"We too, had no choice..."

Osatara's quote echoed quite nicely in my head. Reverberating every word every second interval. What have I gotten myself into? Rather, what has Mom gotten herself into?

As the weight of my doubts and the overwhelming responsibility bore down on me, my mind began to drift away from the present scene. Colors blurred and sounds muffled, fading into a distant haze. Everything around me seemed to lose focus as my consciousness wavered between reality and a dream-like state.

Within this phasing out, my thoughts became a jumble of conflicting desires. The desire for a simpler life, free from the burdens of the supernatural, clashed with the yearning to find purpose and make a difference in the world. It was as if two opposing forces were battling for control of my very being.

Beltane had already stepped out of my store a couple of minutes ago, a sense of intimidation and wonder that once enveloped the atmosphere has been long gone. With a wave of her hand, the door chimed and swung open, revealing a glimpse of a bustling cityscape unlike any I had seen before.

New York City, a revived metropolis of dreams and possibilities in the United States, lay beyond that door. Its towering skyscrapers reached toward the heavens. The tall woman's ability to control the destination of the door filled me with conflict. She can choose the door's destination too, huh?

"I'm heading off to the Academy now..."

Meanwhile, the short woman, Ostara, walked away soon after her with a sense of ancient urgency which seemed to surround her. The door swung open once more, and the scent of sand and history permeated the air. I caught a glimpse of the other side of the door, it was nothing like my front porch.

"Pegasus?"

"Yes."

Then their doors lead to their own 'purposes' then. Even if I try to comprehend this purpose, it still feels as if there's something lacking in their own explanation. God, what is this? Am I actually stuck in this position? Is my personal liberty worth millions of pesos... Wait, why am I even sad?

As I wiped away the tears that had welled up in my eyes, I took a deep breath and straightened my posture. The emotions that had overwhelmed me moments ago slowly gave way to a resolute determination. I gazed around my transformed store, the result of months of hard work and dedication, and a newfound sense of objective surged within me. I once read a meme like this... it went like would you rather be 'rich but sad' or 'poor but happy', and I jokingly commented on it the former. I guess that's just how manifestation works...

I justified to myself that the decision to embrace the opportunities that came with my newfound wealth and responsibilities was not just about selling my liberty for money. It was about seizing a chance to break free from the chains of mundane existence, to transcend the limitations that life had imposed upon me. This is a challenge, and I'm going to view it as that. Until I'm able to find a way to finesse the system which consumed my mother to the very end...

Moreover, the resources and power at my disposal now allowed me to make a difference, shape my own destiny, and influence the lives of those around me. I saw it as an opportunity to create a legacy, to leave a lasting impact on the world. And I don't need to worry about tax now, it's provided. I just need to get through this. With renewed conviction, I wiped away the remnants of tears from my cheek.

I looked at my counter, near the coffee machine- there was my portable radio which helped me consistently over the span of my entire career. As I reached for my small radio and turned the dial, the familiar crackle of static filled the air. I adjusted the tuner slowly, searching for the frequency that carried the local news. The sound shifted, and the voices of news anchors and reporters emerged from the tiny speaker, accompanied by the occasional burst of static.

Bringing the small electronic to my bed, I leaned in closer, eagerly awaiting the latest updates and headlines that would connect me to the world beyond my store. The news served as a lifeline, a window into the realities and events unfolding beyond the confines of my everyday existence. What's the latest now since there are not many customers entering my store as of the latest...

"For international news, a neo-Christian cult has been formed near the formerly abandoned Grand Canyon. For context for our younger listeners, the Grand Canyon, once a famous landmark before the apocalypse, has long been abandoned due to the rise of active volcanos. However, witnesses say that a certain person, became immune to heat and people who believe in him are also immune to the activities of the volcano. They call this 'cult leader' as 'Supreme' and also the second coming of Jesus. According to investigations, the leader is legally named John Gottfried, a former priest of a neo-Catholic church..."

Huh? Isn't that... Someone I just had sold some legendary item just quite recently?

As I sat there, deep in thought, my mind swirled with a mix of emotions and questions. The weight of my recent actions and their unforeseen consequences pressed upon me. The memory of making someone the first S-rank hunter in the South East loomed large, a testament to the power I held in my hands. If I helped that 'S-rank Veiled Hunter' acquire the 'Veil of Ishtar', then most probably I also helped this certain priest become a cult leader...

Doubt crept into my thoughts as I contemplated the intricate web of cause and effect. I questioned the choices I had made, the trade decisions that seemed so significant at the moment but now carried unforeseen consequences. These past few trades... I'm seeing a pattern now... The trades are catalysts! Igniting a chain reaction that led to unexpected outcomes... I see the pattern now... So this is... purpose...

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

I see what being a stakeholder is all about... For Beltane, The Academy's purpose went beyond mere data storage and ranking systems. It was also a platform where million-dollar biddings took place, a space where influential figures and organizations vied for supremacy and control. The decisions made within the Academy's hallowed halls had far-reaching consequences, shaping the destiny of countless hunters and impacting the very fabric of the hunter society.

