The following day, Luke found himself seated at the entrance of the internet cafe, his senses on high alert as he surveyed his surroundings.
A sign hung on the shop's door, bearing the word "Closed." Luke felt a sense of unease as he read it, knowing that the shop would be off-limits for a while.
Outside the familiar confines of the shop, he couldn't help but feel vulnerable and exposed. He kept a constant watch, his vigilance kicking in at regular intervals. Every rustle of the wind seemed to send shivers down his spine, as if some unseen danger lurked nearby.
As Lunaria gracefully approached and caught sight of Luke, her curiosity got the better of her. "Boss, what are you doing outside?" she inquired with genuine concern.
The sudden sound of her voice startled Luke, causing him to momentarily jump. However, as he realized that the sound was from his dear credit machine number 01, he let out a sigh of relief, a warm smile crossing his face. It dawned on him that amidst the whirlwind of his thoughts the previous day, he had forgotten to inform Luna about the shop's closure.
"Ah, the internet cafe will be closed for three days. Come back in three days," Luke explained to Lunaria.
"Eh? What does this mean, Boss? I have so many things I wanted to search for," Luna responded with a hint of disappointment.
As Luke engaged in conversation with the concerned elf, his initial vigilance gradually dissipated. He felt a sense of comfort and familiarity in Luna's presence, which allowed him to relax and put his guard down.
As he conversed with Lunaria, Luke learned that his shop was nestled in a slightly secluded corner of the otherwise bustling street. Realization struck him, and he thought, 'No wonder there are so few customers.' The hidden location might have made it challenging for people to discover his business.
As he watched the surroundings, Luke's initial unease gradually subsided. He began to appreciate the serenity of the place, finding solace in the relative peace around him.
With Lunaria as his conversation partner, Luke felt a sense of contentment. Having someone to talk to made the closure of the shop more bearable. He realized how important human connection was, even if he became somewhat of an introvert, and he was grateful for her company.
Luke noticed beforehand that the effects of his skills had diminished, leaving him puzzled. He contemplated three possible reasons for this occurrence.
Firstly, he considered the possibility that it might be due to a recent upgrade in the system. Perhaps some changes were made, affecting the overall efficiency of his skills.
Secondly, he also wondered if the absence of the reply function of the system could be affecting his skills. It was plausible that his skills might be impacted in some way.
Lastly, Luke entertained the notion that the connection of his soul to the internet cafe might play a role in the disparity. It was conceivable that the bond he shared with the shop somehow amplified his skills when he was within its confines.
Pondering these potential explanations, Luke sought to discern the true reason behind the decrease in his skills' effectiveness. It was a puzzle he intended to solve during the three days of closure.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his skills, Luke found solace in the fact that the system shop and storage were still functioning without any issues. It was a relief to know that his precious items were safe and accessible, providing him with a sense of stability during the shop's closure.
Furthermore, he was pleased to discover that the more than 1000 credits in his account remained untouched. It meant that his hard-earned resources were secure and could be utilized when needed.
As he explored the system shop, he noticed a new section dedicated to weapons and armors. Intrigued, he briefly perused the offerings, but he refrained from making any purchases. He reminded himself of the extra protection provided by the last three Sanctum Charms he had implanted in his body. These charms acted as a powerful safeguard, enhancing his sense of security in the outside world.
However, he couldn't help but notice that the items in the new section were quite expensive. It made him contemplate the value of each purchase and the potential impact on his credits. For now, he decided to exercise caution and save his resources until he had a better understanding of his current situation and the implications of his diminished skills.
Lunaria then offered to tour him in the capital.
Grateful for Lunaria's offer, Luke gladly accepted her proposal to tour the capital.
"Luke. Call me Luke outside the internet cafe. That's my name, by the way," he said, offering her an amiable smile as they strolled through the streets.
"Eh?" Lunaria was taken aback, astonishment evident in her eyes. It was the first time she had heard his name.
"L-Luke," she hesitated at first, feeling a bit restrained by the newfound informality. However, with each mention of his name, she grew more accustomed to it, realizing that it added a sense of closeness and familiarity between them.
