[System Notification] Welcome to the VIP System.
Bingo!
Leo's eyes jumped across the screen, checking out the details. Below the welcome message, three options began to show.
VIP Perks Item Shop Exclusive Quests
His heart raced as he hovered over VIP Perks.
Will this power come with a catch?
His finger wavered before he eventually tapped the message.
The screen blinked and revealed a new page listing several benefits. Daily Rewards, VIP Services, Discount Madness, and more glowed softly in the moonlight. The wooden stairs beneath him felt solid, grounding him in reality while his mind reeled at the possibilities floating before his eyes.
Leo noticed a section in the screen: VIP Level 0.
His excitement grew.
"If there are levels," he tapped both hands on his legs. The wooden staircase vibrated gently beneath his palms. "It means I can progress and unlock more features!"
His voice came out quieter than intended.
His hands kept trembling.
He exhaled slowly before turning back to the floating screen. The night air carried the scent of wildflowers, mixing with the earthy smell of aged wood.
Receive daily rewards.
The screen's glow illuminated his face as he read. Items that might help him jumpstart his adventures beckoned from beyond the ethereal interface. Leo's breath quickened.
VIP Protection: Your perks stay hidden from prying eyes, crucial in a world full of unknown dangers.
I really want to share this with Amanda.
He paused.
But it also means the possibility of telling her everything.
The thought made him shiver. Cool night wind rustled through his hair, but the chill came from within.
I'm afraid of her response, if she knew that she was taking care of a different 'Leo'.
He sighed, scratching his head.
"Not now."
He set his worries aside and continued to explore further. His eyes landed on Discount Madness.
Haggle your way to discounts, you have 10% to 50% chance to lower prices during a bargain, a potential goldmine if used wisely!
The idea played in his mind like a merchant's song. Using it to earn coins without drawing attention could work.
Let's do buy and sell then!
I'll try asking her again to live in the capital.
He nodded to himself.
But it was the Share the Pain perk that made him think deeply. The description glowed with an ominous light. He could sync with another's experiences, absorbing their skills and abilities. With an additional stats bonus upon successful sync.
What if the sync failed then?
He continued to read.
Death?!
Cold sweat trickled down his cheeks as he swallowed. The taste of fear coated his tongue.
He tapped the Targets list button. Another window opened, revealing names that scrolled endlessly. Leo's eyes skimmed over the lengthy entries. His focus zeroed in on Amanda's name almost instantly.
His breath hitched.
Could I really bear her pain?
Years of experiences.
Could he really take it in?
The thought terrified him.
Memories flooded back. Amanda's gentle touch when healing his scraped knees. Her warm magic seeping into his skin. Soothing words that eased frustrations he couldn't even name. The way she'd hum ancient elven melodies while tending his wounds.
Leo clenched his fists.
I'll do whatever it takes to protect her.
He vowed silently as he looked back at the screen.
He tapped the Share the pain perk. The interface responded with fluid grace. He swallowed as he proceeded to tap Amanda's name on the new message box, its edges bleeding otherworldly light that seemed to pulse with life.
"So I can only sync for two years?"
He continued reading the details. Numbers and warnings scrolled past. He inhaled slowly as he leaned forward.
"No way!"
"I can sync up to 100 years?! So elves live that long, huh?"
"Ah, Amanda did tell me about their elders living millenniums."
He paused, focusing on a detail that caught his eye. "Is that a slider?" Leo reached out to it. The interface responded to his touch like water rippling. He tapped and dragged it to the right.
A red message appeared below the slider: Warning: Target years for syncing is greater than the recommended value.
Leo smiled. "Most of the interfaces I tested before lack proper handling like this." His past life's knowledge surfaced unbidden. His finger hovered on a button. "So doing that allows me to activate it using gold coins? Neat."
"If only I was able to get those life insurances and investments I made." He sighed as he threw his head back. Stars twinkled above, indifferent to his otherworldly problems. He tapped the Activate using gold coins button.
Another prompt appeared.
[System Notification] You don't have enough gold coins. Need 100,000 gold coins to proceed.
"Hmm." He murmured, fingers drumming on his chin. The rough stubble reminded him of his new body's age. "So, how much gold do I need for 100 years of sync?"
He dragged the slider to 100.
Tapped the button again.
[System Notification] You don't have enough gold coins. Need 10,000,000 gold coins to proceed.
"Of course, an absurd amount of coins for an absurd set of benefits." He pressed his cheeks and held them. The screen's glow reflected in his eyes. "The cheapest house in the capital is about... less than a thousand gold coins I think?"
"I need to start thinking how I can earn coins steadily."
Closing the message, he continued to check the screen. The last perk caught his eyes.
Gift of the Gods.
Chance to receive a gift from the heavens each time new VIP level is activated.
"A gift, huh?"
"I hope RNGesus blesses me in my new life." His grin widened more than he thought possible. Gift from the gods should be special right?
Another detail pulled him back.
A flashing text next to his VIP level beckoned.
Tap here to preview the next VIP level!
He tapped on it.
The page updated.
VIP Level 1: Requirements: Adventurer level 10 and 100,000 gold coins.
Another gold coin burn mechanic, that's a VIP system for you!
He grabbed a piece of band on his wrist and tied his hair up. Strands tickled his neck as he worked.
But only whales make it to the top, those damn pay-to-win games!
Memories of getting stuck and having to pay surfaced. The frustration felt fresh even in this new world.
"Overall power and defense increased by 5%?! No way! And this is just the first perk?"
Unlock VIP level to see all perks.
He read on, curiosity driving him forward. He scrolled down to check the system's limits.
"Twenty-six?!"
His heart raced. Excitement built like pressure in a kettle.
"Calm down," he told himself.
Inhaling deeply.
Leo was about to close the screen when he noticed something. A blinking envelope icon on the left side caught his attention.
He tapped it.
Several messages appeared.
"Ah! That's right, rewards are mostly delivered by in-game mail!" He rubbed his hands together. The familiar gesture from his past life felt natural. He began to read the messages.
Daily Benefit.
Potions listed themselves like treasures. He tapped Receive Items.
Notifications stacked.
[System Notification] 1 great red potion received.
[System Notification] 1 great blue potion received.
"These potions could be lifesavers," he muttered.
He read the last message: What a fortune, the gods send their regards!
Leo quickly stood up. His legs protested from sitting too long. The cool night air embraced his celebration.
Then he heard it.
The creaking of the floor behind him. Wood groaning under familiar weight. The door suddenly swung open.
Amanda emerged.
"What are you doing outside, Leo?"
He froze.
Did she see anything?