Vincent huffed and puffed as he just had his first battle in this new world. All of the bandits were dead and their bloods pooled beneath their cadavers.
"So per every kill of the bandit, I gain 500 gold coins and 100 experience points," Vincent observed. "This is like a game I played when I was a kid."
But that was enough thought for now. The next thing he needed to address is the woman he just saved. He walked towards the lying woman, and he knelt beside her, taking in her features more clearly now. Under the moonlight, her face revealed a striking beauty that was almost surreal. Her features were perfectly symmetrical, reminiscent of the flawless models he remembered from magazines back in his world.
What caught his attention the most was her hair—platinum silver that shimmered under the moon's glow, falling in soft waves around her shoulders. It framed her face like a halo, giving her an ethereal quality that seemed out of place in the rugged forest.
Her body was slender yet curvaceous. She possessed an hourglass shape that was accentuated by her tattered dress, which hinted at an ample bosom. Despite the circumstances, she looked regal, as if she belonged in a grand portrait or a high fashion runway rather than lying on the forest floor.
Vincent couldn't help but pause for a moment, struck by her beauty in such a stark contrast to their grim surroundings. He shook his head slightly, reminding himself to focus on the situation at hand rather than getting lost in her appearance. He needed to ensure her safety and find out more about who she was and how she ended up in such a perilous situation.
But—where will he take her? To the clearing that he found earlier that will serve as his camp? That's the obvious choice so he gently lifted her, noticing her weight was slightly heavier than he expected, yet her body felt soft and fragile in his arms. Carefully, he carried her through the dense undergrowth.
As Vincent walked, his mind raced with plans and questions. He needed to find out more about her, about this world, and about how he could protect both of them in the days to come. But first, he needed to make sure she was comfortable and safe.
Arriving at the camp, since he hadn't set up anything yet, there was nothing for him to place her on.
So, Vincent gently placed her against a tree, making sure she was sitting comfortably with her back supported. The tree provided a natural backrest, and he used his jacket to cushion her further and keep her warm.
Vincent then busied himself around the camp. Without tools, he can't build anything. Then—he remembered that he has a system!
"How to open it?" Vincent asked himself, and in an instant, the system interface popped up.
"It's like thought activated or something," Vincent noted and began browsing in the System Shop.
At the system shop, he tapped the facilities icon, and there a variety of facilities was displayed. There, a glowing tab caught his attention.
[Small House (Required) - 10,000 gold coins]
[Small House - Includes 100 square meters of space, a small office, planning room, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and appliances!]
Reading that brief description of the house, Vincent hummed in satisfaction. It's good and without hesitation, he decided to buy it.
[Please confirm your purchase:]
"Confirm," Vincent said as he tapped the confirm icon.
[Purchase confirmed! Please check your inventory to see the blueprint of the "Small House".]
With that, his current balance was reduced from 15,000 gold coins to 5,000 gold coins. The house, on the other hand, was in his inventory. He checked it and there he saw the icon of the house. He tapped his finger onto it and suddenly, an overlay display like in video games where a finished building can be placed appeared in front of him. The overlay showed a grid on the ground, marking potential locations for the house. Areas where the house could be placed glowed green, while areas where it could not be placed showed red, indicating obstructions or unsuitable terrain.
Vincent moved around the clearing, watching the grid as it changed colors based on where he aimed. He found a perfect spot where the entire grid glowed green—a flat area near a natural water source that would be ideal for setting up a permanent camp.
"Here seems good," Vincent muttered to himself, satisfied with the location. He tapped on the display, confirming the placement of the house.
Instantly, the air shimmered like before when the headquarters had materialized. Particles of light coalesced rapidly, constructing the house from the ground up in a matter of seconds. The walls rose swiftly, followed by the roof, windows sliding into place, and finally the door solidifying into a sturdy, welcoming entrance.
From the outside, it looked like a container house as the walls are made of metal, giving it a modern and sturdy appearance. The flat metal roof had a slight overhang to provide shade and shelter from the rain.
Vincent stepped inside the newly constructed house and looked around. The interior was simple and utilitarian. Everything that is needed can be found inside the house. He checked the appliances such as the refrigerator and there he found a tray of eggs, vegetables, pork, and meat. Is it like a freebie?
The problem is, well there is no power.
He browsed his system again and searched for a small generator that could power the house. He scrolled through the options available, his eyes scanning for something that would fit his budget and meet his needs.
Soon, he found a suitable option:
[Portable Generator - Model XP500]
[Cost: 500 gold coins]
[Description: A compact, efficient generator capable of producing enough power to run a small household. Fuel-efficient and easy to maintain.]
Vincent read the description and specifications carefully. It was just what he needed to ensure the house had electricity for lights, the kitchen appliances, and any other electronic devices he might need.
He checked his current balance of gold coins, calculated the expense, and decided it was a worthwhile investment for his new living situation. With a few taps, he confirmed the purchase.
[Please confirm your purchase of the Portable Generator - Model XP500 for 500 gold coins.]
"Confirm," Vincent spoke aloud, tapping the confirm button.
[Purchase confirmed! Please check your inventory to collect your Portable Generator.]
With his balance now adjusted to 4,500 gold coins, Vincent accessed his inventory and found the generator now listed among his items. He selected it, and the system prompt changed:
[Place your Portable Generator where you wish to install it. Recommended: Near a ventilation area.]
Vincent stepped outside with the virtual outline of the generator displayed on his system interface. He moved around the side of the house, looking for an ideal spot that was well-ventilated yet protected from the elements. He found a spot near the back of the house, close enough to easily connect to the house's power system but far enough to keep any noise and exhaust away from the living areas.
The area turned green on his display, indicating a suitable placement. Vincent tapped to confirm, and just as with the house, particles of light gathered and quickly formed the actual generator right before his eyes. It was a compact unit, about the size of a large suitcase, encased in a sturdy metal frame.
He made the necessary connections to the house's power system, following intuitive, system-generated instructions that made the setup process smooth and easy. Within minutes, the generator hummed to life, and he heard the soft whir of electricity as it began powering the house.
Satisfied with his work, Vincent stepped back inside the house to check the functionality. The lights flickered on, and the refrigerator started with a low hum, confirming that everything was up and running.
"Perfect," Vincent nodded to himself, feeling a surge of accomplishment. He now had a fully functional house. But it's time to pick the lady up from the tree and make sure she's comfortable inside the house.
Vincent walked back to where he had left the woman sitting against the tree. She was still unconscious, her breathing even, which was a good sign. He carefully scooped her up in his arms, noticing again her slight weight and the softness of her form. He made his way back to the house with her.
Once inside, he headed straight to the bedroom. It was a modest room but had a double bed that would be more than enough for her comfort. The bed was neatly made, the linens fresh and clean—a surprising but welcome detail.
He gently laid her down on the bed, taking care not to wake her. He adjusted the pillows to make sure her head was comfortably elevated. Vincent then went to the small control panel by the door and turned on the air conditioning, setting it to a moderate temperature to cool the room without making it too chilly.
After ensuring that she was as comfortable as possible, Vincent stepped back and looked at her for a moment. She seemed peaceful, and he hoped she would feel better when she woke.
Realizing that he needed some rest too, but not wanting to impose on the space he had given her, Vincent decided to sleep outside the bedroom. He found a comfortable sofa in the living area and settled down. It wasn't ideal, but it would suffice for the night. Tomorrow, he would question her, find out who she was, how she ended up in such a situation, and what this world was all about.