Burgers and Dresses

At the top of the vending machine's list were items that Dante would have never expected to see in a world like this:

Burger (Grilled beef patty, lettuce, tomato, onion, special sauce): 100 Tutorial Coins

Cheeseburger (Grilled beef patty, cheddar cheese, pickles, mustard, ketchup): 120 Tutorial Coins

Chicken Nuggets (Breaded and fried chicken pieces, with a side of honey mustard sauce): 125 Tutorial Coins

"What the fuck..." Dante muttered under his breath, his eyes scanning the list with a mix of astonishment and amusement. It felt as though he had stumbled into a fast-food joint from some other dimension, a surreal and bizarre blend of the familiar and the fantastical. He mused to himself with a wry smile, "What's next? A fantasy-themed burger chain, or maybe a dungeon-dwelling fried creatures business?" The absurdity of it all added a comedic touch to the otherwise monotonous environment.

Further down the list, things started to look more like what he'd expect in a game world, albeit with a humorous twist:

Whack-a-Bone Sword (R1 L1, surprisingly effective for a bone): 250 Tutorial Coins

Ouch Stick Wooden Club (R1 L2, gives a good thump): 520 Tutorial Coins

Hide-Behind-Me Metal Shield (R1 L3, your go-to for "Nope" moments): 1030 Tutorial Coins

And at the bottom of the list, the items that really caught his attention:

1 Might: 25,000 Tutorial Coins

1 Finesse: 25,000 Tutorial Coins

1 Mystique: 25,000 Tutorial Coins

1 Essence: 25,000 Tutorial Coins

Random skill level up: 50,000 Tutorial Coins

1 SP: 100,000 Tutorial Coins

Dante let out a chuckle at the absurdity of it all, noting his own financial poverty in this strange world. Even after their latest skirmish, he had amassed just over a thousand Tutorial Coins – hardly enough for the more enticing items. He scanned the list again, noticing the absence of health potions or stat-boosting equipment. "No potions but they sure have a Takoyaki Deluxe on here!" he couldn't contain the laugh.

After mulling it over and giving his meager coin stash a rueful glance, Dante decided to splurge on the Level 3 Hide-Behind-Me Metal Shield for Virgil. "Because nothing says 'brave adventurer' like hiding behind a big piece of metal," he quipped to himself, trying to inject some humor into the situation. This purchase nearly vacuumed his coin wallet clean, but as he reasoned, what good were coins if you weren't alive to spend them? "So much for saving up for the fancy stuff," he sighed, gazing wistfully at the vending machine. It was like being a kid with just enough allowance to buy the necessities but not the shiny toy. With a half-smile and a shake of his head, Dante turned back to the path ahead, ready to face whatever oddities lay in wait with their new, humorously named shield in tow.

Realizing he wasn't feeling very hungry sparked an interesting idea in Dante's mind. He asked Virgil to re-summon him, and sure enough, the process rejuvenated him, leaving him feeling as though he'd just sat down to a full, satisfying meal. 'Wouldn't say no to a plate of Kung Pao Chicken, though,' he mused with a smirk. But Dante was never one for frivolous expenses; he preferred practicality over indulgence.

As he gave Virgil's new Hide-Behind-Me Metal Shield a once-over, Dante couldn't help but feel a blend of satisfaction and a slight twinge of regret for the pricier items they couldn't afford. "This will have to suffice for the time being," he reassured himself, trying to shake off the longing. 'Focus on the progress first, then we can think about splurging on Takoyaki and accumulating stat points.'

With their spirits lifted slightly by the new shield, Dante and Virgil resumed their march through the labyrinth. The narrow, winding passages they had been navigating began to widen, gradually opening up into a new and unexpected landscape.

They found themselves walking along a path that cut straight through what appeared to be two towering rocky hills. Small ponds dotted the landscape, their surfaces shimmering in the dim light that somehow filtered down into this subterranean world. The scene was almost picturesque, reminiscent of the rugged terrain that hikers and explorers would relish on the old world. Moss-covered stones and wild, hardy plants added a touch of wild beauty to the scene, creating an atmosphere that was both serene and eerie.

Dante paused to take in the view, cautiously steadying himself. Adapting to the balance shifts from losing an arm and an eye was a continuous learning curve. 'Monocular vision and one-armed balance – it's like learning to walk all over again,' he remarked with a wry twist of his lips. The change from endless battles to this open, tranquil scenery was slightly refreshing.

