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"Host, I’ve found a City Shield—there’s an option for 8 hours and 24 hours, though the price is a bit high, especially for the 24-hour shield. Would you like to take a look?" 008 suddenly interjected, breaking up the little family moment with Keith and their grandparents.

She knew it was time to get back to work.

"Keith, Grandpa, Grandma, I need to head back and take care of some work," Kisha said gently, her voice almost coaxing.

"This storm is going to be devastatingly powerful, so I need to prepare. I’ll talk to you all later, okay?"

She knew she had been too busy lately, barely having time to catch up with her family.

But even so, they were always in her heart, and she had made sure to keep an eye on them—whether directly or with 008’s help.

"Okay, always stay safe." Their grandmother was the first to speak, her understanding smile softening her words.

"You can always call us when you’re not too busy. With this thing floating around and you being able to check in on us, it will help us feel closer."

Their grandfather nodded enthusiastically in agreement.

They didn’t want to add to Kisha’s worries, especially when she was so far away and already burdened with so much.

The best they could do was grow stronger each day, so they could help her in their own way.

If they could ease her worries about their safety, it would give her one less thing to stress over.

Kisha understood exactly what her grandparents were thinking, and for a moment, a soft wave of affection washed over her.

She felt like the little Kisha again—the one who used to run to her grandparents with so many feelings to share.

She nodded, her eyes filled with a quiet love and tenderness.

As soon as the video call ended, Kisha turned her attention to 008. "Show me."

...

[City Shield]

[Description: A city-wide defense system used across various worlds, typically created by mages through a series of barrier spells or by cultivators.

These shields are sustained by powerful runes, and the strength of the runemaster or mage directly impacts the shield’s duration and its ability to withstand attacks.

The stronger the caster, the longer the shield lasts and the more powerful the attacks it can repel.

Grade: Rare

Type: Consumable]

...

[City Shield - 8 hours]

[Cost: 2,000 points]

[City Shield - 24 hours]

[Cost: 5,000 points]

...

Seeing the price, Kisha couldn’t help but think how expensive it was for a one-time-use item.

But with no other choice, she decided to buy it.

Luckily, the base in City A was well-protected under her territory’s defense.

The base’s barrier had a health system in place: even if it were attacked and the barrier’s integrity weakened, it would eventually recover over time.

Additionally, she could expedite its recovery by using methods such as exchanging crystal cores for spiritual energy, which could be used to replenish the barrier’s defense.

Alternatively, she could directly infuse spiritual energy. With these options, she wouldn’t need to spend more points on additional City Shields.

[Do you want to spend 5,000 points to buy the ’City Shield - 24 hours’?]

[Yes] or [No]

Without hesitation, she purchased the City Shield.

A token-like object materialized in her hand, about the size of her palm. It was round, with an engraving of a tower surrounded by a globe-like design etched into its surface.

[Do you want to use the City Shield?]

[Yes] or [No]

As soon as she clicked "Yes," a series of almost-transparent hexagons began to materialize in the air around the base.

The hexagons interlinked, and once they had fully covered the entire area, the shield became completely transparent—so much so that it was as if nothing was there, making it impossible to see anything else.

"Host," 008 interjected, its tone sounding almost like a salesman pushing a deal.

"Although this barrier is a one-time-use shield for 24 hours, if it reaches its maximum limit of repelling the attacks before the time runs out, it will still crumble. Would you like to buy a backup shield, just in case? We can’t be sure if the Geostorm will be able to crush this one. "

Kisha felt a twinge of frustration upon hearing this.

She had assumed the shield would simply last the full 24 hours, but the added health system made it seem more like a scam—designed to pressure her into spending more.

"Host, don’t slander me," 008 replied, its voice defensive.

"I’m just selling the product, not creating it. Besides, each City Shield is made of runes. With every attack it takes, the runes absorb the impact, causing them to crack and lose power over time. It’s only natural that the shield will disappear once it reaches its limit."

"Unless, of course, it’s like the barrier in City A’s territory, which is powered by the territory’s spiritual energy. That barrier can heal itself over time, using spiritual energy. The more energy your territory can harness, the stronger the barrier becomes."

"Ugh!" Kisha groaned, then reluctantly bought a backup City Shield.

008 giggled happily at her reaction and for selling another item.

Kisha set the backup shield aside, planning to save it for later—no need to waste time searching for it when she really needed it among the countless items in the system mall.

But as she thought about it, a realization struck her.

With the Spiritual Gatherer Crystal now in her territory, didn’t that essentially give her territory its own "solar panel" to generate spiritual energy? And after hearing 008’s explanation, wasn’t the barrier now practically unbreakable?

"Well, that’s true, but it’s not like you can bring the shield here," 008 interjected again, unintentionally irritating Kisha.

Though Kisha still had 230,000 points left after spending 10,000 on two City Shields, she knew it wouldn’t last long.

With all the things she would need in the future and the high cost of items in the system mall, she realized that her points would quickly dwindle.

Especially since she hadn’t received any new missions yet, she could easily find herself low on points again.

Ding...

[New Mission Available!]

[Sudden Hidden Mission: SSS Class "Survivor of God’s Wrath!"]

[Description: It is said that storms are God’s wrath, meant to teach humans a lesson in cherishing and loving the world they’ve been given.

But when the Gods believe that humans have abused the world, they unleash their fury—drowning them in endless seas, crushing them with the power of whirlwinds, tearing them apart with earthquakes, or stoning them with relentless rain and hail.

Mudslides descending from mountains complete the cycle of destruction.

Mission Requirement: Prepare to survive the coming massive storm, the true beginning of the apocalyptic era. This beginning of the end storm will cleanse the weak, and only the strong and prepared will endure. Fate will decide your luck.

Mission Completion: 10 Gachapon Draws, 10 Resource Crates, 100,000 points, and a mass of Chromium metal

Mission Failure: Automatic failure of the C-Class mission "The Philanthropist" and the S-Class mission "Taking Nest for 30 Days.", 500,000 Points deduction and instant death.]

...

Kisha’s lips twitched as the new mission appeared, her initial relief at the system finally addressing her concerns quickly turning to frustration.

Instead of a solution, she was slapped with the ’Mission Failure’ consequences.

Not only would she fail the two remaining missions she had, but she would also face a significant points deduction and, worse, instant death.

It felt like a cruel blow—she was being robbed blind and condemned to die.

’How is this even fair?’ Kisha thought bitterly.