Guldrin’s Gluttony: Family Bound by Speed & Food

The next day, afternoon sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. Guldrin and Shiro stood near the door, their expressions carefully neutral. They knew they had to play this right, no raising suspicions, no letting anything slip about the other world, their new abilities, or the items they had received. And definitely don't let them see Guldrin's now scar-covered body hiding under his new long sleeves and pants dress code.

"We need to get to work. Nothing ever waits, now that we are in this safe world, it doesn't mean we can rest and dull our senses… instead, let's expand our capabilities. I personally need a ton of new knowledge. And for you, I have no idea what you need." Guldrin spoke While Shiro giggled and began massaging his shoulders, 

"I don't know either, I just get random tasks to do. Like now, I was told to give you a massage, and I would receive a massage skill, level 1. It seems daily tasks give me rewards, kinda like dailies in an MMO… Last night…" She trailed off, her cheeks burning red. "N- never mind," She looked at the new skill, 'Seductress' She gained it after making Guldrin flustered five times within 1 hour. How she accomplished this; well, she would keep this tidbit to herself.

While she thought to herself, she pulled up her status screen, 'Status'

[Level: 4]

[Class: The Gamer 5%]

[HP: 100%]

[MP: 100%]

[Attributes:]

[Strength: 8] (Average Human: 5)

[Endurance: 10] (Average Human: 5)

[Dexterity: 12] (Average Human: 5)

[Agility: 10] (Average Human: 5)

[Intelligence: 12] (Average Human: 5)

[Charisma: 9.6] (+20%) (Average Human: 5)

[Luck: ???] (Average Human: 1)

[Magic: 2] (Average Human: 0)

[Unassigned Attribute Points: 5]

'Hmmm, hmmm, 5 free points… Three into Intelligence… And two into Magic…' 

[Intelligence: 12→15] (Average Human: 5)

[Magic: 2→4] (Average Human: 0)

[Unassigned Attribute Points: 0]

'Woah! That feels much better… Hehe,' She summoned her mana thread and wind magic, playing with them with surprising ease as she massaged Guldrin's shoulders. "Wow, it is like I just… Know how to use them now…"

Guldrin couldn't help but groan in comfort as the massage felt a few times better. Like every twist in his muscles was being beaten into submission. Shiro felt him relax and was pleased as she continued to experiment. "A little here, and a little there…" A few minutes later, Guldrin felt much better than when Shiro started, and Shiro, she was looking at a new skill, 'Massage'.

Straightening their clothes, Guldrin and Shiro exited the room and entered the Café section. They observed everything around them; after not being home for a while, everything just felt surreal.

Letty leaned against the kitchen counter, sipping coffee, while Mia sat at the table with a plate of toast. The air was casual, but Letty's sharp eyes darted between the two kids, clearly picking up on their unusual demeanor.

"So, what's the plan for today?" Letty asked, her tone deceptively casual.

Shiro took the lead. "We were thinking of heading out to do some shopping. You know, just normal stuff, restock some essentials, maybe pick up a few fun things."

Guldrin nodded, backing her up. "Yeah, nothing major. Just thought we'd stretch our legs and see what's out there. We never leave the shop and think it is time to explore a bit."

Mia arched an eyebrow, setting her toast down. "You two? Shopping? That's new. What kind of essentials?"

Shiro shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "Snacks, maybe some tools. A new notebook for my gaming stuff. The usual."

Letty narrowed her eyes slightly, clearly sensing there was more to this. "You're being awfully vague. You're not planning anything crazy, are you?"

"Crazy? Us?" Guldrin placed a hand on his chest, feigning mock offense. "Come on, Mom. Do we look like troublemakers?"

Mia snorted. "Do you want an honest answer?" They all shared a laugh, while Guldrin and Shiro grabbed a to-go box of breakfast; Guldrin's was four times bigger than Shiro's.

Letty set her coffee down with a sigh. "Fine. But no stunts, no wandering into places you shouldn't, and absolutely no bringing home any… weird projects."

"Got it," Guldrin said, offering a thumbs-up.

Shiro grinned. "Scout's honor."

Letty smirked. "You were never a Scout."

"Details," Shiro shot back, already heading for the door, food in hand.

Mia called after them, "Don't forget to stay safe, and no using that Go-Kart like it's a race car!"

Guldrin froze mid-step. "Wait, you knew?"

Mia rolled her eyes. "Of course, we knew. You stash something like that, for years, and now it's moved; do you think that would just be overlooked? Just don't crash it, okay?"

Letty added, "And don't get arrested." Guldrin groaned, but felt warm in his heart.

With their cover secured, the duo made their way to the garage. Sitting in the corner was the Go-Kart, it was a sleek, customized machine, that Jesse had left for them and Guldrin had been tinkering with for weeks before they entered the other world. It gleamed under the fluorescent lights, "She looks great…" Guldrin stared at it as he smiled, Shiro seeing this elbowed him, "Come on you hopeless gearhead, she will be happier being used than admired…"

Guldrin lightly chuckled, "Jealous?"