As they advanced, Dante's eyes scanned the rocky hillsides and the serene ponds, alert for any hidden dangers or treasures. The tranquility of the landscape was almost disarming, but his instincts told him to remain vigilant.

Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, Dante caught a flash of something moving incredibly fast towards him. Before he could react or even process what it was, everything went pitch black.

 ***

"My lady, fortune smiles upon you today; Richard is not only a gentleman of high repute but also known far and wide for his gracious treatment of others," the old, gentle servant murmured with a tone of reverence as she meticulously selected the finest garments for Alice. "It is imperative that we present you in your utmost splendor for the forthcoming meeting."

Alice maintained a composed stillness, a silent acquiescence to the diligent ministrations of her servant. "Thank you, Ara, your words always manage to light up the darkest corners of my spirit. It reassures me greatly to know you'll be by my side as I navigate the waters of this new chapter in my life."

"Fret not, my dear miss, for my loyalty will remain steadfastly at your side," Ara responded with unwavering conviction.

As conversation waned, Alice's head subtly turned towards the window, a gesture indiscernible to most as anything beyond habit. Yet, this action was deeply rooted in a life lived in darkness; born blind, Alice's world was one of sounds, scents, and textures. Her keen awareness allowed her to identify the window's location with precision, an adaptation not for her own benefit but to put those around her at ease. She had learned early on that direct gazes often stirred discomfort in the sighted, and so she had adapted, crafting her interactions to bridge the gap her blindness might otherwise create.

However, beneath the surface of these seemingly innocuous daily interactions lay a deeper truth. Richard's marriage proposal, much like her family's sudden ascent to prosperity and her eldest brother's advantageous union with the Duke's daughter, was no stroke of serendipity. Alice was the unseen architect of her destiny, manipulating events with the subtlety of a master puppeteer. To her, life's predictability rendered it monotonous, a sentiment rooted in her perception of humans as fundamentally simplistic.

In the quiet, she schemed, her influence extending unseen through whispered words and carefully planted ideas. Her musings occasionally ventured to whether it was sight that rendered others so blissfully unaware of the deeper currents of life, or if she, endowed with an extraordinary mind amidst her physical limitations, was an anomaly in a world too shallow to fathom her depths.

"My lady, the task is complete," Ara announced, her voice buoyant with a mixture of pride and joy. "You look gorgeous!"

"Thank you..." Alice's gratitude trailed off, her attention snagged by a subtle shift in the ambiance. The wind's familiar whisper against the pane had altered, heralding a change she couldn't yet decipher.

In that suspended moment, the fabric of Alice's world began to weave a new pattern, hinting at transformations that lay just beyond the horizon, unseen and unexpected.

And in that moment, everything changed.

***

Dante popped back into existence, blinking rapidly as he tried to get his bearings. "Great, died again," he grumbled, quickly realizing he was at the outer limits of Virgil's summoning range.

He rubbed his head, trying to recall what had knocked him out. 'Probably an arrow... or maybe a flying skeleton?' he mused, not entirely serious. Tapping into his mental link with Virgil, he caught a quick, chaotic glimpse of the ongoing fray. 'Looks like a skeleton rave party,' he thought, a smirk tugging at his lips despite the danger.

Opting for caution over valor, Dante decided to stay put. Peeking from his hideout, he watched Virgil battle the skeleton squad: two archers engaged in a deadly game of darts and four warriors, including one who seemed to have graduated with honors from Skeleton University—probably a level 4 or 5.

Virgil, now looking like he was in a particularly bad episode of 'Dancing with the Undead', was on the back foot. Dante winced as an arrow whizzed past Virgil's head. "Time to hit the reset button," he muttered and re-summoned Virgil, giving him a much-needed breather and a full health bar.

Back in action, Virgil summoned a fresh skeleton minion and grabbed a weapon. "Round two!" Dante cheered from his hiding spot.

Virgil, now fighting like he had just downed an energy drink, took the fight to the skeletons. The archers crumbled under his onslaught, turning into a pile of bones that wouldn't be out of place in a Halloween store. The melee skeletons didn't fare much better. Virgil's new minion distracted them while he went toe-to-bone with the level 4 warrior.

The battle reached its crescendo as Virgil, with a series of slick moves, dismantled the remaining skeletons. "And the crowd goes wild," Dante said to himself, clapping sarcastically as Virgil finished off the last of the skeletal foes.

As the dust settled, Dante emerged from his hiding spot. "Nice job," he said, his tone light despite the intensity of the battle. They had survived yet another encounter, and Dante couldn't help but feel that, in some bizarre way, they were getting the hang of …