Only I Am A Reader

'Where… is this?'

As Leo's eyelids constantly moved, he looked around as if trying to make sense of his current situation. He had a few guesses based on his reading experience, but that only made him feel more lost.

'Is this my own Epilogue?'

After using his final moment to troll Ray, Leo tried to think about 'exiting'. However, instead of the graphic wonders one would expect during world traveling, the sight before Leo's eyes simply flashed before he found himself in a completely white space. It was hard to judge due to the one-color tone, but this space seemed endless.

His body was still that of Arthur so he was sure he wasn't completely 'out' yet, but…

[ Trial 'True Reading' has concluded. Finalizing experience summary… ]

Just when Leo was about to try exploring around, the voice in his head spoke out. His guess appeared to be somewhat correct, perhaps it was finally time to answer some of his questions…

Leo immediately called out his 'Personal Book', he planned to observe this so-called 'summary' as it was being 'typed-in'.

[ Character Synchronization Assessment: 100% ]

[ Personal Skills will be completely inherited. ]

[ 10% of basic Personal Statistics will be transferred. ]

[ Reading Points deposit ratio set to 100% ]

[ Main Quest reward granting in process… ]

[ 'True Reading' has been completely unlocked! ]

[ The Third 'Reading' Attribute has been invoked! ]

[ Reading Attribute, 'Reality Reading', has been activated! ]

Leo's eyes shone at the words that they had just fallen upon, he wasn't even sure whether he would manage to get back or not. However, this summary held surprises that shook off his worries! This wasn't his Epilogue, rather, it was the reward stage!

[ Processing Acquired 'Reality'... ]

[ Processing complete. Please select your preferred 'Reality' from the following list within the limit of your deposit. ]

'I finally get to use my saved-up points!'

Leo's lips curled up into a smile, he expected to receive some sort of compensation after toiling around for so long, but there were no guarantees. Just a few days ago, he didn't even know what would happen after reaching the Epilogue. Seeing these words was enough for joy to rise within him even before he checked what he could 'buy'.

Thankfully, the Personal Book didn't prefer suspense. The current page wasn't full yet, but it was flipped nonetheless as an organized list quickly took form on the next page!

[ The Sword Master's Second Life - Acquired Reality List ]

________________________

Abilities:

-----------

- 'Universal Sword Breathing' - Grade 1 || True Sword Breath: 0 - 99

- 'Universal Sword Breathing' - Grade 2 || True Sword Breath: 100 - 222

- 'Universal Sword Breathing' - Grade 3 || True Sword Breath: 200 - 399

- 'Universal Sword Breathing' - Grade 4 || True Sword Breath: 300 - 609

- 'Universal Sword Breathing' - Grade 5 || True Sword Breath: 400 - 899

- 'Universal Sword Breathing' - Grade 6 || True Sword Breath: 500 - 1349

- 'Universal Sword Breathing' - Grade 7 || True Sword Breath: 600 - 1999

- 'Universal Sword Breathing' - Grade 8 || True Sword Breath: 700 - 2555

- 'Universal Sword Breathing' - Grade 9 || True Sword Breath: 800 - 3333

- 'Universal Sword Breathing' - Grade 9* || True Sword Breath: 900 - 4444

- 'Universal Sword Breathing' - Grade 9** || True Sword Breath: 1000 - 6666

________________________

Talents:

---------

- 'Sword Body' - 1111

________________________

Items:

--------

- 'Standard Steel Sword' - 6

- 'Crane's Steel Alloy Longsword' - 8

- '500 Sword-inscribed Gold Coins' - 100

- 'Simple Clothing Set' - 1

- 'Special Hair' - 11

- 'Crude Fabric Bag' - 1

- 'Handmade Mask' - 1

- 'Sword Beast Leather Armor' - 14

- 'Simple shoes' - 1

- 'Sword Breaker' - 100

- 'Progenitor Sword' - 100,000

________________________

'Isn't this practically everything?'

Staring at the long precise list in front of him, Leo couldn't help but exclaim deep inside, this list had basically met every single expectation of his, even his bet actually paid out!

Considering that this experience had been a very novel-like one, Leo naturally took into mind several possibilities that wouldn't usually make sense. He made sure to be in contact with everything he wanted to take with him, and even though he didn't directly receive them, the last part of the list did contain everything! Even the gigantic Progenitor Sword was there!

