Chapter 104 - Shopping Spree: Part 1

Adam wasted no time selecting the first option, ‘Merit Advance Exchange’, his fingers moving swiftly as he tapped on the floating screen. The others gathered around, watching intently as the massive display adjusted to the new menu, revealing a list of available Personal Subplots.

The screen was similar to the standard shop interface, with a search bar at the top and an overwhelmingly long list of subplot names stretching far beyond what the eye could see.

The sheer volume of choices was staggering.

[The Girl Who Could Run Across the Skies] [The Darkest Place in the Mountain of Madness] [Legacy of Darkness] [The True Path of the Ninja] [An Emperor’s Despair] [...]

And many, many more. The list scrolled endlessly, its contents disappearing into the edge of the screen, leaving no way to tell how many subplots were truly available.

Adam narrowed his eyes, feeling a mix of curiosity and frustration as he scanned the names. Something was unnerving about the sheer number of options. It felt limitless, almost... infinite. Was this all pre-generated? Were these paths already set for them, or was the system creating them on demand?

He immediately attempted to use his ‘Cursed Vision’, expecting to glean some hidden details from the screen, but the moment he focused, he realized something was wrong. Nothing changed. Unlike in other instances, where his ability let him see layers of hidden information, this time the subplots remained completely unreadable. His cursed sight granted him no advantage here.

Clicking on one at random, he selected [Legacy of Darkness], hoping for additional insight. A smaller window appeared in response:

[Legacy of Darkness - Price: Merit B x1 + Merit A x1]

That was it. No descriptions, no additional information. Nothing. Not even the usual [Cursed Vision Knowledge] prompt that typically accompanied other purchases in the shop. Adam clicked around a few more times, searching for an option to expand details, but there was simply nothing more to see.

With a quiet scoff of irritation, he let his hand drop to his side.

"Tch… It's completely blind."

He turned toward the others, shaking his head.

"There's no way to filter by what we need. You can only buy subplots if you already know exactly what you're looking for."

That realization didn't sit well with him. If someone came into this menu without any prior knowledge, they would be forced to guess—or risk wasting precious Merits on something useless. It made sense, in a twisted way. This system wasn’t designed to help them but to entice them. To lure them into gambling for power.

Frustrated but unwilling to waste more time, Adam turned his attention to the search bar at the top of the screen. Since blindly choosing wasn't an option, he might as well try something specific.

His fingers moved over the floating keyboard as he typed:

"Cursed Vision."

The moment he pressed enter, the screen flickered—then immediately returned an error message.

[No subplot matching the search name was found.]

Adam frowned, his expression darkening. That confirmed his suspicion—the search function wasn’t designed for convenience. It didn’t work like the store’s filter system, where searching for keywords or descriptions could bring up relevant items.

Instead, it required the exact name of a subplot to retrieve a result. If someone didn’t already know the specific title of what they were looking for, the system wouldn’t offer them anything at all. There was no flexibility, no way to browse related options or discover useful paths through trial and error.

A quiet sigh escaped him.

"Yes, this system forces you to know what you're looking for beforehand."

He muttered under his breath. It wasn’t just restrictive—it was deliberate. It encouraged information hoarding, rewarding those with prior knowledge and leaving the uninformed to grope blindly in the dark.

It was just another example of how the system ensured that those already ahead stayed ahead, while the rest struggled to catch up.

The others were still watching, waiting for him to decide what to do next. Taking a deep breath, Adam quickly erased the failed search term and typed something else instead—something he knew existed.

"Pact with the Underworld."

The search returned a single result.

[Pact with the Underworld - Price: Merit B x1]

The subplot needed to evolve even further his ‘Cursed Vision’. And it cost exactly the amount he currently had.

He stared at the screen for a brief moment, contemplating his next move. His finger hovered over the purchase button, ready to finalize the transaction, but then hesitation crept into his mind… He still owed Li a Merit.

Adam’s jaw tightened slightly as he turned toward Li, who stood a short distance away with his arms crossed, looking disinterested. It wasn’t just about a simple debt. The merit Li had lent him wasn’t some trivial currency—it had directly led to him obtaining [Overmind’s Parasite] and the sealing of his [Mark of the Damned].

Without it, his situation could have turned out very differently, possibly even fatally. He knew better than anyone that debts like these couldn’t be ignored, not when they had played such a crucial role in his survival. So, swallowing his pride, he exhaled and called out.

"Li..."

The older man barely reacted at first, still deep in thought after the conversation they’d had earlier. But after a second, he turned his gaze toward Adam with a neutral expression.

The boy cleared his throat, feeling slightly awkward but determined nonetheless.

"I know I still owe you that Merit from before."

He admitted.

"I’m asking for a little more time before I pay you back."

For a moment, there was silence. Li blinked once, then shrugged.

"Eh? Yeah, sure. Whatever."

His tone was so casual—so dismissive—that it almost caught Adam off guard. It was as if Li hadn’t even remembered the debt until now. He wasn’t watching the shop screen, nor did he seem particularly interested in what Adam was about to buy.

The boy stared at him for a moment before slightly shaking his head. Of course. It was Li. Adam knew better than to expect sentimentality from him—Li always prioritized points above everything, including his teammates.

