“Is that… Unus Town?" Alan asked, flabbergasted, as he gazed upon new, towering buildings that hadn't existed during his last visit.

"It is," Smaio replied, directing the insect to take the road on their left and circle the outskirts. "I'm off to deliver the gloomshrooms. What about you?"

"We’ll be fine. Will you be okay getting back on your own?"

"Yes, the weasenox only spawns once a day."

"Drop us here then. And good luck."

"Farewell, Users. May the Goddess Viola bless your path."

"Do you think Viola programmed them to worship her unconditionally?" Alan pondered aloud to Ashley as they watched the cart depart.

"That's worth investigating, though it's not our priority right now."

"You're right, although our primary goal seems far from reach." He met her gaze. "I was eager to enter The Novus, but now that I'm here, I’m unsure where to start."

Ashley paused, her stare unwavering, making him uneasy.

She's pretty cute, but damn, she’s weird.

"Though it might be wise to ask the locals about any anomalies in the system, remember we need to keep our inquiries discreet. We can’t let sensitive information slip to regular Users."

"What do you suggest then?"

"The only people in Novus we could discuss this with are the Administrators."

Alan exhaled and scratched his chin. "I knew you’d say that. Just let me take the lead a little longer. Let’s wait until Astrid contacts me. I bet she can help us get in touch with an Administrator."

"Understood. Just remember, our mission must remain secret. Not even she can know."

"Got it, the importance of secrecy isn’t lost on me. Let’s find a way to get there."

We'll also need a map. The one I have only covers part of the Renovatio Caves and the road to get here.

They ventured through the back alleys, tantalized by the aroma of food. This must be the restaurant district. Since cooking in Novus doesn’t generate waste, there’s no stench of trash or decay.

“Alan?” Ashley said, clutching her stomach. “I don’t feel so good.”

“You must be hungry. I'm starving too.”

“But why is this body experiencing this?”

Can she even get hungry?

“Listen, even though the pods feed us nutrients continuously, the system is designed to simulate hunger. Think of it as a necessary feature rather than an annoyance.”

Although this hunger is artificial, I suppose the developers included it to remind us of our human vulnerability and dependencies.

Alan looked ahead, noting they were close to the main street. “Let’s avoid drawing attention. We need to blend in—Whoa, whoa, whoa!” He exclaimed, amazed by the fancy restaurants, vibrant advertisements, and colorful surroundings. “This place has transformed into a bustling city!”

Bystanders immediately frowned at him.

“Alan,” Ashley gripped his shoulder. “We’re attracting unwanted—”

“Look at that place! They have ramen. And that one serves pizza! Hold on! If I’m going to finally enjoy good food after so long, it has to be special! Come on, Ashley!” He led her by the hand to a restaurant adorned with intimidating dragon décor, then blushed, realizing what he had done. "S-sorry."

Her hand is so soft. Like a real girl!

“If it’s necessary, let’s eat then,” she replied emotionlessly.

Dammit, Ashley, at least pretend you're embarrassed too!

"Welcome," an NPC greeted as they entered. "Table for two? Follow me, please."

Alan observed the vibrant scene: Users in casual and armor attire, drinking and laughing, while a giant screen displayed a pink-haired girl singing:

** Come on baby, get me back.

Like the first time you held my hand.

In this galaxy so vast and wide.

My love for you, I cannot hide.

My he-aa-art goes boom-bo-boom when you’re not around!

My he-aa-art goes room-ro-room, ‘cause you’re not around! **

There’s even user-created entertainment now? That’s cool! I wonder if they’ve started making movies yet.

Once seated, the hostess inquired, “First time here?”

“Y-yes.”

“You can access the menu by pressing this button. A waitress will serve your order shortly. Enjoy your meal.”

As the hostess departed, Ashley leaned in to whisper, "Alan, I need a crash course on how to eat."

I never thought I’d hear that in my life.

He cleared his throat, trying not to chuckle. "Chew before swallowing. Don’t talk with food in your mouth... You know what? Just follow my lead."

The sight of an NPC waitress suddenly caught Alan’s attention, and his gaze quickly focused on her maid dress, apron, and thigh-high stockings.

Just look at that! These beauties make me feel rejuvenated! I had forgotten how cute girls, real or imitations, move and talk!

Wait a minute...

He whispered to Ashley, "I have a task for you."

“If it’s within my capabilities, consider it done,” she replied earnestly, making Alan feel a twinge of guilt.

Just a little.

“Do you agree we need to blend in?”

“Correct. Passing as regular Users will aid our mission.”

“In that case, I think you should learn to act more... girly.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve noticed how you walk...”

“What about it? Do I appear unnatural?”

“Yes! I didn’t want to mention it earlier, but you move like The Santa María's automatons.”

“I understand. I’ll observe how these females walk,” she said, eyeing a nearby waitress.

“Please, do that.” Satisfied, Alan pressed the menu button. A virtual screen popped up, featuring the restaurant’s name and a dancing dragon animation. “Alright. Let’s try something simple for you: mashed potatoes, chicken soup, and lemonade. For me, a hamburger with fries, lasagna, apple pie, and a soda... Oh, I can already taste it all.”

