Shyri woke up early on Friday morning, the soft glow of dawn filtering through her window. The apartment was quiet, and for a moment, she savored the stillness of having a day with no commitments. Friday was her free day—no classes, no pressing obligations—just her and her plans for herself.
Stretching lazily, she got out of bed and made her way to the kitchen. She moved quietly, not wanting to wake Kame, who still had a few classes to attend today. Shyri fixed herself a simple breakfast: scrambled eggs with toast and a side of fruit. The smell of the eggs filled the air as she took her time preparing everything, enjoying the calm of the morning. She plated her meal, sat down at the small dining table, and ate leisurely, allowing her thoughts to wander to her next task—getting back into the game.
Soon after, Kame shuffled into the kitchen, still half-asleep, grabbing something quick to eat before heading out for her classes. "I'll see you later!" Kame called out as she waved, heading out the door with her bag slung over her shoulder.
"See you," Shyri replied, watching her leave before tidying up the kitchen.
With the apartment now empty, Shyri felt a sense of freedom. She didn’t need to rush today. After cleaning up, she made her way back to her room, where her VR set sat waiting for her. Changing into something comfortable—a loose hoodie and soft leggings—she prepared for a relaxing gaming session.
Sliding her headset on, Shyri leaned back, fully immersing herself in the game as her surroundings blurred and the world of the royal inn came into focus around her.
The familiar, ornate interior of the royal inn greeted her, from the polished floors to the intricate carvings along the walls. She stood up from her plush, comfortable bed in the game, stretching her virtual limbs as she prepared to dive back into the dungeon to collect more gemstones.
Shyri bolted out of the royal inn with a determined stride, her heart pounding with anticipation. The sun hung high in the sky, casting a golden glow across Westhound, but she barely noticed it as she focused solely on her goal—returning to the gemstone golem dungeon. She moved swiftly through the bustling streets, her new outfit catching glances as she passed by NPCs and players alike. The lightweight fabric clung to her form, allowing her to move with grace and agility, her feet barely touching the ground as she zipped through the city.
Her new weapon, Trinity, rested comfortably across her back, its presence a reassuring weight as she maneuvered through the crowd. Shyri’s mind was clear—she had no time for distractions. She was headed straight for the dungeon, where the gemstones and golems awaited her.
In no time, she reached the entrance to the dungeon. Without hesitation, she dove in, rushing past anything that dared stand in her way. Smaller enemies—weak, pathetic, not worth her time—barely registered in her peripheral vision as she blitzed through the cavernous halls. Shadows clung to her figure as she used her abilities to cloak herself, moving like a phantom through the darkness, dodging obstacles with ease.
Her fingertips crackled with energy, her body brimming with power as she pressed deeper into the heart of the dungeon. She quickly reached the boss room, the place where she had battled before. The towering gemstone golems were already assembling, their stone bodies crackling with magic as they prepared for another fight.
But Shyri was ready.
With a fierce battle cry, she summoned Trinity, the blade shifting from its sheathed form into the scythe she was so accustomed to. As she raised it high, its essence connected with her dark magic, radiating a pulsing, shadowy energy. She swung it with deadly precision, cutting through the gemstone golems like a blade through water. The battlefield was a flurry of movement as she danced between her enemies, dispatching them one by one.
Shyri's fingers glowed as she unleashed powerful elemental attacks—black flames, razor-sharp wind gusts, and torrents of water—all converging to tear apart the golems. She moved like a berserker, her energy seemingly boundless as she chained together deadly combos with Trinity. The puppeteer strings she conjured wrapped around the golems, lifting them into the air as she yanked them toward her, only to cleave them apart midair.
Hours passed as she grinded relentlessly, collecting gemstone after gemstone, her inventory slowly filling up. Her scythe spun in her hands like an extension of herself, slicing through every golem that dared to rise in her path. There was no stopping her. Every gemstone she gathered felt like a step closer to her ultimate goal.
Finally, her sack nearly full and her stamina beginning to ebb, Shyri stopped to catch her breath. She glanced at the massive pile of gemstones she had collected, satisfied with her work. Wiping a bead of sweat from her forehead, she slung her weapon across her back and began the journey back to King Dreliel, her thoughts already on the reward that awaited her.
Shyri approached the towering gates of the castle, the gleam of its gemstone-encrusted walls caught her eye once again, reminding her of the opulence and power that resided within. She had walked this path before, but now, with the spoils of the gemstone golems, the weight of her collection seemed to pulse with importance. The castle loomed before her, its grand architecture a stark contrast to the gritty dungeons she had just emerged from.
She strode with purpose through the grand courtyard, her steps echoing across the polished stone floors. The grandeur of the castle was beginning to feel more familiar now. The first time she entered, it had taken her breath away—the sparkling gemstones, the gleaming armor, and the sheer scale of everything had been overwhelming. Now, she moved with her mind set on the throne room and the reward waiting for her.
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Before she could make it far inside, however, a familiar figure appeared in her path—the butler. His poised demeanor hadn't changed, and his appearance was as impeccable as ever. He seemed to have an uncanny knack for knowing when she was near, always arriving at just the right time.
"Ah, Lady Shyri," the butler greeted her with a slight bow, his sharp eyes scanning her from head to toe, as if appraising the weight . "I trust you have completed your task for His Majesty?"
Shyri nodded, her lips curling into a faint smile. "I have the gemstones, yes."
Without another word, the butler gestured for her to follow. His movements were smooth and practiced as he led her through the maze-like halls of the castle. The corridors were bustling with activity—guards in shining armor, nobles dressed in extravagant garments, and courtiers whispering among themselves—but none of them paid Shyri much attention. She walked with the quiet authority of someone on an important mission, the gemstones clinking softly in her pack as she moved.