The fact that he didn’t even care about the merit Adam owed him wasn’t a sign of generosity; it was proof of just how much distress he was in. For Li to disregard something that valuable, something that could potentially mean an edge in survival, suggested that his mind was elsewhere, completely consumed by the weight of their current situation.

But, regardless, and with that settled, Adam turned back toward the screen and, without hesitation, pressed the ‘Buy’ button.

The familiar chime of coins echoed through the air the moment Adam confirmed the purchase. The option vanished from the giant screen, replaced instead by a new system window appearing in front of him, this time a personal one. His eyes scanned the text carefully, his mind working to process what he was seeing.

[Personal Subplot: Pact with the Underworld] [Conditions met. A user possessing ‘Cursed Vision’ has successfully reached Lv5, unlocking the potential to expand its power and peer directly into the abyss. Three paths now await.]

[Path 1: Complacent Route] [Path 2: Cursed Route] [Path 3: Infernal Route (Only accessible due to possessing ‘Cursed Vision (Variant)’)] [Form a pact with a mortal creature that has ties to the underworld.] [Form a pact with a creature that resides within the underworld.] [Form a pact with an inhabitant of Luminferna.] [Difficulty: C] [Difficulty: B] [Difficulty: A] [Reward: Unlocks the ability to increase Cursed Vision to Lv6.] [Reward: Unlocks the ability to increase Cursed Vision to Lv6 + Additional benefits depending on the chosen entity.] [Reward: Cursed Vision immediately increases to Lv7 + Additional benefits depending on the chosen entity.]

[Thanks to your purchase in the ‘Merit Advance Exchange’, the next scenario will provide the opportunity to guarantee the minimum requirements for this subplot.]

Adam read everything aloud, his voice steady, but there was no denying the weight behind each word. The implications of what he had just unlocked weren’t small. It was an opportunity—one that could fundamentally change the nature of his abilities, but also one that carried undeniable risks.

He had expected something along these lines when purchasing a Personal Subplot, but seeing it so clearly laid out in front of him made it all the more real.

However, while Adam remained composed, someone else was far more affected by what had appeared. A sharp intake of breath came from Gregor, his expression shifting as he processed the mention of Luminferna.

The others quickly noticed his reaction. After all, Gregor had already explained to them during their previous scenario what Luminferna was and how it was related to his own Personal Subplot—a realm scenario where demons roamed in an S-rank scenario.

For a brief moment, silence filled the room. It was clear that Gregor had not expected to hear that name again so soon. His eyes remained locked on the glowing text, his mind undoubtedly recalling what he had to do first to even think about fulfilling the requirements.

The Infernal Route. The idea that Adam’s personal subplot was tied to that realm in any way clearly unsettled him.

But before anyone else could react, Adam let out a sigh, breaking the tension. His gaze remained on the screen for a moment longer before he dismissed the window and spoke in a firm, matter-of-fact tone.

"Even if one of the routes mentions Luminferna, there’s no guarantee that the next scenario will lead to anything related to it, or that I’d even be able to complete it there if it did. Honestly, I’m satisfied with just completing the first route."

His voice was steady, though his words carried a hint of resignation. He then turned to the others, his expression serious but decisive.

"The last thing I want is to be tied to yet another powerful entity trying to control me for their own purposes. I’ve had enough of that already."

His words struck a chord with the group, and one by one, they nodded in agreement. Even Gregor, though still visibly uneasy, exhaled and gave a small nod of understanding. He wasn’t the only one who understood the dangers of forging such pacts—everyone here had seen firsthand what it meant to be bound to forces beyond their control.

At the very least, Adam had made his stance clear. He wasn’t chasing power at any cost, and that alone reassured the team.

The boy exhaled softly, shifting his focus back to the massive screen in front of him. His eyes skimmed over the ‘Merit Advance Exchange’ options one last time before addressing the group.

"Alright, does anyone else have a Personal Subplot they actually need?"

He said, his voice carrying a firm yet practical tone, while his gaze swept across the room, scanning for any signs of consideration.

Most of the team shook their heads without a second thought. There was no point in wasting a valuable resource like Merits on something unnecessary, especially when no one else had a clear idea of what they might require. However, before Adam could close the menu, Kazue raised her hand with an enthusiastic glint in her eyes, bouncing slightly on her heels.

"I wanna pick one!"

She announced cheerfully.

"I’ll just choose something that sounds cool!"

The words had barely left her mouth before both Katya and Adam reacted in unison. Katya’s expression immediately shifted into a warning glare, and she took a step forward, her voice carrying a familiar tone of exasperation.

"Kazue, don’t just pick something at random. You don’t even know what any of these subplots do! You could end up stuck with something completely useless, or worse—something dangerous."

Adam, though agreeing with the sentiment, had a far more pragmatic reason for his opposition.

"It’s not just about picking something bad."

He added, crossing his arms.

"The problem is that Merits aren’t easy to come by. You’ve seen how they work. If you waste them on something random, you might not have enough when you actually need a subplot that fits your skills."

His voice remained calm but carried an unmistakable weight of logic.

"And let’s not forget—just buying a subplot doesn’t mean you’ll even be able to complete it. You need to meet the conditions first. If the requirements don’t match your current abilities or the scenario doesn’t give you a way to progress, then you just threw away your Merits for nothing."

