[You perveted little bastard!] A voice suddenly ringed out in his head, a soft, british, young but at the same time thick, feminine voice. It was no doubt the voice of a teenager
"Hahaha, look who's speaking now, i thought you weren't a female," henry wasn't surprised, instead he was quite elated. He was right all along
[How...you did this on purpose, you tricked me] the system said
"Infact i did, it wasn't so hard actually, knowing you had an ego i knew i could get what I want by just belittling you, which included the attraction to mere, weak, MALE,"
[But you knew i was female from the start, how?] she asked
"You said your voice was heavenly, only a few females praise their own voice even when they are not singers, and if you hadn't reacted to my taunts, you could've also proved not to be female. Afterall, a woman won't stand being accused of attraction to a male they don't actually like. especially one with an emotion, like you, but as for the voice, i had no idea you would speak out,"
[Fine, you figured out my true gender and heard my voice, but it was all pointless. I can just stop speaking]
"True, but perhaps if you kept using your voice to communicate with me, i will always remember i have a strong, mighty system that holds my very life in her hands," henry said
[Hmph, i guess you are right, i will retain my voice, but have any funny thought, and it's back to the abyss for you] she said, trying to sound menacing
Henry smirked, he had succeeded in his mission. "Of course my lady," he said as he bowed a little.
[Now, host can shut the bloody hell up!] The system screamed in his head
"Yo, chiiiill. And can you please stop calling me host, it sounds weird now that you have a voice."
[...What does host prefer, daddy?] she asked
"What, Fuck no. That is even worse!" henry exclaimed
[Then you would remain silent and concentrate on the things that truly count]
"Like what?" he asked
[The shop, you numbskull]
"Oh yeah, i completely forgot about that," henry said, as he sat up on the bed and opened the system shop interface
Shop points: 0
*Skills
*Equipments
*Items.
*Consumables
"Huh, what are shop points?" he asked, and the information on it appeared
*Shop points: [This is the currency of the shop and it's used to purchase things from the shop. It can be obtained through quests, level up or Exchange. Please note that items in the shop cannot be exchanged with anything except shop points, but anything can be exchanged for shop points]
"Hmm, interesting, but i don't even have any right now," henry said
[You are the embodiment of lack] the system said with soft laughter
Henry just shrugged the system's remark as he was used to it already. "But i can really exchange anything for shop points right. Hm, i should have enough soon." he said with a grin, already scheming in his mind.
But his hopes were shattered, as the system struck. [You dimwitted host, you can't exchange anything that is irrelevant and lacks value. So don't even think about trading your pathetic bracelet or anything else in this room. The most suitable exchange material is the world's currency]
"ohh, of course not, i wouldn't do such," he said with an embarrassed smile. "Yikes, she saw through me," he thought
[But you do realize that i can hear your thoughts right]
"What, get out of my head. That is just an intrusion of privacy!" henry yelled, but he got no reply from the system
"You are really just a distraction, and I think you're always insulting me cause you are insecure. You think you sooo smart, but you are not," he said
[Oh really, Do recall that i was not the moron running away from an echo, just to fall into the hands of the thing that caused it]
"...That...that was just...i was not in the right state of mind, you can't really blame me," henry said in defense
[Oh you poor host, i don't blame you. It's not your fault that you're an idiot, you just can't help it. It's the will of the gods] The system said with a sarcastic sympathetic voice
"Now you're just being mean, really stop calling me host!" he said
[But that's what you are, a mere host of stupidity. And besides I'll stop calling you host if you stop calling me system]
"Isn't that what you are?"
[No, i am not the system, but a guide and overseer of it. I control most of the functions but not all]
"Oh so you're part useful, part useless," henry said with a smile
[...]
"Whatever, so what should I call you?" he asked
[Call me whatever you want, but not system]
"Okay, I'll call you miley,"
[Not bad, but why], she asked
"Cause you're a thousand years old, millennial. So miley," henry stated
[Huh, looks like you are a bit less dumb afterall, henry] miley said
"Thanks i guess, see it's not so hard to be nice once in a while,"
[Really, don't push it]
"Anyways, back to the shop. At least i can do a little window shopping right?" he asked
[Sure, take a glance at the things you'll never be able to afford], miley replied
Henry just ignored her and continued checking the interfaced, as he opened each tab one after the other, looking at the goods the shop had to offer.