"Yes," She surprised him by answering matter-of-factly, his dumbfounded look was priceless to Shiro. Regaining his bearings he took Shiro into his arms and climbed into the driver's seat, Guldrin adjusted the controls while Shiro settled into the passenger side, her Dominator stored in her equipment slot.

Now that she is a gamer, her system functions have changed, logic doesn't line up, and all that. She can summon and unsummon her equipment with a thought, making it much easier to conceal her weapons.

"Ready?" he asked.

Shiro grinned. "Let's roll." Emily meowed and leaped in Shiro's lap and crawled into her sweatshirt, secure and ready to go, "Hehe, hey, Emily, don't move around so much."

The engine roared to life, its sound far too powerful for something so small. As they pulled out of the driveway, Mia and Letty watched from the entrance, their expressions a mix of amusement and mild concern.

"Ten bucks says they get arrested," Letty spoke causing Mia to spit out her tea, "You really think… Yeah… it could happen, but I will take your bet, I don't think they will."

"Haha, this is LA, that 10 bucks is mine."

Mia paled, she hadn't considered this fact, even if Guldrin drives safely, the cops are going to hassle them. Now, all she can do is hope they don't get arrested, and they end up dealing with a level-headed cop.

The streets were relatively quiet as Guldrin guided the Go-Kart through the neighborhood, sticking to the speed limit, barely. Shiro couldn't resist poking fun.

"Are you actually driving responsibly? Who are you, and what have you done with Guldrin? What happened to speeding through the streets like a bat out of Hell, as you did in the other world?"

He smirked. "Patience, grasshopper. There's a time and place for everything. This world still has laws, we can't just do as we please… As much."

Their first stop was a hardware store on the edge of town. Shiro grabbed a cart while Guldrin began methodically selecting items: wrenches, pliers, duct tape, an assortment of screws and bolts, along with anything else they could possibly need. They drew some curious looks from the other customers, but no one questioned a couple of kids stocking up on tools.

As they loaded the Go-Kart's small trunk, Shiro glanced at the list given by Rika. "Next up: survival gear."

They found a camping supply store filled with tents, portable stoves, and water purifiers. Guldrin couldn't help but smile at the irony, preparing for survival in a world that felt utterly safe. Still, old habits died hard. Even if most of this stuff would be sent to the other world, some would be kept in their inventory for emergencies.

"Do you think they sell fishing rods?" he joked, holding up Riptide in pen form.

Shiro rolled her eyes. "Please don't." He did, and he bought many, the idea of a fishing sword too comical for him not to try. 

He bought small ones, big ones, janky ones, you name it, he bought them. He had no idea what kind he would want and even if he was going to tear them apart; having a variety to work with would fuel his creative juices.

By the time they left, the Go-Kart was practically overflowing with supplies. They had to secure some of the bulkier items with bungee cords, making the tiny vehicle look like a mini-apocalypse prepper's dream. Pulling off to the side, and down an alley, they made sure no one was looking and stored it all inside their inventory, leaving a completely empty cart ready to go again.

Their next stop was a grocery store. While Shiro grabbed snacks and bottled water, Guldrin found himself staring at a row of canned tuna. He chuckled to himself, remembering her earlier comment about zombie fish.

"You okay over there?" Shiro called, waving a bag of chips.

"Yeah, just… reminiscing." The more he thought of it, the more he wanted to catch a zombie fish, or a fish in general. He never tried fishing before, and the idea felt, right to him; whether that was from the new skill, or just what he felt, he would never know.

The store clerk barely raised an eyebrow as they hauled their collection of snacks, drinks, and canned goods to the counter. Guldrin and Shiro played it cool, joking with each other like any pair of kids on a shopping spree. The clerk's gaze lingered for a moment on the sheer quantity of their haul, but then he shrugged; it wasn't his business. They paid in cash and loaded up the Go-Kart once more.

Outside, the late afternoon sun bathed the streets in a golden hue, the heat radiating off the pavement in gentle waves. Guldrin adjusted his cap, shielding his eyes as Shiro settled into the passenger seat, a bag of chips already open on her lap.

"Where to next?" Shiro asked between bites, crumbs trailing from the corner of her mouth.

"Game store," Guldrin answered without hesitation, a grin spreading across his face as he reached over and stole a massive handful of chips for himself. To Guldrin's utter confusion, Shiro blushed heavily and muttered under her breath, "Pervert"

Even Emily, who had been quiet this whole time nodded in agreement, making Guldrin completely lost; how could eating chips make him a pervert? Shaking his head, he started the engine and took off.