Kazue’s enthusiasm quickly deflated as she puffed her cheeks in an exaggerated pout. Her blue eyes flickered between Adam and Katya before sighing dramatically.

"Fine, fine, I get it. No gambling with the system. You guys are no fun."

She mumbled, stuffing her hands into her pockets. Adam resisted the urge to roll his eyes at her childish sulking, but at the very least, she had understood the reasoning behind his words.

With that settled, he dismissed the ‘Merit Advance Exchange’ window from the large screen and shifted their focus back to the regular shop interface.

"Alright, let’s not waste any more time. Who wants to start?"

He said, stretching slightly before stepping aside. As if on cue, Kazue’s hand shot up again, this time with even more enthusiasm than before.

"Me, me! Let me go first!"

She practically beamed, any disappointment from earlier completely erased. No one had any objections to her taking the lead, and Adam simply nodded, gesturing toward the screen.

"Alright, but while we go through your stuff, I want the rest of you to start browsing the shop on your own in turns while the others help here. See if anything stands out to you, so we can speed things up."

A collective murmur of agreement passed through the team as they began shifting their attention to the various categories and sections of the store. However, four individuals had already made up their minds.

Drake, Katya, Gregor, and Sebastian all spoke up at once, their voices overlapping slightly as they made their stance clear.

"I already know what I want."

Drake said, cracking his neck.

"Same here."

Gregor added with a nod, his arms crossed. Katya simply flipped her hair back, smirking as she chimed in.

"Took me about two seconds to decide."

Sebastian, ever composed, adjusted his cuffs with a small nod alongside his mechanical bird.

"Indeed. My decision has already been made."

Adam took a mental note of their quick decisions but didn’t dwell on it for too long.

"Good. That’ll save us some time."

He remarked before looking over to Emir, who still seemed somewhat overwhelmed by the store’s sheer volume of options.

"Sebastian, Falk—please, stay with Emir and help him out. We’ll focus on Kazue for now."

Sebastian bowed his head slightly, his gentle eyes glancing toward Emir, who stood beside him with an uncertain expression.

"Of course."

Falk, perched comfortably atop Emir’s head, let out a mechanical chirp before turning his little brass head toward the boy.

"Hey, kid. If you see something cool, don’t hesitate. I guarantee we will find the perfect fit for you."

He said, his gears clicking softly as he spoke.

Emir nodded hesitantly, still looking slightly overwhelmed but clearly more focused now that he had help.

With everyone settled into their tasks, Adam turned his full attention to Kazue, who was already grinning as she faced the shop screen. It was time to see what she had in mind.

The girl’s excitement was palpable as she clasped her hands together, a bright grin spreading across her face.

“Actually… I’ve been thinking about this for a while now.”

She began, her voice animated. Then she shifted her weight slightly, her usual boundless energy momentarily subdued by a more thoughtful expression.

“After our fight against Sung Ja-In… I realized something.”

She paused, glancing between her teammates before continuing.

“Even with all the skills I’ve gained and the stat boosts I’ve gotten… I don’t actually know how to fight.”

The words hung in the air for a moment, heavier than anyone had expected them to be. Katya placed a reassuring hand on Kazue’s shoulder, her usual sharpness replaced with something more understanding. Drake, always the one to keep things light, gave a small chuckle and said.

“Hey, don’t beat yourself up about it. We were fighting martial arts masters who had hundreds of years to perfect their techniques.”

Kazue smiled faintly at that, but she shook her head.

“Maybe… but even then, Katya and Gregor were able to actually fight him. They held their ground. Meanwhile, all I did was lead him into a trap. The only attacks I landed were a surprise kick and the final hit after we set everything up.”

Her expression hardened with determination.

“I want to fix that. That’s why, for my first purchase, I’m not getting a new skill—I’m getting a technique. Like the one I bought when I first got to the lobby, but this time, I’m actually prepared to use it.”

Adam nodded in approval.

“That sounds like a solid plan, but if you go that route, you’re going to need to train. A lot.”

Kazue’s enthusiasm only grew at the challenge.

“That’s fine! I’ll train as much as I have to!”

Drake, watching her energy surge again, smirked and crossed his arms.

“In that case, I’ve got a suggestion for you, something a little different.”

He said, a spark of intrigue in his eyes. Kazue tilted her head in curiosity, and even Adam seemed intrigued.

“A combo technique.”

Drake elaborated, leaning forward slightly.

“I saw them a lot in Murim. They’re not just normal techniques. They get stronger the further you go in a continuous attack sequence. They start off simple, but if you land consecutive hits, the effects stack and get more and more powerful. They’re harder to use than regular techniques, but when executed right? They hit like a truck.”

Kazue’s eyes widened, practically sparkling.

“I want that!”

She declared without hesitation. Adam glanced at the others, and from the way Katya and Gregor exchanged knowing looks, it was clear they agreed—this was exactly the kind of thing Kazue needed. So without wasting time, Adam pulled up the shop interface and opened the search filters.

“Alright.”

He said, entering the criteria into the system.

⌠Filter bar: Combo Technique, Electric, Elemental Energy⌡

The results poured in instantly, an overwhelming number of techniques filling the screen, each with its own elaborate name and description. Some were bizarre, others absurdly advanced, and a few outright ridiculous. As they scrolled through the options, scanning each one carefully, a particular entry caught everyone’s attention.

