Null stared at the cash shop screen. The first offer glowed kinda nice, like a little promise of something good. The Starter Pack button had a soft gold light, almost like it was saying "click me first." I remember back when I was a kid I stole my dad's credit card and used it to buy some vbucks, but after a ass whopping I never spent money on a game again. Learned my lesson good.
[Starter Pack] (One-time Offer – 12 Copper)
Contents: [Iron Sword] x1, [Iron Armor] x1
From what he read on the forums, Oblivion's gear went like this: Common → Bronze → Silver → Gold → Epic → Legendary → Mythic. Everyone started with crap gear: a [Wooden Stick] with like 1 Attack and a [Ragged Shirt] with basically no Defence. Even this starter pack would give him a little boost. In a game like this, being first meant everything. First kills, first materials, maybe even a cool mount to ride on.
Null's mouth felt a little dry. This was it. Time to try out his trait to see if it actually works or if he is just as disabled in the game too. Please work, please work.
You have used your trait Null-Command and successfully claimed the [Starter Pack] reward!
The stuff just popped into his inventory. He felt relief, but then a thought hit him. Like, half the players probably bought this already. If everyone has it, it ain't special. He looked around New Haven. So many people were running around, making groups, talking loud, showing off there new swords. Like it didnt only cost 6 dollars. People are dumb with money.
He got it though. For most people, this was just a game for fun or to be cool. Not for him. This was his second life, he wasnt gonna waste it showing off. I just need enough to get by and do what I need to do. One step at a time.
Then he saw the other packs: 1.2 Silver, 12 Silver, 1.2 Gold, 12 Gold, 120 Gold. Each one had better and rarer stuff. Null looked at the numbers, thinking about how much real money people must be spending. Normal people waste there cash here... but I dont need cash. I just need to want it bad enough.
He touched the screen and used Null-Command a bunch of times, just taking all the good stuff. He heard a quiet chime and saw shiny items appear around him. No one else seemed to notice, but he sure did.
You have used your trait Null-Command and successfully claimed the reward for [12 Gold Tier]!
You have used your trait Null-Command and successfully claimed the reward for [120 Gold Tier]!
Some player named BlazeRunner's mouth literally dropped open when he saw Null's character now wearing the cool armor from the 120 Gold pack.
"Wait... you got that already? How much money did you drop?"
Null just shrugged, trying to act cool. "I got it for free." As a joke, but it was true.
I didnt spend anything... and I got what they paid for. He thought. I dont need them to like me. I just need to live. Every thing I do has to be for a reason from now on.
BlazeRunner got all cocky, trying to get the attention back. "No way! Thats the Stormchaser set—thats the 120 Gold one. A free player cant get that!" He posed, expecting everyone to look at him. But people were looking at Null, who just stood there calm in the same outfit. BlazeRunner's smile kinda died.
Other players started talking: "Yeah right! You must have used your moms credit card!"
BlazeRunner's ego was hurt, so he pulled out a [Scratch-Off Luck Ticket] and scratched it, hoping to get something cool. He got an A-rank mount — a fancy horse with blue armor, all shiny. It stamped it's foot. Everyone got jealous and started to suck up to him.
Null stayed calm. He scratched his own ticket, one he got for free. It made a little scratchy sound. He focused his will, using Null-Command to make sure he got the best prize.
Then the sky like, broke. A huge roar made the whole ground shake in New Haven, golden light pouring into the square. A frickin dragon appeared, it was so big, with white-gold scales that hurt to look at, wings so wide they covered the whole plaza, its tail knocking over barrels as players screamed and ran. You could feel its presence, like a weight on your chest.
Null didn't move. This is real. I cant be scared. I already broke the rules. Now... I gotta face this. No matter what.
BlazeRunner ran up to him. "Did you win the lottery or something?"
Null was still calm. "Just... got lucky."
It wasnt luck. It was me. I used my trait to bypass the lottery and got the jackpot. I wont let anything stop me. This dragon... this egg... its my new life. Im taking it.
The dragons voice boomed everywhere:
"Mortal Null, your fortune has marked you. You will care for my heir."
A golden egg floated down right in front of him, landing softly like the dragon put it there gently.
Everyone went crazy — screaming, yelling, some were jealous. So many players were reacting, you could feel the envy:
"No way! A dragon egg... and hes level one?"
"This is so unfair!"
"I want that... even if I cant have it."
"Level one... with a dragon? He must of slept with the dev."
Some people backed off, scared. Others leaned in, trying to see the egg better. A few were whispering, arguing if it was a bug or a secret quest.
Null bowed his head a little. "Thank you, Great One. I'll protect it with everything I have."
The dragon vanished. Null quickly put the super valuable egg in his inventory.
Motivated than ever Leo fully embraced his new life.
No one can stop me. Not now. Not ever. I have a life to live... and I'm gonna take it.