A Core Ship From The Start
/ A Core Ship From The Start Chapter 983
Chapter 983: Chapter 678: Unboxing Chapter 983: Chapter 678: Unboxing “`
As he looked at Stefal in front of him, Duanmu Huai couldn't help but feel a bit nervous.
This was not because Stefal was a beauty, but rather, he suddenly thought of a problem.
In the game, Stefal was a rare official merchant NPC, and her goods couldn't be purchased with in-game currency by players.
By the way, when players travel between different worlds, each world has a different exchange rate for in-game currency. Players earn credits after completing tasks, which is a standard currency used in the Tribunal Space Station. When they go to other worlds, their currency is automatically exchanged into the local currency. Of course, due to the different exchange rates of each world, players often see their wallets fluctuate between six and three figures…
But generally speaking, the lower the better, because a low number means high currency value, and they can buy strong items. Conversely, if the value is low, then it's troublesome.
In the real world, Duanmu Huai certainly didn't have the system to automatically convert currency for him; in fact, he went to most of the worlds using the most primitive method of barter. Like with the High Tower Council, they bought cruisers from the Tribunal, and Duanmu Huai didn't want their money, instead, he chose raw materials for the debt.
Even for the Star Union, Duanmu Huai also let them pay through resources and galaxy territories, as well as some political convenience conditions.
After all, this world does not have a unified commercial system, and merchant voyagers going out are mostly using similar methods. Indeed, during the Imperial Era, most tax collections were in kind rather than money. Some conscripted planets even used conscripts in place of taxes.
Under such circumstances, if you talk about money–Duanmu Huai basically doesn't have it, but he's not lacking either.
Take, for example, the world of Faelun, Duanmu Huai of course didn't have local currency, but was that a problem? He mined many asteroids in outer space, not to mention, he could directly bring you a small mountain of gold. In most worlds, that would basically make you rich immediately.
Of course, there is one kind of currency that is universal across the Milky Way, in order, chaos, good or evil.
And that is souls (laughs).
Anyway, back to the main topic.
Stefal is actually equivalent to a merchant in the official shop, and her merchandise is purchased with star coins–which are specially bought with real money for the game shop by players.
In other words, she's a pay-to-win merchant.
Duanmu Huai's system couldn't enable a recharge mode, and he had no credit card, so naturally he had no star coins to use. So Duanmu Huai was curious, what would Stefal let him use to pay the bill?
Moreover, Stefal in the game could bring out many strange items, which of course is easy to explain in the game, but how would she explain that in reality?
Is this really reality? Or a game?
“May I ask what you need?”
“I need some Soul Cards.”
Duanmu Huai approached the counter, staring at Stefal, and spoke just like he would in the game, but Stefal didn't seem to mind.
“That's certainly no problem. Do you have any specific requirements?”
“Hmm… I have a dominion to manage, so I need those with high domestic affairs skills. Also, I need the Soul Cards to primarily include humans.”
“Understood.”
Stefal didn't seem to find anything amiss with what Duanmu Huai said; she just nodded her head, then thought for a moment.
“Since you have such a request, then I recommend a set of Attendant Cards to you.”
“Attendant Cards?”
“Correct, a set of ten, including a Regent, Senator, General, Treasurer, High Priest, Diplomat, Magic Advisor, Guard Chief, Council Speaker, and Intelligence Officer.”
“That complicated?”
“Others will be managed by the Regent. If you don't have time, you can simply listen to the Regent's report.”
“That's more like it.”
Duanmu Huai breathed a sigh of relief, kidding, he had no intention of managing a dominion. Having someone else in charge was naturally the best scenario. Just like with Aikute, he left the details to others, and he just had to act as a rubber stamp.
“Anything else?”
“There's the Classic Edition, Deluxe Edition, Limited Collection Edition, Complete Collection Edition, and the Royal Ultimate Collection Edition five types…”
“Good, I want the Royal Ultimate Collection Edition.”
Duanmu Huai either didn't buy at all or bought the best, decisively choosing one. Then… came the crucial point.
“Only there's a problem, I don't have money. What do you plan on letting me use to pay?”
“Hmm…”
Faced with Duanmu Huai's almost rascal-like inquiry, Stefal placed her fingertip on her chin, pondering for a moment.
“If you don't have the currency of this world, then you could use Divine Power instead…”
“Huh———-”
However, before Stefal's words fell, Duanmu Huai suddenly grabbed the War Hammer behind him and swung it powerfully at Stefal. The tremendous Thunder Warhammer swept over Stefal's head, stopping beside her.
