The voice was full of seduction, as if promoting some incredible treasure, but every word only made Phaethon's vigilance spike to new heights.
But no matter how much vigilance or internal complaints he had, Phaethon knew well that facing an existence like Aha, avoidance or ignoring would only invite more troublesome surprises.
He needed to figure out what this so-called store was really up to.
"Open the system store..." Phaethon said with a tone of resigned acceptance.
"Coming right up, dear~!" Aha's voice immediately rang out, enthusiastic to the point of exaggeration, with faint, barely suppressed, leaky laughter audible in the background.
"As long as you have enough Elation Points, every treasure on this store's shelves opens its arms to you! Guaranteed great value, endless fun!"
"Elation Points?" Phaethon's brow furrowed even tighter. He had an extremely ominous feeling.
"Scanning and calculating all past behaviors related to the concept of 'Elation' and calculating corresponding Elation Points! Please wait~~" A spinning, multi-colored loading icon appeared on the panel, accompanied by cheerful background music.
Then, lines of records began to refresh like a waterfall:
"Elbow strike on a Dromas's dinner +217"
Note: Delivered a physical and psychological double interruption during the other party's most anticipated meal time, effectively creating bewilderment and anger. Elation judgment upheld!
"Elbow strike on the Council of Elders +158"
Note: Physical interference with an authoritative body, creating chaos and fun. Elation judgment upheld!
"First elbow strike on Lygus +782"
Note: Initial physical provocation towards an enigmatic existence. Courage commendable, effect outstanding. Elation judgment upheld!
"Elbow strike on Aglaea +234"
Note: An unconventional physical greeting inadvertently delivered to an elegant and romantic lady. Elation judgment upheld!
...
"Elbow strike on the Aeon of 'Elation' +1049 Hahaha!! Aha is so embarrassed! But so fun!"
Special Note: Using physical means directly on the Aeon of fun itself, a true performance art. Elation judgment super upheld!
...
"Elbow strike to reveal the 'Prime Mover of Life' +8639"
Note: Promoted the answering of a universe-level philosophical question, blending absurdity and profundity. Elation judgment epic-level upheld!
"Elbow strike on the Aeon of 'Destruction' and the Path of 'Destruction' +66666"
Ultimate Note: A mortal delivering a physical slap to the ultimate concept of destruction. Courage, creativity, effect all unprecedented. Elation judgment legendary-level upheld! Universal fun, worth the price!
...
"?"
Phaethon stared at this long list of unbelievable records, especially the absurdly high points for elbowing Nanook at the end, and the notes after each record dripping with Aha's style.
He was silent for a long time, then slowly formed a huge question mark.
This calculation method... is this right? Was his entire life, in Aha's eyes, just an Encyclopedia of Elbow Strikes?
Then, an indescribable feeling, a mix of absurdity, helplessness, and a since you're counting it that way, I might as well not be polite sentiment surged within him.
Phaethon raised his arm and, without hesitation, used his elbow to fiercely strike the flickering red panel in front of him that seemed to be mocking him!
Clang!!!
The panel seemed to stutter from this sudden physical attack, the streamers and masks on the interface momentarily glitching.
Then, a new record tremblingly popped up:
"Elbow strike on the Path of 'Elation' +4 ??? Haa is so embarrassed... but... maybe a little fun, too?"
Elbowing the panel counted too?!
Phaethon stared at the record worth 4 Elation Points and felt his cognitive baseline being ground into the dirt by Aha once again.
He opened his mouth, but ultimately no sound came out... He really had nothing left to say.
Phaethon's gaze swept to his Elation Point balance, which had just broken through the 100,000 mark. He wanted to see what good stuff Aha had gone to all this trouble to carefully prepare for him.
However, when his eyes fell on the so-called store shelves, his entire being froze.
The shelves, which should have been filled with all kinds of goods, were completely empty. Only one item hung alone in the very center, like the store's prized possession, or rather, like the only unsold item.
Item: The entire Path of Elation.
Description: Whether it's Aha or Haa, they'll both jump out and tell you, patting their chests, this is real! Genuine! Buy it and you've scored! Become an Aeon in one step!
Elation Points required for exchange: 101,942 / 999,999,998 New user discount -1, say thank you Haa!
...
"Hahaha!!!"
Aha's burst of laughter, unable to be suppressed any longer, exploded in his mind like a tsunami, filled with the ultimate delight of a successful prank!
"So? So? The exclusive item I, Aha ah, no, your dear Haa prepared for you, isn't it full of surprises?"
"Heh..." Phaethon squeezed out a vague, unintelligible laugh from deep in his throat. He felt he was about to be laughed into anger.
Surprises? Indeed, it was a surprise. A whole Path. Surprised him so much he almost stopped breathing!
But... isn't this completely useless?
Elbowing, pfft, injuring Nanook and the Path of Destruction once, a universal feat, only gives sixty thousand points! And now you're telling me buying this thing requires one billion points?!
Am I not the joke here?
Phaethon complained internally:
If I had the ability to survive elbowing Nanook and the Path of Destruction over sixteen thousand times, I'd have become the universe's overlord long ago! Why would I need your Path of Elation?!
Besides... which mentally stable person would even want a Path centered on finding fun and watching jokes, completely disregarding others' lives and logic...
Then, Phaethon suddenly raised his arm again and fiercely elbow-struck that annoying panel!
No one wants it? Then I want it! What I want is a whole Path...
"Elbow strike on the Path of 'Elation' +4 ??? Haa is so embarrassed..."
"Heh..." Phaethon quickly raised his right hand, ready to continue his point earning endeavor.
...
However, Aha's fun was limited, or rather, He would quickly lose interest in monotonous, repetitive tricks.
After a few repeated elbow strikes, the notification sounds from the store became weak, and the numbers began to plummet drastically:
"Monotonous and uninspired elbow strike on the Path of 'Elation' +1 Haa is getting a bit bored..."
"Unoriginal repetitive elbow strike on the Path of 'Elation' +0.1 Haa is almost falling asleep..."
"Monotonous, dull, sleep-inducing elbow strike on the Path of 'Elation' +0.0001 Haa is so embarassaed, Haa has no fun... ZZZZZ..."