I woke up feeling as though there was a pile of bricks on my back. I grabbed my head as I slowly forced myself into an upright position. Once up I panicked, and looked at my phone, scared that my last 32 hours was simply a dream. I hurriedly opened my phone, and saw that the app was still there. I opened the app, and saw my avatar working out again, this time with a new progress bar.
[4/200]
It seemed my rate was the same, and I see that the amount went up. I deduced that I had completed the first level.
But what did I gain from assimilation?
I spent a couple minutes looking around, before I slowly brought my hand to my stomach. There, I noticed something.
Actually, the lack of something is an accurate statement. I was... Skinny.
I stood up and ran to the bathroom, slipping in my hallway because I forgot I was wearing socks, trying desperately to get to the mirror before the fat came back as magically as it had arrived.
In my reflection stood the exact face I had seen yesterday. I took off my shirt, and saw the exact same body I had seen.
"IT'S FUCKING REAL! YES! THANK YOU WHOEVER GAVE ME THIS!" I shouted. Which elicited a series of loud knocks on the walls from my neighbors who were not up yet.
I silently apologized and bowed at the walls, before I went back to celebrating quietly. I first checked to see if I had pants I could wear to my new job, since I actually started in a couple hours. I hurriedly found some pants I had from when I was younger, and made sure they didn't smell funky.
They didn't, most likely because I hadn't worn them for years. I was hungry so I hurried to the fridge, making myself a pathetic arrangement of eggs and toast. The first thing I would do after getting paid was to start eating better.
While I was waiting for my toast, I took the chance to go and make my bed. I then brushed my teeth, while my toaster went off during it. I came out and ate my toast with bread while browsing my phone. I looked through the other features of the Avatar app, and saw there was a notification I didn't open yet.
[Hard Worker perk has been rewarded.]
[Hard Worker]
[You are able to regenerate your stamina in a shorter amount of time, allowing you to work even harder!]
I was happy, because I knew that the perk was for the real me. I knew this, because my avatar didn't use stamina, and there wasn't any increase in the rate he made progress. So I was glad to be able get things like this as I made progress.
I happily finished getting ready, and headed out for my first day at the restaurant.
Once I got there, the job was laid out for me in an easy to understand manner.
If I see dishes, I do dishes. If I stay late, I get a free meal and an hour break to enjoy that meal. I was happy with the conditions, so I started working hard. The morning went by fairly quickly as there was a steady stream of customers but no rush. However that all changed at noon, when the lunch rush came in.
I was in a trance, washing dishes nonstop for over three hours, and when I came to the rush had ended. I was so tired, and even the cooks were worried about me. They told me that there weren't a ton of customers right now, and that it was the best time to take a break.
I took their advice, and opened the door to the back alley to get some air. I had only been sitting down for five minutes before I felt completely refreshed. The [Hard Worker] perk was incredible. I got up and headed back inside. As I walked in, I ran into the owner who had hired me yesterday.
"Oh, are you new? Did Eddie hire you?"
"Huh? No sir, it's me Galahad, you interviewed me yesterday morning. Don't you remember?"
"No. I remember interview, but I don't remember seeing you. I also remember Galahad, he was a big boy, but you. You're so skinny I worry we might be overworking you already." He then laughed loudly, before patting me on the shoulder and popping his head out to the alley.
Seeing no one there, he walked back in and asked the cooks where the dishwasher was. To which they, obviously, pointed at me.
"Huh?! YOU'RE Galahad? Were you wearing a fat suit yesterday? Be honest, no lie, how you lose that much weight overnight unless its a fat suit?"
"Haha, no Mr. Lee, I think I might have met you when I wasn't looking my best. I did have my hair in my face and I was wearing baggy clothes. I don't hold it against you if you saw me as a fat kid." I smiled lightly. I could see the confusion in his eyes, as he began to replay yesterday in his head but still ended up confused by what he remembered with what he was currently looking at.