*Skills
[Normal grade]
-Sword mastery{Beginner}: Immediate acquisition of knowledge on using a sword[10,000 Sp]
-Energy shield(Active): Create a barrier of energy and absorb attacks. (10 Ep to activate, consumes 1 Ep per minute)
[50,000 Sp]
[Special grade]
-Phase shift(Active): Allows the user to temporarily shift their molecular structure, enabling them to pass through solid objects, energy fields and other obstacles. 20 Ep for activation.
[150,000 Sp]
[Limited- Time Offer]
-Eye of Ra(Active):??? [10,000,000 Sp](original price: 30,000,000 Sp)
"Damn, these are some pretty powerful skills, but they're so expensive," henry said as looked through every one of the skills. There were to many skills, for him to look at them all, so he went to check out the equipment tab.
Henry scanned through the equipments the system had for sale, there were lots of weapons of different rank, Armours and other gears, assessories of various effects and grade. But only a few caught his eye
*Equipments
-Storm Breaker(Epic/weapon):
Description: A mighty war axe forged from the metals of the gods, imbued with the power of the storm. Has the affinity of lightning and is compatible with lightning ability users.
Stats:
+20 strength, +50 defense
Skills:
Thunderstrike: summon a wave of lightning from the axe
Storm bringer: Summon lightening from the sky to attack opponents
Smash: Unleash a massive Shockwave of energy within a 10-meter radius dealing damage to enemies
Electromagnetic Pulse: Redirect energy type attacks back to the oppenent
Passive Effects:
75% Boost to lightning attacks
Resistance to lightning attacks
[5,000,000 Sp]
-Hades cloak(Legendary/Accessory)
Description: A dark, billowing cloak forged in the depths of the Underworld, imbued with the power of Aides.
Stats: +30 perception
Active Skills
1. Shadow Walk: Teleport up to 10 meters, becoming temporarily invisible (10-second cooldown)
2. Soul Reap: Deal 200-300 damage to all enemies within a 5-meter radius, absorbing 10-20% of their health (20-second cooldown).
3. Underworld's Fury: Unleash a 5-second frenzy, increasing damage output by 30% and speed by 20% (30-second cooldown).
Passive skills:
1. Shadow Shield: Creates a magical dark shield that absorbs attack from all sources.
2. Soul Sense: Ability to sense any living thing hidden or secreted, within a mile radius
3. Darkness Adaptation: 20% movement speed in dark environments.
Special abilities
1. River Styx: Summon a swirling vortex, dealing 500-600 damage to all enemies within a 10-meter radius and slowing them by 50% for 5 seconds (60-second cooldown).
2. God of the Dead: Become temporarily invulnerable, healing for 20-30% of maximum health (90-second cooldown)
[20,000,000 Sp]
-Fury Beast Armour(Epic/Wears):
Description: A combat suit of full armor forged from an A ranked beast crystal and other technological materials.
Stats: +80 strength, +50 agility, +50 defense
Skills:
1. Rage surge: By absorbing the anger of people in the surroundings, armor releases a burst of energy, causing critical damage to opponents
2. Fury frenzy: Enter a 25-second frenzy, increasing damage output by 150% and speed by 100%.
Passive skills:
1. Damage influx: Armor increases in stats and gets stronger by taking damages
2. Invulnerability: Armor is indestructible
[10,000,000]
[Limited-Time Offer]
Nitro suit(Rare/Wears):???
[500,000 Sp]
(original price: 1,500,000 Sp)
"Yikes, this equipments are really expensive, miley, why is that?" henry asked
[Inflation], she replied
"What, how"
Miley sighed, both dissapointed and stressed, [The prices of things in the system are affected by the economy of any country you reside]
"Wait, wait, wait, what!" henry exclaimed, looking suprised. "This system just keeps getting more complicated by the minute," he sighed, having calmed down
[It is not my fault that you are poor, if i were you, I'd start looking for ways to earn money and points]
"Wow, just wow, you couldn't just be nice for an hour, could you?" henry sighed. "But you're right, i have to earn money and rise to the top of the monetary chain. I would suffer any lack, like I did in my past life, i will become rich!" he declared, making yet another resolve.
