The woman's smile slowly disappeared, her mouth hung open as she stared into what seemed like an unending abyss.
She nodded and hurried off to find the owner. Soon, she returned with a striking woman, her black hair cascading down her back, her attire minimal, and a scowl etched on her face. The air was thick with tension as she demanded to know who had interrupted her.
The first woman positioned herself behind her table, while the owner approached, her voice stern. "You... children?" she asked, her anger palpable.
Gabbie looked over to the first woman who was now standing behind her desk. She whispered "sleep," and the woman's eyes drooped, her head nodding forward as she succumbed to slumber.
Gabbie turned to the owner, her request bold. "We'd like to stay here for free. Is that okay?"
The woman's expression darkened, she was just about to throw a fit when her clear sapphire eyes locked onto Gabbie's emerald eyes.
She hesitated, transfixed by Gabbie's glowing eyes. As if under a spell, she nodded slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Let me show you to the exclusive section."
Gabbie's smile broadened, it worked! "Yes, please. And yeah, from now on, call us 'masters'."
DoHyun stifled a chuckle at the cheeky remark.
The owner led them to a door adorned with intricate plum blossom carvings. She bowed gracefully after ushering them in. "Food and fresh towels will be served shortly. Enjoy your stay, masters."
As she turned to leave, Gabbie called out, "Wait!" The owner turned back, her eyes locked on Gabbie's. "Yes, master?"
Gabbie instructed, her voice firm. "After the food and towels are delivered, ensure no one disturbs us. Not even you."
The owner bowed, her obedience evident. "Yes, master."
As the door closed, Derrick collapsed onto one of the beds, his exhaustion obvious. " man, I'm beat.", He sighed out
Jason asked, "Not hungry anymore?"
"Of course, I am." Derrick answered gruffly.
DoHyun observed the room's elegant arrangement, the silk curtains, and burning scent candles creating a cozy ambiance. However, she noted, "There are only four beds, and we're five."
The rest nodded In agreement after their scrutiny of the room.
Derrick shrugged, "You two girlies can share a bed, no big deal."
DoHyun pouted, her displeasure clear. "That's no way to act like a gentleman.", Where was his act of chivalry?
Just then, a gentle knock on the door broke the tension. The owner reappeared, one hand carrying fresh towels and the other bearing a tray of food. "Is everything to your liking?" she asked and Gabbie nodded in approval.
As the women departed, Gabbie popped a grape into her mouth, savoring the luxury.
Her mind wandered to her power of mind control, the ability to cloud consciousness and bend others to her will. A sly grin spread across her face, she turned to look at Derrick but before she could act, she was hit on the face with a pillow. "Ow!" She exclaimed
Derrick snorted, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I saw that devilish look on your face, you vile woman!. You'll never use your power on me."
Gabbie retorted, her tongue sticking out, "Like hell do I want to, it'll just be a waste on a dummy like you."
Their playful squabble filled the room with hearty laughter.
After eating and Washing themselves, Jason, Eiden and Derrick stood before a full-length mirror, dressed in Chinese attire.
As usual, Derrick flexed himself and said "man I'm killing this, these outfits are dope"
"Are they though?" Asked Jason with a sour frown. Eiden, on the other hand sighed, so they were going to dress like this from now on....
Further in the night, Derrick, Gabbie, Jason, and Eiden sat together at a distance from DoHyun who was sleeping soundly.
They had plenty to discuss.
Jason spoke first "you used your special skill, you should have leveled up right?" He asked,
Eiden nodded in affirmation, with one thought, his system appeared and they all confirmed it with their eyes.
His stats showed level 2 and his overall health point was also increased, plus, 2 coins were now in his possession.
Derrick hummed "yours is just like Gabbie's now"
"Yeah, and see this....item tab open" his system moved tabs and showed the item's content.
"You obtained something!" Exclaimed Gabbie
"A jian sword?" Jason inquired
And Eiden nodded "after I fought the guard, the system said I had earned it and it disappeared into it. Kind of like playing normal games but this time, I actually saw it disappear".
"I see" said Derrick, "by the way, those were some god-like skills bro" he nudged him
"Not me though, it was all the system" Eiden replied.
With an acknowledging nod, Jason said "I think.....we might be able to make the Upper ten"
Enthusiasm sparkling in her eyes, Gabbie added "yeah! With our game skills, it might actually be very easy"
Derrick snorted "easy for you guys, I definitely can't use space time manipulation, whatever that is, else I degenerate"
Eiden pondered, "the system gave you the power to control time and space, you could probably deage a person willfully"
"Yeah, or better still, stop time or cease someone's existence" Gabbie added
Derrick narrowed his eyes and folded his arms across his chest "enough of that, quit telling me the good perks about my skill, it'll make wanna try it out and if I do, who knows, I might just die before we get out of here"
Recalling, "speaking of powers, DoHyun mentioned earlier that there are others who are like her, bestowed upon powers by the goddess"
Jason completed his scrutiny "the trials are going to be filled with people of such, they might even be stronger than we are",
"In other words, making the upper ten won't be as easy after all".
Breaking the sudden tension with a hopeful grin, Gabbie said "not need to worry, we've got each other's backs, we'll definitely sail through"
Derrick smiled also, while pointing to DoHyun where she slept "yeah, besides we've got flame princess with us"
The atmosphere once again assumed serenity. Eiden glanced at DoHyun, he hoped she would be alright.