Two days passed since the monster encounter behind the gift shop. Kenji hadn't told anyone—not because he didn't want to, but because he *couldn't*. Something inside told him it was better that way.
Now, seated in the corner of the motel balcony, he whispered:
"System. Open Shop."
> *SYSTEM SHOP UNLOCKED
> Currency: Drachmas: 0 | USD: $10
> Note: All purchases require proficiency compatibility and level clearance.*
*[Categories]*
• Abilities
• Weapons
• Talents
• Skills
• Affinities
• Consumables
He selected *Abilities*.
> *• Minor Wind Control – 500 Drachmas
> • Passive Healing (Aquatic) – 1000 Drachmas
> • Enhanced Reflexes I – 300 Drachmas
> • Combat Instinct (Passive) – 700 Drachmas*
"Drachmas…" Kenji frowned. "How do I earn that?"
> *Currency Earned via:
> • Quests
> • Dungeon Clears
> • Combat Achievement
> • Befriending or Impressing Mythical Beings
> • Story Milestones*
That made sense.
He checked the *Consumables* tab.
> *• Minor Healing Salve – 30 Drachmas
> • Focus Elixir – 50 Drachmas
> • Beginner Dungeon Key – 200 Drachmas*
"Dungeons," Kenji muttered. "I've gotta find out more about that."
---
*Quest Notification*
> *Quest: Dungeon Discovery
> Objective: Unlock your first personal training dungeon.
> Requirement: Observe 3 physical patterns + Complete 100 push-ups
> Reward: Dungeon Key (Training Tier), +150 EXP*
"I've never even done ten push-ups…"
But he started anyway.
---
*Hours Later – Exhausted on the Floor*
> *Quest Complete
> Dungeon Key (Training Tier) added
> +150 EXP
> +1 Strength
> +1 Endurance
> +1 Willpower*
> *You may now enter Personal Dungeon:
> Location: Mental Plane – Training Grounds (Safe Zone)
> Time Acceleration: 2x*
The world shimmered for a moment, and Kenji found himself standing in a wide, marble-floored room with dummies, targets, floating blue windows and a rack of *Celestial Bronze* practice weapons.
His eyes lit up.
> *Welcome to the Training Dungeon. No injuries here are permanent. Combat feedback enabled.*
He picked up a short sword and took a stance.
"Let's train."
---
*End of Chapter 4*