It's mine, but I have to pay
Dai's stomach rumbled.
She had been sitting on the porch for some time, trying to learn how to use the strange window. It took her the longest time to figure out how to let discover it on her own. She also understood that the genderless voice had something to do with this because it had advised her.
Didn't she imagine it? Or did it sound a little annoyed?
Now, though, her stomach was announcing that it was empty. The last time she ate was last night, and this place was pretty disorienting in terms of time. She stroked her aching stomach and let the window appear and disappear in her mind as she pleased. It was quite satisfying to find that she could control it.
She looked at the icons at the top of the window and clicked on the Tasks icon.
The color changed to green again, and Dai began to understand that the color differences had meaning. Green for Tasks. Blue Shop. Yellow for information? Underneath the icon was a description of the task that had appeared before.
First task:
Spend all Star Coins in the personal Shop.
Reward: Inventory
Failure: No penalty
Note: You cannot welcome your first customers without anything for sale.
She nodded to herself. It shouldn't be that hard, right? She was about to stick her finger in the window when the thought occurred to her that if she could open the window with her mind, couldn't she do the rest as well? She began to stare at the Shop icon, repeating in her mind.
"Open. Open." The window turned blue as it switched to the Shop. She could almost feel the power of the thought flowing out of her head. She imagined things.
She smiled victoriously and proudly straightened her back. She returned to the Pets menu again. But even though she figured she could do it with thought, she used her finger anyway. Dai wanted to be sure that her thoughts wouldn't accidentally buy something she didn't really want. She was confirmed by pressing the buy button for Space Worm. It was free. And care costs nothing. So why not?
She closed the window again and looked around. So... where is it?
She heard a tinkling sound like a bicycle bell in the back of the store. She got up and went to look. She didn't see anything at first, but then she noticed a door behind the counter that blended into the wall. Dai didn't know if they had been there all along or just suddenly appeared. She decided it was better not to think about it. She came to them; she didn't have to look for the handle, there wasn't one, but the door pushed itself aside as she approached.
The room was small; she could barely fit in, but the walls were full of shelves. Glass jars, boxes, and a few small cages were on the shelves. So this was her warehouse. Of course, she should have known that the store needed a warehouse. It was a shop, after all. Noticing movement in one of the cages, she turned to it and peered inside.
In the middle of the cage was a pile of dirt where the Worm was writhing. It looked utterly ordinary. Is this supposed to be a Space Worm? It doesn't look anything special! Dai scratched her head. Opened the cage and reached inside. She took the Worm in her palm, which curled into a wheel, and carried it out of the warehouse.
The door closed behind her again. So what was she supposed to do with it? It said she didn't have to worry about it. Dai started poking the Worm but didn't know what reaction she expected other than squirming more. Then she looked around the open space around the Shop. Release it? Dai shrugged and dropped it into the grass. Then she realized something and quickly rushed after the Worm. Luckily, the Worm was still shocked by her touch, so it didn't have time to burrow, and she found it immediately.
She realized she could use her ability! She had already used appraise on the Worm, but it was ordinary. Maybe this will work? She could hope. She used appraisal on it, and information popped into her head.
Name: Space Worm
Status: Alive
Description: ???
Other: ???
She sighed in disappointment. She didn't feel that familiar feeling when her ability strengthened. Well, a worm will always be just a worm, even if it's a space one. She threw it into the grass again. "Go and be the best Worm." She said solemnly and sat down again. She forgot about it. What else is he supposed to do with the Worm?
However, she didn't know that even though it was a low-life form, the Worm was still a space worm, so it was more than ordinary. And it was her Pet.
The Worm wiggled, raised its head, nodded, and burrowed into the ground. It will be the best Worm!
Dai sat down and opened the window again. She left the Pets menu. She tried to get to the Staff menu. But for some reason, it could not be opened. She tried with her mind, with her finger, but nothing.
System: "This service is currently unavailable, boss. Raise Store grade, and more features will become available. You currently do not have access to the Status, Staff, Connections, and Specials."
"How do I level up the store?" Dai asked.
System: "You have several options to choose from. Completing tasks, acquiring customers, and making profits." Dai was pleased to get an answer.
She discovered that this voice is not very involved in what she is doing and only reacts when she does not understand things or know what to do. But she didn't mind. She preferred doing things her way and felt good when she could figure things out. Now that she had direction and understood a little of the workings of the thing, she didn't need as much guidance. Finally, a whole new world appeared before her; how could she not want to explore it? Her stomach rumbled again. So she immediately switched to the Food menu. Four items appeared in front of her. She began to read their description.
