Something for yourself

Dai let out a long breath after some time and patted her shoulders. She shouldn't worry, after she didn't say for sure, did she? Nothing is sure. And there were still Peacemakers. After all, they prevent these things. And if the law is on our side, Shelter 10 is going to be in quite a bit of trouble. No. She shouldn't think about it. The customer was just trying to manipulate her into selling things she wanted in the future. A rich and manipulative lady. She is perfectly suited to someone of high standing in his clan.

Dai finally managed to calm herself down.

She touched her chest, took a deep breath, and exhaled.

"Everything will be fine. Everything will be ok. But I have to make some preparations just to be sure." she said to herself out loud.

System: "Boss, don't worry. You are perfectly safe in your Dimensional Space." The system answered, which after a long time answered itself and probably tried to be helpful.

"Thanks. But while I'm not in danger, the whole thing is disturbing. As if Rift Beasts weren't bad enough, fighting between Shelters is something that shouldn't happen."

System: "Wars are in the nature of every intelligent being. Think positive. At least your wars don't have a galactic range." Dai froze for a moment.

"Galactic range?" she repeated. Of course, she knew like everyone else that they weren't alone in space. All you had to do was look at the Rift Beasts that were coming through. Probably from outer space. And now that she thought about it, the System also came from space. Well, such a sudden expansion of the horizon is not pleasant at all.

System: "... you have unread notices in your interface, boss."

Dai knew that the System must have slipped off the tongue and didn't want to talk about it anymore. Even though she was curious, she didn't want to pressure her mysterious System. She probably learns about things over time. And Dai shouldn't care about space at all. She had enough problems on her own planet. Dai opened the window and read the notification she received.

System: Side Quest Completed.

Description: Get 5 new customers and 1 regular customer.

Reward: Combat Gloves of Origin placed in your inventory.

Note: Returning customers is the reward of a successful seller.

Dai opened the inventory and pulled out the gloves to examine them.

The gloves covered the entire palm with fingers up to the wrist. The fabric looked like it was made of marble with gray veining running through it. Dai crumpled them a little in her hands, the material was stiff leather.

She looked at the description the system gave her.

Name: Combat Gloves of Origin

Description: Once upon a time there lived people who cultivated only their bodies and were called Primal. Their power was so great that they could shatter a meteorite or split continents with a single attack. The Combat Gloves of Origin are the Primal last weapon.

Effect: 50% to physical attack

Attack: Final Push - A sequence of punches that will suppress even someone one realm higher.

Dai smiled. That sounded really strong!

And then she returned the gloves to inventory. Unfortunately for the System, it still won't convince her to go down this path!

She checked her balance. Excitement completely suppressed the earlier anxiety.

187 SC! Good. Something could be done with that! She was about to go personal shopping when another window popped up. The system is somehow inactive today!

System: New Side Quest

Description: Spend 100 SC to expand your shop.

Reward: Expansion of the store with living quarters for the Owner and two employees.

Note: It is inconvenient for the owner to constantly run away to wash himself.

Dai read it twice before looking out and saying into space. "You bastard, you just want my Star Coins, don't you?"

Dai did not doubt that this was the case. She barely earned it and he wants to take her away? Is he nuts?

System: "Boss, the system is designed to benefit you as much as possible. Providing you housing directly in your Dimensional space is not only safer but also saves time. And as I mentioned, even the system cannot create something out of nothing."

Dai had to admit that the System had indeed helped her a few times. Well, she wouldn't really have any of this. But she couldn't help suspecting him of being just as greedy as herself. He kept reminding her to earn the crystals and take a share of the profits. Now she was approaching the beautiful two hundred SC and now he wanted half of her earnings.

How could she not suspect him?

"I have a house." She objected.

System: "... Boss... That house is a dump. You, as a store owner, must be presentable not only as a businesswoman but also in your personal life. The quality of your life is also an important commodity. The home provided by the system it's comfortable and modernly furnished. You'll have access to running water, power, and the comfort you need. Also, accessibility is practical. Boss, since you've got your doorkeeper, Leonid, you hardly spend time outside of Dimensional Space. You can have all of this... just for a small fee of two SC per month...."

Dai was quite blown away by the description of the System. Running water? Access to energy? Don't only big clans have this? And she had to admit... apart from the lasagne she bought because she was hungry, she didn't really buy anything for herself, did she? She suddenly noticed.

"What was the last thing?" she asked.

System: "Nothing, boss. You can decline the task. But I suggest you think it through."

Dai considered it. She returned to her previous thought. Why was she trying to make crystal anyway? To buy more things to sell. So that it can improve the appearance of the surroundings for customers. To be a good businesswoman.

What did she really buy for herself during that time? Actually, in addition to the cultivation technique, and she got this for free from the system, she left it for others. Ticket for Leonid, now the gloves will be for him too. She bought pills for him for Star Coin. Still, she kept coming back to her house just to eat, wash, change, or sleep.

Should she become one of those people who only earns but doesn't spend on anything and doesn't live? When was the last time she saw Filn? She was so busy that she didn't even let him know about herself. They are probably worried already!

Dai thought of her home smelling of herbs. It was her home for many years. Ever since she could take care of herself, actually. She probably returned there simply out of habit.

