And of course, there was also...
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have successfully paid off all system debts! Current Source Points balance: 330,000!]
Yes, you read that right.
In this past half year, Cloud had not only paid off the nearly 400,000 Source Points of massive debt he owed—he had even earned 330,000 more!
As for how he did it?
The reason was simple—[Resource Recycling].
He had thrown all the "garbage" he'd "packaged" from NESTS—aside from the core technology—into the system's "recycle bin." This included damaged combat suits, discarded experimental equipment, even failed Kyo Kusanagi clone embryos (humanely disposed of).
In exchange, he received a massive amount of Source Points.
This move was called garbage sorting—benefiting the nation, benefiting the people, and getting rich in the process!
However, the explosive increase in power also brought a new problem—a bottleneck.
When all his stats reached a threshold of "9," Cloud discovered he seemed stuck again.
No matter how he trained or analyzed technology, he couldn't advance another step.
It was as if an invisible door stood before him, blocking him at the boundary between "mortal" and "true god."
Still, Cloud wasn't anxious about this.
He deeply understood the principle of "balance between tension and relaxation."
Cultivation was like romance—sometimes, the more anxious you are, the more counterproductive it becomes.
Since his power couldn't be improved for now...
Then...
It was time to turn his attention to his lovely "harem."
After all, becoming stronger yourself isn't really impressive.
Making your wives stronger together with you—now that's awesome!
Thus, a grand "Harem Equipment Upgrade" plan led by Cloud officially commenced!
He opened the dazzling system shop and activated "whale" mode.
"System! Get me a set of equipment most suitable for Yuri! Requirements: both cute AND sexy!"
[Ding! Matching exclusive items for Bond Target Yuri Sakazaki... Match successful!]
[Recommended Item: Skin—Arcade Sweetheart!]
[Effect: When equipped, transforms Kyokugenryu karate techniques into pixel-style game effects! Haoh Shoukou Ken becomes an 8-bit pixel energy ball, Flying Swallow Hurricane Kick gains mosaic afterimages! Greatly increases technique power and cuteness!]
[Price: 40,000 Source Points!]
"Bought!" Cloud didn't even blink.
He could completely imagine how adorable the scene would be when cute Yuri, wearing an arcade girl cosplay outfit, executed a set of "pixel-style" Kyokugenryu karate!
"Next! Leona! Get her the coolest, most badass skin that best represents her ice-cold assassin vibe!"
[Ding! Matching exclusive items for Bond Target Leona Heidern... Match successful!]
[Recommended Item: Skin—Moonlight Shadow Blade!]
[Effect: When equipped, allows Leona's presence to perfectly merge with shadows, entering an ultimate stealth state! Also unlocks exclusive skill Shadow Moon Dance, enabling short-range spatial jumps under moonlight! Greatly enhances assassination capabilities!]
[Price: 40,000 Source Points!]
"Buy! Must buy!" Cloud waved his hand grandly again.
With this "skin," Leona would no longer be just a pure "berserker," but a true top-tier assassin walking in darkness!
Just like that, Cloud, like a shopping-crazed rich man during Singles' Day, threw around money (Source Points) lavishly, custom-tailoring cheat-level exclusive skins and items for every member of his harem.
Athena Asamiya received the "Item: Starlight Microphone," which could apply group buff/debuff effects.
Shermie received the "Skin: Thunder Queen," which could summon actual "heavenly thunder" for indiscriminate bombardment.
...
When these girls received the unbelievable gifts Cloud had sent them, their reactions varied.
Some, like Yuri, excitedly hugged Cloud with kisses and jumps.
Some, like Shermie, directly expressed their gratitude with a "passionate as fire" kiss.
And some, like Leona, said nothing, but her ice-blue eyes were filled with the emotion of "wanting to give herself to him."
[Ding! Ding! Ding!...]
A string of power-increase notification sounds rang in Cloud's mind.
He looked at these girls before him, who had become both stronger and more "clingy" after receiving their gifts.
An extremely satisfied smile spread across his face.
So this is... the joy of "spending money to spoil your wives"?
I've also experienced the pleasure of being a rich playboy.
Indeed, plain and simple, and... monotonous.
...
After arming his "harem" to the teeth.
Cloud turned his "wicked" gaze toward a tough nut to crack.
Kagura Shrine.
That beautiful, gentle, and serene Maki Kagura whom he had never forgotten.
"It's time to complete that unfinished business."
A smile full of "righteousness" and "sense of mission" appeared on Cloud's face.
He was going to exorcise evil and defend the way... ahem, he was going to "rescue" that poor shrine maiden bound by "fate."
...
Kagura Shrine, back courtyard, tea room.
A gentle breeze rustled through the bamboo grove, creating a soft rustling sound.
The fragrance of tea filled the air, refreshing the senses.
Chizuru Kagura knelt before the tea setting, using an elaborate yet elegant series of movements to brew tea for Cloud.
Her face was radiant with happiness.
Ever since that night when the two of them had broken through the final barrier, the way she looked at Cloud had become increasingly tender, as if she could melt steel.
...
Get 20+ chapters ahead on - P.a.t.r.e.o.n "RoseWhisky"