Raka couldn't sleep soundly that night.
The Sun Badge was still stored in the small drawer near his bed. Not because he was afraid, but because his mind kept spinning. The words from that piece of paper still clung to him: "The system does not come for free. There is a price to pay."
He woke up while the sky was still dark. The clock showed 4:30 AM. Usually, he could sleep until six, but this time his body felt fresh even though his eyes were still heavy.
The system screen opened.
```
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MORNING NOTIFICATION – DAY 7
═══════════════════════════════════════
Warning: Artifact 'Sun Badge' is still unused.
The System advises the User not to delay too long.
Unused artifacts may attract unwanted attention.
```
Unwanted attention? What does that mean?
Raka sat on the edge of the bed. He opened the drawer and took out the badge. The metal felt cold in his palm. The ozone smell was still there, but this time stronger than yesterday.
"System, explain the risks of using this artifact."
"The 'Sun Badge' artifact will instantly unlock one additional talent without training. However, this artifact will also activate the 'Legacy Mission'—a series of tasks that are heavier than ordinary daily missions. Failing to complete the Legacy Mission will result in serious penalties, including the possible loss of already-owned talents."
Raka exhaled. So this is it. The system not only gives, but also takes.
He put the badge back in the drawer. Not yet. He needed to be more prepared.
---
Morning Routine
Despite his restlessness, Raka didn't abandon his routine. He opened the daily missions menu.
```
═══════════════════════════════════════
DAILY MISSIONS – DAY 7
═══════════════════════════════════════
Mission 1: Smell Training Level 5
- Identify aromas from a distance of 30 meters, with 10 distracting scents, within 8 minutes
Reward: 120 Points, Accuracy +5%
Mission 2: Fourth Day of Work
- Complete the shift at the grocery store
Reward: 50 Points + daily wage
Mission 3: Find Information about Arga
- Gather at least 3 clues about the former system owner
Reward: 200 Points + Unlock part of Arga's history
Mission 4 (Optional): Healthy Routine
- Sleep 7 hours, eat 3x, drink 2 liters of water
Reward: 50 Points + Physical Status +2
```
Mission 3: Find information about Arga. The system is serious about this.
But where could Raka find information? The only person who knew about Arga was the old man at the toy store. Raka decided he would go there again after work. But maybe not alone—Kirana might be able to help, or it might be too risky for her to get involved.
He decided to focus on Missions 1 and 2 first. Later in the afternoon, he would decide.
---
Level 5 Training
This training was the most difficult yet. Raka had to go to an area even busier than the market—a public transportation terminal. The smell of vehicle exhaust, passenger sweat, food from street vendors, bird droppings, cheap perfume, gasoline, diesel, and dozens of other smells all mixed together.
The system gave three targets: sandalwood, frankincense, and red ginger.
Raka stood at the corner of the terminal, closing his eyes. He needed total concentration.
Sandalwood. The aroma was sweet, warm, distinctive. In this smoke-filled terminal, it was almost impossible. But Raka focused. He sifted through the smells one by one. Amidst the cigarette and coffee smells, there was something faint. From the west—a street vendor selling incense sticks.
Frankincense. A sharp smell, resembling resin. Usually used for traditional or religious ceremonies. Raka detected it from the northeast—near the exit, an elderly man carrying a plastic bag full of small granules.
Red ginger. The aroma was spicy, warm, slightly sweet. The most difficult because many foods used ginger. But Raka remembered the difference between red ginger and regular ginger—sharper and with a slightly "bitter" note in the nose. He found it from a traditional herbal medicine seller passing by.
"Level 5 Training complete. +120 Points. Accuracy +5% (total 90%)."
90%. Almost perfect. But Raka knew, the higher the accuracy, the harder it was to increase.
---
Fourth Shift at the Store
At the grocery store, that day was relatively quiet. Bu Ratna wasn't there; she had gone to the market to buy stock. Raka minded the store alone.
He served a few customers: a man buying cigarettes, a child buying candy, and a woman buying ten eggs.
While tidying the shelves, the store door opened. A man entered. Around 40 years old, neatly dressed, carrying a shoulder bag. His eyes observed the surroundings carefully—not like an ordinary customer.
"Good afternoon. Can I help you?" Raka greeted.
The man didn't answer immediately. He walked slowly between the shelves, his fingers touching several packages. Then he stopped in front of Raka.
"Are you the one in charge?"
"This store belongs to Bu Ratna. I'm just helping."
"Bu Ratna... yes, I know her." The man smiled, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "Actually, I'm not here to shop. I'm looking for information."
"Information about what?"
The man stepped closer. Raka could smell a familiar scent—ozone. Just like the Sun Badge.
Does he also have an artifact? Or... is he a system user?
"Have you ever been to the old toy store near the park?" the man asked.
Raka kept his expression flat. "Yes. I was just looking at toys."
"Did you see the small wooden box?"
Raka didn't answer. He just stared at the man calmly.
The man chuckled softly. "You're good at keeping a straight face. But I know you've found it. The ozone smell on your body can't be hidden."
He could smell it? Or did he also have a super sense of smell?
"What is your business?" Raka asked coldly.
"My business is simple. I want that badge. I know you haven't used it yet. Better hand it over now, than regret it later."
Raka didn't move. "That badge is not yours."
"But it's not yours either. It belongs to Arga. And I'm the one tasked with retrieving his relics."
Arga. This man knew Arga.
"You know Arga?" Raka asked.
The man smiled widely. "More than know. I've been searching for him for the past year. And now, that badge appears with you. A fortunate coincidence."
