The rain outside had settled into a soft drizzle, the faint tapping on the roof now a gentle lull rather than an intrusion. Inside, the air was thick with the lingering scent of herbs and the warmth of bodies pressed close.
As soon as Larz settled down from his burst of curiosity, sitting cross-legged by the foot of the bed with wide, quiet eyes, the mother adjusted Vaughn's blanket and turned to her husband.
"What do you want to talk about?" she asked softly, her fingers tucking the cloth with absent care.
"I don't think my mother was happy about our children," he said, his brow furrowing. "Or… did something happen?"
"I don't know. I'm not sure," she murmured, glancing toward the closed door. "But she might be worried about our newborn son."
"Why?"
"He didn't cry when he was born," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "It just… feels wrong. And it doesn't help that our daughter cried as soon as she was out."
"Was he supposed to cry?" he asked.
"Most do. But I can't be certain… still, I feel uneasy."
The father leaned back slightly, sighing. "I thought she knew about our son."
"She might," the mother said. "Go talk to her. Get her mind off it—make her focus on something else."
He nodded and rose, the old floorboards creaking under his weight as he left the room.
---
The hallway was dim, lit only by the muted light from a small oil lamp on the wall. He found his mother sitting in the corner of the living area, weaving a basket with slow, deliberate movements. The rain's steady patter filled the silence between them.
"Mother," he began, lowering himself to sit opposite her.
She didn't look up immediately, her hands busy with the weaving. "How is she?"
"Tired. But holding up."
Her fingers paused, then resumed their work.
He cleared his throat. "I know you have concerns about Vaughn."
Her eyes flicked up to his, sharp but unreadable. "A child who enters the world without a cry… it's unusual."
"Maybe so," he admitted, "but he's breathing, warm, and alive. That's enough for now. Besides…" —he allowed a small smile— "…there are other things to think about. I heard the caravan market's in town. They've brought strange goods from far away."
That got her attention. The faintest spark of curiosity lit her expression. "Strange goods?"
He nodded. "Trinkets, fabrics from the southern deserts, dried fruits I can't even name. Someone even mentioned a metal bird statue that hums when you hold it."
Her lips twitched in faint amusement, though her hands never stopped weaving. "And I suppose you want to see for yourself?"
"Not just me," he said lightly. "The children might enjoy it. Besides, it's rare for traders to come here during the rainy season."
Outside, thunder rumbled far in the distance, followed by the faint shouts of voices—neighbors calling to one another over the storm. A dog barked twice, then fell silent.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The room felt smaller, wrapped in the rhythm of rain and the scent of woven reeds.
Then she sighed, setting the half-finished basket aside. "If you go, keep your eyes open. Strange goods often mean stranger people. You never know what trouble rides in with a caravan."
He chuckled. "I'll keep that in mind."
But as he stood to leave, he caught the way her gaze lingered on the doorway to the sleeping room—where Vaughn lay resting. There was no outright fear in her eyes, but there was a wariness, as though she sensed something neither of them could yet name.
---
Later that night, when the house had gone still and the others were asleep, Vaughn found himself alone in the cradle of darkness. And then—like ink spilling into water—a translucent interface bloomed before his eyes.
[ Store System: ]
A shimmering market unfolded in his mind's vision—floating stalls in a boundless void, each one glowing with faint runes. Voices whispered offers in languages he didn't know yet somehow understood.
Categories:
Ancestry – Ancient genetic legacies, from elemental affinities to beast-kin heritage.
Entities – From miniature wyverns to sentient shadows.
Items – Relics, weapons, and tools both mundane and mythical.
Abilities/Skills – Combat arts, cultivation methods, mental disciplines.
Vaughn's attention was caught by a flicker of crimson in the Bloodline section:
[Dragon's Vein Bloodline]
Tier:Uncommon
> Grants affinity and resistance with fire and draconic vitality. Increases lifespan, strengthens bones and muscles, and heightens mana flow by 35%. Warning: painful integration process.
Tempting. But then his gaze was drawn to a far corner of the void, where a stall pulsed with a soft, silver light. Inside stood a tall humanoid woman—if one could call her human. Her skin was metallic yet smooth, her eyes two stars of liquid silver.
Price: 1,000 rare tier mana/qi stone.
[Adaptive Humanoid Servant – Model A-7]
Tier: Legendary
> Capable of shifting body structure into any known form or tool. Proficient in domestic tasks, medical care, mechanical repair, and over 300 combat styles. Can enter AssaultMode with energy-blade extensions and energy-shield projections. Contains stored data from higher universal archives, granting advisory capacity in all fields of known science and magic.
