We spend the next few hours working on our respective projects, falling into that comfortable silence where we're both focused but aware of each other's presence.
At one point, she shows me this anime opening on her phone, and we end up going down a rabbit hole of discussing the best anime soundtracks. Turns out Luna has very strong opinions about orchestral arrangements in emotional scenes.
"The strings... they need to come in... right when the character... realizes the truth..." she explains passionately. "The timing has to be... perfect..."
"You really care about this stuff, huh?"
She nods vigorously, her purple hair bouncing. "Music makes everything... better... Even sad things... become beautiful..."
Time passes way too quickly, and before I know it, it's time to walk her home. The evening air is cool, and the city lights are starting to flicker on, giving everything this soft, almost magical quality.
We reach her building, and Luna stops, fidgeting with the sleeves of her hoodie.
"Um... Adam...?" Her voice is even softer than usual, hopeful. "Do you... want to... come up...?"
She pauses for a moment.
"We could... play games... Like last time... Maybe... another LAN party...?"
Every fiber of my being wants to say yes. Spending more time with Luna, playing games in her ridiculously nice apartment, probably getting absolutely destroyed in Fario Racers despite my best efforts, it sounds perfect.
But I can't. Not tonight. Not until this is handled.
"I can't today," I say, and I watch that hope in her eyes start to dim. "I've got some stuff I need to take care of tonight."
"Oh..." She looks down at her feet. "That's... okay... I understand..."
Seeing her like this breaks my heart. I want to cave immediately, say I was just joking and spend the rest of the evening with her. But no. What's important right now is keeping her safe. And I'll need to spend my time efficiently to accomplish that.
"But hey!" I inject as much enthusiasm into my voice as physically possible. "Next time for sure, okay? Because I do need that rematch at Fario Racers. My honor demands vengeance!"
I'm being dramatic on purpose, making it silly, and it works. She looks up, and there's a tiny smile back on her face.
"You'll have to... practice a lot..." There's a teasing note in her voice that I've come to recognize as Luna's version of trash talk.
"Oh, it's on." I grin at her. "I'm going to practice so hard. I'm going to become a Fario Racers master. You won't know what hit you."
She giggles.
Before I can overthink it, I step forward and pull her into a hug. She goes tense for just a second, but then she relaxes and hugs me back. Her arms wrap around me carefully, and she gives me the gentlest squeeze.
We stay like that for a moment, she's soft and warm, and she gives off that subtle cotton candy scent that I'm pretty sure is going to be permanently associated with comfort in my brain.
"Thanks for today, Luna. Hanging out with you is always the best part of my day."
"Mm... me too..." she murmurs into my shoulder.
We pull apart, and she heads toward the entrance, giving me one last little wave before disappearing into the building. I wave back, and give a nod at the doorman. I swear he's taller than the last time I saw him. Is this guy still growing? I swear that by summer he's going to be able to see over buildings.
Then I start running home.
Along the way, I pull up my quest menu.
Available Quests:
Daily Routine - Keep up your daily routine! - [??? Evolution Point(s)]
Join a Club! - If the club looked interesting, try to participate! - [2 Evolution Points]
Find a Part-Time Job! - Must be service-related! (One month minimum) - [10 Evolution Points]
From Average to Excellent - Get every physical stat up to 20! - [200 Evolution Points]
Making Money (4,391/10,000) - Money doesn't buy you happiness... But it sure can buy nice things! - [10 Evolution Points]
Bully Begone! - Time to do something mean to a mean person! - [???]
Prosperity - Wealth is powerful, when you know how to use it - [10,000 Evolution Points]
Sovereign's Path - Oftentimes, it's not what you know, it's who you know - [10,000 Evolution Points]
Ascension - Your potential is boundless, and hard work will never betray you - [10,000 Evolution Points]
Path to Power - Bend the world to your will - [10,000 Evolution Points]
My eyes go wide. What in the world are these new quests?
I pause at a crosswalk, waiting for the light to change, and once it does, I'm running again. I've gotten a taste of what it feels like to be powerless, and I'm desperate for any kind of progress, no matter how small.
I pull up the quest details while running.
