The rain outside had settled into a soft drizzle, the faint tapping on the roof now a gentle lull rather than an intrusion. Inside, the air was thick with the lingering scent of herbs and the warmth of bodies pressed close.
As soon as Larz settled down from his burst of curiosity, sitting cross-legged by the foot of the bed with wide, quiet eyes, the mother adjusted Vaughn's blanket and turned to her husband.
"What do you want to talk about?" she asked softly, her fingers tucking the cloth with absent care.
"I don't think my mother was happy about our children," he said, his brow furrowing. "Or… did something happen?"
"I don't know. I'm not sure," she murmured, glancing toward the closed door. "But she might be worried about our newborn son."
"Why?"
"He didn't cry when he was born," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "It just… feels wrong. And it doesn't help that our daughter cried as soon as she was out."
"Was he supposed to cry?" he asked.
"Most do. But I can't be certain… still, I feel uneasy."
The father leaned back slightly, sighing. "I thought she knew about our son."
"She might," the mother said. "Go talk to her. Get her mind off it—make her focus on something else."
He nodded and rose, the old floorboards creaking under his weight as he left the room.
---
The hallway was dim, lit only by the muted light from a small oil lamp on the wall. He found his mother sitting in the corner of the living area, weaving a basket with slow, deliberate movements. The rain's steady patter filled the silence between them.
"Mother," he began, lowering himself to sit opposite her.
She didn't look up immediately, her hands busy with the weaving. "How is she?"
"Tired. But holding up."
Her fingers paused, then resumed their work.
He cleared his throat. "I know you have concerns about Vaughn."
Her eyes flicked up to his, sharp but unreadable. "A child who enters the world without a cry… it's unusual."
"Maybe so," he admitted, "but he's breathing, warm, and alive. That's enough for now. Besides…" —he allowed a small smile— "…there are other things to think about. I heard the caravan market's in town. They've brought strange goods from far away."
That got her attention. The faintest spark of curiosity lit her expression. "Strange goods?"
---
Later that night, when the house had gone still and the others were asleep, Vaughn found himself alone in the cradle of darkness. And then—like ink spilling into water—a translucent interface bloomed before his eyes.
[ Store System: ]
A shimmering market unfolded in his mind's vision—floating stalls in a boundless void, each one glowing with faint runes. Voices whispered offers in languages he didn't know yet somehow understood.
Categories:
Bloodlines & Roots – Ancient genetic legacies, from elemental affinities to beast-kin heritage.
Pets & Companions – From miniature wyverns to sentient shadows.
Items – Relics, weapons, and tools both mundane and mythical.
Techniques – Combat arts, cultivation methods, mental disciplines.
Knowledge Archives – Like skills from blacksmithing to interstellar navigation.
Structures & Constructs – From humble huts to pocket-dimension fortresses.
Vaughn's attention was caught by a flicker of crimson in the Bloodline section:
[Dragon's Vein Bloodline]
Tier:Uncommon
> Grants affinity and resistance with fire and draconic vitality. Increases lifespan, strengthens bones and muscles, and heightens mana flow by 35%. Warning: painful integration process.
Tempting. But then his gaze was drawn to a far corner of the void, where a stall pulsed with a soft, silver light. Inside stood a tall humanoid woman—if one could call her human. Her skin was metallic yet smooth, her eyes two stars of liquid silver.
[Adaptive Humanoid Servant – Model A-7]
Tier: Legendary
> Capable of shifting body structure into any known form or tool. Proficient in domestic tasks, medical care, mechanical repair, and over 300 combat styles. Can enter AssaultMode with energy-blade extensions and energy-shield projections. Contains stored data from higher universal archives, granting advisory capacity in all fields of known science and magic.
>Price: 3,500 Points.
…She can do everything. Vaughn's mind reeled. Not just as a servant—she could teach him, protect him, and adapt to any situation.
As he scrolled, another listing caught his eye—one that might be exactly what he needed right now.
[Celestial Infant's Pill Booster]
Tier:Uncommon
Description: Temporary enhancement that accelerates early development, strengthens core vitality, and fortifies spirit roots. Limited to beings under one year old.
> Price: 500 Points.
Vaughn's beat rapidly. Knowing he can buy all of these.
[Purchase confirmed]
[Dragon Vein Bloodline]
[Adaptive Humaniod Servant]
---
Vaughn's eyes flickered as the StoreSystem interface shifted, its display glowing faintly in the darkness of his mind. Rows of neatly categorized tabs expanded, each carrying titles in crisp golden letters:
[Bloodlines] – [Pets & Companions] – [Weapons & Armory]– [Techniques] – [Knowledge] –[Structures] – [Dimensions]
A mechanical chime echoed.
[Welcome, Vaughn Labre. Resources: Unlimited.] [Suggestion: Based on host's current state, the following items are recommended.]
The first listing caught his attention:
---
[Alpha Prime Combat Bloodline ]
Tier: Legendary
Description: Fuses the physical prowess of apex predators with adaptive evolution. The host's body will continuously adjust to threats, growing stronger after each battle. Grants heightened regeneration, explosive bursts of speed, and combat instincts bordering on precognition.
Vaughn smirked. "That's a good start."
---
The list scrolled on. His gaze paused at a strange figure displayed in a rotating hologram — a tall humanoid woman, eyes glowing a faint azure.
[ EVE-9 Adaptive Homemaker Unit ]
Tier: Legendary
Description: An advanced humanoid AI capable of shifting its physical structure into any known tool, weapon, or form for domestic, industrial, or combat purposes. Equipped with vast libraries of interstellar knowledge, including culinary arts, crafting, maintenance, and tactical warfare. Fully self-repairing. Can assume AttackMode, granting devastating battlefield capabilities.
Note: Holds fragments of "Higher Universal Protocols," allowing the host to access lost technologies and civilizations' wisdom.
"That's… more than just a housekeeper," Vaughn muttered. "I'll take him."
---
He swiped toward the Dimensions tab, curious.
[Genesis Void Dimension]
Tier: Mythic
Description: A personal pocket-realm existing outside of linear time. Within, the host may:
> Control the environment (climate, terrain, gravity, etc.).
> Train without affecting outside time, time can be manipulated as it will of host.
> Create fully interactive combat simulators. SummonClones for skill and technique practice.
> Expand and alter at will.
> No one can enter or look and anyone can be brought here as long as host wills it.
Vaughn's pulse quickened. This… is perfect.
---
[Omni-Forge Node]
Tier: Mythic
Description: A self-contained creation hub that allows instant crafting of weapons, armor, artifacts, buildings, and even ecosystems. Powered by infinite energy drawn from the host's Store System. Integrated with the Genesis Void Dimension for seamless operation.
---
He scrolled further, finding other tempting purchases — mythical beasts, libraries of forbidden magic, celestial gardens — but for now, he finalized his selection.
A deep chime resonated in his mind.
[Purchase confirmed.]
[Alpha Prime Combat Bloodline integrated.]
[Genesis Void Dimension unlocked.]
[EVE-9 Adaptive Homemaker deployed.]
[Omni-Forge Node installed.]
Vaughn exhaled slowly, a faint grin tugging at his lips. "Now… we're getting somewhere."