VIP System

Leo decided to hunt monsters instead. He was already a few blocks away from the guild center when he remembered he forgot to ask Susan where to go. Scratching his head, he was about to go back when he recalled the assistant from the VIP services. He decided to continue walking, eventually reaching the gates of the capital.

As he wandered near the gates, a soldier noticed his level and called out to him. "Hey, newbie! You're heading the wrong way," the soldier pointed in the opposite direction. "That side's not for new adventurers."

Embarrassed, Leo bowed and thanked him. Following the soldier's directions, he soon found himself entering a dense forest. A notification appeared before him,

Slime Sanctuary.

It was just as Susan had told him—almost every corner of the forest was dotted with adventurers, some alone, others in groups. The adventurers here ranged from level 1 to 5.

As he roamed the forest, Leo noticed something that piqued his interest. Some adventurers stood in one spot, seemingly waiting. Suddenly, three slimes appeared on the ground. Leo's eyes widened with happiness. "So, spot is something normal here, huh?" he mused to himself.

Spot or Grind Spot, in games, refers to the practice of standing in one place and waiting for monsters to respawn. It's a common tactic for efficient monster hunting and resource gathering.

Continuing his exploration, Leo walked deeper into the forest. The leaves rustled in the gentle wind, mingling with the sounds of adventurers walking and shouting. The occasional "plop" of slimes being defeated echoed through the trees. Birds chirped overhead, and the scent of damp earth filled the air, adding to the forest's vibrant atmosphere.

Eventually, he reached a secluded area with no adventurers nearby. Double-checking his surroundings ensuring he was alone, Leo quickly opened his system navigated to Personal Assistant and tapped Summon Assistant.

A prompt appeared: "Please select Aether's gender."

He chose female.

"Enter Aether's name. Leave the field blank to use 'Aether'."

Feeling that "Aether" was a bit out of place for him, he decided to change it. He tapped the name field, and another screen with letters appeared, resembling a keyboard. "How about 'Ai'?" he thought, satisfied with the name. He typed it in and tapped enter.

A moment later, a soft glow enveloped the area. Leo felt a surge of excitement. The glow intensified, casting a warm, ethereal light around him. He watched in awe as the light coalesced into a figure.

The light gradually faded, revealing a woman with long, flowing hair and a serene expression. She looked at Leo with kind, intelligent eyes, a slight smile playing on her lips. She was dressed in elegant attire that seemed both practical and regal, perfectly suited to her role as an assistant.

Ai greeted him with a calm and measured tone, "Greetings, Master. How may I assist you today?" Her voice was soft, yet it carried an authoritative air.

Leo thought she looked more like a butler than an assistant. He didn't want to have to come up with a complicated explanation for Amanda, so he thought of something. "Can I change your appearance?" he asked.

Ai tilted her head slightly. "Yes, Master. I can alter my appearance, but only once. Please specify the changes."

Leo gestured with his arm, aligning it just below his chest. "Your height should be around here," he said. "And take the appearance of a demihuman cat. Is that how they call them here?" he asked himself aloud.

Ai nodded. "They are called felines in this world, Master. Do you wish to proceed with these changes?"

Leo paused for a moment, considering. "Yes," he said after a brief hesitation.

Ai was then enveloped in a soft white light. Leo watched in amazement as her form began to shift. Her height was reduced, aligning with the level he had indicated. Her elegant attire transformed into a fancy dress, perfectly tailored to her new form. The dress was a rich, deep blue with intricate silver embroidery, highlighting her sophisticated appearance. Her legs were covered by long socks that matched the dress, adding a touch of charm to her look.

Her hair, now yellow and wavy, cascaded down her back, complementing her new appearance. Ai's ears became pointed and cat-like, perched atop her head, while a tail gracefully extended behind her. Her eyes turned black, adding a captivating allure.

The light faded, and Ai stood before him, now a feline. She looked up at Leo with her bright, intelligent eyes. "Is this satisfactory, Master?" she asked, her voice still carrying the same calm and composed tone, though now it had a subtle, playful edge to it.

Leo was taken aback by the transformation. "Yes, that is perfect," he said, nodding in approval.

Ai smiled gently, her cat-like features enhancing her charm. "How may I assist you further, Master?" she asked, ready to fulfill her role.

Leo crouched down until he was face to face with Ai. Her new form was both charming and captivating, and he knew he needed to adjust her behavior to match. He spoke softly, yet firmly, "Ai, I'm going to give you your first command."

Ai's eyes met his, and she nodded slightly. "Understood, Master. Please proceed."

Leo smiled and shook his head. "First, don't call me Master. Just call me Leo. Second, your behavior is a bit too formal. Align it to your appearance. Talk in a more natural and slightly arrogant manner."

Ai's eyes flickered with understanding. She paused for a moment, her expression shifting as if she was processing his request. Then, with a slight smirk, she responded, "Got it, Leo. I'll dial down the formalities and add a touch of sass. Anything else?"

Leo blinked in surprise at the immediate transformation in her tone. Ai's voice had become more relaxed and confident, with an air of casual arrogance that suited her new feline form perfectly.

He studied her closely, noting the way her posture had shifted too. She now stood with one hand on her hip, her tail swaying lazily behind her. Her eyes had a mischievous glint, and her entire demeanor radiated a subtle defiance.

"That's perfect," Leo said, nodding in approval. "I think this will work much better."

Ai tilted her head slightly, a playful smile curling on her lips. "Anything else you need, Leo?" she asked, her tone now carrying a hint of amusement.

He looked around the area and wondered if there were free grinding spots nearby. Ai's voice echoed in his mind, informing him that he could use his race skill. Leo instinctively replied that he had checked the race skills before, and they were disabled for him.

Ai was in the middle of replying internally when Leo exclaimed out loud, "Wait, you can do that too?" referring to their internal communication.

Indeed, she confirmed, her voice smooth and reassuring in his mind.

Leo smiled, realizing he had just gained a secure way to communicate with her. Now he could ask her anything discreetly. He asked her internally how he could use the race skills that were currently disabled. Ai continued her response that he could use a Race Change Scroll to select the race that he requires.

I don't have that scroll, he thought back to her.

It's available in the VIP store for 10 VIP coins, she replied.

Would you like me to purchase it?

Leo looked at Ai, pondering how great of a help she was. He had almost forgotten about the VIP store, and he definitely didn't know about the Race Change Scroll. Even if he could check the store, it would take time to sift through all the items. He approved the purchase internally, and she initiated the transaction.

A thought crept into his mind—what if there was more to these VIP services than met the eye? Could there be a hidden price for relying on them so heavily?

A moment later, a notification appeared,

Race Change Scroll (Elf) purchased.

He shivered slightly, the reality sinking in—having access to something as powerful as a Race Change Scroll. The ability to alter one’s very race wasn’t just a game mechanic anymore; it was real, and the implications were vast. He brushed off the thought for now, but a small smile crept across his face.