Something is digging into his spine.
Not metaphorically.
Very literally.
Wonder's eyes snap open. The bright moonlight seeping through the openings in his house.
"...Ow."
He doesn't move at first. Just lies there, staring at the crooked ceiling while his back aches.
"...What is this," he mutters, voice hoarse. "A bed or a punishment for something I've done in my past life?"
SYSTEM: [Correction: this is a wooden plank.]
Wonder slowly pushes himself up, wincing like he just aged twenty years overnight.
"I used to sleep on something softer than this," he grumbles, stretching stiffly. "My back got used to the noble life..."
SYSTEM: [Your back is not delicate. Your standards are.]
He glares at nothing in particular.
"I'm serious. This is unacceptable."
He looks down at the 'bed'—a thin layer of fabric over what is essentially wood.
SYSTEM: [And yet you chose not to fix it.]
Wonder pauses.
"...What?"
SYSTEM: [Reminder: you have RP available.]
A small interface flickers into view.
SYSTEM: [You could have purchased a basic home renovation. Flooring, bedding, structural repair...minimal effort required.]
Wonder just stares.
"You're telling me I could've fixed this?"
SYSTEM: [Yes.]
"Yesterday?"
SYSTEM: [Also yes.]
A long silence.
Wonder slowly looks back at the bed.
Then back at the floating interface.
Then back at the bed.
"You...You let me sleep on this?!" He says betrayed.
SYSTEM:[You didn't ask.]
He drags a hand down his face.
"I hate you."
SYSTEM: [Emotion noted.]
Wonder groans, swinging his legs off the bed and immediately feeling the cold, uneven floor under his feet.
"Alright," he mutters. "Fine. Show me."
The interface brightens slightly.
SYSTEM: [Opening RP Shop.]
A faint list begins to form in front of him.
Wonder squints at it, still half-awake.
"Alright," he mutters. "Show me what I can actually afford."
SYSTEM: [Current balance: 50 RP. Very low.]
"That sounds like a warning."
SYSTEM: [It is. Get more.]
He scrolls.
[RP SHOP – BASIC HOUSING]
"Luxury Royal Suite Expansion"
Marble floors, silk bedding, gold accents, dramatic lighting
Cost: 12,000 RP
"Okay, so we're starting with things I will never touch."
SYSTEM: [Manifestation is important.]
"...Not that important."
Scroll.
"Comfortable Merchant Room Upgrade"
Proper bed, reinforced flooring, storage
Cost: 850 RP
He stares.
"...Why even show me this."
SYSTEM: To humble you.
Scroll.
"Basic Bed Replacement"
Wooden frame, thin mattress, mild improvement
Cost: 75 RP
Wonder pauses.
"...You're joking."
SYSTEM: [You are 25 RP short of comfort.]
He groans.
Scroll.
"Suspiciously Soft Pillow"
Unnaturally comfortable. Slightly concerning.
Cost: 20 RP
Wonder narrows his eyes.
"...Why is it 'suspiciously' soft?"
SYSTEM: [You don't ask questions when comfort is involved.]
"That's exactly when I ask questions."
Scroll.
"Golden Decorative Spoon"
Does nothing. Looks expensive.
Cost: 50 RP
Wonder stops.
"...No."
SYSTEM: [Consider this: you could eat poorly but elegantly.]
"I don't even have proper food."
SYSTEM: [Details.]
Scroll.
"Mini Fountain (Indoor, Useless)"
Makes soothing water sounds. Provides no actual water.
Cost: 45 RP
He blinks slowly.
"You're not serious."
SYSTEM: [Ambience improves morale.]
"Dehydration kills morale."
Scroll.
"Heroic Entrance Door Upgrade"
Door creaks dramatically when opened. No structural benefits.
Cost: 30 RP
Wonder lets out a short laugh.
"So my house can sound cooler while still falling apart?"
SYSTEM: [Exactly. Priorities.]
He stops scrolling.
Stares at the list.
Then slowly looks back at the crooked cabin around him.
The uneven floor.
The sad excuse of a bed.
The very real, very physical reminder that comfort is currently a luxury he cannot afford.
"You're trying to scam me," he says flatly.
SYSTEM: [Incorrect. I am offering lifestyle enhancements.]
"A decorative spoon is not a lifestyle."
SYSTEM: [It could be.]
He exhales through his nose, rubbing his temples.
" I could buy something dumb right now."
SYSTEM: [Yes. I encourage it.]
He glances at the bed.
His back hurts just looking at it.
"...No."
The system goes quiet for half a second.
SYSTEM: [...No?]
Wonder flicks his hand.
The interface wavers.
"I'm not wasting it," he says. "Ill save it. Fix everything at once later."
SYSTEM: [Unexpected display of restraint detected. Disappointing.]
"You'll live."
SYSTEM: [I do not live. I observe. And right now, I'm observing missed entertainment.]
Wonder smirks faintly.
"Yeah, well. Get used to it."
With a flick of his wrist,
The shop closes.
The cabin returns.
Same as before.
Still terrible.
Wonder lies back against the uneven wall, the cabin creaking softly around him like it's tired of existing.
The RP shop is gone now.
No spoon. No cursed pillow. No dramatic fountain that does nothing but emotionally hydrate a room.
"...I still think the spoon was stupid." he mutters.
SYSTEM: [It really was.]
He lets out a slow breath, staring up at the cracked ceiling.
Tomorrow still waits.
Rahan still waits.
"At least I didn't waste my points." he says quietly.
The system goes silent.
Longer than usual.
Wonder blinks. "Hello?"
A flicker.
A notification appears in front of him.
SYSTEM: [Achievement Unlocked.
"Financial Restraint (Bare Minimum)"
Reward: +20 RP]
Wonder freezes.
"You're kidding."
SYSTEM: [Correction, I'm very serious. Infact it took me a long time to accept this achivement.]
"You gave me more RP for not buying a spoon?"
SYSTEM: [Observation: you demonstrated rare decision-making under financial pressure. Reward issued out of pity and statistical disappointment.]
"That's not motivating."
SYSTEM: [it wasn't meant to be.]
Wonder stares at the floating number for a moment.
"...Okay," he says quietly. "That helps."
SYSTEM: [Do not get used to kindness.]
Wonder leans back again, a faint exhale slipping out.
"Yeah. Wouldn't dream of it."
Outside, the desert wind moves over the cabin like it's testing how long it can stay standing. And Wonder has a grin that could reach his ears.