I was transported into a bigger room, it had a circular, all-white table filled with the same computer looking things, but on the ceiling, there were large, floating letterings that said.
'Item Rewards and Shop'
Okay, I guess this is where I can turn in my reward from the first trial. The room was empty, the echoing sound of my footsteps was the only thing I could hear when I was walking to the screens.
When I got to one, it had a hot bar with three panes.
[Reward Center / Buy / Sell]
I first clicked the reward center, it brought me to the window with a hand scan, it synchronized with me and showed I had two things. One was my first trial reward and the other was from the Hermit.
A sense of reassurance then filled my mind, so he didn't backstab me.
The two objects were deposited into my menu, then a strange symbol emerged at the bottom of my screen which represented the amount of money I had, or in this instance, my Karma Kredits.
With a little excitement and curiosity, I started to interact with the shop menu and what I saw surprised me, it was like a website page filled to the brim with multiple, useless pop ups.
Some were advertising weapons and skills, others just regular clothes but the most interesting was this thing called 'The Regression Stone' it's probably useless.
After getting rid of the pop ups, it was just like a regular Ubay website, it had categories like weapons, armor, skills.
The thing was, no matter where I looked, a lot of these items were overpriced or just barely out of my price range, I found a sorting list, and searched for items within my budget. My excitement for all these cool items dropped as I couldn't even buy the most basic weapons or armors, the only things I could afford was in the miscellaneous tab called,
[Random Common Menu Upgrade]
Isn't that what Scott handed me? Maybe this will give me something that can be shared as well, with no options left, I decided to buy it.
[Thank you for your purchase]
A message appeared from the screen and a transparent gift box appeared in front of me, it then started spinning in place, it spooked me a little, but I just stood there waiting, seeing a couple of names spin like,
[Crafting Menu]
[Language Modulator]
[Karma Multiplier]
A couple of seconds later it rang and opened up with small confetti.
[Menu upgrade 'Transceiver' received]
You have to be shitting me, I could have gotten a money multiplier but instead, I got a lame walkie-talkie?
"Well aren't you just lucky, now we can stay in touch"
My soul jumped a little as a short idiot was already beside me, I didn't even notice Jon had entered, looking at the notifications with me.
"How long-no. How are you even here?"
"I dunno, I just completed selecting from my hundreds of sponsors that totally wanted me, I swear I'm just to lucky"
He put his hand on his chin and grinned as dumb as ever with his eyes closed, probably imagining that outcome, but I've known him since the beginning of my first high school year, I know what he is actually saying.
"So you didn't get any, did you?"
"Dang, how'd you know, read me like a book," he acted surprised and patted my shoulder "your right though, not a single one, oh well, better luck next time I guess"
He shrugged off as he went to the screen and started opening his gifts, he got one random skill box as well but when I tried to look over the screen, he hid it with his hands as if he wanted to keep it a secret.
Then I heard the voices of Aideen and Marcus behind me, I closed the store and went to them.
"Hey Matt, glad to see you here, how did your selection go?" Scott asked.
"It was alright, didn't exactly get a sponsor but I struck a deal with one and it gave me a skill"
"Wow, that's incredible! I don't mean to toot my own horn but Clem and I managed to strike a deal with the same sponsors. Now were even more insepa-"
He said with a little too much eagerness, I could see him getting a little jittery to the point he tried stopping himself.
Marcus just put his large hand on his shoulder and gave a thumbs up. Making sure his buddy was alright.
While those two were doing their thing, I saw Clay appear in the room as well. I rushed up to greet him, asking the important question.
"Choose any cool Sponsors?"
He shook his head side to side.
"I wanted one, but I wasn't as lucky. They offered me weird deals, like 'Chant my name in the sky once a day' or 'sacrifice a lamb'. That's okay though, I'm sure they're not that great anyways. Some were just plain out rude too"
Does having a Patron make you do weird things like that?
"Tell me about it"
Aiden butted in "You guys too? There was one like 'Prisoner of Stone' something like that, but he was an-"
"-Asshole" We all said in unison.
[The Reader 'Stone Prisoner of Equal Heaven' does not like you ruining his name]
That notification surprised us three, I didn't think they were still watching.
"I would be careful if I were you, you don't want to anger any of the Readers, they can be quite useful if you're on their good side"
An electronic, feminine voice spoke from seemingly nowhere. I noticed as the rest of our group entered this room as well.
