The moment Rex accepted the new directive, the air shifted — like reality had just drawn in a sharp breath.
One blink later, the main hall of the House stretched upward, folding into itself. Lights flickered into galaxies, dice melted into constellations, and the sound of coins turned into whispers of possibility.
Lia's voice barely rose above the hum. "Brace yourself. Tier 2 isn't… built for sanity."
"Good," Rex said, grinning. "Neither am I."
The transformation completed with a sound like a roulette wheel slamming shut.
They now stood at the edge of an endless floating bazaar — the Universal Shop (Tier 2).
Imagine a cosmic marketplace where the stalls were made of starlight and the merchants spoke in probabilities. Planets spun lazily on display shelves. Rivers of time flowed through glass pipes. A man was arguing with a god over the price of an emotion.
Overhead, a massive neon sign pulsed across the void:
WELCOME TO THE HOUSE OF ODDS – TIER 2
"Where your wallet isn't the only thing that bleeds."
Rex blinked. "I already love it here."
Lia sighed. "Of course you do."
They stepped through the glowing archway, and immediately a small, spherical attendant zipped toward them. It had six eyes, three hands, and a personality that felt suspiciously like a caffeine overdose.
"Welcome, valued degener— customer! I'm your shopping assistant, B.I.D.D.I.E. (Bargain Intelligence Designed for Dumb Impulsive Entities)! Would you like a tour or a debt warning?"
Rex raised a brow. "Debt warning?"
"Congratulations, you chose debt warning!"
Lia facepalmed.
"Spending beyond your Fate Point limit may result in bankruptcy, deletion, or spontaneous reincarnation as a decorative lamp. Please shop irresponsibly!"
Rex clapped. "Finally, a system that gets me."
They passed through rows of impossible stalls.
A vendor made entirely of gold smoke waved them over. "Artifacts from fallen timelines! Buy one, maybe regret it later!"
Next to him, a floating crystal display showed [Skill Fragments – Emotion Series], each glowing with a specific hue. Rex reached out to one labeled Gambleheart (Passive).
Description: Increases Fate manipulation based on emotional intensity. Warning: may cause irrational confidence and spontaneous heroism.
Rex chuckled. "This one's practically my autobiography."
Lia shot him a look. "Do not touch that."
"Too late," he said, already tapping the description.
[Purchase Confirmed – 5000 Fate Points Deducted]
[Skill Acquired: Gambleheart (Passive)]
Lia groaned. "You just spent five thousand Fate Points on an emotional amplifier."
He winked. "Investment."
B.I.D.D.I.E. zipped between them again.
"Would the reckless entity like to browse Tier-2 beasts or Tier-2 regrets?"
"Regrets?" Rex repeated.
"Oh yes! Bestsellers include: 'The Kiss You Never Took,' 'The Dream You Abandoned,' and 'The Punch You Should've Thrown.' Great resale value during emotional crises!"
Rex laughed. "You're kidding."
"Only about 12% of the time!"
Lia crossed her arms. "Ignore it. The Regret Market is one of the more… dangerous aisles. Too many mortals tried to buy back their pasts. The House stopped issuing refunds after the Great Existential Meltdown."
Rex's grin softened a little. "Still… kinda poetic."
She tilted her head. "You think losing everything is poetic?"
He met her eyes, smile fading into something quieter. "No. I think getting the chance to bet on it again is."
Lia looked away, hiding the faint red glow on her cheeks.
They reached the central chamber — a colossal auction hall with a spinning wheel the size of a moon. Dozens of cosmic entities filled the balconies, bidding in concepts instead of currency: laughter, loyalty, lifespans.
A booming voice echoed:
"Lot #777! A Bloodline Fragment — Origin: Fallen Emperor of the Twenty-Seventh Eon! Opening bid: One eternal promise!"
Rex whistled. "You guys really don't do small talk here, huh?"
Lia nodded. "This is where the Universal Shop stops being a market… and starts being temptation."
Suddenly, the lights flickered red.
B.I.D.D.I.E.'s cheerful tone dipped.
"Alert! High-Authority Dealer detected. Bypass priority: Wildcard Exception."
The crowd parted — and from behind the glowing wheel, The Dealer appeared.
He walked toward Rex, his grin sharp as ever.
"Enjoying my little boutique of madness?"
Rex smirked. "You charge extra for irony, or is that bundled with the trauma?"
"It's complimentary for first-timers."
The Dealer flicked a card toward him — it hovered midair, burning with faint gold script.
"A gift. Call it… seed capital for your new addiction."
[Item Received: Wild Bet Token]
Effect: Redeemable for any single impossibility within the House's domain. Warning: usage may destabilize local reality.
Lia frowned. "Why give him that?"
"Because, dear Lia," the Dealer said, smiling wider, "he's the only player stupid enough to use it properly."
He turned to Rex.
"Spend wisely, Wildcard. The House is betting on you now."
And just like that, he was gone — dissolving into a flurry of cards.
Rex pocketed the glowing token and exhaled. "I think I just got sponsored by cosmic capitalism."
Lia shook her head, though a small laugh escaped her. "You're going to be the end of probability itself."
He grinned. "Maybe. But I'll look damn good doing it."
[System Notice]
New Resource Unlocked: Universal Shop (Tier 2)
Available Categories:
– Skills
– Artifacts
– Beasts
– Bloodlines
– Regrets (Restricted Access)
Bonus: Wild Bet Token (Unredeemed)
Recognition Points: 63 / 100
As they left the bazaar, Lia glanced at him. "So what are you going to buy next?"
Rex smiled, flipping the glowing coin between his fingers. "Something worth losing for."