'Not that it's buyable…'

After containing the excitement that seemed unaffected by the 'calming' he experienced, Leo carefully scanned through the ridiculous prices. For some reason, this just felt like going to the candy store as a kid. There was so much to buy, but barely enough to cover a handful.

A few minutes were all it took for Leo to understand the logic behind the pricing system. In fact, the price seemed more like a 'fantasy' parameter, everything that was less than realistic had a marginally higher price!

Simple stuff that could belong to either worlds like clothes and so on were probably worth less than even 1 point, having been likely rounded up. On the other hand, something that acted as the core of the novel such as the Progenitor Sword had a price tag that seemed to be there just to insult Leo's 'account'.

'It was just a test anyway.'

Even if it was just uselessly added for now, just its presence was a great reference if his experience was to be repeated, something that was pretty much certain at this point.

"Hmmm… What should I get?"

The disregard of one product didn't make it easier for Leo to consider what to 'buy'. Although he had no guarantee whether it would actually work on Earth, the very first segment was already very tempting to him, especially when the chance to obtain the Progenitor Sword was out of sight.

At the same time, almost everything on the list was combat-related so none of them seemed specifically necessary. Realistically speaking, there was only one item that Leo could directly make use of in the 'peaceful' modern world! Gold coins!

The currency of a fantasy world obviously had no credit value on Earth, but Leo had priorly confirmed that they were made of actual gold. Even if they required some processing, they were practically a big pile of cash! This was also why he only sent half of the coins he amassed from cashing in his spoils just in case!

"You will be first then!"

However, there was already one purchase that Leo took for granted! There were no buttons to click, but Leo similarly guessed how to 'pick'.

[ Talent - 'Sword Body' has been acquired! ]

The page next to it directly announced Leo's choice simultaneously with the voice in his head. This was the one thing that Leo couldn't afford to miss out on regardless of the situation on Earth!

While becoming an actual 'mutant' was something frowned upon, Leo had thoroughly tested what it was like to be one for months. Real mutations were basically diseases, but this one was something coming straight out of a fantasy. It had no disadvantages as long as one accepted who they became.

'Is this another effect of the perfect sync?'

Most importantly, for a wildly unrealistic talent, 'Sword Body' was priced just as unrealistically. For an ability that turned one into a very practical weapon without affecting their physical functions to be this underpriced, Leo could only guess that there were other factors behind it.

'Next is…'

Leo's eyes fell back at the start of the list. No matter how safe Earth was, he couldn't resist the temptation of having Sword Breath with 'Sword Body' being in play. Moreover, he couldn't even trust his earlier view now that his existence proved the world to be unnatural. Though some novels preferred to make the main character the single oddity, this wasn't a novel… or was it?

After depleting over a third of his 'balance', making a choice wasn't so hard anymore. The obvious choice was to get a…

[ Detected a certain item's compatibility with the acquired talent! The Reality Acquisition list has been refreshed! ]

Just as Leo was finalizing his choice, a new line was added to the opposite page before being automatically flipped, revealing another list. Its contents were practically the same, aside from… a little change!

________________________

Items:

--------

- 'Standard Steel Sword' - 6

- …

- 'Sword Breaker' - 100

- 'Progenitor Sword' - 100,000

||_- 'Progenitor Sword Core Fragment' - 500

________________________

'Is this what I think it is?'

Leo's brain short-circuited for a moment, there was nothing that could guarantee the value or use of this new addition other than its price. However, after experiencing the effect that a 'normal fragment' had on humans, Leo couldn't deny the urge to buy it!

To begin with, 'Sword Body' was the only reason this item became available to him at all. This compatibility was enough to bet on it.

[ Item - 'Progenitor Sword Core Fragment' has been acquired! ]

"It's a necessary downgrade…"

With another big bite taken from his 'account', Leo no longer had any reason to consider what to get. The only thing left was to 'click'.

[ Ability - 'Universal Sword Breathing' - Grade 5 - has been acquired! ]

[ Item - '500 Sword-inscribed Gold Coins' has been acquired! ]

[ Item - 'Crane's Steel Alloy Longsword' has been acquired! ]

[ Item - 'Special Hair' has been acquired! ]

[ Item - 'Sword Beast Leather Armor' has been acquired! ]

[ Item - Sword Breaker' has been acquired! ]

'Might as well…'

With only 1 point left in his possession, Leo randomly picked a token.

[ Item - 'Handmade Mask' has been acquired! ]