Prosperity
Description: Money isn't everything, but it's a tool that, when used effectively, solves a lot of problems. Whether you want to help your family, protect the people you care about, or make a real difference in the world, it all takes resources. This isn't about hoarding money, it's about building the kind of wealth that gives you options.
Quest Details:
Accumulate a net worth of $1,000,000,000
Quest Progress:
Current Net Worth [$6,853/1,000,000,000]
Quest Rewards:
10,000 Evolution Points
Perk: Golden Instinct (Accurately discern the monetary value of anything. Whether it's art, real estate, or business opportunities)
What the hell.
Sovereign's Path
Description: Here's something they don't teach you in civics class: the world isn't run by the people who appear on TV giving speeches. It's run by the people who know those politicians' private numbers. The ones who get the calls before the press conferences. The system is unfair, that's an obvious fact. But you can either complain about how the game is rigged, or you can learn to play it. Your choice. If you actually want to change anything meaningful in this world, you need a seat at the table where real decisions get made.
Quest Details:
Earn the genuine trust of 5 prominent politicians
Gain the respect and acknowledgement of 3 high-ranking military personnel
Develop authentic friendships with 10 genuinely wealthy individuals
Receive and accept an invitation to a high-society gathering
Obtain 10 pieces of confidential, highly impactful information before it reaches public knowledge
Meaningfully influence the outcome of 3 major world-altering events
Quest Progress:
Prominent Politicians' Trust: 0/5
Military Personnel Acknowledgement: 0/3
Wealthy Individual Friendships: 0/10
High-Society Event Invitations: 0/1
Confidential Intelligence Acquired: 0/10
World-Altering Situations Influenced: 0/3
Quest Rewards:
10,000 Evolution Points
Perk: Truth Discernment (Grants the ability to detect truth and deception in others' words. Some skills or abilities may reduce this perk's effectiveness)
Holy crap.
Ascension
Description: You're not just a regular person anymore, Adam. You haven't been since you've received this system. Right now, you're still limited by human expectations, human thinking, human limitations. But why? The human limit is just the starting line. Ready to find out what comes after?
Quest Details:
Raise every single stat to a minimum of 50 points
Quest Progress:
Appearance [13/50]
Charm [13/50]
Strength [12/50]
Dexterity [12/50]
Endurance [13/50]
Willpower [26/50]
Intelligence [27/50]
Quest Rewards:
10,000 Evolution Points
Perk: Accelerated Stat Gains (+100% stat progression efficiency)
Body Enhancement: Mortal Transcendence (Raises the maximum cap of ALL attributes from 50 to 100, and immediately grants +10 to every single stat. Your body will be fundamentally restructured to make optimal use of your enhanced capabilities)
What the fuck.
Path to Power
Description: Three paths lie before you, and each one represents a different kind of strength. Prosperity gives you the resources to shape the world. Sovereign's Path gives you the connections and influence to direct it. Ascension gives you personal power that transcends normal human limits. Separately, each path makes you formidable. But together? Together they make you unstoppable. Someone who has the wealth, the influence, AND the personal capability to face any challenge. This isn't just about becoming strong, Adam, it's about becoming the kind of person who can protect everyone you love and actually change things for the better. No more being helpless. No more watching from the sidelines. Complete all three paths, and you'll have earned something truly extraordinary.
Quest Details:
Complete the Prosperity quest
Complete the Sovereign's Path quest
Complete the Ascension quest
Quest Progress:
Prosperity [0/1]
Sovereign's Path [0/1]
Ascension [0/1]
Quest Rewards:
10,000 Evolution Points
??? - Additional rewards determined upon quest completion
...
What in the actual hell?
These quests are insane! Look at these rewards! Golden Instinct? Truth Discernment? Mortal Transcendence? These upgrades are literal superpowers! I can feel myself growing excited, just imagine what I could—
I take a deep breath, steadying myself.
The quest rewards? Yes, they're life-changing. But also, I'm not going to be completing any of these anytime soon. A billion dollars? Befriending politicians and military officials? Getting all my stats to 50? These are things for future Adam to worry about. Way-in-the-future Adam.
