"Let's set aside the matter of you tracking all my actions for now. Open the shop for me," I said, feeling a bit more in control. "I need something that can help in case of danger. There's a good chance they'll try another assassination attempt since the first one 'failed.'"
[Do you want to exchange Fate Points for Eroge Points, or continue with your current balance?] the system asked.
"Exchange it all," I replied.
[50 million Fate Points exchanged for 2.5 million Eroge Points. Current balance: 2,512,160 EP.]
"Damn! You're practically looting me!" I exclaimed, eyes wide at the hefty conversion rate.
[Stop whining. You got those points for free, after all,] the system retorted.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it," I muttered. "Now open the shop."
The shop window popped up, displaying a dizzying array of items. I scrolled through the list, but there were so many options that it was overwhelming. I frowned, unable to decide.
"System, can you filter the items? Show me things that are useful right now and within my budget."
[For your current situation, I'd suggest the following:]
[Protective Talisman (One-time use): Can block any attack from a grandmaster-level warrior – 10,000 EP.] [Save Point (Passive): Teleports you to a safe place when your life is endangered – 50,000 EP.] [Observer's Gaze: Allows you to see into others' secrets – 1,000,000 EP.] [Ironman Armor (Modified): Operates on aether – 1,000,000 EP (Note: You cannot use it until you awaken and possess aether).] [Sixth Sense: Gives early premonition of danger – 1,000,000 EP.] [Venom Symbiote (Tainted): Has its own ego – 1,000,000 EP.] [Venom Symbiote (Untainted): No ego, only follows the host's will – 1,500,000 EP.
The list went on and on.
[Choose wisely. There's no refund policy,] the system added with a playful tone.
I whistled under my breath. "That's a lot of options…"
After some thought, I weighed the pros and cons. Observer's Gaze seemed useful for identifying potential threats, and the Venom Symbiote would give me incredible abilities, these items would be helpful in the long term.
"I'll take the Observer's Gaze and the Venom Symbiote (Untainted)," I said finally. I didn't need another voice in my head. The system was already filling that role.
[Hey! That's rude,] the system quipped, clearly having read my thoughts.
"That's exactly why I said it," I replied, rolling my eyes. "Stop reading my mind."
[I can't help it. I'm in your head, remember? Everything in there is like an open book to me.]
I sighed in resignation. "There goes my privacy."
[It's not so bad. Now, back to the matter at hand. Your purchases have been made.]
[Balance points: 12,160]
"Here goes my all points" I sighed
As I brooded over my lost points, a sudden warmth enveloped my eyes, then quickly faded. When I opened them, everything looked different—sharper, clearer. I could see every detail in the room with uncanny precision, from the fine patterns on the wallpaper to the tiniest speck of dust floating in the air.
"Whoa," I marveled. "This is insane."
[Try focusing on something specific,] the system instructed.
I looked at the table beside my bed, focusing as the system had suggested. A blue translucent window appeared over the table, similar to the system windows.
[Table: Made from Sapient wood. Extremely tough and durable] [Crafted in the year 543 of the Lunar Calendar by renowned artisan Luke Vasto.]
"Can I only see the status of inanimate objects or could it also show people's status?" I asked
[It can show the status of everything in the world. Artifacts, weapons, people, items, etc]
"Cool. I feel like I have become a part of some Wuxia novel with magical eyes. This is going to be handy for finding that demon disguised as a servant," I said, already planning how I'd use this new ability. "But what about the symbiote?"
[Check your hand,] the system replied.
I glanced down at my palm, where a small glass vial lay, containing a wriggling black substance.
"Are you sure this thing doesn't have a mind of its own?" I asked skeptically.
[Trust me. It's just a tool, no consciousness involved. Don't doubt the system's products.]
"Yeah, yeah. System products are top-notch," I muttered sarcastically. With a resigned sigh, I clenched the vial in my fist, breaking it open.
The symbiote latched onto my skin immediately, spreading across my body in a wave of black. I stood and walked over to the mirror, curious to see what I looked like.
Staring back at me was a 5.5-foot-tall figure completely clad in black, with two white patches where my eyes should be. There was no mouth, just a smooth, sleek surface.
"Creepy," I muttered. As I tried to open my mouth, the symbiote split apart, revealing a grotesque, tooth-filled grin that stretched all the way to my ears. "Terrifying… but kind of cool."
I began experimenting with the symbiote's abilities. My favorite by far was its regeneration—any cut or injury healed almost instantly. It also gave me enhanced strength, acted as armor, and allowed me to form extra limbs at will. Best of all, it didn't have the typical symbiote weaknesses to fire or sound, nor did it crave phenethylamine. So he won't have to go around eating other people's brains.
"Well, with this, I doubt any assassin would stand a chance against me now," I said, flexing my newly enhanced body. "I feel like some overpowered main character."
[Don't get too cocky,] the system warned. [People in this world are much stronger than you think. Right now, you're still unawakened, unable to use magic or aura. With your current strength, you'd only be able to fend off small fry.]
"Yeah, yeah. Leave it to you to ruin my fun," I grumbled, but deep down, I knew the system was right. I still had a long way to go.