⌠Lightning Duke’s Knuckle Technique Lv1: 2500pts⌡ ⌠Additional Information⌡ ⌠Basic fist technique belonging to Duke Garamont of New Bretonia. As more strikes land consecutively, additional effects activate: ⌡

6 Hits – Significant increase in strength and damage output.

8 Hits – Increased intensity of generated electric energy.

10 Hits – Automatically activates the skill [Thunder Chariot Lv5]

⌠Cursed Vision Knowledge⌡

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⌠Warning: It requires that the user be able to generate a constant amount of electric energy during each of the steps of the technique.⌡

Adam’s brows furrowed slightly, and his ‘Cursed Vision’ automatically provided additional insight into the last effect.

[Thunder Chariot Lv5] [Additional Information] [Intermediate skill that summons a golden armor onto the user’s mount, as well as a chariot formed entirely from electric energy, drastically increasing speed, power, and defensive capabilities before the next attack.] [Additional Information] [Warning: Requires the user and their mount to be resistant or immune to electric energy due to the direct contact during the effect of this skill.]

For a moment, silence settled over the group. Then, Adam turned toward Kazue.

“This is perfect.”

He said simply. Kazue’s entire face lit up, her excitement barely contained.

“Yes! That’s it! That’s what I want!”

Adam nodded in agreement.

“It requires a direct source of electricity, but that’s not a problem for you. The real kicker is that last effect… ‘Thunder Chariot’ pairs perfectly with Kurayami. He has high resistance to electricity as so do you, so he can handle the full power output of the technique.”

Drake gave a low whistle.

“Yeah, that’s… actually terrifying.”

Kazue, vibrating with anticipation, hovered her finger over the purchase option.

“Alright then. No more waiting—I’m getting it!”

With a resounding tap, she pressed the [Y] button, sealing her decision. The familiar chime of coins echoed through the air, confirming that Kazue’s purchase had gone through.

A shiver ran through her, a subtle but unmistakable sensation, as though an invisible current had surged through her mind. And just like that, she knew. Every movement, every strike, every precise step required to execute the ‘Lightning Duke’s Knuckle Technique’ was now ingrained in her brain, like she had trained in it for years.

She clenched her fists instinctively, already itching to test out the technique, to feel its power firsthand… But she knew she had more to do before that—she still had 3,000 points left to spend.

Adam immediately reminded her.

"Make sure to set aside at least 300 points for the [Physical Strength Boost Package]. It’s always a good investment."

Kazue, however, simply waved him off with a casual flick of her wrist.

"Nah, I don’t think I need it right now, I already have Titles that boost my physical stats during combat, so it wouldn’t make that much of a difference. I was actually thinking of something else."

She said, shaking her head. That piqued Adam’s curiosity, but he didn’t interrupt as Kazue took control of the shop interface, typing something into the search bar and adjusting the filters herself.

The rest of the group watched in quiet interest, trying to guess what she was looking for. The process took a bit longer than expected, with Kazue occasionally furrowing her brow, making adjustments, and muttering under her breath as she refined the search criteria.

Then, after a few more moments of fine-tuning, she let out a triumphant

"Yes!"

And pumped her fist in the air. The results she had found flashed on the large screen for all to see.

⌠Tempest Titan Howl Lv1: 2500pts⌡ ⌠Additional Information⌡ ⌠A medium-power skill that allows the user to replicate the breath of a Tempest Titan, generating a horizontal tornado from their mouth. The strength and force of this skill vary depending on the user's elemental control level and breathing capabilities.⌡

⌠Elemental Control Boost Package: 500pts⌡ ⌠Additional Information⌡ ⌠Unique enhancement option that permanently increases the user's elemental control. This boost is cumulative, allowing users to stack improvements over time, making it an invaluable investment for those looking to enhance their dominion over elemental energy. However, it can only be purchased once after completing a scenario.⌡ ⌠Warning: Requires the user to already possess elemental control abilities.⌡

Adam raised an eyebrow as he read the descriptions.

"Another element? Why branch out instead of focusing on improving the one you already have?"

He asked, crossing his arms. Kazue opened her mouth to explain but immediately stumbled over her words, her expression contorting into frustration as she tried—and failed—to articulate the concept properly.

"It’s… ugh, okay, so it’s kinda like… y’know how—like, if you mix stuff, right? But not just, like—okay, okay, listen! It’s like when you have, um… like, okay, so lightning and wind, right? But it’s not just about the lightning, it’s about—like, how it moves through things? And then there’s this thing where—argh!"

She groaned, throwing her hands in the air.

"I know what I mean! I just—how do I say it?!"

Adam’s frown deepened, clearly not following her at all.

"…What?"

Drake, however, snapped his fingers, a look of understanding crossing his face.

"Ohhh, you’re talking about elemental combination theory!"

He turned to Adam with a knowing grin.

"She means elemental synergy. I learned about it in Murim too. Wind is the best conductor for basically every other element, especially lightning and fire."

Kazue nodded furiously, pointing at Drake as if he had just solved a complex equation for her.

"Yes! That’s what I was trying to say!"

She let out an exaggerated breath of relief before continuing.

"Shen actually explained it to me—well, kind of. He only gave me the basics, but it makes sense, right? Wind enhances movement, flow, and charge distribution, so if I get better at controlling wind, it should make my lightning techniques even stronger!"

