When I got home, the gate creaked the same way it always did.
Familiar.
Grounding.
Before I could even close it properly, something small slammed into me.
"Kuya!"
I barely had time to react before Alicia wrapped herself around me like I'd been gone for weeks.
"Hey…" I muttered, steadying myself as I patted her head. "You're extra today."
"She missed you," Mama said from inside, already setting plates on the table.
Papa glanced up and nodded. "You're just in time. Sit."
Simple.
Normal.
Like I didn't just spend the day dealing with something that could've taken a life.
I washed up, sat down, and ate with them like nothing happened.
Alicia kept talking. Mama kept reminding her to chew on her cookie properly. Papa asked about school. I answered just enough to keep things smooth.
For a while… it felt normal.
After dinner, I didn't linger.
"I'll be in my room," I said, already heading upstairs.
"Don't stay up too late," Mama called.
No promises.
The moment I closed the door, the air shifted.
I sat on my bed and exhaled.
"System."
The blue screen appeared instantly.
Clean. Cold. Reliable.
I stared at the numbers first.
"…That's it?"
[CURRENT POINTS: 8324]
I clicked my tongue. "After everything…"
[HOST UTILIZED LARGE AMOUNT OF RESOURCES.]
"No kidding."
I leaned back slightly, eyes scanning the interface.
Then...
"There."
[UPGRADE AVAILABLE]
I stared at it for a second.
"…If I do this, I'm basically draining everything again."
[UPGRADE WILL INCREASE HOST SURVIVABILITY AND SYSTEM CAPABILITIES.]
"Yeah, yeah. You always say that."
I paused.
Then sighed.
"…Fine."
My finger hovered for a second...
Then tapped.
[PROCESSING UPGRADE…]
I watched the screen flicker.
For a moment, everything went quiet.
Then...
[UPGRADE SUCCESSFUL]
[DEDUCTED 7000 POINTS]
[SYSTEM LEVEL INCREASED]
[STAT POINTS ACQUIRED: 15]
I sat up immediately.
"There it is."
I opened my status.
[STR: 6]
[AGI: 6]
[VIT: 4]
[STA: 3]
[AVAILABLE POINTS: 15]
"Alright…"
I didn't hesitate this time.
"Five to STR."
[CONFIRMED]
"Four to AGI."
[CONFIRMED]
"Three VIT… three STA."
[CONFIRMED]
The moment I finalized it...
It hit.
Not pain. Not exactly. More like my body suddenly… adjusted.
My muscles tightened slightly, like they were waking up. My breathing felt lighter. My limbs didn't feel as heavy as before.
I flexed my hand.
"…Yeah."
That felt different.
Better.
"Still not enough," I muttered under my breath. "But better."
I closed the system and lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
Another step. Another upgrade. Another inch closer to something I still couldn't see clearly.
"…I'll get there."
Sleep came easier that night.
••••••••••••
Monday.
University.
Same boring afternoon.
I had my head down on the desk in the club room, half-asleep, not even bothering to pretend I was listening to anything.
Sarah was on her laptop like usual, checking the website.
Cynthia was sitting nearby, laughing softly as Alicia hovered around her, clearly enjoying the attention.
"Careful," Cynthia said, gently tapping Alicia's forehead. "You're going to fall."
"I won't!" Alicia puffed.
On the other side, Gino had his arms crossed while Millien stood on the table, both of them mid-argument.
"I'm telling you," Gino said, "that thing the other day wasn't just some random entity."
Millien scoffed. "Of course not. That was a kapre. Completely different from elementals."
"And what's the difference again?" Gino challenged.
Millien crossed his tiny arms. "Elementals are bound to natural forces. Entities like that one are… independent. More unpredictable."
"…So stronger?"
"Not necessarily. Just more dangerous."
"Same thing."
"It's not the same thing."
I ignored all of it.
Too tired.
Too comfortable.
Then...
"Guys."
Sarah's voice cut through everything.
Something in her tone made me lift my head slightly.
"…What?"
"We got an inquiry."
That woke me up faster than coffee ever could.
I sat up straight.
"Show me."
Cynthia nudged me lightly. "Wake up properly first."
"I'm awake."
Sarah turned the screen toward us.
"This one's different," she said.
I leaned closer, reading.
A woman.
From a squatter's area. Base on the location she gave.
Her message was short.
Straight to the point.
"How much is the consultation? And how much will everything cost after?"
I frowned slightly.
"…Straight to money."
"Maybe she's worried she can't afford it," Sarah said softly.
Cynthia looked at me. "What do we tell her?"
I leaned back, thinking.
"We don't give a price yet," I said after a second. "Tell her we need to assess the situation first. Final cost comes after the job's done."
Sarah nodded immediately and started typing.
A few seconds later....
"She replied."
"That fast?" Gino muttered.
Sarah read it out.
"She said she'll pay for consultation first. And she wants to visit tomorrow."
Cynthia tilted her head. "Tomorrow? But-"
"Our store's closed," Sarah finished.
I nodded. "Tell her we only accept physical consultations on Saturdays."
Sarah typed again.
The reply came slower this time.
When it did...
Her expression changed.
"…She's asking if we can make an exception."
Silence.
"…She sounds desperate," Sarah added quietly.
I didn't answer right away.
Because....
The system already did.
[TEAM TASK ACQUIRED]
I froze for a split second.
Then focused.
[HELP THE CLIENT SURVIVE THE NIGHT]
[SUB QUEST: ELIMINATE THE MANANANGGAL THAT'S BEEN CAUSING UNBORN DEATHS]
My jaw tightened.
"…Of course."
Gino noticed immediately. "What?"
I stood up.
"We're taking the case."
Sarah blinked. "Even if she can't pay?"
"We're taking it," I repeated.
Cynthia studied my expression for a second.
Then nodded.
"…Alright."
Sarah turned back to the screen and typed the response.
I exhaled slowly.
Manananggal.
Unborn deaths.
And tonight.
"…Great," I muttered under my breath.
Another one.
And this time...
It wasn't waiting. And I felt like I'll be the one fainting first before it would even begin.