That morning, Raka woke up with a slightly different feeling. Not anxiety, but a premonition. Like something was going to happen today.
The system screen opened.
```
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DAILY MISSIONS – DAY 6
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Mission 1: Smell Training Level 4
- Identify aromas from a distance of 25 meters, with 7 distracting scents, within 10 minutes
Reward: 100 Points, Accuracy +5%
Mission 2: Third Day of Work
- Complete the shift at the grocery store
Reward: 50 Points + daily wage
Mission 3: Investigate the Toy Store
- Return to the old toy store, find out about the mysterious wooden box
Reward: 150 Points + Information about the artifact
Mission 4 (Optional): Healthy Routine
- Sleep 7 hours, eat 3x, drink 2 liters of water
Reward: 50 Points + Physical Status +2
```
Raka blinked. Mission 3: Investigate the Toy Store. The reward is big—150 points. The system seems serious about that store.
But something bothered him. That toy store felt... strange. The owner, the old man with thick glasses, seemed to know more than he let on. And the small wooden box with the ozone smell—Raka was sure it wasn't an ordinary toy.
But today I work in the morning. The store opens at 8. Mission 3 will have to be after work or tomorrow?
He decided to focus on Missions 1 and 2 first. Later in the afternoon, if Kirana was willing, they could return to that store together.
---
Level 4 Training
This training was more difficult. Raka had to go to the morning market—a place with the most mixed smells. Raw fish, wilted vegetables, gasoline from motorcycles, cheap perfume, cigarette smoke, sweat, and many more.
The system gave three target aromas: clove, shrimp paste, and jasmine.
Raka stood at the corner of the market, closed his eyes, and focused.
Clove. The aroma was warm, slightly spicy. In this market, there were many spices. But clove was distinctive enough. He detected it from the east—a woman buying at a spice kiosk.
Shrimp paste. A pungent smell, sometimes unpleasant. But precisely because it was strong, it was easy to recognize. From the northwest, near the fish kiosk. There was a vendor selling shrimp paste in a glass jar.
Jasmine. This was the hardest. The scent of flowers in a market? Almost impossible. But Raka didn't give up. He inhaled deeply, sifting through every molecule of smell. Amidst the smell of trash and dish soap, there was something very faint. Sweet, soft. Jasmine.
He opened his eyes. The jasmine came from a little girl passing by, perhaps just returning from a flower garden.
"Level 4 Training complete. +100 Points. Accuracy +5% (total 85%)."
Raka felt relieved. His accuracy kept rising. But he realized the maximum might be 100%. Still a long way to go.
---
Third Shift at the Store
At the grocery store, that day was quite busy. Many women were shopping to prepare for a neighborhood social gathering. Raka served patiently, carrying sacks of rice, weighing sugar, and delivering orders to nearby houses.
Bu Ratna looked pleased.
"Raka, you'll start again tomorrow, okay? I'm happy with your work. Diligent, honest, and not fussy."
"Yes, ma'am. Thank you."
Before leaving, Bu Ratna gave him another Rp40,000. Raka accepted and saved it.
"Mission 2: Third Day of Work [COMPLETE]. +50 Points."
Digital Wallet check:
```
Cash : Rp110,000 (70k + 40k)
System Points : 870 (720 + 100 training + 50 work)
Total Value : Rp197,000*
```
Increasing steadily.
---
Afternoon at the Toy Store Again
Raka arrived at the park around 3:00 PM. Kirana was already waiting with two cups of iced sweet tea.
"Here, I keep my promise," she said, handing him a cup.
"Thanks." Raka accepted. They drank for a while in comfortable silence.
"Ra, where are we going today? To the toy store again?" asked Kirana.
Raka nodded. "Do you want to?"
"Absolutely! I'm curious about that wooden box you stared at for so long yesterday."
Raka was slightly surprised. Kirana noticed.
"You saw me looking at that box?"
"Yeah, but I thought it was just an ordinary toy. But your eyes were different when you looked at it. Like... really serious."
Raka didn't answer. He just stood up. "Let's go."
