As night fell on Vrikhodour, Kaizen began looking for a hotel where he could rest and spend the night. He knew it was important to have a comfortable place to stay so that he might be lucky enough to get a stamina bonus instead of just logging out on the streets.
Walking through the busy streets of Zephyrion, Kaizen looked at the signs indicating available hotels, but soon realized that there were more elegant buildings with red lights that offered a variety of options for players than any other type of hotel.
After considering a few options for more subtle, older locations, Kaizen settled on a hotel with a small facade and a sign that read "Hotel Evening Star. He entered the establishment and was greeted by a friendly clerk.
"Good evening and welcome to the Hotel Evening Star. How can I help you?" the clerk greeted him with a friendly smile.
"Good evening. I would like a room for the night," Kaizen replied.
The clerk consulted his notebook and checked room availability. "We have a few options available. Would you like a single or a shared room?"
Kaizen thought for a moment and decided on a single room to have more privacy and peace of mind during his rest.
"I'll take a single room, please," Kaizen asked.
"Perfect. We have a spacious and comfortable room for you. The charge is 50 silver coins per night," the attendant informed him.
Kaizen agreed to the amount and made the payment. He was then given the room key and directions to the room.
Upon entering the room, Kaizen felt an immediate sense of relief. The room was cozy and well decorated, with a soft bed, a desk, a spacious closet, and a private bathroom. He immediately threw himself onto the bed and sighed with relief. It was a relief to be able to relax after a day full of challenges and dangers.
Before logging out of Rise Online, he took a few minutes to check his attribute gains and inventory.
[Statistics Screen
Nickname: Kaizen | Class: Psychic
Current title: Descendant of the Ironstones; Talented; Master of Languages; Marked by the Mages.
Profession: Intermediate Blacksmith.
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral | Fame: 2300].
[Attributes
Level: 102
HP: 2300 | Health: 182
Intelligence: 175 | Luck: 112
Attack: 201 | Agility: 202
Charisma: 99
Defense: 191 (+120)
Magic Resistance: 101 | MP: 1300
PR: 120]
"I manage to evolve faster than I thought. Maybe I should focus on the Grimmjaw area as long as it gives me a lot of XP, but first I need to find a place that sells teleportation crystals or a mount."
With one last look out the window at the bright lights of the city, Kaizen logged out of Rise Online.
When he returned to his dorm room, none of his roommates were there, so Kaizen sat on his bed and called his mother, Chun Park.
After a few rings, the call was answered.
"Hello, Klaus, is that you?" said Chun Park on the other end of the line, her voice full of excitement.
"Hi, Mom. Yes, it's me. Sorry for calling so late, but I wanted to know how things are going at home."
Chun Park replied with a smile in her voice. "Everything is fine here, my dear. But what about you? How is your experience at the Special Program Campus? Are you adjusting well?"
Klaus perked up as he talked about his new life on campus. He talked excitedly about how much fun the archery classes were, which surprised Chun, who didn't even know her son knew how to use a bow. He also mentioned the progress he was making, learning different archery techniques and improving his skills.
"On campus, we have an archery department run by a coordinator who teaches us different things," Kaizen said enthusiastically. "From proper stance and swing to advanced shooting techniques and..."
Chun Park listened intently, happy that her son was getting involved and enjoying his new passion.
"I am glad to hear that you are enjoying your archery lessons, Klaus. I'm sure you'll excel and improve quickly, so try to stay out of trouble!"
Klaus agreed with a shy smile, as he had already bought fights with a few boys. "Thanks, Mom, but you don't have to worry. By the way, I met a really nice girl named Ashley. We've been hanging out together for the past week."
Chun Park was happy to hear about her son's new love interest. "That's wonderful! And what does she look like?"
Klaus smiled as he described Ashley to his mother, "She's gorgeous, Mom. She's from the city, but we have a lot of interests in common. She's funny, smart, and has a smile that lights up the room. I'm really enjoying her company, even though she was very difficult at first.
Chun Park was happy that her son had found someone special. "It's really nice to know that you can connect with someone after jumping from relationship to relationship between our neighbors' daughters." She said with a laugh. "And don't forget that it's important to have friends who support you and don't get in your way. I hope this relationship grows in a healthy way and that you have fun together. So when you're ready, bring her to us."
Klaus nodded, grateful for his mother's support. "Thank you, Mom. I feel really lucky to have met Ashley and to have made new friends on campus. They make this experience even more special."
After a long conversation, they said goodbye. Klaus hung up the phone, feeling comforted that he had shared his experience with his mother and that he would finally be able to see her, his father, and his brothers again after the exams.
Now, with his mind full of expectations, he lay down on his bed, but it took him a while to fall asleep.
...
Edited by: DrHitsuji
If you want to see original illustrations of Rise Online characters, consider helping me on pa treon: /NandoFalske
More character images in:
https://discord.gg/bpqq9u4gS8
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