Somnium Online

Hero

Eric opened his eyes. He was lying in a bed. "Where-" he started to speak, but blinding pain forced him to remain silent.

"Shhhh, don't try to move." Sylvia was leaning over him, with a concerned look on her face. "You somehow made it out of the dungeon, and collapsed on the steps of the guild hall." She smiled. "You have a few visitors, so let me know when to send them in."

Eric took a minute to take stock of his condition. The sheets of the bed were clean, and his wounds were bandaged. He still felt like someone had dragged him through a meat grinder and then danced an Irish jig on his corpse. But he was alive.

"Send them in" he said weakly. Sylvia smiled and opened the door. Abby rushed in and looked him up and down. Reagan followed behind her.

Abby looked at him sternly. "Never do that again, or I swear I'll burn you."

Eric grimaced. "What is it with women and threatening to kill me?"

Reagan stepped forward. "Um... Thank you for, you know..."

Eric smiled softly and winced. "Don't mention it."

Sylvia reappeared. "Hey Eric you have another vis-" Anne walked in the room, pushing past Abby, and punched him in the shoulder. Hard. Eric yelped.

Anne's expression was a mix of fury and relief. "You idiot!" She yelled. "What the hell were you thinking? Did you not hear me when I said not to do something stupid and get hurt?"

Abby turned on her "Well hello intruder! Just who do you think you are?"

Anne ignored her. "No more adventuring today or tomorrow. That's an order."

Eric tried to laugh, but it hurt too much so he stopped. "Alright, I'll take a day off."

Just then Sylvia reentered the room. "Eric, I present you with your quest reward." She handed him a pouch filled with coins. Eric's eyes widened, "But this is-" Sylvia clicked her tongue."your status plate tracks individual kills.

Do you want to know what your total was? Eric nodded. "104. You slew 104 goblins on your own. And that's not counting the ones you fought with Abby and Reagan."

"You're taking me shopping." Anne declared, "You missed dinner so you're taking me shopping."

Abby grabbed her wrist. "Who are you and what is the nature of your relationship with Eric?"

Anne grew flustered. "W-well he...he...um..." She stammered. "What about you huh? How do you two know my Eric?"

Abby smirked "your Eric?"

Reagan approached Eric quietly. "Um, so how did you?"

"Get out alive?" Eric supplied.

"Yeah" Reagan averted her eyes.

"I honestly don't know. More importantly, are you okay?"

Reagan seemed unsure. "I-I think we're okay. Just a bit shaken up."

"You two are going to make great adventurers someday. Your healing magic is really handy."

"Y-you think so?"

Abby interrupted. "Eric, you didn't tell me you had a girlfriend!"

"I have a girlfriend?" He yelped confusedly, Anne glared at him.

"Can we all please calm down?" Reagan pleaded.

Anne growled and pointed at Eric. "You!" She declared. "Are going to take me on a shopping date. It will be a magical day. You will buy me lots of nice things and delicious snacks and we will have a nice dinner watching the sunset."

"Why do I feel like I'm being mugged? Eric wondered aloud.

"Shut it you." Anne snapped.

Sylvia entered the room. "That's quite enough you three. Eric needs to rest."

They left, Abby and Anne arguing the entire time, Reagan trying to break it up.

Sylvia eyes Eric suspiciously. "Well young man, it seems you're quite popular with the fairer sex.

"I don't think popular is the right word." Eric replied ruefully. Rubbing his shoulder where Anne had punched him

Sylvia smirked. "You keep an eye on that one."

"I think she's the one keeping an eye on me." Sylvia laughed.

"You enjoy your little shopping trip. You deserve a day off. I really owe you now. Oh, and don't worry. I took down the posters."

"Thanks." Eric smiled.

"Oh, and one last thing."

"Sure?"

"Check your status plate." Eric looked at the small piece of strange metal.

Eric Grant
Lvl. 20
Rank: C
Class:???
Titles: Negotiator, Hero.

"What?!" Eric exclaimed. When did I?"

"That's right" Sylvia cheered. "You're officially Rank C."

"What's this new title?"

"I have no idea. I've never even seen it before."

"It's strange isn't it? I've never really seen myself as a... hero." Eric felt himself slip back into a deep untroubled sleep.