New gift

I'm honestly speechless. Here I thought gifts were exclusive to their owners but I guess that would've been somewhat unfair. For example- me. My gift is certainly weak in the early stages but it would only make me shine more and more the longer it's present. And while I can't speak for gods if I were to create this entire system I would prepare for the possibility of a meta rising up. Basically a select few abilities that ended up being the best of the bunch due to some form of negligence while developing or uncertain factor after launch. Although describing the world from a gamers perspective is scary... You know what? I'm just gonna stop this line of thought.

Seeing as Gaia most likely wants us alive considering that she went out of her way to reincarnate us with additional abilities it's likely in her best interest that we are all powerful enough to survive.

Enough of that though, let's get to shoppin'! While I almost impulsively want to buy something from the gift menu there is something I need more than that. My plan so far is to absorb as many energy crystals as fast as humanly possible but that begs the question- Is it safe? If we expand on that sentiment then what is the best way to develop your energy core?

There was a large faction of people in my past life, mostly chinese, that thought developing your core had to be done in a cultivation manner, slowly gahering energy from the air to build upon your core in a stable manner to "establish a proper foundation". I never believed in that bullshit but they may be right in the fact that there is a correct way to build- and expand upon your core.

The most likely place to find it would be in the equipment shop- or atleast it would've been if there was a section for general items.

'Is there a proper way to grow your energy core?'

[Yes.]

'Where can I find it?'

[I have it stored in my database.]

'Didn't I just say to not hide things from me?'

[Searching memory... Question: "Is there anything else you are hiding from me?". First of all that's a question, not a statement. Second of all I didn't hide it from you, it has always been availible.]

...

After going to the room with the punching bag for approximately 15 minutes and taking a quick shower I was ready to have another conversation with the system.

'So are you capable of producing a book with everything regarding the proper energy development method in an orderly, chronological manner?' I was sure to clarify myself as much as possible in order to not give the system any loopholes to screw me over.

[That will cost you 10 merits and one of your 90% beginner discounts.]

'Put that in my shopping cart.' I was saving it for later in case I could use the discounts more effectively.

'Can you explain the differences between improving your gift and evovling it?'

[Improving you gift will Improve the effects of all your skills while evolving your gift will fundimentally change it, although the new skills will still resemble the old ones a bit.]

'Does it make a difference whether I improve my gifts first before I evolve them or not?'

[No, the end product will still be the same.]

I sucked in a cold breath. Imagine if I improved it without asking! The improve function is a scam!

'How much to evolve my current gift?'

[It would cost you 1000 merits if you include the discount.]

Some quick math and we get the original value of my gift, 2000 merits. In other words I can't get the manual if I decide to evolve my gift. Let's check out the other gifts instead then. I scroll through some options that sound extremely enticing until I come across a rather cheap one.

[-Animal trainer 600 merits (60 with 90% beginner discount)

A gift centered around gaining animal companions.

Skills: Friend, empathy, taming.]

After reading the skills descriptions I thought about the dog I used to have. Unconciously I chose pressed the purchase button and immediately afterwards I regreted it.

Nonononononono. Out of all the cool sounding skills I went with the least impressive sounding one.

'Can I refund thing's I've purchased?'

[No]

God fucking damnit. I blame you!

You know what? Fuck it!

'Evolve the fucker.'

[After installment it will be evolved. Procedure expected to finish in 5 days or alternatively I could finish it in two days if I go into hibernation.]

'Use both discounts on the purchases and get me the book for the original price.'

[460 merits have been deducted]

A book started to materialize in front of me. The label on it read "Aether core manual."

'Wait, why is it called Aether? Shouldn't it be energy?'

[The system has previosly used the term energy as it is the term you are familiar with but the correct term is Aether. For example you might call kinetic energy "energy" but the correct term will always be kinetic energy.]

'I see.'

'Go into hibernation.'

[Alright.]

AIPJNVBPQEINB!

'Motherfu-'

I black out once more.