James rubbed his eyes as woke up once again around 10 A.M.
He still hadn't moved from bed.
Why would he?
System was busy doing something called Synchronisation.
He stretched, cracking every joint in his spine like an old wooden chair, and grinned at the floating interface.
"Alright, Cortana 3.0. I'm ready for the next level. Gimme the good stuff."
"Synchronization complete. Due to your exceptional reading history 12,487 logged hours you have been granted immediate access to the KHCS Marketplace."
James blinked. "Wait. Marketplace? You mean I get to spend my points on actual skills now?"
"Correct. Marketplace now unlocked. Initiating interface…"
The screen shimmered and exploded into panels like a sci-fi HUD on steroids.
Tabs unfolded across the air like a vending machine for genius, each glowing with tempting options:
[Languages] [Academic Mastery] [Life Skills] [Soft Skills] [Finance] [Combat] [Utility] [Health] [Weird Stuff (?)]
James's eyes widened.
His jaw dropped a little.
"…Oh my god. I've died and gone to nerd heaven."
"You are not dead. That would violate system terms of service."
He scrolled instinctively with his fingers, marveling at how the interface moved with a thought, zipping between categories like a well-oiled RPG inventory.
"Look at this! Language packs! Korean, French, Mandarin, Elvish wait, Elvish?!"
> "Fictional language packs are available for flavor text and creative enhancement only. Not practical in job markets."
"Speak for yourself. I've got three Reddit threads that say otherwise."
He tapped on [Academic Mastery].
A range of skill options dropped like loot from a boss battle.
Each was tagged with a level.
Tier I (Basic)
Academic Essay Writing – 150 hrs
APA/MLA/Citation Format Memory – 40 hrs
Note-Taking Techniques – 60 hrs
Tier II (Intermediate)
Research Methodology – 180 hrs
Presentation Skills – 90 hrs
Public Speaking – 120 hrs
Thesis Structuring (Undergrad) – 200 hrs
Tier III (Advanced)
Data Analysis for Humanities – 300 hrs
Grant Proposal Writing – 400 hrs
Critical Theory Mastery – 500 hrs
Tier IV (Mastery)
Academic Publishing (Peer-Reviewed) – 650 hrs
Teaching Pedagogy (University Level) – 700 hrs
James choked on air. "I can just… buy these? Just like that?"
"Affirmative. Cost correlates to real-world mastery time. System provides neural imprinting of procedural and conceptual knowledge."
He clicked into [Finance], because being poor had finally become spiritually exhausting.
Tier I
Budgeting Basics – 80 hrs
Tax Filing Simplified – 70 hrs
Credit Score Optimization – 90 hrs
Tier II
Stock Market Fundamentals – 200 hrs
Cryptocurrency Analysis – 300 hrs
Real Estate Investing – 350 hrs
Tier III
Financial Risk Modeling – 600 hrs
Business Accounting & Automation – 750 hrs
James clutched his chest. "I can finally understand what people on financial TikTok are yelling about. This is revolutionary."
"System recommends foundational modules before engaging in volatile investment environments."
James waved the warning off like an annoying popup. "Shut it, IRS bot. I'm busy window shopping."
His fingers hovered over [Life Skills].
He tapped.
Tier I
Cooking Basics – 100 hrs
Laundry Mastery (Fold Like a Pro) – 30 hrs
Cleaning Efficiency Boost – 50 hrs
Grocery Optimization – 40 hrs
Basic Car Maintenance – 80 hrs
Tier II
Driving License Mastery (All US States) – 90 hrs
Apartment Management (Bills, Repairs) – 120 hrs
Meal Planning & Prep – 150 hrs
Tier III
Survival Cooking (Budget Crisis Edition) – 300 hrs
Emergency Preparedness – 350 hrs
"Why is folding laundry its own skill?"
"Current room condition suggests system prioritization."
James glanced at his clothes chair no longer a chair, more of a soft mountain of regret.
"…Fair."
Next [Soft Skills].
Tier I
Small Talk for Introverts – 100 hrs
Active Listening – 60 hrs
Empathy Simulation (Beginner) – 90 hrs
Tier II
Conflict Resolution – 150 hrs
Networking for Non-Ambitious People – 200 hrs
Emailing Without Fear – 120 hrs
Tier III
Charisma Coaching – 400 hrs
Flirting Without Panic – 500 hrs
Public Persona Building – 600 hrs
James muttered, "So you're telling me I can buy the ability to not be weird in conversations?"
"Affirmative. Usage results may vary based on confidence levels and situational randomness."
"Alright, now I have to see [Combat]. No way I'm passing up on fantasy wish-fulfillment."
Tier I
Basic Boxing – 150 hrs
Self-Defense: Street Level – 200 hrs
Martial Arts Theory – 180 hrs
Tier II
MMA Foundation – 300 hrs
Improvised Weapons – 180 hrs
Parkour (Beginner) – 250 hrs
Tier III
Swordplay – 400 hrs
Tactical Awareness – 450 hrs
Tier IV
Assassin Movement (Stealth & Escape) – 700 hrs
Riot Survival & Evac Strategy – 800 hrs
"Who needs swordplay in college? What is this, medieval gym class?"
"Simulation suggests 3.2% probability of sword-related campus emergencies."
"…Should I be worried?"
"System is not authorized to answer that."
James hesitated, then tapped [Utility].
Tier I
Speed Reading + Retention Booster – 200 hrs
Basic Coding (Python/Java) – 300 hrs
Tech Troubleshooting (PC/Mobile) – 150 hrs
Tier II
Digital Productivity (Notion, Obsidian, etc.) – 180 hrs
File Recovery & Cyber Hygiene – 250 hrs
"Reminder: Utility skills unlock integration with external tools and plugins."
"I could automate my own life. Finally, I can become a functioning adult."
Then curiosity and chaos in his soul James opened the infamous [Weird Stuff (?)] tab.
"Warning, Contents may be dubiously useful and unreasonably delightful."
Tier I
Nap Optimization: Lucid Mode – 75 hrs
How to Win Rock Paper Scissors (Statistically) – 20 hrs
Dramatic Exit Timing – 15 hrs
Perfect Eye Contact – 50 hrs
Tier II
Reverse Psychology for Pets – 60 hrs
Shower Thoughts to Podcast Quality – 100 hrs
Improv Comedy (Cringe Edition) – 100 hrs
Tier III
Meme Strategy for Brand Building – 250 hrs
Debate Club Domination (With Pop Culture References) – 300 hrs
Writing Hot Takes That Get Published – 400 hrs
James was wheezing. "This is the best garbage store I've ever seen."
"System logs indicate you watched 17.3 hours of debate anime and bookmarked a spreadsheet titled 'Comebacks Ranked by Petty Damage.'"
"You're spying on me."
"System observes. Does not judge."
"You definitely judge."
"Judgment passive."
Years.
Years of reading, escaping, imagining.
Of people telling him it was a waste.
Of staring at walls and wondering if he'd ever get ahead.
And now, it mattered.
Every chapter.
Every forum post.
Every dumb wiki spiral at 3 AM.
It all mattered.
He whispered, "System?"
"Yes, James Rivera?"
"…I want it all. Eventually. I want to learn everything."
"Affirmative. Learning pathways can be scheduled. Limitations depend only on remaining hours and user endurance."
He smiled, wild and hopeful and borderline maniacal.
"Well then... let's go shopping."