Adam processed that for a moment, then gave a slow nod.

"Alright. That actually makes sense."

Encouraged by his approval, Kazue grinned and added.

"Plus, I also got this as a scenario reward—[Heavenly Demon Breathing Technique Lv1]—and from what I could tell, it works insanely well with wind-based attacks. And since this [Tempest Titan Howl] is literally a breath attack, I think it’ll be perfect!"

Adam exchanged glances with the others, and no one seemed to have any objections. It wasn’t a reckless purchase—it was a calculated investment, one that had clear synergy with what Kazue had already gained.

"Alright, if that’s what you want, then go for it."

The boy said. Kazue didn’t hesitate. With a decisive tap, she pressed the confirmation button for both purchases, her excitement bubbling over as the shop processed the transaction.

The moment she received her new skills, a strange sensation coursed through her body, an almost instinctive reaction that she couldn't quite control. It was as if she had suddenly inhaled ice itself, an overwhelming chill expanding within her lungs, sending a surge of cold energy spiraling through her core.

Without thinking, she closed her eyes and activated her ‘Heavenly Demon Breathing Technique’, her body responding as if it had been using it for years. She took in a deep, unnatural breath, her chest expanding far more than it should, drawing in an almost impossible amount of air.

At first, no one noticed what she was doing, too distracted by their own thoughts. But as the seconds passed and the tension in the air shifted, Adam’s gaze snapped toward her. The sight of Kazue standing unnaturally still, her entire form subtly pulsing with power, sent an immediate wave of alarm through him. His instincts flared, and he reacted without hesitation.

“Kazue, stop!”

He shouted, but it was too late… Kazue exhaled.

It wasn’t a violent release of energy, not the dramatic, destructive force one would expect from an advanced skill—she merely blew out softly, like someone cooling a cup of tea. Yet the effect was instantaneous and far more extreme than anyone had anticipated.

A howling gust of wind erupted from her lips, carrying with it an icy current so powerful that it felt like a storm had been unleashed inside the room. Everyone staggered backward, bracing themselves against the sudden force, shielding their faces as their hair and clothing were violently whipped around. Adam barely managed to hold his ground, squinting through the biting cold as an uncontrollable rush of air flooded the entire space.

Even Falk, who had been comfortably perched on Emir’s head, let out a startled mechanical squawk as he was ripped from his spot, flung across the room like a stray feather in a tempest. His tiny gears whirred in distress, struggling to stabilize himself in the turbulent air, before he finally managed to recover, flapping his metallic wings with an indignant chirp as he fought his way back.

The chaos didn’t stop until Drake finally took action. Moving rapidly, he stepped forward and reached for Kazue, grabbing the back of her shirt with one firm hand. With a casual tug, he yanked her slightly backward, breaking her focus.

"Alright, alright, calm down."

He said, his voice carrying an amused lilt even though his own hair had been completely wrecked by the sudden gust.

Kazue snapped her eyes open, blinking in confusion as the remnants of the gale dissipated around her. Her gaze flicked across the room, taking in the state of her teammates—everyone was disheveled, their clothing rustled, and their hair wildly out of place. Even Adam was pushing his glasses back up, clearly not pleased by the unexpected disturbance.

"Oops… my bad."

She said sheepishly, rubbing the back of her head. Falk, still flapping back to his original position, let out a sharp huff. Drake just chuckled, releasing Kazue’s shirt before stepping away.

"That’s some serious lung capacity you’ve got now."

He said, shaking his head in amusement. Despite the sudden mess, no one blamed Kazue for the slip-up, though she still took a step back to compose herself.

With Kazue’s turn over, the blond stepped forward, rolling his shoulders as he prepared to make his own purchases. Unlike the others, he already knew exactly what he wanted.

"I won’t take long, I don’t need new techniques or skills. I learned plenty of those in Murim, and I still have a long way to go before I fully master what I already have. What I need now is simple—a way to increase my Imperial Ki level."

He said with a confident smirk. As he spoke, he navigated through the shop menu, his fingers moving swiftly across the interface. But as the minutes passed, his expression gradually shifted. His brows furrowed as he scrolled through the listings, clearly not finding what he was looking for.

Before he could voice his frustration, Katya moved.

She stepped forward slowly, her pace hesitant, as if she were internally debating whether to speak at all. She didn’t meet his eyes immediately, instead keeping her gaze fixed on the ground for a moment before finally lifting it, her lips pressed into a thin line. Even as she stopped beside him, her posture remained tense, almost as if she were annoyed by what she was about to say.

"...If you’re looking for a way to improve an existing skill, there’s something specific in the shop for that."

She said, her tone dry and conflicted. Drake turned toward her, surprised by the unexpected suggestion. He watched as Katya, without further explanation, took over the shop controls and manually entered something into the search bar. A few seconds later, a single result appeared on the screen, now visible to the entire team.

⌠Skill Proficiency Boost Package: 1000pts⌡ ⌠Additional Information⌡ ⌠Unique enhancement option that permanently increases the user's proficiency with one skill. This boost is cumulative, and depending on the skill level or rarity, it can level up.⌡

The description alone caught everyone’s attention. Drake let out an impressed whistle, rubbing his chin.

"Now that’s interesting."

