Sky had just started his seafood pasta, barely less than a third into it, when he noticed Lumiya across him had devoured her entire plate, even meticulously licking it clean. Her large, innocent eyes were now intently focused on Sky's spaghetti.
Struggling to stay composed, Sky managed a few more bites but couldn't shake off Lumiya's longing gaze. He ventured, "How about I share some with you?"
"Yeah, sure!" Lumiya nodded eagerly, sliding her empty plate towards him.
In no time, over half of Sky's remaining pasta ended up in Lumiya's belly, bringing their lunch, delightful for Lumiya, to an end. Sky, however, was still hungry.
"Shall we head to the main building of the castle now?" Sky suggested, getting up.
"Onward, onward!" Lumiya exclaimed, leaping up excitedly.
They soon stood before the bronze-framed grand doors of the main building, looking up in awe.
The main structure of the castle, a solid stone building, featured a sharply pointed spire at its center. Besides the central spire, the building housed four stories, with grand arched windows and heavy doors melding functionality with elegance. Time had etched its tale on the castle, rendering its exterior somber and historical.
Sky took a deep breath, pulling out an ancient bronze key, an heirloom, and inserted it into the lock, turning it with anticipation.
As the lock clicked, Sky's internal system chimed in, "Player meets criteria to activate 'My Mysterious Castle' mission system. Activate?"
After a brief pause, Sky answered, "Activate."
"'My Mysterious Castle' mission series now active," the system announced.
Activating Main Quest 1: 'The Door.'
Objective: At 3 a.m. each night, open a door in the castle and stay there till dawn. Each night, select a new room until all are explored.
Hint: The castle awakens at nightfall. Behind each door lies a captivating story.
Rewards: Activate 'Late Night Mode' in each room upon completing the task, earning 10 Plane World Sources and 10 Plane Rule Fragments. Chance for additional rewards.
Penalty: Lose the opportunity to activate 'Late Night Mode' for any unopened room.
Activating Main Quest 2: 'The Web.'
Objective: Find and free the inhabitant(s) of the cobweb-laden room in the castle.
Hint: They've attempted escape countless times, each effort adding another thread of despair to their tragic tapestry.
Rewards: Gain their goodwill and potential assistance in future 'My Mysterious Castle' missions, plus 150 Plane World Sources and 150 Plane Rule Fragments.
Penalty: Bear their deepest curse.
Available quests:
'The Castle Master's Room,' 'The Swimming Pool,' 'The Cellar.'
Players can choose from these on the 'My Mysterious Castle' mission page at any time.
Note: Optional quests assist in the main series but are notably more challenging.
Sky sighed inwardly. The journey was revealing the true essence of this world.
Lumiya broke his reverie, "Landlord, lost in thought? Is the door too heavy? Don't worry, I've got this. I'm quite strong."
Before Sky could respond, Lumiya had already pushed the massive doors open with ease.
Sky chuckled to himself, 'This girl, she's quite the character,' reflecting on Lumiya's quirky behavior.
Lumiya, having flung open the doors, dashed inside, soon marveling aloud, "Wow, such a high ceiling. Wow, look at that huge chandelier…"
Stepping into the castle, Sky felt a cold draft. Despite the grand classical windows, the interior seemed dim, as if the sunlight was partly filtered out.
Sky quickly eyed the large spiral staircase leading to the upper bedrooms, eager to explore all rooms before nightfall, particularly the cobweb-covered room mentioned in Main Quest 2.
As Sky ascended, Lumiya, after a quick tour on the ground floor, caught up, "Landlord, going upstairs?" She sniffed and frowned, "Don't like the smell up there."
"It's been ages since anyone lived here. It's bound to smell off," Sky replied, climbing briskly, "Join me if you wish. I might let you do a live stream of exploring the castle."
"Really?" Lumiya's eyes lit up, and she quickly followed.
