chapter 13: System shop

In the dark, deep blue sea, where the water shimmered like liquid sapphire, the bustling coral reefs were home to a myriad of creatures. Vibrant fish darted between the corals, their scales glittering in the diffused light. Lobsters scuttled across the sandy floor, their antennae twitching at the slightest movement. Seahorses, delicate and graceful, swam in slow, intricate loops, while the sea sponges swayed gently with the rhythm of the water. Above it all, sea turtles glided effortlessly, their ancient shells carved by the years, as if they were the guardians of the reef.Xena lay motionless on the coral reef, nestled against the sharp, craggy rocks that had once been her home. The water was cool, but the weight of her body and the tiredness of her limbs made her feel as though she were sinking into the earth itself. Her tail, a mesmerizing shade of gold, flickered lazily behind her, catching the soft sunlight that filtered through the waves above. It was the only thing that still felt familiar, though she was far from the coral beds of her birth.Her golden eyes scanned the water lazily, as if trying to hold onto something from her past, something to remind her of her place in this world. The memories of her siblings—those who had lived and died on these reefs—lingered in her thoughts. Her heart clenched at the sight of the decaying body of a shark drifting aimlessly, its once menacing form now a ghostly reminder of the constant danger lurking in the depths. The ocean was a place of both life and death, and she had been both a witness and a participant in its unrelenting cycle.But today, she was weak—exhausted from the toll the world had already taken on her. Her body, still adjusting to her mermaid form, felt drained of its strength. The debuffs from her earlier struggles had left her fragile and vulnerable, a stark contrast to the powerful being she had once imagined herself to be. She sighed, her breath bubbling through the water, the faint sound of it mixing with the distant hum of the ocean's pulse."Dammit, I can't even get up," she muttered under her breath, pushing herself up on her elbows with a tremor. The smooth coral beneath her felt rough against her skin, and the sharp scent of saltwater filled her senses. She was too weak to go far, but the world above was calling her, taunting her with the sun she had not seen for so long.Suddenly, the air around her seemed to hum, a strange sensation that vibrated in her chest. She blinked in confusion, trying to understand what had just happened. Then, the notification sounded—sharp, metallic, and intrusive."Ding! System shop opened."Her eyes widened in shock. The world around her seemed to shift, the once soothing sway of the water turning into a dizzying swirl of possibilities. A soft, iridescent glow filled her vision, and in the center, a shimmering interface appeared. The system shop. It was real. It was here. And it was... overwhelming.Rows upon rows of magical items, some shining with an otherworldly glow, others dim but nonetheless intriguing, stretched before her. There were weapons, each more dangerous than the last, their power radiating like a silent promise. Books on cultivation, on immortality, and on skills that seemed to reach beyond the realms of what she had ever known. Potions that swirled with mysterious liquids, medical herbs that seemed to pulse with life, and trinkets of unknown origin lined the shelves of this magical marketplace.Her golden eyes flitted over the items, but as she scanned the vast inventory, a cold shiver ran down her spine. The prices were staggering—pearl coins, hundreds, thousands, even millions. She blinked, the numbers making her head spin. Her stomach churned, and she let out a frustrated growl."Fuck this black market shit," she cursed under her breath, her voice barely a whisper in the water.She glanced at the amount of pearl coins she had—39. Her fingers curled into a fist, the soft, almost imperceptible pressure of frustration mounting within her. She was broke, truly broke, in a world that seemed to value everything in terms of wealth. There was no escape from it, not here, not now.But then, her gaze fell upon something she could afford. She focused, pulling up the search function with a mental click. A simple item, protective mermaid clothing. As she scrolled through the options, she was met with a variety of dazzling choices. Tops made from jeweled fabrics, silk garments that seemed to glow, and others with intricate patterns that made her wonder about the skill required to weave them. But most were far beyond her reach.Finally, her eyes locked onto a cheap option—30 pearl coins. It was simple, unadorned, but with a bonus—+10 protection. It wasn't much, but it was all she could afford.With a resigned sigh, she selected the top, and in an instant, it materialized in front of her. The fabric shimmered, the silken threads catching the light of the sun above, and before she could fully comprehend it, the garment vanished, appearing on her body like a second skin.The top was almost translucent, hugging her slender frame like a delicate sheet of glass. A pearl chain adorned her waist, the smooth orbs resting against her skin, cool and calming. It felt almost as if the ocean itself had crafted it just for her, the fabric soft and chilling against her porcelain skin. Her figure, now accentuated by the subtle curve of her hips and the swell of her breasts, was like a living work of art—ethereal, otherworldly. She looked down at herself, a small sense of satisfaction filling her."Not bad," she murmured. "It's cheap, but at least it's got protection."She closed the system shop, her mind racing as she felt the urge to flee from the overwhelming pull of endless choices. No more shopping. Not now. She couldn't afford it, not emotionally or financially. "I'm broke af," she sighed, her words muffled by the water surrounding her.Her golden tail flicked with a sudden surge of energy, pushing her forward. She swam toward the surface, the sensation of water rushing past her body oddly calming. As she ascended, her mind wandered to thoughts of what lay above. What was this world really like? Was she the only mermaid to exist in it? She wasn't sure, but the questions gnawed at her, relentlessly.The sunlight broke through the surface, warm and inviting. Xena broke free of the water's surface with a powerful flick of her tail, her golden eyes squinting against the light. The warmth of the sun kissed her flawless skin, its rays painting her delicate face with a soft glow. She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the sun's embrace soothe her aching body.When she opened her eyes again, she gazed down into the water, her reflection staring back at her. She saw the same face that had haunted her in her previous life—except now, it was even more striking. The same face but has more defined features. Her porcelain skin glowed like alabaster, her features delicately sculpted, yet more defined than before. Her golden eyes shimmered with an intensity that was both mesmerizing and unnerving. Her hair, once a rich shade of black, was now a cascade of golden silk, flowing behind her like a river of light. Her breasts, large and full, pressed against the almost translucent fabric of her top, and her waist was impossibly small—like a delicate hourglass carved by the finest sculptors.But even as she admired her beauty, a deep sense of melancholy lingered in her heart. She missed her family. She missed her friends. She missed the life she had left behind—the world she had once known. Here, in this strange ocean, she was alone, fighting for survival every single day. The weight of her isolation pressed heavily on her chest.A soft sigh escaped her lips, and she dove back into the water, the golden tail creating a flurry of bubbles as it sliced through the surface. The familiar coolness of the water wrapped around her, and for a moment, it felt like she was home again.Her stomach growled, reminding her that she could not afford to linger in her thoughts for long. It was time to hunt.