34. Elena (Patreon)

Luke emerged from the glowing green portal, the quiet hum of the magical gateway fading slowly behind him as he stepped back into the familiar clamor of the Dungeon Hall. Szeth, his metallic serpent familiar, was still wrapped cozily around his shoulders, sleeping soundly after the intense battles they had just endured. Luke took a moment to stretch, easing the lingering stiffness from his limbs, before his gaze sharpened and darted around the hall, carefully searching for any unwanted company. After his earlier encounter with Damian's lackeys, he didn't want any surprises. Satisfied that no one was lurking in the shadows to cause trouble, Luke made his way confidently toward the dungeon hall's exchange center.

As he approached, he caught sight of a familiar figure behind the exchange window, and a playful smirk formed on his lips. The receptionist from earlier—auburn hair neatly tied in an elegant bun, her fingers still bearing faint traces of ink from a day's worth of ledger keeping—glanced up at his approach. Recognition flickered in her eyes, her professional smile melting into something warmer and decidedly more personal.

"You again?" Luke teased lightly, resting an elbow on the counter as he leaned in with an easy grin. "Is the Dungeon Hall running low on staff these days? Making a beauty like you overwork, from receptionist duties to handling the exchange counter? It's practically midnight."

The young woman laughed softly, amusement twinkling in her hazel eyes as she matched Luke's casual stance. "Normally, I'd be comfortably asleep in my bed right about now," she replied with mock severity, before her voice softened flirtatiously, "but I was waiting to see if you’d return safely. I told you, it'd be a shame for such a handsome face to vanish."

Luke raised an eyebrow playfully, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Should I feel flattered or worried that you didn't trust me to come back alive?"

She smiled back, her gaze briefly dipping as a faint blush colored her cheeks. "Oh, I had my hopes," she admitted smoothly, before continuing, "But honestly, I'm just filling in tonight. My coworker's sick, and I'll gladly take his share of the pay, even if it means staying up late for once."

Luke chuckled lightly, genuinely enjoying their exchange. "Well, I'm glad to provide some entertainment for your overtime shift." His expression grew more serious yet still retained a playful edge as he reached into his inventory, "Speaking of entertainment, you might find this interesting."

With a casual wave, Luke began placing spider eggs on the counter—one by one, carefully yet swiftly until a sizable pile amassed in front of her. The receptionist's eyes widened slightly in surprise as she quickly counted them, her practiced gaze assessing their value instantly.

"That's quite the haul," she remarked, her voice filled with genuine admiration. "About seventy-five eggs... each valued at a gold a piece. You collected all these alone?"

Luke shrugged nonchalantly, a small smile playing on his lips. "What can I say? Luck favored me tonight."

Her smile deepened, and she gave him an appreciative nod. "Impressive indeed. And here I thought you might've just grabbed a few eggs and used a return crystal to get out quickly."

Luke feigned offense, clutching his chest theatrically. "Ouch, I'm wounded. Is that what you truly thought of me?"

The receptionist laughed, eyes sparkling with amusement. "Not anymore, certainly. But you must admit, it's not common for someone to tackle the Spider Cave dungeon alone—and successfully at that. Someone who can do that should be running higher tier dungeons."

"Fair enough," Luke agreed readily. He then paused, taking a dramatic breath before reaching into his inventory once more. "But wait, there's more."

He placed a single Queen's Venom Sack carefully on the counter. The receptionist's eyes widened even further, her hand reaching out instinctively before stopping herself. Her voice was a mixture of awe and disbelief, "You cleared the mini-boss too?"

Luke smirked, casually resting one hand on the counter as he leaned in slightly closer. "Surprised?"

"Well," she started, regaining her composure quickly with a teasing smile, "I suppose being handsome isn't your only talent."

Luke feigned exaggerated hurt once again, a playful grin undermining his act. "Your words are sharper than my bullets."

She chuckled softly, finally extending her hand. "Since you're determined to keep impressing me, I might as well introduce myself properly. I'm Elena."

Luke reached out to shake her offered hand lightly, his grin softening into a genuine smile. "Luke Raynott—though, judging by earlier, it seems you already remembered."

"Hard to forget," she responded smoothly, matching his tone effortlessly. After a brief moment, Elena leaned forward slightly, voice dropping into a quieter, more intimate tone. "So, Luke, planning on tackling any other impossible feats tonight?"

