With a playful tone, the waitress remarked, "Who would have thought that Lucien would come back to visit our humble café again."
"It's only natural for me to come back for the best coffee in Ardenvale," Lucien responded with a grin on his face. He continued in a teasing tone, "Just to make myself clear, I'm not here because of the beautiful waitress called Sophia who brings me the coffee," adding a wink for emphasis.
Sophia burst into hearty laughter, and Lucien pretended to be deeply offended, as if his heart had been broken by her not taking him seriously. After a brief moment, they both shared a laugh, and Lucien went on to order what he had always enjoyed at the café, just like old times.
"Wait a second, I'm going to fetch your coffee real quick," Sophia excused herself briefly to prepare Lucien's coffee. Upon her return, Lucien couldn't help but inquire, genuinely curious and concerned. "Sophia, I remember you mentioning last time that you were aspiring to achieve your dream and wouldn't be here once I came back. What happened?"
Sophia's response carried a palpable undercurrent of sadness and disappointment. She sighed before explaining, "It didn't work out as I had hoped. Over the past four years, I've only had a handful of performances, and I didn't manage to secure that elusive big breakthrough I was aiming for in my music career. It's been a challenging journey, and I had to return to working here part-time to make ends meet, cover my rent, and manage my other expenses."
Lucien's heart went out to her. He had always believed in her remarkable talent and couldn't help but feel surprised and disheartened by the challenges she had encountered. He had been confident that her exceptional voice would lead to greater opportunities in the music industry, but it seemed that the path to success had been a far more arduous and uncertain one than he had anticipated.
"I've heard that auditions for a music contest are going to take place in Starcity in around a week or so. Why don't you try that?" Lucien suggested cautiously, not wanting to open any fresh wounds but filled with hope. Their friendship had deepened over the years through their occasional deep conversations and meet-ups. He remembered their late-night chats and the laughter they shared over shared dreams.
Once he had moved to Starcity and immersed himself in university life, he realized that he hadn't visited in the last four years. The weight of his academic responsibilities had overshadowed the connection they once had. He missed their insightful conversations, the way she could make him see the world in a different light, and the laughter that always seemed to accompany their time together.
Sophia took a moment to ponder before answering, her voice carrying a mix of longing and despair. "I would really like to, but I really don't have the money. Not even to get to Starcity. If I wanted to try that, I would probably have to give up my life here. Since I wouldn't be working, I wouldn't have the money to keep my apartment and would need to find something in Starcity. But I'm already struggling here financially. How would I then be able to afford a place in the capital, where prices are probably at least double of what they are here?" Her voice grew quieter, and her spirit seemed to wane further.
Lucien could sense her disappointment, and he understood the harsh reality of the situation. The financial challenges and uncertainties were daunting, especially when facing the high cost of living in a bustling city like Starcity. He leaned forward, placing a reassuring hand on hers and said, "I get it, Sophia. It's a tough decision to make, and I don't want you to put yourself in a difficult situation. But sometimes, when it comes to following our dreams, there might be a way."
Lucien contemplated her response for a moment and then asked one final question, "If you had the chance to participate, would you be able to give up your life here for that?"
Sophia answered with conviction, "Although working in a café is not bad, I would give everything to have a shot at doing what I really want." Her determination shone through in her words, and it was clear that her dream meant the world to her.
Seeing Sophia's determined expression, Lucien made up his mind to help her. However, he decided to surprise her at a later time as he didn't want to disrupt her work, knowing it would only distract her. Instead, he asked if she would like to meet up with him for lunch tomorrow, and she readily agreed. After they settled on a time and place, she returned to work. Lucien then turned his attention to the system.
Lucien's thoughts directed the system as he mentally commanded, 'Show me all the notifications.' Several notifications promptly appeared in his line of sight. He had intentionally chosen a secluded seat, not wanting others to think he was acting strangely, as he would occasionally stare into the air in response to the system panels that only he could see.
[ Hidden Mission triggered: Hero of Braveness!
Save the child from certain death. Rewards:
200 Exp
Maybach S-Class Ultimate Elegance Edition
100% Assets of Bloom & Flourish Designs Boutique
Extra Reward:
Connection to Lena Sterling ]
[ Side Mission uncovered! Side Mission triggered:
Help Sophia! Help Sophia in reaching the right audience with her unique voice.
Reward:
100 Exp
Skills:
Relative Pitch
Multi-Instrument Proficiency
Basic Music Production ]
Lucien took a moment to compose himself, using the time to regain his composure. He sipped his coffee, and the warmth and flavor helped him reorient himself. It was only then that he fully grasped what he had received for saving the child: a Maybach S-Class, and not just any Maybach, but the Ultimate Elegance Edition. This exclusive edition was part of Maybach's ultra-luxury, highly personalized lineup, and there were only ten of these unique vehicles in existence. Each one was a masterpiece of luxury, cutting-edge technology, and individualized craftsmanship designed for an exclusive clientele.
