39 Gone Shopping

It is a wonder why the truth is so effective against Celine.

From your experience, girls prefer sweet lies to the truth.

Compliments and gifts have always win them over. They brought you many, many blissful nights back when you were in College.

You understand that Celine isn't exactly like all the other girls you have dated. No woman in their right mind would dare to stalk a grown man overnight. Considering her above-normal attributes and a set of self-defence skills, no man would try anything with her either.

No man besides you, of course.

You are even more daring than her in this regard.

It becomes very clear when you expanded the book icon that is hovering to the side of Celine. It is just under the heart icon just like every other icon.

The book reveals the summary of her past and history. The most recent events are listed on top of the list, illustrating what had happened between you and her, including the sex part.

Strangely, the sex part is described in greater details than the rest of the story. However, this is nothing new when you recall what happened with all the abilities you are given.

The System is such a pervert.

You wonder who created such a System in the first place.

Returning to the history logs, you scroll down to the juicy bits.

With a quick read, you learn that Celine is going through a painful breakup with her boyfriend of many years.

His name is Mike, and he was a detective at the Los Angeles Police Department.

Celine and Mike dated back when they were back in Highschool. They get along with each other very well. And even though Mike usually looks down upon her due to her being a woman, she nevertheless helps and supports him getting his shield and becoming a detective.

Their relationship changed after that, however. Due to one thing or another, Mike didn't want to rely on Celine anymore.

Mike wanted to solve cases on his own just to prove that he didn't need anyone. It is just unfortunately that he isn't as smart or as intelligent he had given himself credit for.

Mike was unwilling to listen to Celine when she pleaded to him not to go through with his theory and accuse someone he should not have. He went as far as even insulting her intelligence.

The ending result is obvious to you.

Yet, Mike had blamed all his misfortunes on Celine and her family, especially her brother, who did not speak up for him when he got fired. He even called out the corruption of the police department in his rage and stupidity.

You close the history logs and continue to pat Celine's back gently.

If you were her, you would have been pissed as hell as well. She was rewarded with belittlements and insults for her loyalty. But despite all that happened, she still loves her ex-boyfriend dearly.

You allow Celine to rest on your chest for minutes on end.

During that time, you have a good look at the Shop that has been unlocked.

With a thought, the shop appears in your mind just like the inventory.

There are several tabs available immediately.

They are Buy, Sell and Auction.

Buy and Sell options are obvious, so you check the Auction first.

Auction is always a wildcard in game, allowing the players to buy and sell things that cannot be brought in shop normally.

Since the Auction is always create for players, did that mean that you are not the only person that has the System?

The System did refer you as a User after all.

There must be other Users. But then why they haven't made any splashes in the world yet?

Considering your current progress and powers, within a couple of years, any User of the System would be unimaginable powerful and globally recognize.

Is there anyone like that in the world?

You couldn't think of anyone. While some stuffs are different from what you remembered, significant events still happen when they are supposed to.

The Soviet Union is collapsing due to corruption and internal strife, and China will undoubtedly replace it as a Super Power.

No major butterfly effect yet.

The shop window flickers before the System speaks up.

[User has insufficient Prestige. User is not allowed to place bid in the Auction until User increases the Prestige level. However, User can place any item available in the Inventory for auction.]

The window then moves to the left, leaving space for your inventory to appear.

[User can auction any items available in the Inventory. User must set time limit for the bidding process as well as the instant buy price. When time limit is reached, if there is a valid bid, the item will be sold regardless of the bidding price. A fee will be deducted from the seller for using the Auction.]

Every item in your inventory can be auctioned, including the car you are safe-keeping for Celine. Next to each item is a number, indicating the average price they go for.

Beside the black book, every item is worthless, denoted by the value zero.

Your eyes winkle at the value of the black book itself.

It worth 99 years on average.

That is more than your entire life span!

You know that it is not an ordinary book, but you didn't think it is that valuable.

What it does still eludes you. You don't want to use it without have some idea what it does.

Since there is nothing else that worth auctioning in the inventory and you didn't want to sell the black book, you check what is available for purchase instead.

