16. Beauty Stone

Of course, Callie wasn't going to buy it without the invisibility rune. She'd read about those in the Help Articles. Any item that could be visible in the real world, could be bought with an invisibility rune engraved for an additional 50 gold, making others in the world unable to see it.

Callie definitely needed that. How weird would it look for a baby to be using a Beauty Stone on herself once a week?

Her mind still debating what to purchase, Callie continued scrolling through her buying options. There was actually a lot to choose from!

Mana potions were instantly rejected, since she didn't have any mana. But health potions and some items that kept her alive if her health hit 0 sounded fantastic!!!

Another thing that caught her eye was a restoration potion. It was almost as expensive as the Beauty Stone, but it could be used to restore any broken item to perfect condition! While that sounded like a small thing, what if she found something broken and useless that was once ridiculously valuable? It would be great for making money and such.

And then there were the teleport stones and contact items. There were crafting objects, such as books on runes and alchemy ingredients. Candies and food galore. Even every day things like mirrors and hair brushes and toothpaste. The things you could buy from the system seemed never ending.

However.

Callie was still just a baby. She didn't need any of those things and couldn't get away with even trying to use them right now.

Out of all her choices, her mind kept coming back to the Beauty Stone.

'Well, and why not? I'll make more money as I do more missions. And if I really want it this bad, why shouldn't I indulge myself this once?'

Mind made up, Callie pushed the purchase button without any more hesitation.

—Purchase Beauty Stone (with Invisibility Rune) for 400 Gold? Y/N—

'Yes!' Callie said, now determined.

Callie waited expectantly but frowned when nothing appeared. She quickly changed over to her Inventory tab.

Unsurprisingly, her new Beauty Stone was waiting there. Callie clicked on it, and a window opened.

-Beauty Stone-

Use this once a week to purify your body of toxins and impurities. Do not skip more than 3 weeks in a month, or effects will not be guaranteed. Purifying toxins and impurities will enhance your beauty and effects your mind and bodies' growth!

'How do I use it?'

--To Activate an Item in your Inventory, Use Command 'Activate Item' Followed by Specifying the Item--

'Alright, activate item: Beauty Stone please!'

--Item: Beauty Stone Activated. Please Hold Still for 5 Minutes--

Callie almost giggled but forced herself to swallow it. 'Like I have much say in whether or not I move. But, System, I gotta ask, why isn't the Beauty Stone hovering over me right now?'

--To Remove an Item from Inventory, Say 'Remove Item' Followed by Specifying the Item--

'So activating an item leaves the item in my inventory and just uses it?'

--Affirmative--

Callie pondered this for a moment with a frown. 'So couldn't I just do that instead of investing in an invisibility rune?'

--Affirmative. However, Invisibility Runes Keep the Item Invisible Even When Removed from Inventory--

There was a strangely light sensation spreading through Callie's limbs as she thought on what all that could mean for her, but she ignored it. She was still caught up on her thoughts about the invisibility runes. There had been a few clothing options to buy in the Store, and they also could be bought with an invisibility rune. Could that mean she could walk around seemingly naked while still wearing the best armor possible?

Callie stifled another giggle. Sounded like something found in a horny guy's fantasy novel.

A foul smell suddenly hit Callie, making her nose crinkle. She lifted her hands within her sight and saw a disgusting black ooze practically flooding out of her pores. Callie grimaced in disgust, her whole face blanching at the horrible sight.

'What is this nastiness???'

--Beauty Stone is Causing Your Body to Expel Its Impurities--

Callie studied the black goo as it came out of her skin. It was the nastiest, most terrible looking mess she'd ever seen and the smell...curdled milk and feces smelled better than this stuff!

Callie gagged just thinking about it again.

'Okay, but how do I get this nasty stuff off of me now?!?'

--A Bath is Recommended. System Store Sells a Plain Bathtub (Baby-Sized) for 40 Gold. Buy it now? Y/N--

Callie rolled her eyes. 'And how am I supposed to bathe myself? I can't even roll over on my side yet!'

There was a noticeable pause before a new message popped up.

--Crying is Recommended. Parental Unit will Bathe Host--

Callie sighed. So much for her plan not to disturb her mother anymore. But if her mother found her drowning in black stuff without giving a single cry, it would probably be more terrifying for the poor woman.

However, if she cried now, her mother would surely move her. And the System had asked her to remain still for 5 minutes...

--Beauty Stone Deactivated. Thank You for Your Cooperation--

The warm, tickling sensation immediately ended as the message popped up, making Callie realize that that sensation must have been from the Beauty Stone. She frowned to herself, still struck by how nasty she smelled. The pungent odor had gotten so bad, Callie's eyes teared up.

Without further ado, Callie began to cry for her mommy.