Luke was in the front yard, finishing another set of push ups.
It had been two days since he woke up in this world. By now, he had adjusted to most things. The absence of luxury, modern technology, and basic security was still strange, but if he were honest, this life felt far more fulfilling than the last.
A house filled with beautiful women. Good food. A steady way to earn.
What more could a man ask for?
'Show me my stats,' he ordered as he pushed himself back onto his feet.
[Stats:
Str: 6.5
Spd: 10
Def: 5
Int: 6
Gamma: 6]
[Attribute points: 10]
[Gamma reserve: 820]
Luke nodded.
'I can assign these points freely, right? Fine. Split them evenly. Five to Intelligence and five to Strength.'
[Understood, host.]
[Stats:
Str: 6.5 → 11.5
Spd: 10
Def: 5
Int: 6 → 11
Gamma: 6]
[Attribute points: 0]
[Gamma reserve: 820]
A surge coursed through his body.
His veins tightened. Muscles contracted sharply as if charged with a stimulant. He exhaled slowly, stretching his arms outward.
Maybe it was psychological, but his frame already felt more solid. Denser.
'I'm now at the strength of a grown awakened man.'
The System had once mentioned that the average stat of a strong awakened male in this world hovered around ten.
Of course, there were people like Dart. Compared to him, Luke still had a long way to go.
'Speaking of Dart…'
He glanced at the house to his right.
It was just as large as his own. Yet only Dart and his wife lived there. When Luke had asked his mother, he learned they had migrated from their village for unknown reasons.
That explained the loneliness in Dart's eyes the other day.
'I'll visit him later.'
Shaking off the thought, Luke stepped inside.
Monica had just emerged from the kitchen, holding a small cloth packet tied securely with thick threads so it could be carried easily.
"Here's your meal for the day, Luke," she said with a warm smile.
Luke grinned and wrapped his arms around her. "Thank you so much."
Monica laughed softly and patted his back. "What is there to thank me for? I'm your mother. Of course I'll take care of you."
He stepped back and asked, "Do you want me to bring you something? Maybe another cake?"
She shook her head gently. "Don't waste your money."
Luke groaned dramatically. "The only person I want to spend all my savings on is you. So please, tell me what you want, Mother."
Monica heaved a sigh and thought for a moment. Then, she said, "How...about we have a wooden bed, then?"
Luke hummed in surprise.
Monica glanced away her cheeks slightly tinged with redness as she said, "Since you like sleeping with me...it's better if we make things comfortable, right?"
Luke's lips curved in a mischievous smile, "Not a bad suggestion...but I won't have it made too wide." He drew closer and whispered in her ears, "I like clinging to my mother."
Monica felt her heart skipping a beat hearing those words.
She glanced up at him and nodded, "Whatever you like,"
Luke grinned and planted one smooth kiss on her lips before saying, "Take care. I will be back by evening."
Luke stepped out of the house and casually stored the food inside his Inventory.
He had checked his balance earlier that morning. He had a little over five hundred Toras on him. Not a bad amount, but not enough to feel comfortable.
He wasn't someone who hoarded money, yet he preferred keeping at least two thousand Toras in reserve for emergencies.
Which meant he needed a high paying job today.
As he approached the barter's hub, he noticed a small crowd gathered there. Several familiar and unfamiliar faces stood in a circle.
Including Lex.
Luke slowed slightly.
'What's going on?'
As he drew closer, a few of the men glanced his way. Lex narrowed his eyes immediately. Dart, on the other hand, raised a hand and waved.
Luke returned the nod to Dart before asking, "What's this about?"
Dart answered, "Gary called us here early this morning. Seems like there's an emergency."
Luke frowned. He hadn't heard anything.
"Because you wake up late, you lazy bastard," Lex snorted. "You missed the announcement."
Luke rolled his eyes.
Just then, the manager of the barter hub stepped outside, dragging a wooden stool with him.
He was a short man, barely five feet tall, with long unkempt hair, bulging eyes, and a face that seemed permanently irritated.
He set the stool in front of the window and climbed on top of it.
"I've already explained the threat level of this task," he said sharply. "But I'll repeat it. The Chief is not in the village. He has gone to the Head Tribe on urgent business, along with several of our strongest warriors who usually patrol and clear the inner perimeter."
He paused, scanning the crowd.
"In their absence, it is your responsibility to protect the village."
A murmur spread among the gathered men.
"Those willing to guard the Chief's residence will receive ten Toras per day. Those willing to hunt will be paid according to their kills. There is no limit to how much you may hunt. Just ensure the inner perimeter remains free of danger."
At that, several men immediately began arguing over the guarding duty.
Standing at the gate all day for a fixed ten Toras was far easier than risking one's neck in the wild.
However, for Luke...this was a golden opportunity to wander the perimeters without getting disturbed.
'It's about time I farm some experience and Gamma.'