The group was walking down the main street of Allesta, the Goddesses still recovering from the intense encounter in the garden. Haruto led the way, his face a mask of indifference, until his eyes caught a vibrant, enchanted parchment pinned to a stone notice board.
"The Golden Crest: The Most Luxurious and Comfortable Inn in Allesta. Experience the Life of a King."
The poster shimmered with gold dust, showing an image of a sprawling manor with silk curtains and soft, glowing hearths. Haruto stared at it for a long second. Something shifted behind his obsidian eyes—a memory of cold nights and empty pockets from a world far away.
Without a word, he turned on his heel. He didn't ask for opinions; he simply followed the golden arrow painted on the cobblestones, his pace quickening with a newfound purpose.
At first, the three Goddesses followed him blindly, thinking he had found a strategic landmark. But as the buildings grew taller and the air began to smell of expensive incense and imported wine, Ivory's eyes widened. She realized they were heading straight for the "High-Tier" district.
"Wait... Haruto!" Ivory called out, catching up to him. "Where are you going? The map says the budget inns are back near the East Gate!"
Lustra and Bellona exchanged worried glances. They realized Haruto wasn't looking for a place to hide—he was looking for a place to spend. He was about to blow their entire budget on a single night of luxury.
Haruto stopped in the middle of the street, just as the towering, elegant structure of The Golden Crest came into view. He looked back at his hesitant companions.
"Listen to me, all three of you," Haruto said, his voice dropping into a low, serious tone.
"In my previous life, I lived as a 'Low-Resolution' human. I was poor. I spent every second calculating pennies just to survive another boring day. I was at the bottom of the food chain."
He adjusted the collar of his custom black coat, his eyes flashing with a rare, stubborn spark.
"But in this world? I don't care if I end up 'Bankrupt' or if the system flags my account for corruption. I refuse to crawl back into the dirt. If I'm going to sleep, it will be in the most expensive bed this city has to offer. I want to feel the luxury that the 'Star-Child' title deserves. We aren't just staying here... we're owning the vibe."
Ivory, Lustra, and Bellona stood silent, stunned by the sheer intensity of his declaration. The "Bored Master" had finally found something he was passionate about: Not being poor again.
They arrived at the entrance of "The Golden Crest." Its tall stone pillars and warm magical lamps gave it a grounded, yet elite feel. Despite Haruto's speech, the three Goddesses were still tense, their eyes scanning the lobby for any sign of the all-female adventurer group from the garden.
"Haruto, please," Ivory whispered, her hand trembling slightly as she pulled his sleeve.
"The math doesn't add up. We only have thirteen hundred. If we try to book this and fail, the guards will flag us for 'Fraudulent Activity.' Logic dictates we find a common traveler's inn before we're kicked out."
Haruto didn't even look back. He just shoved his hands into his pockets and marched toward the golden revolving doors.
"Logic is for people who can't afford to break the game, Ivory. Now, let's go see if their 'most expensive room' is worth the credits. And if the best suite is too much, then the second best will do,"
Haruto said calmly, his voice cutting through the girls' protests.
"But I'm not sleeping in a stable."
Haruto pushed through the golden revolving doors, and the world changed instantly.
The lobby of "The Golden Crest" was a masterpiece of opulence. Massive chandeliers made of floating mana-crystals hung from the vaulted ceilings, casting a warm, honey-colored glow over the marble floors. The air smelled of expensive sandalwood and aged wine. High-tier nobles and wealthy merchants sat on velvet sofas, sipping nectar from silver chalices. It was a place where "Level" was synonymous with "Wealth."
Haruto walked straight to the reception desk, his boots clicking sharply on the polished floor. The receptionist was a young human woman, remarkably cute with a professional smile, though she looked slightly overwhelmed by the sudden arrival of Haruto's group. She glanced at Haruto's dark, custom coat and then at the three stunning women behind him.
"Welcome to the Golden Crest," she said, her voice sweet and rehearsed.
