The Unadorned Sovereign

Chapter 3. The Price

The words "Installing 100%" glowed on the window, capturing his attention and unsettling his thoughts. He rubbed his eyes, as if hoping that this bizarre image would vanish with the sweep of his hand. The surreal nature of this new development left him questioning his senses and the fabric of reality itself.

"What the...?"

Confusion swirled within Liam as he stared at the mysterious window that had materialized out of thin air. Tentatively, he reached out, his hand passing through the image without any resistance. The experience was surreal, as if he had stepped into a realm where reality was bending at the edges. His heart raced, his mind a whirlwind of questions.

As his bewilderment deepened, the window before him seemed to shift and expand, revealing a new set of options and information. Liam squinted, his brows furrowing in concentration as he tried to make sense of the shifting shapes and symbols. What was this? Some sort of advanced technology? Or was it a figment of his exhausted imagination?

Then, like a mirage solidifying into reality, Liam found himself face-to-face with what appeared to be a status window. The sight was unlike anything he had ever seen before, reminiscent of a video game interface. His eyes widened in disbelief as words and figures materialized before him, introducing him to something called the "Merchant System." It was as if he had been transported into the world of a fantastical RPG.

⌈ STATUS                                              ⌉

  NAME : LIAM KIM                      LV. 1

  JOB : MERCHANT                      LV. 1

  TITLE : -

                                       13,140,000 G

—————————————————

  HP : 70/100                          MP : 50/50

  STR : 10                                VIT : 10

  DEX : 10                               INT : 10

  DEF : 5

                                             POINT : 0

—————————————————

  INVENTORY LV. 1

⌊ DIMENSIONAL SHOP LV. 1                ⌋

A voice, at once disembodied yet somehow carrying a familiar resonance, echoed within his mind. The words weren't spoken aloud, yet Liam could feel them resonating within his thoughts. It was as if his own inner monologue was being echoed back to him.

"Welcome, Liam," the voice intoned, its timbre soothing yet otherworldly. "I am the Merchant System, and I am here to assist you on your journey to become the greatest merchant across dimensions."

Liam's eyes widened further, his heart racing anew. He blinked rapidly, trying to process the magnitude of what was happening. Could this be real? Or was he caught in some sort of elaborate dream?

His eyes, wide with a mix of wonder and disbelief, remained fixed on the status window before him. The intricate symbols and numbers danced across the translucent display, an enigmatic puzzle waiting to be unraveled. Among them, a particular designation seized his attention – "G" followed by an impressive sequence of digits: 13,140,000. It was a staggering sum, one that resonated deep within him, stirring both excitement and uncertainty.

"13,140,000 G?" Liam muttering. "What is G stand for?"

The voice of the system gently addressed his curiosity, its tone soothing amidst the overwhelming revelation. "I see you're examining your current assets. The 'G' you're seeing stands for Gold, our currency within this system. It's a crucial resource for achieving prosperity and success across different dimensions."

Liam's thoughts raced, his mind a whirlwind of possibilities. His dreams of supporting his family and becoming a civil servant suddenly seemed attainable, thanks to this unexpected turn of events. His mother whose health was fragile as did his younger sister and brother, who were still too young, can live a comfortable life , without worrying about money anymore. But as his mind grappled with the implications, his thoughts crystallized around a more immediate concern.

The idea of possessing such wealth was tantalizing, like a dream come true. Yet, he was cautious, a flicker of doubt lingering in his excitement. "But what's the catch? What's the value of Gold in the real world? Can I actually use this wealth?"

The system responded with a reassuring tone, "One Gold is equivalent to one dollar in the real world. However, to transfer your Gold back, there's a transaction fee of 10%."

Liam's excitement was momentarily tempered by this revelation. His mind quickly calculated the potential value of his current Gold balance, factoring in the transfer fee. "So, if I were to transfer, say, 10 million Gold, I'd get around 9 million dollars after the fee?"

"That's correct, Liam. The transaction fee is there to ensure the stability of the system and to cover the complexities of transferring between dimensions."

Liam nodded to himself, a myriad of possibilities unfolding before him. He envisioned helping his family, ensuring his mother's medical expenses were covered, and finally achieving his dream of becoming a civil servant. Still, a hint of caution remained. "Is there a limit to how much I can transfer at once?"

The system's response was prompt. "There's no specific limit, Liam, but keep in mind that each dimension may have its own regulations and restrictions. It's always wise to consider your actions carefully."

Liam's thoughts were in a whirl, torn between the allure of newfound wealth and the weight of responsibility that came with it. He took a deep breath, his decision solidifying. "Alright, system. Let's do this. Transfer 10 million Gold to the real world."

The system's acknowledgment was swift. "Transfer complete. To claim your money, simply access your inventory. Say 'inventory' to open it."

Anticipation and uncertainty mingled as Liam stood before the threshold of his newfound wealth. The system's instruction hung in the air, a simple yet enigmatic invitation to unlock the treasures within his grasp. He hesitated, his breath caught in a mixture of excitement and trepidation.

With a deep breath, he uttered the word "inventory," his voice carrying a blend of hope and disbelief.

In an instant, reality seemed to warp. Before his eyes materialized a grid of boxes, a 9x9 matrix reminiscent of video game interfaces. Liam's pupils dilated as his mind struggled to reconcile the surreal scene before him. The currency he had yearned for, the 9,000,000 dollar, now sat neatly contained within one of the virtual compartments.

Emotions surged within him, a tempest of conflicting feelings that painted his face with a vivid array of expressions. Joy blossomed at the sight of the wealth in front of him, a fortune that held the promise of fulfilling his dreams. Yet, entwined with the elation was confusion, an unsettling reminder of the abnormality of the circumstances he found himself in. The unease whispered of enigmatic consequences that remained hidden in the shadows.

With a mixture of curiosity and trepidation, he reached out to touch the inventory. But as his fingers brushed against the transparent window, a peculiar sensation began to ripple through him. A tremor coursed through his hand, and his gaze fixed on his own skin with mounting disbelief. Before his eyes, as if taunting the laws of nature, wrinkles etched their way across his once-smooth flesh.

The transformation was swift and bewildering. In mere moments, Liam's hand aged before him, taking on the appearance of an elder's palm. The realization struck him like a thunderbolt, an inexplicable twist of fate that sent shockwaves through his being. His heart raced, thoughts careening wildly as he grappled with this unforeseen twist.