Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: In the Imperial Capital
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"Alright then."
My showering process isn't as difficult as you might think.
Thanks to technological advancements, modern electric wheelchairs come with various features.
It can handle slightly uneven paths, and even slowly climb stairs. With the push of a button, a track-like mechanism adjusts to the surface and ascends gradually.
Anyway, unlike the dated appliances and furniture around me, this state-of-the-art, welfare-subsidized wheelchair was a huge help in my daily life.
One of those features, in addition to its basic waterproofing, allows the backrest and seat to fold down, letting me shower right in it. It even has a function to dry off any water on the wheelchair afterward.
Of course, I still had to struggle to undress by myself.
Even with my physical limitations, showering was a necessity.
I entered the small bathroom and stared at the showerhead mounted on the wall.
The showerhead was positioned just barely within reach of my seated height.
Gripping the armrest of my wheelchair, I leaned forward slightly and grabbed the shower handle.
Swoooosh.
As the warm water flowed out and hit my shoulders, I felt the sleepiness wash away and my weary body begin to relax.
It was just a small, single room in a shantytown, but the fact that the boiler worked properly was a huge plus.
I let the warm stream of water run over me, lost in thought for a moment.
After twenty-four hours of farming, my body, pushed to its absolute limit, had collapsed into sleep.
My consciousness returned twenty-four hours later, after a full day of sleep.
The final named boss of this dungeon, 'Demon General Aspero,' had a berserk pattern at 0% HP—a six-hit, party-wide AoE attack that was impossible to resist alone without a party protection skill.
Of course, if I kept my HP at full before the berserk pattern, I could tank one hit.
However, the process of tanking that one hit was a major problem for me, as I felt the pain in its entirety.
I gritted my teeth and ran the dungeon on the first day when the weapons were still selling for high prices, but I didn't have the confidence to keep doing that.
The weapon prices on the first day were high enough to make the pain worth it, but starting today, the third day since the dungeon opened, it seemed better to get a carry from Chris's party.
Squeak.
Having finished my shower during that brief moment of reflection, I dried myself off, left the bathroom, and returned the wheelchair to its normal state.
Whirrr.
I used a hairdryer to dry my wet hair.
It took quite a while since my hair is long.
Back in my past life in the modern world, it would have just air-dried. It's in these small moments that I'm reminded of my changed gender.
Since returning to the modern world, I've never once been to a hair salon.
When it grew too long, I'd clumsily trim it myself. I did the same when I was alone on the Astria Continent.
Of course, having now lived as a woman for well over a decade, it didn't feel particularly awkward. Though I've only been a woman in the modern world for a little over a year.
The throbbing headache I had when I first woke up had subsided a bit after the shower.
Lately, my head had been aching frequently, and my body felt sluggish. The occasional nosebleed was a sign that my condition wasn't great.
My body was already weak, and it was probably because I was playing the game for so long. But I had to earn money.
And, since I'd rested well after overexerting myself, I should be fine again starting today.
I checked the message from Chris that had appeared on my smartphone.
[Yin-Yang Master 'Chris' (Online)]
- Message me when you log in! You're in the Alpharion Empire's capital, right? Let's meet in front of the fountain in the central plaza!
I had plans with Chris today.
I had installed the messenger app linked to 'Astria Online' on my smartphone. Since Chris was the only person I'd added as a friend, it was purely to see her messages while I was offline.
I'd saved up a good amount of money from farming the elite dungeon 'Aspero's Fortress' on the first day.
Today, I'd hang out with Chris, and from tomorrow, I could earn more money by running carries.
I glanced around my small home.
I didn't feel any major inconvenience in my daily life, but being a 'shantytown,' its location wasn't ideal. It was inconvenient for the rare occasions I went out. The roads were steep and uneven.
It felt like the day I'd say goodbye to this place wasn't far off.
To a place that, even if small, was a bit cozier and cleaner.
If I earn this much in the next dungeon too, I'll have enough money to secure a decent lease.
Monthly rent is fine, but I don't know how long I'll be able to earn money like this.
If not a place I own, then at least one with a proper lease deposit.
[Welcome to Astria Online]
Vwoom.
With a strange sense of floating, my body returned to the Astria Continent.
Hop, hop. Stretch, stretch.
After finishing my warm-up exercises to get used to my body, I checked my surroundings.
"Hmm."
Since I had logged out in the city after the 24-hour non-stop farming session, I was now in an inn in the Alpharion Empire's capital. Resting or logging out at an inn for a certain amount of time had the effect of restoring the fatigue stat.
Fatigue was another important stat to manage. If it maxed out, you'd get a stat penalty. My character, Rain, had accumulated a significant amount of fatigue before logging out after running dungeons non-stop for 24 hours.
The capitals of each empire had many nice mansions and houses. You could purchase and use them through the 'housing' system.
Players who mainly focused on instance dungeons usually used inns, but those who engaged in crafting and life skills content often bought housing to run their own workshops.