I've just obtained some long-term goals.
But for now, I need to focus on Present Adam's problems. Like focusing on finishing this run without tripping over my own feet.
I make it home, take the world's fastest shower, and join my family for dinner. Bianca made chicken stir-fry! It tastes divine, as usual. As we eat, Selene is talking about some drama in her friend group, something about someone's boyfriend liking someone else's Instagram post and the resulting thermonuclear fallout, and Bianca keeps making sarcastic comments that make me snort-laugh into my rice.
The conversation flows naturally, comfortable and warm, but there's something nagging at me at the back of my mind. To be honest, I'm a bit worried about them. I mean, they're in the same friend group as Jack. What if he sets his eyes on them?
The thought makes my stomach turn, and suddenly the stir-fry doesn't taste quite as good.
I wait for a lull in the conversation, then clear my throat. "So, uh... random question." I try to sound casual. "What do you guys think of Jack Richardson?"
Selene's face scrunches up immediately. "Ugh, that guy? I really don't like him."
"He's scum." Bianca says flatly.
They're both looking at me now with matching expressions of curiosity, and I can see the gears turning behind their eyes.
"Okay, but why are you suddenly asking about him?" Selene tilts her head, her pink hair cascading over her shoulder. "Did something happen?"
I'm not sure how much I should tell them. I don't want them too worried after all. But I also don't want to lie, so I give as much information as I'm willing. "Nothing specific. I just... he's a fucking asshole, and he feels really dangerous, you know?" I pause, choosing my next words carefully. "And I guess I'm worried about you two. Since he's part of your friend group and all."
Their expressions shift from curiosity to something warmer, softer, and I immediately feel self-conscious about being so protective.
"Aww, look at you being all protective!" Selene lights up, her pink eyes sparkling. She practically launches herself at me to hug my arm. She's soft. Very soft. Focus, Adam. "That's so sweet!"
Bianca reaches across the table and deliberately musses up my hair, destroying whatever styling I'd managed after my shower. "Relax, dork. We're not idiots."
"I know, but—"
"Actually," Bianca interrupts, leaning back in her chair with this amused look on her face, "he invited us to his house once."
I feel something complicated twist in my chest, this weird mix of worry and jealousy. "Wait, what? When did this happen?"
"Like, a year ago?" Selene jumps in. "He was all, 'Hey, you guys should come over sometime, we could hang out,' with this super creepy smile—"
"We told him to fuck off." Bianca says simply.
"Well, Bianca told him that. I just said no thanks!" Selene laughs. "But then Elize gave him this look, like, she didn't even say anything, just stared at him, and he got all weird and backed off. He hasn't mentioned it since."
Hm. So Elize is protecting them, at least. But if she knows he's pulling this kind of shit, why doesn't she stop him completely? There's probably some complicated rich people dynamics happening in the background. Politics and power plays in social circles where everyone's family has money and influence. I shake my head slightly. Well, knowing that they're safe, or at least that they shut him down, makes me feel better.
"Good. That's... good." I say, meaning it. "Just keep yourselves safe, okay? Like, be careful around him."
"Obviously." Bianca rolls her eyes, but there's no real annoyance in it. "We can handle ourselves."
"Yeah! I've been doing cheer workouts! Look at these self-defense skills!" Selene pipes up, playfully punching my shoulder with all the devastating force of a particularly aggressive butterfly.
I can't help but smile at that. "Please don't try to fight him."
"No promises!" She beams.
I feel slightly better now. They're not naive, and they have each other, and apparently Elize is watching out for them too. That helps.
After dinner, I excuse myself and head back to my room. I lock the door, sit down at my desk, and pull up my system shop.
I need two specific things to make my plan against Jack work. But I'm running really low on Evolution Points right now, only 33 left after all my recent purchases, so I'm hoping I won't need to buy anything else for a while.
I navigate to the skills section of the shop, and I scroll through options until I find what I'm looking for.
Novice Sneak - Slightly increases effectiveness of stealth, enhancing your ability to move undetected when desired. [10 Evolution Points]
Novice Pickpocket - Slightly enhances your ability to steal items unnoticed. [10 Evolution Points]