I let out a groan as I found myself slowly awakening in a cozy bedroom. It was both familiar but unfamiliar to me, and I had to close my eye because the disparity was making me feel a bit nauseous.
When I opened my eye, the clashing feeling was gone, and I was able to take in my surroundings.
It was a simple room. There was a desk, a closet, and the bed I was sleeping on. On the desk was a computer, with the mouse on the left side and a microphone... My mind told me the microphone was for the text to speech option, helping me navigate the internet even with my disability.
I slowly climbed out of the bed, looking down at myself... I was clad in the same clothes I'd seen on the 3D Model- jeans, t-shirt, and a jacket.
I opened up my menu and felt relief that I saw my shoes were in my inventory. I equipped them straight onto my feet, causing them to appear. It felt a little weird, but it was a sensation I felt like I could get used to.
I hummed and decided to sit down at the Computer first. "System, is the computer synchronised to my Primary Word?"
The system confirmed, and I first decided to check the year.
2014.
Okay, that was fine by me. That was elven years before where I came from, but 2014?
I grunted as I started by checking recent news in the world, slowly getting used to using the mouse with my left hand.
You have obtained the Skill - Off-Hand Mastery (E)!
I blinked in surprise as I received my first skill so quickly after arriving in the world, but I was grateful none the less. This was a skill that would no doubt level up quickly. Already, I could feel like my left hand was less unfamiliar to the tasks I was doing already. It still wasn't comfortable for me, but it was at least a bit more manageable.
It took some time, but I finally gathered some information on the world. Devils really did have their hands everywhere, the Gremory Group was heavily invested in technology and entertainment. The Phenex Group were invested in high class goods. Even the Sitri Group had their hands in several hospitals throughout the world.
I noticed other company names I didn't recognise... Either they were unique companies in this world, or they were other supernatural factions dipping their fingers in the human world to make more money.
I slowly got off of my computer, and cracked my neck as I decided to check the Shop store- to see what upgrades I could buy for my Shop in the future.
The upgrades I found were incredible, to put it frankly. Open air hot springs, huge bath houses, luxurious five star bedrooms...
But, as I scrolled through the various upgrades, two of them immediately stood out to me.
Dungeon Upgrade
Your Shop obtains the Dungeon Upgrade. Dungeons are generated based on the chosen enemy type, allowing users to fight through mobs and cut down enemies- gaining valuable battle experience in a relatively safe environment, and also increase their in combat skills and instincts. Enemies can drop both items and gold, the former of which can also be sold to the System Store.
Requirement: Dimensional Merchant Level 5
Cost: 5,000 Gold
Training Room Upgrade
Break your limits and go beyond! The training room offers a completely customizable environment and is even able to simulate enemies according to your needs- though only limited to a single class. While in the training room, double the growth of all abilities. Increase HP, MP, and Stamina Regen while not training by 10%.
Training Room Upgrades can be purchased as Level Increases.
Requirement: Dimensional Merchant Level 5
Cost: 10,000 Gold
I immediately bookmarked both rooms... These two upgrades were both must have rooms for the shop.
The Dungeon Upgrade would not only allow me to make money, but who said I was the only one who could use it? By allowing others to use it for free, they would obtain money and items- which they would use sell to me or use to buy time in the Training room. Plus, since the Dungeon didn't seem to have upgrades like the training room, that meant the Dungeon was already at max level and would allow very high level challenges. Meaning that, potentially, even the likes of Sirzechs Lucifer would be able to exercise his abilities for once.
The Training Room was just as valuable. Not only would I be able to train my abilities at a faster speed, but I would even be able to sell time in the room to others- allowing them to get stronger. And the stronger they became, the more difficult Dungeons they could take on, meaning better materials and more money.
And where would it all go?
Right back into the training room.
A perfect loop, especially for those who were obsessed with becoming more powerful.
Sadly, I couldn't buy either of them. Not only did I not have enough gold, but I also needed to level up my job first.
Still, it was something I could focus on obtaining in the future. And that was what mattered.
I slowly made my way out of my room, finally stepping out into the small living room I owned. It was very simple and bare bones, as expected since I was just starting out.
There was a kitchen, a table to eat at, as well as a fridge with a built in freezer. There was also a dish washer- thank goodness for that...
I took a peek into the bathroom, seeing a very simple bathroom set up- though there was also a washing machine in the bathroom under the sink. I had no complaints about that, I was just glad that I was lucky enough to get both a dish washer and a washing machine, otherwise life would have gotten very difficult very quickly.
I finally made my way out into the shop proper. It was a little small- but it was snug and cozy. Sort of like the kind of shop you'd see in a fantasy RPG shop. Shelves lined the walls, empty- for the moment- and also behind the counter.
