Logging in

The server maintenance was going to end soon, according to the updates from the website. Milo and the crew decided on how they would adjust the game settings. After his initial start with the gruesome nature of becoming a homunculus, the others wanted to avoid a similar fate. The younger ones opted to reduce pain by up to 80% and slowly increase the amount of pain felt. While the older ones started at 60% pain reduction, some of the younger ones asked why would anyone want to feel pain at all, though overlooked the answer was simple.

Congenital analgesia is a rare disease that makes it to where some people are unable to feel pain at all. If you look at the studies, it shows that due to the patients being unable to feel any pain, there is a high chance that they would accumulate wounds and not even know it. Although players could have a HUD to display their health and such, it was only a rough estimate. If you could fully feel the pain, it would allow you to know what was wrong with your body and how you could fix it. Milo felt like the game was way more complicated and nothing like any novel he ever read as they always avoided such topics.

Soon enough, everyone got back into their capsules and logged back in.

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When Milo logged back in, it was a similar sensation of waking up. As he opened his eyes, he was realized he was alone. The brick fireplace crackled with burning wood that illuminated the room, which left it somewhat warm. He noticed that there were no windows, but he remembered that Lord Archus was a vampire, so he didn't question it any further. On the finely crafted wooden dresser to the right, his Plague doctor's clothing laid neatly folded. As he got off the bed and his feet touched the cobblestone floor, he felt a cold sensation and texture of the stone. Overall, his current living standards seemed to be top-notch as the fabric of his bed seemed to be made of finely made silk and was decorated beautifully with designs. If Milo could compare the architecture, he would assume it was somewhat similar to victorian gothic.

Milo picked up his clothing and attempted to wear them, but it was honestly quite confusing as there were buckles and straps everywhere. Worse, there wasn't even a mirror within the room, but it must be because vampires had no need for it. In the middle of his stupor, a knock came from his door that he didn't hear. Soon the door opened, a young girl who he had assumed was a maid due to her outfit entered while carrying a bison of water. Milo, who had been so profoundly concentrated in figuring out his outfit jump in surprise.

"Oh, my apologies for frightening you," she said as she placed the bison down and brushed her long, brunette hair behind her ear. She quickly giggled as she moved her right hand to cover her mouth after she had noticed Milo before asking, "Would you like some assistance?".

'Ooooo....my wife would kill me if she ever finds out,' thought Milo before stupidly nodding his head 'Screw it? Not going to pass this up.'

Soon enough, she approached before showing him how to properly wear his plague doctor outfit that was made with wool and leather. Apparently, he wasn't supposed to buckle everything, and it was the current fashion she explained. She had chuckled as she unbuckled some of the straps and said, "There we are!" before dusting off her hands.

Milo felt so awkward having someone dress him, but he just wasn't used to this world's customs that it left him staggered. Luckily, he had worn his pants and shirt as that was simple enough, though.

"Uh..thank you. My name is Mi-" suddenly Milo coughed as he realized his mistake and made an excuse "Solus, apologies. I'm quite parched."

"I'm Emelia, a maidservant." she gracefully replied before taking a pitcher and pouring him a cup of water that he failed to notice before. "You've been asleep for almost a day now, but master Archus is currently in an emergency meeting, and he should arrive shortly."

Solus immediately noticed that he could see his reflection within the glass of water, but he couldn't see Emelia within it even though she was right next to him. 'Another vampire?' he promptly assumed before nodding his head.

"For now, the master has instructed me to take you to the training room," she said as she bowed her lithe body down with her hands clasped between her legs. After she rose from her bow, she walked towards the door and motioned her hand for him to follow.

As he left the room and entered the dark hallway that was dimly lit by candles that rested upon the walls, only the sound of his boots clacked against the ground as he followed Emelia. Various furniture decorated the halls, but the most noticeable were the paintings that hung. There were a plethora of paintings of two people. They looked similar in nature to Lord Archus but it gave off a melancholic and a feeling of yearning. Emelia had stopped and allowed him to continue inspecting the paintings before quietly saying "These paintings were drawn by master Archus. The two people are his parents that have long passed away." then began walking away without any more explanation.

"Oh..." Milo said as he couldn't think of what else to say before once more following her.

Soon they turned into a hallway that was illuminated by vast glass windows as sunlight passed through. It was oddly out of place compared to everywhere he's been as there's never been that much natural lighting. Emelia stopped before touching the sunlight then turned towards the window and carefully walked towards a rope that was tied to a metal hook. Slowly, she pulled the ropes that were connected to the closing curtains.

"Master Archus likes to view the garden and often stands on the balcony at night." she smiled before continuing to walk towards a large wooden door at the end of the hall. When they arrived Emelia gestured for Milo to enter as she said: "We're here, mister Solus."