The next day, Ash groggily opened his eyes, squinting against the faint sunlight filtering through the inn's window. The clock on the wall showed it was already 11 a.m. Yawning, he stretched lazily, his muscles aching slightly from days of idleness.
"Should I head to the academy now?" he muttered, his voice thick with sleep. "It's not like I have anything important to do, here anyway..." Another yawn escaped his lips as he finally pushed himself out of bed, his hair a disheveled mess.
After a quick bath, he stepped outside the inn, letting the morning sunlight bathe his face. The warm light felt comforting against his skin, momentarily clearing the fog in his mind. He stood there for a moment, taking in the scene around him.
The bustling streets of the town were alive with energy. Vendors called out loudly, advertising their goods—fresh fruits, shiny weapons, and even mystical trinkets. Children ran through the streets, their laughter ringing in the air as they waved wooden swords around.
"One day, I'll become a knight!" one boy exclaimed confidently, holding his makeshift weapon high like a true warrior.
Another child retorted, "No way! I'm going to be an adventurer like my dad! I'll explore the labyrinth and find treasure!"
Their mothers stood nearby, watching with fond smiles as the children played out their dreams.
Ash paused, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. For the first time in what felt like forever, he felt a sense of peace—a quiet moment of simplicity in a chaotic world. But as the warmth of the moment settled over him, a question began to surface in his mind, heavy and persistent.
"What am I going to do with my life?"
His smile faded as the weight of the thought settled in.
"Why was I reincarnated? Why was I given this power?"
He clenched his fists unconsciously, a flicker of frustration and uncertainty flashing across his face.
"I don't have a goal. A person without a goal might as well be dead..."
He let out a sharp sigh, running a hand through his damp hair. His thoughts spiraled as he considered the possibilities.
"Should I go the lazy route, like those protagonists who say, 'This time I'll live a slow, easy life… maybe open a small shop and retire early'?"
A faint smirk crossed his face at the thought, but it quickly disappeared.
"Or maybe the perverted protagonist route? 'Heavens haven't abandoned me; I've been reincarnated, so I must build the biggest harem in the world!'"
He scoffed aloud, shaking his head at the absurdity.
"Then there's the self-righteous hero route: 'The world is full of injustice—slavery, corruption, evil. I must punish the wicked and bring justice to the oppressed!'"
He snorted, a shadow of skepticism crossing his face.
"And let's not forget the villain's path: 'This world is mine for the taking.'"
He sighed deeply, the weight of indecision pressing on his shoulders. He wasn't blind to the fact that many reincarnated individuals in stories seemed to have an innate drive—a fiery purpose that shaped their actions. But Ash… Ash had nothing.
Even in his past life, he had been the second son of a wealthy family, loved by his parents and doted on by his elder brother. He had never faced any significant hardships, nor had he ever felt the need to strive for something greater.
"I didn't know what I wanted to do then, and I don't know now..." he muttered, his voice tinged with frustration and a hint of self-loathing.
He began walking aimlessly through the town, his mind a swirling storm of doubts and unanswered questions.
Suddenly, his wandering thoughts were interrupted by a commotion nearby.
"What's going on?" he wondered, his gaze darting toward the central square, where a crowd had gathered. Curious, Ash quickened his pace, weaving through the busy streets until he reached the heart of the commotion.
There, in the center of the square, stood a group of individuals clad in ornate, shining armor, their weapons gleaming under the midday sun. Their presence alone commanded attention, and their voices rang out with authority.
A man was barking on and on something but what I understood is that "A highly dangerous criminal has escaped to the labyrinth,so from right now ,labyrinth will be off ,no one can go there"
Ash froze, the words striking him like a thunderclap.
"What the fuck , didn't big sis said ,they were going to the labyrinth today "
" Are they inside or not"
His heart began to race, a mixture of stunnness, bewilderment, and concern surging through him.
The crowd murmured in disbelief ,whispers spreading like wildfire.
"How can a criminal get inside, didn't they have security there outside the gate..
"
"May be the criminal is powerfull."
" Yes ,if this even alarmed them ,then the criminal have to to some hot shot"
Ash's sharp eyes observed the scene carefully, his mind already piecing together the implications of what he'd just heard. He could feel his pulse quicken as he realized that the criminal was no ordinary,and why the fuck didn't the criminal go there,did he know about the students excursion there,if if knew then it's a serious matter ,even if he doesn't know ,it's a serious matter.
"I ....I...can't leave her,although I don't personally know much about her,but these memories of her,ahh,it's making me feel guilty for the thought of not saving her" he thought, his expression hardening with resolve.
Yet, beneath the surface, doubt lingered. Was he ready? Did he truly have what it took to save her from a criminal which even alerted 'them' Or would this path only lead to his secrets—and his power—being exposed?
As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Ash stood there, torn between uncertainty and the faint stirrings of ambition. This was the moment where everything could change.
And he had to decide.