Chapter 20 :The Hoq City
Kane adjusted the black cloak around his shoulders, the fabric whispering softly as it settled. The cloak was surprisingly lightweight, draping over him with a subtle grace. It was both practical and discreet, concealing his human features and the newness of his hands. With a determined nod, he began his journey towards the city.
The path to the city was a narrow, winding trail flanked by dense, tangled foliage. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and wild flora. As Kane walked, he could hear the distant murmur of the city—an amalgam of clattering wheels, bustling voices, and the occasional distant shout. It was a symphony of life that grew louder with every step he took.
The city gates loomed ahead, massive iron structures adorned with intricate runes that glowed faintly in the dim light of dusk. Kane approached cautiously, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew that demons guarded the gates, their eyes keen for any signs of trouble. Pulling his hood low over his face, he tried to blend in with the throng of travelers entering the city.
A gruff voice halted him at the gate. "Stop! State your business."
Kane's mind raced. He needed to pass through without attracting suspicion. He took a deep breath and stepped forward, his voice steady as he spoke. "I'm here to find work and settle down. I've heard this city has many opportunities."
The guard, a burly figure with sharp eyes, scrutinized him for a moment. Kane met his gaze steadily, the hood of his cloak shadowing his face just enough to obscure his features. After a tense pause, the guard grunted and waved him through. "Very well. Keep your wits about you in the city. We don't tolerate troublemakers."
Kane nodded in gratitude and hurried through the gate. Once inside, he was greeted by the bustling streets of the city. It was a vibrant, chaotic place, with vendors calling out their wares, children darting between people, and the occasional clatter of horse-drawn carts. The buildings were a mix of stone and wood, their facades decorated with colorful banners and signs.
He weaved through the crowd, his senses heightened. Every corner held potential danger, and he had to stay alert. His goal was to find a safe place to stay and blend into the city's underbelly until he could formulate a plan.
After navigating the labyrinthine streets, Kane found himself in a quieter district. The buildings here were older, their stonework weathered and worn. A small, inconspicuous inn with a faded sign caught his eye. "The Rusty Tankard" it read. It was humble but seemed to offer the privacy he needed.
Kane pushed open the creaky wooden door and stepped inside. The interior was dimly lit, with a few patrons scattered about, engrossed in quiet conversations. The innkeeper, a stout woman with a kind face, looked up from behind the counter.
"Welcome," she said warmly. "What can I do for you?"
"I'd like a room for the night," Kane replied, keeping his voice low. "I prefer something quiet."
The innkeeper studied him for a moment, then nodded. "We've got a small room in the back. It's not fancy, but it's private. Ten gold for the night."
Kane handed over the gold and took the key she offered. He made his way to the room, a modest but clean space with a narrow bed and a small window. As he closed the door behind him and took off his cloak, he allowed himself a moment of relief.
The room was a temporary refuge, a place to regroup and plan his next steps. He needed to gather information about the city, its inhabitants, and, most importantly, how to stay hidden from any potential threats. Kane sat down on the edge of the bed, contemplating his next move in this unfamiliar and perilous world.
Kane sat on the edge of the bed, the room around him bathed in the dim, flickering light of a single candle. His mind was a whirlpool of thoughts as he contemplated the future events he knew were about to unfold. Having read the novel before being transported into this world, he was acutely aware of the twists and turns that awaited him.
In four months, the city would host a grand auction, an event of great significance according to the novel. The highlight of the auction would be a seemingly insignificant stone—a small, unremarkable rock that most would dismiss as worthless. But Kane knew better. This stone was crucial: it was one of the Soul Stones, fragments of a dead god's life essence, and it would soon become the center of a grand struggle for power.
John, the hero of the tale, would play a key role in this unfolding drama. The novel detailed how John, accompanied by Lumi—the angelic figure with a profound knowledge of ancient lore—would explore an ancient tomb in search of the Book of Shadows. This book held secrets about the Soul Stone, and its discovery was pivotal to the plot.
In the depths of the tomb, John and Lumi would find the Book of Shadows hidden in a forgotten chamber. The book's ancient language was incomprehensible to most, but Lumi's angelic insights would unlock its secrets. It was through this book that they would learn the Soul Stone's true power: when refined, it could absorb a god's essence and grant the wielder a skill. This revelation was a game-changer, setting the stage for the chaos that would ensue.
The upcoming auction would see the Soul Stone offered to the highest bidder. At first, few would realize its significance. The stone's true nature would only be understood by those who had read the Book of Shadows. The hero's revelation would ignite a frenzy among the masses, as everyone scrambled to obtain stones ranked from 5 to 9. The stones, each with their own level of power, would become highly sought after. Stones ranked 10 11 and 12 were even more mysterious, being fragments of higher gods and holding the potential to alter reality itself.
John's acquisition of a rank 10 stone would mark the climax of his journey. The hero's newfound power would be overwhelming, leading to intense struggles and isolation as he grappled with his divine abilities. Kane could almost feel the weight of such power, understanding how it would elevate John.
Sitting in his room, Kane's frustration simmered. Unlike John, who would be celebrated and supported in his quest, Kane was left to navigate his path alone. The knowledge of future events did little to ease his sense of isolation and struggle. The world seemed to align itself with others, leaving Kane to fend for himself against formidable odds.
A dark, unsettling smile spread across Kane's face as he considered his own potential for power. He imagined himself Killing the goddess of light with his own hand's, the supreme being of this world*,
and overturning the established order.there are countless worlds in this boundless universe and one of the world's god is she. The thought of challenging her and rewriting the world's rules was both thrilling and terrifying.
His laughter, tinged with madness and fervor, filled the small room. It was a release of the intense emotions that had been building within him, a sign of his resolve to defy his fate. But as swiftly as it had come, the laughter subsided, replaced by a steely, expressionless calm.
Kane's eyes, once vibrant with chaotic mirth, now held a cold determination. He knew the future, as outlined in the novel, but he was resolved to carve his own path. The world might be poised to support John and other heroes, but Kane would not be relegated to the sidelines. He would seize the power he needed, confront the divine beings that sought to control his fate, and ultimately forge his own destiny.
The future might be set, but Kane was determined to be more than just an observer.