It was definitely a useful option—but expensive. And more importantly, there was no guarantee that purchasing it would actually level up a skill. However, for Drake, this was perfect. Unlike other enhancement packs, this one had no purchase limit.

He turned to Katya with a genuine smile, one that was warm and sincere, the kind he rarely gave outside of battle.

"Hey… thanks."

He said honestly. Katya’s entire posture stiffened at his gratitude. Almost immediately, she looked flustered, her usual composure breaking for a brief second before she quickly shook her head.

"I just told you because it was useful."

She said quickly, crossing her arms.

"Err… Don’t read too much into it. You helped Kazue earlier, so I figured I’d do the same."

Drake’s grin widened, but he didn’t press the issue. Instead, he selected the option, moving it aside as he continued browsing. However, instead of looking at skills, his focus shifted to something else entirely.

The screen was filled with unusual items, things that didn’t fit into the standard categories of weapons or abilities. Some were cheap, costing only a point or two, while others ranged into the hundreds.

Kazue, unable to hold back her curiosity any longer, finally spoke up.

"Uh… Drake? What is all that? Ginseng of 200 years? What, are you planning on making tea or something?"

Drake laughed, the sound genuine.

"Not exactly, these are ingredients—stuff I need for my class skill, [Lesser Pill Creation Lv2]. I’ve been making pills for half a year in Murim, and while I’m nowhere near creating those ‘Jade Sage Pills’ we received last time, I can still make some pretty useful ones."

As he spoke, a memory flashed in his mind. His hand hesitated over the screen as an old feeling resurfaced—the scent of herbs, the weight of a mortar and pestle, the endless nights of trial and error, the burning exhaustion in his muscles, the strict, unwavering gaze of his teachers. And other memories. Ones he tried not to dwell on. Ones that made his breath hitch for just a moment.

Then, with a slow exhale, he pushed the thought aside and refocused.

Drake calculated his purchases carefully, ensuring that his selection totaled 1,680 points, leaving him with exactly 7,000 points remaining. When he confirmed his purchase, a flood of ingredients materialized midair, but before they could scatter onto the floor, Drake moved with effortless precision, catching each one and storing them in his watch, his movements flawless.

With his remaining points, Drake returned to the ‘Skill Proficiency Boost Package’ and purchased it without hesitation. The first upgrade came quickly—after two purchases, his Imperial Ki advanced to Level 3, a noticeable yet expected improvement. However, from that point forward, the results became far less predictable. He bought another—nothing. A fourth—still nothing. His expression remained composed, but a faint flicker of frustration crossed his face as he moved on to the seventh purchase… This time, it worked.

The surge of energy was instantaneous, a subtle yet unmistakable shift coursing through his body as his ‘Lesser Imperial Ki’ finally reached Level 4. The realization settled in—he had just spent a massive 7,000 points to gain two levels. It was an incredibly costly and highly inefficient method of skill advancement, but at the very least, it confirmed something important. The system allowed progression through this method.

Even if it wasn't the most practical way to grow stronger, the mere existence of this option meant that if they ever found themselves desperate for an upgrade before a life-or-death scenario, they had a fallback plan.

Now that Drake had finished his shopping, Katya took the next turn, rubbing the bridge of her nose, she exhaled sharply and turned back to the store menu. There was still much to do, and losing themselves in worry wouldn’t change what was already set in motion.

With a flick of her wrist, she navigated to the ‘Skill Proficiency Boost Package’, her expression neutral as she made her selection. Without looking at anyone, she spoke, her tone matter-of-fact but carrying a hint of annoyance beneath the surface.

“This method isn’t reliable for leveling up a new skill, nor is it worth using more than once per ability. It works best when you’re already near a breakthrough, just giving it that final push.”

Her words had barely left her mouth before Adam turned toward her, his brows knitting together in frustration.

"Are you serious? And you waited until after Drake wasted thousands of points to tell us this?"

His voice was sharp, exasperation evident as he ran a hand through his hair. Katya, completely unfazed by his reaction, simply turned to him with a smirk, stuck out her tongue, and pulled down her lower eyelid in a classic mocking gesture.

Adam clenched his fists, clearly about to go off when a firm hand landed on his shoulder. He turned to find Drake smiling at him, his expression as calm and relaxed as ever.

"Don’t sweat it, even if she told me that earlier, I would’ve done the same thing. This was exactly what I needed to level up my Imperial Ki, so it worked out either way."

Drake chuckled, his grip reassuring. Adam exhaled sharply, his irritation ebbing slightly, though the ghost of a glare remained as he looked back at Katya.

The blonde, on the other hand, wasn’t entirely sure how to process Drake’s lack of anger. She crossed her arms, her lips pressing into a thin line, as if waiting for him to react differently. When he didn’t, her apathy wavered, replaced with something that looked vaguely like disbelief.

She clicked her tongue in mild irritation and turned back to the screen, shaking her head as she finalized her purchase. The familiar chime of coins echoed through the lobby, signaling her transaction’s completion.

“That sound is weirdly nostalgic.”

Katya muttered under her breath.

“The purchases in Team Abyss never had this… charm.”

She wasn’t one for sentimentalism, but there was something undeniably different about buying skills here—something less detached, less clinical, compared to what she had been used to in Abyss. She pushed the thought aside, her gaze shifting back to the store.

