Chapter 6. The Price

When Ever finished listing the levels and ability categories, she moved on to the price of the abilities.

"Should I proceed to the information about the price of abilities in the system?" Ever asked.

"Yes, I think we should. But before that, what do we use as payment?" I asked.

"As far as I know, the system creator informed you about the energy you would receive from clearing monsters and saving people," Ever said.

"He mentioned something like that, but it wasn't enough for me to understand the essence," I said.

"Then let me explain the energy in more detail," Ever said.

The energy used by the system is called "Core Energy." It is primarily used for purchasing abilities and improving characteristics within the system. Core Energy is the main currency in the system and is used to acquire new abilities and enhance characteristics such as agility, strength, intelligence, and so on. The carrier can earn Core Energy by earning points, exchanging items, or completing special tasks.

Ways to earn Core Energy include:

Monster Killings: The carrier can earn points by killing monsters in dungeons or portals. Each kill will yield a certain amount of points proportional to the difficulty and power of the slain monster.

People Rescues: Some quests or events may offer the carrier the opportunity to save people. For each person rescued, the carrier will receive a certain amount of points.

Dungeon and Portal Clearances: After successfully clearing dungeons or portals, the carrier may receive rewards in the form of points.

Items: In some cases, items obtained from portals or dungeons can be exchanged for points.

Achievements and Quests: Completing quests, achieving goals, and special missions can also earn the carrier additional points.

"Do you need more detailed information on how to use the points?" Ever asked.

"Yes, please," I said.

"As mentioned earlier, you can use points to purchase abilities, improve characteristics, buy experience for abilities, and in the future, there will be other possibilities for using core points," Ever explained.

"So, I can buy characteristics?" I asked.

"Yes, you can. Such characteristics as intelligence, strength, and agility. As the system level increases, other possible characteristics may be added," Ever answered.

"What about experience? Do I have to level up abilities like in a game?" I asked.

"Yes, you will have several options to increase the level of an ability. One option is to frequently use the ability. The more you use it, the more experience points you will earn. Another option is to purchase experience points for an ability, but the cost depends on the ability's category and level," Ever explained.

"So, what about the quests you mentioned?" I asked.

"Quests are a more serious matter," she said.

"More serious?" I clarified.

"Yes. Your quests will appear based on the predestined fates of the people connected to the carrier's body," Ever said.

"The people connected to my body? What does that mean?!" I exclaimed.

"The future is already written, and you will have to follow it," Ever said.

"So, I have to do what he was supposed to do?" I asked, pointing at myself.

"Yes, that's correct. You will earn Core Energy for each completed event," Ever replied.

"I see," I said, digesting Ever's words.

"Should I tell you about the prices of the abilities?" she asked.

"Yes, please. I'm listening," I said.

"The prices increase from category to category," she said, continuing in her usual monotonous tone.

Here is a list of prices for abilities:

Ability Category (Level 1): Price: 10 Core Energy points.

Ability Category (Level 2): Price: 50 Core Energy points.

Ability Category (Level 3): Price: 100 Core Energy points.

Ability Category (Level 4): Price: 500 Core Energy points.

Ability Category (Level 5): Price: 1000 Core Energy points.

Ability Category (Level 6): Price: 2000 Core Energy points.

Ability Category (Level 7): Price: 5000 Core Energy points.

Ability Category (Level 8): Price: 10000 Core Energy points.

Ability Category (Level 9): Price: 50000 Core Energy points.

Ability Category (Level 10): Price: 100000 Core Energy points.

Ability Category (Level 11): Price: 500000 Core Energy points.

Ability Category (Level 12): Price: 1000000 Core Energy points.

"In the future, if higher categories appear, the cost of abilities will be recalculated," Ever concluded.

"What are these prices?! Isn't it too expensive?" I exclaimed, to which Ever calmly replied. "The prices of abilities correspond to their levels in the system and allow the carrier to acquire different categories of abilities based on their complexity and power," she answered.

"Well, let's assume that's the case. However, I still have to reach level 10 in the system to purchase the highest-ranked ability," I said, and then immediately asked, "So, how much did I receive from the white and black ones?"