Lucas couldn't help but glance around at the bustling activity, his curiosity piqued by the variety of shops and the chatter of players discussing quests and loot.
They entered a large, open storefront with the words "Ironclad Traders" etched into the metal sign above the entrance.
Inside, the store was packed with other players negotiating prices and inspecting wares.
Shelves were lined with everything from rusty daggers to gleaming armor sets, and behind the counter stood an NPC merchant with a wide-brimmed hat and a glint in his eye.
Kael strode up to the counter and began unloading items from his inventory.
Lucas followed suit, pulling out the spoils of their journey: monster hides, raw meat, and low-tier crafting materials.
The merchant looked over the items with a discerning eye before offering a price.
"Not bad for a single trip," Kael said, nodding at the total displayed in his interface. He accepted the trade, the loot vanishing from the counter as coins were deposited into his account.
Lucas was next. He hesitated for a moment, glancing at the merchant's calculated offer. It wasn't a fortune, but it was a solid sum for their efforts.
With a tap, he completed the transaction, and the weight of the loot in his inventory was replaced by the comforting jingle of coins.
"How'd you do?" Kael asked, leaning casually against the counter.
"Decent," Lucas replied, pocketing his earnings mentally. "Not enough to retire on, but it'll keep me going for a while."
Kael laughed. "Don't worry, we'll hit bigger scores soon enough. Zeroport's got higher-level quests, better gear, and plenty of opportunities to earn. This is just the start."
Lucas smirked. "You sound like a recruitment poster."
"Maybe I should get paid for it," Kael shot back, pushing off the counter. "Come on, let's take a look around before we log off."
They stepped back out onto the busy streets, the sunlight catching on the intricate ironwork that adorned many of the buildings.
Players of all levels bustled about, some dressed in basic starting gear like Lucas had been not long ago, others adorned in shining armor and wielding weapons that practically radiated power.
Kael slowed his pace, his usual energetic demeanor giving way to something more thoughtful. "I think I'll check out the quest board later tonight. We're in a good spot now, but there's always more to do."
Lucas nodded, his thoughts drifting to the progress he'd made.
Level 10, a growing arsenal of skills, and now a decent chunk of Nexus coins in his account. For the first time in a long while, he felt like he was gaining ground — not just in the game, but in life.
They reached a quiet corner of the town square, where the crowds thinned out, and the noise dulled to a distant hum. Kael turned to Lucas, a rare seriousness in his expression.
"Good work today," Kael said, offering a fist bump. "You've come a long way."
Lucas returned the gesture, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Couldn't have done it without you."
"True," Kael teased, but his grin softened the words. "Anyway, I'm logging off for now. Need to grab lunch before I pass out."
Lucas glanced at the real-time clock in his vision. It was nearing 3 PM. "Yeah, same. Got to get lunch going."
Kael waved as he turned to walk down one of the side streets. "See you later, Bro,"
With a final glance around the bustling streets of Zeroport, Lucas found a quiet spot by the town's fountain.
The water sparkled as it cascaded over the stone, and for a moment, he let himself enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
Then, with a deep breath, he pulled up the system menu and selected Log Out.
The world of Ethereal Nexus Online faded away, replaced by the familiar dim light of his room. Lucas removed the VR console and blinked against the sudden shift.
His body felt stiff from sitting for so long, but there was a lingering sense of satisfaction from their progress.
Stretching his arms over his head, Lucas glanced at the clock on his wall.
Time to get to work on lunch.
#####
The front door creaked open, and Lucas looked up from the stove just in time to see Mia step inside, her familiar bright smile lighting up the small apartment.
She was followed closely by her friend, a petite girl with curly brown hair and a shy demeanor. The two set their schoolbags down on the couch, their voices blending as they chatted about their day.
"Smells good in here, Lucas," Mia said as she walked into the kitchen, standing on her toes to peek at the steaming pot on the stove. "What's for lunch?"
"Just some spaghetti and meatballs," Lucas replied, pulling the pot off the heat. "Nothing fancy."
"It's the best," Mia said with a grin. She turned to her friend. "You're going to love this. Lucas makes the best food."
Her friend smiled timidly but nodded. "It does smell amazing."
Lucas chuckled softly, shaking his head as he grabbed two plates from the cupboard. "You two sit down. I'll bring it to you."
Mia didn't need to be told twice.
She grabbed her friend by the arm and led her to the dining table, pulling out a chair with a dramatic flourish. "You're about to experience a masterpiece," she declared, making her friend giggle.
Lucas served up generous portions of spaghetti, adding a sprinkle of grated cheese on top before setting the plates in front of them. "There you go. Dig in."
Mia twirled her fork into the noodles, taking a big bite. Her eyes lit up as she chewed. "See? What did I tell you? It's so good!"
Her friend took a cautious bite and gave Lucas a small, appreciative smile. "It really is. Thank you."
"Glad you like it," Lucas said, leaning against the counter. He watched the two of them eat, a sense of quiet satisfaction settling over him.
For all the chaos of juggling the game and real life, moments like this made it worth it.
When they were done, Mia carried their plates to the sink, rinsing them off with a practiced efficiency. "Thanks, Lucas," she said again, giving him a quick hug before skipping back toward the living room. "We're going to do some homework, okay?"
"Sure," Lucas replied. "Just don't leave your stuff all over the place this time."