He chuckled warmly, shaking his head. "I think I've done enough for one day. Though, if you'd like, you could give me your contact details. That way I can tell you in advance next time—maybe you won’t have to work overtime just to wait for me."

Elena hesitated for a brief moment before nodding with a soft laugh, reaching out her wrist towards his academy-issued watch. "Fair enough. I'll hold you to that."

After exchanging contacts with a playful air, Luke stepped back, giving her a parting wave. "Until next time, Elena."

She waved back lightly, her smile lingering as she returned to her ledger. "Try not to bite off more than you can chew, Luke."

"No promises," Luke replied easily, walking away with a satisfied smile on his lips.

Exiting the Dungeon Hall, Luke's thoughts shifted to the items he'd intentionally withheld. He'd acquired far more loot than he'd let Elena see, thanks to the system’s absurd reward multiplier. A private loot exchange in the West Gate's city area would be a safer bet for selling everything without drawing undue suspicion. Although the fees were steeper, discretion was well worth the price.

Stepping into the cool night air, Luke inhaled deeply, savoring the crisp, refreshing breeze. Szeth, still asleep around his neck, shifted slightly with a contented sigh. Luke chuckled softly, scratching the serpent gently beneath his metallic chin.

"You did good today, buddy," he murmured quietly. "Sleep well. We've got some shopping to do."

His shredded armor reminded him painfully of just how brutal the fights had been. He was lucky to have emerged relatively unscathed, but it was a lesson learned—he needed better gear.

Luke casually walked through the lively streets of the West Gate's city area, his blue eyes calmly taking note of the various loot exchanges and stores that remained active even at this late hour. Midnight or not, adventurers and students alike filled the street, their animated conversations mingling into a steady hum of activity. Although notably quieter than during daylight hours, it was clear that the West Gate never truly slept.

After strolling past a few establishments, Luke's eyes were eventually drawn to a premium-looking building that seemed to function both as a loot exchange and a store. The storefront was impressive, boasting crystal-clear glass displays that showcased expensive-looking gear and monster parts. Deciding he had found a suitable place to unload his excess loot, Luke pushed open the polished wooden door and stepped inside.

"Good evening, esteemed customer!" greeted a well-dressed shopkeeper from behind an ornate wooden counter. His dark hair was slicked back, and a neatly groomed mustache adorned his upper lip. His eyes briefly scanned Luke's tattered armor but quickly focused on Szeth, the metallic serpent comfortably coiled around Luke's shoulders, clearly indicating Luke's high status.

"What can I do for you tonight, young sir?" the shopkeeper asked politely, his tone tinged with anticipation.

Luke nodded in greeting, approaching the counter with an easy smile. "I have some loot I'd like to sell. Interested?"

The shopkeeper’s eyes sparkled with immediate enthusiasm. "Certainly, please place your items here. I'll evaluate them swiftly."

Without further ado, Luke retrieved the loot from his inventory, laying out six Queen's Venom Sacks, fourteen bundles of Obsidian-web Silk, and seven intimidating Broodmother's Fangs onto the counter. The shopkeeper's expression momentarily faltered, clearly taken aback by the boss-tier items Luke had casually presented. Quickly regaining his composure, he expertly assessed the goods, occasionally scribbling something onto a parchment.

"Hmm," the shopkeeper finally spoke, carefully masking his excitement. "Considering their exceptional demand, I can offer you... 1,120 gold, or 11,200 sils for everything."

Luke's heart nearly skipped a beat at the price, though he expertly maintained a poker face. He tilted his head slightly, feigning dissatisfaction. "Come on, my friend. These are fresh off a boss kill—surely you can do better. I’m selling my whole team’s loot after all."

The shopkeeper chuckled lightly, apparently expecting some negotiation. "Ah, fine. You drive a hard bargain. How about a clean 1,200 gold?"

Luke's expression brightened subtly, satisfied with the figure. "Deal."

Swiftly exchanging the loot for a pouch filled with heavy gold coins, Luke briefly glanced at his damaged armor. "I also need something sturdier," he mentioned casually. "Light armor, meant for archers, hunters, or rangers."

The shopkeeper, sensing another profitable sale, immediately straightened, practically glowing with enthusiasm. "Right this way, sir."

Luke followed him to a section lined with sleek, lightweight armor. Each set seemed both flexible and durable. After a brief exploration, Luke's eyes settled on an armor set displayed prominently, its craftsmanship distinctly superior.