"Oh good, your party has been gathered. I guess it's time to start wrapping things up"
The center of the room drew a bright light and something had began to open.
"If I can grab your attention, I am this room's personal assistant designated as 'Milo' with the intended purpose to explain this process to make it easier and more efficient.
Everyone gathered where we were at, as this projection of a face with no distinctive features and white, glowing eyes spoke from the center of the circular desk.
"If you signed your contract with your patron, you find the benefits and gifts in your menus, depending on your patron's status, you more than likely have access to a limited shop within your own menus"
What?? So there were benefits from this, that's bull.
The voice continued, "The shops here offer more variety, but you only have access to his now, you won't be able to access this until further notice, so I advise those who have spending karma kredits from your sponsors or trials to buy whatever you need.
"What do we need to worry about once we get in there?" Peter spoke up to Milo.
"The one advice I can give is be prepared, because once you are done here, you will be spawned into the new setting where you will compete in 'The Story' so the most basic equipment and weapons are to be bought but only used to have some form of defense from either hostile contestants, wildlife, and so on. When you are ready, please exclaim your request to leave. Make sure to read…"
The announcer already was tuned out as I watched everyone walk up to the computers, including Clay. I stopped to ask how he could buy anything without a sponsor. He then talked about his trial, and how he helped out a lot, so he probably earned more than me.
If I knew that our performance equaled our reward, I would have tried harder, probably.
That made me question to what exactly happened in their trial, Kaleb was brought out looking as if he watched a tragedy happen. What could his sponsor even see in a guy like that? It then dawned on me; I haven't opened my other gift from the Hermit.
Bringing up my menu and unlocking the gift. A golden light enveloped the box as it unwrapped.
[Private Skill received: Predicting Measures - notice: since you are not in contract with the patron, their skill will only be half as potent and will require more skill points to use]
I was not expecting this, at least the skill sounds cool, but that drawback, I need to see if I can sign that contract with them.
Clay walked up to me with slumped shoulders, I asked what was wrong but already spotted a fanny pack on his waist and a type of small cake in his hand.
He told me how he accidently wasted his money on pastries and an enchanted waist bag, in which he offered me one of the said cakes.
Despite mentioning an awesome enchanted bag leading into a whole possibility of spellbound gear. I couldn't help but feel sorry for my cousin, his gut sometimes makes the decisions for him.
"Now I feel bad, what if we get attacked by some rabid animals and we are the only ones without weapons?" Clay remarked.
"Don't worry, I know who we can rely on"
We came up to the back of Kaleb whose brown eyes glowed with the wonder of a little kid in a candy shop, I'm glad he finally recovered a bit from. I snapped in his face to get him out of a trance,
"Oi, Kaleb, buddy, can you maybe buy us something like a weapon or armor…"
"I don't know, my sponsor was kind of broke as it is, which I'm bummed out about because there are so many cool items in here!"
[The Reader 'Merciful Father' asks where the money you received went?]
"I blew it for a skill I could barely afford" I yelled to the message; Yup, that concludes that theory they are watching us here too.
[The Merciful Father suggests being more responsible]
"Do you know my sponsor; did he want to help you out too?" Kaleb asked.
"More as I helped him" I looked up and winked to whoever was watching.
[Three Readers disliked your ugly wink]
Okay bastards, just belittle me at this point.
"So can you help us or not?" I questioned one more time. He was about to say something, but Jon smooched into the conversation.
"Well if you need some stuff, I totally got you, free of charge, I won't try to extort you later on, I swear" Jon said with that toothy grin and emotionless black eyes, he then cuffed his ear "What? You do want my help! Well shucks, I guess I can, come here and take a look" he dragged me to the computer as Clay followed with a small laugh.
"Let's see… what weapon would suit the grouch, Mathew Greyley"
Clay looked shocked and raised his voice "How is he a grouch?"
"Look at him! His face screams 'cynicism'" He exclaimed while pointing.
I won't fight with him, if he is giving me something, the least I can do is not punch him like we usually do. Clay moved closer to the screen to help window shop with Jon.
"How about… this pen that turns into a trident, it even has a skill connected to it"
He grabbed the item from the store menu, it materialized into his hand. The pen looked like any ordinary ball pen, but when he pressed the clicker, it transformed into this majestic trident with filigree all over the metal to its three prongs, he twisted the handle too, and the smell of salt water filled my nostrils as the trident turned ocean blue.
"Nah, I think some main character already had something similar" He tossed it back into the menu.
