The system sounded exceptionally excited and cunning as his host seemed like a brand new creation with his new clothes.
With his light gray long sleeves tops and skinny jeans bottoms paired up with black suede low top sneakers, he looked so appealing and stylish. He gives off a refreshing youthful vibe and together with his angelic face, everything seems perfect. Definitely a head turner despite this simple style. With this look, he became someone that was hard to refuse to especially when he personally offered someone some help.
["Let's go kid! Double Time!"]
'Yeah, there might be a lot of people in the terminal now.'
["No, we're not going to that place. Your look will be wasted there. I didn't ask you to dress like this just to produce tons of sweat and earn a penny. Let's earn more with no sweat."]
Confuse, one of Pierce's brows raised. 'So where am I going this time?'
["I found this interesting place in your memory. We can earn an ample amount of Luck Points there."]
'Just where is that?'
["Remember the place that you almost set to fire?"]
Pierce brows met, and then was replaced with a knowing expression. 'Oh, that place.'
Pierced could still clearly remember. He was working as a maintenance boy at that time in a huge shopping store located in the city's biggest shopping district when someone smoked inside the establishment. He tried to remind the wealthy-looking customer of the rules but the latter became upset and threw the lit cigarette on the clothes, causing some clothes to be burned. To think that those were luxury ones, even if it was just a few of them, they cost a shocking amount. After showering Pierce with saliva, the manager then fired him furiously.
His lips twitched. 'But its a big exaggeration. I wasn't even the one who burned the clothes.'
["Alright, don't blame them. You're just an unlucky bum in the past. Now, let's cover that with a good memory in the present."]
'What am I going to do there?'
["I observed from your memory that a lot of women go there. It's a treasure trove for you then."]
'Specifics please. You old man, really like to beat around.'
["You just have to open the door to them and act like a concerned citizen. I saw someone doing that in your memory too. It looks very doable as talking isn't necessary. You will just smile while your opening the door for them, simple as that."]
Though he didn't like smiling or talking to girls much due to those traumatic days in school, with girl bullies, but he sure gradually got the hang of it. This past few days, he was able to talk to some. Sure, he did stretched his pair of lips to corners by a lot this past few days, maybe he could do it.
But there was still bits of hesitation in his eyes. He was a bit doubting if he could pull it off, enduring being alone in the entrance of a store. While imagining it, he was like making a fool out of himself. He didn't think he had enough confidence to do that.
So he got a taste and was rampage with the system's harsh scoldings before agreeing.
By the time he arrived at the place, it was already 3 o' clock in the afternoon. He was standing at the store's entrance trying to stay calm and presentable.
Then, there came a girl. She was walking in a fast pace yet slowed down when she took a good view of the guy near the huge glass door of the shopping store.
She taken aback, stopped on a spot for a moment after seeing the guy showed his beautiful smile.
He then said, "Good afternoon miss."
Subconsciously, she pressed his lips together, obviously affected by his infectious captivating smile.
"Ah, hello, good afternoon."
He nodded and slowly opened the door for her.
A smile was plastered in the girl's face until she got in the store and was still stealing glances to him before she decided to walk around the store.
At first, it was very awkward for him. Thank goodness, the system did not mock or annoy him that time. Instead, it somewhat helped him. It kept on saying, ["Relax, it's not like your going to court the girl. It's just a simple greeting. You can do it."]
Pierce sighed in relief. Based on the girl's reaction to him, he didn't appeared or sounded awkward. He did it! He was elated inside him. This proves that in front of a girl, he could already handle himself, without stuttering or lowering his head and meeting their eyes at that. For him, it was a lifetime achievement, a huge change.
Then another came, it's a guy with a girl this time. Although Pierce decided not to smile like last time, but he still pressed his lips together, making it seem that he was at least kind and harmless.
That time, he was able to adjust based on his observation of people. He seriously wanted to give himself a thumbs up. He was proud of himself.
The young man standing on the entrance had opened the door for a bunch of people, often wearing his genuine smile that gives warmth and flutter to girls hearts. He even got some who took pictures of him. He was even more surprised as he himself didn't seemed to mind it much. Probably, it was also due to system cheering him.
"Phew, that was heartwarming and quite overwhelming. Old man, I didn't know you have brilliant ideas in store besides demeaning words. By the way have how much did we got?"
["Hmp, watch your mouth kid. Don't measure this one's capacity with your stupid mind."]
Then that instant shift of tone happened again. ["Anyways, we got 4.6 today added to 2.2 left yesterday, we got 6.8 in total. Not bad, with this numbers, after 1 or 2 days hehehe... You know what I mean. Let's go back there tomorrow. I was surprised to know there would be a bunch of people who give an ample amount luck in exchange of a smile. Not a bad business."]
They stopped conversing when Pierce was about to cross the road.
But he unusually stopped for a second, Pierce was as if glued on a spot. Then his eyes widened, seemingly shocked with what he saw.
He saw a huge truck running in unlawful speed. It was rushing, hitting the road as if owning it while an old woman was at the center of the highway.
Witnessing such a depressing scene, his body moved on its own. Desperately, he was rushing to the old woman who was crossing the road with her cane and a bouquet of flowers in a very low pace, completely oblivious of her surroundings. She was walking while staying her sight straight as if very much trusting on the red light and pedestrian lane. Unbeknownst to her, a huge truck, a disaster was heading at an unstoppable speed on her way.
After realizing that it was a very familiar back, tugged Pierce's heart more. If he couldn't save the grandma, he would surely regret it his whole life.