The shopkeeper noticed his interest, instantly providing details. "Ah, an excellent choice—the Nightstalker Armor Set, uncommon rank and perfect for nimble adventurers."

Luke scrutinized the armor carefully, pulling up its system details:

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Nightstalker Chestpiece (Uncommon)

A finely tailored leather chestpiece reinforced with darksteel threads, providing enhanced protection and flexibility, favored by stealthy combatants.

Defense: 21
Agility Bonus: +4
Dexterity Bonus: +2
Set Effect: "Night Prowler" (Wearing at least two pieces of this set increases critical strike chance by 7%. Wearing all pieces grants an additional 5% agility.)

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Nightstalker Leggings (Uncommon)

Supple leather leggings fortified with interwoven plates of darksteel, granting sturdy protection and increased agility for quick movements.

Defense: 13
Agility Bonus: +2
Dexterity Bonus: +1
Set Effect: "Night Prowler" (Wearing at least two pieces of this set increases critical strike chance by 7%. Wearing all pieces grants an additional 5% agility.)

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Nightstalker Bracers (Uncommon)

Sturdy leather bracers inlaid with small, lightweight darksteel segments, enhancing wrist protection without sacrificing precision.

Defense: 7
Dexterity Bonus: +2
Set Effect: "Night Prowler" (Wearing at least two pieces of this set increases critical strike chance by 7%. Wearing all pieces grants an additional 5% agility.)

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Nightstalker Boots (Uncommon)

Lightweight boots made from reinforced leather, lined with silent padding for stealth and swift footwork.

Defense: 6
Agility Bonus: +3
Set Effect: "Night Prowler" (Wearing at least two pieces of this set increases critical strike chance by 7%. Wearing all pieces grants an additional 5% agility.)

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Luke felt instantly convinced, knowing the increased mobility and dexterity matched his combat style perfectly. "I’ll take two sets of this armor," he announced decisively.

The shopkeeper smiled widely, seeing another major sale. "Two sets, excellent choice. The total will be 1,200 sils, each set is priced at 600 sils."

Luke clicked his tongue in mock disapproval, beginning another round of banter and negotiation. After a good five minutes of friendly arguing, Luke managed only a modest discount, bringing each set down to 550 sils.

He begrudgingly handed over 110 gold, realizing just how significant the jump in price between common and uncommon armor sets truly was. The normal set he'd previously purchased cost only 75 sils, a mere fraction compared to what he'd just spent. Still, he knew better than to compromise safety—this dungeon run had taught him that much.

Feeling well-equipped and slightly lighter in the pocket, Luke exited the store, finally heading back toward the academy. Despite having multiple boss-level items in his inventory, he chose not to sell any yet. He wasn’t in dire need of money, and it was always better to be cautious.

The next day, Sunday, Luke took full advantage of his rest day, lounging around and recovering from the exhaustive dungeon runs. Come Monday morning, he walked into Professor Elric's classroom, feeling fully refreshed and ready to tackle whatever awaited.

Almost immediately, Trenton appeared by his side, leaning over to whisper conspicuously. "Yo, Luke. Heard something interesting this morning. We're apparently getting a new classmate today."

Luke shrugged, uninterested. "So? Is that supposed to be exciting?"

Trenton shook his head, clearly bothered by Luke's dismissiveness. "You don't get it—this never happens. The academy doesn't take students mid-semester. The rules are strict, man."

"Still don't care," Luke replied blandly, unpacking his books.

"But that's not all," Trenton pressed on eagerly. "Rumor has it, the new student isn't just anyone. They're a summoned candidate. And even crazier, they were sponsored directly by THE Sylvie Redfern."

At the mention of Sylvie Redfern, Luke's attention immediately sharpened. A clear image of the captivating, blindfolded redhead from his summoning day flashed vividly through his mind. A summoned candidate sponsored personally by Sylvie—now that was intriguing.

Luke leaned in closer, finally intrigued. "Viscount Sylvie Redfern? The Scarlet Blade?" After that day, Luke had done his research and found out everything available known about the mysterious woman. And she was still just as clouded in mystery as the day he had met her.

Trenton nodded eagerly, delighted at finally piquing Luke’s interest. "Exactly. It's causing a huge commotion,” then, he recalled something mid conversation, “Wait, weren’t you also bidded on by Viscount Redfern?"

“Yeah, something like that.” Luke dismissed him as he sat down on his seat. Slightly curious about the new classmate they’d be getting.