"Look after the store for me...", my mom, now so frail and weak looked at me dead in the eye. "Never sell it nor leave it..."

My beloved mother lay on the hospital bed, her once radiant face now gaunt and marked by the weariness of her prolonged battle with cancer. The room was filled with the faint scent of antiseptic, a reminder of the sterile environment in which her life hung in the balance.

With trembling steps, I approached her bedside and took a seat, my emotions overwhelming me. Tears streamed down my face as I clasped her frail hand in mine, feeling the fragility of her existence. The weight of the impending loss pressed upon my chest, making it difficult to breathe.

"Yes, Ma..."

In the dimly lit room, the rhythmic beeping of the medical equipment provided a haunting backdrop to our silent exchange. Words failed me, and instead, my tears spoke the depths of my despair. I longed for a miracle, for a way to alleviate her pain and restore her health.

I held onto her hand tightly, cherishing the warmth that still remained. Memories flooded my mind, of joyful moments spent together, laughter shared, and the unwavering love she had showered upon me. It felt as though time stood still, and I wished I could freeze this moment, to etch her presence into my soul forever.

As the tears continued to flow, I whispered words of love and comfort, promising to stay by her side until the very end. In that heartbreaking moment, I found solace in the knowledge that my love would be a source of strength for...

"Yuan, wake up!"

Huh? My mind felt hazy as my eyes began to open. The world of sorrow was soon gone as I responded to stimuli. As I slowly regained consciousness, the world around me seemed cold and unfamiliar. My eyelids fluttered open, revealing a room bathed in soft, diffused light. Confusion enveloped my mind as I struggled to piece together where I was and how I had come to be here.

The remnants of sleep clung to my senses, making me feel disoriented and groggy. It felt as though I had been transported to a different realm, emerging from a deep slumber that had left me detached from time and space. I blinked several times, attempting to shake off the remnants of drowsiness that lingered within me.

As I surveyed my surroundings, the familiarity of my surroundings slowly began to seep in. The room I found myself in was my own, adorned with the familiar objects and furnishings that bore the mark of my personal taste. Among them were the weird people who were quite reactive with my system... they call themselves the stakeholders.

"It's good that you're fucking awake, now.", added Beltane.

"Mabon left while you were asleep...", Ostara said, "He's quite a busy man if you ask me..."

"Wh-", I tried to recollect my thoughts. "What happened?"

"I fixed your system.", Beltane leaned on my bed. "Try checking the description..."

Description...

「The Revenue FS is a Favor System developed by Revenue Corp. It is to enhance the capacity of its user in maintaining the balance of Earth. You can monitor your favor using this system. 」

"Oh, wow..."

"And I added the features that should have been in your system when it was loaded to you.", she smiled smugly like an artist proud of her own work. "Try checking RFS Communicator..."

Communicate...

「State the name... 」

"Then I'll just state the name?"

"Y-yeah...", Beltane became wary of her replies. "But...", she seemed troubled. "I, uh..."

"Beltane had a problem with changing the interface of yours. For some reason, we can't manipulate your interface to make it similar to ours..."

"Like making phone gestures in your hand?"

"Precisely. And more precisely, making calls. Unfortunately, if we add the call feature, it would take a while, and you'd die of dehydration before we can complete the coding.", replied Ostara.

「[R]Ostara: We can only chat with you. 」

"You're chatting this right now?", I was shocked that there would be somebody out there capable of manipulating a system. "What does the letter 'r' mean?"

"It stands for registered, and just assume any other letter would mean other things..."

"Ahh..."

"Also...", Beltane added to the conversation, obviously about something that has been bugging her a while. "Although I have fixed certain bugs like your 'purpose' being registered as skill, the credit-to-stat conversion is something I'm unfamiliar with. It's complex and advanced, and I have no idea how to access or crack it in that matter... And even if I try to counter it with a chain command sequence, it accepts my counters as some sort of a virus and purges my codes. So, I have no clue how that works... Though I have also found a quest sequence feature in your system, I also don't know who's feeding the code, so I disabled it for now... It might lead to some complications. If you want to activate it, you might want to chat me for that, so we can arrange another session..."

"Though Beltane hates to admit defeat in her skills in manipulating systems...", Ostara mentioned something that could spark some conflict within themselves. "That feature inside your system is way out of our league and we cannot edit it for you. Hence, it may be some sort of a power-up for you in some way..." That's a benefit for me honestly...

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

"Mabon mentioned my mother's skills?", I slip in something for me to know myself. "I wonder if you retained it somewhere in the system?"

"Well, I managed to salvage a single skill...", Beltane said. "Try opening up your skills tab."

Skills.

「[Skills]

→ Luck Alchemist (F)

→ Appraise (A)

→ Contract Bind (A)」

"I opened your mother's [Appraise] to its highest level, and it's now unlocked in a way that you can use it's full purpose...", she looked at her screen. "And I managed to reveal a skill that was part of a corrupted file in your system..."

Mom's [Appraise] was A-rank? Have I been using appraise only to its lowest form? And what's this- [Contract Bind]?

「[Contract Bind]

➡The user may exact an agreement with a certain target. In their agreement, the user may set an objective and a punishment when that certain objective is not met.」

Oh, what a cool skill.

"What happened to the Magic Shop?"

"We set it as purpose, so it is no longer considered a skill.", replied Beltane. "But the conditions remain as it always has been."

Taking a deep breath, I gathered my courage and turned to the two of them. "Uh...," I began, my voice filled with curiosity. "If it does not come off as disrespectful, may I ask the two of yours purpose?"

As I sat there, absorbing the weight of their presence and the gravity of their purpose, the atmosphere in the room shifted. The two ladies exchanged a knowing glance, their eyes twinkling mischievously as a soft chuckle escaped their lips. The sound was light and filled with warmth, carrying a hint of playfulness that both intrigued and puzzled me.

