NOVEL NEXT Chapter 100: Food, more food...
Phone in hand, his eyes scanned the screen with precision, flicking through listings of settlement agencies—some official, others freelance-based. Each offered different packages: housing, permits, safety guarantees, mana insulation services, proximity to Labyrinth gates…
His thumb hovered over one listing for a moment longer than the others: "Obsidian Anchor Settlements – Durable, Affordable, and Licensed."
He tapped it open, skimming through the details—pricing tiers, available housing units, and reviews. Not great—but not terrible either.
But with the amount of money sitting in his account now, he wasn't about to settle for something basic.
Not anymore.
He closed the page.
"Still haven't found a place to your liking?" Mia asked, leaning over slightly, eyes scanning his screen.
Ethan gave a small nod. "Yeah."
He paused, then chuckled. "That too."
They turned onto a quieter street, where the background noise of magical engines and chatter faded into the rustling wind. A vendor up ahead was roasting skewered mana-beast meat over enchanted coals, the smoky, peppery scent trailing through the air.
Mia's stomach betrayed her with an audible growl.
"…Hungry?" Ethan asked, casting a glance her way.
Mia scratched her cheek, giving a sheepish grin. "I haven't had real food in a while. Those recovery potions taste like metal."
He didn't say anything, just walked over to the vendor and returned with two steaming skewers, handing one to her.
"Thanks," she said, accepting it gratefully before taking a bite. Her eyes lit up instantly. "Mmm… okay, this is worth surviving for."
Ethan smirked. "Glad you think so."
But even as he stood there, chewing slowly, his mind was already back to scrolling.
He pulled up another listing:
Skyhaven Estate – Premium Shared Living, High-tier Amenities. Communal lounges, in-house chefs, mana pools.
He grimaced.
Shared.
Living.
Absolutely not.
He didn't want strangers knocking on his door at odd hours. He didn't want forced social gatherings. He didn't want someone peeking over his shoulder while he trained or someone asking questions he wasn't obligated to answer.
Too exposed.
Too crowded.
He swiped left.
Next.
Redlight Sector Commons – Affordable private rooms, shared facilities, rotating roommates.
Another hard pass.
What the hell did rotating roommates even mean?
Swipe.
Grimhall Plaza – Solo units available, but under strict monitoring. Mana fluctuation trackers installed.
Ethan blinked.
Monitored?
He didn't even bother finishing that one.
Swipe.
He kept going—one after another. Some were too noisy, too cramped, too monitored, too public. Others were in sectors he knew would be crawling with rival guilds, cocky mercs, or arrogant noble spawn.
He didn't need trouble breathing down his neck before he even set foot in the Great Labyrinth.
What he needed was space.
Privacy.
And a place to train without limits.
Then… he found it.
Unit #314, Ironroot Sector. Modest, fortified, solo-license compatible. Monthly cost: 500,000 Nexs.
Expensive. Painfully expensive.
But then he saw the specs.
Advanced enchantments for defense.
Private mana calibration room.
Test bots and sparring machines for different ranks.
Soundproof chambers.
Flexible interior configurations.
Ethan's eyes narrowed slightly.
This one was different.
It was exactly what he was looking for. A place where he could grow. Sharpen his edge. Focus without interference.
He paused for a moment. Weighed the options. Considered the risks.
It costs a whooping 500,000 Nexs per month, totaling up to 6 million a year.
But he could afford it now. He had enough saved up from the weapon sales alone. And with more dungeon raids ahead, income wouldn't be a problem—as long as he stayed smart.
He hovered over the [Reserve] button.
While he could've gone with the three-month trial option, he didn't even consider it.
He selected the full-year plan.
One full year. Paid in advance.
He tapped [Confirm].
The screen shimmered softly with a brief flash of light, a confirmation rune spinning once before fading into a simple message:
Unit #314 Reserved. Welcome to Ironroot.
Ethan exhaled through his nose.
Done.
No more bouncing around. No more temporary solutions.
From now on, this was his base. His ground zero.
He pocketed the phone and glanced up, his eyes settling once more on the distant silhouette of the Great Labyrinth, towering like a slumbering titan across the edge of the sky.
Mia was still chewing happily beside him, her face lit up with simple joy.
And for a second, just a second, Ethan allowed himself to feel it too.
