Chapter 39: Lotus Rest

Ding!

[Transaction Complete.]

[34,500 Eternal Coins have been added to your inventory.]

Leon turned to Mira. He swiped a finger through the air, interfacing with the system, and transferred exactly five percent of the transaction to her.

Ding!

[1,725 Eternal Coins have been transferred to Player: Mira.]

Mira stared at the notification floating in front of her face. She blinked once. Then twice.

"You..." Mira started, looking up at him, her voice slightly hollow. "You really are a monster, aren’t you?"

"I prefer the term ’efficient’," Leon said, turning his back on the counter and walking toward the exit. "Come on. I’ve got money burning a hole in my pocket, and quite frankly, I am craving a hot bath."

They stepped back out into the bustling streets of the checkpoint.

As they walked, Leon allowed himself to truly relax for the first time since he had awakened in the grass outside Novice Village #0048. He rolled his shoulders, feeling the immense, coiled power of his 50 Constitution and 30 Strength resting effortlessly beneath his skin.

He was Level 27.

The elimination cycle required players to reach Level 30 by the end of the 100 days to become an Adept and avoid being purged from the system. He was three levels away. He had ninety days left to bridge a gap that most people hadn’t even begun to comprehend. The crushing, suffocating pressure of a ticking clock—the same pressure that was currently driving the rest of the server into a panicked frenzy—simply didn’t apply to him anymore.

He had won the opening sprint. Now, he could afford to jog.

His thoughts drifted, unbidden, back to his previous life on Earth.

Before the God of Transmigration. Before the Ten Lucky Draws. Before Eternal Heaven.

Leon Wes had been a man defined by a sterile white room. He had been diagnosed with an incurable, degenerative disease that slowly, methodically robbed him of his physical autonomy. For the last days of his life, his entire world had consisted of the smell of antiseptic, the rhythmic beeping of a heart monitor, and the crushing, helpless frustration of a body that simply refused to work.

When you spend years confined to a bed, waiting to die, your perspective on what actually matters in life shifts dramatically.

Leon hadn’t missed the grand things. He hadn’t sat in his hospital bed wishing he could climb Mount Everest, or skydive, or become a billionaire.

He had missed the simple, visceral, physical sensations of being alive.

He missed the feeling of a genuinely hot bath, the kind of heat that soaked deep into your bones and melted the tension from your muscles. He missed the taste of perfectly baked cake, the sugar and butter melting on his tongue, a luxury denied to him by a strict, nutrient-paste diet.

And, being a perfectly healthy twenty-four-year-old man in mind, if not in body, he had really, really missed boobs.

It was a crude, base desire, perhaps, but it was deeply human. The warmth of another person. The soft, undeniable proof of life and intimacy. When your body is failing, you crave the things that remind you of health and vitality.

And now? Now he had a body that reconstructed itself to absolute, flawless peak condition after every battle thanks to his Perfect Body SSS-Rank talent. He was stronger, faster, and more resilient than a Greek god.

He wasn’t going to spend his second chance at life acting like a joyless, brooding monk.

"A hot bath," Mira mused, pulling Leon from his thoughts. She had her leather-bound map out again, shielding it with her body as she traced a finger along the glowing ink. "You know, if you’re actually serious, you have the coin to afford the best. There’s a place not far from here. The map lists it as a top-tier hospitality zone. A high-end hotel."

"Lead the way," Leon said, a genuine smile breaking across his face.

Ten minutes of navigating through the winding upper-class districts brought them to a secluded, pristine courtyard. In the center stood a gorgeous, multi-story building constructed from dark timber and polished stone, reminiscent of a traditional high-end ryokan, yet infused with the magical architecture of Eternal Heaven.

As they stepped onto the meticulously raked gravel path leading to the entrance, a faint, translucent blue barrier rippled in the air.

Ding!

[You have entered a Designated Safe Zone.]

[All hostile actions, skill activations, and weapon drawing are strictly prohibited by the System. HP and MP regeneration rates are moderately increased.]

Leon felt a strange, soothing energy wash over him as they crossed the threshold. It was a fascinating mechanic. The system itself actively prevented violence here, making it one of the few places in the world where a player could actually let their guard down without risking a knife in the back.

They walked through the sliding wooden doors and into the grand lobby. The scent of jasmine and eucalyptus filled the air. A small, indoor waterfall cascaded into a koi pond in the center of the room.

Behind a polished bamboo reception desk stood a stunningly beautiful NPC receptionist dressed in flowing, elegant silks.

"Welcome to the Lotus Rest," the receptionist said, bowing gracefully as they approached. "A sanctuary for the weary soul. We offer the finest accommodations and rejuvenating hot springs in the Eastern Checkpoint. How may we accommodate you today?"

"I need your best room," Leon said, leaning against the counter. "Something with a private hot spring, if you have it."

"We do indeed, sir. The Imperial Suite is available. It features a private, magically heated mineral spring overlooking the inner gardens." She pulled out a large, leather-bound ledger. "And for how many guests will this be?"

"One adult," Leon said.

"Two adults," Mira said simultaneously, stepping up next to him and slapping her hand on the counter.

Leon slowly turned his head, looking at the silver-haired woman standing beside him. She was glaring at the receptionist, her arms crossed firmly beneath her generous chest, looking entirely unapologetic.

"Two?" Leon asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I guided you here," Mira said, not missing a beat. "Providing valuable logistical support, and as your designated logistical support, I require adequate rest."

Leon stared at her for a long moment, an amused thought running through his head.

Why was she still here?

He had the money, sure. But Mira wasn’t an idiot. She was sharp, cautious, and highly independent. Sticking to a guy she knew had just killed a Level 30 Zone Boss was incredibly dangerous. It put a massive target on her back if anyone ever associated her with him.

Was she trying to attach herself to his might? It was a common enough trope. Find the overpowered player, stick to them like glue, and let them carry you to the finish line.

But Leon knew the harsh reality of Eternal Heaven. That strategy wouldn’t work here. The system was ruthless. The elimination cycle demanded that every individual player reach Level 30 by the end of the 100 days. Leon couldn’t transfer his levels to her. He couldn’t fight her progression battles for her. If she just sat in luxury hotels while he killed monsters, she would reach day 100 as a Level 9 player and be instantly purged from existence.

She had to know that.

So why was she still clinging to him?

"Two adults," Leon finally said, turning back to the receptionist. "Put it all on my tab."

The receptionist smiled warmly. "Of course, sir. That will be one thousand Eternal Coins per night."

Leon transferred the funds without a second thought. The receptionist handed him a heavy, glowing wooden key tag.

"Your suite is on the top floor. Enjoy your stay at the Lotus Rest."