My name is Gabriel. Let’s just say I am just an "average" teenager...…Okay, maybe not that average. Anyways, I am into reading light novels, and I just wish that I was one of the main characters there.

Wait, why am I introducing myself? Ah, right, I need to practice my introduction for the start of school next week.

So this will be how it goes.

Hi, my name is Gabriel. I am seventeen years old and am a very independent person, as I was totally not kicked out by my parents. I willingly became independent, and the funds that were given to me, which are totally not something I forced them to give me out of pity, are totally not running out because of my excessive buying of light novels. I live in a first-floor apartment that is totally not cheap because the electricity would go out at times, as would the water.

Yeah, I probably don’t need to say all of that.

As of now, I am reading all of the light novels I have. Nonstop.

It’s already late at night, but I am out of light novels to read!!

Well, I guess I am going to buy one at a convenience store.

Hey, you might ask yourself, Why not just read online? Well, first, I have no internet service, and my funds that are not totally running out are too precious to waste on that kind of service. And totally not because it’s expensive to maintain.

God, I am too lonely to keep talking to myself.

Anyway, I need to prepare myself before going out. I walk towards the door only to notice a full-body-sized mirror on the wall.

Huh, I forgot this mirror existed. I went in front of the mirror and looked at my reflection.

Ah yes, this mirror reflects a perfect example of a sad waste of spac-… I meant a handsome and beautiful man. I think I need to get a haircut. I am starting to look like the other kind of anime protagonist.

As I open the door and take a peek outside, there is no one in sight, not even a vehicle.

Who am I kidding? It is already this late at night, and of course there’s going to be no one outside. Maybe a few cars or trucks might pass by.

Looking at the convenience store nearby its open… well it did say it’s open 24/7, according to a huge billboard in front of it.

It’s just across this road. I just need to walk over there, and I’ll be there in no time.

After crossing the road, I noticed that there were no vehicles at all passing by.

I open the door in the convenience store and look around.

I walk to the book section; it has multiple books, or more like magazines, and a few light novels. There’s even a somewhat adult magazine with lewd models wearing such erotic clothing.

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Be gone, evil thoughts. I don’t have enough to buy more than one book.

I browsed around the goods more, and then something caught my eye.

“It can’t be... How could I have missed such a thing? I can’t believe it... It’s here!!! ”

The latest volume of my favorite novel that I've been rereading since its initial release is here!!

It’s a story about a young man reincarnated into another world who gets a cheat-like ability, becomes the hero, and goes on a quest to save the world against the demon race.

I can’t believe it. In the previous volume, it left on a huge ass cliffhanger.

I was waiting for this volume to come out, and it's finally here!

A droplet of water touches the cover of the book.

Hmm, am I crying? Of course, I’ve been waiting for so long for it to come out that I can’t stop these joyous tears of mine.

"Uh, sir, are you going to buy that book or not? Because you are damaging the product.“

A voice that has a tone of ennui speaks behind me.

I looked around and saw a man who may be in his thirties. He looks like he wants to stop working.

The man let out a deep sigh and stared at me with his lifeless eyes.

“Sir? “

“Uh...yes, I’ll like to buy this book.”

I showed the book I was holding and then proceeded to go to the cashier.

“That will be eighteen dollars.”

I felt something pierce inside me when I heard the price, but I cannot falter. I must buy this novel at all costs.

“Oh...ok”

I reach for my pocket to get my wallet. I look inside the wallet.

Thank goodness I have money. I then proceeded to give him the payment.

He then proceeds to take a plastic bag to put the novel in and hands it over to me.

“Thanks for your patronage.”

He said it in such a monotone voice.

I then take the plastic bag off his hand, awkwardly smile, and nod as a response.

To think this volume finally came out, I can’t wait to read it!!

I finally walk outside the convenience store and take out the light novel from the plastic bag as I walk towards the road with the book in hand. I really just can’t wait to read it.

I opened the book and flipped through some pages that had, like, one page with just the title and the author name on it. Then I started reading it; it starts just where it left off.

“Time to die”

Rastronoz approaches the dying hero.

As Rastronoz approaches the hero, a bright light suddenly descends from the heavens and fills the entire area, blinding Rastronoz...

Wait, when did this get so high-tech? An intense light seems to be focusing on one side of my face, and a loud honking sound can be heard too…Wait, a loud honking sound?!

I soon realized that I was so focused on reading the light novel that I didn’t notice a truck coming towards me.