They spent the afternoon meticulously checking every room in the main building. Although they found nothing unusual, the entire castle had a creepy, intensifying aura as they ascended each floor.
Sky, disappointed and empty-handed, resolved to return at 3 a.m. as per the quest. He headed back to his room in the tower, with Lumiya naturally following suit.
"Why are you here again? You have your own room, don't you?" Sky looked at Lumiya sitting on the sofa, speechless.
Flashing a radiant smile, Lumiya cheerfully asked, "So, what's on the menu for dinner, landlord?"
Sky, taken aback, replied, "Why do I have to provide you with dinner? I remember my rental doesn't include three meals, right?"
"But your cooking is just so scrumptious!" Lumiya declared with confidence.
"That's not a valid reason," Sky retorted, on the verge of losing his patience.
"I'll pay extra," suggested Lumiya.
Sky paused, pondering the castle's tight budget, "How much extra are we talking?"
"Twice the rent," Lumiya responded promptly.
Sky did a quick mental calculation of the extra rent versus the cost of meals. "Triple the rent," he countered.
"Deal!" Sky agreed without a second thought, muttering, "Are internet streamers really earning that much these days?" He then contemplated expanding his rental business and maybe even starting a themed restaurant, given the ample space available.
"So, what's for dinner tonight?" Lumiya asked eagerly.
As Sky rummaged through the fridge, he casually inquired, "Any particular dish you fancy?"
"Oh, definitely!" Lumiya perked up, listing enthusiastically, "Kung Pao Chicken, Sweet and Sour Pork, Braised Pork Ribs, Mapo Tofu, Boiled Sliced Meat..."
Sky, holding a frozen beef patty, began to twitch at the corners of his mouth.
"And Pine Nut Bass, Steamed Grouper, Omelet Rice, oh, and Sugar-Fried Chestnuts. I so miss the flavors of home," Lumiya continued.
Sky burst out, "This isn't a Chinese restaurant! And I can't cook all that."
"Triple the rent," Lumiya said nonchalantly.
After a moment's hesitation and a grimace, Sky conceded, "Fine, I'll start learning Chinese cooking online from tomorrow. For tonight, it's beef patty burgers."
Lumiya nodded vigorously, saliva gleaming at the corner of her mouth.
Dinner was served – four beef burgers, one for Sky and the rest for Lumiya, who gobbled them down swiftly. Watching her devour the burgers, Sky wondered if he'd end up losing money on the thrice-the-rent meals. His thoughts, however, lingered on Lumiya's earlier comment about missing the taste of home.
Curious, Sky asked, "You mentioned missing home. Where is your hometown?"
Lumiya, mouth full, managed to say, "I was raised by my master from a young age, living in China as far as I remember."
"China?" Sky, though having had his suspicions, was still surprised.
"Yes. My last name is Wang, my Chinese name is Xiao Wang. Lumiya is a name I chose for myself. Nice, isn't it?" Lumiya continued, still chewing.
Intrigued, Sky asked, "So, your master is like those Kung Fu masters in movies? Is he incredible? Do you know Kung Fu too?" Sky, a university student back in the real world, had always been fascinated by Chinese Kung Fu, a passion that persisted even after encountering the supernatural.
Lumiya pondered, then replied, "Well, I guess I know a bit of Chinese Kung Fu."
Sky's excitement was palpable. "No wonder you're so strong. You must teach me sometime!"
Lumiya hesitated, "My master is in seclusion. I'll have to check with my senior brother if I can teach others. I don't know much myself, though."
Sky's eyes sparkled at the mention of 'seclusion', a term straight out of Kung Fu lore. He longed to learn, even a single move.
However, remembering his task to attempt opening a mysterious door at 3 a.m., Sky quickly ushered the burger-sated Lumiya back to her room. Setting his alarm for 2:30 a.m., he collapsed on his bed, clothes and all. Exhausted from the day's events, he soon drifted into a deep sleep.