I couldn't help but smile fondly as I looked around... It may not be the most impressive place, but it was mine. And I was determined to see it grow from here.
After a moment of admiring the shop, I finally decided it was time to bring out the big guns.
My first summoning.
I was a little nervous, as I had no idea just what my new 'Servant' would look like. But I needed a servant in order to help me live my everyday life from now on until I was cured of my demerit.
I slowly moved to lift my left hand- after a moment of hesitation with my right- and held it out in front of me. As I accessed the skill, I felt the mana slowly circulating through my body and filling me with a gentle warmth.
"Summon Servant."
A magic circle of crimson red appeared on the ground. Particles of crimson energy slowly emanated from the circle- gathering bit by bit until they formed a red silhouetted figure.
Slowly, the red light faded from the figure and revealed their appearance.
It was hard... No, it was impossible to tell their gender just by looking at them. They were a closed white coat that covered them from their neck down to their ankles, perfectly hiding any physical indicators of gender. They wore black boots and black gloves that even hid their hands and feel from sight. Even the sleeves of the coat were big, preventing even the arms from being seen.
A white hood rode up over the top of their head- the only thing visible beneath was a black, faceless mask without even any eyeholes. And yet, I could tell that they were able to see and perceive me.
Moments after their body was formed, they fell down to one knee- bowing to me in an act of utter subservience to their master.
I decided to use Analyse on them before anything else.
Name: -Null-
Race: Servant
Job: -Null-
Class: -Null-
Value: 100 Gold
No class, no job, no skills... Not even a name. Even the value was only 100 gold coins- likely because they were a living being who could still perform basic tasks once they learned.
A completely blank slate, just as the System had said.
"Rise," I told them, and they slowly lifted themselves off the floor to look at me. "You are my first servant," I told them. "While you have not yet earned a name, I will give you a temporary name to be called by until you have proven yourself worthy."
The servant nodded, though I could feel the very slight excitement and joy at the honour of being given a name- even a temporary one that was not backed up by my Naming skill.
"Since you are the first, you shall be known as Unum."
Unum was the Latin word for the number one. It was the 'neutral' version, since I had no way of telling if this servant was a male or a female. I decided to play it safe and temporarily give them a neutral name.
They nodded and bowed their head in gratitude to me for the name- even if it was only temporary.
I hummed in consideration before I opened up the System Store, and I purchased a series of cookbooks for five gold coins. It hurt me to do so, but it was a necessary step.
I set the cookbooks on the table. "Are you capable of reading and writing?" I asked.
They nodded quickly.
"Good," I nodded. "For now, you will read through these cookbooks and learn the recipes within them. I'll also require your help with various tasks around the house that I cannot do due to my disability, can I rely on you for that?"
Another nod was my answer, this one much more excited. Clearly, they were happy that I had a use for them.
I nodded and stepped out from behind the counter. "You may feel free to read," I told them. "I'm going out to do some shopping, alright?"
Once again, they gave another nod and moved behind the counter. They took a seat and slowly lifted up a book as they began to read, completely absorbed in the 'gift' I'd given them.
I couldn't help but smile a little fondly at them... Even though I couldn't see any of their features, they just seemed so adorable.
I shook my head and looked towards the door, feeling just a little anxious, before I took a deep breath and pushed open the door- being met with the cool air of the outside world.
I made my way out of the shop, stepping forward a little before I looked back to see what my shop looked like.
It was pretty much a normal shop... Very medieval, honesty. It looked like an RPG Tavern you'd find in a medieval fantasy game.
The sign was hung above the door, but it had no name... In other words, I still needed to name the shop.
I'd keep that in mind, but for now I made my way to the local supermarket and began to do some shopping. I grabbed a trolley and began to grab a lot of things... Food, toiletries, soap, just everything I felt I would need in order to start living comfortably in my new home... I would worry about what to sell in the store later. For now, I needed to buy everything.
As I was shopping, I reached for a packet of ramen noodles, only for another hand to reach for it just as I was.
"Oh, sorry about that," I began to say as I turned to look at them... Only for my body to lock up in place, my mouth drying.
The series didn't do her justice.
Her hair was a long and silky black, falling elegantly down past her shoulders- flowing down her body like an ebony waterfall.
Her eyes glittered violet like gemstones, seizing me up and giving me a slightly sympathetic look when she noticed my missing arm.
Her face was absolutely stunning, as if carved from ivory to sculpt her like a Greek Goddess.
And her figure? It was absolutely fantastic... It was a body that practically screamed 'I am perfection' simply by existing in the world, demanding attention simply by walking by.
Akeno Himejima gave me a small, polite smile. "Hello there, do you need any help?"
"... That would be nice, thank you," I managed to force out.
And that was how I had my first meeting with a Devil.
***
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