"This is it. This is the building," the real estate agent said as Silas stopped the car and parked in front of a ten-story residential building.
After parking, the two of them came down from the car, and the real estate agent walked towards a middle-aged man who seems to be the seller of the condo, standing in front of the building, and Silas followed behind him.
"Mr. Lorenzo, this is the person who wants to buy the condo," the real estate agent said to the man as he pointed to Silas.
Mr. Lorenzo looked at Silas and told them to follow him, which Silas and the real estate agent did.
The three of them took the stairs to the top floor of the building, where the condo is located.
They got to the entrance of the condo, and the man unlocked the door and walked inside, with Silas and the real estate agent following behind.
"Have a look around," Mr. Lorenzo said to Silas after they walked inside, to which he nodded and started looking around the condo.
Silas took a few minutes to look around the condo and assess it, and he was happy with what he saw.
The condo is a single-bedroom apartment with a full bath, ceiling fan, wooden flooring, washer, and dryer.
A kitchen that's open to the living room, a breakfast bar, a built-in oven, a gas cooktop, stone countertops, garbage disposal, and a refrigerator.
With some additional things like a fire and smoke detector, fire sprinkler system, and one-car garage for the condo owner, plus, it's in a good location.
"How much?" he asked Mr. Lorenzo after he was done with his assessment.
"$379,000. You can pay in installment after dropping down payment of 20%, which is $75,800," Mr. Lorenzo replied.
"Deal. Give me your details and prepare the papers," Silas said and brought out his phone, while Mr. Lorenzo walked towards the kitchen countertop to get the papers.
Mr. Lorenzo got back with the papers and gave them to Silas to go through them. Silas went through them and nodded when he saw that they were perfect, and he transferred the full amount to Mr. Lorenzo.
After Silas did the transfer, Mr. Lorenzo brought out his phone to confirm it, and he nodded at Silas, indicating that he had received the money.
After he got Mr. Lorenzo's confirmation, Silas signed the papers, making him the official owner of the condo.
After the transaction was completed, the money and property had changed hands, and Mr. Lorenzo and the real estate agent left the condo, leaving Silas alone in it.
Silas looked around the condo one more time before leaving. He decided to park his car at the condo's garage and call an Uber instead.
He didn't have a good feeling about going home with the car, and that's why he made that decision.
...
Silas waited for a few minutes before his ride arrived. He got in and gave the driver the direction.
Forty minutes later, the Uber stopped in front of his house, and Silas came down after paying the fee.
Silas decided not to go in directly as he walked towards the nearest restaurant. His activities for the day made him very hungry.
He walked into the restaurant and went to the counter to place his order.
"Hello. Please, I would like two 15-piece chicken wings to go," he said to the lady at the counter.
"That would be $68," the lady said as she took his order. "Your order will be ready in thirty minutes; please take a table and wait while we get it ready," she added.
Silas heard this and nodded as he looked around the restaurant for an empty table. Almost all the tables were occupied, but Silas was able to get one that was close to the window.
Silas walked towards the table and took his seat. While he waited, he decided to check his missed system notifications and maybe buy some skills and complete the mission he got.
[Ding!]
You spent $379,000. You received a 10x rebate of expenses made. You earned $3,790,000. The money has been sent to your bank account.
'Status.'
[Name: Silas Kurt]
[Age:20]
[System Level: 2]
[Level Daily Reward And Perk: Daily reward of amount between $100-$200.] 10x rebate on all expenses made by host. $100-$200 reward for every mission completed when the host is at said level.]
[Level Up Requirement(s): Worth $10,000,000 (Cash/Asset).]
_____
[Strength: 5]
[Agility: 3]
[Stamina: 5]
[Intelligence: 3]
[Charisma: 3]
[Stats Point(s): 0(+)]
_____
[Skill(s): None]
Skill Point(s): 0(+)
_____
[Mission(s): Learn 3 new skills]
[Reward: $100]
_____
[System Point(s): 0(+)]
Silas mentally clicked on the plus sign at the front of the [System Points], and the exchange function screen came up.
He decided to exchange some cash for system points, and he exchanged $1,000,000, which was converted to 100 system points.
