Chapter 12: Gearing up

'Fuck, is it really me!? Damn, son, damn. With these looks, I could date both Jennifer Lawrence and Scarlett Johansson at the same time. Even Chris Evans will put a white flag when we're put to contest of looks.'

Alex nodded proudly and began feeling confident about himself. As a branded loser of the society not just from his looks but also his lifestyle, the word confidence was never in his vocabulary. Even if the truth hurts, he has no chance but to accept his fate, as he is too damn lazy to step up for himself.

With that, he then looked at the input Icy gave him as he let it scan the storage ring of it's contents, as well as it's corresponding selling price.

[Storage ring (Orange) (10cu km.) - 1,500,000 pts.

Spirit crystal (low) x124 - 1,240,000 pts.

Rejuvenation pill (Blue) x 43 - 301,000 pts.

Golden Cloud Fist Technique (Orange) x1 - 300,000 pts.

Dark Leopard core (Blue) x3 - 42,000 pts.

Human-faced Boa core (Blue) x5 - 40,000 pts.

Evil Boar core ..

Total: 4,872,800 pts.]

"Icy, retain the storage ring, 15pcs of rejuvenation pill and 20 spirit crystals."

[Affirmative host. Subtracting the retained items, the total points will be 3,067,800 points. Do you wish to continue the action?]

"Yes, please." Alex nodded as the items on the storage ring began to disappear, leaving only a handful of rejuvenation pills and spirit crystals.

Alex then began browsing for the items on the shop, as he already has an ample amount of points to spend. Skimming through, he found combat techniques, weapons and treasures he previously seen before from his first use of the shop function.

The techniques which interested him, could now be bought with his points.

[<Teleportation (Active) - 1/4 (Orange)>

Price: 1,000,000 points

Upgrading price: 2,000,000 points

- Instantly moves to a designated location. The location must be a place which the host has been to. Limited but not only to the current world. Does not use essence/divinity. Can not bypass universal(?) law of space.

Charges: 1

Cooldown: 30 mins.]

[<Time Dilation (Passive) - 1/4 (Orange)>

Price: 1,000,000 points

Upgrading price: 2,000,000 points

- Automatically slows down time when receiving a fatal attack. Does not use essence/divinity. Cannot bypass universal(?) law of time.

Charges: 1

Duration: 2 seconds (in dilated time)

Cooldown: 1 hour]

[<Momentum Strike (Passive) - 1/2 (Yellow)>

Price: 500,000 points

Upgrading price: 1,000,000 points

- Increases damage output by thrice when in the state of <Time Dilation>. Ignores defense.

(Ex. Early Human Immortal strength + 3 stages = Peak Human Immortal)

"That's it for my trump cards, now for my basic cards.. is there a thing like that? I mean my necessary skills.. This 3 will be it."

[<Flight (Active) - 1/1 (Yellow)>

Price: 20,000 points

- Enables maneuver in mid air of speed and duration depending on the maximum essence. Drains 1% of maximum essence per hour of normal speed, additional 1% for maximum.]

[<Basic Fist Arts (Passive) - 1/10 (White)>

Price: 20,000

Upgrading Price: 40,000

- Increases damage output and execution speed of fist techniques by 10%

[<Basic Kick Arts (Passive) - 1/5 (White)>

Price: 20,000

Upgrading price: 40,000

- Increases damage output and execution speed of kicking techniques by 10%

'Since my martial arts mastery only revolves on the basics of mixed martial arts, I'll focus on this two for now. Later on if I have the chance, I'll try to master those weapon arts such as kali, fencing and the likes.' Alex thought as he began reminiscing his life on Earth.

During his stay on the 'Chamber of the Universe', as a shut in martial arts enthusiast in the past, he frequently watches UFC as his hobby. Later on, as he wanted to try practicing it, he watched tutorial videos on YouTube after his novel proofreading job at home.

From basic punches, jabs, hooks, uppercuts to side kicks, roundhouse kicks, knee kicks, axe kicks and many more. He also remembered the important points, such as the body language, the center of gravity, and lastly, the conservation of energy. Every attack should be concise without extra movements.

Since he had an unfit body especially for those flashier moves, all he could do was practice ones that he could like straight punches and others. After reshaping his body in the 'Chamber of the Universe', almost all of that he learned was practiced by him, all day long after he completed each tasks.

As he came to this magical world, he could finally execute those moves without a sweat. With an inhuman body strength and reflexes, it could be said that the martial arts he learned were all a piece of cake.

"Alright, this will make do for now. Hmm.. I have a 7,000 or so spare points. I think I'll buy weapons and armors for myself."

[<Basic Gauntlets (White)>

- A normal equipment with normal durability. Can sustain attacks of up to 3 stages of power. Higher levels of attack/weapon will lead to the weapon's destruction. Ex. Early Human Immortal + 3 stages = Peak Human Immortal]

[<Basic Leg Guards (White)>

- A normal equipment with normal durability. Can sustain attacks of up to 3 stages of power. Higher levels of attack/weapon will lead to the weapon's destruction. Ex. Early Human Immortal + 3 stages = Peak Human Immortal]

"It goes for a thousand each.. man, I think this system's cheating me.. Whatever, I'll recover this points later.."

