Chapter 23: Chapter 23: Prep Time
The group was settling into a semblance of normalcy within the warehouse, taking stock of their limited supplies and reinforcing their defenses. Azizah retreated to a quiet corner, her mind turning to the one resource she hadn't fully utilized yet: her Multiverse Gacha System.
She leaned against a crate and opened the system interface in her mind, a sleek menu appearing before her. The familiar chime of the system greeted her, bringing a small sense of control amidst the chaos.
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System Dashboard
Points Available: 6,450
Gacha Spins Available: 5
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Azizah frowned thoughtfully. She'd been holding off on using her points and spins, waiting for the right moment. Now, with the group's survival depending on their collective strength, she decided it was time to invest.
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Browsing the Store
Azizah navigated to the Multiverse Store, a sprawling catalog of items, skills, and equipment from across different dimensions. The possibilities were endless, but she quickly filtered the options to focus on what they needed most: defense and resources.
One entry immediately caught her eye:
Black Widow Suit (Avengers: Endgame) – 1,000 Points
A sleek, black combat suit equipped with tactical enhancements, ideal for stealth and agility.
Azizah's heart raced as she read the description. The suit would give her an edge in combat, especially against faster enemies like the Crimson Heads. She selected it without hesitation.
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Purchase Confirmed:
Black Widow Suit (Avengers: Endgame) – 1,000 Points Deducted.
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The suit materialized in her inventory, a stunningly detailed outfit with reinforced panels and utility belts. She couldn't help but grin at the thought of wearing something so iconic.
Next, she searched for complementary equipment and found exactly what she needed:
Widow's Bite (Electroshock Gauntlets) – 3,000 Points
High-tech gauntlets capable of delivering incapacitating electrical shocks, perfect for dealing with large groups or powerful enemies.
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Purchase Confirmed:
Widow's Bite – 3,000 Points Deducted.
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The gauntlets appeared in her inventory, their sleek design matching the suit perfectly. Azizah clenched her fists, imagining the tactical advantage they would provide in their next fight.
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Supplies for Survival
With 2,450 points remaining, Azizah turned her attention to the group's immediate needs. The store offered a variety of basic supplies under a Survival Essentials category. She quickly filled her cart with practical items:
Bulk Food Rations (30 servings) – 500 Points
Advanced Medical Kit – 750 Points
Clean Water Supply (20 liters) – 200 Points
After confirming the purchase, the items materialized in neat stacks beside her, each one ready for use. The group would eat and heal properly tonight, at least.
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Points Remaining: 1,000
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Azizah considered her remaining points and decided to save them for emergencies. Her gacha spins, while tempting, would also wait—luck wasn't something she wanted to rely on right now.
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Testing the Suit
With her shopping spree complete, Azizah pulled the Black Widow Suit from her inventory. The material felt light but sturdy in her hands, its design both functional and striking. She glanced around to ensure no one was watching, then slipped into a secluded storage room to change.
When she emerged, the suit fit her like a second skin. The reinforced fabric flexed with her movements, and the built-in utility pockets were perfectly placed. She equipped the Widow's Bite gauntlets, the soft hum of their power resonating as she activated them.
Azizah punched the air experimentally, the suit enhancing her agility and the gauntlets sparking faintly with energy. A satisfied grin spread across her face. "This'll do."
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Sharing the Wealth
Azizah returned to the main group, the food and medical supplies in tow. Cindy and George's faces lit up at the sight of the rations and medical kit, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten.
"Where did you get all this?" Cindy asked, her tone a mix of surprise and relief.
"Let's just say I'm good at finding things," Azizah replied, keeping her system's existence to herself. "It's enough to keep us going for a while."
David inspected the rations, nodding approvingly. "This'll help a lot. Good work, Lockhart."
Jill, standing near the fire, noticed the new suit but didn't comment directly. "Nice upgrade," she said instead, her tone neutral. "You've been full of surprises."
Azizah smirked. "You have no idea."
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A Quiet Moment
As night fell and the group settled down, Azizah found herself reflecting on her choices. The Black Widow Suit and Widow's Bite would give her a personal edge in combat, but the food and medical supplies were what really mattered to the group. She was learning to balance her individual capabilities with the needs of her newfound team.
Her system chimed softly, offering her a quiet reminder:
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System Tip: Resources are finite, but trust is invaluable.
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Azizah exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of her role settle on her shoulders. The battles ahead would test them all, but with these tools—and the bonds they were building—she felt more prepared than ever.
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To Be Continued...