"Please, feel free to browse our room selection on the magical display. I will return in a moment to finalize your keys and payment. However..." She paused, gesturing to a glowing, translucent crystal embedded in the counter.
"For safety and security, please place your hand on this Mana Crystal to verify your balance. It ensures our guests can afford the stay."
With a polite nod, she stepped away to fetch the royal guest book.
Ivory's face went pale. "Haruto, stop! 1,300 credits might get us a meal here, but a room? If that crystal shows a low balance, we'll be humiliated in front of everyone!"
Haruto didn't listen. To him, the crystal was just another piece of hardware waiting to be accessed. He placed his palm firmly onto the cold, crystalline surface.
For a heartbeat, nothing happened. Then, the crystal pulsed.
A deep, rhythmic thrum vibrated through the floorboards. The standard blue light of the scanner flickered, glitched into a violent red, and then suddenly settled into a blinding, steady Platinum.
On the display, the number 1,000 appeared. At first, Ivory let out a sigh of acceptance—it was just 1,000. But then, the system glitched. The digits blurred for a second, and a small, shimmering golden 'G' snapped into place next to the number.
[BALANCE: 1,000 G-CREDITS]
The lobby of "The Golden Crest" went deathly silent. 1,000 normal credits were pocket change, but 1,000 G-Credits (Grand-Credits). That was a currency that didn't even exist in the local market. It was the equivalent of millions.
The nobles dropped their chalices. The merchants froze. The receptionist, returning with the keys, nearly tripped over her own feet, her eyes bulging at the platinum light.
The rhythmic thrum of the crystal scanner had vibrated through the floorboards, drawing the eyes of every veteran adventurer and wealthy merchant in the room. When the scanner's light settled into that rare, shimmering Platinum.
The receptionist, who had been professional until now, suddenly gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. She stared at the screen as if a ghost had just appeared on it. She was a businesswoman, and she knew a 'Whale' when she saw one.
"I... I apologize for the delay, sir!" she stammered, bowing so low her forehead nearly hit the counter.
"You must be a legendary high-level adventurer... though you look so young. But please, forgive my rudeness. With G-Credits, there is no need for further verification. You can afford any room in the history of this establishment. Thank you for choosing The Golden Crest!"
She quickly began swiping through a golden holographic menu.
"Which room shall I prepare for you, sir?"
Haruto leaned against the counter, his eyes half-lidded with boredom.
"The most expensive one you have."
The receptionist's eyes sparkled. "Of course! Our Royal Suite on the 20th floor. It's 2 Grand Credits per night. It features mana-infused baths and a view of the entire kingdom. However..." she paused, her professional habit kicking in, "Just for the entry log, could you please state your current Level?"
Haruto scratched the back of his head, looking genuinely annoyed by the question.
"I'm Level Zero."
The lobby went silent for a second, then the receptionist let out a polite, tinkling laugh.
"Ah! A wonderful joke, sir! Truly. It's impossible to obtain G-Credits below Level 60. Then you must be the son of some High-Ranking Hero or a hidden Legend playing a prank on us."
Haruto sighed. He didn't have the energy to explain his "Glitch" existence. Without a word, he flicked his wrist, and his HUD expanded in mid-air for everyone to see.
The golden frame was magnificent, but the text inside was clear: [LEVEL: 0].
The receptionist's smile froze. The mercenaries in the back choked on their drinks. The silence was so heavy you could hear a pin drop.
"I don't have a mother or a father," Haruto said flatly, his voice echoing in the stunned lobby.
"I'm just a Zero with a lot of cash. Now, do I get the keys or not?"
The receptionist's mouth hung open, her brain unable to process the data. A Level 0 with the wealth of a God and no lineage? It was a Critical System Error in her understanding of the world.
"Level... Zero?!" a voice gasped from the corner.
"Wait, look at his tag. It's not a glitch. He's actually Level 0!"
