chapter 42 RESTAURANT

Just as the conversation started dying down, the door swung open, and Celeste walked in, stretching her arms above her head. She glanced around at the group sprawled on the couch, their gaming setup still humming in the background. Bowls of chips and popcorn were scattered everywhere, and it looked like no one had moved from their spots in hours.

She sighed, walking straight to the fridge and grabbing a soda. "So, how's the game?"

Daniel immediately perked up, his grin turning mischievous. "Ah, our lovely landlord finally graces us with her presence."

Celeste shot him a flat look. "Shut up, Daniel. Just answer the question."

Mark leaned back, casually tossing a chip into his mouth. "It's absolute chaos. Viles Town is basically a warzone."

Ana nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we've got bounty hunters running around, thug NPCs attacking a certain guild, and this guy—" she jabbed a thumb at Mark "—somehow hit Level 3 before the rest of us."

Celeste raised an eyebrow, taking a sip of her soda. "Oh? And what about me being ahead of all of you?"

Liz smirked, already sensing where this was going. "Depends. What level are you?"

Celeste leaned against the counter, completely casual. "Level 1."

Silence.

Then Daniel burst into laughter, nearly doubling over. "You're still Level 1? Oh my god, Celeste, you're an actual noob!"

Celeste narrowed her eyes at him. "I barely played, you idiot. I was busy handling real-life stuff."

Daniel leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his grin widening. "Tsk, tsk. That's no excuse. But don't worry, dear Celeste—I'd be more than happy to help you level up."

Celeste gave him a wary look. "Uh-huh. What's the catch?"

Daniel's grin turned downright devilish. "Simple. Just wear a maid outfit in-game, and I'll personally power-level you to greatness."

Mark choked on his drink. Ana laughed so hard she nearly fell off the couch. Liz just facepalmed.

Celeste, however, remained perfectly calm. She took another sip of her soda, walked up to Daniel, and leaned down slightly so they were face-to-face. Then, with the sweetest smile, she said,

"Sure, Daniel. But only if you wear a butler outfit and address me as 'Lady Celeste' the entire time."

Daniel blinked. "Wait, what—"

Celeste patted his cheek. "No take-backs."

The entire room erupted into laughter. Mark and Ana were practically wheezing on the couch, struggling to breathe between their fits of laughter. Liz, who usually kept her reactions reserved, smirked in approval, clearly enjoying Daniel's rare moment of being outplayed.

Daniel says he doesn't need anything so refuses to wear Buttler outfit .

Restaurant Shenanigans – The Calm Before the Storm

After a morning filled with teasing and banter, Mark and Daniel decided to head out for lunch. A few hours of gaming had drained their energy, and nothing sounded better than a good meal.

"Let's hit up that diner near the plaza," Mark suggested, stretching as he grabbed his jacket. "They've got those massive burgers."

Daniel grinned. "Say no more. I'm sold."

Just as they were about to leave, Ana poked her head out from her room. "Where are you guys going?"

"Grabbing food," Mark replied.

Ana's eyes lit up. "Oh? Liz, we're going too!"

Liz, who was scrolling on her phone on the couch, raised an eyebrow. "We are?"

Ana nodded firmly. "Yes. No way I'm missing out on food."

Daniel smirked. "You just don't want to cook."

Ana shot him a finger gun. "Exactly."

With that, the four of them headed out, walking through the bustling streets. It was the middle of the afternoon, and the city was alive with people going about their day.

As soon as they arrived at the diner, the smell of grilled meat and freshly baked bread filled the air. The place wasn't too crowded, so they easily grabbed a booth near the window.

Mark skimmed the menu lazily. "I'm getting the double cheeseburger. No questions."

Ana hummed. "I want fries… and a milkshake… and maybe pancakes."

Daniel gave her a look. "Are you ordering breakfast or lunch?"

Ana shrugged. "Both. Who cares?"

Liz, still scrolling on her phone, glanced up. "I'm getting a salad."

Daniel gasped dramatically. "Liz, we're in a place filled with burgers, fries, and milkshakes, and you choose a salad? Unbelievable."

Liz smirked. "Someone has to set a good example."

Mark rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Order whatever, just hurry up."

As they waited for their food, the conversation naturally drifted back to the game.

"So," Ana said, leaning forward, "tonight's the big event, huh?"