Feeling a little lighter inside, Ethan turned to Mia with a faint grin. "These barely count as snacks," he said, holding up the half-finished skewer. "Let's hit an actual restaurant. Some real food. After that, we'll head to the agency where I'll get the keys and whatever else they're giving me. Full authorization over the house too."
Mia perked up, her eyes brightening. "You serious? I've been dying to sit down in a real place. Not just those sterile hospital trays."
Ethan smirked. "Trust me, I've had worse. Try choking down half-warmed dungeon rations after a fight."
Mia laughed. "Okay, fair. You win."
They made their way down the street, past rows of buildings lined with glowing glyphs and flickering mana signs. The farther they walked, the more lively things became—laughter from nearby taverns, mana-powered vehicles whirring past, and the soft hum of enchanted lamps casting shifting shadows on the stone-paved road.
Eventually, they found it.
A cozy, two-story restaurant with an open terrace and a faint golden glow spilling from the windows. The sign above read:
"The Silver Boar – Home of Adventurer's Appetite."
Ethan gave a short nod of approval. "Sounds promising."
They stepped inside, greeted by the warm scent of roasted meat, fresh herbs, and baked bread. The place was vibrant—hunters, mercs, and travelers filled the tables, swapping stories over ale and stacked plates. Mana lanterns floated mid-air, casting a soft ambiance over the rustic decor.
A cheerful waitress, clad in a white-and-silver uniform, approached. "Table for two?"
"Yeah," Ethan nodded.
They were seated near the window, the table made of darkwood etched with faint runes that shimmered gently under their touch. Mia leaned back in her chair, sighing. "This already feels like a luxury."
They browsed the menu.
Mana-Beast Steak with Bloodroot Sauce.
Crystal Carp Fillets.
Lava-baked Wyvern Eggs.
Spiced Earthroot Mash.
Healer's Delight Soup.
Arcane Ice Cream.
Mia's eyes widened. "I want the steak… and that ice cream. No—wait. Maybe the soup too…"
"You're allowed to go wild, you know," Ethan said casually, tossing his menu aside. "Get everything if you want."
Mia blinked, then leaned forward dramatically. "Say that again. Slowly."
Ethan snorted. "Eat. Whatever. You. Want."
"Bless your soul."
They placed their orders—Ethan went with the Crystal Carp and lava-baked eggs, and Mia doubled up on the steak and ice cream. The waitress left with a smile, and they sat back, taking in the warm atmosphere.
"I still can't believe how fast things are changing," Mia said, watching a couple nearby laugh over their drinks. "One minute I was half-dead in a medical room, and now I'm here."
Ethan leaned on one elbow. "It's just the beginning. There's a long road ahead."
"I know…" Her tone turned a little more serious, but there was still a flicker of joy in her eyes. "But it doesn't feel scary when I'm not alone."
He didn't say anything to that. Just gave her a small smile.
The food arrived not long after—hot, steaming, fragrant.
The Crystal Carp was lightly glazed and glistened under soft golden spice, practically melting as Ethan took the first bite. The eggs were runny in the center, with a smoky flavor that lingered.
Mia's steak sizzled on a mana-hot plate, and when she cut into it, steam rushed out like mist from a boiling lake.
She moaned—loudly. "This. This right here? This is happiness."
Ethan raised a brow, amused. "You're acting like you just awakened a legendary class."
"I did, Ethan. It's called Meatbender of Bliss."
They both laughed.
For the first time in what felt like forever, the air between them wasn't heavy. There were no looming deadlines, no desperate fights or cold hospital beds. Just the clink of cutlery, the heat of good food, and the warmth of each other's presence.
They talked more between bites—about the odd people in the restaurant, the glowing fish floating lazily in the mana-aquarium across the room, about the names of dishes and how ridiculous some of them sounded.
By the time they got to dessert, Mia was practically drooping in her chair.
"I regret nothing," she said as she spooned the last bit of arcane ice cream into her mouth.
Ethan stood, stretching a bit. "Let's head to the agency."
"Yeah," she groaned, getting up and holding her stomach. "But next time, I'm choosing something lighter. Maybe."
They stepped out into the cool dusk air. The streets were dimmer now, but still alive with movement and chatter. Ethan checked his phone again, confirming the address for the housing agency.
This was it. The day was far from over. But it was already a step in the right direction. They stopped a cab and began to head to the Agency...