*Oh my god, let me process this.* Drake's mind raced. *How did I get here? I'm sure when I collapsed, Percival and the others had me delivered somewhere, but why here? Why not a hospital? This is a freaking noble's house—Elsa's place, no less. I'm freaking out here.*
"Um, Drake?" Elsa tapped him lightly on the shoulder. "Are you okay? What's freaking you out so much? Your face looks like your stomach is under attack. Are you hungry?"
"No, it's fine. I'm not really that hungry. I'm just a bit surprised to be at your place," Drake said, trying to keep his voice steady.
"I know, right? Isn't it exciting?" Elsa beamed.
*Exciting, she says. I wonder what her parents think. If only I hadn't been secretly brought here...* Drake's stomach churned. *Who am I kidding?*
"Huh..." Drake sighed unconsciously, the sound escaping before he could stop it.
Elsa's head tilted. "Drake, why the dramatic sigh? Are you sure you're okay?" She leaned toward his face with suspicious eyes. "Are you certain you don't want something to eat?"
Drake jolted back. "No, I'm certain I'm okay and not hungry."
"But that's strange, considering you've been unconscious for four days now." Elsa squinted like she was trying to see through his act.
*Four days?! Seriously? I only stayed with Lady Astral for maybe two hours.* Drake's stomach rumbled traitorously. *And I am hungry. I just have to play things cool.*
Without warning, Elsa grabbed Drake's face, startling him as she gazed intently into his eyes.
"Oh my!" Madeline gasped from across the room.
"Elsaaa, what do you think you're doing?" Drake asked, reddening and panicking simultaneously.
"What do you think I'm doing?" Elsa shot back.
"I don't know—harassing me? Trying to kiss me maybe?" Drake blurted.
Elsa blushed crimson and shoved his face back, suddenly aware of Madeline's wide-eyed stare.
"Shut up, pervert! I was just studying your condition. You look very pale—you seriously need to eat something. I'll make sure someone prepares something healthy for you," Elsa said, flustered.
"Thank you, Elsa, but you don't have to bother your—"
"Shh." Elsa placed a finger on his lips, silencing him. "Not another word. You need to accept help from people, you know. Stop trying to handle everything on your own."
Drake remembered Astral's words: *'It's not bad to get help. There's only so much a single person can do.'* His tension melted away. "Okay. I'll take you up on your offer," he spoke against her finger.
"Now that's the spirit! I'll make sure it's really delicious. Promise." Elsa pulled back with a satisfied smile.
The other maid returned, pushing the door open slowly. "My lady, your father wishes to speak with you, and he requests to have a word with our awakened guest later this evening."
"Okay, tell my father I'll be right there," Elsa said.
"Yes, my lady." The maid bowed and left.
"What does my father want now?" Elsa wondered aloud.
*Now this is getting out of hand. Why does he want to see me?* Drake thought nervously.
"Drake, I'll have to leave you for now. Make sure to wash up—Madeline here will bring you a fresh set of clothes," Elsa said, walking toward the door. "See you later."
As Elsa left, Madeline curtsied politely. "If you'll excuse me too, Mr. Lorenzo, I'll leave you to it. In case you need anything, please let me know." She bowed and closed the door behind her.
Drake collapsed face-first onto the bed. "What am I even going to say to Elsa's parents?" He rolled over, staring at the ornate ceiling.
*It doesn't help thinking about it. Why don't I check my stats? I'm sure that sweet shadow blade is in my inventory.*
"System, show stats," Drake said, clasping his hands behind his head.
Silence. Nothing.
"Seriously, System? I thought we were over this already."
[SHADOW ARSENAL SYSTEM]
*I think you know I have a name, oh oblivious host.*
The system screen materialized before him with obvious attitude.
"Such a handful. Sarah, can you show me my stats please? Is that better, oh sarcastic system?"
*Yes, much better.* The screen flickered and changed to his stats.
[SHADOW ARSENAL SYSTEM]
Class:Shadow Gunslinger [Lvl: 5]
Name:Drake Lorenzo
Race: Human
Height:6'6"
Status:
• Health: 150 / 150
• Mana: 150,000 / 150,000
• Endurance: 150 / 150
Attributes:
• Strength: 2,000 • Agility: 100
• Intelligence: 180 • Speed: 150
• Stamina: 100 • Precision: 200
• Charm: 100 • Adaptability: 100
Abilities:
• Shadow Step – Ready
• Phantom Shots – Ready
• Stealth – Duration: 40s
• Eclipse – Cooldown: 40s
• Black Vortex – Cooldown: 10s
• Skill Craft – Ready
• Weakness Perception – Cooldown: 2 min
• Parallel – Duration: 2min | Cooldown: 50s
• Omen Sight – Duration: 10s | Cooldown: 2min
New Abilities:
• Divine Blessing: Veil of Resilience
Skills Crafted:
• Martial Arts Mastery (Rank C)
"Sweet! My martial arts mastery leveled up. I totally forgot about Omen Sight—dope name. I'll have to try it out soon. And I can see Lady Astral's blessing registered as a skill. That's cool." Drake grinned. "Now for my inventory."
"Sarah, inventory please." The stat board switched seamlessly.
