2 COPPER, MIRACLE CROP!

Sarah told Gus, that she has just sent a letter to her merchant friend. Gus thanked Sarah for appealing to his request. Sarah bowed and excused herself to go back to her work.

Gus' presumption was correct. Judging from what Sarah has said earlier, he concluded that Salt really is a luxury. Now concluding this, Gus wanted to sell off all the remaining salt he has without drawing public attention. Thanks to his new skill, he can use his Morph ability and change his head into one that resembles a mask with eye holes. He can even morph his body armor into a different design. He even thought as far as engraving a random medieval crest as to throw off the unwanted attention he might attract.

"New Mission User! You must have a place of your own, where you can sell delicious food.

Time restriction: 30 days

Reward: Earth's Online Grocery Store

Clay Golems x 2

Failure: -5 points to ALL stats

Loss of privilege to purchase items

Please work hard Dear User!" ended the system.

"Why the harsh punishment, system?! Why should there be a time restriction to begin with?" asked Gus frustratingly.

"Dear User, Unlike other systems, this system is generous to answer some of your questions. This System is working with another force you humans call fate or Gods. Since the beginning of time, this ethereal force has already weaved a flow of events. As Fate has gifted humanity with what humans call it Freedom, the consequences from the myriad of choices are way beyond human understanding. Not even the system knows its purpose as Fate's existence is even more ancient than this system. Are you now satisfied Dear User?" said the system.

"So in short, it's impossible to know the reason behind the rewards and punishment given by the system." Gus replied. At least the System was honest. But its smug attitude needs a bit of adjustment, thought Gus. He can only do what he can. It's a fact that Gus is still weak. Money is his first stepping stone to get stronger. Without Money, he can't even dream of owning a place to sell food. Time is against him.

Gus reorganizes his thoughts and finally concluded his next course of action.

His mission is to have his own restaurant. Acquiring property and to be able to refurbish it, requires large sums of money. This is where his salt comes into play. Now lies two more problems. The first problem is that he needs a way to convert salt into currency without drawing attention. The second problem is the location of his store. As much as he wanted to open a store inside Yellowleaf, the residents can't afford to eat in the store and outsiders have no reason to go to a place like Yellowleaf. Here is where Gus' Skill point comes into play.

"Let us give them a reason to visit Yellowleaf!" said Gus.

Gus headed off inside the forest. He decided to conduct his experiment near the river where townsfolk getting water would not notice him.

"System! I would like to use a Skill point! Please use it on Barter!"

The system asked him to select another 3 items to be added in his inventory.

Gus picked Potatoes, Sugar, and Corn! As Gus noticed, the potatoes cost 2 coppers, Sugar costs 3 coppers and corn costs, 10 coppers.

The first item is currently the 5th most important crop on Earth. This crop ended famine when it arrived in northern Europe. and also permitted Europe to assert their dominion over most of the Earth between 1750 - 1950. Its also proven to be highly resilient. The first crop is none other than the Potato!

The second item was once considered a spice. It's none other than the ever famous Sugar! Like Salt, it has also been used as medicine. Sugar was so rare and expensive only royalty could afford it—and in very small quantities at that. In the 13th century, for example, British monarch Henry III once tried to order three pounds of sugar but expressed doubts that so much sugar could even be found in England. Gus' didn't want the bother of the laborious manpower that is required to refine sugar from sugar canes so he decided to buy its processed form instead. He was counting on its feature everybody can undoubtedly agree back on earth. Sugar is Addictive!

"Urm, system? Are the Prices right?" asked Gus as he noticed one of the items in the list seems a tad bit high from the others. Corn wasn't expensive on earth which just added more to the confusion.

"How Rude! The System is fair and will never make mistakes! There is nothing wrong with the prices!" replied the system

"Then why is the corn a bit expensive?" asked Gus.

"The system carefully selects its vegetable to ensure its suitability in the world of Circa. These varieties can grow even in the coldest of climates! Pests will also avoid this certain crop since this vegetable has genes that repel pests like rodents and insects!" answered the system.

Then it hit Gus. He finally had an inkling on how the system pricing works. One thing about the corn back on earth is that it is a Summer Crop. it thrives on HOT climates. the system meddled with its genes mutating this corn into something that can even survive in Cold climates! The more mutated a vegetable gets, the more expensive the system will price the produce.

"So System, can you show me a crop that is worth one gold?" asked Gus with sparkling eyes. Gus was excited if there existed crops and game that he hasn't encountered on earth. He wondered what it might it taste like or smells like. A golden opportunity to create a dish of his own! thought Gus.

"I'm sorry dear user, you have to level up to gain access to that information." replied the system bluntly.

"Damn this Cryptic Bastard of a System. It's only Generous when you have no need of its answers!" thought Gus.

"System I wish to use another skill point! Use it on TERRITORY!"

"Certainly Dear User!"

Gus took a quick glance at his Status function.

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*NEW* TERRITORY LVL 02:

*NEW* 5x5 meter spacial storage

*NEW* TERRITORIAL IMPERATIVE - Please Use Core to Proceed.

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Gus only wanted to expand his spatial inventory as it was getting full. But he was curious on the new added passive and decided to ask the system about it.

"Dear User, Territorial Imperative is a passive skill that enables you to take full authority of an area which a core is responsible for." answered the system.

"What is a core?" Asked Gus. "A core is a core. The System is unable to express it in a language that a human can understand."

If only the system has a face so Gus can smack it around. Well, since he initially got what he wanted, it doesn't matter.

He Saved his last skill point and then proceeded with his experiment. Gus wanted to try to cultivate Potatoes in this area to give sustainability to the Orphanage. If things work out, the Orphanage can raise money by selling potatoes! If his experiment proves to be successful, he can even skip waiting for the potatoes to grow and sell it right away, thanks to his skill, Territory! The complicated details like taxes and whatnot can be dealt with some other time.

"System, A potato if you please!" asked Gus.

"Denied Dear User!" replied the system.

"This Cheeky System?! So I hurt your feelings, Is that it? Is this revenge for cursing at you?"

asked Gus in frustration.

"Dear User, I care less about what you might think. But I do find it delightful seeing you in distress."

"Then why?!" asked Gus.

"Please Deposit 2 coppers." answered the system with a smirking voice.