The Diamond Extra

I returned from the shower in the middle of the night and collapsed onto my bed. Sleep wouldn't come easily—not after learning the truth. My body was drained, but my mind wouldn't stop racing.

I glanced at the system window, and it displayed a chilling message:

> Your memory of the previous timeline has been restored. Timeline divergence has occurred.

This world... it's not the one I thought I knew anymore.

How could I survive and support them? What should I do? Should I just secretly support the future heroes? Or should I become a villain and fight evil from the inside like that undercover hero movie I watched a few days ago?

I grew curious about my current stats and checked them on my status window.

▷ Stats: [Strength 1.735] [Stamina 1.842] [Speed 2.15] [Perception 2.505] [Vitality 1.64] [Magic Power 1.2]

All my stats, except for magic power, had surpassed the average human . My perception was already beyond an ordinary person. Still, I was far from ready. I needed money, and it wouldn't be long before Burdenwrights went public.

A thought flashed in my head. Indeed, going to the field was the most honest way of making money. I had put it off because of my lacking stats, but I could make up for that by using the system to strengthen my weapon. Like how a hero would later sever a mountain with a holy sword… It seemed like the quickest way to become stronger, but also required the most SP.

Currently, I only had the training gun provided by Diamond and 380 SP—most of it earned from destroying my potential friendship with Lila Dawn. The training gun would likely only equal a famous handgun like the Iron Maw if I invested all my SP into strengthening it. I should invest more efficiently into weapons with a better base performance.

"Hmm…"

I suddenly grew curious about the Iron Maw since it was the only firearm I could remember from my memory.

Without getting up from bed, I turned on my smartwatch and entered a weapons dealer website called Star Armory. It was operated by Starlight Guide. Star Armory was the top website for factory-manufactured weapons since anything above the artifact grade was only sold in auctions.

[Welcome to Star Armory.]

As expected, the most popular weapons dealer had a well-designed website. The homepage featured new items and the top bar included multiple categories such as sword, spear, bow, and rapier. They also provided a wide selection of guns for regular mercenary customers.

I would have gone to their site sooner, but I never had the chance.

I clicked on the [Category – Gun]. It displayed several types such as handguns, assault rifles, and sniper rifles. For now, a handgun suited me best since it didn't hinder my movements. The Iron Maw seemed popular.

Iron Maw — Feel the transcendental power! Built-in magic amplification that boosts the power of magic bullets! The Iron Maw is only recommended for the most proficient sharpshooters due to its massive recoil.

Weight: 3.6000 kg (1.3829 kg with weight reduction magic add-on) Length: 3.33 mm (Identification and contract required for purchase.)

Its picture looked beautiful. I wondered how it would feel to actually hold one. The barrel was an elegant platinum with a majestic "IM" inscribed on the grip. This weapon looked like a work of art and boasted a heavy weight with its bulky size. I could tell it was powerful from just a glance. There was only one problem.

"It's too expensive."

The normal price was 25 million shards, and the price doubled when I clicked on full attachments. I needed the weapon to make money, so buying it for that much almost seemed counterproductive.

"Sigh."

I tried to think of a solution, but I felt too tired and went to bed. I turned off the smartwatch and postponed it for another day.

---

It was early morning when I woke up. A bright light shone through the window. I always found it unpleasant since it signaled the start of another exhausting day.

"Whew."

I brushed off such negative thoughts and got up. After trudging to the bathroom and washing up, I put on my uniform and left. This routine only took eight minutes.

Once outside, I saw other cadets going to school. They busily laughed and chatted early in the morning. I realized why I felt so lethargic watching them enjoy their school life.

I didn't have any friends in this school. I didn't even have someone to talk to. What kept school from being boring was friends, but I don't have any.

Should I try to look for a girlfriend? Nah, I was too lazy. My situation could worsen if I spent too much emotion on needless human relationships. Yep, I should just be content with dying single.

I quickened my pace to the classroom.

---

"As you know, a guild's database contains various useful information, but you must reach a certain rank to access it."

I thought about my weapon as I half-heartedly listened to an old professor's lecture. The image of the majestic Iron Maw shimmered in my mind. How could I make enough money to buy it?

The first thing I thought of was selling information. I could find information about most monsters through the system, so I roughly knew their vital points and attributes. Since each guild had different data, if I sold them the information they didn't have… No, this wasn't the best idea. It took over five years for an information broker to build up their reputation. It didn't seem wise to disrupt the world's balance just to make money.

"Now, let's continue after a little break."

Break time came around before I noticed. I turned on my smartwatch to check some things, but I received a message.

[Excuse me.]

I was familiar with the sender—Rank 7 Mira Roodes. Cadets' smartwatches all connected to Diamond's database, so we could message each other without contact addresses. This was the first time I used this feature. Mira Roodes sat in the front row. After glancing at the back of her head, I replied.

[What?]

[What are you?]

What nonsense was this?

[What do you mean?]

She didn't reply for some time. I wondered where this was coming from. Then I remembered what I told her before. I peeked at the time. It was 1 P.M. I gave her the information yesterday, and she already confirmed it?

[Ah, if it's about that? I'm surprised you went ahead with it. I thought you wouldn't believe me.]

[What?]

[So? Wasn't my info correct?]

Honestly, I was also dying to know whether the tiger tyrant's weakness was real. I would have a tough time ahead if this unknown Creator kept changing things.

[Yes.]

"Whew."

Thankfully, it seemed that wasn't the case. I breathed a sigh of relief.

[How did you know?]

[You think I'd tell you?]

Mira Roodes turned around. She briefly replied.

[No.]

A smile emerged on my face. I recalled the Iron Maw. The elegant, dignified gun. I gave her the information for times like these. Coincidentally, Mira Roodes's guild owned Star Armory.

[Anyway, I'd like to ask for my benefits, if you profited from the information.]

Mira Roodes suddenly turned around. She knew exactly where I was even though she hadn't looked before. She still looked sharply at me, but her gaze held less weight now.

How should I put it? Right, she looked like a big bag of money ready for me to take.