Yves went back to exploring the information on Taro's evolution route. As he selected the Shadow Step Tanuki option, the screen transformed once more.
⋖ ⸻ +++:-:+:-:+:-:+:-:+++ ⸻ ⋗
⊂ Shadow Step Tanuki ⊃
: A mysterious monster that can disappear into shadows and reappear somewhere else quickly. It's really hard to catch because it moves in the darkness.
Potential: Black Opal-order
Conditions:
Must be at Realm: ★★★★★
1 Advanced Shadow Spiritwood Twig
1 Lesser Shadow Crystal
1 Lesser Mana Crystal
5 Standard Dark Grass
20 Standard Shadow Leaf
⋖ ⸻ +++:-:+:-:+:-:+:-:+++ ⸻ ⋗
Yves raised an eyebrow when he saw the evolution conditions. "10-star realm... That's good news, Taro's already there. But these materials..."
He sighed, feeling a bit overwhelmed. "The crystals, I've heard of them. They are rare drops from killing monsters. I know they are somewhat expensive. Now, the Shadow Spiritwood Twig, Standard Dark Grass, and Shadow Leaf? No idea where to find them, but they might be available on the virtual market."
"This feels like a fancy shopping list. But if it means unlocking a high-grade potential, it's undoubtedly worth the investment. Even if it burns a hole in my pocket, I'll still give it a shot because unlocking Taro's potential is crucial."
"Potential is like a ceiling for pet monsters. Once they reach it, they'll be stuck there forever. Sure, there might be rare circumstances where super rare materials can break through that limit, but that's mostly in legends."
Yves leaned back, reached for his phone, and opened his wallet app.
"Alright, let's see first how much I've got in my piggy bank."
As the app displayed his savings – $4,820 – Yves let out a sigh. This sum represented his hard-earned money from working full-time at the convenience store during the night.
"Is this gonna be enough to buy the required materials for the Shadow Step Tanuki? Maybe I need to consider picking up some extra shifts to manage this without wrecking my budget. But hey, Taro's evolution is worth the effort, right?"
As the clock on Yves' phone showed 1:32 PM, he figured that he had a bit of free time before his work shift. Thinking of testing something in the virtual market and checking material costs, he decided to make a quick visit.
With a glance at Taro, Yves smiled and said. "Okay Taro, return for now. We're off to the market."
Getting Yves' signal, Taro nodded and emitted a gentle glow. In a flash, he disappeared into the circle pattern on Yves' hands.
Yves rose from his seat, making his way out of the room. Before leaving, he caught sight of Yuto immersed in a book, flipping through the pages with enthusiasm.
"Hey Yuto." Yves called out, leaning against the doorframe. "I'm going for a short trip. Need anything from the market?"
Yuto glanced up from his book, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Nah, I'm good for now."
Yves nodded. "Hmm got it. By the way, do you still have spare money?"
"Yeah, I've still got enough from the last time you gave me. What's up?" Yuto replied.
"Great to hear. Just making sure you're good. If you're feeling hungry, consider ordering some food. And, of course, if you need anything else, just drop me a message."
As Yves approached their door, he raised his hand in a casual wave. "Alright, I'm off. See you later."
"Sure thing, big brother. Take care." Yuto responded, flashing a quick smile before shifting his attention back to his book.
Yves descended the stairs, leaving the apartment behind. He walked through the quiet hallway and reached the building's entrance. Stepping outside, the crisp air hit him, and he headed towards the parking lot where his road bike was secured.
Unlocking his road bike with a quick twist of the key, Yves hopped on and began pedaling towards the virtual cafe. The familiar route blurred as he moved swiftly.
Arriving at the virtual cafe, Yves felt the familiar ambiance of the place wash over him. The exterior of the cafe, a sleek and modern structure, stood confidently with large glass windows.
After he parked his road bike in the designated area, Yves entered through the automated sliding glass doors. Inside, he was greeted by the sight of cocoon-shaped VR pods lining the walls.
Approaching the counter, Yves was attended by a professionally attired staff member, who welcomed him with a warm smile. "Welcome to Lush Virtual Cafe, sir! How may I assist you today?"
