The auction concluded, and Lish found himself in the backseat of his luxurious car, speeding through the quiet streets toward his estate in the dead of night. The city's skyline glimmered in the distance, the lights twinkling like stars in the dark sky. The car's interior was plush and comfortable, with leather seats and a state-of-the-art entertainment system that remained silent, allowing Arthur to reflect on the night's events. Gunnar, ever vigilant, sat beside him, his eyes scanning the road ahead with unwavering focus.
Amid the nightly silence, a familiar echo resonated in Arthur's mind.
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining the two legendary artifacts. Their true names will be revealed once the host unlocks their full potential. Reward: Wisdom Glasses (can be integrated into the host's body, specifically the eyes). Description: The Wisdom Glasses enable the host to comprehend vast amounts of knowledge rapidly. They allow the host to identify the weaknesses and strengths of targets, significantly enhancing tactical advantage.]
Lish's eyes widened with excitement. The Wisdom Glasses would be immensely beneficial in his quest for power. In a world where strength was paramount, knowledge could serve as a potent weapon. "Wisdom Glasses… This will be a game-changer," he thought. The ability to instantly identify an opponent's weaknesses and strengths would give him a significant edge in any confrontation.
However, Lish decided against projecting the glasses into the car, aware of Gunnar's presence. As he pondered the glasses' benefits, another notification popped into his mind.
[New Mission: As the author system, the system wants the host to become a successful author. The most basic requirement for an author is attention.
Mission: Gain 2 million attention from people on this planet.
Progress: 114/2,000,000
Reward: A visible space inside the system for the host to store 1000 items.]
"Author? Attention?" Lysander mused, his thoughts racing. The reward was incredibly enticing. In this world, magical storage devices did not exist, making the ability to store items in an invisible space a unique and valuable asset.
"This storage space could be a powerful tool," Lish thought, contemplating the possibilities. "In battles between superhumans who use magic, opponents often study each other thoroughly, devising strategies based on observed abilities. With this invisible space, I could store artifacts and weapons out of sight, ready to be deployed at a moment's notice. It would allow me to surprise my enemies, pulling out powerful items seemingly from thin air. The strategic advantage would be enormous."
Lish's mind continued to whirl with plans and possibilities. He could imagine the look of shock on an opponent's face when he suddenly wielded a weapon or artifact that hadn't been there moments before. "People only believe in what they see and hear," he thought. "If I can defy those expectations, I can control the flow of battle."
The only concern weighing on Lysander's mind was the daunting task ahead due to the new mission. "Two million people's attention? Are you kidding me?" he thought, incredulous. For someone as reserved as himself, the prospect seemed far-fetched. Although it was inevitable that he would attract some attention as the second son of the illustrious Aurelius family, reaching such a colossal number seemed insurmountable.
"Two million people," he murmured to himself, "that's roughly half the population of a small country." The sheer scale of the task was overwhelming. He had never been one to seek the limelight, preferring the shadows where he could strategize and plan without the scrutiny of the masses.
He repeated the words to himself, "Author, attention," trying to unravel the system's intent. Perhaps he was approaching this the wrong way. The system had not specified how he needed to garner the attention or the method he should use to achieve it. Suddenly, an idea sparked in his mind.
Lish pressed a button on his smartwatch, and a hologram flickered to life. He navigated to 'Novellove,' the premier platform in this world for novel enthusiasts, where stories of all genres found their audience. If he could tap into the collective curiosity of the masses, maybe he could generate the required attention without stepping too far out of his comfort zone.
He quickly created a new book and titled it, "Baboon's Favorite Foods." He chuckled at the absurdity of the title and proceeded to scramble together a series of nonsensical paragraphs. The content was a haphazard mix of random thoughts and imaginary facts about baboons, designed to catch the eye through its sheer oddity.
After five minutes of typing, he deactivated the hologram. "Let's see if my hypothesis holds," he thought, leaning back in his seat. He hoped that the bizarre and whimsical nature of his creation would intrigue people enough to start garnering the attention he needed.
As he pondered his strategy, the car pulled into the grand driveway of his estate. The gates swung open silently, and the vehicle rolled to a smooth stop. The imposing structure of the Aurelius estate loomed before him, a testament to his family's legacy and power. The mansion was a blend of classical architecture and modern luxury, with sprawling gardens and a fountain that glistened under the moonlight.
Lish stepped out of the car, the cool night air filling his lungs. He took a moment to gaze at the stars above, his mind still racing with thoughts of the mission ahead. The challenge was immense, but he felt a renewed sense of determination. The night had been productive, and he had taken the first step toward fulfilling the system's demands.
He ascended the grand staircase to his room, the house silent around him. Tomorrow would bring new challenges and opportunities, but for now, he needed rest. As he lay down, his thoughts drifted back to the odd little book he had uploaded. "Baboon's Favorite Foods," he mused with a smile, "let's see where this leads."
With that final thought, he drifted into sleep, ready to embrace whatever the new day would bring.