"Oooh, this is cool" he brought out this plain looking sword "I remember this from a web novel I read this one time, check this out"
He grabbed it by the hilt and concentrated. The sword turned red hot with a fiery aura, then it glowed a bright light giving it some holy property.
"No. I don't think this is your type of weapon"
He was really getting on my nerves, I was about to say something, but it looked like he found the jackpot.
"I got it! It was right in front of me this whole time, I remember you in the first trail, looking so badass with that little baton, so I give you…"
*Cha-Ching*
The sound of a cashier making its sale was made in the background.
[Gift received from ?Jon Dolores?]
[Tactical Stun Baton]
He handed me a baton, it looked way more professional than the plastic one I had in the first trial.
It seemed to be made out of some kind of metal, it's handle was smooth and easy to grip as I swung it around a little, the peculiar part of this baton was the large, bulbous metal ornament on the end and an alternating button that laid near the handle.
I immediately recognized this. My father was a police officer and on the occasion I went to his workplace, I would see people practicing with these things, and of course my father gave one to my eight-year-old self, I thought it was the coolest thing in the world.
Pressing the button forward, a high-density flashlight showed its light, then I shifted the button backwards and there was another one at the handle, so I pressed that in unison. This large cackling sound came from the top of the baton as these small, controlled, electric currents sparked. This thing will come in handy, I'm sure of it.
"Thanks, I owe you"
Jon seemed to be flustered "Well shucks you don't owe me anything, you're my bestest pal in the world!" He now rubbed the back of his head over as if he was giving himself too much credit.
He snapped out of his praise high and went straight to Clay.
"As my most extra best friend in the world, I got you this little thing" he handed him a metal rod that got thinner at the end of it, he explained it should help him hit things from a distance.
[Two Readers appreciate Jon's generosity and donate him Karma to accommodate his good deeds]
He saw the notification and for a split second, I witnessed a shit eating grin, he then went back to his little act.
That little smug bastard, that's why he was helping us, I didn't know we were getting paid for doing mediocre stuff like this…
After that whole charade, with a little bit of suggesting to one another, most of us had geared up.
Marcus bought this sort of wrapping tape and wrapped his hands up in a way like how boxers do, Scott bought shin guards similar to the ones he used in the taekwondo matches we've watched many times, I think Kaleb went a little overboard and got these leather shoulder pads and really fancy short sword that was at least twenty inches and was attached to his belt, Peter bought some little slingshot which will come in handy for someone like him, Bridgette was the weirdest as she only bought a tool belt that wrapped around her waist, and last but not least Jon had... nothing.
"Hey Jon, where are your weapons or armor, there's literally nothing new on you?" I asked.
"Dude I swear, I got this mega ultra-cool skill from my random skill box and bought other cool skills, I didn't want to waste my precious ludicrous amounts of money on-" he looked me in the eyes as I already knew where this was going, he sighed "I wasted it on y'all, buying those cool weapons, but it's okay, I did actually get some skills that I can attack with"
I put my hand to my face, Jon is a good guy but sometimes he goes too far with things to the point he forgets about himself, at least his heart was in the right place. I put my hand on his shoulder and reassure that I will give him my money's worth for the baton and wand.
"By the way, how much were those things?" I pressed.
"Twelve thousand karma"
I retracted my arm and immediately left him, whistling like I didn't hear or say anything.
"Let's go, no time to waste" Kaleb spoke in a firm voice. We told Milo we were ready and a bright doorway opened, it was wide enough to fit all of us at once.
The feminine announcer spoke right as we were about to leave "Before you leave, I have one personal request"
"I thought you were programmed; how can a machine have something personal to ask?" Peter inquired in a questionable tone.
"I am more than just a code young man, but this request is not from me, but from one of the Revisors"
Now that's a word I haven't heard, they're probably the ones running this whole thing.
"They wanted to test this experimental guide system to help contestants who are new to this situation"
"Is this guide thing like a person or another a.i.?" I asked, but Koa grilled more firmly, "What do we get for taking this?"
"To put it into simple matters, the best I can describe it in human terms is a 'pet', but you will find it's companionship and functions quite helpful when needed"
A small opening appeared from the floor below Marcus and this cylinder popped out into the air, he caught it with ease, but the cylinder looked as if it was melting, no, it was more like it was softening into a liquid. Marcus quickly tried swatting the now slimy metal, instead, it just went up his arm and into his sleeve. He stood in place like a statue, unsure what to do, then it leaped onto Clay and started moving around inside his clothes too.
