After we were debriefed by Seth and Gigi, we took a moment to rest in the simulation room. While Celine tried her best to socialize with the others, I glanced over the rewards I had obtained.

Alongside the plentiful Stat Points I received from leveling up four times, this was such a jackpot.

Slightly similar to the Silver Serpent, the Golden Serpent was a bit longer, with a more pronounced curve and a slightly heavier weight. It was clear that it had a more fiery nature, the blade seemingly glowing with the intensity of the sun.

As for the achievement, it seemed like it would come in handy should I ever find myself in an impossible situation with someone else. Although, I wanted to see if it would work with my clone, or even my specters. In fact, since slaying the twin snakes, I was eager to conjure them as well as Lazarus. The possibilities were endless.

[Hey, you're drooling...]

I wiped my mouth, stowing away both blades as I studied the core I got along with everyone else. Now that I had experienced the dungeon resonance, I planned to enter it again alone to receive the other reward condition from the hidden quest, the one that was locked. I had a strong feeling it would be accessible now, after I gained the Golden Serpent.

"Immortal? Are you planning to head home now?" I looked up to see Celine standing over me with that unreadable expression.

"I guess. It's pretty late," I replied, pulling out my phone and glancing at the time, which was well past midnight. "You?"

"Same. I need to get some sleep," Celine said, her eyes drooping slightly. "But before we go, do you mind if I ask you something?"

"Sure, what's up?" I asked, storing the core in my Inventory. I ignored the Soultaker's alerts once more as I turned my attention back to Celine.

"I noticed you didn't use any of your skills or the Soultaker during the fight," she began, her voice measured. "Why was that?"

I blinked at her question. I had expected her to ask something more personal, but I guess it was strange to see me so reserved in a fight.

"There was a hidden quest I got with lots of restrictions. It didn't really give me any significant boosts, but it was nice to try and complete it," I replied, getting up from the floor.

"I see," Celine murmured, lost in thought. Then she met my gaze. "Is it something I'm also able to complete?"

The question took me aback. Maybe she was feeling left behind with my explosive growth?

"Er... I guess? You'd need either of the required swords I have to trigger it." I hesitated, considering the implications of letting her in on the hidden quest. "But it's pretty... intense. And not just because of the difficulty or the boss fight. You're prohibited from using any damaging skills and can only use the base sword in the fight."

"Interesting..." Celine tapped her chin thoughtfully. "But if it's a challenge you've completed, then surely I can manage. I'd like to try it out next time. Perhaps tomorrow..."

I wanted to remind her and say that it was only due to my excessive strength and growth that I was able to clear the quest without fear of failing or death, but then I realized she was most likely going to ask me to come along as well. Made sense, since as far as I knew, I was the only person who had not one, but two Serpent swords. I could already feel the exhaustion settling into my bones as I thought about it.

"Alright, but just remember, it's not going to be easy," I cautioned her. "And I can't guarantee that you'll get the same rewards as I did."

"I'm very aware," Celine gave me a soft smile. "I just figured, since you've been doing so well, why not follow the same strategies you've employed? Plus, I hope I get a different type of weapon rather than a sword. They're not my style."

"Well, good luck with that," I said, clapping her on the shoulder. "I'm gonna go home and get some rest."

My stomach rumbled. Celine raised an eyebrow at me.

"I know it's late, but perhaps you could come over for dinner?" She suggested with a shrug. "I'd prefer the company, and I'm preparing a nice meal."

[Oho?? Are you finally developing a love interest? I have to say, it’s better than whatever you have going on with that sadistic sword :o ]

Ignoring Sephera, I wanted to refuse out of exhaustion and politeness, but then my stomach rumbled again, louder this time. I had no leftovers at my apartment and there were no places open this late at night.

"Well... okay, then," I reluctantly agreed, though my mind started to wonder what kind of dishes she was planning to make. Sephera started to spam my vision with annoying messages.

"Perfect," Celine seemed happy, though it was hard to tell. "I also have a spare room if you decide to rest after. I'd recommend it, since I was thinking of tackling the dungeon resonance together early in the morning."

[Oh. Never mind, then... e.e]

Ah, so that was her true intention.

