Morning came too fast.
I barely slept, my head spinning with one thought — someone else is in this story.
When I walked into the hall, Aria was already waiting. She looked calm, but her eyes told a different story.
"You saw it too, didn't you?" she asked.
I nodded. "Someone was outside the palace last night. I couldn't see their face, but… they were watching."
Aria folded her arms. "If they're the one changing the story, they could be dangerous."
"Could be?" I said. "They are dangerous. The timeline's already shifting because of them."
We moved to the library — one of the few quiet places left. The tall shelves stretched to the ceiling, dust floating in the sunlight. I shut the door behind us.
"Tell me everything you know about outsiders," I said.
Aria frowned. "You mean people not from this world?"
I hesitated. "Something like that."
She lowered her voice. "There are stories — old ones — about 'Wanderers.' People who appear out of nowhere with strange powers. Most don't survive long. The world rejects them."
"Rejects them?"
"Magic turns against them. The world itself tries to erase them."
I swallowed. "So, if there's another like me… they'll eventually—"
"Not if they're strong enough to fight back," she said.
The room went quiet.
The system's blue text flickered faintly at the edge of my vision.
[Hidden Mission Unlocked: Identify the Other Player.]
Reward: Fate Points +50 | Ability Unlock — "Trace of Truth."
I smirked. "Guess the game just started."
Aria gave me a questioning look. "What?"
"Nothing," I said quickly. "Just thinking."
She sighed. "Then think faster. Rumors are spreading — about the captain's death, and about you. Some say you poisoned him yourself."
I clenched my jaw. "Of course they do."
"If we don't clear your name soon, the nobles will move against you."
I stood up, walking to the window. Outside, the palace yard was filled with guards, nobles, and gossiping servants.
Then I saw him.
A young man in silver armor stood near the fountain, surrounded by knights. His face looked familiar — too familiar.
In the original book, that man didn't appear until Chapter 20. He was the hero.
My breath caught. "No way…"
Aria followed my gaze. "Who is that?"
"The reason this story ends with my death."
The system blinked again.
[Warning: Hero Detected — Fate Acceleration in Progress.]
My hands tightened. The real game had begun — and
the hero had arrived two months early.
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⚜️ End of Chapter 6