Chapter 26: Becoming a Level 3 Citizen

In the shitty house of District F-73.

“Respected Cosmic Level 1 citizen, Jin Stratus, your Chapter 1 of the ’Martial Dao Evolutionary Path’ has been deemed to have Rank 3 potential, with a value of 1500 Merit Points.”

“Thank you for your contribution to the Cosmic Human Civilization. We look forward to your continued support.”

“1500 Merit Points are being added to your total Merit Balance…”

’1500?’ Jin thought, mildly surprised. That was more than he expected.

Throughout this entire process, other than the amount of Merit Points he’d receive, he hadn’t been worried about anything else.

As for matters concerning the leakage of the Martial Dao Evolutionary Path outside the Goddess’s channels, that was impossible.

And for the Goddess of Wisdom herself to leak that information was even more impossible.

All three of the Goddesses were impartial.

Even if your Citizen Level and worth far outweighed another’s, that higher-level citizen still couldn’t have the Goddesses favor them in hopes of stealing intellectual property.

One of the prime directives for the Goddesses upon their conception was to develop Cosmic Human Civilization in the most efficient manner possible. To achieve that, a certain degree of fairness was necessary, with no distinction between Citizen Levels and status when it came to things that could better human society for generations to come.

When Jin uploaded the 1st Chapter of the Martial Dao Evolutionary Path, it was done in absolute confidentiality.

“With 1500 Merit Points, I can upgrade my Citizen Level twice,” Jin mused, already navigating to that very section of the Goddess of Wisdom’s interface.

After upgrading once, and watching a deduction of 100 Merit Points occur, he scrutinized the incoming messages.

“With your advancement to Cosmic Citizen Level 2 status, you, Jin Stratus, have been granted access to several privileges.”

“Level 2 Monthly Stipend activating…”

“Unlocking access to higher-grade Cosmic Items in the Virtual Mall, Rank 2 and below…”

“Granting the ability to purchase property…”

“Giving access to the Virtual World Space…”

“Giving….”

It took a few seconds for the solemn voice of the Goddess of Wisdom to cease its long line of gifted privileges and benefits.

Level 2 Cosmic Citizen Status.

It was something Jin had been striving to acquire for as long as he could remember.

He was now in the top 1% among the people of Pacific Blue Star, practically ascending to the heavens in one leap.

However…

“Upgrade again.”

Jin wanted more.

“1000 Merit Points have been deducted,” said the Goddess of Wisdom, her voice still retaining a hint of emotion.

The Goddess’s Main Consciousness had yet to be disconnected, signifying the instant change in value Jin now held as an Evolutionary Path developer.

“Level 3 Monthly Stipend activating…”

“10,000 monthly Cosmic Alliance Coins → 200,000.”

From just the difference in indefinite allowance, one could tell how much more superior a Level 3 Cosmic Human Citizen was to a Level 2 Citizen.

As for the rest of the privileges…

“Unlocking access to higher-grade Cosmic Items in the Virtual Mall, Rank 3 and below…”

“Granting the ability to purchase Evolutionary Paths from the Virtual Mall…”

“Protection of information related to ’Jin Stratus’ has been improved considerably…”

“Giving…”

Jin raised a brow.

“A Cosmic Level 3 Citizen is treated far better,” he noted. “Higher protection, bigger purchasing catalogue, privilege to own as many properties as can be bought. Even Evolutionary Paths, which could normally only be vied for by high-society families and the like, are now open to me to peruse as I like.”

One must know that Evolvers were very rare.

Those who could become Evolvers were either part of high society or the lapdogs of those families and other such similar organizations.

One example of the latter were the Supervisors and Bosses of the Cloning Factory that Jin worked at. Although among the weakest of all Evolvers, they were Evolvers nonetheless, with their Paths and resources provided by their employers in exchange for servitude.

On paper, they were superior to Jin, who was a slum rat at best. However, in reality, they too were little more than slaves, bending and breaking to the will of high society.

“Evolutionary Paths can’t be spread by the buyers of copies, as that’s a violation set in place by the Three Goddesses. So for those wishing to stand a step higher than the majority of people, they sell their souls to the devil in exchange for a tiny bit of power.”

To obtain an Evolutionary Path without being a Cosmic Citizen Level 3 and above, you had to sign a contract with a citizen of sufficient status. After signing the contract, you’d likely never leave the indenture of your employer, forever running the wheel in a perpetual spin of insignificance.

Jin also could’ve gone down this route, but even on the verge of homelessness, he refused such a path, instead opting for Citizen Level 2 status. After all, a single Level 2 Citizen was worth far more than any superficial corporate slave dog could hope to match.

Even the average Rank 1 Level 12 Evolver had to be respectful to a Level 2 Cosmic Human Citizen.

“Speaking of Evolvers, it’s about time I purchase what I need to restore my cultivation.”

He didn’t require external resources, but they’d certainly speed up the process.

One could eventually create fire by rubbing a stick and flint together, but why do that when flamethrowers were present?

“However, even if I have the option to buy Cosmic Resources abundant in energy, I still need the funds.”

Tuning into the Virtual World, Jin opened his eyes to the large illusory projection of a bank.

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