As I sat perched on the counter of my store, a sense of satisfaction washed over me as I felt the freedom of having a fixed tax sense. Revenue Corp. said they'd pay for my taxes... but I couldn't manage to pinpoint where the CEO would want us to have a tea conversation.

I redirected my gaze to my store which now obviously screams 'modern' as compared to the one which was filled with dust and webs. I now could observe the steady stream of customers flowing in. The eclectic mix of individuals that now graced the threshold of my once humble establishment was something I now have been got used to. However, I also wish they'd be more normal...

First, there was the man in a tattered suit, his appearance suggesting a life once filled with grandeur and prestige, now reduced to remnants of a forgotten era. Next, a neo-Catholic priest entered, clad in traditional attire with a modern twist. And then, there was the naked man, an unexpected sight that caused eyebrows to raise and whispers to circulate among other customers if there were some. His unabashed confidence and disregard for societal norms sparked both amusement and curiosity.

As I observed those diverse individuals, it became apparent that my store had become a magnet for the unusual, the unconventional, and the seekers of answers for their desperation. There usually isn't a time when they'd find an entrance to my store in highly random places such as an old abandoned restroom, a parish church, or even somewhere inside the anomalies they search far and wide underground. Although I couldn't deny a certain thrill in catering to this eclectic mix of customers, for they brought an energy and vibrancy to my once quiet and unassuming space. Ma, is this what you did for a living?

As the days turned into weeks, I watched with a mix of awe and excitement as my wealth and status steadily grew. It was as if the universe had conspired to bestow upon me a newfound prosperity that I had never imagined possible. The revenue flowing into my bank account seemed almost limitless, with figures that surpassed my wildest dreams.

Even my stats seemed to cap to their 6-month limit. With that, my RP appeared more often than usual as an unconverted value. Despite the lingering questions and the occasional moments of doubt, I couldn't deny the overwhelming happiness that washed over me. The financial stability, the recognition, and the sense of purpose that came with my newfound wealth were undeniable sources of joy. I reveled in the comfort that it brought, the freedom to pursue my passions and dreams without the constant worry of financial constraints. I think I'm destined to live a life like this. Thank you, Ma...

Sometimes, when normal people enter my store in search of some random pre-apocalyptic items, I redirect their attention to those items which held no value. At the same time, bragging them with the tales of acquiring a state-of-the-art waffle maker and an automatic foot massage machine.

With an air of confidence, I proudly described the sleek design and advanced features of the waffle maker, detailing its ability to create perfectly golden and fluffy waffles with just a press of a button. Imaginary aromas filled the air as I painted a vivid picture of the delectable breakfasts that awaited me, a tantalizing feast fit for a king.

As for the automatic foot massage machine, I couldn't help but express my delight at the prospect of indulging in a luxurious and relaxing experience right in the comfort of my own home. I described the soft cushioning, the gentle kneading motions, and the adjustable settings that promised to melt away the stress and fatigue from my weary feet.

And I bought them online too thanks to the new laptop I bought from the hard-earned cash spoonfed by my late mother's old shop. I guess suffering for quite some time could beget some good stuff too. I'm loving this stage in my life.

Ding! Ding! My door opened once again. A normal customer or a weird, desperate, and magical customer?

I couldn't help but notice this well-dressed gentleman making his way towards me. His demeanor exuded elegance and sophistication, his every movement was precise and refined. I felt compelled to describe him, emphasizing his polished appearance, impeccable manners, and the air of eloquence that seemed to surround him. In my store, which usually has a one-customer capacity, the quote 'he's the only person I can see in the room' became quite literal.

Just as I was painting this picture of poise and sophistication, an unexpected interruption shattered the calm atmosphere. With a thunderous crash, the door swung open, and a disheveled figure burst into the store, disrupting the refined ambiance I had just described. "Yuan Melon! How fucking dare you decline my tea conversation invitation!"

"D- decline?"

Heavy footsteps reverberated against the wooden floor, drawing my attention towards an approaching figure. As he drew nearer, it became evident that he was a man of great formality, though his appearance was marred by the exhaustion painted across his face.

With each panting breath, he came to a halt before me, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. The words that spilled from his lips held a mixture of frustration and accusation, catching me off guard.

"You're one of the stakeholders of Revenue Corp.," he stated, his voice strained but filled with authority. "After it was passed down to you from your mother. How dare you not attend not one single meeting!"

His accusation hung in the air, heavy with the weight of disappointment and pent-up frustration. I could sense the gravity of his words, the implication that my absence had caused a ripple within the organization to which I was connected.

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"St- Stakeholders?!" I was genuinely confused. "You must be mistaken! I'm just an owner of this surplus store, and yes, bestowed by my mother, but-" I'm doubting whether or not I should drop the act because I'm genuinely concerned about this situation.

A mix of emotions flooded through me. Guilt intertwined with confusion as I struggled to comprehend the significance of my role and the responsibilities that accompanied it. How had I failed to realize the weight of my position and the consequences of my absence? As I looked into the formal man's eyes, it was common sense to say that he was being serious even to the intensity that he'd risk mountains.

"Drop the act, Magic Shop!", he yelled. Oh, he knows? "How dare you not answer any of my calls for the past six months?" Oh, haha, I kinda deactivated [Magic Shop], haha...

"I kind of deactivated that skill for six months after receiving some money...", I felt guilty. I never assumed that there'd be a hint of responsibility embedded in achieving this intensity of comfort.