Food arrived swiftly, served by a curvaceous NPC with lavender hair. “Sorry, but I haven’t received the lady’s order,” the waitress said.

“Oh, that’s my mistake, I ordered for her. See?” He passed the food to Ashley, who scrutinized the employee.

“I see,” the waitress smiled, doll-like. “Enjoy your meal.”

Haven’t I seen her before?

“Anyway, Ashley, please focus on eating.”

This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

She studied her food, pressing the soup bowl to her lips.

“You should have used the spoon, but that’s okay too,” Alan muttered, ready to enjoy his hamburger until a sloshing sound made him turn. “Ashley!” he hissed. “Swallow!”

She paused, soup dripping from her face. “By your reaction, I understand I made a mistake.”

“Here.” He demonstrated with a spoon. “Fill it, put it in your mouth, and practice swallowing.”

She wasn’t kidding when she said I should treat her like a newborn!

He glanced at her chest, noting how the system realistically rendered her wet wool dress clinging to her chest.

Frustrated, he rubbed his forehead, before catching a man's gaze from a nearby table.

“Hey,” the man called out. “Are you glitched?”

I’m going to regret this.

“Excuse me?”

“It says you’re level 5.” The man pointed at the number above Alan’s head. “That’s why I asked if you’re bugged.”

How do I dodge this question without raising more?

"That's the same thing I was wondering!" Alan said, feigning a smile. "It started yesterday, and I don't know what triggered it. I may get some help from an Administrator…"

"Good luck with that!" the stranger sneered before returning to his own business.

“Y-Yeah,” Alan murmured, sipping his cola.

He opened his eyes wide.

Am I dreaming? Well, yes, technically, but this tastes amazing! He savored his burger, as tears of joy streaked his cheeks. Months of work, keeping this system running... All worth it.

Alan glanced at Ashley, who sat quietly, studying her bowl.

“Have you managed to swallow yet?”

“Yes.”

“So, how was it?”

“A range of pleasurable sensations activated on my tongue.”

“Yes... That’s one way to put it.”

“May I try this too?” she asked, eyeing the mashed potatoes.

“Go ahead, those dishes are yours.”

“Thanks,” she said, using the same spoon. After a mouthful, her expression, though neutral, twinkled.

I’m witnessing something unique...

“Can I order something else, please?”

“Sure, go ahead and order whatever you want.”

Ashley quickly tapped the menu button and began ordering every available dish.

Oh, come on!

He opened the menu again to check the prices, ranging from 100 to 300 gold. It’s all quite affordable, actually. Fine, if you can’t finish it, I’ll help you. He giggled, remembering the 100,200 gold in his account.

While eating, he checked his User Interface again, scanning his status and friend list. He noticed one menu option was unavailable.

‘Error?’ It does nothing when I tap it, and I can’t recall if it was there before logging out.

“Isa—I mean, Ashley? Could you check your User Interface? What does it say under the Guild option?”

“I do not have the Guild option.”

“Figures. Above System?”

She stared at the window for a moment. “It says ‘Error’.”

* * * * *

* * * *

* * *

* *

*

And this, my friends, is called gluttony...

“What was I thinking?” he said, belching.

“I feel minor discomfort in the stomach, but aside from that, it was an enjoyable experience.”

“Yeah, let’s just call it that, grurhp...”

After clearing the last plate, the waitress approached them, her grin eternal. “Did you enjoy your meal, sir, miss?"

“Yes, it was quite pleasant,” Ashley replied, nodding for the first time since logging in.

“I’m glad to hear that. Thank you for coming to the Dragon’s Belly. Here’s your bill.”

As he squinted at the waitress, recognition dawned on him. “Miss! Did you used to work at the Town Hall?”

The NPC didn't lose her grin. “That is correct, sir. Until a year ago when the new Mayor rescinded my services. Fortunately, Lord Reddington has employed me here. Anything else I can assist with?” She pushed the floating window toward him, still smiling.

As expected from a basic AI, no hint of resentment.

He glanced at the window, a circle waiting for his thumbprint. It feels like she was sold to the owner. All of them. He quickly looked at the rest of the staff, wondering if the chefs were NPCs too. He pressed his thumb against the virtual bill to pay.

A message popped up.

NO FUNDS

“Huh?”

“Sorry to bother you, sir, but could you try again?”

He did, with the same result.

“What's happening, Alan?” Ashley asked, quietly.

“I… I don’t understand…” He muttered, opening his Status tab. “I should have enough to cover everything we…” His eyes widened at his money balance. “200 gold… I only have 200 gold left…”

He glanced at the silent waitress, who was touching the side of her head where a fox ear was located.

She’s contacting someone!

“Are you kidding me?!” A slender young man shouted from the second floor. “Where is he?!”

The waitress remained silent, her finger on her communicator, as the man leapt down with ease despite his slender build.

“Wait!” Alan pleaded as the waitress walked away without looking back.

“Is this some sort of prank, kid?” The man grabbed Alan by the collar, lifting him off the ground. Alan could see his golden teeth. “Trying to gain subscribers by pulling stupid pranks on hard workers like me?! Where’s your stupid camera?!”

