A Quiet Morning Walk
The village was alive with activity as Adrian and Alice strolled through its cobblestone streets. The air carried the faint scent of woodsmoke mingling with freshly baked goods, a comforting aroma that made their stomachs rumble softly. Players bustled about, some haggling over gear at merchant stalls, others organizing parties for nearby quests. Despite the lively atmosphere, Adrian and Alice walked in companionable silence, each lost in their own thoughts.
Their steps slowed when Alice suddenly stopped in front of a young woman carrying a child on her back. The child, bundled snugly in a warm blanket, played idly with the woman's hair, giggling softly. On the child's head sat a fluffy hat, its edges curling slightly like clouds. It was an oddly heartwarming sight—one that seemed almost too real for a game world.
Alice tilted her head curiously, breaking the quiet between them. "Excuse me," she began, addressing the woman with a polite smile. "Do you know if there are any shops around here where we can buy something to eat?"
The woman glanced up, her expression softening into a motherly grin. She shifted the child slightly on her back before responding. "Of course! Just down this street, past the fountain—you'll find a small bakery. They make wonderful bread and buns."
"Thank you," Alice said warmly, nodding in appreciation. As they turned to leave, the child reached out playfully, tugging gently at the woman's hair again. Alice couldn't help but chuckle softly under her breath.
Adrian raised an eyebrow, amused by her reaction. "What was that? Feeling nostalgic?"
She shot him a look, though her lips twitched upward. "Not really. But kids are cute, okay? Don't judge me."
He held up his hands defensively, smirking. "No judgment here. Just saying, I didn't peg you for the baby-loving type."
"Oh, shut up," she muttered, nudging him lightly with her elbow. Still, the corners of her mouth remained lifted, betraying her amusement.
As they continued walking toward the bakery, the conversation lulched momentarily. The rhythmic clinking of their boots against the stone path filled the gap between them, but Adrian sensed that something lingered unspoken. He decided to break the silence.
"So… how's your dad doing?" he asked casually, glancing sideways at her. "I heard he wanted to get you into the 9-to-5 grind."
Alice groaned audibly, rolling her eyes so dramatically it almost looked theatrical. "Ugh, don't remind me. He keeps talking about 'responsibility' and 'stability.' Like, hello? Can't I enjoy this little bit of freedom first?"
Adrian chuckled softly, watching her animated gestures. Her frustration was palpable, yet endearing in its own way. "And what does 'freedom' mean for you right now?"
She crossed her arms, her tone laced with mock indignation. "It means not having to wake up at 7 a.m. every day to sit in a cubicle. It means being able to sleep late, play games, and maybe—just maybe—start working next year. Is that too much to ask?"
Her exaggerated pout made Adrian laugh outright, earning him a glare from Alice. "What's so funny?" she demanded, though there was no real heat behind her words. "It's not funny, you know. I like staying home. There's nothing wrong with that."
"I know," Adrian replied, still smiling. "But hearing you complain about it is kinda adorable."
Alice blinked, caught off guard by his comment. A faint blush crept onto her cheeks, but she quickly masked it with a scoff. "Whatever. You're just lucky I'm too virtually hungry to argue."
They shared a brief laugh, the tension easing naturally between them. For all her bluster, Alice had a way of making even mundane conversations feel meaningful. Adrian found himself appreciating these moments more than he expected—the quiet connections that formed outside the chaos of battles and quests.
They soon arrived at the bakery the woman had mentioned. The shop was modest, tucked between larger buildings, but its open windows revealed trays of golden-brown buns and loaves cooling on wooden racks. A man stood behind the counter, his apron dusted with flour, his hands busy kneading dough. He looked up as they entered, offering a friendly nod.
"What can I get for you two?" he asked, wiping his hands on his apron.
Adrian gestured toward the yellowish buns displayed near the window. "How much are those?"
"Five coppers each," the baker replied, his tone cheerful.
Both Adrian and Alice exchanged surprised glances. "That's… pricey," Adrian remarked, raising an eyebrow.
"It's food," Alice countered with a shrug. "Guess people will pay extra for good stuff."
Deciding it was worth trying, they pooled their coppers together and purchased two buns. The baker handed them over wrapped in paper, and they stepped outside to enjoy their snack.
The first bite was heavenly. The bun was soft, almost melting in their mouths, with a subtle sweetness that lingered pleasantly. Alice closed her eyes briefly, savoring the taste. "Mmm… this is amazing."
