The Great Villain! Witnesses the new Chosen Hero...?

Lucian handed the magical pouch to the chip clerk from earlier, a confident, almost cocky smile on his face.

"Here," he said with a smirk.

The clerk raised an eyebrow, his own Codex glowing faintly as he activated it.

"Let's see…" he muttered, snapping his fingers. The Codex and the pouch glowed simultaneously.

"Agh—!" The clerk choked on his own saliva, clutching his chest in surprise.

"What the—?!" He grabbed the pouch, tipping it over. A cascade of chips poured out, spilling across the counter. They just kept coming—piling up until they nearly covered the clerk's face.

"One… billion…?" he whispered, his eyes wide and mouth agape.

Lucian grinned widely, clearly savoring the reaction. Ignir, meanwhile, beamed like a kid who just hit the jackpot, his innocent excitement contrasting with Lucian's composed confidence.

The clerk finally pulled himself together, coughing awkwardly before handing Lucian the ribbon he had used as collateral.

"And this…" The clerk produced another magical pouch, this one far more ornate.

Lucian raised an eyebrow. "Ooh, do I have to pay extra for this?" he quipped.

The clerk shook his head, exhaling a weary sigh. "It's on the house. Clients who convert 500 million worth of chips receive it for free."

Lucian slipped the new pouch into his pocket. "Pleasure doing business with this establishment," he replied smoothly, gesturing for Ignir to follow him.

The clerk managed a small smile, regaining some of his composure. "We hope to see you again, sir."

Lucian chuckled. "That might be sooner than you think." With that, he and Ignir strode out of the casino.

Outside, the city was already cloaked in night, vibrant lights illuminating the bustling nightlife.

"How long were we in there, kid?" Lucian asked, still grinning from the successful gamble.

Ignir thought for a moment. "A few hours, maybe?"

Lucian glanced at Ignir, noticing the tattered sack the boy wore as makeshift clothes. The sight reminded him of his earlier thought—buying Ignir proper attire after they hit it big.

He knelt down, ruffling Ignir's hair with a warm smile. "Let's get you some new clothes."

Ignir's eyes lit up, his grin infectious.

Who knew I had such a fatherly side? Lucian mused, chuckling to himself as they made their way through the lively streets.

As Lucian and Ignir arrived at the bustling square, Lucian's eyes widened at the sight before him—a heavily armored man wielding absurdly large weapons, standing proudly in the middle of the grand fountain. Earlier, this spot had been occupied by a town crier, but now it was dominated by the imposing figure.

"Huh… What's a guy like that doing here?" Lucian muttered, stopping in his tracks.

The armored man stood tall and proud, clearly basking in the attention as the crowd gathered around him. The city lights seemed to spotlight the fountain, making the man's presence even more dramatic.

"Dear citizens of Greywood!" the man bellowed, pounding a fist to his chest. "I, the new chosen hero, have arrived to visit the ruins of the old Dark Lord's domain!"

The crowd erupted into cheers.

"All hail the Hero!"

"May he defeat the new Dark Lord!"

Lucian couldn't help but chuckle at the spectacle. "So that's the new hero?" he mused aloud.

Beside him, Ignir's eyes sparkled with pure awe. "Can you believe it? I'm seeing the hero with my own eyes!"

Lucian smiled at Ignir's excitement but couldn't help but feel a vein twitch in his forehead as he glanced back at the so-called hero.

"Yeah… can't believe it either," he said, forcing a smile to mask his irritation.

The hero continued his grand proclamation, raising his voice even louder. "I've heard that the new Dark Lord has been scavenging relics from the old one's domain—seeking to wield that dark power for himself!" He dramatically wiped a nonexistent tear from his eye.

"I will not let another monster rise! I will cleanse him before he can build his empire!" The hero's armor glowed brilliantly, his body enveloped in radiant light—the legendary Dominion of Light that all heroes before him had wielded. He struck a pose, basking in the admiration.

Lucian's eye twitched again. "Man… what a showoff."

He noticed Ignir staring, utterly captivated, and waved a hand in front of the boy's face to snap him out of it.

"Come on, kid. Let's get you some new clothes."

Ignir hesitated, his gaze still fixed on the hero. "Can't we wait until Sir Hero leaves?"

Lucian shook his head, adopting an exaggeratedly wise tone, like a pompous professor. "Time is power, child. We shouldn't waste it gawking at nothing like him."

"Okay…" Ignir mumbled, his excitement deflating as he reluctantly tore his gaze away from the hero.

Lucian noticed the boy's disappointment and softened his tone. "Don't worry. One day, you'll be just like him—or even better."

Ignir looked up, his eyes brimming with hope. "Really?"

Lucian ruffled his hair, grinning. "Yeah. You've got more potential than any flashy hero."

As they walked away, the hero continued his grandiose speech, but Lucian barely heard it over the sound of Ignir's footsteps beside him—lighter, happier, and full of newfound determination.

They stopped just outside the square, where a fancy clothing store sat tucked away from the bustling crowd. The shop was nearly empty, as most citizens had gathered at the grand fountain to catch a glimpse of the hero.

Lucian and Ignir stepped inside, the soft chime of a bell announcing their arrival. Behind the counter, a bored man in a suit sat slumped over, on the verge of dozing off.

"Excuse me?" Lucian tapped on the counter, his voice calm but commanding.

The shopkeeper stirred slowly, rubbing his eyes. "Huh…?" He looked up, only to find himself face-to-face with a well-dressed noble whose striking features immediately snapped him to attention.

The shopkeeper jumped up, his posture instantly more formal. "My apologies, my lord! How may I be of service?" His eyes darted to the side, noticing the child.

"Is that your slave, my lord?"

Lucian raised an eyebrow and quickly formulated an excuse. "No, he's a servant. His uniform got... burnt. Yes... definitely burnt." He gave a confident smile despite the slight hesitation, exhausted from the day's chaotic events.

"Oh, I see…" The shopkeeper nodded slowly, still a bit confused but not daring to question it further. He turned back to Lucian, his professional demeanor returning.

"Any preferences, my lord?"

Lucian smirked, pulling out his magical pouch. With a casual flick of his hand, he poured out ten thousand gold coins onto the counter. The gleam of the coins made the shopkeeper's eyes widen with excitement.

"Something comfortable, like mine," Lucian instructed.

The shopkeeper practically beamed. "I have just the right thing!" he announced, quickly moving to the back room.

While waiting, Lucian and Ignir glanced out the shop window, watching the hero continue his dramatic speech at the fountain, still riling up the crowd with his glowing charisma.

After a few minutes, the shopkeeper returned, proudly holding a set of clothes—a comfortable polo shirt and sleek black pants, complete with undergarments.

"This should be perfect," the shopkeeper said with a satisfied smile.

Lucian gave a quick nod. "Looks good."

"The total comes to 3,500 gold, my lord." The shopkeeper bowed, carefully folding the outfit before offering it to Lucian.

"Keep the change." Lucian replied nonchalantly, handing the clothes to Ignir. "Go change into it. Take your time—I have something to take care of."

Ignir tilted his head, curious but obedient. "Okay!" he chirped, thrilled to finally replace his makeshift rags.

Once Ignir headed to the changing room, Lucian's expression shifted—his eyes growing colder, more calculated. He glanced at the shopkeeper.

"Now then… time for some information gathering."

The shopkeeper met his gaze, an understanding smile spreading across his face. He knew well that where information was needed, gold was the quickest way to get it.