The System's Hold Over Me

The sun's rays hit his eyes, causing Frizz to wake up. He stood up from his bed, scratched his back, and headed downstairs to start his day. After a quick look in the bathroom mirror, he washed his face and gargled mouthwash. Just as he was about to take a shower, a pop-up appeared.

[System]

Initiating daily objectives

Daily Objectives: Answer five questions to earn free experience and a perk!

The pop-up startled him but quickly recovered. "Alright, let's do this. Hit me with the questions."

Displaying the first question:

What is 0.0143 written in scientific notation?

He blankly stared at the first question. "I have no idea what scientific notation is."

Displaying the second question:

Convert 0.2 into a fraction.

"What?"

Displaying the third question:

Sally is 54 years old, and her mother is 80. How many years ago was Sally's mother twice her age?

"I seriously don't know."

Displaying the fourth question:

There is a three-digit number. The second digit is four times the third digit, and the first digit is three less than the second digit. What is the number?

Frizz thought for a while but eventually gave up. "No clue."

Displaying the fifth question...Halted.

 The user is unlikely to provide the correct answer.

Result: 0/5 Questions answered.

Daily Objectives failed; try again tomorrow.

"So rude..." Frizz grumbled as he dismissed the system window. It was 7:04 am—time for a shower. After six minutes under the water, he threw on a white long-sleeve shirt, skipped breakfast, and went straight to the basement to grab his father's balaclava. Without wasting time, he headed outside, hopped on his bike, and pedaled off. Today wasn't about work; he had other plans.

At the convenience store, he greeted a co-worker. "Good morning, Mina. Could you give this letter to Mr. Sim? I'm taking the day off."

"Today? And a letter? Why didn't you just text him? You should've requested leave yesterday," Mina said, frowning.

"My phone's broken. I've explained it in the letter. Just pass it along, okay? Thanks." Frizz brushed off her concern and headed out. Mina's brows furrowed as he left, clicking her tongue.

"That guy... always doing whatever he wants just because Mr. Sim has a soft spot for him," Mina muttered, tossing the letter aside. "Only four more months of this, and I'm out." Frizz mounted his electric-bike again and pulled out his phone, pretending to be on a call.

"System, show me my status."

[System]

Name: New Name

Level: 4

Experience: 10/120

Health: 24/24 (+2)

Mana: 24/24 (+2)

Fatigue: 4/100 (peak)

Class: None

Perks: [In Good Faith], [Daily Life], [Enraged], [Reckless Approach], [Gluttonous Approach], [Telekinesis]

Talents: None

Frizz dismissed the status window and continued pedaling toward the poorer side of town. "The only way I know to get stronger is to beat up some of the bad characters around here."

From a distance, he could see people loitering and just minding their own business. This used to be a part of town he'd avoid, but not today.

He parked his electric-bike, locked it up, and retrieved ten cans of beer from the compartment. "Alcohol lowers inhibitions, makes you bolder... just what I need," he reasoned. Nearby was the internet café he often visited. He approached and knocked on the door.

"Shane? It's me, Frizz." The door swung open. "Oh, hey, Frizz. I was just about to open up. Come on in." Shane greeted and noticed the alcohol Frizz brought. "You brought alcohol? You know the rules—head to the back."

Frizz courtly complied, heading to the furthest section. "Give me three hours," he told Shane, who nodded and adjusted the timer from the admin computer.

The hours flew by as Frizz downed beers, browsed memes, and listened to music. At 10:05 am, he glanced at his watch, thinking that it was time to go. He stood up, swaying slightly from the alcohol, and as he was about to leave.

[System]

New Perk Acquired: [Alcoholic Advantage] via Milestone

Achievement: Drank enough to get drunk.

[Alcoholic Advantage] Description: While intoxicated, the user gains a significant boost to strength and endurance.

"Well, that's a surprise. At least I'll be more useful drunk. Hahahaha." Frizz chuckled as he bumped into a few chairs on his way out, apologizing to the patrons. He found his electric-bike still locked up. "Still here, thank goodness."

"Later, Shane," he called out, donning his gray mask and heading toward the rougher part of town. His intoxicated state was apparent, but he managed to hide it well enough. Several people stared, and he scoffed, "Stare all you want; I'm not bothered."

"Oh right, I should pray." Frizz made the sign of the cross and muttered a quick one-minute prayer.

[System]

[Daily Life] is active.

"It's active now." He murmured but suddenly stopped, realizing something. "I should've eaten. The glutton perk's inactive." Taking a moment to consider it but ultimately shrugging it off.

"I'm strong enough. I think. I don't need that."

After a while of walking, he noticed a group of four men, loud and clearly drunk. "Ugly faces, check. Scrappy looks, check. Probably criminals, check."

Frizz took a deep breath. "I wonder how much experience I'll get from them." As he walked closer, fists clenched, two of the drunks noticed him and laughed at Frizz, which caught the attention of the other two.

"Hello," Frizz greeted as he wobbled.

"Hello yourself," one of them, a skinny guy, replied. "Can we help you?"

Frizz thought as hard as he could, trying to remember a name that had been prevalent here, a drug dealer. Several people he knew had connections to someone who dealt with him. (What was his name?) Frizz wondered, and then, suddenly, the name came to him.

"Baron. I'm looking for Baron," Frizz inquired.

"Baron Morales?" The drunks exchanged confused glances.

"He lives over there," the skinnier one among the drunks pointed toward a house with a gray gate and a person standing outside. Frizz looked at the house then looked back at the drunks. (In the novels they usually get aggressive when you ask around, especially if they are Baron's men, and also I am wearing a mask.)

Frizz walked away, heading toward the house. (They aren't even the least bit curious.)

Arriving at the gate, Frizz approached the gate guard. "I need to see Baron. I've got something for him."

"Never heard of him. Move along," the guard grunted, avoiding eye contact.

"He lives here. I know it." Frizz's voice grew tense, and the guard noticed his inebriated state behind the mask. "Look, you're drunk. Get out of here." The guard's patience is slowly getting thin.

Frizz felt his frustration build. He had expected a fight—some kind of confrontation—but found none. "Fine, I've got money. Let me buy something." Frizz smiled and winked, conveying the idea that he was there to buy something.

The guard stiffened, looking around. "I don't know you. Leave," he said, lifting his shirt to reveal a pistol.

A chill ran down Frizz's spine as memories of being robbed flashed through his mind. Gritting his teeth behind the mask, then transforming it into an unsteady grin. "Good enough reason," he said, and without hesitation, he punched the guard in the face, causing them to recoil and hit their heads on the post behind them.

[System]

You gained 20 experience!

In a flash, he dragged the guard's body inside the gate, hiding it among the plants. His heart was beating fast; he couldn't believe what he just did while drunk.