"So are you coming along? Or is that just Risa and I?" Aiden asked with a raised eyebrow.Gregg blinked, dropping his gaze to the remnants of his breakfast, contemplative. The scrambled eggs were fluffy and golden, slightly peppered, the aroma still clinging to the air. His pancakes were half-eaten, a few smears of berry syrup still trickling over the side. Breakfast seemed insignificant now, forgotten at the gravity of Aiden's question.He didn't answer immediately, instead washing his food down with a sip of juice before he fixed Aiden with a contemplative look. His deep-set eyes reflected the crackling fire from the hearth, the playful shadows dancing in his gaze giving him a faraway look. "It's not that simple," Gregg admitted, running his fingers through his hair. "Collow isn't just another realm to me. It's where I...where I left Zin."The silence at the table stretched, a bubble ready to pop. Risa held her breath, her gaze darting between the two men. Finally, Aiden let out a
"We should go say goodbye to Mr. Smith," Gregg suggested, his voice heavy with emotion. He looked between Risa and Aiden. "After all, he was a guiding force for all of us. It's only right we say our farewells."The suggestion hung in the air, a shared glance between the three friends conveying more than words ever could. A silent agreement passed between them. "Alright," Aiden finally agreed, a soft smile curving his lips. "Let's do this."Their journey to Mr. Smith's abode was a quiet one, filled with unspoken thoughts and silent musings. The familiarity of the path was a harsh reminder of their soon-to-be departure, the reality of their decision settling heavily on their hearts.–––––––––––As they approached the grand house, the heavy wooden door swung open automatically, once again stunning them momentarily. But there was no time to gawk now. They were on a mission, a farewell mission."Welcome," the familiar voice of the humanoid robot greeted them. Its metallic sheen sparkled in
As they emerged from the vortex that had transported them back into their world, the rush of modern city life assaulted their senses. They landed in a narrow alleyway, the three of them bumping into each other with soft grunts.Before either Aiden or Risa could even stand up straight, Gregg had launched himself forward, pressing his lips against the cold, harsh concrete in a parody of a passionate kiss. Aiden and Risa watched, speechless, before dissolving into fits of laughter at the sight of their friend's ridiculous antics."I...uh, Gregg..." Aiden managed between laughs, "...you do know where that floor's been, right?"Gregg sprung back, his face contorting in disgust as he spits out whatever particles of dirt and grime had latched onto his tongue. "Ugh...disgusting!" he exclaimed, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. But a grin spread across his face as he echoed their laughter."Welcome back, dumbass," Risa finally said, her voice quiet but full of joy. "Collow has missed
A month had passed since the trio's return to their familiar world, and in that time, many changes had taken place. The joy of being home was still palpable, yet with every passing day, a new kind of reality set in. While Aiden and Risa were navigating the changes in their lives, Gregg was on a different path. His search for Zin had taken him to various corners of Collow, but he had yet to find the woman he had longed to see.Meanwhile, in the heart of the city, the streets bustled with life. The summer heat blanketed Collow, turning the city into a large, urban oven. Despite the searing temperature, the city remained as vibrant as ever, each corner teeming with life. On one such afternoon, a black, sleek car made its way through the city. Its tinted windows hid the identity of the passenger within, yet the logo on the vehicle was known to all. It was the symbol of one of the city's most renowned philanthropic organizations, headed by none other than Zin herself. The car pulled up
Ding!–––––––––––[Name: Aiden Lancaster][Gender: Male][Age: 22][Level: 3][Height: 180cm][Inventory: 2][Spending Quota: $45000][Merit points: 1000502100][Ability: Enhancer, Tracker]–––––––––––'Inventory...' Aiden thought, his mind wandering to what he could do with those items. 'Lyris, could you display what's in my inventory?'[Of course, host][150000 worth of Amazon gift cards][One golden card worth spending]Aiden sat up on his bed, contemplating what he could do with these two items. With Risa out on a shopping spree with the head maid of the house, there wasn't anyone else who would notice him speaking to his system.His mind trailed on who could benefit from the gift card and golden card, then it hit him like a ton of bricks.With a flick of his fingers, he contacted Lyris and asked her if he could transfer them to those who could use them or be pleasantly surprised.His request caused her eyebrows to furrow slightly, but she didn't say anything at first. [Are you s
A smile, brimming with mischief, gradually began to play across the features of Aiden. The playful glint in his eyes danced as he declared in a voice imbued with teasing suspense, "I'm not going to share that with you." Without any further ado, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a small box with intricate detailing, and handed it over to Gregg, who was visibly caught in the throes of anticipation.Gregg accepted the box with a sense of curiosity bordering on fascination. He gingerly opened the lid, and his pupils dilated in astonishment as they beheld the singular object nestled within the folds of velvet that lined the box. Inside lay a shimmering golden card that reflected the soft ambient light in a playful dance of colors, emphasizing the meticulous engraving of a stylized dragon that marked its surface. The card was encased in a pristine white border, upon which bold, black words stood out in striking contrast: 'What you seek is within.'Aiden, struggling to contain his amus
The shadows began to stretch across the rooms of the quaint duplex that Zin and Gregg called home as the golden tendrils of the afternoon sun began to retreat for the day. In the heart of their dwelling, Zin's culinary skills were on full display in their small but well-equipped kitchen. The tantalizing aroma of a home-cooked meal filled the air, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. In contrast, Gregg's domain was the dining area, where he was meticulously attending to every detail. He nervously adjusted the tablecloth, smoothed out non-existent creases, and repositioned the silverware for what felt like the hundredth time."Gregg," Zin's voice carried from the kitchen, filled with a lighthearted teasing note, "You're going to wear holes into the tablecloth if you continue fussing over it like that."A sheepish grin spread across Gregg's face at Zin's playful comment. "I just want to ensure everything is perfect, Zin," he replied, his voice shaky. "Aiden's accustomed to high-end,
"Is everything alright, Risa?" she asked, her tone hinting at her worry. "You've never declined wine before. Is there a reason you're saying no tonight?"Risa glanced at Aiden, an unspoken question flickering in her gaze. Aiden gave her a reassuring smile, a silent signal for her to share their secret. "I'm not feeling unwell or anything," Risa began, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's just that...I... we... are expecting."The room fell silent, as if the words had sucked the air right out of it. Zin blinked, looking between Risa and Aiden, trying to comprehend the gravity of the news. Meanwhile, Gregg stared at Aiden, his eyes wide with shock."Expecting?" Zin repeated, her mind racing to decode Risa's words. But then it clicked, and she let out a startled gasp. "You mean...you're pregnant?"Risa nodded, a shy smile playing on her lips. "Three weeks along."Aiden reached for Risa's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. He looked at her with such warmth, his eyes sparkling with