Just as I was about to ask another question, a soft chime echoed in my head — like the notification tone from a luxury device.
"Liam," Eve's smooth, measured voice cut in, "before we proceed further, I should inform you that as part of your initiation into this world, my creator has provided you with a Starter's Pack. Would you like to open it now?"
A grin tugged at my lips. 'A Starter's Pack? Like in those games?'
"Correct. Consider it your first set of tools — a welcome gift."
I leaned forward on my seat. "Yeah, open it. Now."
"Opening Starter's Pack…"
My HUD flared to life with a swirl of blue light. Four glowing icons materialized in front of me, floating like holograms. As the glow dimmed, I could make out their names.
[Starter's Pack Contents]
Low Level Intelligence Potion × 1 (Permanent boost: +2 Intelligence)
Mid Level Stamina Potion × 1 (Restores 50% stamina — mind and body)
High Level Healing Potion × 1 (Full recovery from mortal wounds and sickness)
Special Item — Basic Sharingan Potion × 1 (Unlocks one-tomoe Sharingan, permanent ability)
I stared, my brain buzzing like a kid on Christmas morning. "You've got to be kidding me. I just got one from each category?"
"Indeed," Eve confirmed, her tone carrying the faintest hint of satisfaction. "This is not typical. My creator wanted to give you a taste of the full scope of the Shop's power."
I reached out, my fingers brushing through the holograms, watching them ripple like water. "Alright, Eve… tell me what I'm looking at."
Low Level Intelligence Potion
"First, the Low Level Intelligence Potion," she began, the icon spinning slowly as she spoke.
"When consumed, it will permanently raise your Intelligence stat by 2 points. In practical terms, that means faster processing speed, enhanced memory retention, and sharper logical reasoning. Every point above the average curve compounds your advantage exponentially. With your current Intelligence at 28, using this will take you to 30 — a level considered prodigious even among the most brilliant minds."
I couldn't help but whistle low. "So basically… I'm gonna get even smarter."
"Smarter, faster-thinking, and more creative in problem-solving. Even the smallest permanent boost to Intelligence has long-term benefits in this world."
Mid Level Stamina Potion
"Next, the Mid Level Stamina Potion. It's designed to restore half of your total stamina in both body and mind. This isn't just about not feeling tired — it restores mental and body fatigue. For example, if you had been in a three-hour MMA match, physically and mentally drained, drinking this would allow you to half of your peak again in seconds"
I raised an eyebrow. "So this is… like Energy Drink on steroids. Magical steroids."
"Precisely, but without the heart problems."
High Level Healing Potion
Eve's tone deepened, almost reverent.
"The High Level Healing Potion is considerably rarer. It can completely restore your body from life threatening wounds, critical illness, or deep systemic damage. This includes internal bleeding, organ failure, and terminal diseases. For someone who is seconds from death, it would bring them back in perfect health — in moments."
I swallowed, my mind flashing to every survival situation I'd ever seen in movies. "…That's… insane."
"It is also expensive — one million points in the Shop which equals hundred million USD. Use it wisely."
Special — Basic Sharingan Potion
I tilted my head at the last icon. The glowing red eye with three curves rotating inside it was unmistakable to any anime fan. "…It is—"
"Yes," Eve cut in smoothly, "the Basic Sharingan Potion. Consuming it will permanently awaken the one-tomoe Sharingan in both eyes. You will gain enhanced visual perception — the ability to track high-speed movements, analyze trajectories, and perfectly recall anything you see and genjutsu. As your eyes evolve naturally, these Sharingan abilities will get powerful."
I grinned wide, unable to help myself. "So… Naruto powers in a Marvel-DC mashup world? This is getting better by the second."
Eve's voice chimed in again.
"Liam, before you get too excited about that Sharingan… you should know the system has… adjusted it."
'Adjusted?' I thought, my eyebrow twitching. 'You mean nerfed.'
"That's a less elegant way of putting it, but… yes. In this world, the Basic Sharingan will only grant you three core abilities: the capacity to track high-speed movements, the ability to analyze trajectories and patterns, and perfect visual recall of anything you've seen. You will also be able to use genjutsu — illusions — but these will scale in strength with each tomoe you unlock."
'So no overpowered nonsense like instant Amaterasu, space-time travel, or…' I paused, '… giant armored spirit warriors?'
"Correct," she replied without hesitation. "No Eternal Mangekyō, no Rinnegan, no Susanoo. The System is designed to integrate your abilities into this world without destabilizing it. You get precision, adaptability, and utility — not world-breaking firepower."
I leaned back in my chair, staring at the floating potion icon. 'Huh. So basically… I get the cool eyes without the anime apocalypse package.'
"That is one way to put it," Eve said, with what sounded suspiciously like amusement in her otherwise robotic hum.
"The Sharingan also synergizes with your Intelligence and strength stat — the sharper and stronger your mind and body are, the more effectively you can use it. In combat, strategy, or negotiation, it will be a formidable tool."
I sat back, still staring at the floating icons. "Alright, Eve… this is officially the coolest thing that's ever happened to me."
"It is only the beginning, Liam," she replied warmly. "And I will ensure you use every advantage to its fullest."
I took a long sip of the cold Americano, letting the bitter chill settle me. For the first time since waking up in this world, I felt a moment of quiet.
"Liam," Eve's calm voice interrupted. "You should check your Bar exam results."
'Oh—!' I almost choked on my drink. Setting the cup down, I grabbed my phone and quickly navigated to the official Bar site. My heart was oddly steady, but my hands weren't. Logging in, a few seconds of loading… and there it was.
"Congratulations," Eve said the moment my eyes caught the word Passed.
'Yeah, but it's not exactly my victory,' I thought aloud in my head. 'This was already done by the guy before me.'
"Nevertheless, it still counts. This is your life now, Liam," she insisted.
I let out a dry chuckle. 'Alright, fine. I'll take the win.'
I leaned back, staring at the screen a moment longer before setting the phone down. My thoughts drifted toward what came next.
"You currently have two offers," Eve reminded me. "One from the public sector — the District Attorney's Office and one from the private sector, Rand, Kaldor & Zane and this invitation was personally sent by Zane's guy due to your exceptional record at Harvard."
I knew she was right. In this world, Liam Harper was a walking résumé goldmine. Firms wanted him before his Bar results were out. The DA's office wanted him. Hell, probably even law schools wanted him back as faculty.
'Still…' I swirled what was left of my Americano, '…I'm leaning toward the DA's office. Big cases, public service, actual impact. Plus, I could get a better read on how law works in this world and gain experience, later move to the corporate side'
"That may align with your long-term goals," Eve agreed. "But—"
A shadow fell across the table. Someone had walked up, and Eve instantly went silent in my head.
-----END-----
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