"How does a Level 0 have Grand Credits? Those are only for Sovereigns of the Upper Layers!"
Haruto felt the weight of a hundred hungry and confused stares. He had just stepped into this world, and in less than an hour, he had managed to break everyone's common sense. He pulled his hand back from the scanner, his expression flat, though his mind was racing.
The receptionist stammered, her face turning pale. She quickly tapped her screen, processing the transaction with trembling fingers.
"The Royal Suite is yours.Your... Grand Credits have been accepted."
"Wait," Haruto muttered, his brow furrowing as he pulled his hand back.
"What exactly is a 'Grand Credit'?"
The three Goddesses stood frozen, staring at Haruto's screen like it was a holy relic.
"Haruto! Why didn't you tell us you were carrying G-Credits?!" she hissed, but a rare, proud smile began to spread across her face.
"If we had known you were literally a walking bank, we wouldn't have spent the last hour stressing over budget inns and copper coins!"
Lustra let out a dreamy sigh, her eyes fixed on the 'G' next to the number.
"Grand Credits... those don't exist for normal players. They are compressed currency reserved only for the Sovereigns of the Upper Layers. One G-Credit isn't just a coin, Haruto—it represents 10,000 normal credits. It's the system's way of saying your wealth is too massive to count in regular numbers."
Bellona's jaw dropped as she did the mental math. Her warrior-brain was usually focused on swords, but this kind of "Power" was undeniable.
"Wait... if one G is 10,000..." Bellona whispered, her eyes widening as she counted the zeros.
"Then 1,000 G-Credits means... 10,000,000 normal credits?! Haruto, you aren't just rich. You have enough wealth to buy this entire district and still have change for a castle!"
The three Goddesses stood tall, their earlier anxiety replaced by a deep, satisfied sense of pride. They weren't just serving a Master anymore; they were serving a Master who had effectively "broken" the world's economy.
Haruto stood there, looking at the glowing HUD. He didn't fully understand the complex math of the 'Upper Layers' or the 'Sovereign Rankers,' but as he watched the stunned faces of everyone in the lobby, only one thing registered in his mind.
He wasn't poor. Not anymore.
The "Low-Resolution" life of counting pennies was officially deleted.
"Ten million, huh?" Haruto muttered, a faint, jagged smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Well... at least now I know I can afford a decent pillow."
The receptionist, her hands still trembling, reached under the counter and pulled out a velvet-lined box. Inside lay a single, crystalline key that pulsed with a soft, rhythmic golden light—the Royal Pass. This wasn't just a room key; it was a high-frequency data crystal that granted access to the hotel's private mana-elevators.
She leaned over the counter, bowing so deeply that her voice muffled slightly.
"It is our absolute honor to host you, Sir Haruto," she whispered, her eyes wide with a mix of reverence and lingering shock.
"Your room is fully prepared. The staff has been alerted to prioritize your every whim. Please... may your stay be as legendary as your fortune. Thank you for choosing The Golden Crest."
Haruto snatched the key from the box with a casual flick of his fingers. He didn't offer a "thank you" or a bow. He simply turned toward the grand staircase, his long black coat billowing behind him like a shadow of pure authority.
Ivory, Lustra, and Bellona followed in perfect formation, their heads held high. They walked past the stunned mercenaries and the speechless nobles, their presence now backed by the undeniable weight of ten million credits.
As Haruto stepped onto the mana-elevator, he felt the hum of the city's most expensive machinery beneath his boots. He looked at the golden key in his hand and then at the reflection of his bored, Level 0 face in the polished crystal walls.
"Low-Resolution is dead," he thought, the elevator beginning its silent, rapid ascent to the 20th floor.
He turned to the girls, his 'Bored Legend' smirk back in place.
"Let's go. I want to see if a room paid for in 'Grand Credits' feels any different."
The magical lift ascended in silence, and when the crystal doors slid open, Haruto and the three Goddesses didn't step into a hallway—they stepped directly into the Royal Penthouse.