There is only one item available for purchase.

It is the Basic Intelligence Potion.

The potion increases the consumer's intelligence attribute permanently. How much can be increased is due to several factors as well as the effectiveness of the potion.

The potion costs 1… year each.

That is fucking expensive, considering you only have 62 years at your disposal.

Using your abilities didn't cost more than a few hours of your lifespan.

However, the black book gives you some breathing room, so you decide to buy a potion to test.

As the System had encouraged you previously, you need a way to increase your intelligence attribute in order to request more Quests. Spending years in a library didn't seem like a good option, and that did not guarantee an increase in intelligence.

When purchased, the potion appears in your inventory.

It materializes in your hand with a thought.

It is small glass vial, containing a blueish liquid.

You shrug and drink the potion without hesitation, feeling the cool sensation sliding down your throat and entering your stomach.

The instant it hits your stomach, the lingering headache vanishes. Your intelligence climbs from barely 12 to 13.8 – an increase by 1.8 points! It is almost the same as Celine.

Her intelligence is at 14.

The average is around 9 to 10.

With an increase in intelligence, your mind becomes sharper and clearer. You didn't feel any smarter, however.

You down another potion and check your intelligence attribute. It is now sitting at 15.1, increased by 1.3 only – a diminishing return.

Since that is the case, you stop buying any more potions until you can buy higher tiers. You didn't want to waste your lifeforce meaninglessly.

"Ahem."

A voice from the doorway acquires your attention. The owner of the voice causes you to freeze up for a second. He is a huge person, standing at over 2 meters.

The red string coming out of him, connecting to Celine quickly eases your mind.

"Sorry. I must be interrupting something."

The cop apologizes as Celine slowly remove herself from your chest. She then gives you a smile before getting off her seat and greets her brother.

You learn his name is Harry Devonshire.

You also give your name in return as a courtesy before the both of them head out of the room to have a private conversation.

Celine returns to your side once her brother heads off down the hall. The history logs refreshes, telling you exactly what they were talking about.

"You have to go to Washington."

You speak up before Celine did. She is somewhat surprise at your keen hearing.

"Yes. It is important. I will leave this afternoon. Will you be okay here?"

You give her a smile and pat her hands. You know that she will be gone for a while.

"I will be fine, Celine. My friend is coming to pick me up soon."

You assure her.

"When you get back from Washington, we will go for omelettes. That is a promise. I will never break my promise no matter what. Just show those guys at the bureau that they should not underestimate you just because you're a woman."

Celine matches your gaze.

"How did you know that?"

"I guess I can read minds."

You answer, jokingly.

"I will tell you about it when you get back. Just think of it another thing you have to come back for."

Celine averts her eyes. The heart icon pulses, and the number increases by 1%.

You didn't really need the System to capture her heart.

Celine says her goodbye and gives you a kiss on the cheek before heading off. She has to return home to pack her things.

Her flight is in a couple more hours, and yet, she still waits around to make sure you are okay.

"I will come back for my car as well. Please keep it safe for me until I get back."

Celine tells you before she left the room, making you smile inwardly.

After she is gone, another person steps into the room.

"Damn. She's cute. What's her name?"

Mark asks you.

He was waiting outside the room for a while, not wanting to intrude.

You wave your hand dismissively before getting out of bed and stretching your limbs. You have already feeling better thanked to the potion.

"Let's go and check me out of this place. We have a movie to go to."

Mark nods and follows you out of the room. He helps check you out of the hospital and pays for the hospital bills. It wasn't much, but sadly, you have no money on you.

You pick up your stuffs as well as your car keys from the locker.

"So, anyone else is coming?"

Mark is referring to the girls. You narrow your eyes at him and wonder which of your former girlfriends you are willing to sacrifice to Michael Bay.

In the end, you decide none of them.

Why would you give your girls to other guys?

That is stupid when there is plenty of options available.

Los Angeles is full of sexy teenagers, ripe for the picking. Thanks to the hot weather recently, you have a good idea where you can find some.