I feel that familiar sensation again, and what I see around me is once again the apartment. Though I'm still tired and have some wounds on my body, it's to be expected after my body was fighting somewhat dangerous beasts. At least I should be grateful since these wounds will heal in time—I just hope I don't have any strange diseases.
I lie back on my bed, leaving those wounds as they are. After all, I need a lot of rest. Tomorrow, I'll sleep in and then go find a place to eat, since I still have a lot of things to get for this place.
[Please choose the weapon you want:
[Swords] [Spears] [Rapiers] [Gauntlets]
[Greatswords]
]
That's right, I need to choose a weapon that will help me in my next adventure. After all, I don't want to be as defenseless as I am now. If it weren't for that title I earned, things would've gone very badly for me—I might've even ended up with a serious injury.
Looking carefully at the options, the only one that could really help me is the Gauntlets. I've literally never handled a weapon before, and the only thing I'm confident in is fighting with my fists. So, that's the option I'm choosing.
[You have chosen: Gauntlets
[Steel Gauntlets].
[CLAIM REWARD] ]
I claim the reward and feel a pair of steel gauntlets appear in my hands. They're heavy but comfortable, and they seem designed to enhance the power of my punches. At the very least, they'll give me an advantage in future battles.
I put them on and start shadowboxing, feeling fluid movements as I do. It feels really good, but I shouldn't get too carried away—I might end up damaging the place.
The next day, I wake up late, just as I'd planned. The sun is already high, and light streams through the apartment window. I stretch slowly, feeling how my muscles still ache from yesterday's battle. The wounds seem to be healing, but they still hurt.
∆∆∆
After a full night's rest, my body feels much better. Nearly dying multiple times on my first mission makes me hope the next world I go to won't be as harsh and dangerous.
After dressing in comfortable clothes, I decide to go to the mall to buy some things for my apartment. It's a bare-bones place, and I need to furnish it so it at least doesn't look like a homeless person lives there.
"Hey, isn't that William?"
As I walk, I hear a voice I know all too well. When I turn around, I see the whole family dressed somewhat formally.
Leslie and Diana just make disgusted faces. My father gives me a quick glance, and my mother is the only one who looks slightly unsettled—she can't even meet my eyes.
"Brother, what a coincidence running into you here so early in the morning."
Ernesto approaches me with the rest of the family, wearing that smug smile of his. That smile used to annoy me and make me want to punch him, but right now, I don't even care about whatever schemes he's trying to pull.
"I had to go out and buy some things, so let's just say I had to come early. And since you all seem busy, I shouldn't bother you."
Directing those last words at all of them, I turn halfway and continue on my way. But before I can take another step, I feel a sharp tug on my arm. Diana spins me around to face her, her gloved fingers—the ones she always uses to emphasize her "superiority"—digging into my skin.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?"
My annoyed tone doesn't seem to faze Diana, who keeps that socialite smile plastered on her face.
Before I can say anything else, Ernesto places a hand on Diana's shoulder in a fake conciliatory gesture.
"Sister, we don't need to make a scene in public. I'm sure William has a good reason for buying those things."
He looks disdainfully at the items I bought—just some groceries I'll have to learn to cook, since I used to rely a little on the food and leftovers from that house. As much as I wanted to say something to them, I held back.
They can't know I've already moved out. If they find out, they'll probably force me to leave. I want to see how long it takes them to realize I'm no longer living in that house. After that, they won't have any grounds to make me abandon my apartment.
"You mean this? I've just been curious about learning to cook, so I'm buying some things to practice on my own."
The lie flows surprisingly easily. Diana frowns, but it's my mother who speaks:
"At the mall? We have plenty of ingredients at home you could've practiced with. Besides, you could've just had them delivered if there was something missing."
"I wanted to pick things out myself. Stretching my legs once in a while isn't a bad thing. Plus, I was up late last night studying for university entrance exams, so walking around was a way to rest."
My lie was believable, especially with the dark circles under my eyes from my mission in the enchanted forest. Even if they suspect I wasn't home this morning, I can just say I woke up early.
My father furrows his brow, obviously not convinced, but he can't confirm anything either.
"Your attitude lately has been unacceptable. We'll need to have a serious talk about it tonight."
I nod, feigning submission, but inside, I'm smiling. Ernesto will probably do something to make my parents ignore me today—I can tell from that malicious grin he's trying to hide.
I start to walk away, but Diana still has a tight grip on my hand, with no intention of letting go. Her eyes scrutinize my face, searching for any cracks in my façade.
"I don't know what game you're playing, William, but you're not as clever as you think."
She mutters it just loud enough for me to hear. I flash her the fakest smile I can muster.
"I've never pretended to be the smart one in the family, Diana. That's always been your role, hasn't it?"
Finally, she lets go of my arm, clearly thrown off by my attitude. As I walk away, I feel their stares burning into my back, but I don't turn around. Every step is a victory.
"I think I need to head back home. After all, some things I ordered should be waiting for me at my apartment."
∆∆∆
When I get home, I set up the mini-fridge I bought to store my groceries, the two-burner stove, and a small wardrobe for my clothes and some blankets for my bed.
Looking around the now slightly more decorated place, I realize how much progress I've made. I lie down on my bed and open the system, heading straight to the missions tab.
[ [Normal Mission] [Random Mission] ]
Now that I have some understanding of the system and how other worlds might work, I decide to take a risk.
Without further hesitation, I press my finger on Random Mission.
[Are you sure about your choice? Selecting this option will only provide you with information once you're in that world, and you won't be able to weigh the pros and cons beforehand.]
"YES, I'M SURE."
As soon as I say it, the world fades into darkness again.