“Who exactly are you?”
Duanmu Huai stared coldly at Stefal. From the moment he entered, he had always thought she was just an ordinary human, but Stefal instantly saw through his true identity, which was problematic.
“Are you related to this game? What kind of world am I in now? Is it reality? Or is it a game?”
“`
“Master?”
Gazing at Duanmu Huai as he began to act without a word, Ogis's eyes widened in surprise, and Gavi, too, got a fright. But before Gavi could begin to speak, Duanmu Huai gestured for her to be silent with a wave of his hand.
“Answer my question.”
“Ah……”
In the face of Duanmu Huai's inquiry, Stefal appeared unconcerned, even seeming utterly oblivious to the massive War Hammer positioned beside her head, merely spreading her hands in a gesture of helplessness.
“Even if you say that, I'm just a merchant who travels between the planes, my business is in the trade of goods. It doesn't matter who the other party is, as long as there's business to be done, that's all that matters. I'm simply a straightforward businessman. As for your second question……”
While speaking, Stefal extended a finger and placed it to her lips with a slight smile.
“It really doesn't matter.”
“Hm?”
“Is this reality, an illusion, or a game? What's the difference? You live in this world right now, and for you, that's what should be most important, right? Perhaps our world is just a book, being written by some unknown being, who might even sell our stories to others. But even if that were true, even if you knew all of that, what could you do about it? The world still turns, and life goes on, does it not?”
“……Alright, you make a good point.”
Duanmu Huai fell silent for a moment, setting down the War Hammer. Such questions had already been debated by players, people had posted on forums claiming that their universe was just a life simulation game by a high civilization, and that their every move was like that of a character in The Sims, being watched and sometimes directly controlled by higher beings.
Like when you prefer to eat but suddenly go to the bathroom instead because your hygiene meter is full – perhaps a higher-dimensional player took control of you.
But does any of that matter?
Obviously not.
People should live as they always have, any speculation without concrete evidence is nothing but wishful thinking.
Someone else might obsess over such questions, but Duanmu Huai didn't care as much. As Stefal said, life goes on anyway.
So what if he suddenly discovered the world was a game or a novel, would he then have an epiphany, shudder, and transcend the void?
Of course not.
“All I can say is, in this world, your existence is very important.”
“But not irreplaceable, right?”
“That… depends on your own efforts.”
“Okay then………….”
It was clear that was all she would say. Though the answers weren't satisfactory, it was perhaps for the best. Duanmu Huai took the card offered to him, then injected his Divine Power into something resembling a crystal ball near Stefal's hand–a complete collection was indeed expensive, but fortunately, Duanmu Huai had enough Divine Power to pay for it. Of course, the God of Destruction's experience with Divine Power had increased by nearly half before, and now it was all spent.
This thing really burns through more than money.
But that's how it is with microtransactions (shrugs).
After securing the cards, Duanmu Huai immediately opened a Teleportation Portal and returned to his own world. Building up his domain was paramount. As for the trouble with Olaya… that would have to wait.
Opening a portal back to Faelun was more troublesome than the previous infiltration; Duanmu Huai's portal opened directly into the subterranean realm. With no other choice, he had to dig his way out, and after considerable effort, he finally emerged from several dozen meters below the surface.
“Ugh… peh, peh, peh, my clothes are all dirty…”
Crawling out of the dirt, Gavi looked at her dust-covered self, on the verge of tears, while Ogis shook her head disapprovingly.
“Don't complain.”
“What's wrong with me voicing a few complaints?”
“We are Puppets. We do as the Master commands.”
“So if the Master jumps into lava, you'd follow and burn to death?”
“Of course.”
“Enough, both of you shut up, you're giving me a headache…..”
Duanmu Huai, out of options, cut off the fruitless bickering between Ogis and Gavi, then reached for the Card Box, looking at the sealed cards within.
According to Stefal, the “Royal Ultimate Collection” was expensive because it contained royals from different worlds who had agreed to become Soul Cards in order to learn governance and contribute to the development of their own nations upon return.
Obviously, the contract lasted a hundred years.
Well, good thing they were Soul Cards, because otherwise, that would be straight-up devilish, wouldn't it?
So, time to see how lucky he was.
Looking at the cards before him, Duanmu Huai took a deep breath. Stefal had said the Royal Ultimate Collection guaranteed a minimum of three legendary cards… but how many would he get?
Enough talk, only opening the cards would tell!
With that thought, Duanmu Huai didn't hesitate–he tore open the Card Box.
Chapter end
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