"Hahaha! It's been a long time since somebody has asked such a trivial question such as that...", Ostara laughed. "I actually own the purpose "Of Quick Build" which led me to own the greatest contractor company... The Pegasus."

What... Let me set this straight... I'm currently talking to the CEO of The Pegasus?! "The Pegasus" is not just a construction company, but a legendary powerhouse that has left an indelible mark on the world of construction and infrastructure. Renowned as the largest construction company of all time, "The Pegasus" has established itself as a pioneer in its field, pushing the boundaries of engineering and architecture to new heights.

With a vast portfolio spanning continents, "The Pegasus" has undertaken ambitious projects that have redefined the concept of construction. From towering skyscrapers to sprawling complexes, from intricate bridges to state-of-the-art facilities, their expertise knows no bounds. They were also known to be the pioneers of building infrastructures within anomalies...

"I am the President of 'The Academy'", added Beltane.

What?! "The Academy" is a prestigious institution that serves as the epicenter of the global hunter community. It plays a multifaceted role in the world of hunters, encompassing vital functions that contribute to the development and recognition of hunters worldwide.

First and foremost, "The Academy" serves as the official authority responsible for counting and maintaining global hunter rankings. It meticulously tracks the achievements, capabilities, and contributions of hunters from all corners of the world. By collating and organizing this data, "The Academy" establishes a system of recognition and acknowledgment, providing a comprehensive view of the most skilled and accomplished hunters.

Beyond ranking management, "The Academy" serves as a central repository for hunter data. It houses a vast database that stores information on hunters, their abilities, experiences, and notable achievements. This extensive collection of knowledge aids in research, analysis, and strategic planning, allowing hunters to better understand the supernatural threats they face and devise effective countermeasures.

To think these high-caliber individuals would be here in- well, it's not technically my room... It's my mother's shop...

"Wait, you're all like... big-shots?!"

"Your mother should have been a big shot by now actually.", commented Ostara. "With her skill set in her prime, she could have been some headmistress of a big-time bidding company. But then, she chose to live as a 'legend' and live a normal life..."

So it wasn't about tax, but... pride? Or she wanted to have a... family?

"What was my...", Gosh this is such as heavy question for me to ask. "What was my mom like behind the curtains I used to see her in..."

The two ladies in front of me exchanged glances, their expressions reflecting a mix of uncertainty and hesitation. Their eyes darted back and forth as if silently contemplating the best course of action. The room fell into a brief, tense silence, leaving me eagerly waiting for them to break it.

Finally, the taller woman took a deep breath and spoke, her voice carrying a hint of unease. "We... We don't really know where to start..." she began, her words cautious and measured. "Yuletide was weird and thought differently than us, her fellow stakeholders. She wanted to have a family and live like a normal civilian. She actually hated receiving the RFS, yet just resumed doing her responsibilities..."

"Responsibilities?"

"Hello? Your purpose isn't for nothing, dickhead!", Beltane cussed me out. "It helps give great, legendary, and mythical items to Earth so that it can battle stronger entities that may rise from anywhere honestly. Haven't you noticed that soon after your mother's vanishment, the hunter statistics became linear as compared to the usual S-class here, a fallen star that moments?"

As the truth unfurled, I listened in awe and disbelief. The store I had inherited was not just a quaint establishment but a gateway to some extent, beyond my own possible imagination.

"But the trading system? What's with that?" I became more and more curious.

"You don't actually believe that there's only a single world and some other world doesn't need our artifacts to save their butts?", added Beltane. "Thought that's out of our shitty jurisdiction for now. What you have to do is sustain the purpose of this store, convert what you receive into credits, and do what the fuck you want with your life..."

"Language, Beltane!"

"Ugh!", Beltane massaged her temples. "What you have to remember is that you just need to do your responsibility and do your purpose, alright?"

The words hung heavy in the air, lingering with a tinge of skepticism. I looked at the two women, my brows furrowed in confusion, as a swell of questions threatened to spill from my lips. The weight of this newfound responsibility pressed upon me, and a sense of resistance welled up within.

"Why me?" I asked, my voice laced with a mix of frustration and curiosity. "Who imposed this responsibility upon me? Why should I bear the burden of maintaining balance in a world I never knew existed?"

The taller woman's gaze softened, understanding the turmoil brewing within me. She took a deep breath before speaking, her words carrying weight. "It's what the RFS has brought to us, we can't fucking decline it..."

Doubt consumed me, and a surge of frustration coursed through my veins. The weight of the responsibility that had been thrust upon me felt suffocating, and I couldn't help but question its purpose. Why did I have to bear this burden? I would have rather been a laborer if it would have reached this! If only I knew! I would have forsaken that waffle maker by now!

With a mixture of anger and defiance, I stood my ground, challenging the two women before me. "This so-called responsibility feels like a curse, not a gift," I exclaimed, my voice filled with frustration. "Why should I sacrifice my freedom and peace of mind for a role I never asked for? Is this the price I have to pay for a life of luxury? Then I forsake it!"

The taller woman's expression softened, her eyes reflecting understanding and empathy. She stepped closer, her voice gentle yet resolute. "We understand your doubts and frustration," she said, her words carrying a hint of sadness. Her words hung in the air, momentarily silencing my protest. I glanced at the shorter woman, hoping for a different answer, but her resolute expression mirrored that of her companion.

"The responsibility may seem overwhelming now," the shorter woman added, her voice tinged with sympathy.

"No!"

「You cannot defy the system, Yuletide.」

"Uh-", my mania was soon interrupted by a pop-up screen. "Yuletide?"

Mom?