HxH: Making a living by exorcising

About an hour later, Merlin finally reached the outskirts of the city, his stomach growling with hunger.

'I don't know where I am, but filling my stomach was the first priority,' he thought, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of food or shelter. But as he looked down at his empty pockets, his face fell. "But... I don't have money," he muttered, a sense of frustration creeping in.

Merlin stopped at his tracks, his mind racing with thoughts of what to do.

'I don't even know my identity... here,' he thought, a sigh escaping his lips. The uncertainty of his situation weighed heavily on him, and for a moment, he felt lost and alone.

As he stood there, Merlin couldn't help but notice the attention he was receiving from the people around him. Some stared in awe, while others forgot what they were doing, their eyes fixed on him. Merlin, however, was oblivious to the commotion he was causing. He was too caught up in his own thoughts, too preoccupied with finding a way to survive.

As he walked again, the crowd parted, their eyes following him. Some whispered to each other, their voices barely audible, while others couldn't help but stare. Merlin's ethereal beauty transcended the boundaries of gender, his features so finely chiseled that it was hard to tell if he was male or female. His beautiful, alluring eyes seemed to see right through to the soul, and his long, wavy hair with pink tints like petals at the ends added to his otherworldly aura.

Despite the attention, Merlin remained unaware, his focus solely on finding something to eat. His stomach growled louder, reminding him of his priority. He walked on, his eyes scanning the streets for any signs of food or shelter, his heart beating with a mix of determination and uncertainty.

'Should I go back to the mansion in the forest again?' Merlin thought with uncertainty, his mind weighing the pros and cons of returning to the place where he had awakened.

'How could I forget to search for things in the house,' he muttered to himself, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. With a sigh, Merlin turned around and started walking back again, the trees looming before him like sentinels.

Time seemed to pass differently as Merlin retraced his steps, his thoughts consumed by the possibilities of what he might find in the mansion. As he entered the room where he had first awakened, he began to rummage through the space, his eyes scanning every nook and cranny. And then, his fingers brushed against a file of papers on a nearby table. With a surge of excitement, Merlin pulled out the papers and scanned them quickly. A sigh of relief escaped his lips as he realized it was his identity certificate. At least now he knew who he was, or at least, who he was supposed to be.

As he continued to search, Merlin's hand closed around a wallet that had been tucked away in the table near his bed.

'Fuck, I'm so hungry,' he thought, his stomach growling in protest. But a smile spread across his face as he remembered that he now had money. All he needed to do was head back to the city and find something to eat.

Just as Merlin was about to leave, he accidentally caught a glimpse of his reflection in the mirror that hung on the wall. He stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes locking onto his own gaze.

'Should I hide my eyes?' he thought, a flicker of unease running through him. "Yeah, I think I should. Who knows what kind of world I'm in?" The uncertainty of his surroundings made him cautious, and he didn't want to draw unnecessary attention to himself.

As Merlin was about to search for a blindfold or something to cover his eyes, the system that had been keeping silent suddenly piped up again.

[Ding!]

The sound was loud and clear, and Merlin's head jerked up, his eyes scanning the room for any sign of what was happening. What did the system want now?

[Oracle's Mask have been added in the inventory!]

!!? Merlin's eyes widened in surprise as he stared at the system panel.

"I have an inventory?!" he exclaimed, a mixture of excitement and curiosity in his voice. He couldn't believe that he had access to a virtual storage space, and he eagerly opened his inventory in his mind to take a look.

As the inventory panel unfolded in his mind's eye, Merlin's gaze swept across the empty slots, his eyes lingering on the single item that occupied one of the slots. The Oracle's Mask lay there, its delicate design and intricate patterns gleaming with an otherworldly aura. Merlin's fingers itched to touch it, and he couldn't resist the urge to take it out of the inventory.

'Oracle's Mask hmm...' Merlin thought, his fingers tracing the patterns on the mask. He read the descriptions, his eyes scanning the text with interest. As he saw that the mask didn't have any bad effects, Merlin's face lit up with a soft smile. 'Thanks, system, hehe.' With a sense of anticipation, he put on the Oracle's Mask, feeling the soft material adjust to fit his face perfectly.

The mask's gentle pressure on his skin was a pleasant sensation, and Merlin felt a strange sense of calm wash over him. His hunger, however, still gnawed at him, and he rubbed his belly with a wry smile. 'I'm still starving, though.' Despite the hunger, Merlin felt a sense of excitement and anticipation. What would it be like to wear the Oracle's Mask? Would it grant him new insights or abilities? He couldn't wait to find out. With the mask securely in place, Merlin took a deep breath and prepared to face whatever lay ahead, his senses heightened and his heart pounding with anticipation.

He smiled softly as he gazed at his reflection in the mirror, the Oracle's Mask covering his eyes yet not hindering his sight in the slightest. It was as if the blindfold was merely a decorative accessory, a stylish addition to his attire rather than a hindrance to his vision. Merlin's eyes sparkled with delight as he took in the familiar sights of the room, his gaze roaming freely without any obstruction.

For a while, he stood there, admiring himself in the mirror, the mask's gentle curves framing his face perfectly. The soft light danced across the intricate patterns on the mask, casting a mesmerizing glow that seemed to highlight the sharp lines of his features. Merlin's smile grew wider as he felt a sense of wonder and excitement wash over him. This was indeed a remarkable artifact, one that seemed to defy the conventional limitations of sight.

Finally, after lingering in front of the mirror for a bit longer than necessary, Merlin tore his gaze away and set off towards the city, his stomach growling with anticipation. He was ravenous, and the thought of sinking his teeth into a hot, steaming meal was almost too enticing to resist. "Time to eat!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with enthusiasm.

As he walked, the Oracle's Mask seemed to accentuate his senses, allowing him to perceive his surroundings with greater clarity. The city streets came alive with vibrant colors and sounds, a kaleidoscope of sights and noises that Merlin devoured with relish. His beloved activities, like exploring new places and trying new foods, were now infused with an added layer of excitement, thanks to the Oracle's Mask.

With his stomach growling and his senses heightened, Merlin quickened his pace, his footsteps light and carefree. He was ready to take on the city, to indulge in its culinary delights and uncover its secrets. The Oracle's Mask had become an integral part of him, a tool that seemed to enhance his experiences and broaden his horizons. And with it by his side, Merlin felt invincible, ready to face whatever adventures lay ahead.