At the entrance of the Lakeside Mall, Jason stood idly next to a custom-built road bike that was still being assembled. He was about to check his system panel again when a cheerful voice called out from nearby.
"Megan, Brooke! Done shopping already? We just finished the movie—want to head out together?"
A well-dressed couple approached, all smiles.
"Yeah, we're all set," Emily Bennett replied with a bright laugh, Harper nodding beside her.
Before leaving, Emily turned to Jason with a soft smile. "Jason, we'll head out first. Be sure to add me on Insta. I'm throwing a little party in two days—drop by if you're free."
If anyone from Crescent City University saw this scene, they'd have dropped their coffee.
Megan Chase—one of the campus beauties—had just asked a freshman guy to add her and even invited him to her private party.
Jason simply pulled out his phone and added her calmly. "Sure. If I'm free, I'll show up."
The trio walked away, chatting and laughing. Just before they turned the corner, Harper's girlfriend glanced back, whispering, "Who was that guy? He's... insanely good-looking."
Jason didn't respond. Instead, he opened his system panel with a thought.
Favorability Update:Emily Bennett +28Harper Lee +25
Total Favorability: 53
Mission 1 Progress: Incomplete
Jason frowned slightly.
Incomplete?
Wasn't the mission requirement 50 favorability points with at least one beauty?
He carefully re-read the quest description:
Main Mission 1: "Spend the Lick Fund."Objective: Spend the initial $1,000,000 in one day. Gain 8+ favorability points from beauties who reach 50+ total favorability.Reward: One Lucky Draw Ticket worth $100,000.
So that was it—he hadn't spent the full amount yet. Total spending so far: $804,734. He still had about $195,000 left to burn.
Jason glanced at the nearly assembled bike, then shrugged. Time to go shopping again.
He headed back into the mall, but hadn't taken more than ten steps when a familiar voice called from behind.
"Jason! Wait up!"
He paused. That voice... don't tell me.
Turning around, he spotted Emma, heels clicking against the tile floor as she jogged up to him. Alone.
Wasn't she with Josh? he thought. Where's her new boyfriend?
Jason didn't say anything and kept walking.
Emma quickly caught up and stepped in front of him. "Jason, are you mad at me? Why were you out shopping with Emily Bennett of all people? What's going on between you two?"
Jason gave her a deadpan look. "What's it to you?"
Emma bit her lip. "You've changed. You used to care about me."
Jason nodded slowly. "Yeah. I finally started using my brain."
Emma's tone grew defensive. "Okay, maybe I did hurt you by going out with Josh the other day. But you've been hiding your money from me all this time. That's kinda shady, don't you think?"
"Back then, you never even bought me anything designer," she continued, oblivious to his growing irritation. "No Gucci, no Prada—but I didn't even complain! And yeah, I'm seeing Josh now, but you were with Megan Chase!"
"And besides, I turned down Josh's invite to a private suite movie. That has to count for something."
"Let's just take a step back and forget everything. We can go back to how we were, okay?"
Her voice softened, lashes fluttering as she grabbed his arm. "As long as you treat me well like before… I might consider being your girlfriend."
Jason almost laughed out loud.
Forgive each other? What the hell have I done that needs forgiveness?
I bought you gifts, gave you attention, treated you with sincerity—and you go off with some other guy and think I should be grateful?
He shook his head. "We don't owe each other anything, Emma. I'm not interested in pretending we ever meant something."
Then he pulled his arm free and walked away.
Emma stood frozen in place. Her mouth opened but no words came out.
Jason turned a corner and walked straight into a Gucci store.
Emma's eyes lit up. He's buying me something! He must be soft-hearted after all…
She followed him in like nothing had happened. Her eyes sparkled at the luxurious displays—Jason hadn't bought her anything today, and that left her feeling hollow.
She made a beeline for a display and picked up an Ophidia Small Shoulder Bag—priced at $1,790.
"Jason," she said sweetly, "I knew you still cared. Buy me this and we'll make up, okay?"
Jason blinked. Is she serious right now?
Just days ago, he might've emptied his wallet for that smile. But now? He only felt disgust.
"You were practically in bed with Jason ten minutes ago," he said flatly. "And now you want a bag from me?"
He waved over a clerk instead.
"I'll take that men's backpack," he said, pointing to a sleek $2,300 piece. "Wrap it up."
Emma's smile stiffened.
"You'll spend $2,300 on yourself but not $1,700 on me?" she snapped.
"Yeah," Jason replied. "You know why? Because I'm worth it—and we're not a thing anymore."
"Sleeping around and then asking me for gifts... have some self-respect."
"You… you're such a jerk!" Emma stammered, her face flushed with humiliation. Nearby staff pretended not to stare—but their judging eyes stung her pride.
"I'm done with you!" she shouted and stormed out of the store.
Emma Young: Favorability -2
Jason glanced at the prompt.
"Huh. Just minus two? Thought it'd tank harder."
Still, his total increase was now 51—enough to meet the mission threshold.
Just to be sure, Jason went all out. He quickly purchased:
A foldable Huawei flagship phone ($3,200)
An iPad Pro ($1,200)
A custom Alienware laptop ($6,000)
Skin care products, jackets, sneakers, tech gadgets, and more...
His system prompt kept nagging him: Warning: excessive spending detected. Please confirm mission alignment.
Jason ignored it.
Scam system, you want me to lick? I'm spending it all on myself.
Moments later, the final pop-up appeared:
✅ Mission Complete!Main Quest 1: Lick Fund Spent
Reward Unlocked: $100,000 Lucky Draw Ticket
Would you like to spin the wheel now?
Jason grinned.
"Let's roll."