The Reluctant SI Purchase (1)
When he confirmed that the SI Whatever—the one he'd been trying to skip without buying—was now discounting in real time, the first thought that crossed Sung Taekyung's mind was sheer absurdity.
You know those moments, right? When you see a 50% discount on something at a franchise restaurant or a mart, and instead of thinking I gotta grab this bargain, your brain goes straight to How much are they ripping us off normally?
That was exactly the thought popping into his head right now, live and in person.
A product they were trying to sell for 100 points, now down to 70 with a 30% discount? No wonder he wasn't buying. Why would anyone shell out for something this blatantly shady?
Points were a finite resource—he kept saying it. They were always short for immediate power-ups, and who knew what skills would unlock next?
He had zero interest in wasting them on this sketchy AI or SI or whatever. He'd barely felt the need for it at first glance anyway.
Stuff like the subspace pocket or Mystery Mask had shown up right when he needed them, so he'd snapped them up without hesitation.
UI upgrades or semen concentration control? Unexpected, but the descriptions sold him on their utility.
But "Hunter Awakening Comes with SI"? Zero appeal. The name wasn't even intuitive. The description was worse.
To sell something, you need detailed value props, right? Just shoving a product in your face with no context? Good luck finding buyers.
As he moved to close the point shop window for real this time, the central product's description shifted again.
◈ High-performance system intelligence offers helpful advice tailored to you.
Okay, that was way more straightforward than the original. Price still locked at 70, but the new pitch was solid.
Still, his initial "no thanks" stood firm. He really didn't need it. He'd managed fine so far—why butt in now with backseat driving?
And selling coaching rights in exchange for awakening points? Was it that pissed he wasn't banging every woman in sight, sticking to just a few repeats?
"……."
No response. A reply would've been creepier anyway.
Anything barging into his awakening life to meddle screamed suspicious.
Fast, efficient growth? He knew that without the system spelling it out: Hit hunter hotspots, pick easy marks or virgins, fuck for points. Rack up orgasms, mass-produce points.
Obvious fastest way. But he didn't want to.
He wanted power and rank-ups, sure—but not at the cost of his bottom-line standards.
Yeah, dick-slinging without commitments was hardly "principled." But he had lines: No taken women, only those he might see again.
Buying this would invade even that private zone. No thanks—he wasn't the type to burn everything for progress.
Trying to close the shop again, a new system message popped up instead.
The Capable SI Secretary does not interfere with the Awakener's private life in any way.
This product is solely for improving user convenience.
Provides only useful advice without manipulating the system, using points, or intruding on private matters.
How low would it stoop? Changing descriptions twice wasn't enough—now reading his mind and messaging directly?
Was buying this that crucial? Refuse and regret it forever, spiraling into obsession?
Gut still screamed no, but the system itself pushing this hard? First time ever. Hard to shake the doubt.
Felt like the debate would loop eternally if he didn't buy.
"Sigh, fine whatever."
If it was shoving this down his throat, it must be useful. Nothing from the shop had been a dud yet.
Trusting the credit he'd built, he'd bite the bullet this once. As he went to buy SI Whatever, his remaining points caught his eye.
Spending 70 now leaves 295... Not a clean number. Irked him.
With shield arts, fire magic, and recovery all at level 3, being one upgrade shy of level 4 anywhere? Hesitation crept in.
"…I'll buy, but knock off 5 points?"
A groveling haggle, half-expecting rejection.
Silence, then the shop description updated again. Satisfied, he finally bought.
◈ Knocked it down for you. Satisfied?
The petty tone made him think he had to buy now.
⁎ ⁎ ⁎
"Hello, C-rank Hunter Sung Taekyung. This program is the SI designed to smoothly operate the Hunter Libido Manager awakening ability."
"If you have any questions or uncertainties while handling your awakening ability, this SI will provide answers based on the most accurate information available."
"This program operates separately from the Hunter Libido Manager System."
"Oh…."
Right after buying SI Whatever from the shop, a loading screen flickered in mid-air like it was installing something.
It vanished, and a familiar woman's voice greeted him directly in his mind.
Familiar in that artificial way—like announcements or voice apps—not someone he'd met IRL.
New toy acquired: Time for tests. It boasted high system intelligence, so it better deliver.
First up: How to interact?
"Do I always have to speak questions out loud?"
The program detects intent via thoughts alone and responds if deemed a question.
"Oh…."
No muttering to thin air like a lunatic. Good.
Like the improved UI, he'd need practice. He fired off a barrage, even overdoing it.
Can you understand questions like this?
Questions in this format are understood without exception.
How many awakening points do I have left?
Sung Taekyung's remaining awakening points: exactly 300.
Tell me today's date and exact current time.
Today's date is July 25, 2077, by Gregorian calendar and date line standards. Current time: 10:22:37 AM KST.
How many times have Kang Hyeun and I had sex so far?
Hunter Sung Taekyung and Hunter Kang Hyeun have had sex a total of 10 times. Awakening points awarded for 9 of them.
Is what I'm saying right now a lie?
This query may overload the program. Response refused.
"Whoa…."
Impressed despite himself, a gasp slipped out. Pinpoint accuracy on every query—better than expected.
This SI might be way more useful than thought. Even at 100 points, no regrets.
Thank you for the praise, but my final sale price was 65 points.
A reply with a lingering salty edge.