Frizz gave a smile while handing out a customer's order. He sighed as the customer left, quickly glancing outside, then realizing that it was already almost the end of his shift.
"Goodbye." A woman said, exiting the breakroom while wearing a small backpack. It was Frizz's only coworker during the day shift.
"See ya, Mina," Frizz said, waving a half-hearted goodbye. Mina instead glared, scorn present in her eyes. There was an audible click of her tongue as she left the convenience store.
(I swear to god, I am going to sock that bitch. Why can't she be plastic? That's better than outright scorn. Mr. Sim doesn't like it when we fight.) Frizz mused, cleaning the floor.
[System]
New objectives:
Go to the city: 0/1.
Rewards: 110 Experience.
"Oh, nice. I was looking for some excitement." Frizz remarked as the night shift employees arrived. He waved at them, and they waved back. (I am set for tonight.) He then grabbed his sling bag and turned on the electric scooter's key. *Beep!*
"Mr. Sim, I am clocking out," Frizz announced to Mr. Sim, the store's owner, who was in the breakroom using the computer.
"Get home safe!" Mr. Sim replied with a hearty tone.
Frizz took out his phone and sent a hasty text message to his brother. 'eat withoutt me, goig to the city, tell dad i will be late, thx bye.' He then saddled his electric scooter and headed straight to the city, his expression excited.
"Glad to be the only one to level up!" He roared, erratically swerving left and right.
Nineteen minutes later...
[System]
Objectives complete.
Received: 110 Experience.
Level: 2 » 3.
"Whew!" Frizz gasped. He had finally arrived at the city. The city was loud and still full of people; the night was very young, and there was a lot to do. The possibilities were almost breaking Frizz's mind with excitement.
Before the system, he viewed his city as a den of boredom. The pretty lights and colorful people were unattractive; however, the splendor did not sway him with the new system. It gave him a new perspective and endless possibilities.
He took a deep breath, despite the air pollution, and exhaled. It felt like he was a kid again, discovering an open-world game, excited about what he would find. A tear almost dropped in his eye.
"Status."
[System]
NewName
Level: 3.
Experience: [Hidden]
HP: 21/21 (+2)
MN: 21/21 (+2)
Class: Classless.
Perks: [In Good Faith], [Daily Life], [Telekinesis].
Talents: None.
(No perks this time?) Frizz thought.
[System]
Tip: Welcome to the perk-leveling system. You get a perk at every two levels. The perks are random, but they are well-suited to your approach, actions, and personality. You can also receive perks outside of leveling, mainly from achievements.
The only exception will be about your class perks. You get a class perk in every level. You will get to select a class upon reaching level twelve, where you will receive various skills, perks, and talents.
Objectives are both random yet tailored to your experience.
Frizz read the system window, tapping his fingers on the electric scooter's handles. (I see, that's how that works. Noted. I'll get another perk when I level up to four.)
"The system wanted me here in this city, so there should be an objective later on." He mused as he rode his electric scooter on the sidewalk. He took another scan of his surroundings, and it was still the same.
There were people waiting for their commute while the street vendors were busy selling their wares and food products. The road was busy, filled with honking vehicles. It was a mundane sight.
Then a realization, born from familiar novel tropes, dawned on Frizz. (No wait, no. Don't tell me a gate is going to open. A dungeon? Some calamity? Or was I brought here to participate in some arena where people like me have to kill each other for power?)
His anxiety increased as his nerves heightened, somewhat paranoid. (If I have a system, what's stopping others from having the same?) He sighed, trying to shake the negative thoughts away while heading to a restaurant that he frequents.
"Welcome, sir, here, take a flyer! We have discounts today. It's Mappie's anniversary." A beautiful, tall female greeter greeted Frizz and handed out a flyer. The greeter then gestured for Frizz to enter the restaurant, still equipped with an earnest smile.
"Ah, thank you." He awkwardly took the flyer, scratching his head. "You can park your vehicle over there," the beautiful greeter pointed out.
"Thank you." Frizz parked his electric scooter near the restaurant's entrance and entered. A young male waiter offered to lead him to an open seat, and he followed.
The young waiter cleaned the table. "Here you go, sir, here's the menu."
Frizz scanned his surroundings, looking for potential threats or enemies. The possibility that there were people like him, and that they might be powerfully hostile, sent a shiver down his spine.
He nervously exhaled, his legs moving restlessly.
(I have to be careful, but there is no use being hungry and stressed.) Frizz scanned the menu; most of it was meat and soup, and their original prices were dashed. A soft smile formed on his face; the menu illustrations made him salivate.
The 25% discount was enough to entice him to almost order everything since his appetite was huge, and he felt oddly hungrier than usual.
"Waiter!" Frizz signaled for the young waiter, ready to order. The waiter jotted down his large order: A whole pork liempo, a single rotisserie chicken, meat stew, and four barbecue bits.
The young waiter raised a brow, wondering if Frizz could finish it all.
[System]
New objectives.
Finish what you ordered: 0/1.
Rewards: [Gluttonous Initiative].
"Oh?" (A perk as a reward? I didn't expect that, but I will take it. I have to—NO. I need to be strong.)
He mused, crossing his arms while deep in thought. (Gluttonous Initiative, I'm sure that it's a perk related to what I consume. It'll give me a buff that will make me stronger.)
(However, gluttony is not exactly a positive word. It'll have a drawback. I hope it won't be an annoying perk. I hate perks that are only active when you're doing something.)
The young waiter arrived, placing down what Frizz had ordered. The smell was appealing, and they went all out with the spices, which is why Frizz would frequent this restaurant. A small thank-you flag was hoisted on the rotisserie chicken while the pork liempo was covered in gravy.
The young waiter then bowed his head, excusing himself.
(Time to eat and get that perk.)
Fifteen minutes later...
*Burp!*
"That was a very, very good meal." Frizz patted his almost bulging belly. The food was great, and he silently wished for a perk that would increase his stomach capacity. He pulled out two one-thousand-peso bills and wrote a small note to keep the change.
He loathed tipping, but this time, it was deserved.
[System]
Objective complete.
Received: [Gluttonous Initiative] - Eating and finishing a hearty meal will provide a two-hour significant boost in all physical aspects.
Frizz smiled at the acquisition of a new perk. "There was no need to worry, no drawback." he smiled, exiting the restaurant and softly massaging his belly.