"Oh... Maybe I saw wrong... Anyways, good work, I heard you are working very hard. I am glad you are working hard, but make sure not to burn yourself out. Will you be staying late today? The other dishwasher, he hasn't been answering his phone... I think he silently quit. I would be happy to give you his hours, and a portion of the tips?"
"Really?! Yeah for sure! I can work tonight, and if you need me tomorrow I can too!" I smiled as I replied energetically. I was truly happy to be working two doubles, as it simply meant more money. Also a portion of the tips for a restaurant as big as this one, the tips were a lot. Also with the [Hard Worker] perk, I could keep going for hours.
Mr. Lee smiled and patted my shoulder. He told me I could actually take a break and get another free meal. I immediately took him up on that offer.
I had been in here for almost seven hours already, and being in the kitchen the whole time I got to smell all the food first hand. I was enjoying my food, checking on my Avatar's progress, before noticing a large group come in. When I noticed that, I hurried to finish my food and help in the back.
My avatar would take another full day to complete, so I decided to focus on my real life for now. I felt really good doing my job well, and oddly enough I didn't really get burnt out. I would get tired, but since I was allowed to listen to music all I really had to do was mindlessly wash dishes over and over again. Which didn't really bother me.
Before my shift ended, I even thought I resembled my avatar, with how I simply grinded away at my tasks. After my shift I asked for some food to go and they agreed. Mr. Lee managed to catch me just before I left.
"Hey! Galahad, you forgot your tips. Today, since you worked both shifts, you made an extra $150. Here, I like people who know how to work hard. Come early tomorrow... You can learn how to open, I'll pay you extra."
"Yes, Mr. Lee! Have a good night!" I then hurried off with the new money I received. I was running down the street happily before I received a notification.
[$150 detected, shop has been unlocked!]
I stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, and moved to the side so I didn't obstruct anyone. I then took out my phone and opened my app to look at the new shop.
I thought it was magical that it was able to even detect the money I had, which meant the shop must be something extraordinary.
Once I opened it up, I saw an upgrade I knew I had to buy immediately.
[+1 Clone - $100]
I bought it on the spot, and put the avatar on a profession I thought might come in hand.
[Chef]
The reason I wanted this one, was because I could become a chef at the Chinese restaurant, which I felt would be more rewarding.
It also paid more, so I had little reason not to learn how to cook. I smiled and let my second avatar begin practicing. He was under a different tab than my first avatar, and when I clicked on it he was already in a small kitchen cooking. He was making a bunch of different things, and I watched in fascination as he chopped vegetables with precision.
I smiled, closing my phone out, and focusing back on heading home. Thankfully I didn't live terribly far from the restaurant, so I quickly made my way home. I then spent some time exercising, and then enjoying the food I got to go. I watched a movie, and fell asleep at some point during it.
****
The next day went the same as before, except I showed up at 7 AM, and learned the process to open the store. I was told the other dishwasher finally answered his phone, and I had the next day off. I said okay, and wished everyone a good weekend, before heading home late at night. When I got home I once again worked out and ate. I stayed up until midnight, and once again assimilated with my [Body Builder] avatar.
I also used assimilation to collect the [Chef] progress I had gotten a few hours ago. Since I finished the first bar, I had my second avatar learning Karate for me. I wasn't terribly interested in it, but I thought it might be cool to know a little martial arts.
It only had 6/100, so I simply left it on that for now instead of switching it back to the chef profession. I was already laying in bed, while I surrendered myself to the assimilation. My avatar had developed a body that was fit to be called body building.
As for my [Chef], I didn't know what would change since it wasn't a physical change. I would have to find out in the morning. As my vision began to fade, I had a genuine smile on my face again, as I was so happy with what I have been able to accomplish since I gained the avatar app.
****
Once I woke up, I immediately noticed a difference. I would typically wake up feeling a little sore, from having slept funky, but today I didn't feel that... I actually felt.. Well Rested.