“N-no, sir! I’m not trying to be funny, I swear! I don’t even know how to tell a good joke! Like, why did the engineer backstab his coworkers? Because he was sus—!”

“Shut the f—!" The man paused, noticing the number above Alan’s head. "Wait a minute. You’re level 5? Why?”

Alan also glanced at the man’s level.

33?! What?! Double crap!

“Your orders, Alan,” Ashley said, her hand on her dagger's hilt.

The man sneered. “Don’t try anything stupid.”

“He’s right,” another voice chimed in from a neighboring table where a warrior lounged, casually sipping coffee and resting a spear on his shoulder. “He’s not alone.”

Alan couldn’t see the man's level, which meant only one thing.

“Ashley, lower your weapon. Please, just let me explain! Before we entered, I had 100,000 gold, I swear!”

“A level 5 with that kind of money, yeah right!”

“It’s true! Let us compensate you another way then! My partner has a set of silver armor that…”

“I don’t want your gear, kid! I want my—!”

“I’ll cover his bill,” a woman declared from the second floor. Alan looked up to see her in purple robes, puffing on a sleek cigarette holder. “On the condition that he shares his story with me. Come up, young man.” She turned and walked back to her table.

The restaurant owner released Alan but blocked his path to the exit. “You heard Lady Monique,” he grunted. “Hurry up and go upstairs.”

“Alan?” Ashley called, not taking her eyes off the armed User beside her.

“Let’s do as she says for now,” Alan said, ascending the stairs. On the second floor, Lady Monique sat at a secluded table.

“T-thanks, Lady Monique,” Alan said, too nervous to approach, but she gestured for them to sit.

Monique appeared to be in her late twenties, with straight platinum hair and caramel skin. “Don’t mistake this as charity, young man. That would ruin my reputation.” She eyed their attire while biting into her steak. “A level 5 claiming to have a considerable amount of money, yet dressed so shabbily?”

Alan felt Ashley's cautious gaze.

Yes, I know. I’ll be discreet.

“I’m not lying, ma’am, I had that gold before we entered the town. Maybe I got pickpocketed along the way.”

“Who would waste their time checking a Low-leveler’s pockets?” Monique’s bodyguard scoffed, eyeing him disdainfully. "And why does a noob like you still exist, anyway?"

“Don’t be harsh, Risette. I believe him,” Monique interjected.

“You do?” Alan exclaimed, surprised.

“Why not? I’ve heard stranger tales during my time here. First, tell me, is ‘five’ really your level, or is it a glitch?”

“It’s a glitch. Definitely.”

“Are you in a guild?” she inquired, making him hesitate. “Oh, don’t worry. I just need to know where to find you to collect this debt. Because I’m only lending you the money until you can pay me back.”

He nodded. “Shooting Stars.”

“What?” Risette squinted. “If this is a joke…”

“It’s not,” he asserted, deepening his voice.

Risette shrugged. “I don’t really care, but if a real Shooting Star hears you claiming that, I doubt you’ll get another chance to lie.”

“And what’s that supposed to mean?!” Alan cried, standing abruptly, causing the table to jolt. "You make them sound like criminals!"

"If the shoe fits…"

“Sit down. We aren’t finished here,” Monique commanded, her tone unraised yet threatening. “And don’t interrupt us again, Risette. I'm the one speaking.”

The bodyguard clicked her teeth and folded her arms.

Monique slightly smiled at Alan. “Instead of bickering like children, let’s prove you’re telling the truth. Mister…”

“Alan… Warden.”

“Yes, Mister Alan.” She sipped her wine. “Add me to your friend list and send me a message stating you owe me... How much was it, Risette? Go ask.”

“Fine,” Risette muttered, heading towards the table where the owner still glared at Alan.

If she doesn’t question my level any further, this might be a good way out of this.

He watched as the woman began typing on her User Interface, then received a friend request.

NEW FRIEND REQUEST!!!

Add Monique Ascencio to your contacts?

SURE !

NOPE !

Risette returned to their table. “The bill is 4800 gold, ma’am.”

“Alright, Alan Warden. Write that you owe me 10,000 gold. Consider the extra as interest.”

Alan reluctantly wrote the amount in the private message. “I promise to pay you back as soon as possible.”

“I’ll be waiting,” she replied softly, turning to receive a notification. She tapped it and read the message carefully. “This will suffice. You may go now.”

Alan didn’t hesitate. “Thank you—I... We’ll be in touch. Good night.” He glanced at the bodyguard one last time.

“Good night,” Monique said quietly as the pair descended the stairs, followed by the restaurant owner’s watchful eyes. “Very interesting,” Monique remarked to her bodyguard, who took a seat.

“Was that clown telling the truth, ma’am?”

Monique stared at her Messenger, where Alan’s chat remained open.

SOCIAL

From: Alan Warden

Shooting Star’s First Officer

I, Alan Warden, owe Monique Ascencio, 10,000 gold...

Thanks for helping me, you wonderful lady! - xoxo

“We can use this information to our advantage,” Monique mused, puffing on her cigarette and exhaling smoke towards the window.