Linggis stood up from his chair and walked to one corner of the room. With a simple motion, he pulled a sofa out of his inventory. The sofa looked comfortable and plush, dark gray in color, matching the room's atmosphere.
"If you want to sit, use this," he said briefly before heading toward a small kitchen area in another corner.
Sola eyed the sofa in surprise. "Seriously, you have a sofa in your inventory? What else are you hiding in there, Linggis? A fully furnished house?"
Linggis didn't turn around and replied in a flat tone, "Maybe. But that's none of your business."
Meanwhile, Elyssia sat on the sofa calmly, followed by the young girl, who was still hesitant. Sola eventually joined them, though her expression remained filled with curiosity about Linggis.
From his small kitchen, Linggis started cooking with practiced movements. Rice and fried fish were his choice. The sizzling sound from the pan filled the room, creating a slightly warmer atmosphere amidst the silence.
A few minutes later, Linggis returned with four simple plates, each filled with rice and fried fish. He handed them out one by one, saying, "Hold your own plates. Sorry, I don't have a table here."
Sola took her plate with a slight smirk. "This might be the first time I'm eating rice and fried fish underground without a table. Interesting."
Linggis didn't respond. He took the last plate for himself and sat in a chair near his desk, beside his PC monitor. Casually, he turned on the computer, and the large screen lit up, displaying complex data and graphs.
Elyssia observed the monitor with keen interest. "What are you working on, Linggis? This looks like more than just a way to pass time."
Linggis took a bite of his rice before answering. "Research. I'm looking for patterns in the movements of demons and monsters. If I want to stay alive, I need to know their next move."
The young girl, who had remained silent, finally spoke up in a soft voice, "Have you found anything… important?"
Linggis stared at the monitor with a serious expression. "Something strange. The demons' movements aren't random. They have a pattern, a strategy. And if my initial guess is right, they're planning something far bigger than we ever imagined."
Sola stopped chewing, raising an eyebrow at Linggis. "You know something we don't, huh?"
Linggis nodded slightly. "That's why I don't care what you all think. The world out there is busy with politics and their petty wars, while the real threat is getting closer. If you're going to disrupt my life, at least don't be a burden."
Silence filled the room again, with only the sound of the computer fan and occasional clinking of plates. Elyssia's expression grew more serious as she ate, observing the monitor, while the young girl seemed to start understanding why Linggis chose to live underground. Sola, though still curious, seemed more interested in enjoying her meal.
"When you're done eating, leave your plates over there. I don't have a servant, so wash them yourselves," Linggis added sarcastically, making Sola chuckle. "You really haven't changed, have you?"
Linggis merely shrugged, focusing back on his monitor.