In this world, being an ordinary person was undeniably tragic.
Absolute martial power was held by ninjas.
The sole role of ordinary people was to provide society's labor and productivity.
Food, livestock, goods…
Even so, they still bore the risk of being swept into ninja village wars.
Even a daimyo…
The lord of a nation, when facing powerful ninjas, could only cling to superficial, negligible dignity.
But now…
A turning point seemed to be emerging.
Yuki Kitahara, without doubt, saw this in the cans, which is why he resolutely staked everything, driven by his ambition.
Shen Mo hadn't yet realized the changes he was sparking.
After a cozy sleep in soft bedding, he purchased "Erina Nakiri's Love-Filled Breakfast" from the System, costing a whopping three hundred Trade Points.
So expensive!
Even the free-spending Shen Mo couldn't help but gripe.
But…
Insanely delicious!
Shen Mo now understood why some said the joys of the rich were unimaginable, and the joys of a rich man with a System were even more so.
As the saying goes, a full stomach stirs certain thoughts.
While savoring the delectable breakfast, Shen Mo had a sudden idea—could this almighty System let him buy the beautiful chef herself?
He'd previously checked on Ikaros, the Universal Angel from Heaven's Lost Property.
The price was steep.
But what about a mere human chef, Erina Nakiri?
Or… other fictional characters?
Shen Mo immediately searched the System's shop interface.
There she was!
But before he could get excited, he sharply noticed that after the item "Erina Nakiri," there was a parenthesis: "(Copy)."
Description: The heroine of the Food Wars!world, Erina Nakiri (Copy). Possesses all memories, abilities, and personality of the original. Self-aware as a copy, 100% loyal.
So… purchasing didn't mean bringing the actual character from their fictional world, but rather the System creating a copy?
Shen Mo's eyes narrowed instinctively.
He recalled that when he searched for Ikaros, there was no such parenthesis.
He searched for Ikaros again.
Description:
The heroine of Heaven's Lost Property, original. Upon purchase, she will vanish from her world, automatically recognizing her master, with an initial loyalty of 90%. Abilities as follows…
Ikaros would be the real deal, not a copy?
Why?
Shen Mo quickly searched other characters.
Ones he knew well—Mikoto Misaka, Kurumi Tokisaki, Asuna, even Quake, Black Widow, Dark Phoenix…
All copies.
What was the difference?
Curiosity piqued, Shen Mo pondered what set Ikaros apart, listing possible factors.
He had a guess.
To test it, he searched another character.
Violet Evergarden, from Violet Evergarden!
This time…
Two items appeared.
Violet (Child).
Violet (Adult Copy).
"As I thought…"
Shen Mo murmured, eyes glinting with excitement. He'd found the reason.
Violet's childhood origins were unknown, but she was used as a weapon in war, recognizing and obeying a master. The adult Violet, after meeting the male lead, gradually developed her own sense of self.
Exactly.
The difference likely lay in "master recognition."
Only characters capable of recognizing a master could be purchased as originals, ensuring they belonged to Shen Mo, who spent the Trade Points. Those whose personalities didn't allow it could only be purchased as copies.
From this, he inferred…
The System likely couldn't directly control consciousness.
Shen Mo tested custom services.
Sure enough…
The System allowed purchasing Professor X's abilities or "Other-Gods" (Betsutenjin), a memory-altering ability, but couldn't offer a custom service to fully enslave someone's will.
"So it's an 'almighty' System, not an 'omnipotent' one," Shen Mo said, popping the last piece of cake into his mouth and stretching in his seat.
The System clearly had many hidden rules.
But no need to rush exploring them.
For now…
Buy a little pet to ease the loneliness of being alone.
In the "nonexistent room," Shen Mo let out an unfiltered "hehehe" laugh, then found his desired "item" in the System.
Worth three million three hundred thousand Trade Points, and the original!
Buy it!
In an instant, a figure appeared on the table before him.
"Meow—"
A soft, delicate sound, like a gentle hum.
"Wow, so cute!" Shen Mo couldn't resist reaching out, stroking its soft body.
"Meow." Another tender sound.
The little one seemed to enjoy it, nuzzling its head against Shen Mo's arm, utterly affectionate.
Indeed.
Shen Mo had purchased a genuine pet—a snow-white kitten.
Amethyst eyes, pristine white fur without a single blemish, impossibly soft, with pink paw pads and a slightly chubby belly. No doubt, this was a kitten that could steal any girl's heart in an instant. On Earth's short video platforms, a few cute moves would make it go viral.
Its name—Haimaru.
The heroine of Omamori Himari, Haimaru, with cat-demon blood.
Of course, this was her pre-male-lead, juvenile state.
Her bloodline carried a loyal nature, so in her juvenile state, she could recognize a master, allowing Shen Mo to purchase the original.
Shen Mo had long wanted to buy a cute kitten to raise, but never had the time.
Now, he could finally fulfill that wish.
And…
Recalling a meme he'd seen online, he couldn't help but chuckle "hehe" again.
Too bad he couldn't post anymore.
Otherwise, he'd totally brag.
My cat can grow into a cat-girl beauty. What about yours?
"Come on, Haimaru, let's go make money to buy you the best dried fish," Shen Mo said, standing up, brimming with energy.
"Meow-woo—"
Haimaru couldn't fully understand Shen Mo yet but sensed her master was leaving.
She scrambled with her tiny claws, nimbly climbing his sleeve to perch on his shoulder like a fluffy ball, rubbing her face against his neck, warm and cozy.
Though still a kitten…
Her strength already surpassed ordinary cats, so no worry about falling off.
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