"The System detects a threat. Character identification: 'Collector' – an agent tasked with securing scattered system artifacts. Status: Unfriendly. Advised not to hand over the artifact."
Raka read the notification in a flash. Unfriendly.
"I will not give this badge away," Raka said firmly.
The man sighed. "What a pity. I don't like using violence. But if you force me..."
He stepped forward. Raka stepped back, his hand reaching for a broom leaning against the wall. Not a weapon, but at least it created distance.
But the man suddenly stopped. His eyes looked behind Raka.
"Oh, Bu Ratna. Long time no see."
Raka turned. Bu Ratna stood at the store entrance, carrying two large bags of groceries. Her face changed when she saw the man.
"Sudiro? What are you doing here?"
The man—Sudiro—smiled. "Just visiting, ma'am. But it seems I'm not welcome."
Bu Ratna put down her groceries. "Don't you cause trouble in my store. That kid is just an employee. Your business is with me, not him."
Sudiro chuckled softly. "Relax, ma'am. I won't cause trouble. But please remind this young man that things that aren't his should be returned."
He turned and walked out of the store. Before the door closed, he glanced once more at Raka.
"We'll meet again."
The door closed. The store fell silent again.
Bu Ratna sighed deeply. "How do you know Sudiro, Ra? He's dangerous."
Raka put down the broom. "He's looking for something I found, ma'am. But I won't give it to him."
Bu Ratna shook her head. "Be careful, son. Sudiro doesn't play around. He used to bother the owner of that old toy store too. To this day, he hasn't stopped."
Raka stored that information. So Sudiro has been searching for system artifacts for a long time. And Bu Ratna knows more than she lets on.
"Mission 2: Fourth Day of Work [COMPLETE]. +50 Points."
But Raka didn't care about points right now. There was a real threat. And he needed to prepare.
---
Afternoon: Finding Information About Arga
Raka left the store earlier than usual. Bu Ratna allowed him to go home after the incident with Sudiro.
He walked to the park, but Kirana hadn't arrived yet. Raka used the time to open the mini-map. One blue icon appeared—not at the toy store, but at an address on the outskirts of town.
"Potential location: Arga's old house. Information about the former system owner may still remain."
Raka decided to go there. But not alone. He needed someone he could trust.
Not long after, Kirana arrived. Her face was bright as usual, but it immediately changed when she saw Raka's expression.
"Ra, what's wrong? Your face is so serious."
"Kirana, I need your help."
Kirana blinked. "Help? Seriously? You're asking for help? Wow, this is a first."
"The toy store... someone is looking for me. A man named Sudiro. He wants the object I found in that wooden box."
Kirana fell silent. "What object?"
Raka hesitated for a moment. But he needed someone who knew. "A small badge. It's not an ordinary toy. It's... a relic from the previous store owner."
"And who is this Sudiro?"
"He's... a collector. He targets objects like that."
Kirana grasped Raka's hand—not for long, just a moment. "I don't fully understand. But I trust you. Where are we going?"
"To Arga's old house. The previous system owner."
Kirana didn't ask further. She just nodded.
They walked to the address shown on the mini-map. The house was located in a narrow alley, almost hidden among other buildings. The gate was rusty, the yard overgrown with weeds. It looked like it hadn't been occupied for a long time.
Raka pushed the gate. It creaked softly.
On the porch, there was a wooden chair, already rotted. And on it, a brown envelope with writing:
"To the one who finds my badge."
Raka took the envelope. Inside: a letter and a photo of a young man—probably Arga when he was young. His face resembled Raka's? Not exactly, but there was a similarity in the eyes. Tired eyes, like his own used to be.
He read the letter.
"If you are reading this, it means you have found my badge. Do not repeat my mistake. The system does give power, but it also traps. I trusted the system too much, was too ambitious. In the end, the system used me, not I who used the system.
Sudiro is part of the 'Collectors'. They are system agents tasked with retrieving artifacts from users deemed to have failed. If they come looking for you, run. But never give up the artifact. Because without the artifact, you have no bargaining chip.
I don't know where I will be when this letter is read. Maybe dead, maybe still alive somewhere else. But one final message: trust the people you care about. Don't be like me, alone until the end.
— Arga"
Raka closed the letter. His chest felt tight.
Kirana stood silently beside him. "Ra... you're not alone."
Raka looked at Kirana. The girl smiled faintly, her eyes glistening.
"Yeah. I know."
"Mission 3: Find Information about Arga [COMPLETE]. +200 Points. Arga's history unlocked: 35%."
"Additional information: The 'Collectors' is an organization formed by the system to monitor users. Sudiro is one of its members. Be careful."
---
Night: The Decision
Raka returned home as the sky had darkened. Kirana walked him to the front of the housing complex.
"See you tomorrow, okay, Ra?" said Kirana.
"Yeah. Thank you for today."
Kirana smiled. "Don't be sappy. I'm going home now."
Raka waved. Then he entered his empty room.
Sitting on the floor, he opened the drawer. The Sun Badge was still there. Now he knew the risks more clearly. Collectors like Sudiro would keep chasing him. But giving up the badge was not a solution either.
He held the badge.
"System, what happens if I use this badge now?"
"The artifact will activate. An additional talent will be unlocked. The Legacy Mission will begin. Warning: The Legacy Mission cannot be refused."
But at least, with an additional talent, I'll have a better chance against the Collectors.
Raka made his decision.
He gripped the badge tightly. The metal felt warm.
Activation.