"This... this isn't a room,"
Lustra whispered, her breath catching as her boots sank into a carpet so thick it felt like walking on a cloud.
"It's a sanctuary."
The penthouse occupied the entire top floor, designed more like a private castle than a hotel suite. The ceiling was a massive dome of enchanted obsidian, charmed to mirror the actual sky of Aetheris outside. The main hall was anchored by a fireplace carved from a single block of white dragon-marble. Instead of wood, a steady flame of pure mana crackled within, radiating a warmth that didn't just heat the room but seemed to soothe the soul's fatigue.
"Look at the view,"
Ivory murmured, walking toward the floor-to-ceiling glass walls.
From this height, the entire city of Allesta looked like a toy set made of flickering lanterns and cobblestone. Beyond the city walls, the dark silhouette of the Great Forest stretched out toward the horizon.
Click-clack, click-clack.
A pair of small, hurried footsteps echoed through the marble hallway. Suddenly, a small figure bustled into the main hall, carrying a tray of sparkling nectar.
He wasn't your typical graceful, tall forest elf. He was a short, stout Wood-Elf who stood barely four feet tall, with a belly so round it looked like he was hiding a literal watermelon under his vest. He wore a bright red pointed cap that flopped over one eye and a pair of suspenders that seemed to be fighting a losing battle against his waistline.
Haruto's eyes snapped open. For a split second, a genuine smirk—almost a laugh—tugged at his lips. The sight of this round little elf wobbling toward them was the most "High-Resolution" comedy he had seen all day. But Haruto didn't mock him. Instead, he straightened up, watching the little man with a rare sense of respect. He liked people who took their jobs seriously.
"And who might you be?" Haruto asked, his voice surprisingly soft.
"Pardon the intrusion, Master Haruto! I am Kobi!" the elf squeaked, bowing so low that his red cap touched the floor and his suspenders groaned. "I am your dedicated Room Guide. Since your suite falls under the Ultra-Luxury Category, the system requires a manual walkthrough. After all, a King shouldn't have to struggle with the mechanics of his own palace!"
"Listen, Kobi," Haruto interrupted, his voice flat. "You can drop the 'Master' part. Just call me Haruto."
Kobi froze, his round eyes blinking in pure confusion. "But... but sir! The protocol! A guest of the Platinum Tier must be addressed with the highest—"
"I'm not a fan of protocols," Haruto said, waving a dismissive hand. "Just 'Haruto' is fine. Or 'Hey, you.' Anything but 'Master'."
Kobi looked like he was having a minor system crash, his red cap trembling. "As... as you wish, Master—I mean, sir"
Haruto let out a weary sigh and leaned back into the plush leather chair.
(Haruto's Inner Thoughts:)Seriously... What is it with this world? Why is everyone so desperate to find a 'Master'? The Goddesses, and now this round little guy. It's like the NPc AI in this game is hard-coded to be submissive the moment they see a high-tier item or a currency. It's boring. I want a challenge, not a fan club.
Kobi began to scuttle around the room with surprising speed for a man of his stature.
"Now, pay attention, sir! This isn't just furniture," Kobi shouted, pointing his stubby finger at the White Dragon-Marble fireplace.
"This flame is synchronized to your heartbeat. If you're stressed, it burns blue to soothe your nerves. If you're cold, it burns amber. And the 'Bath of Essence'?"
He waddled over to the sunken pool, waving his arms dramatically.
"It's not just water! It's a liquid mana-filter. It deletes the 'Fatigue' file from your human body in exactly three minutes. And please, do not try to eat the silk on the bed—it is silver-spider thread, very durable, but tastes like iron!"
"The walls are reinforced with Level 8 Barrier Magic,"
Kobi spent the next ten minutes explaining every detail, from the real-time War Room map to the hidden sensors in the floor. Haruto watched him, actually listening.
"He's dedicated," Haruto whispered to Ivory.