[Cheers to that, mate], miley said in a way not totally convincing of support
"I know you're being sarcastic, but I don't really care anymore. What about items and Consumables?" henry asked
[That is the best part of the system shop, it consists of basic, magical and technological items. You can find normal everyday items, items of rare availability and even non-existent items(it isn't known to mankind yet), to sum it all up, you can literally buy anything in the items tab. But as usual, all cost literally a arm and a But as usual, all cost literally a arm and a leg], miley stated
"I'm not so surprised anymore, i couldn't count the number of equipments the system had. How does it even have so much stuff?" henry asked again
[That is classified] she replied
"Course it is, well i guess it wouldn't hurt to go through it," he said, and opened the items tab.
It was truly magnificent, and like miley stated, it indeed had everything, from a basic screwdriver to an advanced space craft. It also had magical items like totems of various effects, other magical familiar items and even beast cores and crystals. Heck it even had a search bar, where you can search for whatever you want
Then henry checked the consunables, it also contained various things, from magic potions to mana syrups to even cards. The cards were what got henry's eye, they had the abilities to make his life much easier.
*Consumables
-Exp doubling card: Double the amount of exp gained for a day.
[20,000 Sp]
-Stat upgrade card: Increase stats by any amount for a day.
[1000 Sp per stat point]
-Direct level up card: Level up once, directly without any exp or stress.
[100,000 Sp]
"Holy shit, all these things literally exist to make my life more easy, without hard work. But that's the joke isn't it miley?" henry said
Miley, for the first time burst into laughter, laughting wildly like a child in his head,
[So, you figured it out, didn't you], she said, still chuckling
"Yes, yes I did. These things aren't here to make my life comfortable, because they are expensive, i would still have to work very hard to even get the shop points, so in a way they're just there as a hopeless motivation," he stated, in a very pained and depressed tone, knowing there's no way around it. He must work hard
[Atta boy!], miley exclaimed, feeling overjoyed at henry's sorrow
"Are you sure you're here to help me become strong, or just a parasite who is always happy with my downfall?" henry asked
[Both], she replied
Henry was speechless, "What a crazy lady," he thought
[I mock you because it's the only way to make sure you don't slack off, and don't deviate from the ultimate goal]
"Which is, what exactly?"
[To become the fastest and the strongest!], miley replied with passion
"It doesn't even seem like that anymore, cause it feels like the system is more an unlimited shop system than speed," henry replied
[That is just one of the features too, you haven't activated it yet, but it's there. Remember what I said about all of herme's titles and skills]
"Yes, i do but how is it connected to the system being a bad businessman,"
[Because hermes was also the god of merchants and commerce. Buying and selling is kind of his decree. Trade included]
"Ohh, it all makes sense now, all of his titles and special skills are being incorporated as features, but speed remains the major, i really have to read the myths, so what feature is the shop?" he asked
[Isn't it obvious, finance]
"Oh, yay i guess, can't wait to have it fully," he said in a sarcastic tone
[You had better be grateful, it is the best of all the system-type features, better than the equivalent exchange trade!], miley retorted
"Yeah whatever, i guess I'm still bumped at the prices of the system's goods, i mean how does inflation even exist in an advanced civilization?"
[I have no clue, but I do know that if the economy becomes stable, so does the system shop]
"I see, nothing can be done afterall, i will have to bust my ass, oh and speaking of shop, how does the limited time offer work exactly?" henry asked, laying back on the bed already feeling sleepy
[They work the same way you know, reduced prices for powerful items. But it changes daily]
"Oh alright, but what about...
[Go to sleep, henry!], miley yelled in his mind, cutting his words
"But I just have a few more questions," he pleaded
[Fine, get on with it], she sighed
"Really!" henry asked with a smile
[Of course not, you know I'm starting to think, you're actually the parasite and I'm actually the victim. You're killing me with the endless questions!]
"Awwn, did i striker a nerve," he said jokingly
[One more word from your bloody mouth, and I swear, you'll have your brains blown out!], she said, angry frustrated and truly exhausted. She just wanted to sleep
"Again with the threats," henry thought
[I can still hear your thoughts, you know!]
"Sorry my lady," he hurriedly said, afraid of what she might do to him. "Yeesh, what a terrifying girl," he thought
"Scary lady," he said softly, like a whisper
[What was that!], miley suddenly said, in a tone resembling that of a strict mother about to descend on her spoilt child
"Nothing...nothing, good night," henry said, laying comfortably on the bed, readying himself to enter the unknown land of slumber, he reminisced of the days events since he woke up, smiling with hope and determination of a better life. He would utilize his second chance wisely.
The next morning, Henry would face the unknown, but for now, he basked in the warmth of his newfound friendships, as he slowly drifted into the dreaming.