Coding Error [OFF x Reader]

14. Buying Items

The three of you transported back to the Bathing Room zone after an unsuccessful search through your bedroom. So many notebooks on your desk but none of them was the specific one you're looking for.

You slump with each step you take, just feeling down in the weather.

Zacharie and Batter shared a glance before returning their attention to you.

"It's not your fault puppeteer, everyone grows forgetful sometimes." Zacharie tries to reassure you, patting your back from your left.

"Indeed, we can continue on without your more advanced coding techniques." Batter adds from your right. Only serving to bring a sadden groan from you. Because of it, Zacharie shot Batter a glare from behind your back.

Batter shrugs, unsure how to work in this kind of situation.

"And here I thought I could provide a bonus to the team, but nooo I left my notebook in my work studio before turning my department upside down. It could be anywhere in this world by now." you lament.

Zacharie opened the door to the Bath House for you, walking inside just to be greeted by the receptionist elsen again.

"Ah, welcome back. I see you came back for more of our attractions?"

Zacharie made a so, so hand gesture while Batter responds instead. "Somewhat. By any chance have you found a notebook around here or something?" Batter asks.

"A notebook?" the elsen raises a hand to his chin. "I'm afraid not, but we did receive new machinery from the Employment factory just a while ago, it dispenses many useful items. I suggest giving it a go, who knows? you might find something of worth." the elsen points at the vending machine at the corner of the room.

Now that's something new.

Zacharie was the first to approach this machine, immediately reacting with shock and surprise."This machine sells you items-!" Zach gasps, studying it with a judgmental eye. "And this machine, is it limited to this reception area or can you access it from different locations?" Zacharie asks the Elsen.

"It's a fairly recent device, it was just redistributed to many sections of the bathhouse and even other zones from what I heard of." the elsen nods.

Zacharie shakes his head as he continues to complain.

"So this is my replacement huh? A soulless machine without any charisma that you mindless spend on with its many counterparts," Zacharie rests his hands on his hips, a sigh of defeat leaving his mask. "It's both maliciously offensive and a genius strategy, well-done machine, well done." Zach claps sarcastically.

Batter lowers his hat as he attempts to hold back a chuckle.

The promise of new items intrigues you, drawing you towards the vending machine.

"What kind of stuff does it have?" you meekly ask from behind Zacharie.

Zacharie places his finger on the list, reading each item's name out loud in order. "Let's see, luck tickets, fortune tickets, silver flesh..."

You read a few articles yourself, surprised to recognize one of them. "Batter look, there's a jersey upgrade available for you," you call the athlete.

The Batter made his way to the vending machine, eager to upgrade his equipment.

Zacharie pulls some credits from his backpack, counting the currency in his hand before handing an equal amount to both you and the Batter.

Batter used his money to buy gear for himself, like a jersey shirt and a new baseball bat. How did a baseball fit inside the vending machine?

You'd rather not question the logic behind it.

Zacharie sold a few extra luck tickets to the vending machine, planing to use the bonus amount to buy silver flesh and fortune tickets until something caught his eye.

At first, you thought the vending machine sold the standard items from the previous game, but much to your surprise there were new additions. While Batter's defensive and offensive gear consists of jersey shirts and baseball bats, the new gear for Zacharie is masks and swords.
Zacharie hums in interest, depositing the credits in the machine before it dropped the new mask. "Hmm," he holds the item in his hands, testing its durability. The mask is white, but it has smudges of red and orange on it, looking oddly similar to kitsune masks. It feels out of place, but it also ties in with the semi-oriental feel the bathhouse is going for.

"It looks resistant, and the quality isn't half bad, I guess I can keep it around for a while." Zach ties the new mask over his toad one.

"It looks cool," you comment. "I just find it weird..."

"The design?" Zacharie inquires.

"No, no the design is fine because I made it. That's what I mean, it's oddly similar to an idea I originally wrote and sketched down in my personal notes."

"So you think someone stole your notes?"

"I don't know, maybe?" you lightly shake your head, counting your own amount of credits. "I'm sure other people came up with similar ideas," you shrug.

You huff. The list didn't include any items you could use, from consumables to protective and offensive gear. However, there was one thing that stood out from the rest.

"Notebook page 1?" you read the description in confusion.

Zacharie and Batter paused from testing their new weapons to look at your reaction.You type the numbers according to the desired object, dropping it lightly as you held it in your hand.

"This..." you check the item in disbelief. "This is a page from my notebook, it has my handwriting and everything!" you flip the single page, finding a piece of coding you could use.

Looks like this vending machine does have something valuable to you.