The Dreamer's POV

Chapter 17: System Shop

[System Notification]

<New Feature Unlocked!>

{Since 500 Currency has been reached, <Shop> will now be made available to the User}

[Total Currency in User's possession: 600 C]

"Ahhh... I see."

The System Window currently in front of me popped not long after I was informed of my newly acquired wealth.

To think I would be able to unlock something that required 500 Currency without even lifting a finger to earn it...

'It feels good!'

Without wasting any time, I called out "Shop" and found yet another System Window pop open instantly.

'There are a lot of things I need at the moment, and I also need to plan for the future of this world.'

In this new reality that I and the rest of the world found ourselves in, Currency was everything—at least, when it came to transactions.

I still didn't know much about it, but from the intuition I got, there seemed to be nothing more valuable in monetary terms and value than Currency.

'The name says it all.' I smiled to myself, now watching the System Shop displayed before me.

[SYSTEM SHOP]

{Welcome to the Shop, where we Sell you anything you need, or want. As long as you possess enough 'Currency', you can get anything here.}

< Available Balance: 600 C >

~Skill Section~

~Item Section~

~Information Section~

~Lucky Draw ( 1 C )~

~Custom Request ( 1,000 C )~

[Let's Do Business]

"Ahh..."

Somehow the interface didn't feel very strange to me.

I instantly realized what each section was for, and I found my eyes specifically drawn toward a particular portion.

'Custom Request, huh?' A wry smile formed on my face. "A bit too costly for me in my current situation." I smiled.

For me to even consider such an option, I had to have the amount necessary. I had no time to waste on something I couldn't currently obtain, but the mere fact that I was drawn to it meant the Section was incredibly important.

'Let's try to spend wisely while trying to save for it.'

That meant I had to be frugal with my spending, especially considering how costly things were bound to get going forward.

'I'll most likely be relying on it a lot more after the Tutorial. Just because I got a head start now doesn't mean I should recklessly spend.'

The second area my gaze went to was the Lucky Draw section.

'It only costs 1 Currency, but the results are uncertain. I can get something as useful as a top grade Item, or something as useless as a rock.'

With the odds stacked in uncertainty, I wondered why I was so drawn to it. Regardless of the hesitant feelings in my heart—or one could say because of it—I already knew the first thing I needed to obtain from the System Shop.

It was something I required a lot at this point, since I could barely understand what was going on.

"Information. I need more information." I tapped on the Information Section, and it sent me to a fresh page on the screen.

There was only one merchandise to purchase there, though.

"Basic Survival Information, huh? That's all?" I had to guess it was because of my level that I could only obtain it.

'It costs 100 Currency? What? That's exorbitant!'

From what I had deciphered, everyone started off with 100 C. The fact that the cost of just this piece of information was that amount felt absurd.

However...

~DING!~

<Basic Survival Information Has Been Purchased>

{100 Currency has been used for this transaction. <Total Currency Remaining: 500 C >}

[Thanks for your patronage]

In the end, I purchased it.

'The fact that it's costly means it has value. I should be able to obtain information beneficial to me if I use it well.'

Thinking about it rationally, most people wouldn't spend all their Currency on Information they were uncertain about.

However, since the Shop only admitted those with 500 Currency and above, it meant the System intended the purchase of said information to be something those with access could obtain without much strain.

'Fair enough. You had better not disappoint me!'

There was nothing more I wanted in this new world than to survive.

"Show me your contents!"

[Survival Information (Basic)]

Welcome, dear <User>

This is a world of Systems and Stats.

In essence, there exist Skills, Titles, and Status Information.

Skills: Special abilities you can use. They can either be active or passive.

Titles: Earned by achieving something, or fulfilling certain conditions. Grants special effects on the user in certain situations.

Status Information: Displays a User's information. Its contents include the User's Name, Race, Level, Life Force, Energy Level, Combat Ability, Stat Points, Role, Authority, Titles, Skills (Exclusive/Non Exclusive), Items Equipped, Alignment, and 'Additional Information'.

Unlike most RPG settings, or Game-Like System narratives, there is no general 'Class' or 'Job'. Everyone has a special 'Role', distinct to each of them. This gives them an 'Authority', which serves as their exclusive attribute.

Each individual has Exclusive Skills, unique to them, and Non Exclusive Skills, special abilities earned naturally or bought from <Shop>

Levels are raised by killing Demons or fulfilling Quests. The more you advance in Levels, the more your Exclusive Skills are unlocked(though there could be other requirements).

Level Ups also bring about Stat Points which can make the individual stronger.

Life Force, Energy Level, and Combat Ability measure one's physical status and conditions. They can be raised using Stat Points, or by physically exerting oneself and training. They can also be temporarily raised by Skills.

Stat Points is gotten from Leveling Up. Every Level Up brings three Stat Points (usually meant to be invested in L.F, E.L, and C.A). However, how they're used is up to the discretion of the individual.

Currency is exactly as it sounds, the means of transaction recognized in this world. You may purchase merchandise using it in the System Shop. It's also used to transact between two parties. They're gotten only as Quest Rewards, or by transactions. It is also possible to find them in Treasure Chests.

The System Shop hosts things that individuals can buy to become stronger. Items, Skills, and even Information can be bought. It also has a Lucky Draw (though the odds of giving you something really good is one in a million, literally).

You can also request for something that isn't available in the System Store using 'Custom Request'. The price is steep, but if you pay it, you can request for a unique merchandise that only you can possess.

Of course, you'll still have to bear the cost of the item. If payment isn't made within one week, the Item gets auctioned off in the System Shop.

[End Of Information]

"Wow... this is a lot!" I beamed, taking in a lot of the information displayed before me.

There were a lot of things I never considered, while other things reaffirmed what I already knew.

However, one major theme of the information provided made me realize something.

"It's just as I feared..." A sigh escaped my lips as I stared at the screen.

'Staying holed up in the hotel was a bad idea, after all.'

Based on what I was looking at, I needed to hunt Demons to grow stronger and gain rewards.

If I didn't do so now, while things were relatively easier, my chances of survival would definitely reduce once the Tutorials were over.

'Shit. So that's how it is...' Biting my lip, I gazed at the locked door of the pharmacy with emerging dread.

'In order to survive in this world, I need to be more proactive.'

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[A/N]

Sorry for the info dump this chapter. I felt it was necessary to properly explain some things.

Please give your comments on this chapter, and on the story generally.

Send your Power Stones and support me in any way you can as well

Thanks everyone!