----------------------------------------

I got my revenge for her plotting by flying us over to her place, relishing in the silent terror Celine hid from me as we zipped through the night sky at lightning speed. She directed me to her house while holding on to me with a death grip, and I couldn't help but laugh at her reaction.

That soon gave way to shock when I landed us in front of her house. Or should I say, mansion? The grandeur of the place was stunning, with lush gardens and a driveway that looked longer than my entire apartment complex. It was a stark contrast to my tiny, cramped space.

[Wow... so this is what you could've had if you weren't so obsessed with endlessly fighting...]

As much as I wanted to refute Sephera's comment, I couldn't. I was several leagues stronger than Celine, and instead of using that strength to establish a presence in the outside world, I continued playing a game. Literally and figuratively.

"Thank you... Immortal..." Celine detached herself from me and shakily stood on her own. She composed herself quickly, leading me through the grand entrance of her mansion. The inside was even more impressive, with high ceilings, marble floors, and chandeliers casting a warm glow.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"Holy shit," I breathed out, feeling a bit self-conscious about my apartment. I had always assumed that Celine lived in something nice, but this was on a whole other level. "Jeez, Celine, if this is what you have because of your fame as a Player, I should've just focused on that way earlier."

I swore I saw the faintest hint of a scowl on her face as Celine turned away. "This isn't a result because of my status as a Player. I've had this place long before the world became the one as we know it now."

I blinked. "Wait, so you're actually rich? What the hell do you or your family do?"

Celine abruptly stopped in the middle of the grand hallway, her eyes flickering with something unreadable. "Let's not talk about that right now," she said, her voice tight. "Come, dinner is ready."

I opened my mouth, then closed it, following her silently. I had experienced enough troubles in my own life to catch the shift in Celine's mood. Seemed like she wasn't in a good place regarding her family, which was something I could relate to.

The dining room was just as extravagant as the rest of the mansion, with a table that could seat at least fifty people. A beautifully laid out meal for two awaited us at one end, the scent of roasted meats and freshly baked bread wafting through the air. A single candle flickered in the center of the table, casting a warm glow across the silverware and fine china.

[You know, if it weren't for the lack of people in the place, I'd have thought it was a romantic dinner date...]

"What part of this is romantic to you?" I muttered to Sephera's message screen as I took my seat.

"Please excuse the presentation, Immortal," Celine said as she sat across from me, her expression still unreadable. "My family isn't exactly known for our humble tastes."

I had the urge to question her about her family once again, but held back, putting myself in her shoes. I was aware of how uncomfortable it had made the others, including me, whenever I had my arguments with Aurora. Thinking about it, I guess we were okay now, if not awkward whenever we saw each other.

"Thank you for the meal," I said instead, trying to lighten the mood.

Celine nodded, a small smile gracing her lips. "It's nothing," she replied. "I'm just happy to host someone who appreciates the effort. It's been a while since someone other than the staff came over."

I couldn't hold back anymore. "I'm sorry, but I've got so many questions. Especially about your life before the world turned into a living game."

Her smile wavered for a moment before she took a deep breath. "Let's keep that conversation for another time, Immortal. For now, let's just enjoy the food. Would you like something else besides water to drink?"

I shook my head. "No, thanks. Never been much of a drinker. I don't like the impairment."

Of course, I omitted the fact that it was because in my college years, I heavily drank caffeinated drinks instead, staying up all night to play games. That was a different kind of impairment.

"I understand. Then excuse me," Celine nodded as she poured herself a glass of wine.

We began to eat in silence. While I wasn't particularly a social person, even I could feel the awkwardness growing with every bite I took. Sephera sent a couple more messages, urging me to break the ice or she'd die from embarrassment. Can Admins even die outside of sacrificing themselves?

"Hey, Celine?" I cleared my throat, "Er, excuse me for asking, but why do you speak so... formally? I mean, not that I'm making fun or anything, I'm just..." I trailed off, realizing that that might have been an insensitive question.

Celine took a sip of her wine, her eyes twinkling in the candlelight. "It's a habit from my upbringing," she said, her tone more relaxed than I expected. "I guess it's a bit old-fashioned, but it's what I'm used to."

A lot of things began to click for me. Huh, so that's why she referred to most Players by their Title name, instead of their actual ones. Her sister did the same, but I had chocked it up to her personality.

