As I bit into the chocolate bar, the sweet flavor of it melted in my mouth. It was a sensation I had never experienced before. This was the first time I tasted chocolate, and it was glorious.
Every bite was better than the last, and as I washed it down with a swig of strawberry lemonade, a soft sigh of satisfaction escaped me.
Suddenly, a familiar sound echoed in my head.
**Ding!**
[Emergency Assigned Quest! Upgrade the house.]
**Reward: 100,000,000 golds, and Title: I'm the Great Head**
**Failure: Food Market Closed**
**Due Date: 1 hour**
"Food market closed? Really? Isn't that a bit extreme? It's not like I won't do it... just, can't I enjoy my chocolate first?" I muttered, irritation growing as I set the bar down. "I swear you're too harsh sometimes."
[I'm not the one who sells food, that's the system market's job. But it seems like it's taken a liking to you. I'm only responsible for assigning quests.]
"So... you're just jealous because I'm prioritizing the market?" I raised an eyebrow as I crossed my arms, waiting for a response.
[This system doesn't experience emotions.]
"Yeah, sure, whatever you say." I waved off the system's response, leaning back as I lazily opened up the market interface.
The holographic screen flickered to life before me. I scanned through the options gold, coins, market categories before my eyes landed on the house upgrade section. Boredom already tugged at me, but I knew I didn't have much of a choice.
"Alright, let's see what we have here..." I muttered under my breath as I clicked on the 'House Upgrade' option.
Three upgrade options appeared before me, and I had to laugh at how ridiculous they all sounded.
---
> **High Update**
This upgrade features high-quality gold throughout the house. Everything from the corridors to the secret doors would be covered in gold.
**Cost:** 100,000,000,000 gold
---
**Mega Update**
The cheaper version of the High Update, with the addition of a golden swimming pool and elevator. Because why not?
**Cost:** 100,000,000 gold
---
**Luxury Update**
A more reasonable option. Everything would be upgraded to a luxurious level, and any spirits bound to the house could transform into humans to serve you.
**Cost:** 600,000 gold
---
"Alright, Luxury Update it is. Seems like the only one that isn't trying to completely rob me," I muttered to myself, clicking the option without hesitation. The thought of spending 100 million golds on an upgrade I didn't need was absurd, but this? This I could live with.
**Ding!**
[Payment received. Luxury Update processing…]
Before I could react, the house was bathed in a blinding light, and the ground beneath me started shaking.
"Ugh... here we go," I groaned, trying to steady myself as the room around me shifted and changed.
By the time it was over, the shaking subsided, and the lights dimmed. I blinked a few times, adjusting to the sudden transformation.
My once run-down house had become... a mansion. I now stood in what could only be described as a royal suite.
"Oh, what the heck? Easy money really is the best," I mumbled as I looked around in disbelief.
A king-sized bed, a massive bookshelf, a flat-screen TV, and a huge glass cabinet filled with outfits—this was no longer just a house. It was a palace.
Ethan burst into the room, his eyes wide. "What... what happened here, Shian?"
I smirked. "Just a little home improvement, Ethan. You like it?"
"Like it? This place is insane! How did you—" Ethan stopped mid-sentence as the door opened behind him.
Thirteen pairs of tiny eyes peeked in. My mystical kids, my adorable, curious little troublemakers. They were all staring in awe, their mouths open.
"Daddy... what happened?" one of the youngest asked, her voice trembling in disbelief.
"It's our new home," I said with a chuckle, watching their reactions. "I made a few upgrades."
"New home? It looks like a castle!" another one exclaimed, running over to the bookshelf. The others followed, exploring the room with excitement, their little faces lighting up at every corner they turned.
"Master, thank you," a voice said softly from behind me.
I turned to see... a human form. The spirits that had been bound to this house were now standing before me in human form, their heads bowed in gratitude. "Thanks for giving us this chance," one of them said. "We will serve you well."
I crossed my arms, trying to keep my cool. "You're welcome. But remember, nothing's free. Take care of the place, and we'll get along just fine."
The kids were already bouncing on the bed, laughing, and Ethan was still gaping at the transformation. "You seriously pulled this off? I can't even—"
I raised my hand, stopping him. "Don't overthink it, Ethan. Just enjoy it."
A notification flashed in front of me.
**Ding!**
[You acquired loyal maid spirits, gardener spirits, chef spirit, driver spirit, and employees.]
[Rank up! Congratulations, you are now ranked E.]
[You received 100,000 coins.]
[New title acquired: Lower 1st class Tamer.]
Before I could even process that, another notification popped up.
**Ding!**
[Doorbell! It's from your father. The house's secret door is now connected to the Lucist Clan doors.]
I paused, considering my options. "System, can you send anyone who rings the doorbell straight to the Lucist Lobby?"
[Yes, I can set that up automatically.]
"Do it," I said, already getting used to this newfound power.
The kids were still in awe, running through the halls. Ethan, though, finally found his voice. "Shian, this place... It's unbelievable."
I smirked. "Told you. Easy money's the best."
