In his previous life, he was from the East.
The Federation...
He had never even set foot here before.
He knew the universities in the East inside out, but regarding the universities in the Federation, he was like anyone else—he only knew their names. Consequently, Locke was at a loss as to which university he should choose to continue farming his quests.
However.
Gwen was a top-tier student.
It didn't matter if he didn't know what he was doing; he had a cheat. Following behind a genius was definitely a foolproof plan.
Furthermore.
Average students tended to hide their preferred universities very well, rarely telling others to avoid having someone "steal" their spot.
But Gwen was different.
Gwen was a genius. For a genius, it was always the student choosing the university, never the university choosing the student. In fact, while others paid to attend college, geniuses were paid by the universities to show up.
Locke didn't expect to be exactly like Gwen, but following her lead and learning what she learned was bound to be better than fumbling around blindly.
Gwen looked at Locke with curiosity, seemingly contemplating something, but she eventually told him which AP courses she had selected.
Still...
Gwen reminded him, "It's best to focus your main energy on your high school credits."
Locke jotted down the courses Gwen mentioned while smiling. "Thanks."
Credits were irrelevant.
Quests were the key.
Geniuses loved exams, and where there were exams, there were quests. He lacked natural talent for studying, but he had a cheat. Regardless of the method, as long as there was a profit, it was good.
In the afternoon.
Locke found the college counselor and inquired if he could join those specific AP courses.
And then...
Gwen, who was currently in chemistry class, looked at Locke as he walked in, feeling completely bewildered.
"Hi."
"...Hi."
Snapping out of it, Gwen looked at Locke—who, by some coincidence or another, had been assigned to the seat next to her again—cleared her throat, responded, and focused her mind back on the textbook.
As usual.
The genius Gwen was fully concentrated.
The slacker Locke was listening to what sounded like an alien language.
But...
"System, upgrade!"
After consuming a total of 1,000 Potential Points to upgrade his Chemistry knowledge to Grade 8, Locke felt he could understand a tiny bit. After spending another 1,000 Potential Points, he finally understood the lecture.
Locke's heart ached at the cost.
However...
When the quest arrived, Locke felt the sacrifice was worth it.
『Ding!』
『Quest generating.』
『Basic Quest Reward: 500 Achievement Points, 500 Potential Points』
As the chemistry teacher finished assigning the homework, the quest arrived right on schedule.
I like it.
Locke thought to himself.
Except...
Locke rubbed his temples with a bit of a headache. This assignment seemed to require two people to work together. Where was he going to find a partner?
Gwen saw the odd expression on Locke's face. Brilliant as she was, she immediately understood why.
"Hey."
"Hmm?"
"Want to work together?"
"...Is that okay?"
Gwen shrugged, packing up her books. "Kem is out today. Can you find anyone else?"
Locke looked around and saw that almost everyone had already paired up. He looked back at Gwen. "Thanks."
"Then let's go. To my house."
"??"
That was fast.
Gwen looked at Locke, who was standing frozen in place. "What's wrong?"
Locke snapped out of it and shook his head.
He began to consider if he should swap one of his AP classes. Otherwise, he seriously suspected he might end up getting shot by Captain George Stacy.
Forget it.
Quest first.
...
The parking lot.
*Beep beep!*
"...This is your car?"
Gwen blinked as she looked at the silver-white Audi R8 flashing its lights in front of her. She had heard classmates talking about it at noon. "This R8 is yours?"
Locke opened the passenger door and nodded. "Yeah. I went out at lunch and just bought it. Don't worry, I have a driver's license."
This March, after turning sixteen, Locke had immediately taken his driver's test.
But after buying this R8, he was truly running out of money.
He'd have to take another contract to make some cash tonight.
Gwen gave Locke a surprised look. Although it wasn't polite to think so, she really wanted to know exactly how much inheritance Locke's parents had left him.
Ten minutes later.
Under the shocked and envious gazes of a crowd of teenagers, the news that Locke—who had transferred less than two days ago—had already "captured" their goddess, Gwen, spread like wildfire.
Half an hour later.
Locke parked the car by the curb and followed Gwen into her home.
An hour later.
Captain George Stacy, having received a message from his wife Helen, rushed home in a hurry.
"Where are they?"
"Studying."
Helen, seeing her husband's expression, said quickly, "Don't go disturbing them. It seems like some assignment they need to finish."
George Stacy didn't quite believe it.
Helen quickly changed the subject. "Were you busy today?"
George waved her off, walked to the second floor, and reached Gwen's room. He didn't say anything, but after hearing all sorts of jumbled academic terms coming from inside, he returned to the first floor, still somewhat skeptical. "Don't even ask."
"The Sin Hunter has come to New York."
"..."
Helen looked at George. "The one you mentioned last time, the one active in Texas?"
"Sin Hunter" was a codename given internally by the police department.
George would occasionally talk to Helen about his work, so it was normal for her to know. "Yesterday, Alan Wood was found dead in an alley. The method was the same as the Sin Hunter's, and a crime card was found. Because of that, the precinct has been flying off the handle today."
On one hand, they wanted to find the Sin Hunter.
On the other hand, they were investigating Alan Wood.
The Texas Police Department had spent two years confirming one thing: whenever the Sin Hunter wrote a crime on a card, it was eventually confirmed to be true.
Fortunately, the Sin Hunter had always been active in Texas.
And fortunately, the New York Police Department discovered it early. Otherwise, the city's newspapers, big and small, would have put the Sin Hunter's arrival in New York on every front page.
Helen nodded and headed toward the kitchen. "I actually think this Sin Hunter is quite alright."
George hummed twice. "We follow the law, dear."
Helen shrugged; she was just speaking her mind and had no intention of trying to convince George.
She thought it was fine anyway.
Especially after hearing from George what Alan Wood's crimes were, she felt that if they were true, then Alan Wood deserved what he got.
George looked at his wife, preparing to convince her otherwise.
Just then.
"Mom..."
"Dad?"
Gwen walked down the stairs. Seeing George in the living room, she blinked. "Why are you back?"
George chuckled. "I can't come home?"
Gwen waved her hands quickly and spoke to Helen in the kitchen. "Mom, can Locke stay for dinner today?"
George: "..."