Name: Pure White Cloud Lasagna
Description: The unique texture can only rival the delicious taste. Pure White Cloud Lasagna strengthens the fighting spirit after consumption. The packaging ensures that it will not spoil until opened.
Effect: 12 hours +3% physical attack
Quantity: 10 packs
Price: 1 Star coin
Name: Little Luck Lollipop
Description: Candy made in the Goddess of Fortune candy factory. Luck guaranteed!
Warning: Persons with Unfortunate Life Providence are not entitled to compensation in the event of damage caused.
Effect: 2h + 5% luck
Quantity: 20 pcs
Price: 1 Star coin
Name: Midnight Spider Biscuit
Description: Biscuit made by the Midnight Spider Queens. However, the lack of taste balances the effect. During the night and after consumption, you can withstand one lethal blow without injury.
Warning: If it is dawn or dusk, the effects are reduced to: survival with injury. The effect is not active during the day.
Effect: Protection from 1x fatal attack
Quantity: 1 pc
Price: 3 Star Coins
Name: Thousand-year Sunny Compote
Description: Fresh compote with the flavor of oranges grown in the Heavenly Sun Garden.
Effect: Awakening Life Providence
Warning: Dragons&Fan Shop does not guarantee what Life Providence you will get.
Quantity: 1 pc
Price: 5 Star Coins
Dai read the descriptions and was amazed. Can people acquire things like Luck? Or protection from death? Okay, it was limited to nighttime, but still! But what is Life Providence? The voice sensed her thoughts and didn't wait for her to ask.
System: "Life Providence can be obtained by any living being. Providence is granted by a deity, god, immortal, or other powerful entity. Life Providence can have many effects. But not all of them have to be good. There are also Life Providences that are highly harmful. " Dai was stunned again.
Do such things really exist? She never thought about it. But assuming that existing abilities and Cultivation, it should make sense that there is more. Dai nodded and looked at the menu again.
She will have to look into these things later. Now it was time to spend the Star Coins.
She started poking with her finger. She bought two Pure White Cloud Lasagnas, two Little Luck Lollipops, three Midnight Spider Crackers, and two Thousand-year Sunny Compote. There was a clanking sound from the warehouse, so Dai checked. On the shelves were stacked packages of lasagna, pink lollipops in jars, three dark purple crackers carefully wrapped in transparent packaging, and two orange compotes standing alone.
Dai started taking them to the store and displaying them. She placed the jar of lollipops on the counter, placed the lasagna on one shelf, and the biscuit under them and right next to the compote. She didn't even fill an entire shelf with it.
It looked rather sad. Dai had to buy more. It didn't look appealing even to her. Not to mention attract customers.
But first!
Dai was hungry, and now the food was right before her. She took one lasagna and didn't care that it was cold. Dai never ate anything like that; if she knew how to eat them properly, she might have found a way to heat them first. Dai sat down and opened them; they looked different than she had imagined. They were more like a fluffy cake made of clouds. That may be why the name has the word 'cloud.' Dai didn't care that she didn't have a spoon and immediately scooped up with her hand and shoved a piece of cloud into her mouth. As for the taste, she wasn't sure what to think. It wasn't bad, but she didn't find it delicious either.
She shrugged; at least it would fill her up, but Dai was also curious about the effect. Still, when she finished eating, she felt no change. Maybe as a shop owner, it didn't work for her?
System: "Boss, your combat skills are weak or non-existent. Products that boost skills and attributes you don't possess have no effect. Also, remember that you will be deducted Star Coins for the items you have consumed." Dai immediately looked at her balance.
"Shit," Dai spoke wisely.
Dai noticed her balance. Indeed, there was one less Star coin. It wasn't much, but it made her ache when she thought she could buy 10 pieces of lasagne with it.
Such a waste!
Dai still needs to learn how Star coins will earn because she didn't have the impression that it was typically used. At least, she had never heard of such a currency. She has to keep an eye on it.
System. "The System will automatically transfer the profit from the sale to Star coins. Customers can pay in any currency known to them. The store also has an immaterial payment system, such as using payment cards or chips. All customers see the prices in the store as the ones they know. Also, boss, note that the System does not work for free. It will deduct a 10% profit from the sales." Dai had to praise that. That is well thought out. Although she didn't know how the immaterial payment worked, she decided to believe it. In the end, she doesn't understand much of it yet, but she will learn it in time. Everyone has to learn first.
