John had spent a good ten minutes browsing and considering his options. The machine had it all, from construction materials to massive buildings, devices, vehicles and even living beings in the form of familiars.
However, John's measly 800 points did not allow for much. He had narrowed down his options to the following items:
[Venomlash]
[Strength Ring]
[Health Potion]
The Venomlash was a dagger with the power to inflict a corrosive venom that could slow down and chip away at the health of those it touched. This was a good weapon that could allow John to take down bigger opponents. His thoughts drifted back to that colossal nightmare he encountered near the convenience store.
The Strength Ring would increase his strength by 4 points, which was substantial, but John was confident he could gain those points by himself as long as he had the means to kill monsters, which made the Venomlash a better option.
Lastly, the Health Potion spoke by itself. It could heal the user of almost any non-fatal injury. It was useful, to say the least, but again, John had confidence in his abilities.
With that in mind, John pressed his finger on the Venomlash's name and a sleek, dark dagger materialised in his hand. Its blade was a dark obsidian colour, reflecting almost no light. It felt cold to the touch. It was an unfriendly cold.
A smirk tugged at his lips and turned around to face his new companions. Their eyes widened in shock at the device's magnificence.
"What... what is thing?" Dalia asked, disbelief cracked her voice. Julia chuckled and Dalia cleared her throat, a rosy hue colouring her cheeks.
"It's called a System Shop, apparently," John said, his companions' attention all focused on him.
John thought that would be enough of an explanation, but seeing their expectants gazes, he continued, "you get points for killing monsters, these points are the currency you use to exchange items from the shop. That's it," he concluded, his words stilled the air.
With that, the group all went to inspect their points, but as expected, their point tallies read zero.
"Let's set up a perimeter around this store and grab any resources we can get. We will keep the formation we agreed on," John commanded. As he turned to leave, Dalia caught his wrist.
"Um, John... Can I go with you?" She pleaded, her gaze scanning the floor. John understood. She did not want to be left alone with Martin.
"No, at least not until you guys get some experience. For now, we will do as we agreed." John's words cut through her hopes, but she understood and left with a detached expression.
As the group surveyed the mall, a low growling sent a shiver down their spines. John tightened the grip on his new dagger and stopped Julia's march with his arm.
"Wait," he whispered, his gaze scanning the area. He turned to his right and saw nothing but abandoned stores and debris everywhere. To his left was much the same, but there was a broken glass wall that suggested something had broken into one of the stores.
"Julia, try your buff on me," he ordered, prompting the teacher to close her eyes. As her eyes snapped open, a gentle teal glow enveloped her and rushed towards John's body. John felt his muscles tightening, gaining newfound strength.
"Dalia, keep an eye out and provide cover if possible. Martin, protect Julia and Dalia," he barked, glaring at Martin with peril. Martin gulped and managed a nod.
John crept towards the shattered wall, footsteps muffled on dust-strewn tile. He faded into the dark store as the group held their breath. A flash of sudden movement. The screech of claws on concrete. John dove out of reach just in time, spinning to face the attack.
John strained his eyes in the darkness as the massive beast lunged from the shadows. It was the stuff of nightmares - part lion, part scorpion and a writhing tail tipped with a menacing stinger. The beast roared and swiped its massive claws at John.
He ducked and rolled, his muscles pulsing from Julia's buff. "Shockwave!" John thought, slamming his palms down and blasting the beast back, toppling shelves in a domino effect.
It crashed into the wall, but quickly righted itself, hissing and trashing the store. John braced and tightened his grip on his Venomlash. He conjured his new spell, Muscle Strengthening, courtesy of his latest conquest and the veins bulged under his skin. He felt supernatural might surging through his body.
The beast charged and its massive jaw yawned on John's direction, but John swung his arm wide and collided with the beast's head. He lunged and stabbed the beast's sides. Corrosive venom spread. The beast shrieked, black blood spurting.
Sensing an opening, Dalia stepped forward, hands glowing with flickering flames. "Fireball!" she cried, hurling a ball of fire. It hurtled wildly, missing the beast and exploding against the wall beside John's head. He dove for cover, cursing as heat singed his hair.
Dalia's heart sank. Worthless, useless, just like always, her inner demons sneered at her. Since childhood, there was always a voice within that whispered doubts and hurled insults. She blinked back tears, awaiting John's anger.
But his shout rang out steadily. "Again, Dalia! You've got this!"
She glanced up, stunned. John believed in her, just like he always used to do. She had forgotten, but John's encouragement reminded her, of how he always looked out for her, how he made her feel. Guilt split her in half. Thoughts of their childhood rushed to her - thoughts of how she abandoned him, how she looked down on him.
But before the demons could whisper once more, she grit her teeth. John was fighting for her, and he believed in her. As the monster charged John once again, she summoned a swirling ball of fire. Focusing with fury, she hurled it forward.
The fireball whizzed through the air and smashed into the creature's chest. The beast staggered sideways towards John. Sensing the opportunity, John blasted himself through the air with a Shockwave and drove his dagger deep into the beast's throat. With a gurgle, the beast dropped still.