"I like this little 'elf'. He's the first thing in this city that isn't trying to scan my level or my credits."
"You are a god, master—I mean, Sir Haruto!" Kobi squeaked, his round face turning a shade of bright beet-red. He looked at Haruto with genuine wonder, his red cap flopping as he shook his head.
"In all my years as a Room Guide, not a single guest has ever asked me to stop calling them 'Master.' Most people love the sound of it. They love power, the ego... the pride. But you? You have no arrogance at all. It is truly an honor. You are on my Good Side,' sir!"
Haruto looked at the stout Wood-Elf, whose suspenders were still vibrating with excitement. A faint, rare softness touched Haruto's obsidian eyes. He wasn't a hero, and he wasn't a saint, but he knew how to recognize a "clean file" in a corrupt world.
"Don't mention it," Haruto said, giving a small, almost imperceptible nod.
"Its just because you're doing your job without being boring. And for the record..."
Haruto leaned back, his 'Bored Legend' smirk returning.
"You're on my good side too, Kobi. Now, go get some rest. That belly looks like it's had a long day of its own."
Kobi let out a joyful squeal, bowed one last time—nearly toppling over his own round stomach—and scuttled out of the room, his heart lighter than it had been in years.
Ivory watched the door close and then turned to Haruto, crossing her arms.
"You're a stranger, Haruto. You threaten us one minute, and then you're being sweet to a Wood-Elf the next."
"It's called 'Quality Control,' Ivory," Haruto replied,
she noted, her eyes narrowing with professional appreciation.
Haruto walked to the center of the room and threw himself onto a massive leather lounge chair. He exhaled a long breath, staring up at the enchanted stars.
"Finally," Haruto muttered, his eyes half-closing.
"No noise. No starring NPCs. No crowded streets. If the system is going to make me a Level 0 target, at least it has the decency to give me a proper room to wait in."
He looked at the three Goddesses, who were still standing awkwardly, mesmerized by the opulence.
"Make yourselves at home,"
Haruto said, a lazy smirk on his face.
"We paid enough to buy f this room for 3 days . The least you can do is stop acting like guests and start acting like you own the place."
The sheer weight of the day finally began to settle into their bones. Between the high-stakes battle in the Selection Grounds and the chaotic, high-tension walk through Allesta, the group was physically and mentally drained.
Haruto slumped onto the edge of a velvet sofa, his new black coat feeling heavier than before.
"I'm covered in soot, forest grime. I feel... sticky."He muttered, rubbing his eyes.
Lustra leaned against a marble pillar, her wings drooping.
"I agree. My mana feels sluggish because of all the dirt on my body. I just want to scrub this day off my skin."
"It is the most logical next step,"
Ivory added, though she was swaying slightly from fatigue.
"A mana-infused bath would stabilize our resonance and clear the physical debuffs from the forest trek. We should prioritize hygiene before we collapse for the night."
Bellona didn't say anything, but she was already looking toward the back of the suite where the steam was rising. The idea was unanimous: They needed to get clean.
They marched toward the "Bath of Essence" like a squad on a mission, but as soon as the doors swung open, the "Mission" hit a massive glitch.
A massive, steaming circular pool surrounded by dragon statues, with no walls or curtains inside.
The cloud of jasmine-scented steam hit them, and so did the reality of the situation. They stood in a row at the edge of the water, looking at the single, colossal, open pool.
"Wait..." Lustra broke the silence, her voice hitting a high pitch.
"We all had the same idea... but we didn't think about the execution."
"There is only one pool,"
Ivory whispered, her silver hair shimmering in the steam. Her "Logic Goddess" brain was short-circuiting.
"And statistically speaking... there is a 100% chance of a total lack of privacy if we proceed together."
The exhaustion was suddenly replaced by an intense, burning awkwardness. Bellona, who could face an army of demons without blinking, was staring at the water as if it were poisoned.
