[Max's POV]
Dinner ended quietly.
Fiona and Luna drifted off to sleep one after the other — Fiona collapsing almost instantly. She'd been pushing herself hard, clearing Floors with a pace she wouldn't have expected from herself. But me? Tiredness and I had grown distant a long time ago.
My room felt still when I entered. I sat on the edge of the bed, inhaled slowly, and let the chaos in my head settle into something coherent. A thin smile tugged at my lips.
"Alright, system," I murmured. "Let's do something fun. Let's cook."
[What would you like to be done]
"Simple. Create a title that lets me share my Infinite Traits with others — no limits on distance, dimensions, numbers, anything. Infinite sharing."
Pride tinged my voice, whether I liked it or not.
[Analyzing Player's Idea and Requirements]
[Issues Detected in Title Creation]
[Player must choose which three traits to share. Any other being can only handle three traits at maximum—even when shared by you.]
"Hm… half-expected that."
I paused, thinking. "Fine. Then I choose Mana, Mind, and Stamina."
[Acknowledging Player's Choices…]
[Optimizing Title…]
[Cost — 1,000,000 Myth Points]
[Proceed with Title Creation?]
"Yes. Absolutely."
[Choice Finalized. Please wait a few minutes for completion.]
I nodded and leaned back, letting silence pool around me.
Reckless? Maybe. Useful? Definitely.
If I wanted people beside me while climbing the Tower, then I had to make sure they didn't collapse from exhaustion halfway up the mountain. It would be hypocritical otherwise. At some point, potions and buffs stop mattering. Effort alone isn't enough. But sharing a part of me — something endless — that could carry them where limits failed…
And it will be a little incentive for being with me.
Yeah.
That felt right.
Still, another question tugged at my mind. What else could actually help them?
Skills? Temporary.
Myth Coins and Points? Situational.
Equipment? Too niche.
The only real answer was something annoyingly mundane.
Inventory.
Limited early on, restricted even later. A burden disguised as a convenience.
So my next move became obvious.
A soft flicker lit the darkness.
[Title Created]
[View details?]
"Tempting… but not yet. Make another one — a title that grants unlimited inventory access to anyone. No restrictions."
[Acknowledging Player's Request]
[Optimizing Title…]
[Interference from Player's Bloodline and Physique Detected]
[Adjusting Title According to Interference]
[Cost — 23,000,000 Myth Points]
[Proceed?]
I blinked.
My "two little protectors," whatever my Bloodline and Physique truly were, had decided to intervene. Again. Their influence wasn't subtle — more like two primordial toddlers smacking the system interface with cosmic hands.
But then I saw the price tag.
"…System," I whispered slowly, "what the actual fuck? Who in this entire Tower is supposed to afford that?"
[None besides you]
I exhaled, long and slow. Thank the stars for that contract. Without it, I'd probably still be grinding points fifty years from now. With a resigned grunt, I paid the cost.
[Choice Finalized. Please wait a few minutes.]
This time my thoughts spiraled uncontrollably. Bloodline… Physique… just what were they shaping behind the scenes?
I didn't have to wait long.
[Title Created]
[View Details?]
"Yes. Please. Waiting till morning would kill me."
Panels unfolded in front of me — and my jaw practically detached.
[Title Acquired: Vault Nexus – Eternal Dominion]
Description:
A supreme Dominion Title that transforms the Infinite Inventory into a sentient, autonomous realm: Aetherion Vaultscape, governed by the dimensional intelligence known as the Astral Vaultkeeper.
You are directly linked, granting absolute authority.
Effects –
• Astral Vaultkeeper (Linked Sentience):
Independent dimensional intelligence
Handles administrative, defensive, and operational tasks
Possesses no emotions or soul; does not make autonomous decisions
• Eternal Chain Protocol:
Unlimited allies may receive shared vault access
Automatically generates subrealms for linked individuals
Connection persists through death, reincarnation, or dimensional displacement
• Omni Dominion Authority:
Claim, store, or bind any object, concept, or energy
Instantly manifest stored items anywhere
• Aetherion Vaultscape:
Autonomous infinite realm
Adjustable time ratios (1:1 → 1:∞)
Contains Vault Cities, Stasis Oceans, Lock Chambers
• Safety Protocols:
Vaultkeeper defends the Vault independently
Damage to the Vault cannot harm the User
User may revoke or expand access freely
[Additional Titles Unlocked]
• Sovereign of Linked Eternity
• Master of Containment and Release
"Well… damn."
I couldn't help the laugh that escaped me. "Okay, little protectors. I see you."
Only one thing remained.
"Let's check this realm."
I opened my 'inventory.'
Space broke.
Reality peeled apart like silk, revealing a door made of pure starlight. Impossible geometry framed its edges. Beyond it stretched a boundless world — vault towers rising like monoliths, floating citadels drifting lazily, rivers of crystal mana flowing under a perpetual twilight.
A realm.
My realm.
I'd read stories where people got personal worlds. But stepping inside one — actually feeling it respond to me — was something else. Something intoxicating.
Something mine.
Then something stirred.
Not loud.
Not emotional.
But vast.
A crystal helix descended, rotating slowly, every turn radiating silent comprehension.
When it spoke, the sound wasn't heard.
It resonated.
"Sovereign."
The word vibrated inside my bones — not reverent, not defiant. Just truth.
"The Astral Vaultkeeper greets you."
I squinted. "…You're the inventory?"
The helix pulsed gently.
"I am the Mind of your Eternal Vault.
Independent. Stabilized.
Bound only by your permission and your law."
I folded my arms, nodding with exaggerated seriousness.
"Well then. Nice to meet you—"
It tilted. Expectant.
I smirked.
"—Vault-kun."
The cosmic entity froze.
Two full seconds of universal buffering.
Then:
"…Sovereign."
"Yeah?"
"…The correct designation is Astral Vaultkeeper."
"Sure, Vault-kun."
The helix emitted a soft hum — suspiciously like a digital sigh.
"…Acknowledged."
I stepped deeper into the Vaultscape.
Rows of floating chests — unopened and pristine — aligned themselves before me. My fused blades, cloaks, armor pieces, even older scraps I'd forgotten… all adjusted formation as if welcoming me home.
Dimensions shivered.
Far below, a thousand stasis chambers unlocked and rearranged. Monsters I'd stored earlier lay frozen within, preserved perfectly.
Vault-kun glided behind me, projecting a seamless interface.
"If Sovereign insists, I will respond to the name… Vault-kun."
"Oh, I insist."
Another pause. This one more resigned.
"…Very well. Initiating Eternal Dominion Protocol."
Light rippled through the realm. Luminescent lines and Mana rivers brightened. Structures reformed into sharper geometry.
Control.
Absolute, satisfying, addictive control.
Inventory management had never felt so glorious.
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