{The Royal Palace of Paragon}
It was nightfall. A man entered the hall, walking up to the king sitting on his throne.
"Your majesty, my men have searched everywhere but we couldn't find a single trace of him," the man dressed in white cloth said, kneeling to the king.
"Not a single trace?"
"Not even a bone, sir. The only thing we've found are dead wolves with sharpened sticks stuck in their throats."
The king began biting his fingernails.
"The Inept Hero... how the hell can one so weak be able to escape a pack of wolves?"
"Seems even I underestimated him," said a figure in the shadows with an aura emanating various colors. Their voice was also anonymous, as it was both the tone of a man's and a woman's.
"You..."
"If I were to guess, he'd probably have gotten himself a new identity. I didn't think he was even smart enough to fight against some wolves. He's only level 0, but he probably attained some kind of power through some cliche. That is how the anime characters in our world get their powers."
"What do you mean by that?"
"What I'm saying is he's probably not even recognizable anymore. What you need to do is look through your records. He could've registered himself as a citizen under your country. If I were him, he'd probably have reorientated his name."
"Don't you think we are taking this too far... hero?"
"No, it's necessary. He's useless. What can he possibly do for your kingdom? When the demon wave hits next week, he'd have no use in fighting them. It's not personal, just facts."
"I see... then we will go with your plan."
"Good. Now then, I'll be returning to my room. After all, my party needs to rest before tomorrow."
"Yes, may the gods be with you."
And so that figure exited and vanished.
The king looked at the men dressed in white and ordered, "Have the kingdom's records checked and bring me anyone that may be of an acquaintance of or is the Inept Hero himself."
"Yes, your majesty."
Then the man in white vanished himself.
When the throne room was quiet, the king took a deep breath, then relaxed.
"I'm guilty of this... but if they are correct, then there is no choice."
The king held his left arm, the area where he was stabbed. Of course, the plan to get rid of the Inept Hero, Naoko Akujin, was none other planned by the king, and one among the heroes. However, the king has no idea who his companion was as their identity was a mystery.
All he knows was that one of them was behind it and that they had a grudge against Naoko. Despite knowing this, the king went with their plan. The Inept Hero was useless and in the past, those who received that title either died a death due to unknown cause a few days after their arrival, or they vanish, leaving no trace behind, and this figure was determined to have this one die.
"Father? Are you alright?" A man asked in a worried tone.
The king looked up and a man entered the throne room. He was the prince of Paragon, Mordros Paragon, heir to the throne.
"No, I am fine. What are you still doing at this hour?"
"Nothing, just checking if you are fine."
"It's alright, I was just... reminiscing about your mother."
"...I see..."
Mordros then turned around.
"Have a nice rest."
Then he disappeared.
The king stroked his beard as he was once alone again.
"The heroes... their growth is... extraordinary," he said as he opened up a scroll that was recording the heroes and their levels.
"It's only been a month but... this was unexpected."
Murai Kurasu - Warrior Hero Lvl.74
Kai Wyatt - Archer Hero Lvl.66
Michael Kole - Berserker Hero Lvl.67
Akira Nura - Assassin Hero Lvl.59
Jessica Phillips - Mage Hero Lvl.70
Asuka Takeda - Summoner Hero Lvl.64
Eiko Masaki - Enhancer Hero Lvl.60
Risa Esumi - Healer Hero Lvl.69
"But... I'm a little worried about him..."
When he looked at the bottom, he gulped.
Naoko Akujin - Inept Hero Lvl.?
Though his level wasn't displayed, it was definitely not at zero anymore. If it was, it would've shown if he had signed the contract that all heroes are supposed to sign when they are brought to this world.
"Knowing what has happened, he's probably plotting revenge. I need to find him quickly."
***
Kiyomi was sleeping peacefully in what was formally my bed. Me? I don't need to sleep in something comfortable. I'm used to sleeping on the hard cold floor and even broken chairs.
Leaning against the wall, I slowly dose off so I can initiate the class choosing process.
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[Initiating...]
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[Error!]
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WHAT?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN ERROR?!
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[Due to the host's title, he will be unable to choose a class...]
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WHAT?! WHAT KIND OF SICK JOKE IS THIS?! IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE?!
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[Due to the host's title, the class themselves will choose the host...]
