Ortega counted as he performed each rep of pushups, "7, 8, 9, and 10." By the time he got to ten, his breathing got heavy and his clothes were drenched in sweat as he stood up. He immediately downed a bottle of water and slumped onto his beanbag to rest. As his chest heaved up and down, Ortega checked his workout progress on the screen.
{Full body workout completed!}
Daily workout progress: Pullups— 25/25, Pushups— 50/50, Jump rope— 5 minutes, Squats— 100/100
{Daily criteria met...}
{Congratulations! You gained +5xp}
{Your fitness is improving, stick to the plan for an amazing transformation~}
Ortega smiled, satisfied with his progress. He could feel the positive impact of having a strong body and could only berate himself for not having thought of exercising earlier. He was slowly falling in love with the idea of physically challenging himself for gains. He dried his face with a towel and swiped back to his user interface.
Host: Ortega Dike
Age: 21
Rank: Omega
Titles: None
Occupation: Marketer
Status: Employed
Net Worth: -$2,000 {Remark: You have poor spending habits.}
Salary: N/A
Attractiveness: 5.4/10
Talent(s): Intellectual (basic level 8), Gift of Gab (basic level 6)
Skill(s): Creativity (basic level 4), Social Skills (basic level 4), Problem-Solving (basic level 5), Leadership (basic level 1), Adaptability (basic level 7)
Trait(s): Unattractive but intelligent.
Current goal(s): Glow up
Active quest(s): Your employer is not happy with your looks. Get your attractiveness to 6 by the end of the week.
Time Left: 4 days
Reward: ???
Punishment: -1 attractiveness and job loss.
Completion status: 40%
Ortega had been putting considerable effort into his nutrition and skincare over the past three days. He had been working on a quest, and it was essential for him to be in top form.
However, when he went to buy a month's worth of groceries and a good skincare product, he realized that he had racked up more debt than he had anticipated. The system then tagged him as a spendthrift.
The reason given was his growing debt, so it didn't matter if the things he spent money on were crucial to the completion of the quest. Ortega felt disheartened by this comment, but he wasn't going to let it bring him down. Instead, he felt even more motivated to carry out his tasks.
To clear his mind, Ortega took a cold shower, feeling the water wash over his body, rejuvenating him. Once he was finished, he dried his body with a towel and dressed in a comfortable t-shirt and khaki pants. He was now ready to finally get a haircut.
As he stepped out of his apartment, Ortega was greeted by the presence of his landlord, Mr. Yugo, who was waiting for him outside. Mr. Yugo was a chubby, grumpy-looking man, and Ortega knew that he was not going to be in a good mood.
"Oh! Mr Yugo, I wasn't expecting y— "
"Cut the crap, Ortega! I'm here for this week's rental fee. And I don't wanna hear stories, do you have the money?"
Ortega scratched his head in embarrassment, knowing that he didn't have the money for his rent. He had been short on cash for a while, but he had recently secured a job, and he was hoping to pay Mr. Yugo once he received his salary.
"I'm still short on cash, but I've gotten a job. I'll pay you once I receive my salary," he clasped his palms together, "Please, just a week more, I promise!"
Mr. Yugo was skeptical of Ortega's claim and frustrated that he had pardoned Ortega's late rent payment in the past. He raised his voice, "Just a week more?! Your rent was due five days ago, and I pardoned you because you were financially constrained. Now, aren't you tired of giving me the same excuse? And how can I trust that you aren't lying about this new job, huh?!"
Ortega shook his head, "I'm not lying, sir. I'll start work in four days, so expect your money a week later. If I fail to pay you, send me an evacuation letter. Now, if you'll excuse me..."
Ortega felt embarrassed, and he didn't want to deal with Mr. Yugo anymore. He knew that he had to pay his rent, but he also had to focus on his quest. He closed his room door and left, much to Mr. Yugo's surprise, who had never seen this kind of reaction from Ortega before.
As he walked away, Ortega wasn't apprehended by the threat of being homeless if he failed to pay his rent. He knew that failure wasn't an option, and he was confident that he would be able to pay Mr. Yugo once he received his salary.
"Listen Ortega, if you don't hold up your end of the deal by then, I won't hesitate to kick you out. This is your final warning! You hear me loud and clear? I need to make sure that we are on the same page. Don't mess this up." Mr Yugo's voice boomed with authority as Ortega left, leaving no room for negotiation.