Daniel groaned. "Don't remind me."

Mark grinned. "Oh, we're reminding you every second until it happens."

Liz smirked. "Did you practice your butler voice yet?"

Daniel rubbed his face. "I hate all of you."

Ana laughed. "That's the spirit."

As their food arrived, the conversation kept rolling, the four of them enjoying their break from the game—though they all knew that the moment they logged back in, the real fun would begin.

A Dog on a Leash – Sophie's Control Over Alex

As soon as Sophie entered the diner, Mark and Daniel exchanged glances. Without a word, they both knew what to do—act like clueless noobs. If Sophie thought they were useless, she wouldn't pay them any real attention.

Sophie's gaze swept over the group, her sharp eyes quickly dismissing Daniel and Mark as if they weren't even worth acknowledging. Her focus instead settled on Alex, who trailed behind her like a beaten dog.

He looked pathetic. Shoulders slumped, head slightly bowed, eyes dull and lifeless. He followed Sophie without question, like an obedient pet waiting for scraps.

Sophie, on the other hand, carried herself with the same confidence as always. She barely even glanced at Alex, treating him like an afterthought, as if his failure had made him beneath her notice.

"Tsk," she clicked her tongue, shaking her head in mock disappointment. "Honestly, Alex, I expected something from you. But this? This is just sad."

Alex flinched slightly but didn't say a word.

Mark, still playing dumb, leaned toward Daniel and whispered (loud enough for Sophie to hear), "Uh… is this the part where she makes him roll over?"

Daniel stroked his chin in exaggerated thought. "Hmm. Maybe she gives him a treat if he does a trick?"

Ana snorted, barely holding in her laughter. Liz simply sipped her drink, eyes gleaming with amusement.

Sophie, as expected, didn't even acknowledge them. She simply sighed, turning to Liam. "Let's go. I'm done here."

Liam, as composed as ever, followed without question. Alex hesitated for a split second—just a fraction of a moment where he looked like he might say something. But then Sophie moved, and like a well-trained dog, he followed without protest.

As soon as they left, Ana burst out laughing. "Oh my god. He's so pathetic."

Mark smirked. "Dude's basically on a leash."

Daniel grinned. "Yeah, but the best part? Sophie thinks we're nobodies. She won't see us coming."

Liz leaned back, a satisfied smirk on her face. "Let her underestimate us. It'll make her downfall even better."

With that, they finished their meal, already looking forward to what awaited them in Mortal Online.

A Glance of Disdain – Sophie Underestimates Them

The moment Sophie entered the diner, her sharp eyes swept over the room, instantly locking onto Mark and Daniel.

She paused. "You two?"

Mark, who had been lazily picking at his fries, blinked as if confused. "Huh? Oh, uh… hey, Sophie."

Daniel stretched his arms with an exaggerated yawn. "Yo. Fancy seeing you here."

Sophie's eyes narrowed slightly. "You're playing Mortal Online?"

Mark scratched his head. "Yeah… it's kinda fun, I guess? Still figuring stuff out, though. There are a lot of buttons."

Daniel nodded, looking equally clueless. "Yeah, man. I tried stabbing someone, but I think I missed. Or maybe I hit them? I dunno, there were too many numbers on the screen."

Ana covered her mouth to stop herself from laughing. Liz, as composed as ever, just sipped her drink, waiting for Sophie's reaction.

Sophie stared at them for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then, she let out a small, amused scoff.

"Tch."

With nothing more than that dismissive sound, she turned away, already losing interest.

Alex, who stood beside her like a scolded dog, barely lifted his gaze. Sophie didn't even glance at him.

"Come on," she said to Liam, her voice dripping with boredom. "Let's go. No point wasting time here."

Without another word, she walked away, completely writing them off.

As soon as the door swung shut behind her, Ana let out a low whistle. "Wow. That was brutal."

Mark smirked. "Nah. That was perfect."

Daniel grinned. "Yep. She thinks we're worthless."

Liz set down her drink. "And that means she won't see what's coming next."

With their act in place, Sophie had officially dismissed them as background noise. But that was exactly what they wanted. Because the moment they logged back into Mortal Online, the real game would begin.

Note : mark and daneil had nothing so they cannot fight openly to sophie who is rich can do anything