When she was about to be ran over by truck, Pierce desperately reached out for her with all his might trying to grabbed her shoulder. Goodness, it was just quick enough to save the grandma at the nick of time. As after Pierce grabbed her to the other side, in a span of a split of second, the huge truck then pass through them.
The bouquet of roses was blown away causing red petals being scattered on the road.
Pierce panted, trying his earnest to catch his breath after exerting all he could to do such a feat. His eyes was fixated on the truck. He subconsciously gritted his teeth, seeing the truck not stopping at all. Such a irresponsible and unlawful driver should be punished.
He then brushed off his anger at the moment, as he still have to check on the grandma.
"Are you okay ma'am?" He asked while observing the grandma before him.
"Ah, yes, I am okay young man. Thank you for risking your life for me." The very familiar grandma pressed her lips into a smile.
There was a stem of flower beside her and the grandma picked it up.
The old woman sighed. "Thank goodness, there is still decent one that I can bring."
Before him, a successful and quite prideful woman smiled genuinely. Witnessing that, it was as if a beautiful flower bloomed in a very cold region. She was even more concerned of the flower than of her life. Sure, people do seem complicated, but they also held unto simple things.
After she picked up the rose, Pierce helped her to stand up slowly. He supported her on walking while the place was gradually filled with people.
Seeing the grandma holding the stem of a rose tight, Pierce couldn't help but asked. "Are you intending to give it to someone grandma?"
She answered. "Yes, I want to give it to my granddaughter. It is her birthday today."
Pierce just chose to remain in silence, not knowing what more to say. But in mind he said, 'Such a lucky girl.'
When they were already on the other side of the road, a middle-aged woman in a corporate attire came rushing into them.
"Madam! I told you not to come by yourself. Are you hurt anywhere? We should quickly go to the hospital." The woman looked so worried while she was inspecting the body of the grandma.
"I am perfectly fine. There's nothing wrong with me."
"No, we still have to have a check up and confirm it. We better go now."
The old woman raised her palm, as if trying to make her employee to relax. "How about Risha did you tell her?"
"Yes, she is already on the way. I will just call her again to go straight to the hospital."
The grandma nodded and shifted her gaze from that woman to Pierce. "Minerva, we should be thankful for this young man. He even risked his precious life to save me."
The woman in black, faced him. She bowed and even held his hand tight. "Thank you very much. Thank you sir for saving our madam."
Embarrassed, Pierce just smiled it out. "I, I, really just want to help. No need to thank me so much. May you please send ma'am to the hospital now to confirm if she's really okay? I worry that she might be hurting somewhere."
The old woman warmly smiled, "What are you saying my young benefactor? I am really alright. Oh, what is your name again? It must be fate since this is our second meeting."
"Pierce, ma'am."
She nodded. "Pierce, I will never forget it this time. I will be forever grateful to you as you are this old woman's life savior. And please, refrain from calling me ma'am. Just call me grandma, I insist."
"Ah, yes grandma." At that moment even if Pierce felt a bit awkward, but he had crow's feet crinkles.
The old woman nodded, obviously liking his answer. Shen then looked at the woman in black suit and gave the order. "Make sure to treat my young benefactor well, Minerva."
"Yes ma'am. Now please, get inside the car. I will surely treat sir Pierce well."
The old woman looked at Pierce and smiled for the last time. "We will meet again young man. Pretty soon. And, I will call you anytime now."
"Sir Pierce, can I get your number? I will call you right after sending the madam for check up." Minerva said.
Without any second thought, Pierce gave his number. He also wanted to know the result of the check up if ever.
Then her assistant said, "Thank you again Mr. Pierce. We will surely meet again."
When the old woman was about to hop in the car, another luxurious car parked on the side of the road. A tall, beautiful girl was heading her way speedily to the grandma.
"Grandma! What happened? Are you okay?"
"I am. I am perfectly fine."
She hugged the old woman tight and said, "I told you not to get yourself worked up."
"Oh, my lovely granddaughter, stop crying will you? I am sorry." Then he saw tears slowly dripping down the old woman's eyes. One truly couldn't judge a book with its cover.
Before, when he helped her cross the road, she was enveloped of noble aura, as if 'she could do all things by herself' without needing anyone's help. She didn't even shivered even after such a near death experience. Yet this time, he saw another another side of the strong grandma.
"Let's go now. We have to make sure that you're really okay."
Pierce couldn't hear what the grandma said to her granddaughter as the place we're then very crowded and noisy. Even some media already appeared.
All of a sudden, he just notice the grandma's granddaughter looking on his way. She nodded at him and she mouthed a few words which he could clearly understand. 'Thank you very much.'
He also nodded, acknowledging her words.
With that, she entered the car.
And at one last time, the grandma looked at him through the car window as it gradually close as they were leaving.
["Hey kid! Snap out of it! I have a good news for you! Kid! Ah, whatever."]
"What?!" He blurted out with his mouth.
This time, he tried recollecting himself after such a shocking event. He answered through his mind. 'I am not deaf. Why are you shouting?'
["I just want to say that it is the time for you rejoice and praise me as your mediocre days will be over. Starting this moment."]
Pierce sneered. 'What do you actually mean? Can you stop beating around the bush?'
'You even sounded excited even after witnessing such an incident.'
["Hey, tone down a bit kid. What this one is trying to say is, you already gained enough points to level up."]
'WHAT?!!!'
["Now you're the one shouting! Ah, My precious ears."]