Lucien's mental inquiry was more detailed as he questioned, 'I understand that you can't provide information about when hidden missions are triggered, but can you clarify what side missions are and the circumstances that trigger them?'
[ Side missions are special tasks triggered when family, friends, or acquaintances are in need of assistance, and the host possesses the capabilities to provide help. These missions often revolve around urgent matters and require the host's unique skills and abilities. Typical rewards for completing side missions include:
100 Experience Points (Exp)
An inferior grade skill or skills tailored to the specific mission
Additionally, side missions can be intentionally triggered by the host when they identify individuals within their network who may need their assistance. Furthermore, side missions can also be initiated through bets or contests where the host uses their abilities to win something, thus receiving specialized skills related to the specific challenge or field of expertise required to secure victory. ]
'So, if I have the means to help someone and genuinely want to assist them, it can trigger side missions that reward me with specialized skills related to the field I'm providing assistance in?' Lucien sought clarification.
[ That's correct. ]
'And these missions can even be triggered by bets or contests? That's really interesting. Who would have thought that there would be something like that?' Lucien contemplated the information he had received, and it sparked some creative ideas about how to utilize these missions. However, he soon pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind and redirected his focus to the rewards of the hidden mission.
'Alex, could you please explain what this extra reward means, particularly the "Connection to Lena Sterling" part?' Lucien was eager to understand the significance of this extra reward.
[ Extra Reward: Connection to Lena Sterling. If you look at the contact card provided by the child's grandmother, you will notice the name Lena Sterling on it. Lena Sterling is the owner of Ardenvale's largest mall, the Astral Plaza. She has offered to provide you with a favor or assistance as long as it is within her capabilities. The system recognized this as an eligible reward and designated it as an Extra Reward. Please note that this is the extent of the information I can provide about Lena Sterling. For further details, you may need to conduct your own research or contact her directly. ]
Upon hearing Alex's explanation, Lucien grasped the contact card bearing Lena Sterling's name and contact details. He held it up, examining the elegant design and the contact information printed on it. With a thoughtful nod, he decided to ensure he wouldn't lose this potentially valuable connection.
Lucien deftly tapped his phone's screen, pulling up his contacts and swiftly inputting Lena's information. He meticulously saved her name, phone number, and any additional contact details he found on the card. With each keystroke, he solidified the link to the owner of Ardenvale's grand Astral Plaza, recognizing the potential significance of having a favor from someone of her status in his network.
The card safely stored in his phone, Lucien felt a sense of readiness for the opportunities that this new connection might bring, especially in a bustling city like Ardenvale. It was a resource that he deemed valuable, given Lena's position as the owner of Ardenvale's largest mall, the Astral Plaza. He realized that having a favor from such an influential figure could prove to be a powerful asset in the future, whether it was for business endeavors, community projects, or other pursuits.
Lucien turned his attention to the second reward, Bloom & Flourish Designs, and couldn't help but marvel at how the system provided him with unique and tailored rewards based on the context of his missions. The more he delved into it, the clearer it became that these rewards were intricately connected to the mission's objectives and the individuals involved.
The boutique, Bloom & Flourish Designs, was not just any high-end fashion shop—it stood out for its extraordinary focus on inclusivity, style, and comfort. While it offered stylish clothing for children, what truly set it apart was its dedication to making inclusive and stylish clothing for individuals with disabilities and expectant mothers. The mission itself had revolved around saving a child, and it seemed the system's rewards were thoughtfully aligned with this theme.
The commitment to inclusivity was evident in the boutique's mission to provide fashionable options for a diverse range of customers, ensuring that no one was left out in the world of fashion. Comfort and style were the hallmarks of their offerings, promising not just clothing but also a sense of confidence and empowerment for those who shopped there.
As Lucien considered the significance of these rewards, he couldn't help but appreciate the precision of the system in providing him with assets tailored to the circumstances. The mission had not only led to a thrilling rescue but also opened doors to valuable connections and opportunities that could significantly impact his journey in Ardenvale.
This discovery led Lucien to ponder the potential correlation between the rewards he received and the nature of the missions themselves. It appeared that his missions' context and the field in which they were situated influenced the type of rewards he obtained. This revelation gave him a glimpse into the system's intricate mechanics, hinting that his future missions might continue to yield rewards that were relevant to the specific challenges he undertook.
He then ordered the system, 'Claim the reward for the hidden mission: Hero of Braveness!'