Tucker woke up around 7 AM, feeling surprisingly calm despite the nerves he had felt the previous night.
Today was the day he was going on a date with Valentina.' Zi wonder what she wants to do, maybe go to the park, or maybe a circus. Those are prety popular.'
...
After an hour of getting ready and putting on his usual clothes, he stepped out of his room, expecting to find Valentina in the living room, but she wasn't there.
That's when Fizzie came over and handed Tucker a package. "The mistress insisted you wear these," Fizzie said, pushing the package into Tucker's hands.
Tucker opened the package, revealing a set of new clothes that Valentina had picked out. "What's wrong with my outfit?" he muttered to himself.
Before he could object, Fizzie dragged him back into his room and forcefully changed him. The sounds coming from the room were definitely open to misinterpretation by anyone passing by.
...
Thirty minutes later, Tucker emerged in a brand-new noble suit, black being the main theme with gold accents.(Pic)
His ears were pushed back, and his expression was neutral. Even Fizzie, who usually stayed silent, couldn't help but compliment him.
"You look like a royal, Tucker."
"Thanks, I think," Tucker replied, adjusting his collar. "Where's Valentina?"
"The mistress wishes to keep it a surprise," Fizzie said with a wink, leading him downstairs.
As they descended, all the demons working in the tower couldn't help but stop and stare.
They thought a royal had arrived without them knowing, but once they realized it was Tucker, they couldn't help but gulp.
He looked really good, even causing some of the women to fan their faces. A small scuffle even broke out among a group of girls trying to approach him, but Tucker was oblivious to it.
Outside, a limousine was waiting for him. He got inside, and after a thirty-minute drive, he arrived at his destination: an Internet cafe?
Tucker stepped out, thanking the chauffeur, and entered the cafe. It was empty except for Valentina, who looked stunning in her beautiful one-piece black and orange gown with a flowing bottom and accents that highlighted her curves.(Pic)
Tucker approached her, offering the flowers he had brought. Valentina smiled, thanking him. "Thank you, mon cher. They are beautiful."
Tucker couldn't help but ask, "So, why are we in an empty Internet cafe?"
Valentina didn't answer directly. "Are you hungry?" she asked, leading him to the staff room. Inside, a plethora of foods were spread out.
"Did you do all this?" Tucker asked, amazed.
"I've been taking some online classes," Valentina said with a small rain cloud over her head. "Though I burned everything except the velvet cakes."
Tucker laughed heartily, making Valentina pout. She dragged him down, and they started to eat with Valentina feeding him occasionally.
"So, how did you feel about me asking you out?" Valentina asked, her tone light but curious.
"Unexpected, but not a bad feeling," Tucker admitted, enjoying the food.
They continued to talk about his plans for Pentagram City. "First, I'll find some accommodation and then see where things go. I promised to message Mr. Lucy. He promised to give me a tour around the city while grabbing some coffee."
Valentina chuckled. "That sounds like a good start. Just don't forget to keep in touch."
"Of course," Tucker said, smiling warmly at her. "You know, you're the best thing that's happened to me since I got here."
"Flattery will get you everywhere, mon cher," Valentina replied, her eyes twinkling with happiness.
....
By the end of the meal, they both felt more relaxed. Valentina looked at Tucker, her expression soft. "Thank you for agreeing to this date. It means a lot."
"Thank you for asking me," Tucker replied. "It's been... refreshing."
Valentina smirked. "Good, but its not over yet. Now, let's see if you can beat me at a game."
"Is that a challenge?" Tucker asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Absolutely," Valentina said, leading him to the main room again.
....
Valentina led Tucker back to the room filled with rows of computers. "Which game do you want to play first?" He asked, his voice carrying a playful lilt.
Tucker waited for her response but Valentina remained silent, her gaze fixed on him with an intensity that made him uneasy.
He knew that look all too well—she was up to something.
She suddenly approached him, their bodies inches away, their breaths mingling. Valentina looked straight into Tucker's eyes and asked, "What do you think of me?"
Taken aback, Tucker blinked but answered truthfully. "I think you're amazing, Valentina. You're strong, talented, and... special."
A smile spread across her lips. Then, things took a twist. "If I were in danger, what lengths would you go to save me?" she asked, her tone serious.
Tucker paused, considering her question. "You're my friend. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for a friend."
Valentina hummed, trailing her hand across his chest. Her eyes never left his as she finally said, "A friend huh...I see... then the game is simple. No matter the obstacle, no matter the hurdle... your goal is to save me... and if you do... well, you'll receive a very, very big reward... Bonne chance, mon amour."
Before Tucker could understand what she meant, Valentina pushed him back.
Years of training helped him stabilize without falling, but he stared at her, speechless. Why had she just pushed—
Huh! Before he could react, the cafe disappeared, and in front of him were stars in the sky... oh, did he forget to mention he was falling down to Earth?
.
.
.
.
"What...The...F***??"
He could see the Earth slowly approaching as he fell, but as he was plummeting, he noticed something—he couldn't sense any life. Not a single soul besides himself and another... Valentina's.
Just as he was close to crashing onto the Earth below, he heard a voice in his head. It was chipper, kooky, and very sweet.
"Welcome to my home, slowpoke! I don't 't get many visitors, but I guess you'll do. Try not to die too quickly Yeah!"
Before he could fully process, he landed straight into the Earth with a loud crash, splintering the ground and creating a massive dust cloud.
In his confused state, he heard another voice, more robotic this time. "Welcome. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to slay the dragon keeping Princess Valentina captive. Your reward: ???"
"Am I in a video game?" Tucker muttered, disbelief coloring his voice. "This escalated quickly."
A glowing text box appeared in front of him.
[Start: Yes/No]
Tucker blinked at the floating text. "Really? I just got here. Can't I get a tutorial or something?" That's what normally occured whenever he played online with Armyn.
The voice returned, giggling. "Oh please, tutorials are for amateurs. You got this, champ!"
"Great," Tucker grumbled. "Thrown into a medieval world with no instructions. Thanks, Valentina."
He reluctantly reached out and selected "Yes."
The robotic voice chimed in again. "Game commencing. Please proceed to the forest to the north. Beware of goblins, traps, and wild animals."
"Of course," Tucker sighed.
As he began walking north, Tucker couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. "This is either the craziest date ever or the weirdest prank Valentina's pulled on me."
The mysterious voice piped up again. "Don't worry, it's a bit of both! Just Enjoy!"
Tucker shook his head, trying to focus. "Right, save Valentina, slay the dragon, get the reward. Easy enough."
He trudged through the forest, muttering to himself. "What's next, a giant talking tree? A singing mushroom?"
As if on cue, a large mushroom popped up and started singing an off-key tune. "Welcome, hero! Watch out for the goblin with the nasty smell!"
"You've got to be kidding me," Tucker groaned, stepping around the singing mushroom. "Could this get any weirder?"
The chipper voice giggled again. "Oh, you have no idea!"
"Who are you anyway, and what is this place." Tucker asked before he continued." Oh I never introduced myself did I, You can call me Tucker."
"Hehe~ what a bland and boring name... mhh~ it's decided I'll give you a new name. From now on you shall be known as...Tiffany."
"..."
"But that's not my..."
"Tiffany what are you waiting for, if you take to long the Princess might die and then you'll never know what that Mystery reward is."
"..."