She looked up at the task she always had in front of her eyes. Dai decided to do something for herself.

"Okay. I agree to the extension." She said and watched as 100 Star Coin was read out in an instant. It hurt a little.

System: "Expansion started. Please wait."

The shop suddenly shook and there was a screeching sound like someone rubbing a stone against a ceramic surface. Worried, Dai ran out of the store. She turned around only to watch her small shop suddenly grow larger. Through the open door, she could still see that the inside of the store had not changed except for the shaking. Now, however, she could see the build stretching and expanding, as if it were rubber and someone started to stretch it. It looked bizarre.

"When will I stop being surprised?" she muttered quietly to herself as she watched the store double in width. Then the new area suddenly began to stretch in height, creating a second floor, which was topped by a glass dome. The change stopped, but then she heard crashes and the sounds of a hammer slamming. She preferred to wait until the system told her it was done.

The sounds only lasted a few minutes before the system chimed.

System: "Expansion complete. Three housing units were built. The lower rooms are intended for employees. Naturally, the upper floor belongs to the store owner. Each of the apartment units has a separate entrance both from the outside and from the inside of the store. Welcome to the new home, boss."

Dai looked at the new building. The front of the store looked the same, but with an extension and a sudden new floor with a glass roof, it looked a bit like a small palace. It was quite stylish.

Dai walked around the shop to get a good look and saw the entry door. But instead of going inside, she returned to the store looking for another door that the System had mentioned. Right before the door to the warehouse, others appeared. She didn't think much of the fact that the door led to the completely wrong side. She had already learned not to think about things like... normal.

Dai came to them and as she expected, they opened themselves. Behind them she saw the stairs, she climbed them in a moment. Her head emerged first above floor level and as soon as her eyes caught sight of the room she stopped and could only stare.

Finally, she moved with a big breath "Wwwooowwww!"

If anyone heard her, they would probably think she saw some kind of miracle.

Maybe Dai really felt that way. She wandered around the room with her eyes wide open. The room was bigger than her house in the outer circle. The walls were so pure white that she couldn't help but try to dig into them to see if they were made of clouds.

The main room consisted of a restroom and a kitchen. The glass dome let a lot of light into the room, so even though there were lights on the walls, Dai felt like she wouldn't need to use them.

The room was dominated by a long, gray sofa with a conference table. The kitchen had shiny wooden cabinets combined with white, a sink, and a stove. Dai had never seen such equipment with her own eyes. Actually, she felt that nowadays nobody has these things anymore unless they found them somewhere and reconstructed them. Everywhere you can still find things from the Old World that have not yet succumbed to the ravages of time. So she knew some things from pictures, old magazines or books.

System: "I went through a list of many options, this style is simple and comfortable, compiled from the preferred looks of the people of the Old World." announced the System somewhat proudly.

Dai diverted her thoughts for a moment as she wondered where the System was getting this information. But even though she was a little curious, she didn't really care. It worked well for her. The apartment had almost no decoration. It looked very clean. Later she will arrange it as she likes. She walked around the screen where the large bed and wardrobe were hidden. She wanted to sink into her right away, but she felt that compared to everything else, she seemed dirty. She discovered a second, small room that had sanitary facilities installed. Shower? Is that a shower?!

Dai decided that she had to try it right away. She played with it for a while before she figured out how to turn the whole thing on. Cold, warm, cold, warm..... Dai acted like a child who got a new toy. She couldn't help it. For as long as she could remember, she always washed in the tub.

System: "A new outfit suitable for the store owner has been provided in the closet." a voice suddenly pointed out, maybe to stop her from doing any more stupid things.

Dai stopped playing. Clothes? She went to look in the closet. On the hangers, they saw three neatly ironed pieces of clothing.

Dai frowned. "What the hell is that?" she asked, pulling one out.

It was a white lady's shirt with silver collars bearing her shop's insignia. A gray pencil skirt and tights?

The system seemed to hesitate for a moment to respond. Dai already had the impression that he wasn't going to answer at all.

System: "Clothes appropriate for your job, boss."

Dai frowned. "Do I look like someone who wears a skirt? How am I even supposed to train in this?" she tugged at her clothes unhappily.

"Why did you even think these were good clothes for me?" it wasn't that she was ungrateful. She was under the impression that the System had put the clothes here on its own initiative, but with it being in her body and able to see into her head, she would have thought he would know more about her!

System: "This outfit is taken as aesthetically pleasing with an emphasis on your assets."

"My asset?" she repeated.

System: "Your legs, boss. When it comes to your appearance, your legs are your greatest asset. Slim, firm, and supple. Male customers will definitely notice."

Dai was dumbfounded.

Her prettiest part is.... her legs!? Since when is the system an insight expert, damn it?! And who wants to attract men's attention?! Is the System trying to introduce her to someone? Does she seem like someone who needs it?

"I'll be behind the counter most of the time! Who's going to see my legs!?" she shouted, throwing the clothes back into the closet before slamming it shut.

She stomped into the bathroom to try the shower. She never wore that outfit. This is how it goes. She eases up a bit and the System is already trying to change her into someone else. Does the system have a legs fetish? She hoped not. That would be creepy.