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What does that even mean?
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[These are the class choices...]
[Warrior]
[Mage]
[Assassin]
[Archer]
[Berserker]
[Cleric]
[Summoner]
[Necromancer]
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[Due to the host's title, he is ineligible to choose his class, therefore the classes will choose whether they will choose the host as their successor or not...]
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Are you kidding me? So it's a lottery? I can't choose my class? Tch, whatever, as long as I get one.
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[The selection has started]
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[24%]
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[51%]
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[86%]
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[99%]
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Ding!
[The classes have spoken...]
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[Your class is...]
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[Jack of All Trades...]
Jack of All Trades?
[Jack of All Trades: The host is all none. Everything and nothing. With no limitations and setbacks, you can use every class freely without fault. The more that the host upgrades this class, the more classes you can use at the same time. However, it will be nearly impossible to master and complete a class. As of now, you can only switch from one class to another. Each class however requires the host to possess a certain skill in order to use that class. Currently, you can only use 5 classes...]
How many classes are there?
[Approximately 40+]
Christ... I guess I'll just stick with the classes I can access.
[New Function Unlocked!]
[Class Switching]
[Classes: Assassin, Guardian, Trickster, Healer, Archer]
I see, I have the Assassin class because of Dagger Arts, the Guardian class because of my shield skills, Trickster is probably because of Flash Step and Sprint, Healer is because of Quick Regeneration, and Archer is probably because of Deadshot and Charged Arrow.
Tch, archer... reminds me of that scum hero, the Archer Hero. I'll kill him if I see him again.
No... I must control myself. If I let rage take me over, then I'm just marking my own grave. Who knows what his level and power are right now. I need to closely watch his move.
If I heard, the hero party is coming to this town because the next demon wave is hitting this place.
Hmph, it'll be perfect, I can inspect everything he does.
Though of course, I'll have to be on low profile. The Assassin Hero is who I need to watch out for. His skills allow him to collect information and since I'm marked as a fugitive, he's no doubt probably searching for me as well. If he finds out who I am, it'll all be over for me.
I need to continue to level up, or else I'll just be weak like how I was before. The more levels and skills I obtain, the stronger I become.
I believe it's time for my consciousness to take over my body now. Time flows quickly in this empty space.
Now then...
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"KYAAA!"
When I woke up, I heard a scream and looked around the room. Eventually, I saw Kiyomi in the corner, crying.
"Mama, Papa, Big Brother, Big Sister..."
She was muttering about her family, what's going on?
"What's wrong, Kiyomi?"
I walked up to her and when she spotted me, she tackled me with a hug.
"Whoa, Ki-"
"Please don't die on me."
Hearing her cries and her pleading, I let her weep.
"I couldn't protect them... because I was weak..."
Hearing those words, I immediately figured the situation.
The ones that kidnapped her, they probably murdered her family. Whoever these bastards are, they must be at a higher level, meaning they are stronger than her.
Having family taken away... how cruel... however if it were mine, I wouldn't mind.
"Don't worry, you have me," I said, patting her head softly to calm her down. "I will always be by your side."
I let her cry into my arms and after a while, she settled down.
"Now then, today is a busy day. Let's get downstairs, shall we?"
I turned around to open the door but then Kiyomi grabbed my shirt.
"Do you promise?" She said.
"Hmm?"
"Do you promise you won't leave me?"
Ahh, that...
"Of course... if you can promise you won't leave me."
"Then it's settled."
Suddenly her lips connected with mine. Then she pulled back and blushed.
"Th-that's to seal the deal."
I touch my lips and my mind slowly processed what happened. She kissed me... Hmm, I don't remember setting this girl's flag. Actually, now that I think about it, I don't recall ever trying to accomplish her route. Wonder when it began...
Anyway, she eventually changed and we went downstairs.
Today there were fewer customers than before so I basically just let Kiyomi be. I hung around... and loitered.
But suddenly, I heard shattering noises and I turned to see that noise coming from Kiyomi's direction.
"Kiyomi, what's wrong?"
I looked at her and she had a petrified look on her face. I realized she was staring at a group of individuals.
"What's wrong, Kiyomi?" I whispered into her ears and she slowly turned away.
"Th-the... they're the ones... who enslaved me... and killed my family..."
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