Joe rested in the driver's seat - considering the best way of expending his [3760] experiences - as the [Rat King]'s heart healed his body.

The man was going to explore the mall, thus he needed to strengthen himself as much as possible. Joe had hoped to earn some experience in the mall or find some useful things there. As the man knew, exploring the location thoroughly is a good strategy in many games.

Perhaps, the system has placed something useful in the mall? He thought and glanced at the huge building. Now I believe I need to level up only those skills that can be useful within the walls.

It was obvious that his driving and mechanic skills were out of the question. The man also couldn't figure out how his earth affinity could be used efficiently in the mall.

The floor and walls will become a serious obstacle for the earth. It means that I haven't any choices except of leveling up my [Bat fighter] stat, He concluded.

As a result, Joe spent [1000] experiences to level up this skill to the third level. He felt as a portion of knowledge flowed in his head, which had even pained for a short period of time. The man sighed with relief when this process had ended. The third level had added some complicated movements in his battle style.

Joe looked at his [Bat fighter] stat again. It turned out that the fourth level required [2000] experiences. Immediately Joe had bought this level and got a new portion of knowledge and pain. A little later the man realized that his battle style became more intricate. Additionally he had learned some strikes that could be performed in the air.

Joe felt strong. It was a fantastic feeling.

He looked at his stats.

I have [760] experiences. It's not enough to level up my other skills.

Joe looked at the mall's entrance and thought. Now I believe I'm ready to get in.

He hoped that the army wouldn't destroy all the dungeons in the future, and the system wouldn't disappear because of that. Or all my recent suffering and efforts will be meaningless.

Joe knew that it was likely an egotistical wish, but the system was his only chance to change his life for the better. At least, he thought so.

The man took the gray bat and left the bus. He liked the feeling of heaviness in his arms, because of that he felt confidence.

Meanwhile, the goblins continued to gather and eat the rats' tails.

“Hey, guys! Follow me!” Joe ordered and moved to the mall.

“Yes, Great Boss!” The minions answered in unison and hurried to their master.

Yes, it was risky to leave the bus and move in the potentially dangerous territory without his trump card, but this was the only way to get stronger. Besides, he began to like this new feeling of becoming stronger.

Joe walked in front of the small group of his minions as the new bat rested on his shoulder. Indeed, it was a pleasant feeling to be strong.

+++

The mall was in a mess. Some shop windows were shattered into pieces, and the glass lay on the floor. Joe could see no one inside.

The man began to explore the mall. Truth be told, he was eager to encounter some monsters to test his new weapon and learned skills.

Soon Joe had reached the grocery store.

The rats were here.

Many grocery shelves lay on their sides; a lot of food was eaten or destroyed. As well, the man had noticed some rat's shit on the floor.

The look of food caused a grumble in Joe's stomach. He felt as his mouth watered. The man was very hungry. Therefore, he couldn't resist the temptation and grabbed a huge bag of potato chips from the nearby grocery shelf.

The chips didn't help him to feel full. He ate a few more bags quickly, which just partially satisfied his hunger.

Why am I so hungry? The man thought, still eating some chips greedily.

Some time later Joe continued to explore the mall, but unfortunately he didn't find even a sole survivor or anything useful.

It seems the mall isn't an important location. I can't waste my time here anymore. I need to go.

Soon he left the mall with his goblins in tow.

When Joe was passing by the [Rat King]'s dead body, he remembered about his other reward.

Ah, the battering ram!

Joe decided to do it right away. In a few seconds Bertha got the new spiked battering ram of the gray color that looked menacing; even the appearance of the bus had changed. Bertha began to look dangerous, as if she was some kind of a bloodthirsty beast.

“Guys, hop on the bus!” He said to his minions and got in.

When upgraded Bertha was leaving, the goblins stared at the [Rat King]. They all looked stupefied. They couldn't just believe that their master was just leaving the delicious rat's tail of such size! It wasn't normal!

+++

Joe sat in the chair in his living room and sipped some cheap bitter beer.

When Joe had returned home, he thought that he would sleep for a long time – due to that dangerous and stressful encounter with the [Rat King] – but the man slept less than an hour to feel rested. He didn't feel tired anymore. That was strange.

Perhaps, I'm just adapting to this new world? Or the reason in my [Rat King]'s heart?