Soon, the butler brought her to the massive doors of the throne room. With a flick of his wrist, the doors swung open, revealing the grand chamber where King Dreliel sat upon his throne.
The butler stepped aside and bowed once more. "The lady has returned with the gemstones, Your Majesty."
Shyri straightened herself, feeling the weight of the king’s attention as she stepped forward.
King Dreliel sat in his massive throne, his imposing figure framed by the shimmering gemstones embedded in the walls behind him. The gleaming armor that clung to his form reflected the glint of the gems, making him seem even more godlike. His mountainous frame shifted slightly as he sat up, his eyes narrowing as they focused on Shyri. His gaze was penetrating, a king who had seen countless adventurers come and go, but this time, there was a subtle change in his expression—a glimmer of interest.
With a deliberate motion, he raised one giant hand, its movements slow but full of authority. As soon as his hand lifted, a notification flashed across Shyri's HUD: "Quest Complete: Collected Gemstones Delivered." She blinked as the gemstones in her inventory vanished, leaving her feeling lighter.
King Dreliel’s stern face softened into a smile, though it still retained the edge of his royal bearing. His deep voice echoed throughout the throne room, rich and resonant, as he spoke. "Adventurer, these gemstones are of a quality far surpassing what is usually brought to me. You have done more than was asked of you, and Westhound will benefit greatly from your effort."
He leaned forward slightly, his gaze filled with approval. “Many who come here deliver mediocrity, but you… you bring excellence. This is a gift not just to the crown, but to the future of this kingdom.”
His smile widened, a rare display from someone as regal and authoritative as Dreliel. "For your exceptional work, I will see to it that you are rewarded in kind."
King Dreliel leaned back in his massive throne, his imposing form settling comfortably into the gleaming gemstones and polished metal surrounding him. His hand, still raised from earlier, slowly lowered as his smile deepened, and Shyri’s HUD began to flood with notifications.
Level Up!
The continuous chime of progress filled her vision as the notifications stacked, one after another, marking her rapid ascension. Shyri’s eyes widened as her level jumped from 35 to 60, the final chime fading out, leaving her breathless from the sheer magnitude of the boost. She could feel the surge of power coursing through her, each level-up increasing her skills, sharpening her abilities, and strengthening her connection to Trinity.
King Dreliel watched this unfold with an expression of satisfaction, his eyes gleaming as he took note of her transformation. His gaze drifted over Shyri's weapon, Trinity, resting across her back, and the elegant armor that hugged her form, a testament to the talents of the master crafters who had aided her.
"You are truly blessed," Dreliel rumbled, his voice full of admiration as he looked upon her. "To have the finest artisans in Westhound—Glorn and his wife—aid in your advancement is no small fortune. Their skills are unmatched, and I can see they have given you tools worthy of your potential."
He paused, his eyes lingering on Trinity, the weapon still humming with the fused essences of her prized scythe and daggers, now reborn into something far more powerful. "That blade you carry… it is bound to you in more ways than one, just as your new armor shields you with its own magic. These gifts will serve you well on your path forward, but it is your will and strength that will guide them."
King Dreliel’s smile widened as he gestured to her with a slow nod. "Continue to grow, adventurer. I expect great things from one who bears such blessings. You may yet shape the fate of more than just Westhound."
A soft chime echoed through Shyri’s mind as a new notification popped up on her HUD, startling her slightly.
Notification: Your standings with Westhound have changed!
She blinked in surprise as she read the details:
Standings with Westhound: Liked(Due to your title, your standing has been adjusted down from Favored)
Before she could think much into it, King Dreliel spoke, his deep voice cutting through her thoughts.
"Do not be alarmed," he said calmly, his gaze steady as if he had anticipated her reaction. "I am aware of the weight your title carries and the caution it may inspire in some of my people. However, know this—your standing with Westhound will not fall below 'Liked,' no matter your title. This kingdom honors strength, and you have proven yourself capable."
He leaned forward slightly, his enormous hands resting on the arms of his throne, the gleam of his armor catching the light from the gemstones around him. "You carry power, adventurer. Though titles may shift the perception of others, I recognize your efforts. My people may be wary, but their trust will grow as yours has with me. Do not fear losing your place here."
The king's words reassured Shyri, and a sense of relief washed over her. Despite the complexities of her title and its effect on her standings, King Dreliel’s promise ensured that she would never be pushed away from Westhound.
Shyri bowed deeply to King Dreliel, her head lowering in respect as she thanked him, “I am grateful for your trust, Your Majesty.”
The King nodded, a subtle gesture of acknowledgment. As Shyri turned away, the massive throne room doors groaned open, revealing the grand corridors beyond. Her footsteps echoed in the gemstone-lined hall, the soft tap of her boots sounding against the polished floor as the butler reappeared by her side, guiding her once again.
They walked through the winding halls of the castle, past bustling courtyards and artisan workshops, but Shyri's mind was already on her next goal: MistHawk. The kingdom to the north, ruled by Queen Loudaa, held the locked dungeon. She hoped that, with her growing power, she might be able to gain the Queen’s favor and gain access to it.
As they reached the exit of the castle, the butler stopped, offering a slight bow before disappearing back into the labyrinth of the palace. Shyri stepped out into the bright afternoon, her armor glistening in the light.
She moved quickly through the streets, passing by familiar sights and faces as she made her way to the royal inn. Entering the room, she unstrapped Trinity from her back and placed it beside the bed. Sitting down, Shyri felt the rush of leveling up, defeating golems, and earning the King’s trust finally caught up with her.
As she lay back on the soft, luxurious bed, her thoughts turned to her next move. MistHawk. Resting her eyes, she began to plan. Later this evening she would set out