[Successfully learned skill <Teleportation (Active)>.]

[Successfully learned skill <Time Dilation (Passive)>.]

[Successfully learned skill <Momentum Strike (Passive)>.]

..

[Equipped <Basic Gauntlets>.]

[Equipped <Basic Leg Guards>.]

[You have learned skills and equipped items acquired from Shop Function]

[Generating first time rewards..]

[You have acquired <Zero Detection (Passive)> skill.]

[Congratulations, host, for unlocking the Mission Function!]

"Well duh, if there's a system cheat, there should also be mission functions within like those in novels, right? That's a damn nice reward you got there, Icy. Also that passive skill.."

[<Zero Detection (Passive) - ?

- Disables probing senses from any creatures detecting the host's system and combat prowess. Does not bypass dimensional(?) laws.]

"Just the same as those skill I've purchased, what's with those (?) at the side of the universal and dimensional words, Icy?"

[Negative, host. The host is currently low levelled to acquire the sufficient information.]

"Too stingy huh?, Alright let's check the other reward."

'Mission Function'

[Main Mission (1)

Find a way to restore the world to it's previous state before the 'War of the Ancients'

Time limit: 5 years

Completion rewards: Assimilation of the world's core, ascension to the next higher world

Punishment for failure: none

Side Mission (0)

...]

'What the fuck!?' Alex cursed on his mind as he saw the absurd mission and it's more absurd time limit. He wondered how the hell would he finish this mission given his current strength and the time given to him.

Shaking his head, he thought 'At least no shitty punishments like some of those novels I've read. I don't want my baby to be cut or die an unreasonable death.'

The only problem is, if I can't 'restore' this world like the mission stated, I will find my own way to ascension. I don't want my adventure to end here on this place.. also that world core, I bet it's an important item to me..'

He put the issue of the mission on the back of his mind as he began to complete his preparations.

Looking at his remaining points, he thought 'I should buy about 5 of those deceptive liquids.. with my acting skills I'm confident I can fool an enemy.. hehe. Also..'

"Icy, can I also buy the world's currency here in the Shop Function?"

[Affirmative host, with a 50% commision. For example, if you buy 1 high grade spirit stone, which is equal to 1 point, the required payment is 1.5 points.]

"Man, that's so corrupt. You really do have a twisted sense of business *sigh.. alright, please convert my remaining points into spirit stones."

[Affirmative, host. Calculating..]

[Ding! You have received 38 spirit stones (superior) and 60 spirit stones (high)]

"With these gears and skills, I think I'm ready."

He walked down the stairs from his room on the 2nd floor of the inn as he greeted the elderly woman downstairs and went outside to eat some food for himself. The inn basically only lets people rent for a place to stay, with no room service nor food service.

After asking around for a place to eat, he was directed to a restaurant only 5 blocks away from the street where the inn was situated. From the outskirts of the city, he arrived at the capital following the direction he was given.

Looking at the big signage above the wide entrance of a glamorous building, he nodded and thought 'This should be it.' as he was greeted by the receptionist.

"Welcome to the Redleaf Immortal Restaurant, young master. Do you have an existing reservation?"

"No, it's my first time here, so I don't know about a thing about that. Are there still empty tables here? I wish to eat."

"I see, I will look for it." The receptionist nodded at him as she looked at an encrypted book with runic lines, as magical words appear above it.

Skimming from the book, she smiled and said to Alex "We have an empty table with no pending reservation at the 2nd floor of the restaurant, sir. Would you like to go there?"

"Oh yes, sure please." Alex returned the cordial smile as he followed a waiter assigned by the receptionist to guide him on the 2nd floor of the restaurant.

'Its surprisingly quiet here.'

Alex mused as he looked around the floor and saw extravagantly dressed people sitting on each tables, either with groups or alone. Most of them are chatting with each other, especially one table where admiring glances were directed to.

That table has a gorgeous young lady occuping on a seat, alone and calmly enjoying her tea and food. Wearing an ancient chinese pink garments with embroidery of lotus flowers, an otherworldly sense of serenity and peace. Most hushes of conversation were about her and with Alex's strong hearing, he could vaguely tell what they're talking about.

'The 3rd daughter of the Lin aristocratic family..'

'Wow, she's really heavenly.. if I am blessed with such wife..'

'A heaven defying beauty with a defying talent..'

'Only 16 yrs old and already an Early Stage of Earth Immortal..'

Hearing them indifferently, he saw the empty table where he would eat. And by the hands of fate, it was just beside hers, the beautiful young lady. As he sat on his chair, the hushes all directed to him, mostly in jealousy or disdain. The young lady also looked at him with amusement.

Alex didn't mind as he ordered for his food, "Please get me these 5." as he pointed the 5 most expensive food in this restaurant.

"Right away, esteemed young lord." The waiter left from his sight carrying his orders.

"At least this restaurant don't judge me by my appearance.." looking at the people dressed extravagantly around him, he upped this restaurant in his heart.

Before he could continue his praising, he heard a distinct shout from below

"THE XIAO YOUNG MASTER HAS ARRIVED!"