[All Avatars will receive a 2x booster for the next 24 hours.]
I immediately opened my phone and started both Avatars on learning [Chef]. I really wanted to cash in on this boost, and I would be able to learn it within the next 12 hours. I chose this profession because as I said it would be the most beneficial for me currently. I didn't know what exactly I gained from the assimilation of [Chef], but I didn't think it would be so simple.
I decided to focus on cleaning my apartment once more, and then went to make myself something to eat. Everything was normal, until I got into the kitchen.
I felt the changes now. I could immediately smell everything in the kitchen, and I just knew I had the muscle memory of moving in a kitchen. I picked up the carton of eggs once more, and began to cook them. This time I added simple spices, like pepper and salt, but with the perfect amount.
I was much more satisfied with my breakfast today, than I had ever been before. I then got dressed and headed towards the restaurant. It was still really early, so I knew they were just opening. When I got there everyone greeted me happily, a few kindly reminding me that I had the day off.
To which I simply said I wasn't here to work, I was hoping to be able to learn to make Chinese food. Mr. Lee looked at me carefully when I said this, taking a while to think before saying something.
When he finally spoke, he gestured for me to follow him.
"Galahad... You have the weirdest name for an Asian American, but I don't want to talk about your name. Instead, I want to talk about the history behind Chinese food. The history of Chinese cuisine has always revolved around the use of this."
He then shook a spice rack lightly.
"Spices that were so well used, after the opening of the Silk Road, other countries began to develop food like China. However no one has been able to replicate the intricacies of spices as well as we have... I don't tell you this to intimidate you, or to make you feel like China is better than other countries. Instead I tell you this so you understand that Chinese food has a very established way of tasting. Some Chinese people are particularly picky about it, some less so, but either way making Chinese food is going to be challenging. Are you still willing to learn?"
He looked at me, maintaining eye contact with me.
Unwavering, I nodded simply to him. He patted me on the shoulder, and called for the chefs to come and see where I stand. If I am a complete beginner, or if I have some knowledge under my belt. After I followed along with them, they decided I had some decent knowledge, and decided to get me started on making roasted duck.
I began to watch the process, and found it simple, yet challenging. It required a high degree of attention to make into a high class dish. I spent a few hours watching, before Mr. Lee told me not to waste my whole day off at the restaurant, and he kicked me out. He gave me one of the ducks I had prepared, telling me that what I made was actually a very well made duck for my first time.
I had used my heightened sense of smell to help me make sure the roasted duck was perfect, which made me glad to have picked to improve my [Chef] profession. I then left and headed back to my apartment to relax.
After I arrived home, I opened my phone. I was curious about what perk I managed to unlock with my two assimilations last night.
[Deconstructive Nose perk has been rewarded.]
[Golden Metabolism perk has been rewarded.]
The first perk allowed me to deconstruct food simply by smelling it, allowing me to know every ingredient. The second perk allowed me to break down foods incredibly quickly and efficiently. Allowing for protein to be made into muscle, and fats to be processed into fuel rather than idling around as body fat.
I was content with the two perks. I sat and ate the roasted duck, savoring just how juicy I had gotten it. After a delicious lunch, I was sitting quietly watching a show on TV, and scrolling through the store on my phone. I had a few things I could buy, since I got another healthy day of tips yesterday, but I also had to worry about my bills. I had my rent due next week, but I should have enough to cover it.
I was simply hesitant in case an emergency popped up. However after thinking about it for a while, I realized I would get paid more as a chef, so I didn't worry about my bills anymore. I decided to buy another thing in the store I thought would be helpful.
[Eye of Truth - $200]
It was a skill that let me see if someone was lying or telling the truth. There was also a feature where it would determine the truth behind objects, whether something was being hidden or deceptive. It was great, as I was sure it would be useful in the future.
Wait a second.
Why did I not think of this...
I immediately stood up, and left my apartment. I made my way to somewhere I could make a killing.