Standing outside the elevator, I found myself staring at the sleek glass doors, my reflection barely visible in the tempered surface. It wasn't just any elevator; it was the kind of upgrade that left me speechless. "Is this for real?" I whispered, more to myself than anyone else. I took a step back to take in the entire sight, awe creeping into my voice. "This is so cool."
[Easily impressed, aren't you?] Nero chimed in, amused.
The elevator was positioned in the corner of the house, allowing a full panoramic view of the outside world. You could see everything—the hills, the trees,
the sprawling garden below—and that wasn't even the best part. I stepped inside, still trying to process how my house had gone from a basic home to this incredible space.
"Ahem! Kinda felt lucky!" I chuckled as I pressed the red button inside.
My room used to be on the first floor, but now, after upgrading the house, it was on the fifth floor—or so I thought.
Just as the elevator began to move, I noticed something strange. The display read **14 floors**.
"Wait, what?!" I blurted out, eyes widening.
"Nero, why does my house have 14 floors now? It only had 11 before!"
[Well, someone's popular. The system market must've taken a liking to you. Consider this an upgrade—free of charge.]
I crossed my arms, my mind racing. "But why? I don't remember doing anything that special."
[Oh, right. The snacks. Remember those? You bought them all in one go, and the system market thought it was funny.]
I groaned, leaning against the elevator wall. "Are you serious? All that fuss over snacks?"
[I think him before and now is still the same] Nero continued. [... Well it's not like you didn't like it]
My eyes widened in horror. "If that's the case, then I can scam him like before"
[He! He! I won't stop you] Nero's voice was nonchalant, almost smug.
I sighed, rubbing my temples. "This system, I swear..." But something in Nero's tone told me there was more to this than just the snack purchases.
"Wait, you're still hiding something, aren't you?"
[.....]
Nero fell silent. That was confirmation enough. "Aha! I knew it."
[If you want more information, you need to level up,] Nero finally admitted.
I raised an eyebrow. "De ja vu? Argh! If my status is still low for you, then are you saying all the players are sucky?"
Before Nero could respond, the elevator was suddenly flooded with red alerts.
**Warning Alert!**
**Warning Alert!**
**Warning Alert!**
I frowned as a new message popped up, one directly from the **Creator**.
**Message From Your Understanding Creator**
To the New *********! System Holder, Lu Shian:
Some secrets are better revealed when you are strong enough. Level up, and you'll receive the knowledge you seek. If you disobey system '0112001,' it will be permanently shut down.
From: The Understanding Creator.
I stared at the message, dumbfounded. "Really? Can't take a joke?" I muttered, feeling a bit deflated. I hadn't expected such a strict response from the Creator himself.
Just then, the elevator dinged, and I turned to find someone waiting for me—a butler dressed in a formal suit. "Welcome to the Secret Door, Lucist Shian," he said, bowing politely as the elevator doors slid open.
I blinked. "Who are you?" he's not even in my past before, why lots of things keep happening that it didn't happen before?
"I'm one of your butlers, master," the man said, clapping his hands softly.
I narrowed my eyes. "A butler? Since when?"
Nero's voice cut in once more.
[I'd recommend leveling up before you try appraising anyone.]
I frowned, feeling a growing sense of unease. "Why?"
[Because if you try to appraise someone with your current stats, your body might, you know, explode.]
"Okay, starting now I'll call every player sucky" I muttered, giving up on trying to figure out the butler for now. I nodded toward him. "Lead the way."
The butler guided me down the hall toward a large, ornate door. When we arrived, I reached out to open it expecting to find someone waiting inside but instead, I was greeted by an unfamiliar room.
"What the heck?" I mumbled under my breath.
The butler chuckled behind me. "Master, if you want to see who's at the door, you must say 'Doorbell' first."
I closed the door and sighed. "Right. 'Doorbell'." I opened the door again, and this time, I was met with a whole different scene.
"Brother!" A little girl squealed as she rushed forward, throwing her arms around me in an enthusiastic hug. She had light blue hair and a bright smile, clearly ecstatic to see me.
Lu Shirley Genome Gen, my only sister in my past life she grew up like a beautiful princess everyone adores her but she only cares for her brothers and she died with a smile after she saved me.
"Uh... who are you?" I asked, blinking in confusion. I want to save her this time, but it will be good if I act like I didn't know them.
"Shirley, don't overwhelm him," a cold voice cut in as a boy stepped forward, gently pulling the girl off me.
He had gray hair and sharp blue eyes—a serious kid, much older than the girl. "He's clearly busy."
I nodded in recognition. He's Lu German Shan, my fourth younger brother. He always acts cold but whenever he's around me, he always smiles.
"Ah, hello, brother," another voice chimed in, this time more cheerful.
A teenager with pink hair and a smile to match stepped forward, offering his hand. "I'm Lu Shannon, your third brother."
I shook his hand, still trying to get my bearings. This was surreal. My half-siblings, standing here in front of me. I can't help but to let my tears drop, I swear in this life I'll protect you all.
"It's fine, really," I said, nodding to them.
"Come in."