Dai also didn't know what the intangible voice needed to earn Crystal or Star Coin, but she's known the ground rules for a long time. Nothing is free.
System: "Most of the currency in the known universe and dimensions is based on energy. The System converts these currencies into energy, thanks to which it can create items that you see in your personal Shop. The more energy, the more valuable items. So please work hard, boss ." So energy? The crystals are based on the energy that created the Purple Rift. She wondered why the System had to obtain energy in such a way but immediately banished those thoughts. She didn't feel she needed to know why.
This System is already quite powerful. What will it be able to do when it has more energy? Now that Dai's curiosity was satisfied, it was time for her to continue shopping!
Her Star Coin balance was 26. She opened a folder called Cultivation. Only two options appeared here.
Name: Pain Lord Suffering Balm
Description: This premium item will make your outer wounds disappear and regenerate your body. Suitable for regenerating lost limbs. Effectiveness guarantee.
Warning: Expect pain when flesh and bone regenerate.
Quantity: 5 pcs
Price: 2 Star Coins
Name: Basic Cultivation Pill of Ginseng Child
Description: Crafted by a Ginseng Child in training. Suitable for Cultivators from the Lesser Realm.
Effect: 6h +10% to cultivation speed and purity
Quantity: 10 pcs
Price: 1 Star coin
Dai continued to be amazed. Could Pain Lord Suffering Balm really make limbs grow back? However, the name does not sound very appealing. And the warning... That must have hurt a lot! Maybe the Lord of Pain didn't want to do false advertising? Dai wondered if this Lord liked pain or if it was just his healing products causing pain? If the result is this extreme, it's worth going through some of the pain. As for the cultivation pill, she didn't have much opinion. She didn't know much about Cultivation yet, but the remark regarding the Lower Realm caught her interest. Cultivation interested her, but she needed more resources to inform herself about it. She waited for a moment to see if the System would say something to her thought, but this time he was silent.
She let it go and pondered for a while before buying Pain Lord Suffering Balm once and Basic Cultivation Pill of Ginseng Child twice. There was a clang in the back, but Dai didn't go right away this time and looked at the Weapons folder.
Dai frowned in disappointment when she saw that there was even just one item. But she stopped right away. This was all amazing. Yet it only took a moment, and she was already spoiled? She has to stay focused. He can't go astray at the first opportunity! She started reading.
Name: Emerald Staff
Description: The first work of a student of the Supreme Court. The Staff is extremely hard and gives the impression of an extended hand. Easily conducts Spiritual energy.
Effect: 2% Speed 1% Attack
Quantity: 1 pc
Price: 2 Star Coins
"Hmmm…" Dai hummed, considering a purchase.
It sounded like a good weapon for a beginner. She could use it herself. But she didn't really want to. She couldn't imagine herself fighting the Staff. Whenever she dreamed of how strong she would be, she imagined more... Epic.
Rather intimidating. Not like some monk. She's not going to shave her head.
Moreover, she also did not have the impression that it would be a good marketable product. People are more into sharp weapons. Everyone loves swords!
She decided not to buy this. Could she perhaps do some market research later? She went to the Raw Materials folder and came across more things.
Name: Tears of the Fire Dragon
Description: A rare material that can only be harvested once a year when the Fire Dragon descends from the hellfire to drink so that its tears won't evaporate.
Quantity: 3 drops
Price: 5 Star Coins
Name: Abyss Dust
Description: A bag of Abyss Dust collected from the walls of the Abyss. Suitable for crafting or protection from the Abyss gaze.
Quantity: 20 grams
Price: 3 Star Coins
Name: Heart of the Evil Nymph
Description: Corrupt Nymphs spread rot and decay. Killing them is only right. However, their hearts are strong reagents.
Quantity: 1 pc Price: 1 Star coin
Name: Blue Orc Bone Extract
Description: Blue Orc bone extract has excellent nutritional value. Suitable for cooking and refining.
Quantity: 10ml
Price: 1 Star coin
The last item surprised Dai. A Blue Ork, she knew, was a beast that was found deep in the mountains in their territory. As far as she knew, they were very strong; if they attacked in groups, even cultivators had a problem with them. She decided to buy five bottles right away. She was pretty happy to find something she knew. After a moment of hesitation, she bought Abyss Dust once more and looked at her balance.