"I'd like to rent a VR pod for an hour." Yves replied with a friendly nod.
"Understood it, sir. That will be $20. Would you prefer to pay in cash or through scanning?" the staff member asked.
"Scan, please." Yves responded, quickly retrieving his phone. The staff presented a handheld device with a small screen and a QR code. With a smooth motion, Yves scanned the displayed code, and a confirmation beep signaled the successful transaction.
The staff handed Yves a card, indicating his rental, and said. "You're all set, sir. Feel free to choose any available pod. If you need assistance, don't hesitate to ask. Enjoy your experience."
"Thank you." Yves expressed his gratitude, taking the card. Nodding appreciatively, he proceeded to explore the area.
Walking among the pods, Yves observed the blinking neon lights on many, indicating they were occupied by others. After a few minutes of searching, he finally found an empty one.
Moving closer to the vacant pod, Yves gently inserted the card into the side, and just like magic, the pod started to open. The door slid up slowly, revealing a comfy space inside.
Yves stepped into the pod, settling into the cozy seat. Right there on the side, he saw the helmet waiting for him. Taking it, he put on the helmet and said. "Activate."
Closing his eyes, Yves found himself in front of a vast screen filled with various apps and games. Scanning through the options, he quickly located Virtual Market.
With a tap in the air, he selected Virtual Market. As he pressed the start button, a brief loading screen appeared, and the surroundings transformed.
After a moment of darkness, Yves opened his eyes and found himself in a bustling market square. The pod had taken him to a vibrant world with an open, bright blue sky overhead.
This was the Virtual Market, a digital hub where people from all over could gather to sell, trade, auction, and engage in various transactions.
Imagine it like a giant online market, but instead of browsing through websites, users could walk around a virtual space, interact with holographic stalls, and explore a diverse array of virtual goods and services.
Yves took a breath, enjoying the fresh air. "Even though I've been here a bunch of times, it still never failed to amaze me. The feeling is so lifelike."
"It's like stepping into another world, and everything feels so real. I can perceive all my senses and there is no delay in my movements – it's as if I'm actually here."
Taking steps to stay safe, Yves thought about being careful. He slid his hands in front of him and opened his virtual interface. Going through the menu, he turned on the anonymous mode. This way, nobody could recognize him, and his identity stayed a secret, making sure he was safe.
As the activation process unfolded, a life-sized image of Yves popped up on the screen. Slowly but surely, his regular facial features underwent a transformation, getting concealed by a stylish jet-black crow mask. Simultaneously, his casual clothes changed into a black long trench coat, over-the-knee black boots, and black leather gloves.
"Oh, so this is how it works." Yves murmured to himself. Even though he had known about this function for quite some time, today was the first time he actually pressed the button to try it out.
A smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he gazed at his new appearance on the screen. "Not bad, I like it."
Before bidding farewell to the interface, Yves thought of personalizing his virtual presence a bit more. With a momentary pause, he pondered over a fitting nickname. Then, like a lightbulb moment, the word "Crow" appeared in his head. Deciding it was just right, he set it up as his chosen nickname.
In the virtual market, a nickname is like a special tag that everyone can see above your head. It's how others will know and remember you in this digital world, kind of like your name in real life.
With his chosen nickname set, Yves clicked the "Save" button. He couldn't help but let out a contented sigh.
"At last finished. I am Crow now, not Yves." he noted in his mind.
Closing the screen, Yves looked down, half expecting everything to be the same as before. However, to his surprise, his outfit had indeed transformed.
The black boots hugged his legs, the black gloves adorned his hands, and the long trench coat draped over him stylishly.
Running his fingers along the smooth leather of the gloves and adjusting the collar of the trench coat, Yves took a moment to absorb the change. To his satisfaction, it felt just as comfortable as his usual clothes.
Filled with a burst of energy, Yves couldn't resist the temptation to test out his new style. He leapt into the air, attempting a series of jumps, unaware that the eyes of nearby users were now fixed on him, taken aback by his action.