Adrian nodded in agreement, taking another bite. "Seriously, whoever made these deserves a medal."
"It's the texture," Alice added thoughtfully. "So light, yet perfectly chewy. And the sweetness isn't overwhelming—it's just right."
They ate in silence for a while, letting the flavors settle. Eventually, Adrian broke the quiet again. "We should bring Sarah here. There's no way she'd forgive us if we let her miss this."
Alice smirked, imagining Sarah's reaction. "Yeah, she'd probably tackle us for hiding it from her."
After finishing their meal, Alice glanced around the bustling village. "Should we head back? Or do you want to keep exploring?"
Adrian shook his head, scanning the area thoughtfully. "Nah, I think I'll stick around a bit longer. I want to try leveling up some more and check a few things, maybe I can figure things out."
Alice hesitated, opening her mouth as if to say something—but then stopped herself. Instead, she gave him a small smile. "Alright, I'll see you later."
Before Adrian could respond, she disappeared in a flash of light, logging off abruptly. He sighed softly, watching the spot where she had stood. Something about her sudden departure felt… unresolved. But he pushed the thought aside, reminding himself that they'd meet again soon enough.
Back in the real world, Alice climbed out of her gaming pod and stretched lazily. Her muscles ached slightly from hours of virtual combat, but the fatigue was manageable. She glanced at Adrian's pod, noticing his eyes were closed—he was still logged in. With a small smile, she left the apartment and headed upstairs to her shared flat with Sarah.
When she opened the door, she found her sister sprawled on the floor in front of a table, deep in conversation on the phone. Sarah paused mid-sentence, looking up at Alice with a raised eyebrow.
"Well?" Sarah pressed, holding the phone away from her ear momentarily. "Did you guys do anything fun? Please tell me you didn't tackle the boss without me."
Alice rolled her eyes, flopping onto the couch. "Relax, drama queen. We just ate some delicious buns. That's all."
On the other end of the line, Mira—their mutual friend—chimed in curiously. "Is everything alright? Your sister sounds tired."
Sarah shrugged, leaning back against the wall. "Probably just lazy. You know how she is—doesn't move much, she just started doing that but only in-game."
Mira laughed softly. "Fair enough. So, what's the game like? Anything exciting?"
Meanwhile, Adrian wandered toward the outskirts of the village, keeping an eye out for mobs to fight. His focus shifted entirely to leveling up, testing his limits, and experimenting with new strategies. Before long, he encountered a pack of wolves prowling near the tree line.
Engaging it cautiously, Adrian relied on his agility and precision to dodge attacks while delivering calculated strikes. Each movement felt smoother than before, his Physique stat allowing him to flow seamlessly from one action to the next. The wolf lunged at him, jaws snapping, but Adrian sidestepped effortlessly, driving his short sword into its side.
Damage Dealt: -27 [Backstab Bonus]
Enemy HP: 93 / 120
The wolf snarled, twisting violently in an attempt to dislodge him. But Adrian was already moving, slipping behind a tree to avoid its retaliatory swipe.
Physique EXP: +6 (Evasive Movement)
With renewed determination, he circled the beast, striking repeatedly until it collapsed with a final growl.
Combat Complete
Experience Gained: +18 EXP
Physique EXP: +12 (Combat Efficiency)
Adrian checked his stats, pleased to see his Physique had increased slightly. He also noticed a notification flashing in the corner of his screen.
System Notification:
You have received a reward for defeating a Level 2 Wolf.
Reward: Leather Boots (+4 Agility, +2 Stamina)
He did not equip the boots immediately, feeling that maybe he should give them to the other if they needed the extra number,, since he had not asked their stats in a while . With his newfound speed, he felt ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead.
Engaging them one by one, Adrian relied on his agility and precision to dodge attacks while delivering calculated strikes. Each kill earned him experience points, pushing him steadily closer to Level 8. Finally, after slaying six wolves consecutively, he leveled up.
Level Up!
Adrian Vale
Level: 8 (20 / 100 EXP)
However, something unexpected happened. As he checked his stats afterward, he noticed that his Physique stat had stopped increasing despite killing multiple enemies. No matter how many wolves he fought or how far he ran, it remained stubbornly capped at 10.
Physique: 10 (Tier 0 – Unawakened)
You have reached the maximum growth for this tier.
Adrian frowned, puzzled by the sudden plateau. Was this part of the system's design? Or had he missed something crucial about advancing further? He resolved to investigate it as quickly as possible cause it might be troubling if stayed there when leaves the beginner village