Now that he has system points, Silas opened the system store to purchase some skills.
He was curious to see what type of skills he would find in the system store.
'Surprise me.'
The system store screen came up, and two different options were displayed on it, [Skills] and [Items], and Silas clicked on [Skills].
A new screen filled with an endless number of [Skills] came up, but Silas was disappointed when he saw its content.
[Persuasion]
Description: This skill embodies the art of rhetoric and convincing communication. A skill that will help and allow the user to sway opinions and decisions with finesse, excelling in crafting compelling arguments, employing charismatic charm, and tailoring their message to suit any audience or situation. The user words carry weight, and they can inspire trust and cooperation even in challenging circumstances. (Cost: 30 System Points.)
[Emotional Intelligence]
Description: A skill that encompasses a deep understanding of emotions, both in oneself and others. Individuals with high emotional intelligence can read emotional cues, manage their own feelings effectively, and empathize with the emotions of those around them. This skill enhances their ability to build strong relationships, resolve conflicts, and navigate social dynamics. (Cost: 25 System Points.)
[Subterfuge]
Description: A skill that's involved with the use of deception, cunning, or deceit to achieve a goal, often by concealing one's true intentions or manipulating others without their awareness. (Cost: 50 System Points.)
.....
[Combined Skills: [Business], [Fighting], [Academic], [Sport], [Etiquette], [Technology], [Medica].
[Note: Each combined skill costs 100 system points]. [Combined skills are not upgradable as they come at max level.]
....
'What are these skills? Where are the fantasy skills I was expecting? And why are they so expensive?' Silas was disappointed by the list of skills he saw and their prices.
The difference between reality and expectations was huge.
Silas decided to put his disappointment aside and read the skills' description.
'The skills... they are actually not bad. In fact, they are even better. The only thing is that they are expensive, with the cheapest costing 10 system points, which is equivalent to $100,000.'
After reading the skills' description, Silas decided to buy some of them, but he was at a dilemma of which to purchase.
The skills were good, but they also cost a lot. The price would have not been a problem for Silas if the rebate was being applied to it, but that's impossible with the no rebate applicable to any system transactions.
Silas felt like someone took something important from him when he thought of how much he would have gained if the rebate were being applied.
Silas decided to allow the system to filter the list and give him the best three skills that he would need at the moment. He didn't trust himself to make the right choices with his 3-point intelligence stat.
The system did as he said, and three skills were displayed.
[Problem-Solving]
Description: A skill that helps the user to become adept at identifying challenges, devising effective solutions, and implementing them efficiently. The skill also helps the user to possess a systematic approach to addressing complex issues. (Cost: 20 System Points)
[Memory Mastery]
Description: A skill that helps the user to enhance memory, retention, and recall of information. It also helps the user to absorb and retain vast amounts of knowledge with precision. (Cost: 30 System Points)
[Mental Balance]
Description: A skill that helps the user to cultivate focus, reduce stress, and improve mental clarity. The user can also achieve a sense of balance and emotional well-being by developing self-awareness, reducing anxiety, and enhancing their ability to concentrate. (Cost: 50 System Points)
Silas read the skills' description and made the purchase. He was extremely satisfied with their abilities.
The skills were exactly what he needed at the moment with his low intelligence stat.
[Problem Solving], a skill that will help him to solve all problems.
[Memory Mastery] will help him to strengthen his memory and his brain retentive ability, allowing him to immediately recall anything he learns. He might even be able to remember the things he did as a toddler.
[Mental Balance], the most overpowered of them all. There's no need to explain the skill; it has already been explained in its description.
Silas made the purchase for the three skills and the 100 System Points he had returned to nothingness.
After he made the purchase, a screen popped up.
[Three skills found.] [Do you wish to learn them?]
[Note: When transferring the skills to the host. The host will enter a state of unconsciousness. Please choose a safe place before accepting the transfer.
[Do you accept?]
[Yes] [No]
Silas saw this and chose [no]. Silas decided to close the system interface after he was done with the purchase. Learning of the skills will happen when he gets home.
…..
Silas did not have to wait much longer as he was called up to get counter a few minutes later to take his order.
Silas went to the counter, paid his bills, took his food, and left the restaurant.