The dining hall was unlike anything I'd ever seen. Long tables and small tables made of polished crystal shimmered under floating lanterns, each glowing in colors that shifted with the energy in the air. Food of every imaginable kind—some familiar, some utterly alien—piled high on platters that seemed to float on their own. My stomach growled, but I hesitated. What if this food had… consequences?
Before I could overthink it, a cheerful voice broke through my thoughts.
"Oi, newbie! Ya lookin' to eat, or just gonna stare at the shiny lights all day?"
I turned to see a bunny girl standing behind a counter, her ears twitching as she grinned at me. She had caramel-colored fur, a pair of round glasses perched on her nose, and a crisp green apron embroidered with the words Dining Hall Reception.
"Uhh… I guess I'm eating?" I managed.
"Course ya are, love," she said, her accent a peculiar mix of clipped and sing-song tones. "Can't explore on an empty belly, now can ya? We got the Beginner's Meal special—bread, meat, an' a glass of fruit juice. Real good for keepin' ya on yer feet, yeah? Only 2 Dimension Coins. Fancy one?"
"Sure," I said
The bunny girl winked at me. "Good choice, newbie. Take a seat, an' I'll bring it to ya. Table service, ain't we posh?"
I nodded, suppressing a chuckle, and found an empty small table near the corner of the room. The polished crystal surface sparkled faintly, reflecting the floating lanterns above. As I sat, the chair molded itself slightly to fit me, surprisingly comfortable for something so sleek and futuristic.
Before long, the bunny girl bounced over, balancing a silver tray on one paw like a professional. She placed the tray in front of me with a flourish.
"Here ya go, love—one Beginner's Meal. Bread, fresh-baked this mornin'. Meat, roasted jus' right. And a glass o' our finest fruit juice, squeezed from the local glowberries. Careful now, they're a bit tangy!"
The meal looked shockingly appetizing. The bread was golden-brown with a faint sheen, the meat glistened with juices, and the juice in the glass sparkled faintly, as if tiny stars swirled inside.
"Thanks," I said, suddenly realizing just how hungry I was.
"Eat up, newbie," she said, her ears twitching as she grinned. "Ya need strength for what's ahead. Don't be shy now—ya can always come back for seconds if yer pocket's heavy enough." She gave a wink and hopped back to her counter, humming a cheery tune.
I tore into the bread first, its warmth and softness melting in my mouth. The meat was tender, bursting with a savory flavor I couldn't quite place. And the juice? She wasn't kidding about the tangy glowberries. It was sweet, sour, and refreshing all at once, leaving a cool, tingling sensation on my tongue.
As I ate, I couldn't help but glance around the dining hall. Others were seated at nearby tables, many of them chatting excitedly or examining their meals with wide-eyed wonder. For the first time since entering Luminaris, I felt a flicker of normalcy.
And then I heard the crash.
Across the hall, a towering figure in black armor knocked over a table, sending plates and glasses clattering to the floor. Thankfully no one was at that table, so no one got hurt.
Gasps rippled through the room as the knight, flanked by two others in similar armor, boomed, "New explorers! The Knights of the Iron Order are recruiting! Join us, and—"
Before he could finish, the bunny girl was already at his side, her paw clenched into a fist.
"Oi, ya clanky tin can!" she snapped, her accent suddenly sharp and clipped. "Don't ya know the rules? No disturbin' folks while they eat!"
The knight turned, his hulking frame towering over her, but before he could respond, her fist shot out.
CRACK!
The sound echoed through the hall as her punch sent the towering knight sprawling. His armor clattered loudly as he skidded across the floor, coming to a stop in a heap near the doorway. The other knights froze, their hands halfway to their weapons.
"Don't even think about it," she warned, her ears twitching as she glared at them. The knights exchanged uneasy glances before hastily dragging their companion out of the room.
The bunny girl turned back to the stunned diners, her wide grin firmly back in place. "Sorry 'bout that, folks! Enjoy yer meals!"
A ripple of nervous laughter spread through the room. I quickly focused back on my plate, finishing the rest of the meal in record time.
This bunny girl was also someone far from normal, there won't be any good reason to get on her bad side. Not to talk of the way the upturned table and items on it magically returned to normal. It was creepy.
When I was done, I returned to the counter, where the bunny girl greeted me with her usual cheery grin. The payment had already been deducted from my DC balance as soon as I was served.
"All done, love? That'll give ya the energy to keep goin'! What's next for ya?"
"I was wondering," I said hesitantly, "how do I get accommodation at the guild?"
"Ah, easy peasy," she replied, her tone light. "Normal room's 5 Dimension Coins per day. Jus' remember, love, the only way to earn DC is by killin' monsters on the upper floors. So, get yer weapons ready an' keep yer wits about ya!"