Price: 35,000 ancient tier mana/qi stone.
…She can do everything. Vaughn's mind reeled. Not just as a servant—she could teach him, protect him, and adapt to any situation.
As he scrolled, another listing caught his eye—one that might be exactly what he needed right now.
[Infant's Pill Booster]
Tier:Uncommon
Description: Temporary enhancement that accelerates early development, strengthens core vitality, and fortifies spirit roots. Limited to beings under one year old.
Price: 650 rare tier mana/qi stone.
Vaughn's heart beat rapidly. Knowing he can buy all of these.
[Purchase confirmed]
[Dragon Vein Bloodline]
[Adaptive Humaniod Servant – Model A-7]
[Infant 's Pill Booster]
---
Vaughn's eyes flickered as the StoreSystem interface shifted, its display glowing faintly in the darkness of his mind. Rows of neatly categorized tabs expanded, each carrying titles in crisp golden letters:
[Ancestry] – [Entities] – [Items]– [Abilities/Skills]
A mechanical chime echoed.
[Welcome, Vaughn Labre. Resources: Unlimited.] [Suggestion: Based on host's current state, the following items are recommended.]
The first listing caught his attention:
---
[Alpha Prime Combat Bloodline ]
Tier: Legendary
Description: Fuses the physical prowess of apex predators with adaptive evolution. The host's body will continuously adjust to threats, growing stronger after each battle. Grants heightened regeneration, explosive bursts of speed, and combat instincts bordering on precognition.
Price: 15,000 mythic tier mana/qi stone.
Vaughn smirked. "That's a good start."
---
The list scrolled on. His gaze paused at a strange figure displayed in a rotating hologram — a tall humanoid woman, eyes glowing a faint azure.
[ EVE-9 Adaptive Homemaker Unit ]
Tier: Legendary
Description: An advanced humanoid AI capable of shifting its physical structure into any known tool, weapon, or form for domestic, industrial, or combat purposes. Equipped with vast libraries of interstellar knowledge, including culinary arts, crafting, maintenance, and tactical warfare. Fully self-repairing. Can assume AttackMode, granting devastating battlefield capabilities.
Note: Holds fragments of "Higher Universal Protocols," allowing the host to access lost technologies and civilizations' wisdom.
Price: 12,500 mythic tier mana/qi stone.
"That's… more than just a housekeeper," Vaughn muttered. "I'll take him."
---
He swiped toward the System tab, curious.
[Genesis Void Dimension]
Tier: Enternal
Description: A personal pocket-realm existing outside of linear time. Within, the host may:
• Manipulate/create the environment (climate, terrain, gravity, etc.).
• Train without affecting outside time, time can be manipulated as it will of host.
• Create fully interactive combat simulators. SummonClones for skill and technique practice like a dummy.
• Expand and alter at will.
• No one can enter or look and anyone can be brought here as long as host with it.
•Authority and Regeneration Rules; Authority: host can grant authority to other, entities with authority can regenerate if they're erased from existence, as long as they're inside of Genesis Void Dimension same goes for host. Those who have authority can do almost anything what host do and host and those who have it can regenerate whoever they want.
Note: Despite having authority, no one can do anything to the Host.
Price: 3 eternal tier mana/qi stone.
Vaughn's pulse quickened. This… is perfect.
---
[Omni-Forge Node]
Tier: Mythic
Description: A self-contained creation hub that allows instant crafting of weapons, armor, artifacts, buildings, and even ecosystems. Powered by infinite energy drawn from the host's Store System. Integrated with the Genesis Void Dimension for seamless operation.
Price: 500 devine tier mana/qi ston
---
He scrolled further, finding other tempting purchases — mythical beasts, libraries of forbidden magic, celestial gardens — but for now, he finalized his selection.
A deep chime resonated in his mind.
[Purchase confirmed.]
[Alpha Prime Combat Bloodline integrated.]
[Genesis Void Dimension unlocked.]
[EVE-9 Adaptive Homemaker deployed.]
[Omni-Forge Node installed.]
Vaughn exhaled slowly, a faint grin tugging at his lips. "Now… we're getting somewhere."
Note: He doesn't know any about this world yet. The story about this world and for the future's development is potentially 7/10, man. The background of each character is the only I can be proud of. As a new writer. So don't except too much about this novel.