Last 14 Star Coins. It was disappearing fast, and she had yet to pass everything! But she did not regret the coins spent. She ended up buying things to go on sale. The only thing left was the Interior and Exterior, and it was clear that there would only be modifications and nothing to sell in the store. So she moved to the last accessible folder. First, she looked at the Interior, and it was as she thought. In addition, the appearance could also buy some settings. She wanted to keep the view inside the store. Everything looked nice, so why should she?
Still, she hesitated momentarily when she saw the offer to change the shop inside to things like the Undersea Royal Palace, Divine Gate, and Sweet River? She shook her head. Function! Focus on Function!
She soon found what she had hoped for. She couldn't help but notice that this place was supposed to be connected to many places. But how would she negotiate with customers? She suspected she would find a solution. So looked at the Universal translator in the menu, but it cost a whole 3 Star coins. She swallowed but pressed buy. It's something that will get a lot of use, after all!
Last 11 SC(Star coins). When she went all the way down, did she notice that there were also protection offers? She frowned. Did she need protection here? Didn't this place belong to her? So shouldn't she have some authority to restrict customers?
System: "Ownership does not automatically mean safety. Many beings have black hearts and corrupt thoughts. Customers will be of all kinds and strengths. If you don't want to be killed by their breath alone, you need to protect yourself, boss. Please remember that the shop building is indestructible. Not you, boss." Dai remembered Horn and his 'protection.' Truth. He really doesn't need such things. She doesn't want to be bullied in her own store! She had to scold herself for assuming something without making sure, and now she was a little scared. Why did she immediately think she would have protection? This isn't some magical world for children, after all. She has to get back on her feet!
She began to choose.
Name: Medium Damage Defense
Description: You cannot be harmed in your Shop. Guests in the Lower High Realm won't even be able to touch your clothes.
Cost: 5 SC
Name: Suppression
Description: Intimidate all rioters with a suppressive aura. The tactics of lazy people who don't want to exert themselves. It can be used on customers up to the Middle Realm.
Price: 3 SC
Name: Removal
Description: An invisible force grabs a troublesome customer and throws him out of the store, and he is not allowed to return. It operates in the Middle High Realm.
Price: 7 SC
Dai was on edge. She wanted everything!
When it came to protection, she should never skimp. She usually knows how to be careful. If not, she couldn't afford to go into the wilderness.
Finally, she chose Removal and Suppression. Dai sat for a while but didn't feel the difference; she got nervous. Will it really work? She would like to try it, but how... As soon as she thought about it, she got an idea. Dai focused on the empty lasagna container. After a few tries, she figured out how to do it. Dai focused on the box and issued a command in her head. She waved her hand as she did so, more for the sake of execution than because she really had to. The box rose and shot out the door. Dai shielded her eyes from the sun and watched her flight.
Pretty far!
In the end, she was left with the last Star Coin. She looked at the exterior offerings. As before, she had options to change the exterior view. She noticed the Underwater Palace again; she could quite imagine what it would look like underwater instead of a blue sky with fish swimming everywhere! But such a setup cost 20 SC!
She sighed, preferring to look at her options. For 1 SC, she could only buy some small things in the background. Like hills, a river, an ordinary river, not the Sweet one.
In the end, she chose the sunset as the last Star Coin. Once she bought it, pressed apply, and the sun settled over the horizon after an endless pilgrimage. Everything began to bask in the pleasant orange glow of the sunset.
System: "First Task completed. Reward given. Please check." A voice said, and Dai immediately noticed a new column appeared in her window. Inventory. She opened it and saw that there were 20 empty slots.
"Hmmm...." She made a sound of thought.
If Filn were here, he would know that it's the sound she makes when she doesn't know something but doesn't want to admit it.
System: "Inventory is your personal portable dimensional space. You can put items into it and take them out without changing their texture, temperature, or freshness." A voice was heard to explain. "That's a good thing!" Dai breathed out in satisfaction. Doesn't that mean she gets rid of most of the cargo she's carrying?
System: New task.
Find a place to link to your store.
Description: To welcome the first customer, you need to find a place from which they can enter. Find a good place for you're shop.
Reward: Universal Translator (Already obtained. Recalculating)
New Reward: Golden Ticket to the Wheel of Fortune
Note: Next time, think about what you buy, Boss.
Dai stared dumbly at the original reward. "My Star Coins!!! AGGRRR!!!"