YM778.TV Chapter 49: 48 - Item Store
The hotel room was plunged into darkness. The air conditioning emitted a low, constant noise which, on any other night, would have been almost hypnotic. But that early in the morning, it was insufficient.
Lucas turned over in bed, trying to find a comfortable position, but the discomfort wasn’t in the sheets or the pillow. His thoughts were racing, mixed between the shouts of the fans, the sound of the ball hitting the net and the comments of his teammates. Try as he might, he couldn’t detach himself from that triumphant moment.
He looked over to the next bed, where Nishida was sound asleep. Nishida was on his stomach, his face sunk into the pillow, breathing heavily and drooling into the pillow. Lucas couldn’t understand how Nishida could sleep so peacefully after a match like that and with a quarter-final to come.
After a few more minutes of restlessness, Lucas decided that lying there was pointless. He threw the covers aside and got out of bed quietly, taking care not to wake Nishida.
Lucas’s body was warm, as if he was still under the stadium sun, and he felt an almost childish urge to drink something cold. Perhaps a latte from the vending machine in the corridor would help cool down both body and mind.
Soon, he was out of his room and into the silent corridor. The carpet on the floor muffled his footsteps, and the hotel was quiet. Lucas walked over to the vending machine, a dim blue light flashing from inside it. He inserted a few coins and pressed the button. The sound of a can falling into the compartment below was a comforting sound in the silence.
Lucas took the milk, opened the can and took a long sip. He leaned his back against the wall next to the machine and took a deep breath.
"Now that’s life."
At this point, it was impossible to ignore the presence of an icon in the top left-hand corner of his vision. The icon’s symbol resembled an exclamation mark.
"System, or rather Heavens... what were the rewards for today’s mission?
[You obtained +40 Star Points.]
[You obtained +1 Rare Loot Box.]
[You obtained +200 Credits.]
"I got 40 Star Points? That’s exactly the amount I needed to upgrade my Star Level, right?"
[Yes, you’re currently at Star Level 3. People might recognize you in the street by your soccer, but the chance of that happening at this point is rare].
"I understand, but at least now I’m recognized. But, Céos, you can let me know when I evolve my Star Level without me asking." [Understood.
[Understood. I’ll notify you whenever that happens from now on].
"Great, thanks. By the way, before I open the Loot Box, how many Credits do I have now?"
[Balance: 300 Credits]
"Okay, okay... Not bad. You told me that I have to reach Star Level 10 to be able to access the skill store, right? So, what can I currently do with these credits apart from accumulate them?"
[You can spend them in the Item Shop. I can show you a detailed, expanded version or, if you’re in a hurry, you can ask me which item you want and I’ll promptly give you the price of the item in question].
"All right. Show me what’s in the store. Full expansion, please."
[Item store opened].
Immediately, a new holographic interface appeared before his eyes. Several categories appeared in the air: Equipment, Accessories and Consumables. Well, it wasn’t much different from the items he received in the Common and Uncommon Loot Boxes, but he could buy them if he was in an urgent situation.
"Show me the most affordable items. Something in the range of 300 credits or less."
The screen flashed quickly, reorganizing itself. Several items appeared, each with a short description next to it.
[Item: Simple Healing Potion
Cost: 100 Credits
Description: Heals minor injuries and restores moderate energy].
+
[Item: Stamina Potion
Cost: 150 Credits
Description: Temporarily increases physical stamina by 30% for 1 hour].
+
[Item: Advanced Bandage Kit
Cost: 75 Credits
Description: Used to treat more complex wounds efficiently. Useful on and off the field].
The Stamina Potion seemed to be the most tempting for his performance on the field, something that could give him an advantage just like when he played against Shinto Ishikuno.
Lucas pondered whether he should buy it now as he took another sip of his milk. He knew he couldn’t rush into anything. Although the idea of spending it all right away was tempting, he had to think in the long term.
"I’ll hold on to these credits for now," he muttered to himself, even though he knew Céos was listening. "I want to see what’s in the Loot Box before I spend it."
[You still have 300 Credits.]
Lucas closed the store interface with a wave of his hand.
"Okay, time to open the rare Loot Box."
[Confirm opening of the rare Loot Box?]
Lucas nodded and in the next instant a new animation appeared in front of him. A virtual box appeared in the air, rotating slowly. Subtle, enveloping music accompanied the box’s movement until, with a sharp sound, it opened, releasing a burst of green light.
[Rare Loot Box opened.]
[You have obtained Skill Fragment ’Solid Defense’].
"Skill Fragment? What’s that?"
[Skill Fragments are temporary enhancements that only last for one match. Once used, the shard disappears in three hours. When you can access the skill store, you can buy the Skill Fragments you’ve already used and turn them into Permanent Skills.]