She still had 4,000 points left, so, without hesitation, she typed into the search bar, her fingers moving with certainty.

[Tulpa Merge Lv1]

Kazue, who had been watching curiously, tilted her head.

“What’s that?”

She asked, her tone light and inquisitive. Katya’s expression shifted immediately. Where she had been guarded and somewhat cold moments before, her face brightened, a warm smile gracing her lips as she turned toward Kazue.

“It’s a skill I’ve been wanting for a while now.”

Katya said, her voice uncharacteristically affectionate.

“Since my Tulpa Summoning has reached Level 7, I can now summon three instead of just two. This skill will allow me to merge them into a single, more powerful entity at will.”

Despite Katya’s enthusiasm, Kazue didn’t seem particularly thrilled by the idea. She frowned slightly, shifting on her feet before speaking again.

“Now that I think about it… everything you have—your skills, your items—they’re all centered around one thing.”

She crossed her arms, her gaze analytical as she studied Katya.

“Isn’t that kinda limiting?”

Katya blinked, momentarily caught off guard.

“What do you mean?”

Kazue gave a small huff before continuing, her hands moving animatedly as she tried to explain her reasoning.

“I mean, like, isn’t real strength about variety? Versatility? You’re putting everything into just one type of power—that can’t be the best way to grow stronger.”

Katya furrowed her brows, looking more amused than insulted.

“Having a specialization isn’t a weakness. It means you can maximize your strengths instead of spreading yourself too thin.”

Kazue puffed out her cheeks, clearly not satisfied with that answer.

“Yeah, but… if you put all your eggs in one basket, what happens when you come across something that your skills can’t handle?”

The two continued their back-and-forth, the blond maintaining her gentle but firm stance, while Kazue stubbornly pushed for the merits of adaptability. Katya never said no to her outright, but she tried her best to defend her approach. Meanwhile, Adam listened intently, his fingers tapping against his arm as he absorbed their conversation.

Kazue wasn’t entirely wrong. Even if she wasn’t explaining it perfectly, the idea she was getting at had merit. Adam himself was living proof that combining different skills—even ones that seemed incompatible—could result in something far more effective than their sum. He had seen firsthand how his unique mix of abilities had given him advantages that neither raw power nor singular focus could have provided.

And yet, Katya’s approach wasn’t flawed either. There was wisdom in specialization, in strengthening a single aspect to its absolute peak.

In the end, both philosophies had value—but right now, their conversation was going in circles. Katya sighed, rubbing her temples before turning back to Kazue with an exasperated yet fond look.

“Alright, then—what do you suggest?”

She asked. Kazue’s entire demeanor shifted instantly. A massive grin spread across her face, and she bounced on her feet, practically vibrating with excitement.

“Oh! I have the perfect idea!”

She practically dragged Katya toward the ‘Idea Forge’, where a unique prompt awaited them. Unlike the store, which had a set inventory, the Forge allowed them to type in specific requests, and the system would generate a skill or item that matched their description.

Kazue wasted no time in typing out her request.

[Item or skill that allows for a wide range of fusions for my summons with maximum versatility.]

⌠Suggestion accepted, initiating the materialization of the user's idea.⌡ ⌠…⌡ ⌠Succes!⌡ ⌠Assigning a proper point value to the idea⌡ ⌠…⌡ ⌠Succes!⌡

A few seconds later, the system responded.

[Fusion Deck Case - Rank C: 4000pts] [Additional Information] [A wrist-worn artifact that allows the user to store ‘Fusion Cards’ obtained through random packs. When at least two cards are in the case, they can be extracted and used to fuse summons, one at a time, with a cooldown of five minutes.] [As a special promotion, this purchase comes with four free ‘Fusion Cards’.] [Additional cards can be purchased at any time for 500 points each, though the results will be random.]

Katya narrowed her eyes, clearly skeptical of the idea. Kazue, however, was gazing at her with wide, pleading eyes. The kind of puppy-dog stare that the blonde had never been able to resist. Katya clenched her fists, fighting against the inevitable reaction surging through her.

No. She wouldn’t give in this time. She opened her mouth, ready to say no, but… Kazue suddenly grabbed her hands, her voice filled with excitement as she continued.

“Katya, think about it! This would make your Tulpas so much more versatile! And—”

She hesitated slightly before grinning sheepishly.

“It, uh… kinda reminds me of an anime I really liked...”

Katya’s brain short-circuited. The blood rushed to her face, and before she could stop herself, she blurted out—

“Fine! I’ll buy it!”

As the confirmation chime rang out, the rest of the group stood in stunned silence, exchanging bewildered glances at what they had just witnessed.

Adam looked like he had lost years of his lifespan trying to understand them, Li was squinting in suspicion, Sebastian and Gregor looked vaguely disturbed, Emir was still distracted in his own search for a skill, and Chloe had the distinct expression of someone questioning reality itself.

Meanwhile, Drake simply laughed heartily, watching the entire scene with pure amusement.

As soon as the transaction was finalized, a bright light materialized before Katya, coalescing into a sleek, metallic wristband. The ‘Fusion Deck Case’ hovered in the air for a brief moment before lowering itself gently into her outstretched hands.

