After logging out of the Origin World, Mike stretched lightly and headed downstairs.
As he reached the living area, he noticed his family engaged in conversation with a beautiful woman standing near the door. She was dressed neatly in professional attire, her posture confident yet polite.
Mike recognized her immediately.
Candace—one of the receptionists from the Glorious Merchant Auction House.
His father was holding Misty in his arms, the little girl fast asleep, her face relaxed and peaceful.
"You’re finally back," his mother said with a smile. "She just came to pick us up."
Mike nodded. "My bags are already ready."
"Good," Candace said with a pleasant smile. "Then we won’t be delayed. I already have your parents’ belongings prepared as well. Let’s go."
Mike nodded again and followed everyone toward the exit.
The moment the doors opened, Mike froze.
Parked outside was a sleek hover car, its body smooth and elegant, crafted from a polished silver alloy that reflected the sunlight like liquid metal. Subtle blue energy lines pulsed along its surface, giving off a quiet hum of advanced technology.
It was beautiful.
And terrifyingly expensive.
Mike knew enough to recognize it at a glance.
This model alone cost more than 15 billion credits.
For context, a middle-class family earned barely ten thousand credits a month—and that was considered stable income.
Candace noticed his reaction and smiled faintly.
"Please, don’t worry. It belongs to the auction house."
Mike exhaled slowly.
Should I open an auction house myself? he wondered. Mom and Dad could manage it... and there’s that dwarf too.
His thoughts drifted to Gandolf, the cursed dwarf he had purchased at an auction.
Mike have grown strong enough to turn Gandolf cursed Talent into blessing. For the time being, he was working at the Artifact Association as an instructor, teaching newly awakened blacksmith-class Awakeners. Gandolf had wanted to work, and his father had helped secure the position for him.
Unfortunately, Gandolf wouldn’t be joining them today in Lionheart City.
They all settled into the hover car.
The interior felt less like a vehicle and more like a luxurious living space.
Mike looked around, stunned. "I didn’t know you could fit spatial expansion magic into an automobile too."
Candace nodded calmly as the doors closed.
"It’s the latest research by the Mitzayne Company. They worked on it for years to stabilize spatial expansion inside a moving vehicle—and they succeeded."
She gestured around the interior.
"Inside, there’s space for ten people, with ten separate rooms. Each room is large enough for two adults—or three, if one of them is a small child."
She glanced at Misty with a gentle smile.
"Thank you," Mike’s father said politely.
He and Mike’s mother took one of the rooms together, carefully settling Misty in between them.
Mike entered his own room—and froze.
"...This isn’t a room," he muttered.
"This is a damn suite."
No wonder the thing cost 15 billion credits.
After a moment, Mike stepped back out. Candace was sitting in the spacious central hall, where doors to all the rooms were arranged along the walls.
"So," Mike asked as he sat across from her, "are we going directly to Lionheart City? And where’s Jordan?"
Candace looked up and replied calmly, "Young master already left for the city. The moment Lord Mercer heard about the item Young Master Jordan have obatained he immediately sent a family spatial mage. He was gone in the next second."
She continued, "I was left behind to escort you and your family safely to Lionheart City."
Mike nodded.
"If you want," Candace added, "you can return to your room and enter the Origin World. Even at our current speed, it will take around eight hours to reach the city."
"Alright," Mike said.
He returned to his room and opened the wide window. All he could see were endless clouds rushing past—the vehicle was already high in the sky, moving at tremendous speed.
Satisfied, Mike closed the window, lay down on the bed, and logged back into the Origin World.
Mike woke up inside the inn. After washing up, he headed downstairs to eat something. He ordered honey-coated roasted rabbit meat along with a mug of ale.
As he enjoyed the rich, savory taste, someone suddenly took a seat across from him.
"You’re finally back," Melina said with a smile.
Mike nodded. "Yeah. How are you?"
"I’m fine. What about you?" she asked.
"I’m good too," Mike replied.
An awkward silence settled between them, both unsure of what to say next.
Eventually, Melina broke it.
"So... is there anything you want?" she asked. "I can help you, you know. I’m quite powerful."
Mike thought for a moment before answering. "Hmm. Well... I do need something that can help me get good luck."
Melina nodded slowly. "Items like that are rare—but you’re in luck. There’s a Rank 6 dungeon we can go to."
Mike’s eyes widened slightly. "Rank 6?"
"Yes," she said confidently. "Don’t worry. I can even solo a Rank 8 dungeon. A Rank 6 is nothing for me."
Mike nodded, reassured.
’I really got myself a premium bus,’ he thought, finishing his meal before standing up and following her outside.
Waiting for them was a beautiful carriage. When they sat inside, Mike realized it wasn’t an ordinary carriage at all—it was spacious, well-cushioned, and fitted with surprisingly comfortable seats.
As Mike settled into his seat, Melina—who had been sitting across from him—pouted slightly. After a moment, she stood up and moved closer, slipping into the seat beside him until their shoulders touched.
"The carriage is soundproof," she whispered near his ear, her voice soft and teasing.
Mike turned to look at her. Her face was close—far too close. For a brief moment, he hesitated.
...Ah, forget it.
Letting go of his reservations, he closed his eyes with a faint smile.
It worked, she thought.
Melina leaned in and kissed him, slow and warm. He returned it instinctively, and the kiss deepened. She shifted again, settling lightly onto his lap, her presence overwhelming his senses.
"Do you want it again?" she asked, her face flushed, eyes shining with anticipation.
Mike swallowed and nodded.
Melina smiled, brushing her fingers along his chest as she leaned closer, drawing him fully into her warmth as the carriage continued its silent journey forward.