoa!?
Ron's face remained calm, but his heart skipped a beat.
Assassins?!
What the heck was going on!?
[Store]
[Interdimensional Side-Step Technique]: 1,000 Wealth Points for 3 seconds
(Temporary item — auto-deletes after mission completion)
"..."
Ron's eye twitched.
What kind of ridiculous name was that…?
And 1,000 wealth points for just 3 seconds!?
What, are you robbing me blind!?
That's barely enough to dodge one attack—and there are three of them!
Are you trying to squeeze me dry!?
Keeping his expression neutral, Ron continued walking toward the academy.
He glanced at his system panel, confirming that he was still wearing the [Chosen of the Goddess of Harvest] — Hervesta title badge.
The badge's passive skill, Vital Bloom, instantly vaporized the life force of anyone who posed a lethal threat to him—as long as they were below Tier 7, they'd die with no exceptions.
But the passive had a cooldown. Once triggered, it needed at least a month to recharge.
And there were three assassins…
[System: "There are three assassins. Two are Tier 5 and one is Tier 6. One Tier 5 is near the fruit store behind you, and another is in a second-floor room to your right. The Tier 6 assassin is at the intersection ahead, walking straight toward you."]
Ron's mind tensed, but he quickly calmed himself.
The first person to make a move would instantly be killed by the badge's passive. After that, he'd have to face the remaining two.
At that point, he might really need to spend those 1,000 points on the Interdimensional Side-Step Technique...
As long as the city patrols showed up in time, he'd be safe.
But even as the Tier 6 assassin walked right past him, no one made a move.
[System: "The three assassins are wary of each other—they're not from the same faction."]
Seriously!? Couldn't you have told me that sooner!?
Ron wiped the cold sweat off his forehead and kept walking toward the academy.
[Store]
[Remove Shadow Mark]: 300 Wealth Points
(Temporary item — auto-deletes after mission completion)
Ron raised an eyebrow at the new system prompt and immediately understood.
That Tier 6 assassin who brushed past him didn't strike, likely because of the presence of the other two, but had still planted a shadow mark on him—for easier tracking in the next attempt.
Ron thought it over for a moment and decided not to remove it just yet.
What he didn't know was that Commander Webster, with his golden hair, had been silently following behind the entire time.
A legendary-ranked warrior in stealth was like a drop of water in the ocean—completely undetectable.
He had received news the night before that someone was targeting Ron for assassination. So the moment Ron stepped out of the shop, Webster began tailing him.
Before, as the Seventh Prince, Ron hadn't warranted Webster's personal protection.
But now, as a Chosen One of the Goddess, it was imperative to ensure his safety.
Although Webster was also a follower of Sebotan, God of War, his first loyalty was to Emperor André III.
Until the Emperor made his stance clear on this new Chosen One, Webster would naturally remain on Ron's side.
Of course… that didn't stop him from using the assassins to his advantage.
Once he confirmed Ron was safe, he immediately began trailing the three assassins.
Ron remained completely unaware and simply continued toward the academy.
The danger had passed—for now. The three assassins, wary of one another, hadn't dared to act in broad daylight.
But in Ron's mind, confusion brewed.
Who would want him dead?
And since the assassins weren't from the same group, they were likely from three different factions.
He'd only been in this world for a month—how could he have offended three separate powers already?
And each of them could afford to send elite-tier assassins?
Could it be… one of his half-brothers?
Ron frowned and shook his head.
As the Seventh Prince, Ron André, he was arguably the most neglected prince in the palace.
No matter how intense the power struggles got, they never reached his side.
Sure, he had potential now—what with the system and all—but he had zero interest in becoming king.
As long as no one messed with his peaceful life, he didn't care who sat on the throne.
And yet they sent assassins after me?
Tch… Ron shook his head. Maybe his guess was off the mark.
Rather than dwelling on who was behind it, he should probably focus on dealing with the assassins first.
Two Tier 5 and one Tier 6 assassin—he couldn't handle that on his own.
Looks like it's time to find a reliable backer.