"Your Guild Points have been deposited into your account." The woman at the counter bowed to the two of them, after taking the horned rabbits from them and completing the paperwork. Straightening her back, she asked, "Will there be anything else I can help you with?"

Raising a hand, Claire said, "No. That'll be all today. We'll be exiting for the day."

Raising a hand and indicating to a large portal, the woman said, "The Guild looks forward to your return."

Walking away from the counter, Claire lifted her arms and stretched them out. "Even though it's only been a single day, I can't believe how tired I am."

"It's probably because we've never had to work as hard as we did, considering we were still in school." Hannah offered the thought.

Walking to the other side of the small Guild building, the two of them approached a glowing circle with graceful arches on either side. The circle swirled with a mysterious energy that could be felt the closer a person approached it.

"Using this thing makes me feel like we're in some kind of fantasy novel," Hannah giggled.

Entering the portal, they soon saw the metal surroundings of the Guild in the Underground City. Though it was late, people were walking about in the simulation area. People were entering and exiting the portals lined along the wall

"It looks like the Fort has been lost," Claire sighed, seeing people, other than them, inside of the Underground City.

Hannah nodded, "It makes sense, considering the Modified Humans were already at the walls and the weapons were no longer effective. What were they supposed to do other than escape into the shelters."

"Especially with the resources made available by Star and Moon. It would be pretty crazy for them not to retreat to the shelters." Claire agreed.

Glancing at the people, Claire noticed that most of the people had an expression as though they had entered some kind of dream world. They looked to not believe what they were seeing, expecting to wake back in the nightmare that was the world above them.

Though there was the occasional person wearing military uniforms, she noticed that the people had adopted the fantasy type clothing used in the simulation. But compared to them, the outfits were of poorer quality. Even the weapons used were a class below what Claire and Hannah used.

Having such a difference in gear made many of the people take notice of the two girls. A look of jealously in some of the eyes, while others just seemed curious.

"What do you want to do now?" Hannah asked, looking to try and ignore the attention they were receiving from the other people.

Feeling equally uncomfortable, Claire suggested, "How about we get something to eat?"

Moving past the people, they exited the simulation area meant for new adventurers. Stepping into the main hallway, they turned towards the direction of the stairs.

On the walls were screens showing off adventurers on their journey. Most of the screen showed the same thing since it was currently night inside of the simulations and no one could afford the higher tiered simulations.

Reaching the stairs, they made their way down. The simulations were all on the top section of the Guild portion of the Underground City, regardless of which sector.

"It's surprising how each sector has its own Guild branch," Claire wondered out loud.

Hannah was quiet before she said, "I wonder how long it'll take before there are enough people to fill the other sectors?"

Passing by the residential area of the Guild, where people could pay for rooms to live in and enjoy the benefit of taking in the mysterious energy that was flooding the world, they continued to the lower levels where adventurers could eat on the dining levels.

Each of the sections of the guild was divided into levels where the mysterious energy was stronger. Like in the simulation levels, the more Guild Points used could allow adventurers to gain more benefits from not only the energy but also from killing monsters that had higher quality raw materials. It was the same with the residential and dining area, the more Guild Points an adventurer was willing to spend the higher the quality of resources are available. Everything made to increase how much energy an adventurer could absorb and gain more strength.

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End of Part 1

Claire felt energized when she began smelling the mouthwatering food.

"Is that the dining area?" Hannah asked, her face showing excitement.

As they continued down the stairs, they soon saw the opening for the level. From what was seen, the appearance was similar to the food court in the mall.

Walking into the level, Claire stared at the various booths and the varying types of food they served. "I think almost every type of ethnic food could be found here," Her voice was soft, unbelieving what she was seeing in front of her.

"It looks like your adventuring has caused the two of you to develop an appetite?" A voice asked.

Turning to the source of the voice, Claire was surprised to see it was Darlina, though it likely wasn't the one they had interacted with. "We just got done hunting horned rabbits, so we figured it would be a good idea to get some food," She informed the robot.

"You, two, were able to earn a decent amount on the job," Darlina smiled. When it saw the confusion on Claire's face, it giggled. "I guess you forgot that I'm connected to the simulation? So I'm aware of how much adventurers are making?"

As though a light turned on in her head, Claire realized how ignorant she looked. The Darlinas were designed to assist the adventurers, so it'd be essential to know information connected to them. "Though that's a bit creepy, how you know everything about us and what we do inside of the simulation," Claire moved a little back.

Darlina laughed, "I can see why you'd think that. Humans, especially in this country, truly value their independence. Compared to other countries, the adventurers here definitely don't enjoy that aspect of our function."

The robot moved into the level, waving for them to follow. It was as if it didn't want to keep them from enjoying a meal after working so hard.

"Though you may find my ability to know an adventurer's information, it does come in handy when needing to make recommendations." It explained as it walked over to a nearby booth. Pointing at the food being displayed, which was some type of meat on a stick, "This level is outside of your budget. Just this one stick is a hundred Guild Points."

"A hundred?!" Claire and Hannah shouted.

Darlina nodded, "It's the reason why you don't see anyone on this level aside from us." The robot giggled at their reaction. "Though it's not your fault, the food is definitely worthy of the price tag, which is what compelled you to enter this area."

Sighing, Claire began turning around to head back to the stairs so they could go to the lower level. Just smelling the food made her forget how the Guild was structured.

"Before you leave, I'll give you a taste to help you become motivated," Darlina looked slyly at them, as though it were a drug dealer giving out a sample of the product.

The robot that was working behind the counter began moving, grabbing a stick of the meat. Using a knife, it cut the stick in half and placed each one on a separate plate.

Presented on the pick-up area, Darlina grabbed the plates in each hand and turned to Claire and Hannah. "This isn't a standard treatment, so I hope you'll keep this between us. Just consider this a special service."

Reaching a hand out to one of the plates, Claire felt her mouth beginning to water in anticipation. "Thank you," Claire felt warmed by the robot's action.

"Don't be in such a hurry to thank me. There's a reason why we restrict this level of food by charging such a high price." Darlina said to them with a knowing voice.

Before grabbing the stick, Claire stopped herself. Looking at the robot, she asked, "What do you mean?"

"It'll make sense when you guys eat the food than if I were to explain it," Darlina motioned with its hands for the two girls to enjoy the food.

Nervously, Claire lifted the glistening meat to her mouth. Taking a bite, the flavor that exploded in her mouth made her moan in pleasure. A shiver ran throughout her body from the taste, especially how the meat was overflowing with juicy flavor.

Chewing the meat, Claire didn't understand what the robot was trying to tell them. Though the meat was far more delicious than anything she'd previously tasted, it didn't seem to be at the level of caution that Darlina had been hinting at.

After eating all the meat on her portion of the stick, she sighed in satisfaction. With the high price tag, it would be a while before she'd be able to enjoy eating something at that level again.

Without a word, Darlina took the plates from both Claire and Hannah.

Looking at Hannah and wanting to talk about how great the food was, seeing the same happy expression on her friend's face, Claire stopped when she felt a jolt of pain tear through her body. Claire looked at Darlina, her eyes' demanding answers to the pain she was feeling.

Dropping to the floor, her breathing became heavy. The world around them swirling about as Claire tried to hold onto consciousness. Glancing over to Hannah, Claire was surprised to see that Hannah appeared to be in extreme pain. The veins on her face were sticking out. Hannah's pupils were also dilated.

What surprised Claire was seeing a faint glow in Hannah's eyes.