"So... does that mean you have no plans of calling me by my name?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood with a teasing smile.

Celine tilted her head. "Does me referring to your Title bother you?"

"Well, no- I mean, not really? It's just, it feels weird for me to call you by your name while you keep using my Title," I made a face, thinking about my next words. "I guess it's because I feel like we're friends, so shouldn't we use our real names when addressing each other?"

Celine's smile grew softer, "Friends, huh?" she mused, placing her silverware down and looking at me intently. "I suppose that is one way to look at it. However, I find that using Titles brings a certain... formality to our interactions that I find comforting."

"Huh, so you'd like it if I started calling you 'Saint' or 'Phoenix'?" I asked, leaning back in my chair. I had already finished my food.

Celine visibly recoiled. "No, please don't. 'Celine' is perfectly fine," she said, her cheeks flushing a delicate shade of pink. "Others have always used those title names, but they don't suit you."

I frowned. "What does that mean?"

"My apologies, I meant no offense," Celine said, her cheeks growing a deeper shade of red. "What I meant was that you give off the air of not caring about status. It's refreshing, and I'd rather you not change that now."

Maybe she was embarrassed, or the alcohol was sinking in, but she downed her entire glass in one gulp. "If you feel a certain way about it, then I can start using your name from now on."

"I-it's up to you, really," Witnessing her down the glass, I was both impressed and a little concerned for her. "Just... feels more natural if you use my name. Makes it so that we're actual friends rather than colleagues."

"I see. Very well... Luquier."

We didn't say anything for a moment.

"We'll work on that," I managed a smile. "But for now, let's enjoy dinner."

----------------------------------------

Turns out, Celine was absolutely terrible at handling alcohol. Only two glasses in, and she was more expressive than I've ever seen her, loosening up considerably. In fact, she was more talkative by the time she was working on her third glass, swapping details about her life with me.

Along with her sister, she and Ophelia were the only children of a corporal empire, her parents very much alive and well. While she didn't go too much into detail, I could sense that their relationship was complicated. She spoke amicably of Ophelia, but the way she talked about her family made it clear that she wasn't close to them. It didn't take a genius to know that the pressure of being the daughters of such influential people had to be immense.

To make it worse, Ophelia had stepped up when she became of age, furthering their family empire- whatever it was- to greater heights. It basically set Celine up to fill in shoes that were too big for her, and she admitted that she was glad the world became like this before she could be forced to enter the business.

Her eyes grew a bit sad as she talked about her sister. "Ophelia was always the stronger one," she said, her voice a bit slurred. "Everyone around us expected me to be of the same caliber. But I didn't have her drive, her passion."

I didn't know how to comfort her. This was a little too much for me to handle, but I tried my best to listen and be there for her.

"Anyways, I apologize for suddenly getting all serious," Celine waved her hand dismissively, trying to shake off the melancholic mood that had settled over us. "I understand you have your own issues with your sibling as well, so hearing me speak of mine might not be ideal."

"No, it's fine," I shook my head, giving her a small smile. "Makes you seem more human."

Our conversation slowly trailed off and I offered to wash the dishes for her. Once that was done, Celine escorted me to the guest room, where I had to admit, it was infinitely better than my apartment.

The bed was like a cloud and the room had that 'just cleaned' smell. As I said goodbye to Celine and turned off the lights, I hesitated before turning off the lights and climbing into the bed. It was like a soft marshmallow gently caressing my body. I laid down and stared at the ceiling, unable to sleep despite the physical exhaustion. My mind was racing with the events of the day. As much as I wanted to continue grinding, I had to remind myself that I wasn't an actual video game character. I needed rest.

"Sephera?" I whispered out in the darkness.

[Yeah?]

"Do you ever sleep?" I asked, mildly surprised that the Admin was still up.

[Now that you mention it, I do have a 'sleep' mode, but it's more of a standby function to conserve energy. I'm always here to assist you, Player :D ]

"I wouldn't call it assisting," I muttered back as I turned on my side. "More like being a nosy AI that doesn't respect personal space."

Sephera proved my point as she indignantly spammed my vision with bright blue messages, preventing me from sleeping.