Antibody

Alfie slowly opened his eyes, still groggy from his recent death. Not fully conscious yet, he grasped his neck looking for his stab wound. 

The pitch darkness, however, awakened Alfie to his real situation. He was back in the void between universes.

 A blue screen struck out in contrast to the black background. 

[Welcome back Antibody!]

The system finally appeared, showing something other than the basic status screen. However, that wasn't Alfie's main concern.

Alfie grabbed the illusionary blue panel and asked, "IS LUCIA ALRIGHT? DID THAT BASTARD DO SOMETHING TO HER?" 

[Would you like to use 100 points to answer your question?]

"YES. Yes, please." 

[Lucia and the children she harbors are being protected by the pavilion of fate.]

Alfie sighed in relief. No, in fact, he was beyond relieved by the answer he had received.

He repeated the monotone line from the system in his head over and over again, enchanted by its soothing feeling. 

One word however broke the cycle. 

"Children? As in plural?" Alfie questioned.

[Would you like to spend 1 point to verify the system's claim?]

Alfie froze for a moment before declining. He had no idea of the value of these points or its capabilities. 

Him already spending 100 points to know Lucia's circumstances wasn't the smartest thing to do, but it was a must.

Alfie sat up from his laying position in the void, in preparation for his questioning.

"What's this point system?" 

[When the Antibody completes quests or achieves accomplishments the system rewards them with points to use for various items.]

[Items can range from information, talents, physical items, and many others.]

[Your current balance stands at: 1000]

"I had 1100 points? Where'd I get those from?" Alfie wondered

[100 points were given to you as a gift by the system. The other 900 came from your accomplishments in the Mythos universe.]

"What accomplishments??"

[Introduction of advanced information 100 points, Damaging a mid-tier entity 900 points] 

Alfie pondered for a moment before deciding to ask about the mysterious organization that was protecting Lucia.

A drop-down menu appeared before Alfie. 

[

Basic (1000 points)

Comprehensive (10,000 points)

Extensive (1,000,000 points)

…

]

Expensive... That was the first thought that came to Alfie's mind. Before he committed to anything he looked for other information he could purchase.

[Mythos universe (B 1000), Gaia world(B 1000), Multiverse (B 1000), Martial talent(tier 1 1000)...]

The system thankfully had a shopping cart feature which allowed him to store all his potential purchases in one neat place.

There were definitely some enticing options but one question remained at the forefront. Just how long had it been since he died and awoke in the void? 

[Approximately 1 year has passed in the Mythos universe, whereas 1 million years have passed in the void. Current Balance: 800]

Alfie was shocked, not only at the fact he had been unconscious for a million years but also at the insane time dilation. 

"System, can I use points to directly transport me into a universe of my choosing?" Alfie asked.

[With the added benefit of your origin skill, it is indeed possible for 500 points. However, the system greatly discourages you from going back to the Mythos universe with your current strength.]

"Thanks for the warning but I wasn't planning on it. Can you search for universes with high time dilation and a developed power system?" 

[The system recommends the tier one Lord's universe.] 

"For free?" Alfie asked, confused.

[The system has only delayed the deduction of points. A loan free of interest if you will.]

"You can do that?" Alfie asked, surprised. 

[The system is allowed to take liberties on occasions, yes.]

"Wait, so are you like the system's AI or something?" Alfie questioned.

[No, I'm the system itself. Your personal system to be exact. That's all I can really say unless you want to buy that information.]

"Well, I'm certainly not paying for that. Not yet at least." Alfie sighed.

[We're getting off topic now. Don't you want to learn more about the Lord's universe?]

 "Since when did you get a personality? But no seriously, I would like to know." Alfie joked.

[Since it seemed your inquiries were about to end, I've been slowly allocating more of my resources into actually working instead of patching up your mind.]

"Oh yeah, thanks for patching me up. I'd be no better than dead without it." Alfie thanked.

[Thank me by, actually fixing your mind. It gets lonely not having anyone to talk to for eons.] 

"Wait, how do I do that?" 

[You can use points, you don't have enough to make a substantial difference. If you can find medicines or techniques related to the mind.]

[But if you want the cheapest option I'd recommend just living. Give enough time in an actual world you'll recover.]

[From then on I can protect you from the void's mind-crushing effects.]

"Gotchu, so what about this new universe?" Alfie asked. 

[Simply put in that universe, chosen individuals are given a plot of land in an alternate world along with a talent and are given the task of building kingdoms.] 

[It's like a civilization-building game but with superpowers and real stakes.]

"What's the time dilation by the way?" 

[About 1:50]

"Sounds good, I've got about 300 points left right? Anything you recommend me buying before heading out?"

[With how low your points are… I'd recommend the tier 1 random item pouch.] 

"You want me to gamble?"

[Either that or save it, which I don't personally recommend. You're gonna need as much of an advantage as possible.]

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Alfie said sarcastically. 

[Truth hurts what can I say.] 

"I've got a tab open right?"

[You can only get information worth less than or equal to 1000 points just so you know.]

"Do I have more than one kid?" Alfie asked.

[Lucia named the boy Alex, and the girl Cleo. They're doing pretty well.]

Alfie smiled bitterly. "Thanks for letting me know." 

[Just doing my job.] 

"Well, I guess I'll be going then. Time's of the essence."

After confirming all his purchases Alfie disappeared from the heartless void. 

[I hope my gamble actually works…]

[Current Balance: -1,000,000]