"I... I can wait. Tactical delay! I'll guard the door!"
Haruto stood at the edge of the pool, staring at the steaming water with his usual half-lidded eyes. He looked at the three of them—Lustra hiding behind her hair, Ivory studying the floor tiles and Bellona looking like she wanted to fight the water.
"The management gave us a castle but forgot the room dividers,"
Haruto said, his voice dry. He looked at the girls, who were now blushing harder than the red strips on his coat.
"Fine. New plan. Since you three are already 'worn' out, you take the first shift. I'll go to the balcony and watch the city. Just... don't take forever in the water."
He turned on his heel and walked out, closing the heavy oak doors behind him.
Inside the Bath of Essence, the sound of splashing water and the girls' muffled laughter echoed behind the thick doors. Haruto, however, was far from the steam. He was lying flat on the massive, silver-silk bed in the Master Chamber, his hands behind his head, staring up at the enchanted ceiling.
He looked bored. Beyond bored. He looked like a man waiting for a loading screen that never finished.
Suddenly, the air above him shifted.
There was no sound, but the "frames" of the world flickered. A shadow detached itself from the ceiling—Thief, his form a blur of dark leather and cold steel. The assassin descended like a falling star, his poisoned dagger aimed directly at Haruto's throat. The intent was clear: to kill the Level 0 Master and seize the G-Credits before the "Goddess Bodyguards" could even dry themselves.
But Haruto didn't flinch. He didn't even roll away.
At the very micro-second the blade was inches from his skin, Haruto's eyes—usually dull and empty—snapped wide. A frantic, manic spark of purple electricity flickered in his pupils. His reflexes, honed by a lifetime of breaking games, kicked in.
Clang!
Haruto didn't use a weapon. He simply tilted his head by a fraction of a millimeter, letting the dagger bury itself deep into the silk pillow right next to his ear. Before the thief could retract the blade, Haruto's hand shot up like a viper, gripping the assassin's wrist with a strength that shouldn't belong to a Level 0.
A wide, jagged grin spread across Haruto's face. He didn't look like a victim; he looked like a predator who had finally found a toy.
"Finally,"
Haruto whispered, his voice trembling with genuine excitement.
"A manual encounter. No cutscenes. No dialogue boxes."
The thief froze, his emerald eyes widening behind his mask. He tried to pull away, but it was like being held by a mountain of obsidian. He was Level 8, yet this 'Zero' was treating him like a tutorial mob.
"You have no idea how much I needed this,"
Haruto chuckled, his grip tightening until the sound of the thief's armor cracking filled the room.
"The silence was starting to rot my brain. You actually chose to break into the guarded room in Allesta just to kill a Level 0? That's the kind of high-risk, low-reward stupidity I love."
"Thank you,"
Haruto said, his eyes glowing with a terrifying light.
The thief froze, his emerald eyes widening behind his mask. He tried to pull away, but it was like being held by a pillar of obsidian. While still pinning the thief's wrist with his left hand, Haruto thrust his right palm toward the assassin's chest.
"Let's see what's under the hood," Haruto muttered.
A holographic HUD flickered into the dark room.
[LEVEL: 8]
[TITLE: ASSASSIN]
[USER: ##########]
Haruto's eyes scanned the screen, but just as he tried to read the username and the inventory list, the text began to glitch and dissolve into static. Within seconds, everything—the title, the name, the stats—vanished, leaving only the "Level 8" tag floating in the air.
Haruto's grin widened. I get it, he thought. The Privacy Filter Ivory mentioned. He's hiding his data behind a firewall. He's showing me just enough to let me know he's a threat, but masking the 'Source Code' of his identity.
The thief, realizing Haruto was analyzing his very soul, panicked. He slammed his own palm against his chest, a desperate command that forced the screen to shatter and disappear instantly.
"You have no idea how much I needed this," Haruto said, his grip tightening until the sound of the assassin's bones groaning filled the quiet room.
"Level 8, huh?"