The artifact was larger than she expected, its smooth silver surface etched with faint interwoven patterns that looked both ancient and futuristic at the same time. It felt light in her grip, deceptively delicate, yet there was an undeniable sturdiness to it. A thin slot was built into the side, just large enough to accommodate something as slender as a piece of paper.

Kazue, practically vibrating with excitement, let out a gasp and clasped her hands together, her golden eyes shining with anticipation.

"Put it on! Put it on!"

She urged, bouncing slightly on her heels. Katya, still slightly dazed from how easily she had caved in, hesitated for only a second before slipping the band onto her wrist. The metal was cool against her skin, and the moment it clicked into place, a faint hum resonated from within.

The engraved patterns pulsed with a soft, rhythmic glow as if acknowledging its new owner, sending a barely noticeable warmth up her arm. It felt right. Like it belonged there.

But before she could fully process the sensation, another set of lights erupted in front of her. Four floating cards materialized, suspended in mid-air, glowing with an intense green radiance that obscured their details. The brilliance was so overwhelming that their contents remained hidden, their silhouettes the only thing visible through the shimmering glow.

The entire group instinctively tensed as they watched the phenomenon unfold before them.

Gradually, the light began to dim. One by one, the cards revealed themselves. Each was a deep shade of emerald, the edges lined with silver that gleamed under the ambient glow of the lobby. Unique symbols were etched onto their surfaces—intricate markings that carried a distinct sense of power, though none of them resembled any known language.

There was something eerie about them, something that made Katya’s breath hitch slightly as she stared at them, feeling an inexplicable weight in her chest. Then, as if on cue, a system notification appeared before her eyes.

[Delivering 4 Random Fusion Cards! Good luck!] [Fusions created with this method will remain until the end of a scenario or until the fusion is destroyed.]

Immediately following the message, the names of the cards were displayed.

[Necro Fusion] – Allows the user to fuse summons that have already been destroyed, reviving them in a combined form. [Elemental Fusion] – Enables the user to infuse elemental energy into a fused summon, granting it enhanced attributes based on the element used. [Revert Fusion] – Allows the user to separate a fused summon back into its original components. [Forced Fusion] – Enables the user to use an enemy summon as a fusion ingredient, as long as the enemy controller’s potential rank is equal to or lower than the user’s.

Katya stared, her fingers twitching slightly, her brain still trying to process what she was seeing.

This… this was so much better than she had expected. She had assumed the system would give her something gimmicky, some minor feature that might have a niche use. But this? This was absurd. The sheer range of utility these fusion methods provided was staggering.

Necro Fusion alone completely negated one of the biggest risks of using her Tulpas offensively. Elemental Fusion opened up entirely new ways to enhance her summons. Revert Fusion gave her flexibility, allowing her to revert fusions when necessary. And Forced Fusion… the implications of that one sent a shiver of excitement down her spine. If used correctly, it could completely shift the tide of a battle.

Her grip on the Fusion Deck Case tightened as something else settled in her mind. This wasn’t just good. This was fate… Kazue had led her to this.

Kazue had given her this power.

Katya’s breath hitched slightly as she looked at Kazue, who was practically radiating excitement. That pure, untainted joy, that unshakable enthusiasm—it was beautiful. It was everything. Kazue was her light. The one who had unknowingly guided her toward something greater. It had always been this way.

She felt her chest tighten, her thoughts spiraling deeper into that realization… Kazue was her constant… Kazue was the reason she had come this far.

Kazue was the one thing in this damned system that felt real, felt right.

She barely even realized how close she had gotten, her breathing steady and warm against Kazue’s ear. She didn’t move, didn’t blink, just watched her friend, her mind consumed by thoughts she wasn’t ready to name.

"Uh… Katya?"

Kazue’s voice broke through the haze, lighthearted and amused.

"You’ve been breathing on my ear for a while now."

Katya froze. For a second, her mind simply blanked.

Then, in a single jerky motion, she stepped back as if she had been electrocuted, her entire face turning a violent shade of red.

"I—I wasn’t doing anything!"

She blurted out, her voice too high-pitched, too fast, as she immediately looked away, crossing her arms over her chest as if to physically guard herself from the mortifying situation.

Everyone stared. Adam looked like he had just been forced to witness something he would rather forget, his entire posture screaming secondhand embarrassment.

Li narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression unreadable, but there was clear skepticism in his gaze as he silently observed the scene. Gregor and Sebastian exchanged glances, a silent conversation happening between them as if neither was entirely sure if they had imagined the whole thing. Chloe looked like she had just disconnected from reality, her brain still buffering in an attempt to process what had just transpired. Even Emir, usually too focused on his own worries to care about interpersonal interactions, looked mildly concerned.

And then there was Drake… The blond, who simply burst into laughter, loud and unapologetic, his entire body shaking as he barely managed to get the words out.

"Pffft… Hahahaha! What did we just watch?!"

He wiped a tear from his eye, still grinning.

"Katya, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this flustered before!"

Katya whipped around so fast that she nearly tripped over herself, glaring daggers at him, her entire face burning.

"Sh-Shut the hell up!"

But Drake only laughed harder. Kazue, still grinning, tilted her head slightly, completely oblivious to the deeper implications of what had just happened. Katya groaned and pressed a hand against her face, willing herself to calm down, but she knew, deep down, that this was going to haunt her for a very long time.