***
A few hours later, Ortega emerged from the barbershop, feeling transformed. His previously bushy and unkempt hair was now neatly styled in a clean perm cut. As he glanced at his reflection in a large standing mirror, he couldn't help but smile at the change. Before embarking on the path of self-improvement, Ortega hadn't paid much attention to his appearance. However, the scrutiny he received from everyone on his interview day had made him realize that he needed to put more effort into his looks.
Now, his eyes had some definition, the hateful dark circles that plagued them before now vanished. His skin felt smoother, no longer ridden with acne. It glowed subtly under the warm lights of the wired bulbs hanging around the entrance of the barbershop.
The barbershop itself had a vintage charm to it, with classic leather chairs and polished wooden cabinets filled with grooming products. The walls were adorned with framed posters of classic hairstyles and old-school barbershop tools, creating an ambiance that harked back to a simpler time.
Ortega ran a hand through his newly styled hair, feeling the softness and the weightlessness of it as it bounced back into place. He couldn't help but notice how the haircut had sharpened his features, giving him a more polished and confident look.
The barber, a friendly man with a handlebar mustache, smiled warmly at him. "Looking good, my friend," he said, handing Ortega a mirror to inspect the back of his head. "You wear it well."
Ortega nodded appreciatively, feeling a surge of confidence. The haircut had been a good decision. It wasn't just about looking better; it was about feeling better too. As he left the barbershop and stepped out onto the bustling street, he couldn't help but notice the approving glances from passersby.
The reflection in the storefront windows showed a new Ortega—more refined, more self-assured, and ready to make a positive impression.
{Congratulations! Criteria number one– Get a fitting hairstyle– has been met!}
{Your attractiveness has increased by (+0.1).}
{ Your current attractiveness level is now at 5.5.}
{The completion status of the Quest: Glow up, is now at 50%.}
***
Ortega woke up to his blaring alarm clock the next day. Although he usually slept in late, he knew he had to get used to waking up early. He forced himself out of bed, splashed his face with water to ward off sleepiness, and started performing pushups in a prone position. This was one of the essential habits he had to develop if he wanted to improve his life, and the system made sure he followed through.
A familiar ding echoed, and a notification popped up:
"Well done! Criteria no. 4 –Get 8 hours of sleep – has been met."
"You gained 5 XP."
"You have earned the achievement - Four-day streak!"
"Keep it up! Taking care of yourself and keeping good habits is the first step to becoming a great man!"
Ortega wiped the sweat dripping down his forehead and checked his watch. It was still morning, so he made breakfast and ate. Then, he received another message:
"Stellar! Criteria number 5 – Eat good food – has been met."
"Exp gained: +5."
"Eat to live, don't live to eat."
Ortega made progress each day, keeping a straight record and never skipping a day. The gains he received weren't much, though it was to be expected since seven days were too short of a time to get shredded, even though he remained active throughout the period.
However, for Ortega, there was a stark difference between himself a week ago and himself on the final day of the quest. As he gazed at his bathroom mirror shirtless, a profound feeling of confidence enveloped him.
He felt proud of his current physique. His tanned complexion was more pronounced, and he had accumulated a decent muscle base as well. Even his formerly plain face now seemed aglow with distinctive features.
Then the message appeared, the best news he had received so far:
"Congratulations! You have completed the quest: Glow Up."
"Your attractiveness is now rated at a six!"
"Performance remark: Excellent!"
"Reward granted!"
Congratulations! You have received a three-piece suit.
Item description: Three-piece suit, +1 attraction when equipped.
Enchantments: Head-turner.
Enchantment Description: Makes the wearer eye-catching.
Ortega celebrated with a triumphant fist pump as a well-fitting suit appeared out of thin air. The fabric was smooth and impeccably tailored, draping over his frame with precision. It was not just any suit—it contained an enchantment that enhanced his attractiveness, making him feel even more extraordinary. The suit was the best addition to his previously lackluster wardrobe, and he couldn't wait to start his day.
With a smile spreading across his face, Ortega quickly got dressed. The jacket slipped onto his shoulders effortlessly, the smooth fabric touching his skin with a comforting sensation. The trousers followed suit, fitting perfectly and completing the polished look. He straightened his tie, feeling the confidence and readiness to embark on his new journey at BeautyPlus.
As he stood before the mirror, Ortega took a moment to admire his reflection. The suit accentuated his physique and brought out the clarity in his eyes. The enchantment in the suit subtly highlighted his best features, giving him an aura of charm and charisma.
Outside, the city buzzed with life, but Ortega felt a calm determination settle over him. Today was the beginning of a new chapter, and he was eager to make a positive impression. With every step, he could feel the anticipation building.
He glanced at the clock and realized it was time to go. With one last look in the mirror, he adjusted his jacket and headed out the door.