Chapter 284: Familiar Packaging
As Ian demonstrated, everyone gained an understanding of his abilities and naturally grasped his meaning. This ten billion Beri was likely what Captain Ian had requested from the World Government, intended to strengthen and enhance his own power.
In truth, as the captain, Ian held the ultimate authority throughout the entire pirate crew. Even if he said nothing and unilaterally controlled all ten billion Beri, the crew members couldn't object. However, Ian was willing to explain it to them, which moved everyone deeply. They understood that this was Ian's way of showing respect and valuing them.
"Captain, what exactly is the name of this Devil Fruit?" Zeke asked curiously. "Since you know its abilities, you should be able to give it a specific name, right?"
Ian hadn't thought it through clearly before and had casually mentioned a name like Exchange Fruit. But now that everyone brought it up again, he felt it was time to give it a formal designation. Perhaps one day, this nonexistent virtual fruit he named might even end up in the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia. He wondered what that scene would be like.
After thinking it over, Ian said, "If I had to use an accurate term to describe it, this Devil Fruit should probably be called the Pay-to-Win Fruit, right?"
This term was a unique concept Ian had brought with him. After all, this world had no such thing as computer games. But since Ian named it that way, everyone nodded with vague understanding. They could roughly grasp the meaning of the word "pay-to-win."
And so, from that day forward, the Pay-to-Win Fruit gradually spread through word of mouth. Perhaps many years later, after Ian had passed away, countless people in this world would chase after this nonexistent Devil Fruit of his...
Ian didn't think about that now. He didn't immediately recharge the ten billion Beri in front of everyone. Instead, he had the crew work together to move the money into the warehouse.
That night, Ian went alone to the warehouse, opened the cabinet filled with money, and looked at the neatly stacked bundles of cash filling an entire cubic space. He placed his hand on it and silently chanted, "Recharge!"
The next second, the cubic meter of cash vanished instantly, and the system's prompt echoed in Ian's mind: "You have recharged 10 billion Beri, obtaining 50 million diamonds. Bonus 10% on recharge. You have received a total of 55 million diamonds."
"You have made a one-time recharge of 10 billion Beri and become a Supreme VIP! The card shop has been upgraded to the highest level. You have activated the Ace Tower system. You have activated the Encyclopedia system. You have activated the Weapon Registry system!"
A series of prompts rang out, leaving Ian a bit stunned.
He had heard the system mention Supreme VIP before, but back then, he only vaguely knew that becoming Supreme VIP would allow the card shop to refresh with five-star red cards. He hadn't expected it to unlock other functions.
Checking it out, he found that the refresh cost for the card shop had indeed increased, now costing 2,000 diamonds per refresh.
Ian had long lost the energy to complain about this. He had anticipated it, so he wasn't surprised at all. This system, even when offering better things, always found ways to drain his diamonds.
Getting 55 million diamonds in one go seemed like a lot, but Ian knew this damned system would always find a way to make him spend it all.
At 2,000 diamonds per refresh, even if five-star red card fragments appeared, he would still need to spend diamonds to buy them. And knowing the system's nature, the appearance rate of five-star red cards was probably quite low. Ian would have to prepare for a long-term grind. If he wanted an original five-star red card, he would need to keep refreshing over and over, buying whenever he saw one. It would likely take a long time to piece together a complete card.
Understanding this, Ian temporarily set aside the card shop and turned his attention to the other unlocked system functions.
Since the system had mutated earlier, the so-called main quest—the stage-clearing function—had disappeared, preventing Ian from leveling up through that method. Before becoming Supreme VIP, Ian thought the system was reduced to just card drawing and collecting. But now, thanks to the VIP level increase, it had been reactivated.
Checking the Ace Tower system, Ian found it was a challenge-type function. Upon entering, Ian had to use his existing cards to form a team to face opponents.
How to describe it? This function was truly a game mechanic. In the Ace Tower, there were a total of 100 floors. The system would randomly draw six cards from the card pool to form a team and battle Ian's cards. If Ian's cards could defeat the system's team, he would win and advance to the next floor.
The system's card teams naturally progressed from weak to strong. After clearing each floor, Ian would receive a small treasure chest, which could randomly yield a reward item—possibly fragments of a card, fragments of a unique treasure, card experience books, or evolution stones. These items could also be obtained through ten-draws. However, every ten floors, the Ace Tower would grant a large treasure chest with different rewards.
Ian tried it out. His current card slots could only hold four cards. He equipped his best four cards: Flying Shadow, Iori, Misaka Mikoto, and Yasuo, to battle the system's card teams.
Although he only had four cards, the system's initial teams were all one-star cards, making the battles easy.
Ian's main character card didn't participate in the battles directly. However, his basic skills determined which skills the cards could use in combat. For example, Iori's card couldn't use the ultimate skill, Blossom of Carnage.
When the four cards were deployed, they manifested as character illusions—the card characters Ian was most familiar with. But in the system interface, they appeared as cartoon-like figures, which piqued Ian's interest. He felt he had finally found some entertainment.
The system's card teams also manifested similarly. Since the floors were low, these cards were all one-star. Although Ian's cards were fewer in number, they were all powerful, high-growth four-star cards. Card power represented damage, speed determined turn order, life represented survivability, and spirit represented skill usage limits—all the same as in the original game. Somehow, Ian managed to clear ten floors with just four cards!
After opening small treasure chests along the way, the large treasure chest on the tenth floor suddenly gave Ian something completely unexpected!
Stamina Potion!
Anyone who had played mobile games knew what stamina potions represented. In stage-clearing, stamina potions meant extra action points. Winning stages also granted corresponding main character experience. Ian had never seen this item before and thought it had disappeared. But now, the Ace Tower's large treasure chest had given it to him!
What the hell did this mean? Was it the legendary "recharge a hundred billion, and the game only just begins"!?
Ian wanted to complain again. He asked the system, "What's the use of this stamina potion?"
The system replied, "It is used by the host to replenish stamina in the real world."
Hearing this, Ian was stunned. Then he asked in surprise, "You mean this stamina potion can be manifested in the real world, just like exclusive treasures!?"
"Yes. Stamina potions can only be randomly obtained in the Ace Tower. Each bottle restores 5% of the host's stamina," the system said.
Ian couldn't sit still anymore. He quickly withdrew his consciousness from his mind, opened his eyes, and looked around. Confirming he was still in the warehouse, he silently chanted, "Stamina Potion!"
The next second, a glass liquor bottle appeared in Ian's hand!
The bottle's appearance was incredibly familiar to Ian. He looked closely and saw five characters written on it.
"Red Star Erguotou!"