"You're nothing like your mother then.", he sighed as he massaged his temples. "I even asked you out on a tea conversation, yet you never showed up!"

"Hey, for the record, I didn't know which tea shop to go to!"

"There's a tea shop next to the Department of Internal Revenue!", he sighed. "How clueless you are!" Oh... There was? My mistake, then...

"But, I don't get it!", I showed where I stand. "I don't get [Magic Shop], just a gist of it. Let alone knowing how it works."

"Wait.", he paused seemingly reacting to what I just said. "Are you saying you didn't receive the manual or the preceding applications that come with the Revenue FS?"

"I- I don't think so?", I was unsure. "I didn't even understand why it said that I belong in the so-called 'Revenue Community' in the first place when I don't even know how to access it!"

"But you're using your mother's account?", submerged himself in an even more confused situation than me. "Didn't she tell you how to maneuver its system or at least show how it works, or what she does? Or even tell you why she gave it to you?"

"She...", I felt so conflicted with the sudden drop of information right in front of me- I couldn't process it right. "She gave it to me?"

"Wh-", he paused. "Well, yes! Who would have given you that in the first place?!"

"She didn't give this to me...", I stared at the man blankly.

"Wh...", his energy seem to lower as if he was feeling the same conflicted emotions as I have been feeling. "Wha..."

As the weight of our own words settled upon us, I gestured towards the counter, inviting the formal man to take a seat beside me. With a slight nod, he accepted the offer, and we positioned ourselves on the stools, facing each other.

Sensing the need for a moment of respite, I reached for the nearby coffee machine, its comforting aroma wafting through the air as I prepared two steaming cups. Placing one before the formal man, I took a sip from my own, allowing the warm liquid to invigorate my senses.

The atmosphere shifted from tension to a more relaxed state as the rich flavors of the coffee danced upon our palates. It was then that our conversation began to unfold, each of us sharing fragments of our respective journeys.

The formal man spoke with a measured tone, his words revealing an intricate knowledge of my mother's past and her involvement with Revenue Corp. or even the Revenue FS in general.

"Coffee?", I offered him a cup.

"Tea is better.", he sighed. "But, coffee is fine.", he humbly received the cup of coffee and gave me a gentle nod. "I trust you didn't put any poison in this..."

"As much as the stuff you have said about my mother, I assume you can predict how she raised me and how to treat a guest."

He smiled as he took a sip of the coffee I had just brewed. "I don't understand, if she didn't give you the system, who did?"

"I don't know personally.", I tried to recall the events six months ago. "But, it was a man that I couldn't see the face. He bought a bike and a lucky charm I had made, and then he paid me with this system."

"Then that will pose a problem...", he looked at me. "I always had assumed that you inherited it from her, not from a third party. And, I assumed that you just didn't touch the system for years waiting to move on from your mother's death..."

"No, no...", I took a sip from my own coffee cup. "I moved on soon after my mother's death because I couldn't sustain myself anymore... Nobody could provide me monetarily, so I had to work as a janitor at a nearby shop, then pushed my luck at becoming a hunter, had to pay such a huge fee too just to learn I'm just an F-rank."

In the gentle ebb and flow of our conversation, I carefully chose my words, sharing tales and anecdotes that hinted at my unique perspective. It was a delicate dance, allowing glimpses into my own understanding.

"Your mother didn't leave you any funds?", he curiously asked. "Even her insurance from Revenue Corp.?"

"I didn't even know Revenue Corp. existed just a couple of days ago.", I replied with empty eyes and a monotonic vocal tone. "What I knew is that she governs this surplus store, which I now know is some sort of a Magic Shop."

He sighed and scratched his head. "So...", he looked at me dead in the eye and leaned forward. "You really didn't know anything, huh?", he bit his nails. "Then, how did you learn to sell? To convert these 'Credits' as money?"

"The system told me...", I mirrored his actions. "How these 'Revenue Price' can be converted into stats and money-", he didn't let me finish and then budged in.

"Okay, hold on...", he paused for a moment. "I'm lost. What is this 'Revenue Price' sounds like a wannabe economist, and this 'convert to stats'? What is this?"

I furrowed my brow, trying to make sense of the puzzle pieces that lay scattered before me, especially the way how the man didn't make sense of anything I had said.

"As I said, when I sell items, they turn into Revenue Price which can then be converted into money and stat and has a monetary conversion into 1 RP is to 1 million."

"No, no!", he leaned back trying to digest anything I had just said. "The system works based on credits! You sell items in exchange for credits. You exchange these credits for money with a conversion of 1 credit to 100,000 pesos in this currency... And stats? I heard none such thing!", he paused for a moment. "Can I look into your system?"

"I don't think...", I looked at him, "Is that possible"

"...", he nodded.

"Then yes..."

He reached his hands towards me. Startled, I watched in shock as the once composed and formal man abruptly lunged towards me, his hands firmly gripping my head. A surge of fear coursed through my veins, causing my heart to race with an intensity I had never experienced before. The world around me seemed to blur as his piercing gaze locked onto mine, and a chill ran down my spine.

His eyes turned an eerie shade of white. It was as if a veil had been lifted, revealing something otherworldly lurking beneath the surface. The air grew heavy with an ominous presence and a sense of foreboding settled over the room.

"Holy shit...", he mumbled to himself.

"Why?", my vision of him is blocked by his elbow. "What's with the curses?"

"Your system code has been tampered...'