Joe opened his stats to read the description of the [Rat King]'s heart.

[[Rat King]'s regeneration heart (a regeneration organ)]

The man noticed that “(a regeneration organ)” can be open. Therefore, he did it and read the new text.

[Rat King]'s heart regenerates its owner's wounds.

[Rat King]'s heart diminishes its owner's fatigue.

That second paragraph must be the reason, I guess? Joe thought and made another sip of the beer.

Truth be told, the man didn't care about the reason.

This new life is much better than the previous one.

Yes, he could be dead already today and even yesterday, but finally – after many years of meaningless existence - he could say that he lived a full life. Joe felt alive.

In the past he was just a small man who lived in the endless circle of home = work = home. He always felt a lack of money, and all his hard work had never paid off; as if all his efforts were doomed to fail. Even his profession was a joke! Joe – a bus driver! Almost anyone could be a bus driver!

Joe squeezed the beer can and threw it away. He heard as it fell down somewhere behind him.

But the system has changed everything, Joe thought. From now on I can build my own fate as I like. Even if tomorrow I die, I will not regret this. I'm no longer that Joe from before!

The man stood up. He was agitated.

Calm down, Joe.

The man sighed and heard as his stomach grumbled. He was hungry again, but unfortunately his fridge was empty. Joe had eaten the rest of the food when he had just returned home.

What's wrong with me? Perhaps my hunger is related to my regeneration organ? My system has used a lot of its fat, and it needs to replenish that?

At least it sounded like a logical explanation.

Joe moved to the front door. He planned to visit the grocery shop that was close to his home.

+++

Joe was stupefied - when he had come in the grocery store - because all price tags had changed. No, the prices didn't go up; they just were written in [experiences]. For instance, bread cost [5] experiences, an egg – [1] experience, tomatoes – [25] experiences per kilo, and etc.

Recently Joe heard that many people had begun to buy and sell their goods in experience, but he just didn't expect to see that here.

The man looked around. He saw a few customers. They were players.

Joe came up to the sole working checkout. Miranda - an owner of the shop – sat there with her cat – Bubble - on her lap.

“Hi, Miranda! How are you?”

“Hi, Joe!” She greeted him cheerfully with a big smile. “I'm fine.”

“Does your shop accept only experience now?” Joe chuckled. “Don't you need old, good money anymore?”

“Why do I need those useless paper?” Miranda patted her cat lovingly. “I need to level up my cute Bubble, but I'm just a weak old lady to go outside to earn experience. All I can do is to just sit here - at the checkout – alone.”

Joe remembered that he read that some pet owners got a special class [Pet owner], which gave them an ability to level up their pets.

The man noticed that the cat's nails had changed visibly. They became larger and looked as if they were made of metal.

Has Bubble been leveled up?

At that moment the cat looked at Joe and meowed; the man noticed sharp teeth in the animal's mouth.

The answer was obvious. Bubble has been leveled up.

“Hi Bubble!” Joe replied.

He looked at innocently smiling Miranda.

A weak old lady you say? Yeah, sure!

“Does it mean that I can’t spend my cash here anymore?”

“Sorry, Joe. I doubt that even on this street you will find a shop which will accept your cash.”

“I see.”

At that moment Joe's stomach grumbled. He looked at the grocery shelves.

Ah, I think I haven't a choice.

The man left the shop and went home. He spent over [200] experiences.

It seems I need to allocate a part of my experience for my daily accommodations.

Joe realized that the money had lost any value; nowadays they cost nothing. As well, he noticed that there were more people on the streets who wore the system's clothes, and it didn't look weird anymore.

It's becoming normal.

Joe noticed more filth on the streets, and many drunk happy people who strolled around. It was an unusual view, because Evergreen City had always been a clean agglomeration with a high security.

It seems an order is lessening here as well, The man concluded.

Besides, recently Joe heard that some protesters had come to the city hall. They demanded open access to the dungeons. There had already occurred some clashes with the police.

+++

In the evening Joe decided to grind on the bus routes to earn some experience.

Unfortunately, the new spiked battering ram didn't help him to attract many passengers. The bus looked a little scary. Only a few people were brave enough to use his bus.

Thanks to the [Rat King]'s heart, Joe stayed fresh. It diminished his fatigue significantly, but a price was an increase of Joe's appetite.