And as for Ostara, Pegasus was the driving force behind the creation of thousands of hunter facilities scattered across the globe. These facilities provided essential infrastructure for hunters to train, gather information, and embark on their missions. The company's commitment to excellence and its unwavering dedication to pushing the boundaries of engineering ensured that no other construction company could rival its expertise. That's her purpose.

A sense of unease settled within me as I grappled with the realization that my actions held far-reaching implications beyond what I had initially envisioned. The immense power I wielded, both as a holder of titles and as a participant in the unfolding events, weighed heavily on my conscience. Has my mother been so aware of this that she... lived in solitude with my father away from her fellow 'stakeholders'?

And now, I see my mother's- my purpose.

In that moment of reflection, I realized the responsibility that came with the ability to shape the world. Every decision carried the potential to create ripples, spark movements, and mold the narratives that would define the current global situation. I questioned whether I had fully comprehended the extent of my influence and the magnitude of the forces I had set in motion.

Surrounded by the remnants of the radio's headlines, I resolved to tread more cautiously. I acknowledged the need for greater awareness and understanding of the far-reaching consequences of my actions. I should be wary of what I should sell and who I should sell them to. The rising cult serves as a warning about who or not to sell someone with. I chuckled. When in danger, give them an unfair price. And by the law of my purpose, they shall be persecuted. I still feel guilty about Gwendoline though.

I rose from my soft bed, ready to face the possible events that lay ahead. Stretching, I walked across the store, my footsteps echoing softly, I made my way towards the counter. The familiar sight of my comfy office chair awaited me, its plush cushions beckoning for me to take a seat and immerse myself in a moment of tranquility. With a gentle sigh, I settled into the chair, feeling its familiar embrace provide comfort and support.

In my hand, I held the portable radio, the most reliable companion I could ever hand. Its small size fits perfectly within the palm of my hand, its smooth surface cool to the touch. The radio was a conduit to a world beyond the store's walls, allowing me to tune in to the rhythms of the city and the voices that filled the airwaves.

As I held the portable radio in my hand, I couldn't help but marvel at its seemingly uncanny ability to deliver the news I needed at just the right moment. It was as if the radio held a secret understanding of my desires, tailoring its broadcast to meet my exact needs. What is behind this thing?

I gazed at the radio, its sleek surface reflecting the soft glow of the room's lighting. How could this small device, no larger than the palm of my hand, possess such an intuitive understanding of my thoughts and wishes? Soon, in my vision, I noticed the sulfur-smelling symbol carved on its back. When did I..?

Appraise.

「 A very lucky portable radio.」Oh... That explains a lot...

As I held the radio in my hands, I couldn't help but notice that something had changed. It had transformed from my "lucky radio" into what seemed like a "very lucky radio." The perplexing shift left me feeling both excited and bewildered, prompting me to question the nature of this newfound fortune.

I examined the radio closely, searching for any visible alterations or signs of its transformation. However, it appeared to be the same portable device I had known all along - a humble piece of technology that had somehow become an extraordinary catalyst of luck. Was my skill..? Is my original skill... a 'post-cast cultivation type'? I made that set words up, but what I meant was does the item that I cast my [ Luck Alchemist (F-rank)] on actually become luckier after a long time passes by and under good care?

I should have never thrown that spoon... That should have been a well-cultivated lucky spoon... However, I came to a sudden realization... I'm never going to throw this radio away.

I also have one objective in mind now... It's to know the current situation of those who have traded something in this place...

Driven by curiosity and a desire to know the fate of those who had acquired the extraordinary items I once sold, I embarked on a quest to scour the airwaves in search of news. With my trusty "very lucky radio" in hand, I tuned it to various frequencies, hoping to catch a glimpse of the lives that had been touched by these remarkable artifacts. I meticulously scanned through local news stations, listening intently to every segment, hoping to hear a mention of those who had crossed paths with the extraordinary items. I longed for stories of triumph, transformation, and serendipitous encounters that would reveal the impact these artifacts had on the lives of their new owners.

As the radio crackled with static, I adjusted the dial, fine-tuning its reception in pursuit of any leads. The airwaves carried fragments of conversations, snippets of songs, and bursts of static, creating a symphony of sound that tested my patience. Yet, undeterred, I persisted, driven by the curiosity to unravel the stories that unfolded beyond my own.

After diligently searching through the radio frequencies for what seemed like an eternity, my ears perked up as I caught a faint mention of a peculiar news story. It was about some very specific and particular exhibitionist...

With a mix of excitement and anticipation, I adjusted the dial, fine-tuning the radio's reception to capture every word of the news report. The static gradually faded, replaced by the clear voice of the news anchor recounting the extraordinary tale that had unfolded.

"Formerly known as Exhibitionist Ali, the old internet meme which featured a naked man roaming around the streets, now is a rising global fame due to his hit sauce, the 'Pixie Sauce'. You can purchase it now for 100 pesos SRP!"

Now, the main reason I know this is the man is that I sold him [Yellow Pixie Dust (Mythical) - Will make anything delicious] in exchange for his [Ball of Luck (Rare)]. I, myself, also wondered why the system accepted a rare item as a good trade for the mythical item. I quickly understood- Pixie Dust is consumable.

This exhibitionist won't be some sort of a threat... I guess... Sooner or later, he will run out of Pixie Dust...

Well then, to the next headline, my trusted radio!