Chapter 48: A Day in the Life
Blade walked through the massive gates of Stone Dragon City, the hum of activity immediately washing over him. Merchants shouted their wares, guards patrolled the streets, and players from all over the frontier moved in every direction. The city was alive, chaotic, and full of opportunities—or danger.
Ignoring the crowds, Blade navigated toward the narrow alley where his rented house waited. The modest building looked unremarkable from the outside, tucked between a blacksmith's forge and a merchant's shop, but inside, it was enough for him to rest, think, and prepare for the next step of his journey.
He unlocked the door and stepped inside. The familiar dim light of the interior welcomed him. Dropping his bag in the corner, Blade lifted his visor and slowly removed his Frostlink Neural Visor, carefully placing it in his inventory. The soft hum of the interface confirmed the action.
With a flick of his fingers, he opened the interface. Character stats, inventory, quests, and energy readings appeared before his eyes in neat lines. He scanned quickly, making sure everything was in order—no anomalies, no missed updates. Satisfied, he leaned back in his chair, letting out a quiet sigh.
"Time to log out," he muttered. His fingers danced across the interface, selecting the logout option. A brief warning appeared: Logging out in a safe location is recommended. Proceed? Blade smirked. "I know what I'm doing."
The city noises vanished. The interface closed, and his consciousness returned to the real world. Blade removed his headset and stepped out of the gaming pod. The room was quiet, lit only by the soft glow of a desk lamp. Stretching, he moved to the bathroom, took a quick shower, and felt the tension from the dungeon and frontier slip away.
Afterward, he returned to his small bedroom, brushed his teeth, and changed into clean clothes. Breakfast was simple—toast and tea—but enough to fuel him. While eating, he reviewed notes about the game, planning the routes, merchants, and quests he wanted to explore next. By the time he washed up and prepared for bed, night had fully fallen. Another day behind him, another adventure awaiting.
The next morning, Blade woke early, refreshed and ready. After a quick shower and breakfast, he returned to the gaming pod. Gloves adjusted, visor in place, Ascender Online loaded around him, the city of Stone Dragon City sprawling before him once again.
He leaned back, stretching his fingers over the controls. The streets buzzed with life—players training on sparring dummies, trading rare items, testing spells. Hovering quest icons indicated new opportunities, while faint energy signatures from other players hinted at Synthesis use in motion.
Blade decided to start small: a nearby merchant needed help restocking lost supplies. A simple fetch quest, marked clearly on his mini-map. Along the way, he observed players practicing their abilities, many relying on raw Synthesis without control. Blade's movements were deliberate, precise—an edge forged in the real world under years of training in Summerland's Iron City.
At the outskirts of a storage warehouse, he spotted the first crate of lost supplies, half-buried behind overturned barrels. A small swarm of hostile animated shadows had scavenged the area. Blade's fingers moved instinctively. Sword drawn, he dispatched them efficiently, every strike calculated, his real-world experience giving him a precision few could match.
With the crate secured, he returned it to the merchant, earning his gold and minor experience. The simple task was over, but Blade already felt the city's pull. Whispers of guilds, hidden dungeons, and rare items promised adventure, challenges, and dangers at every corner.
Stone Dragon City wasn't just a place to rest—it was alive, vibrant, unpredictable. Blade paused in the plaza, observing the flow of players, merchants, and the faint traces of Synthesis energy flickering through some of them. A faint smile crossed his face. Today was just the beginning, and the city held countless stories waiting for someone like him. Blade was ready to step into every one of them.