[SHADOW ARSENAL SYSTEM]
[INVENTORY INTERFACE]
Type:Shadowbound Dimensional Storage
Slots Used: 8 / 50
Weight Load:220 lbs / 500 lbs
Equipped Weapons:
1. Twin Pistols of Midnight Howl
2. Shadow Blade: Tsukuyomi
Inventory Items:
• 2x Shadow Charges
• 0x Basic Healing Flask
• 1x Blank Skill Core
Loot Acquired:
• 6x Shadow Fangs – Rare-grade crafting material
• 6x Wolf Hides – Standard armor material
• 6x Raw Beast Meat – Fresh, high-protein.
"There we go. I can see Tsukuyomi has made himself comfortable next to my twin pistols." Drake smirked. "This is sick."
"Time to see if summoning works the same for Tsukuyomi." Drake stretched one arm toward the ceiling. "Tsukuyomi, come to me."
SWOOSH!
Tsukuyomi materialized in his outstretched hand with a satisfying clink.
SLICE! SLICE!
Drake swung the sword left and right, the blade humming through the air. "Now this is what I'm talking about! It's light, durable, super sharp, and powerful—plus it can be summoned like my pistols."
With a graceful twirl, Drake tossed the blade into the air and let it vanish back into his inventory, releasing a satisfied sigh.
"So Sarah, when do we start training? I'm sure I'm more than ready, you know. I can't wait to test out my sick shadow blade."
[Sarah's Response]
*Don't worry, Drake. It will start when you least expect it. Trust me.*
The system screen flickered ominously.
"Is that supposed to be a good thing?" Drake asked warily.
[Sarah's Response]
*It's for you to decide. You said you wanted to train, right? I'll make sure to keep you to it.*
"Okay..." Drake closed his eyes as the system screen vanished. "I think everything's been checked out. Now I rest."
KNOCK! KNOCK!
A sudden knock came from the door.
"Yes, come in," Drake called.
Madeline entered, holding a pristinely folded black suit. She placed it carefully on the small table by the wall.
"Mr. Lorenzo, this is the suit Lady Elsa said I should give you. You're to wear this for the evening talk and at the dining table. You'll be eating with the Leclairs—be honored," Madeline said with a curtsy.
"Thank you." Drake stood, walking toward the suit as Madeline departed.
"Hmm, a suit." Drake picked it up and examined it. "Not bad. I'm sure it'll look good on me. Elsa always thinks of everything." He smiled warmly.
SNIFF SNIFF.
Drake caught his own scent. "I'm not necessarily smelly or dirty, but I definitely need a proper bath. I wonder where the bathroom is."
He walked to his door and pulled it open, revealing a long hallway stretching in both directions with multiple doors.
"This is going to take a while," Drake muttered.
He stepped out, walking as quietly as possible. Opening the first door, he found another guest room. "Nope, not here."
The next door—same thing. Guest room. The third revealed an art room filled with paintings and sculptures.
"Yeah, definitely not a bathroom," Drake thought, growing frustrated.
"Where is the bathroom?" he sighed aloud.
"May I help you, sir?" a voice came from behind, startling him.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you, but I can see you're lost. I've been put in charge of you, so if you need something, let me know. Don't go wandering into random rooms," Madeline said patiently.
"Yeah, I was trying to find the bathroom," Drake said sheepishly.
"Sir... you have a bathroom in your room. I'm sure you didn't notice," Madeline said with barely concealed amusement.
"Right. I didn't really look around," Drake said awkwardly.
"This way, sir." Madeline escorted him back to his room. "Don't forget—if you need anything, let me know." She closed the door with a soft click.
Drake turned, scanning the room properly this time. There, partially hidden behind an ornate screen, was the bathroom door.
"That's what I get for not checking my surroundings. Time for a shower." Drake began undressing, tossing his clothes onto the bed.
♥♥♥
"Drake, did you see the suit I sent for you? I hope it fits well," Elsa said, bursting into Drake's room without knocking.
"Drake?" No response. She could see the suit still on the table and Drake's sleeping robe discarded on the bed.
SPLASH!
"Cold! Cold! COLD!"
Elsa heard water running and Drake's panicked cries from the bathroom. She giggled despite herself. *It seems Lorenzo is taking a bath—an icy one, in fact.*
Then she blushed crimson. *Does he know where the towels are?*
A dangerous idea struck her, and she began unbuttoning her dress.
*Elsa, you're not being perverted. You don't just want to see Drake's bare skin again,* she rationalized, heading to the wardrobe. She grabbed a large towel, wrapping it around herself from chest to hips, her face burning red.
*You're just going in to give Drake a towel. Nothing more, nothing less,* she convinced herself, knowing full well that wasn't entirely true.
She steadied her racing heartbeat and breathing. "Okay, let's go, Elsa."
She advanced toward the bathroom where Drake remained blissfully unaware of Elsa's unannounced towel delivery service.
The bathroom door stood slightly ajar, steam curling out. Elsa's hand trembled as she reached for the handle, her heart hammering against her ribs.
*What am I doing?* she thought, frozen at the threshold between propriety and desire.
From inside came the sound of Drake humming contentedly, completely oblivious to the chaos she was about to unleash.
—TO BE CONTINUED—