Chapter 175: Preparations [700GT Bonus Chapter]

A/N: 700 golden tickets! What the hell?! Now, I owe you guys 10 bonus Chapters. I’ll have to find a way to roll them out this month, so that they won’t affect the planned privilege Chapters of next month. Thank you once again. Keep bringing in the tickets. Maybe I’ll add more bonus Chapters.

***

Lukas sat alone at the dining table, reading through the list.

Karrakas was long gone, and all Lukas could say right now was that the man had organized the list clearly.

At the top were the clothes they needed. This was split into two categories, organized by the time of day.

He’d specified a set of lightweight, breathable layers for the daytime heat, and insulated jackets built for the night cold.

Apparently, they were standard clothing used by most people in that location. And the note beside each item made sure to mark that the specialized materials were non-negotiable, and not a suggestion.

Below that were boots. Karrakas had specified a brand that was specifically designed for sand, with wide flat soles that distributed weight and prevented sinking.

Regular boots would slow them down at best and trap them at worst.

On the list were also things like tents, compasses, rope, and a small toolkit for basic repairs. And then the rations.

Lukas paused at that section. The quantity listed was not small.

"This is a lot of food to carry." He said to himself.

Of course, he’d asked Karrakas when the man was around.

The guide had explained that not all desert beasts were safe to eat. Apparently, some had poison in their meat, capable of killing within minutes.

He’d promised to show them which were safe to eat, and which were dangerous. But until their knowledge was complete, they’d have to rely mostly on rations.

There was also the option of buying actual ingredients and cooking, but that came with its own set of problems. The aroma could attract beasts, and it could waste time.

It was much more efficient to simply stick to rations.

Lukas looked back at the list, folded it, and set it down. They’d have to visit the Golden Emporium again.

Before he’d even finished the thought, Akira was already beside him, grabbing his arm and pulling him to his feet.

"Up," she said.

"I’m already—"

"Up."

He stood. Melody was by the door, watching them with a wide grin. "We finally got him here."

Lukas looked at both of them. "We just got the list, let’s at least go through it and see where we can buy what."

"The faster we get to the Second Floor," Melody said, opening the door, "the faster we kill beasts, the faster we make money, and the faster we buy a car."

"So, shopping," Akira said.

"Shopping!" Melody cheered.

Lukas had no argument for that logic. He followed them out and pulled the door shut behind him.

They made their way to the Golden Emporium and spent hours buying up their way through the list.

They moved from store to store, checking each item off as they went, haggling where it made sense and paying full price where it didn’t.

By the time they stepped back onto the tram, the sky was already darkening.

They stopped at a restaurant on the way home, eating at a table near the window while the sky above the city slowly melted into darkness.

The lights began turning on one after the other, the city looking beautiful at night.

When they got back to the apartment, Lukas was glad that he didn’t have to cook, because the whole shopping trip had somehow tired him out. In contrast, Melody and Akira looked like they were full of energy.

He immediately made his way to his room, hopped in the shower, and got into bed. It wasn’t long before he fell asleep.

For hours, the moon moved across the sky outside his window, then the sky began to lighten, and morning arrived.

Lukas woke with a yawn and sat up.

The apartment was quiet as he walked out to the living room. He made his way to the dining room, then the kitchen.

The rooms were empty. Both of his wives were still in their rooms. That meant there was no surprise breakfast today.

He smiled to himself and went back to his room to wash and dress.

He started with the base layer, wearing the specialized undershirt and underwear Karrakas had included on the list.

The fabric was cool against his skin, feeling almost cold. It had been built to regulate his body temperature against the desert heat.

He pulled on the thin dark jacket over it, zipped it up, then the matching trousers. The material was light and moved easily, designed to breathe rather than trap heat against the body.

Finally, he put on the boots, strapping them tightly to his ankles. This way, the sand won’t stream into his boots.

He checked himself once in the mirror and walked out to the kitchen.

He had eggs on the pan and water boiling when he heard doors opening down the hall.

Akira appeared first, dressed and alert, her eyes already shining with eagerness.

Melody came in behind her, dressed just as well but with her hair cascading down her shoulders and her eyes still carrying a hint of sleep.

"Morning," Lukas said.

"Good morning," Akira replied, pulling out a chair.

Melody dropped into her seat and rested her chin in her hand. "Morning," she yawned.

When he was done, Lukas set the food out and they ate.

Akira ate her food with energy, already talking about the spatial gate, and asking whether Karrakas would meet them at the apartment or at the gate directly.

Melody ate in silence for the first few minutes, waking up gradually with each bite until she was sitting straighter and joining the conversation.

Lukas was refilling his cup when there was a knock at the door. He pushed back his chair and stood.

"That’ll be Karrakas," he said, already moving to the door.

He pulled it open. Just like he’d said, Karrakas stood in the corridor, dressed in the same dark suit. He raised a hand in his usual small wave.

"Good morning."

Lukas stepped aside. "Come in."

Karrakas entered, and Lukas closed the door behind him.

"You’re wearing that to the desert?" Lukas asked, looking him over.

Karrakas grinned. "I am."

Lukas decided not to comment. The man knew better.

He led him to the dining room. Akira looked up from her plate and nodded. Melody gave him a small wave.

"Join us," Lukas said, gesturing at the empty chair.

"I appreciate it." Karrakas pulled the chair out but remained standing behind it. "I’ll wait."

They finished the rest of the meal without rushing. Lukas cleared his plate, and Melody stacked the dishes to the side.

Karrakas straightened, his grin returning.

"Finished?" He looked around the table. "Good. It’s time to head to the Second Floor."