I nodded, making a mental note to conserve what little DC I had. "Where do I go to book a room?"
She pointed a paw toward the door. "Head back to the main hall an' look fer another receptionist at the guild counter. They'll set ya up with a room." She paused, giving me a knowing look. "An' remember, love—keep yer head down an' don't go lookin' fer trouble. This ain't a place for slackers or show-offs."
"Thanks," I said, grateful for her advice.
"No worries, love. Now off ya go. Don't be a stranger!"
With that, she waved me toward the door. Her cheery smile was the last thing I saw before stepping back into the bustling main hall, ready to face whatever came next.
As I stepped back into the main hall, I was struck by the stark contrast to the dining hall's vibrant energy. The once-bustling space had returned to a tranquil emptiness. Only two bunny receptionists occupied the counter now—one engrossed in a thick, leather-bound book, her ears twitching slightly as she read, while the other noticed my approach and signaled for me to come closer with a warm smile.
I made my way to the counter, trying not to let my nervousness show. The smiling receptionist had light gray fur with a faint sheen, and her uniform—a similar green apron to the one in the dining hall—was immaculately pressed. A golden name tag pinned to her chest read: Elara.
"Hello, love!" she greeted me brightly, her voice soft but welcoming. "What can I do for ya today?"
"I… uh, I need accommodation," I said, placing my hands on the counter. "I was told I could book a room here?"
Elara nodded, her ears perking up. "Aye, you've come to the right place. We've got standard rooms for 5 DC a night, or if yer feelin' fancy, there's premium rooms with a few extra perks for 10 DC." Her eyes twinkled as she added, "What'll it be?"
I hesitated. The idea of a premium room was tempting, but I wasn't sure how quickly I'd earn more DC. Playing it safe seemed the smarter choice. "I'll go with a standard room," I decided plus I only had 8 DC left after eating.
"Good choice, love," she said, tapping something into a glowing, rune-etched ledger on the counter. It felt like she was controlling part of the system more physically, the runes shimmered briefly before a small, rectangular key card materialized with a faint hum. Elara slid it across to me after placing it in a pouch.
"This here's your room key," she explained. "Room 208 on the second floor. The lift's down that hall"—she pointed toward a side passage—"or ya can take the stairs if ya fancy a bit of exercise."
I picked up the key, its surface cool and smooth in my hand. "Thanks," I said, holding it tight in my hands.
"Anytime, love," Elara replied. Then, her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. "Word of advice? Keep an eye out on the second floor. Since it medium you won't find miscreant newbies there. Nothin' dangerous, mind, just a bit… odd."
I blinked. "Odd?"
She shrugged, her grin playful. "You'll see. Or not, if yer lucky."
That was not reassuring, but I didn't press the matter. "Got it. Anything else I should know?"
Elara leaned on the counter, her expression thoughtful. "Hmm… always lock your door, even when you're inside. Some of the third-floor residents are a bit… curious. An' don't worry about breakfast—it's included for room guests. Just head back to the dining hall in the mornin'. But for your own safety don't go to the 3rd floor"
"Thanks for the heads-up," I said, offering her a grateful smile.
"No worries, love. Now off ya go, and good luck out there!" She waved cheerily as I made my way toward the hallway she'd indicated.
The hallway was quiet, lined with smooth, metallic walls that seemed to hum faintly with energy. At the end of the corridor, I found the lift—an elegant, cylindrical structure with glowing blue panels. As I stepped inside, the door slid shut seamlessly, and a soothing voice spoke.
"Please state your destination."
"Second floor," I said, and the lift began to move with barely a sound.
When the doors opened, I stepped out into a corridor lined with doors bearing glowing room numbers. The second floor was dimly lit. The soft glow of the runes cast long, shifting shadows. A faint chill hung in the air, though it wasn't entirely unpleasant. I found room 208 easily enough, the key card slot glowing faintly as I approached.
Sliding the card into the slot, I heard a soft click, and the door swung open to reveal my accommodations. The room was compact but surprisingly cozy, with a neatly made bed, a small desk, and a glowing window that displayed a breathtaking view of a sprawling, alien skyline. The walls shimmered faintly with a pale blue color, almost as if they were alive.
I placed the pouch and key card on the desk and sat down on the bed, which molded itself to fit me comfortably. It was very comfortable. "If this is medium how good will the bed of the premium room be?' I questioned myself.
The events of the day played through my mind—the tutorial, the destroyed worlds, the Explorer city, the group of people from earth, the two mage women, the dining hall, the bunny girl's unexpected strength, the Knights of the Iron Order, and now this quiet, mysterious room.
"Welcome to Luminaris," I murmured to myself, unsure whether to feel excited or uneasy about what lay ahead. But first I should take a deserved rest for what I have experienced today. Before I start to think on how I will proceed to climb the tower.