Chapter 8: One Delivery at a Time
Ring. Ring. Ring.
"Magical Delivery LLC," Xavier answered smoothly, one hand resting on the counter as he jotted down the order.
"Uh—hi! I'd like three bacon cheeseburgers, no lettuce or tomato, a large fries, and a Coca-Cola."
"You got it," Xavier replied. "Delivery address?"
He hung up a moment later and glanced toward the open kitchen.
"Did you get that order right, Serena?"
"Yes," Serena replied without looking up, hands moving with practiced precision over the grill. "That order and the remaining six will be completed shortly."
Xavier nodded, leaning back against the counter while the smell of sizzling bacon filled the air. Two weeks.
It had been two weeks since Magical Delivery LLC officially opened its doors—and somehow, against all expectations, the business was thriving.
Between office workers, adventurers, late-night dungeon crews, and people who simply didn't want to cook anymore, orders never really stopped. Serena's cooking alone had built a loyal customer base, and the delivery—well, that was where Xavier truly shone.
He pulled up the system panel with a thought.
Name: Xavier Cross
Age: 22
Class: Magical Delivery
Level: 1
Strength: 17
Speed: 15
Dexterity: 14
Constitution: 14
Luck: 11
Skills:
Engine Sync (Level 2)
Skill Points: 0
Accessories:
Infinite-Sized Bag
A-Ranked Delivery Driver Uniform
Current Mission:
Make 100,000 Deliveries
Progress: 123 / 100,000
Reward: Convenience Store
"One hundred twenty-three," Xavier muttered. "Still a long road."
But he wasn't discouraged.
This felt right. Honest work. Steady growth. One delivery at a time.
"All orders are complete, Xavier," Serena said.
He snapped out of his thoughts and moved quickly, retrieving neatly packed meals from the counter. One by one, he placed them into the Infinite-Sized Bag. The food vanished inside, perfectly preserved—hot, fresh, untouched by time.
Grinning, Xavier headed out.
His new car purred to life the moment he turned the key.
Xavier still wasn't used to that.
No coughing. No stalling. No praying to whatever god controlled engines.
He pulled out onto the street, accelerating smoothly as the city rushed past him. Tall buildings gave way to mixed residential zones, then closer to the dungeon-adjacent districts where adventurers frequently gathered.
Reaching the destination, Xavier parked and stepped out, phone in hand as he double-checked the address.
He wasn't paying attention.
Thump.
"Oof—!"
"Ah—sorry, friend!" Xavier said quickly, reaching out. "Wasn't watching where I was going. Here—let me help you up."
"No problem, man," the other person replied, taking his hand. "Happens to everyone."
Xavier paused.
The kid standing in front of him couldn't have been older than sixteen. Lean build. Cheap armor. Brand-new boots that hadn't seen real combat yet. His eyes were bright—too bright.
"Where're you headed so fast?" Xavier asked. "You almost took my arm off."
The kid grinned. "Today's my first dungeon dive."
Xavier froze for half a second.
That smile.
It hit him harder than expected.
Sis…
His little sister had worn that exact same grin before her first dive—excited, fearless, convinced the world was about to open itself to her.
Xavier reached into his pocket and pulled out a simple black card.
He handed it over.
"Here," Xavier said. "Call this number if you ever need anything."
The kid blinked, reading the text.
Magical Delivery LLC
"Food delivery?" he asked, confused.
"Anything delivery," Xavier replied. "Anything you need."
The kid's eyes widened.
"Thanks, mister!"
He took off running before Xavier could say another word.
Xavier watched him disappear into the crowd, a strange weight settling in his chest.
"…Be careful," he murmured.
Then he shook it off, delivered the food, and moved on to the next order.
And the next.
And the next.
By evening, Xavier and Serena were standing inside a high-end accessory store, surrounded by glass displays and soft lighting.
Xavier had his arms crossed.
Serena had already picked out three items.
"I thought my life would be simpler once I left home," Xavier muttered. "No random shopping sprees. No impulse buys."
Serena tilted her head. "Your assumption was incorrect."
She held up a bracelet.
"You already have two of that type," Xavier pointed out.
"I do not have this color," Serena replied calmly. "It matches one of my hats."
"…Of course it does."
Xavier sighed. "Fine. Let's get it and go home."
Serena smiled faintly.
Despite everything, Xavier couldn't truly complain.
The money was technically his—but Serena handled finances, logistics, supply chains, and long-term planning. Somewhere along the way, she had become the responsible one.
And he trusted her.
Across the city, far from shopping districts and restaurants, a different kind of excitement filled the air.
Twenty-four people stood before a towering dungeon gate, its surface rippling like liquid glass.
"Silas," a voice snapped. "You're late. Suit up. It's almost time."
"Sorry, Guild Leader," a man replied, quickly tightening his armor.
The leader raised a hand.
"Everyone ready yourselves," he said firmly. "The dungeon is opening."
Weapons were drawn. Magic surged.
None of them noticed a single black card tucked into a pocket among the crowd.
Unbeknownst to Xavier—
One delivery card would change his life forever.