NOVEL WEB Chapter 8: Sleeping is Easy, Paying Rent is Hard
In a hotel on the outskirts of Boonesborough, Oliver entered wearing a long cloak. The atmosphere had an old-fashioned feel, with dark wooden furniture and floating candles casting a yellowish glow over the lobby.
He approached the counter, where a blonde, smiling witch greeted him enthusiastically.
"Welcome to Hellspin Hotel! My name is Charles. What can I do for you tonight?"
Oliver quickly scanned the place before pulling back his hood, revealing his golden eyes. "I'd like a room for a week."
Without wasting time, he placed the money on the counter, having already seen the prices on the sign outside.
"Alright, sir. We have a vacant room, number 08."
Charles grabbed the key behind him while counting the money. Still smiling, he continued:
"Breakfast is served from 7 AM to 10 AM, and lunch from 12 PM to 3 PM. Unfortunately, we don't serve dinner, but there's a restaurant across the street if you need one."
He pulled out a clipboard from under the counter.
"What name should I put on the register?"
"Oliver Gra... Levi. Oliver Levi."
"Very well, Mr. Levi. Here's your key. Have a great night!"
Taking the key, Oliver headed toward the staircase. — "Good night."
Upon entering the room, Oliver observed the simple space: a double bed, a dresser, and a dark wooden wardrobe. There was also a small but functional attached bathroom.
After changing the sheets and turning on the ceiling fan, he finally allowed himself to rest after a hectic day. Fatigue weighed on his body, but his mind remained restless.
"I spent all my money on the room reservation... I need to find a job quickly to support myself while I study."
Sighing, he opened his status window for a check. The projected information before him only confirmed what he had feared.
"I don't have anything truly useful for landing a decent job or starting a business. My healing ability is too low to pursue anything in that field... The only thing I'm good at is fighting."
Suddenly, an idea struck him.
"If I'm not mistaken, there's a group of demon hunters who sell high-level beasts to those willing to pay for the bodies—whether for ingredients or domestication. In the original storyline, they were just incompetent secondary villains... But if I use my prior knowledge to hunt truly powerful creatures, I might be able to make easy money."
He reflected a bit more, calculating the possibilities.
"I could also sell spell scrolls online without needing a physical stall."
Remembering this, he summoned his scroll and sent a message to Kátya. He waited for fifteen minutes but received no response.
"Could she already be asleep? It's only nine at night... Either way, I'll try again tomorrow."
He wrapped himself in the blankets he had brought along and let out a long sigh. The room was silent, with only the hum of the fan filling the space.
"I don't think I'll have trouble with the guards. Marcos is too proud to admit he got beaten up by a kid and had his money stolen."
Turning to the side, he stared at the ceiling.
"I know the original owner of this body killed his mother during childbirth, but that's no reason to condemn him to a life of loneliness."
He closed his eyes, feeling the weight of the day
finally settle over him.
"I hope tomorrow is better."