They walked to the old toy store. The doorbell rang cling. Inside, it was dark and dusty, just like yesterday. But this time, the old man with thick glasses came out from behind the curtain immediately.
"Again, young one." His eyes shifted to Kirana. "And you brought a friend."
Raka didn't beat around the bush. "Sir, I want to see the small wooden box on the corner of that shelf."
The old man smiled faintly. "That box? It's not for sale."
"But I need to know about it."
A moment of silence. Kirana was confused, but stayed quiet.
The old man sighed. "You can see things that others don't, can you, young one? Smells, perhaps?"
Raka didn't react. But Kirana frowned.
"Sir, what do you mean?" asked Kirana.
The old man didn't answer Kirana. His eyes remained on Raka. "I've been waiting for someone like you. For a long time. That box is not a toy. It is... a relic. Someone used to own it. But he disappeared."
"The System detects an important conversation. Mission 3: Investigate the Toy Store – progress 50%."
"Whose relic, sir?" asked Raka.
The old man walked to the shelf, took the wooden box, and placed it on the table. "The previous owner of this store. He made this box. But one night, he left. Didn't say goodbye. Left all these toys behind."
Kirana started to feel uncomfortable. "Sir, this story is really creepy..."
The old man chuckled softly. "Don't be afraid, young one. This isn't a ghost story. But a story about... a system."
Raka held his breath.
The system. He knows about the system.
"You know about the system, sir?" Raka asked carefully.
The old man nodded. "I know. Because the previous owner of this store also had a system. But he... failed. This box is his last relic. And now you've found it. Perhaps you are destined to continue."
Raka stared at the wooden box. The ozone smell grew stronger.
"May I open it?"
"Up to you. But be careful. Whatever is inside, things will not return to how they were."
Raka reached out his hand. Kirana gripped her teddy bear tightly, tense.
Raka opened the box.
Inside, there was a small badge—like a metal pin with a sun engraving. And beside it, a piece of worn paper with writing:
"To the one who finds this: The system does not come for free. There is a price to pay. I paid by trusting too much. Do not repeat my mistake."
Raka read silently. There is a price to pay?
He took the badge. The moment his finger touched the metal, the system immediately gave a notification:
"Artifact 'Sun Badge' detected. Effect: Instantly unlocks one additional talent. Warning: Using this artifact will bind the User to heavier missions."
Raka didn't use it immediately. He put the badge in his pocket.
"Sir, what was the name of the previous store owner?"
The old man shook his head. "Not important. What's important is that you don't follow his path. He was too ambitious. The system gave him a lot of power, but he forgot... himself."
Kirana didn't understand any of it, but she felt the tension. "Ra, this is all strange. But I trust you."
Raka turned to Kirana. There was a small warmth in his chest.
"Thanks, Kirana."
"Mission 3: Investigate the Toy Store [COMPLETE]. +150 Points. Information about the artifact + new clue."
"Additional information: The former system owner was named 'Arga'. Status: Unknown (maybe still alive, maybe not). Be careful."
---
A Night Full of Questions
Raka returned home as dusk turned to dark. Kirana said goodbye with mixed feelings, but still smiled.
In his room, Raka sat in thought. The sun badge was still in his pocket. He hadn't used it yet.
The system had warned: binding the User to heavier missions.
This artifact could unlock an additional talent. But what was the risk?
Raka decided not to rush. He put the badge in a small drawer.
Then he opened his status:
```
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USER STATUS – END OF DAY 6
═══════════════════════════════════════
System Points : 1020 (870 + 150)
Cash : Rp110,000
Unlocked talents : 1/3 (Super Sense of Smell – Accuracy 85%)
Artifact : Sun Badge (unused)
Features : Mini-Map, Digital Wallet
Physical Status : 43/100
Relationship with Kirana : +10 (increased because she trusts Raka)
Reputation : +5
```
Points had surpassed 1000. The highest since the beginning.
But Raka didn't feel happy. There was a new weight on his shoulders.
The system does not come for free. There is a price.
He closed his eyes.
Tomorrow, I need to find out who Arga is.