The Author's Draft-Chapter 42: The Shop I

The voice in Aiden’s head was unmistakable—proud, ancient, with that distinctive tinge of amusement that suggested everything was a joke only he understood.

*You know I always thought that I was your biggest secret but my my.*

"Azazel." Aiden said the name still in complete disbelief.

*Yes yes, I know my name, care to explain why we’re in another world and in another body.*

*Are you one of those sick soul practitioners who travel to different worlds inhabiting bodies?*

"System!" Aiden practically shouted mentally. "Explain, now! How is he here?"

[I... don’t know.]

"You don’t know?"

[Yes, I don’t. I’m just an elaborate crutch created to help you, how am I supposed to explain the impossible?]

[If I am to make a speculation, it’s probably because Azazel resides in your soul now.]

"What has that got to do with this?"

[Let me explain it in the best way your ant brain can understand.]

[When ever you go into any book, it’s your soul that’s making the trip hence the danger of death.]

"So when you gave the penalty of death, it wa-" 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

[Yes, I’m not some sadistic system, you can sort of consider your body in the books as an avatar that requires a soul to drive.]

[So when your soul came back, it brought with it its unwanted tenant.]

The system paused, as if considering something impossible.

[And considering Azazel’s status as a primordial demon, I’d say your in for a wild ride. ]

*So who are you talking with?* Azazel’s voice rang out in Aiden’s head.*

"You heard that?" Aiden asked.

*While I can’t hear who you’re speaking with, I can see the changes and fluctuations in your soul. You’re definitely talking with someone.*

Aiden breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that Azazel hadn’t heard that he was from a book made the situation less complicated.

[Don’t worry, he can’t hear me but he can feel whenever we’re talking based on the fluctuations in your soul.]

"Since you’re here and apparently not leaving," Aiden said, "tell me about yourself, properly. Who are you? What are you? And how did you end up sealed in a sword?"

*Ah, yes, that was quite rude of me.* Azazel’s voice shifted, becoming more theatrical. *Very well. I am called Azazel, the demon sin of pride, one of the 12 Primordial demons, a very nasty bunch. Though I’ve been called many things over the millennia. Demon. Devil, calamity, scourge of the Twelve Immortal Realms, that asshole who won’t stay dead. My personal favorite was ’The Butcher of the Blood Fiend sect,’ but that one’s a bit long-winded.*

*And before I continue, I have some ground rules.*

"Rules?"

*Yes rules, ground rules to ensure our cooperation is as peaceful as possible.*

*Rule one: I don’t take control of your body without permission unless you’re literally dying and incapable of giving permission. Fair?*

"Fair," Long Chen agreed mentally.

*Rule two: You don’t try to suppress or seal me in any way. I’ve spent millions of years locked in that sword. Try it and while I can’t harm you, there are a lot of ways I can make your life miserable.*

"Also fair."

*Rule three: When I make suggestions about killing people, at least consider them before saying no. I’m very experienced in the murder department. Thousands of years of practice, my advice is usually sound.*

"That’s... concerning."

*Rule four, the most important of them all: We share meals. I can’t eat directly anymore, being a sealed soul entity and all, but I can taste through you. So if you’re going to eat, make it something good. Even in my time, I ate the best of delectable dishes.*

Long Chen couldn’t help but ask, "You’ve been sealed for that long and you’re worried about food quality?"

*Have you ever been sealed in a sword for millions of years with nothing to do but think about all the meals you’ve missed? The answer is no, you haven’t. So trust me when I say food quality matters.*

"And the sword? How’d you end up sealed?"

*That...* Azazel’s tone grew colder. *Is a story you’re too weak to hear.*

"Excuse me?"

*I said what I said. Not cause I’m looking down on you, I am looking down on the current you. You’re at peak Qi Gathering Realm. That isn’t acknowledged in the cultivation world’s power scale and while you can battle above your realm, you’re still an ant and there are some karmas that just hearing about them could put you in mortal peril, and I, for one, don’t plan on dying anytime soon.*

*When you’re strong enough to bear the karma I’ll tell you, I’ll explain. Until then, stay ignorant and alive.*

Aiden wanted to argue, but something in Azazel’s tone suggested the demon wasn’t joking. Whatever his story was it was dangerous enough that even hearing about it could be life threatening.

’Great. Another mystery to add to the pile.’

By the time Aiden reached his flat, the sun was setting. Orange light filtered through the brick wall outside his window, painting everything in warm tones that felt surreal after the violence of the day.

He stripped off his blood-soaked jacket and mask, tossed them in a corner, and collapsed onto his bed.

"System," Aiden said quietly. "What now? That kane and his team will be looking for me. Now that the Hunter Association knows I exist. This is going to get complicated quickly."

[Agreed. However, I have good news.]

"I could use some good news."

[Well you’ve unlocked the Shop.]

Aiden sat up. "Shop?"

[Yes, you dim-wit. Additionally, you have earned a Free Spin bonus for your first dungeon completion. This allows you to spin for random treasures from the shop’s premium inventory.]

A new window appeared in Aiden’s vision—a circular wheel divided into segments, each one glowing with different colors. The segments were labeled with items and abilities he couldn’t quite read at this distance.

Below the wheel, another interface appeared.

[SYSTEM SHOP]

[Current Story Points: 847]

[Categories:]

[- Cultivation Resources]

[- Techniques & Skills]

[- Equipment & Artifacts]

[- Consumables]

[- Special Items]

"Story Points?" Aiden asked.

[The currency used to purchase items from the shop. You earn Story Points by:]

[- Completing missions in narrative worlds]

[- Achieving significant milestones]

[- Performing actions that increase your fame/infamy]

[- Hidden Quest completions{

[Your viral dungeon break video earned you 500 points. The lycans and Alpha netted another 347.]

"And I can spend these points on... what, exactly?"

[Anything in the shop. Though prices vary significantly.]

Examples appeared:

[Minor Healing Pill: 10 points]

[Foundation Establishment Pill: 500 points]

[King-rank Technique Manual: 5,000 points]

[Divine Artifact (Random): 50,000 points]

Aiden whistled. "Those prices escalate fast."

[Quality costs points. However, your Free Spin can potentially grant items worth tens of thousands of points or a worthless item depends on your luck. And your luck seems to be dogshit. Shall we begin?]

"Might as well."

The wheel in his vision began glowing brighter. Segments became readable now—he saw labels like Spatial Ring, Phoenix Feather, Bloodline strengthening pill, Saint realm puppet and dozens of others.

[Place your intent on the wheel and spin.]

Aiden focused on the wheel. It responded immediately, beginning to spin. Faster and faster. The segments blurred into a rainbow of colors.

Then it started slowing, clicking past segments one by one.

Phoenix Feather... no.

Bloodline Awakening Token... no.

Divine Sense Enhancement... no.

The wheel slowed further, clicked and stopped.

[Congratulations! You have received: Spatial Ring (Low-Grade)]

[Value: 2,000 Story Points]

[Description: A storage device capable of holding up to 10 cubic meters of non-living material. Bound to user upon first use. Cannot be stolen or removed without user’s death.]