The system echoed again, flat and emotionless:
[ Would Rider like to view detailed Rider and Scooter Status? ]
Chen Le swallowed hard. "Uh… yeah… show it."
A glowing panel instantly opened in front of him.
[Rider Status]
Name: Chen Le
Level: 1 (50/100 EXP)
Strength: 5
Agility: 6
Stamina: 5
Karma Points: 10
[Scooter Status]
Model: Soulbound Scooter (Basic)
Speed: 10
Durability: 8
Cargo Capacity: 5
Fuel: Mana Fuel (80%)
[ Upgrade Points Available: 200 ]
---
Chen Le gawked, his eyes darting between the Rider and Scooter columns. His hand automatically reached out to the scooter's still-warm handlebars.
"What the hell… my delivery scooter actually has stats? Even a mana fuel gauge… only eighty percent left, too."
The panel pulsed calmly, as if waiting for his next input.
Chen Le rested his helmet on the mirror and leaned back on the scooter seat.
He rubbed his chin, staring at the 200 Upgrade Points.
"If I dump it all into me, the scooter stays junk. If I dump it all into the scooter, I'll stay weak… and after that last horror-run, I can't rely on luck forever. Forget it—split it down the middle. We're partners in this."
He slid the options on the holographic panel.
[ Allocation: Rider 100 / Scooter 100 ]
Instantly, blue light wrapped around his body and the scooter at the same time. A thin breeze whispered, the soul-parking lot humming faintly.
[ Upgrade Applied ]
[Rider Status]
Name: Chen Le
Level: 1 (50/100 EXP)
Strength: 15 (+10)
Agility: 12 (+6)
Stamina: 20 (+15)
Mana: 50 (Unlocked)
Karma Points: 10
[Scooter Status]
Model: Soulbound Scooter (Basic → Enhanced)
Speed: 20 (+10)
Durability: 15 (+7)
Cargo Capacity: 10 (+5)
Fuel: Mana Fuel (80%)
Feature Unlocked: Turbo Dash (Short Burst Speed)
---
Chen Le felt his body lighten, breath easier, strength in his legs like back in high school sports days. And beneath his skin—an unfamiliar current flowing.
"This… mana? So I can use magic too, or what?"
The scooter beside him purred, its headlight blinking twice. A new icon flashed on its panel: Turbo Dash – Ready.
Chen Le's jaw dropped. "Turbo? You can boost now? Damn, scooter just evolved into a racing bike without any modification."
He patted its fuel tank, a small grin forming.
"Nice. Guess we're officially a best duo now."
The panel dimmed slowly, leaving only Chen Le and his now-stronger, more alive scooter.
Before he could even try Turbo Dash, the ground on the far side of the parking lot trembled. Yellow lines cracked open, blue light spilling upward.
Wuuumm—
A portal opened, cold air rushing out. From inside came the heavy sound of hoofbeats.
Chen Le turned. Out stepped a muscular white horse, coat gleaming faintly, eyes glowing like crystals. On its saddle sat a woman with long blonde hair, sharp elven ears, and a face as cold as ice. Two large sacks hung neatly at the horse's sides.
The horse stopped at an empty slot next to Chen Le's scooter, lowering its head slightly, as if following the lot's invisible rules.
Chen Le blinked hard. "No way… this place has horse parking too?"
The elf dismounted gracefully, her icy gaze briefly scanning him. "You're new as well, Rider?" Her voice was soft, but firm.
Chen Le stood awkwardly. "Uh… yeah. Name's Chen Le. You?"
The elf straightened her shoulders, reciting a long, sharp name—consonants and vowels clashing like Russian and German mashed together.
Chen Le tried to repeat it, tongue twisting. "An… Ana… Kruz… Lecht… ahzli?"
The elf exhaled through her nose, flicking her hair back. "Just call me Lia. Easier."
Chen Le sighed in relief. "Now that I can pronounce. Lia."
She gave him a long, assessing look, while her white horse snorted frost from its nostrils.
Chen Le glanced sideways at the elf, still half in disbelief. First time seeing an actual elf—long golden hair, sharp ears, elegant aura. Straight out of an RPG, but real, right next to him.
"Uh… so, Lia, how'd you end up as a Delivery Rider too?" His voice carried a mix of curiosity and awe.
Lia lowered her gaze briefly, stroking her horse's neck. "I was a courier. My duty was to deliver letters and goods between elf and human kingdoms. On my last route, I was ambushed by bandits. I was gravely wounded… then fell into a coma. That is when the contract found me."
Chen Le blinked wide. "So… also a courier…" He muttered softly, almost in disbelief.
Lia's eyes remained flat. "Yes. Much like you, it seems."
Chen Le sighed, then gave a small grin. "I thought I was the only one here."
The elf didn't answer, but her eyes softened slightly.
Lia flicked her hair back again, a habitual motion. From the corner of her eye, she caught Chen Le's gaze lingering—clear admiration in his expression.
Is he… captivated? Lia nearly chuckled inwardly. Back home, her looks were average for an elf—nothing special.
She sighed quietly and stared ahead again, pretending indifference. But a faint smile tugged at her lips. This human… so simple-minded, getting impressed over trivial things.
Chen Le quickly averted his gaze, embarrassed. "Uh, right… so yeah, you're a real courier, huh…"
The air of the parking lot trembled. Blue light rose, forming a massive holographic panel between them.
[ New Order – Co-Op Mission ]
Type: Pickup Delivery
Riders Required: 2
Proposed Participants:
– Chen Le (Earth SR-01)
– Lia (Elven Kingdom SR-04)
Accept this order?
[ Yes ] / [ No ]
Chen Le squinted at the panel. "So… the system asks first, doesn't just drag us in?"
Without hesitation, Lia tapped [Yes]. "Accept."
Chen Le snapped his head toward her. "Eh? You didn't even think about it?"
"What's there to think about?" she replied, flat. "If the system offers it, it means it's doable. Our job is simply to deliver."
Chen Le huffed, eyes drifting back to the panel. "Hmm… fair enough. Back in my world, delivery's the same—doesn't matter how annoying the order is. If it pays, we roll."
His finger tapped [Yes]. The panel flashed, a checkmark appearing by both their names.
[ Co-Op Order Accepted ]
Pickup countdown: 00:30:00
Two Riders will be dispatched to the pickup location.