"By the way, this street seems to be deserted," Luke remarked, confirming his earlier observation about the sparsely populated street.
Lunaria then explained, "Ah, you might not know this as you're always in the shop, but the capital is currently under lockdown. The citizens only venture outside when they have important matters to attend to. It seems that some significant figures have arrived, and they are on the lookout for someone. However, I'm not sure of the true reason behind their search."
Lunaria remained oblivious to the fact that they were actually searching for her. She had little interest in investigating the real cause behind their actions. Her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of computers and ways to strengthen herself, which consumed her thoughts as of late.
"I see. Have you had breakfast?" Luke asked, considering the fact that they were out and about in the capital. "As thanks for showing me around, it's my treat today."
Luke was genuinely interested in experiencing the local delicacies of the city. The idea of trying something new appealed to him, especially since he had been confined to the internet cafe for quite some time. He saw this as an opportunity to immerse himself in the culture of the capital.
Lunaria, on the other hand, thought about suggesting food from Luke's system shop, which she knew would undoubtedly be delicious. However, she decided against it, realizing that this was a unique experience for both of them – to share a meal outside the shop together. Being treated to a meal by her companion was a gesture she appreciated, and she eagerly accepted his kind offer.
With a sense of anticipation, they continued their exploration of the capital, looking forward to savoring the flavors of the city.
Following Lunaria's guidance, Luke and she arrived at a well-known establishment in the area. As they entered, they were warmly greeted by an employee, their smile exuding hospitality.
Seated at a particularly pleasant spot, Luke and Lunaria settled in, ready to indulge in the culinary offerings of the capital. The waiter promptly handed them the menu, and Luke glanced at it curiously.
However, he found himself a bit perplexed. The menu only listed the names of the dishes without any accompanying images or descriptions. Luke, who was accustomed to the visual representations in the system shop, couldn't easily picture what each dish might be.
The absence of visuals left him uncertain about the taste and presentation of the options before him. Nevertheless, he saw this as an opportunity to embrace the local dining experience fully. He decided to rely on Lunaria's expertise and let her take the lead in choosing their meal. With her knowledge of the city, he felt confident that she would make a delightful selection for both of them.
With a nod and a smile, Lunaria deftly made her choices from the menu.
After some time, their chosen dishes arrived at the table. Luke was taken aback when he saw what Lunaria had ordered – a relatively simple meal. He had expected her to pick something more elaborate, considering her vast experience with the system's diverse and flavorful foods.
However, Lunaria had a deeper reason behind her choice. She had found that after tasting the foods from the system, everything else seemed to pale in comparison. The exquisite flavors and textures provided by the system's offerings had set a high standard for her palate.
As a result, other foods appeared to lose their uniqueness and distinctiveness, blending into a homogenous taste. No matter what she ate, it all seemed to have a similar flavor profile.
Yet, there was one exception – the food she had bought from Luke's shop. Those delectable dishes stood out in her mind as the only "real" food, offering an experience beyond the ordinary.
"Pwee. This is bland. I'm never picky about food, but why does this food lack taste?" Luke lamented, his palate having been refined by the system's delectable offerings.
"I know, right? Hahaha," Lunaria chuckled, sharing his sentiment.
"Are you sure this is the best restaurant here?" Luke asked, surprised by the lackluster flavors.
"I'm afraid to admit it, but yes. Sigh, it's a whole league inferior compared to the foods I bought from you," Lunaria sighed in agreement.
Despite their disappointment with the meal, both of them still ate their food, determined not to let it go to waste.
Despite the tasteless breakfast, Luke and Lunaria's engaging conversation brought a delightful flavor to their meals. Their conversation and shared laughter made the dining experience enjoyable, overshadowing the blandness of the food.
While Luke and Lunaria were engrossed in their peaceful breakfast and lively conversation, they remained oblivious to the presence of an old man who was slowly approaching the restaurant.
Strangely, this elderly gentleman bore an uncanny resemblance to Lunaria.
The old man's eyes held a glint of intrigue and curiosity as he observed the restaurant from a distance. There was an air of mystery surrounding him, and it was evident that he was contemplating something.
After a moment's hesitation, he made a firm decision and finally stepped inside the establishment.