Calmness descended upon the internet cafe, a gentle peace after the storm.
Ophelia, with an aura of grace and royalty, confided in Luke, revealing herself as the first princess of the illustrious Luminaire Kingdom. Her voice resonated with sincerity and gratitude as she expressed her earnest desire to repay Luke for his invaluable assistance.
However, before she could fulfill her promise, she needed to journey back to the castle to retrieve the well-earned rewards.
Moreover, there was an additional task at hand—to apprehend the two mysterious robed men.
Ophelia stressed the importance of extracting as much information as possible from these individuals about the holy nation's grand plans. In return for Luke's help to restrict them, she vowed to bestow further rewards upon Luke.
Reluctantly, Luke complied, only choosing to restrict the robed men's movements rather than delve into the complexities of Ophelia's plans.
By the use of his skill, he disabled their ability to resist, leaving them entirely at their mercy. Their realm was now completely shackled, rendering them powerless and unable to escape.
The two robed men remained silent, their voices stifled by shock and bewilderment. The events they had experienced left them grappling with the implications of their actions, and their lives seemed to be unraveling before them. Each moment passing, they found themselves questioning the choices that led them to this moment.
With a graceful farewell, Ophelia clasped the arms of the two powerless robed men, a gesture that seemed to carry determination. Her voice, imbued with sincerity, assured Luke of her return at a later date. She conveyed a sense of purpose and responsibility in handling the situation.
As the excitement subsided, Lunaria redirected her attention to the computer screen. Determination etched on her face, she delved into a focused investigation of the mysterious changes her body had undergone.
Despite the passage of a week since her breakthrough, she knew there was still much to uncover about her current Rank. The desire to fully grasp and harness her powers drove her forward, and she wouldn't rest until she had unraveled the enigma that lay within her.
After their thrilling escapade, Lunaria's loyal spirit friend, Mistral, gracefully returned to her home to fulfill her duties and report to the spirit king. But before parting ways, Mistral embraced Lunaria with an assurance that she would always be there whenever called upon. Whether in times of peril or curiosity, Mistral's magical presence would manifest by Lunaria's side, ever ready to lend her otherworldly support.
Meanwhile, Luke, ever the carefree spirit, had swiftly moved on from the previous commotion and returned to his beloved gaming activities. As he immersed himself in the virtual world, the outside concerns seemed to fade away, replaced by the thrill of the digital realm.
•••
Three days had elapsed when Ophelia made her return to the internet cafe. However, this time, she had cleverly disguised herself as a city girl, attempting to blend in with the normal citizen.
Yet, despite her efforts, her innate elegance and beauty were unmistakable. Her porcelain skin and delicate features gave her away, leaving little doubt that she possessed the grace of a noble. Though she attempted to maintain her incognito guise, her aura of sophistication and regality set her apart from the crowd.
As she stepped into the internet cafe, a jovial smile graced Ophelia's lips.
With graceful poise, Ophelia walked towards Luke and greeted him warmly.
Luke's excitement was palpable, knowing that her return meant rewards that would propel him closer to completing the quest. The successful completion of the first quest had already set a promising tone for his future endeavors.
Exuding confidence, Ophelia placed a pouch of gold coins on the counter table with a decisive thud. The weight of the pouch and the jingling of the coins echoed the magnitude of her gratitude and the generosity of her rewards.
"Savior," Ophelia began with a tone of utmost gratitude, "as promised, this is my token of appreciation for your invaluable assistance." Her sincerity was evident in her words and the glint in her eyes as she handed over the pouch of gold coins.
"I must apologize," she continued, her noble demeanor showing through even in her humility, "for not being able to provide more. The castle is currently facing challenging circumstances, and resources are limited." Despite the apology, Ophelia's gesture was still generous, and her gratitude remained undiminished.
As Ophelia handed over the pouch of gold coins, Luke, ever the master of composure, maintained a poker face, concealing his true emotions. However, upon opening the pouch, he was taken aback by the sheer amount of gold it contained. Surprise and excitement surged through him, evident in his widened eyes and the faintest hint of a smile that tugged at the corners of his lips.
'What?! This is more than the gold I asked for! Woah, a rich girl!' Luke's mind raced with astonishment, his thoughts unable to keep up with the unexpected generosity before him. The weight of the coins in his hands only reinforced the notion that Ophelia's gratitude far exceeded his expectations.
"Good. You've kept your promise," Luke said generously, a warm smile gracing his features. "You're welcome to explore this place and use the computers as much as you like."
Ophelia accepted his invitation with gratitude, her curiosity piqued as she roamed around the internet cafe, seemingly without a specific destination in mind. However, amidst her exploration, her eyes were irresistibly drawn back to Luke.
'Haha, it's not a waste of time saving you. I have yet another credit machine.'
As Luke's thoughts drifted towards the exciting possibilities that lay ahead, he was suddenly interrupted by the familiar and pleasant sound of the system. The soft chime resonated through his mind, capturing his attention.
Ding!
[ System Quest has been completed ]
[ Computer usage of customers reaches 100 hours
~Progress: 100/100 ]
[ Earn 300 Credits
~Progress: 300/300 ]
As Luke's genuine smile illuminated his face, his happiness couldn't be contained any longer. The warmth and joy he radiated seemed to enchant everyone around him.
Witnessing his charismatic smile, Ophelia couldn't help but feel a stirring in her heart. A soft blush graced her cheeks, a telltale sign of the attraction she felt towards this remarkable young man.
Luke's smile had a magnetic quality, drawing people in with its charm and sincerity. Ophelia found herself captivated by his presence, realizing that he possessed not only strength but also a rare handsomeness that set him apart from others she had encountered before. In him, she saw a unique blend of qualities that made him truly one of a kind.
Despite her tomboyish nature, Ophelia couldn't deny the attraction she felt towards the handsome and charismatic Luke. Her heart was drawn to him, despite her best efforts to resist such feelings.
However, Luke remained oblivious to the effect he had on Ophelia, his focus firmly fixed on the system's sound and the notifications it brought.
[ The Internet Cafe is now able to advance to Rank 2. The upgrade will start tomorrow at 7 am and the upgrading process will take 3 days.]
"That's longer than I thought."
[ During the upgrading process, the host can't enter the internet cafe as it may impede the upgrading process. The system advises the host to explore the capital during these 3 days of upgrading. ]
"System! What do you mean I have to be outside?" Luke's voice trembled with panic, unable to fathom the thought of being separated from the place that had become a second home to him..
[ The host does not need to worry as you can return once the upgrade has finished. ] The system clarified.
"That's not what I mean!" Luke retorted, feeling frustrated by the implications of the upgrade process.
[ The host might impede the upgrading process if you stay inside during the upgrade process. ]
"I didn't sign up for this. Sh*t." Luke exclaimed, grappling with the weight of the situation.
As the system's message continued, another piece of crucial information was revealed:
[ Also, please be careful, as this will be the most vulnerable time for the host as the system's reply function will be sealed during the upgrade. ]
"Eh?" Luke's confusion deepened at this unexpected revelation. The realization that the system's reply function would be sealed during the upgrade left him feeling a sense of disquiet and uncertainty.
The reply function had been his means of communication with the system, providing guidance and assistance whenever he needed it. Its absence during the upgrade left him with a sense of vulnerability, as he wouldn't have the system's immediate support and feedback to rely on.