~~~(POV: Justin Xander)~~~

~~~(Location: Apartment, Los Angeles, California)~~~

~~~(Day, Date, Time: Monday, April 15th, 6:16 PM PST)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 19 Years)~~~

The bathroom door opens, and I go to my bedroom. A hot shower after a brutal workout is one of the few things I enjoy about exercise. I've finished everything I needed to do, and my gaming pod is freshly loaded with nutrient bags.

Once I put on some underwear, I enter my gaming room. In my approach, the lid to the gaming pod opens, and a small hole is released as it happens.

I lean against the inclined cushions inside, and the lid slowly closes. I feel the quick insertions of the IVs and close my eyes. The helmet slides onto the top of my head, and in a second, I'm surrounded by darkness.

That same tingly, pleasant feeling floods my body, and I'm bombarded with light. My eyes are open, and I look up to see the same ceiling from when I logged off on the bed. A deep breath enters my lungs, and I stand up.

"There is so much to do, but the first among them is talking to Eliza. Turning in this quest will reward me with 30 Gold and some armor blueprints. Something I really need. There is only one small problem that I completely overlooked..."

I have no clue where to go to find Eliza. It's not like you get quest markers telling you where to go. Another feature that I missed, but now that it's gone, I'm enjoying the game without it. At this moment, however, it's something I could use.

Rehan wouldn't still be at the barracks; he'd probably be at home. I don't know where that is either. The only NPC home I'm familiar with is Haleen's, but showing up at her house unannounced and asking for information to find a noble isn't the most prudent action.

Waiting until tomorrow is an option, but I really want to get the rewards for this quest and start on (Savior of Sisters.) I need to exercise patience, but I don't want to.

"Haleen might not mind me coming by..."

Right now, I'm just trying to make up excuses so I can turn in this quest sooner than expected. The worst that could happen is Haleen says no and never to return. Many guys are afraid of hearing that.

I'm not.

Looks like I know where I'm going. I leave the Inn, and as I step outside, I'm greeted by packed streets. Players won't be resting or logging off until 9 or 10, so there are a few hours left for players to hang out or do quests.

There has been a noticeable increase in the quality of what players wear. Using (EoC) on everyone I come across, the average level has risen to about 15, and everyone has better armor than the starting gear.

I can't say the same except for (Monument of Sin.) I'm still wearing my starting armor, but I've held off in expectation of the blueprints I'm getting from the quest rewards.

After around 25 minutes of going through packed crowds and overhearing different conversations and arguments, I find myself on an empty street. Not a lot of players or NPCs walking about.

Picking out Haleen's house isn't difficult since I've been there before, and I approach the front door. Gently knocking on it, waiting for a response or something to answer the door. It's not long before my question is answered.

The pretty red-eyed lady known as Haleen looks at me with a raised eyebrow. Confused to see me again. I give a smile and place a hand behind my head.

"Hey, Haleen. It's good to see you."

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

She cracks a half smile, noting my attempt at politeness despite coming here at night. She opens the door wider and motions for me to come inside.

"I was wondering when I'd see you again. Rehan told me you're not what we've typically seen from the new arrivals."

Her voice is floaty and cordial, and I can smell the scent of something freshly baked. Some kind of cake or cookie. I follow her to a different place inside her house this time. We climb some stairs and enter a room.

There are shelves and shelves filled with books all around the room. Opened chests displaying different types of clothes and weapons. I had the impression Haleen was a type of smuggler, but seeing the goods here, maybe it was just for her.

"I take it you have need of my knowledge? I can see it as the only reason you'd be back here again. Not that I don't enjoy your company, Zaediel."

She looks at me with slightly squinted eyes and an almost coy grin on her lips. Lowering her head just a little in a more predatory manner. Haleen is a beautiful woman; I'd take her up if she'd offer a good time.

But I can tell by the slightly amused turn to her eyebrow at my lack of an uncomfortable reaction. She's just teasing me. The Xander boys have a habit of drawing this out of the fairer sex. I couldn't tell you how many hearts Lil's has broken. So many bitter men.

"Thank you for saying so, Haleen. But you're right; I do need help finding someone. I'm sorry to drop by announced at night, but I want to get this done before tomorrow. Any help you can give me, I'll be sure to owe you for it."

She narrows her eyes at the mention of me having to help her in return for this. It's not a seductive or erotic look but a calculating one. She's probably gonna cash in that favor sooner than later. After a second, she makes her way to the desk in the room and sits down.

Motioning to the chairs on the other end of the table for me to take a seat. I do as I'm told and sit in the elegant-looking chair. I don't know how wealthy Haleen is, but she obviously has some money.

"Now, tell me, Zaediel. What is it you need to know? If it's within my scope of knowledge, I'll share it with you."

She speaks slowly and carefully, giving the same predatory look as before but still lacking seduction and desire. She's a master of keeping control of a situation without compromising her pride, which I admire.

I'm glad I'm not here asking for secrets to ancient power or coming to her with the need for her power. I can't imagine what price she'd ask in return for that.

"I was hoping you could tell me where I can find Viscountess Eliza. I've finished a quest for her, and I want to turn it in before tomorrow."

She suddenly looks surprised and starts to laugh a bit. Then she leans back in her chair and watches me closely.

"Zaediel, I thought you wanted to know something way more important than that. You could've asked me at the front door if that's what you needed."

She finishes her small giggle and stands up at the end of her response. She walks around the desk and stops next to my chair. I watch her as she sits down on the arm, half expecting me to create some distance or recoil, but I don't.

A smile creeps on her lips, and she raises her hand. Placing it on top of my head, and I feel her stroke her fingers through my dark hair just a little.

"You're lucky you're cute. Eliza can be found found here."

She twirls her hand in the air, and in a puff of smoke, a scroll of paper appears. She opens it and hands it to me. It's a map of Geonia and markers where certain people live.

"Free of charge."

After a second, she stops stroking my hair and stands up, making her way to the door of the room. Before standing up myself, I consume the scroll, and the knowledge on the map is now inside my head.

Not only have I learned where Eliza and her family stay, but I have also learned where other nobles live. Talk about a valuable piece of knowledge."

As I walk through the door and stand in the hallway with Haleen, she closes the door behind me, and we walk down the stairs. When I'm about to walk through her front door and leave, I feel her hand grab my arm.

Curious, I stop and turn. Seeing her look me up and down with a more enticing smile than I've during this entire exchange.

"You know, I don't entertain many men. I treasure the sanctity of my body, but you're someone I enjoy, Zaediel. Next time you come by late at night, it won't be for information, understood?"

Ah, a standing invitation. It's strange now that I know some of the customs of the Edaria Kingdom. I remember what Yelina, Rena, and Celia told me. Perhaps there is more to the expectations of sexual practices of Edaria than I understand.

After all, I was told by Rena that women having children out of wedlock is very frowned upon. But maybe not necessarily having sex out of wedlock is. There was the experience I had with Sierra, too. There is a forwardness to the sexual contact between men and women in Edaria.

It's confusing, but I'm sure there is more I need to learn.

"I'll remember that, Haleen. Thank you again. And I might be stopping by sooner than later."

She gives me a quick wink as I inform her that I understand. I'll have to ask Rena about this when I get a chance.

Women are publicly shamed and stigmatized for having a child out of wedlock, but women and men can be so forward and open about sex and having it...

This is a weird Kingdom if this is how it works.