"It is just getting a 'feel' for its new owners, that's if you accept to take it"
The weird metal now wrapped onto Clay's forearm and sealed itself making almost a bracer, but it had this triangular shape and outlining it were small lights.
This new hologram appeared from the triangle outline; it was just an orb though.
*Bo-woop*
The orb made a stagnant sound and gyrated, it's like it was trying to speak to Clay. He just stared at the thing trying to think of something, that's when a glint of importance shown,
"I think it wants us to take it, and I think we should" Clay pronounced while planting his feet firmly apart.
No one wanted to argue, so I did.
"We can't just take this thing like it's a stray kitten-" he stared at me with those blue eyes of his "…until we take a vote for it" it pained me to say that.
His eyes gleamed with happiness as he raised his hand in the air quickly "Votes to keep the cool thing!"
None of us didn't even barge, it was something unknown and alien like. It began moving erratically and fell to the floor, we all stood back as it transformed its shape into a metal body of a cat, but its head was a blue hologram.
*Mreeow* its robotic voice tried imitating a cat as it 'licked' its paws as well.
"I have to admit, that's kinda cute" Jon said while easing his hand into the air frantically "It's got my vote!"
The cat now transformed back into an arm bracer and attached itself onto Peter this time. He looked shocked at first but then examined it. Once he touched the orb, it transformed into an interface of sorts full of words that I couldn't read, he now looked amazed.
"I suppose we can keep it" he said with no emotion.
"I guess I'm with him" Bridgette forcibly uttered after.
Then one by one we all decided to give this thing a chance, with me being the last one to raise my hand, Clay looked saddened. The metal now made its way onto my arm, the feeling of the weird combination of warm and dense, liquid rising up my arm, it went into my hoodie sleeve. I felt this tickling sensation on my armpit, I raised my arm to try and get it out of there, but it hardened and stuck my arm in the air.
"It looks like it's got my vote as well"
We all chuckled a little bit then we got serious as we inched closer to the doorway.
"I must give you the thanks from the Storyboard Administration, they will be pleased to hear about this. We thank you for competing in the story, may all of you- "
"Wait!" Clay yelled back "Sorry Mrs. Milo, but I have to ask. Does it have a name?"
That's what he wanted to ask?
"It does not have a proper name per say, just an appointed designation as 'Artificial Learning Experiment for Characters'"
"That's a mouthful, are we really calling it that?" Jon dumbly questioned, making our heads shake.
Peter was deep in thought, moving his hands around slightly while thinking out loud. Then a figurative lightbulb blinked above his head.
"It could be shortened to 'Alec' and that practically is a name, so I think that's what we should call it" he remarked.
*Ber-Woo!* the little orb exclaimed that noise as it moved up and down with some form of excitement.
"It's settled then, because I don't want to waste any more time here" Kaleb now demanded with his usual serious demeanor as we now stood face first from the doorway.
Before stepping a foot into the doorway, I gave everybody the walkie talkie to confirm that it was literally just that, it was put in the menu to help talk to other people with the same ability, so we all connected to the same frequency.
"Remember the instructions I told you, best of luck contestants, may you make a good story" Milo said as she shut off, I wonder what she meant by instructions.
"When did she tell us instructions?" Scott asked.
"When we all went to the shop interfaces, I hate to admit it, but I didn't listen to most of it" Peter answered with regret in his voice.
"I heard it!" We gazed at Jon as he presented himself as some all-knowing genius.
"Then what were they?"
"I don't know, I forgot, I'm sure we will be fine though"
We all slapped our faces, of course the idiot has the information to stop us from probably killing ourselves by accident.
We could not let this set us back, Jon was the first as he jumped through with glee in his laughter.
Next was Marcus and Scott, they both met each other's gaze, Scott smiled and showed his fist, Marcus grew a faint smirk and fist bumped him before walking in together.
After those two, were the lovebirds and the machine, they simply held each other's hands as they marched in headstrong.
Last but not least, it was our turn, Kaleb remarked he wished he was home, and Clay tried to be optimistic as he could, they stumbled in together and all that was left was me.
■He was hesitant, it almost felt like a fantasy, here he was with his friends and were going on an adventure, well more like a mission that they were forced to do to save their planet, but still, He never could have even imagined finding himself in a place like this. With one deep breath and a small bottle of courage, he wandered into the unknown■