Chapter 3: first shift
[Current Budget: 500 Creation Points (CP)] [Please Select Terrain Type.]
Show me the catalog. Let's see what kind of epic fantasy world I can build with 500 points
[TERRAIN CATALOG - BUDGET TIER]
Ancient Ruins (Small): 450 CP
(Includes: Mossy stone, 2 pillars, ambient lighting)
Damp Cave (Medium): 300 CP
(Includes: Dripping water sound effect, rocky uneven floor)
Forest Clearing (Small): 400 CP
(Includes: 3 Trees, grass texture, sunlight simulation)
Standard Concrete Room (10x10m): 100 CP
(Includes: 4 Walls, 1 Floor, 1 Ceiling. No textures.)
He tapped the bottom option immediately.
"Give me the Standard Concrete Room. 100 Points."
[PURCHASE CONFIRMED.] [Remaining CP: 400]
The black void around him rippled. Instantly, grey concrete walls slammed down into existence, boxing him in. It looked like an unfinished basement or a prison cell. It was depressing.
"Perfect," Arthur said, pacing the small room. "It's ugly, but it's functional. This is a tutorial, not a vacation."
He turned back to the menu. "Now, the important part. Tools
Arthur loked at Weapon Catalog, his eyes scanning the list with a critical gaze.
Iron Sword (Standard): 10 CP
Spear (Long Reach): 15 CP
Rusty Dagger: 2 CP
Arthur frowned at the short list. "Three options? That's it? I have a budget to manage here."
He waved his hand impatiently. "Expand the catalog. Show me everything under 20 CP. I need variety."
[WEAPON CATALOG - EXPANDED]
Wooden Stick: 1 CP
(Description: A sturdy branch. Better than fists, but barely.)
Red Brick: 1 CP
(Description: Heavy. Good for throwing or smashing.)
Rusty Dagger: 2 CP
(Description: Sharp enough to cut. Tetanus risk included.)
Cooking Pot Lid: 4 CP
(Description: Acts as a weak shield.)
Slingshot: 5 CP
(Description: Ranged. Requires user to find their own ammo.)
Brass Knuckles: 8 CP
(Description: For brawlers. Increases punch damage.)
Iron Sword (Standard): 10 CP
(Description: Balanced. The generic hero choice.)
Steel Crowbar: 12 CP
(Description: Unbreakable. High blunt damage.)
Spear: 15 CP
(Description: Long reach. Keeps enemies away.)
Woodcutter's Axe: 18 CP
(Description: Heavy damage. Slow swing speed.)
Arthur scanned the list, rubbing his chin. "Okay, now we're talking. A brick? Really?"
Arthur looked from the Crowbar to the Dagger. "If I force everyone to use a weapon with ahich they are not good with , half of them will die just because they're clumsy. Some people are better with blunt objects,some like ranged weapond."
He looked up at the floating blue screen. "System, is there a function to let the participants choose? Like a 'Starter Kit' menu when they log in?"
[CHECKING FUNCTIONALITY...] [AFFIRMATIVE. 'User Selection' mechanic available.]
"Does it cost extra?" Arthur asked immediately. "I'm not paying a premium for a drop-down menu."
[NEGATIVE. Cost is deducted per item claimed by the Participant.]
Arthur nodded slowly. "That's even better. Why should I micromanage their inventory?"
He gestured to the screen. "New Rule: Don't spawn a weapon automatically. Instead, grant every participant 20 Starter Points upon entry."
"Let them open the shop and decide if they want to spend their money on a sword, a sphere... or save it."
[SYSTEM CONFIGURATION UPDATE] [Starting Asset: +20 Points per Participant set.]
Arthur nodded. "Good. Choice creates strategy."
"Now, what about protection? If they get hit by a goblin, they'll need more than a cotton t-shirt."
"Show me the Defense Catalog. Let's see what fits in their 10-point budget."
[DEFENSE CATALOG - ]
Thick Winter Coat: 2 CP
Pot Lid (Improvised Shield): 4 CP
Wooden Buckler: 6 CP
Leather Vest: 12 CP
Arthur waved a hand. "Let's worry about their wallet later. I need to know what's actually available first."
"Expand the Defense Catalog. Show me everything. Helmets, boots, makeshift gear. Go."
[DEFENSE CATALOG - ]
[SHIELDS]
Cardboard Sheet: 1 CP
(Description: Better than nothing. Disintegrates when wet.)
Pot Lid: 4 CP
(Description: Metal. Small surface area. Good for parrying.)
Trash Can Lid (Plastic): 5 CP
(Description: Large surface area. Low durability.)
Wooden Buckler: 6 CP
(Description: Standard round shield. Rot resistant.)
Riot Shield (Police Issue): 20 CP
(Description: High durability. Transparent. Heavy.)
[HEADGEAR]
Cricket Helmet: 3 CP
(Description: Good face protection. Limited visibility.)
Construction Hard Hat: 3 CP
(Description: Protects against falling debris. No face protection.)
Biker Helmet (Full Face): 8 CP
(Description: Excellent protection. muffles sound.)
Rusty Iron Helm: 12 CP
(Description: Heavy. smells like blood. High defense.)
[BODY ARMOR]
Thick Magazines (Taped): 2 CP
(Description: Makeshift forearm guards. Surprising bite resistance.)
Winter Puffer Jacket: 3 CP
(Description: Cushions blows. Hard for goblins to bite through.)
Leather Apron: 5 CP
(Description: Protects the front torso from scratches.)
Leather Vest (Boiled): 12 CP
(Description: Stiff, hardened leather. Stops light stabs.)
Chainmail Shirt (Rusted): 18 CP
(Description: Very noisy. Heavy. Excellent against slashes.)
Arthur scrolled to the bottom. "Cardboard? Magazines? We really are scraping the bottom of the barrel."
Arthur mentally checked off the items. "Environment is set. Player loadout is set."
He looked around the empty room. "Two things left."
"First, Consumables. If they get scratched by a goblin, do they just bleed out? I need to see if we can afford healing items."
"And second... the Enemy. I need to pick a monster that matches a '10 Point' budget."
"Show me the Consumables Catalog first."
[CONSUMABLES CATALOG - ]
Dirty Bandage: 1 CP
(Description: Stops bleeding. 15% chance of infection.)
Bottled Water (500ml): 1 CP
(Description: Restores minor stamina. It's warm.)
Clean Bandage : 2CP
(Description: stops bleeding)
Painkiller Strip (4 pills): 2 CP
(Description: Numbs pain for 10 minutes. Does not heal wounds.)
Minor Healing Potion (Vial): 5 CP
(Description: Instantly closes small cuts. Tastes like battery acid.)
Stamina Bar (Choco-Flavor): 3 CP
(Description: Boosts energy. Very dry.)
Arthur grimaced at the list. "Dirty bandages and painkillers? We really are running a discount pharmacy."
He swiped the screen, locking the list into the system.
"if they spend it all on gear and forget to buy a bandage... well, that's on them."
He turned to the empty center of the room. The silence was heavy.
"Now, the final piece of the puzzle. The opponent."