Chapter 23: The Shop
The next evening, Jin was back at thebar, ready for another shift. He foundthe work enjoyable, a pleasantdeparture from the stress of teachingand dealing with school politics. Theatmosphere was vibrant, and Jin hadquickly become a favorite among thepatrons, his charm and skill as abartender winning them over.
As the night progressed, the bar filledwith the usual mix of regulars andnewcomers. Jin was in his element,effortlessly mixing drinks and engagingin light-hearted banter with thecustomers. However, his attention wassoon drawn to a man at the far end ofthe bar. The man was unkempt, with greasy hair and a distinct odor that made those around him shift uncomfortably.
The man, who introduced himself loudlyas "Dave," was aggressively hitting onevery woman who came near the bar. His attempts at flirting were crude andunwelcomed, his presence creating anoticeable tension. Jin watched asDave's behavior became increasingly inappropriate, his advances growingmore blatant and vulgar.
Jin's patience was tested when Dave turned his attention to a young woman named Lucy, who had been quietly enjoying her drink. Lucy was beautiful, with soft brown hair and kind eyes, and it was clear she was uncomfortable with Dave's attention. Jin's protective instincts kicked in as he watched Dave lean in too close, his words slurred and his intentions unmistakable.
"Come on, sweetheart, just give me a chance," Dave said, his hand reaching out to touch Lucy's arm.
Lucy recoiled, her eyes wide with fear.
"Please, leave me alone," she pleaded,
trying to move away.
Jin had seen enough. He stepped out from behind the bar, his expression stern. "That's enough, Dave. You need to leave," he said, his voice calm but authoritative.
Dave turned to Jin, his expression a mix of anger and disbelief. "Who do you think you are?" he spat, his words barely coherent.
"I'm the bartender, and I'm telling you to leave," Jin replied firmly. "Now."
Dave's face twisted in rage, but he was too intoxicated to put up much of a fight. Jin grabbed him by the arm and escorted him out of the bar, his grip firm but controlled. "And don't come
back," Jin said as he pushed Dave out the door.
As Jin returned to the bar, he tound Lucy waiting for him, a look of gratitude on her face. "Thank you so much," she said, her voice shaking slightly. "I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't stepped in."
Jin smiled, his demeanor softening. "It's no problem at all. I'm just glad you're safe."
Lucy reached into her purse and pulled out a small piece of paper, scribbling something on it. "Here's my number. Maybe we could grab a coffee sometime?" she said, handing him the note. "You're my hero."
Jin took the paper, feeling a warm sense of satisfaction. "I'd like that," he replied, tucking the note into his pocket.
The rest of Jin's shift passed without incident, and he enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and friendly conversations. As the night drew to a close, Jin cleaned up the bar ready to call it a night.
The rest of Jin's shift passed without incident, and he enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and friendly conversations. As the night drew to a close, Jin cleaned up the bar, ready to call it a
night.
As he stepped out of the bar, he was suddenly surrounded by a group of men wearing masks and hoodies. One of them stepped forward, and Jin recognized him immediately-it was Dave. "You think you can humiliate me and get away with it?" Dave snarled.
Before Jin could react, one of the masked men lunged at him, landing a brutal punch to his gut. Jin doubled over, coughing up blood, the pain searing through his body. The men closed in, their intentions clear.
Just as Jin felt himself losing consciousness, a notification from the Trillionaire System appeared in his mind. "New feature unlocked: Shop. Abilities available for purchase: Martial Arts, Healing Pills, Strength Pills."
Without hesitation, Jin mentally accessed the shop, purchasing a healing pill and a martial arts scroll. A burst of knowledge flooded his brain, the martial arts techniques embedding themselves in his mind as if he had trained for years. He quickly consumed the healing pill, feeling his wounds mend and his strength return.
With newfound power and clarity, Jin rose to his feet, his eyes blazing with determination. "You picked the wrong guy to mess with," he said coldly.
He moved with lightning speed, his newly acquired martial arts skills making him a formidable opponent. He struck the first attacker with a powerful kick, sending him crashing to the ground. Another came at him with a knife, but Jin disarmed him effortlessly, delivering a devastating blow to his ribs.
The fight was brutal and swift. Jin's movements were precise and deadly, his attackers falling one by one. Dave tried to flee, but Jin caught him easily, delivering a punch that left him sprawled on the pavement, unconscious.
When it was over, the masked men lay scattered around him, some unconscious, others writhing in pain. Jin stood amidst the chaos, breathing heavily but unscathed. He knew he had dealt with them thoroughly, their threats neutralised.
Jin walked back to his Bugatti, parked in a discreet spot nearby. As he drove home, he reflected on the events of the night. The Trillionaire System had saved his life, and he realized the power it held. Completing quests not only earned him rewards but also gave him valuable shop currency points.
Arriving at his villa, Jin felt a deep sense of satisfaction. He had protected Lucy, defended himself, and discovered a powerful new feature of the system. He climbed into bed, his body still humming with adrenaline, and drifted off to sleep, knowing that he was growing stronger with each challenge he faced.