The ride to the game store was uneventful until they hit a red light. A group of teenagers in a souped-up Civic pulled up next to them, their music blasting. One of the teens leaned out the window, eyeing the Go-Kart with a mixture of amusement and derision.

"Nice ride, kid!" he shouted. "You racing that thing or delivering pizzas?"

'I need a radio… I knew I had forgotten something important.' Guldrin thought to himself, making mental notes for later.

Shiro smirked, leaning over. "Careful, he might take you up on that offer."

Guldrin's grin widened as the light turned green. He resisted the urge to floor it, sticking to his newfound policy of cautious driving, at least for now. The teenagers laughed as they sped off, their taillights disappearing around a corner.

Shiro nudged him. "You're getting soft."

"Just wait, there is a time and a place… I have a feeling today won't end without something interesting," he said, his tone dripping with mischief.

The game store was nestled in a quiet strip mall, its windows plastered with posters of the latest releases. Guldrin and Shiro stepped inside, the cool air and faint smell of plastic wrapping washing over them. Rows of games, consoles, and accessories lined the shelves, and a cheerful clerk greeted them from behind the counter.

Shiro darted off to explore, her eyes lighting up at a display of RPGs. Guldrin, meanwhile, wandered toward the hardware section. He wasn't looking for games so much as ideas, things he could use to tinker with or incorporate into their growing arsenal. A racing wheel here, a flight joystick there; his mind raced with possibilities. A remote-controlled fishing rod? Nah… too simple.

By the time they reconvened at the counter, Shiro was clutching an armful of games, and Guldrin had a small pile of gadgets. The clerk gave them a skeptical look but said nothing as he rang them up.

"You kids planning a gaming marathon or something?" he asked, bagging their purchases.

"Something like that, can never have too much," Guldrin replied with a grin. Looking behind the clerk, they both saw an advertisement for Shiro's MMORPG, "Oh, you seem to be interested in this…" He gestured behind, "It is all the rage now… but it only works on PC, we are a game store, not an electronic store. If you are looking to play, I suggest going to Buy More, they have one in Burbank right down the road from us. Best bang for your buck, and who knows, maybe you will find something else you're interested in."

Back outside, they loaded their haul into the Go-Kart and checked the time. "Are you Hungry?" Shiro asked.

Guldrin gave her a deadpan look and nodded. "Always."

They pulled into the parking lot of a massive fast-food court, its neon sign buzzing faintly in the evening light. The smell of grease and grilled meat wafted through the air as they stepped inside, joining the line of hungry patrons. Guldrin ordered an almost absurd amount of food, burgers, fries, nuggets, and milkshakes, while Shiro settled for a more reasonable selection.

As they waited for their order, Shiro glanced around the bustling restaurant. Families, teenagers, and workers on their breaks filled the tables, the air buzzing with chatter. She felt a strange sense of normalcy, a stark contrast to the chaos they'd faced in the other world.

When their food arrived, they carried the trays to a corner booth, Guldrin's practically overflowing with the mountain of food. Shiro couldn't help but laugh as he started devouring his meal, his enthusiasm drawing a few curious glances from nearby diners.

"Do you even taste it?" she teased, popping a fry into her mouth.

"Every bite," he replied between mouthfuls. "This is the good stuff. Wish I knew how to make things like this… But my cooking, it has kinda reached a standstill recently." Shiro nodded, he was a good cook, but ever since Dom left, he hasn't really gone out of his way to cook anything new.

They ate in comfortable silence, the noise of the restaurant fading into the background. Guldrin occasionally glanced out the window, his mind drifting. Despite the peaceful setting, a part of him couldn't fully relax. The scars hidden beneath his clothes served as a constant reminder of what they'd been through, of what might still come.

Shiro seemed to sense his unease. "You're thinking too much again," she said, kicking him lightly under the table.

He smiled, shaking his head. "Just trying to figure out our next move. We need knowledge, gadgets, and anything in between…"

"Next move?" She leaned back, crossing her arms. "We're in a world with fast food, functioning toilets, and no zombies. I say we enjoy it while it lasts. But maybe a bookstore would be our next stop? Plus, I am kinda interested in this Buy More, if they sell PCs that can run my game, I would love to see whatever else they sell."

"Fair point," he admitted, but his smile didn't quite reach his eyes. Guldrin couldn't help his thoughts that kept weaving back to that world, and the worlds they may travel later. But his main concern was his feeling that this world he found himself in now, wasn't as simple as they thought it was. Feeling the mana in the air, the fluctuations and currents, he knew, this world would be just as dangerous, if not more.

As they finished their meal and stepped back into the cooling evening air, Guldrin felt a strange mix of contentment and restlessness.

"You know," she said softly, "for all the craziness, I wouldn't trade this for anything."

Guldrin glanced at her, his expression softening. "Me neither."

(Give me your POWER, Please, and Thank You! Leave reviews and comments, they motivate me to continue.)