"The housing system, huh."
Should I consider buying a house in Astria Online?
It seems quite expensive, but I spend more time living here anyway.
It would probably be more satisfying than a spacious house in the real world.
The central plaza of the capital wasn't far from the inn. Since Chris said to meet her there, I figured I should start heading over.
Step, step.
Leaving the inn, I took in the scenery of the capital as I walked toward the plaza.
This was the first time I'd properly seen the imperial capital, having spent all my time running dungeons and wandering through villages in the plains and mountains.
Truly the capital of a great empire. It was a very clean city.
The streets were properly paved, and the footsteps of people walking on them echoed cheerfully. The stone buildings lining both sides of the street each had their own unique shapes and colors, exuding a distinct charm.
Lively shops dotted the streets. Their signs were engraved with their names and symbols in golden letters.
In front of a bakery wafting the fragrant scent of bread, there were people who looked like NPCs. Among them, I could also see some players, suggesting that some preferred cheap and portable bread to fill their satiety meter.
When I finally arrived at the wide plaza in the center of the street, there was a fountain shaped like a dragon in the middle.
A clear stream of water poured from the dragon's mouth, filling the basin. Benches and flowerbeds surrounded the fountain, providing a space for people to rest.
I let out a sound of admiration as I gazed at the magnificent fountain.
"Wow, this is amazing."
In the era I was from, the two empires were just fledgling settlements built by humans fleeing the demons, existing in name only.
To see one of them develop to this extent was a novel feeling.
The capital of the Betarion Empire probably looks similar.
Step, step.
As I was admiring the beautiful fountain, I heard the footsteps of two people approaching me.
"Rain! You were already here!"
"Did you wait long? I hope we're not too late."
I turned my head to look at the two who had approached me.
There was Beimerung, the short, pink-haired Mage, and Chris, the tall, red-haired Yin-Yang Master.
"Hello, you two."
I gave a polite, small bow.
I didn't know why they'd asked to meet me in a place like this, but since we had made firm plans a few days ago, I had to hang out with them today.
"Hehe, the scenery in the Alpharion Empire's capital is amazing, isn't it? I was surprised when I first saw it too."
"Yes. It's a very developed city."
A medieval fantasy world. An imperial capital. The level of development was clearly much higher compared to the cities on the frontier.
Then again, even modern-day Seoul still has shantytowns, so maybe it wasn't so different.
"We have a place to take you today, Rain. Beimerung found it when she was here alone the other day, and I'm sure you'll love it."
"Oh."
A shop I would like? For some reason, I felt a sense of anticipation.
I took Chris's and Beimerung's hands and followed where they led.
"Gasp..."
I sat at a clean outdoor table at a shop and looked around.
I'd never been to one in real life, but this was just like...
"A café?"
"Yep. Surprising, isn't it? The owner of this shop is a life skills player. Apparently, they're famous enough to be called an artisan around here."
"They're especially good at making drinks and desserts. The rumor is they gather their own ingredients and recreate the taste of modern desserts almost perfectly."
It's more expensive than drinks at a real-world café, but it seems to provide long-lasting buffs, like mitigating fatigue gain.
The atmosphere of a café enjoyed while admiring the scenery of an imperial capital in a fantasy world. A business catering to players. Is this what economic activity in a multiverse is like?
After a short wait, the drinks Chris had ordered arrived.
It was a transparent, yellowish drink with ice cubes floating in it.
Is it some kind of lemonade? This is the real deal.
My mouth fell open as I admired its beautiful color.
"Hehe, what are you doing? Go on, try it."
I closed my eyes and inhaled the refreshing scent of the lemonade. The aroma of fresh lemons tickled my nose and cooled my spirit.
As I took the first sip, the ice cubes clinked together with a clear sound. The refreshing taste of lemon filled my mouth, enveloping me.
"Wow!"
I exclaimed in delight.
The lemonade was a harmonious blend of sweet and sour. The gentle sweetness of sugar and the zesty tang of lemon stimulated my tongue, seeming to instantly wash away all my accumulated fatigue.
Was this intentional? They have good taste. I felt strength returning to my weary body, exhausted from non-stop farming since the dungeon opened.
As the cold drink slid down my throat, I felt as if I'd found an oasis in the desert heat.
I took another sip, slowly savoring the taste. The freshness of the lemon and the sweet aftertaste lingered in my mouth, making me feel even more refreshed.
"Ooooh...!"
The fresh, tangy aftertaste made me close my eyes and shiver.
It's delicious! So refreshing!
I kept sipping the lemonade.
Chris and Beimerung stopped drinking their own lemonades and just watched me with wide, happy smiles.
It's so good, why aren't they drinking any?
Having already finished my glass, I held out the empty cup.
Then, I spoke timidly.
"...Are you two done with yours?"
The words 'If you're not going to drink it, please give it to me' were left unsaid, but it seemed they understood my meaning.
Chris clutched her stomach, laughing, and ordered me another glass of lemonade.