Life 2 - Age 15

System initialization complete.

Welcome to the Undying Immortal System.

10 credits available. If you wish to make a purchase, simply say 'System'.

I remained silent, waiting for further elaboration from the voice in my head. It didn't come.

"What is my objective in this world?"

I received no response. Two possibilities.

It doesn't want to answer my question or I didn't ask the right question.

"What are the functions of the Undying Immortal System?"

No response.

"What is the main objective of the Undying Immortal System?"

"What are credits?"

"Why was I chosen by the Undying Immortal System?"

I kept asking questions for a while, uncaring of the silence. I wanted to make sure there was nothing obvious to miss. Doing the same thing again and again without changing anything was the definition of madness, but since I was changing my question every time, I figured I was fine.

In the end, it was clear that the System wouldn't answer any of my questions... without a small incentive at least.

"System...I would like to make a purchase"

What would you like to purchase?

"What is available?"

Would you like to purchase basic information about the products available for purchase? The cost is 1 credit.

Interesting...So I could indeed purchase information. The system's unwillingness to make an exception even for a single credit also spoke of either pettiness or a very strict set of rules though.

"Yes, confirm the purchase"

Purchase confirmed. 9 credits remaining.

The System can be used to purchase anything. You can learn new skills, change your body, acquire items of powerful magic, or anything else. Everything you purchase will come with an associated cost. The greater its effect on the world, the more expensive it will be. Credits are the most basic form of System currency, and their use is limited to things that affect the mortal world.

Interesting, very interesting...It basically implied that it had at least a degree of omnipotence related to the "mortal world" in which I presumed I stood right now. It also destroyed any beliefs I might have still held that I was in a normal world.

From the mention of "powerful magic" I already knew that I couldn't rely on good ole physics anymore, nor on my common sense...

"System...Just a small curiosity...how many points would it take to raise my strength to the same level as the strongest being in this world?"

Processing...The cost of raising the host's strength to such a degree is not possible to calculate at this time.

…Not unexpected.

Now, let's take everything step by step. I would have loved to ask more about the system, but there was a much more mundane problem that required solving first.

"System, I want to understand the language of this world."

The cost of learning all languages existent in the Nine Rivers Continent is not possible to calculate at this time.

The inability to comprehend the meaning of my words pointed more and more to some kind of Artificial Intelligence...

"System, I wish to learn the language spoken by the majority of people in this city."

The cost of learning the Western Han Language is 100 credits…

That was quite disappointing. These credits didn't seem to be too valuable. Even so, with only 9 remaining, I couldn't afford to spend carelessly.

"System, I wish to learn the alphabet of the Western Hall Language along with a few basic wor—" I began before being cut off.

Processing… An external entity has discounted the price of learning the language. Cost 1 credit.

I froze at these words, my thoughts grinding to a halt for a few moments. I knew that I was probably being watched but this confirmed it.

Still, I didn't dwell on the implications too much. This was a show of goodwill if I ever saw one, and I had no qualms about accepting benefits, even from a being who was most likely using me as a means to an end.

"I am deeply grateful..." I spoke, lowering my head towards nothing in particular. Displaying a degree of gratitude was the least I could do.

"System, please confirm the purchase."

Purchase confirmed. 8 credits remaining.

Knowledge slammed into me. It left me a little woozy, but even in my daze I still inherently understood that I knew an entirely new language. It felt like I was born knowing it. Thinking in this new language almost felt more natural than thinking in the one spoken my entire life.

This...was inconceivable. To do something like that would require a restructuring of my neural pathways with a degree of finesse that was straight up impossible for anything other than a god. I wanted, no, needed to know how something like this was possible...

"System, could you please explain the procedure performed on my mind?" I felt raw curiosity gnawing at me now that the impossibility of my new reality was setting in. Even so, I couldn't bear to spend my few points on something that wouldn't be of immediate use, so if the system asked for payment, I could only let it go... thankfully, it didn't seem to be the case.

Knowledge of the Western Hall Language has been ingrained in the host's soul. Would you like to purchase a more detailed explanation?

"Not right now, thank you"

The confirmation that souls existed was more than enough. Who would have thought the ancient Greeks were right in their beliefs? Still, such problems had to be put on the back burner for now...

"System, what should I do to earn more credits?"

The cost to learn basic information about how to earn more credits is 1 credit.

That...was becoming annoying. I also didn't miss the fact that it said basic information.

"Ok, please purchase it."

Purchase confirmed. 7 credits remaining.

You will be rewarded credits upon your death. The number of credits received will reflect your cultivation level at the time of your death. The higher your cultivation, the more credits you will receive.

SYSTEM WARNING: Quick, repeated, intentional deaths may result in administrative action.

At this, I couldn't help but grin. Even if I was blind, deaf, and retarded I would still have realized that this system was the reason I time traveled, but I was almost sure that these returns by death were limited or at the very least expensive…

…It didn't seem to be the case...

Didn't this mean that I was basically immortal? If I could regress an infinite number of times, and I got stronger each time...was there anything that could stand in my way in this entire world?

No...such delusions would only lead me to a quick and permanent death. I knew too little about this world to say for sure what could truly hurt me. Hell, I didn't even know if dying repeatedly had some kind of drawbacks. The System message clearly implied it with that mention of Administrative action.

I also had to stop with the tomfoolery and not presume that this system was mine. I probably had the same degree of ownership over it as I had over the internet back on earth. I was able to use it, sure, but it was clear that should the one observing me wish it, I would be stripped of this Blessing faster than I could count to three.

For now, I had to focus on surviving and learning more about this Cultivation. The System stated clearly that I should strive for a higher level, and this was as close to a main objective as I had gotten from my semi-sentient helper.

I only had 7 credits remaining, so I had to spend them wisely.

"System, I want to know common knowledge and beliefs about Cultivation. Things everyone knows, or think they know, about the topic."

Information on beliefs regarding Cultivation. Cost 5 credits.

Yeah, fuck that. I specifically mentioned that EVERYONE should know this kind of information, so I could most likely buy it using the currency of this world. There was no need to spend credits for it.

Instead, it would be better to spend them to find out why I was currently on the brink of starvation in a random alleyway. I didn't bother with such questions the first time around since there was no one to answer me, but now I had a degree of leisure.

"System, I want to know about this body. Who am I, where did I come from? Just give me the basic information."

Information regarding the identity and history of the host's body. Cost 1 credit.

Hmm, it was relatively cheap, but it wouldn't provide any benefit besides knowing the history of what was most likely a homeless. Maybe I could get a better deal.

"System, I would like to purchase all the knowledge and memories of the previous owner of this body"

Processing...the complete memories of Qin Pínqióng. Cost 100 credits.

I looked down at my body, seeing its malnourished state plainly. The robes hung loosely, revealing the sharp outlines of my bones. My skin appeared stretched over my skeletal frame, showing signs of neglect and deprivation.

Was this guy's mind really worth 100 credits? Well, since 100 was also the cost of learning a new language, maybe it was actually quite cheap. He must have gained some skills and knowledge during his life to allow him to survive till now...maybe.

"System, how about purchasing the memories solely from his last week amongst the living?

Processing...the memories of Qin Pínqióng's last week. Cost 1 credit.

"Now we're talking" I spoke with a smile. It sounded like a good deal to me...presuming he didn't spend his last week in a comatose state... which, looking at his body, seemed entirely plausible.

"System, actually, let's buy the second last week worth of memories."