Stellar Colony 7, Industrial District
The woman had hesitated initially, but Aric managed to persuade her to join the membership program, securing a hefty fee of thirty thousand credits.
Aric stood to earn a commission of two thousand four hundred credits from the deal.
The woman also inquired about personal training services, but Aric, lacking the necessary certification, had to disappoint her. She asked him to recommend a certified trainer later.
Some of the trainers who overheard their conversation couldn't help but feel envious. After all, a personal trainer could earn over 10% in commission, a significant sum compared to Aric's usual 3%. Even though the woman had paid thirty thousand credits, Aric's commission capped at 8%.
If it hadn't been for Liu Shuming's recent reprimand due to Aric's actions, the other trainers might have taken the opportunity to teach Aric a lesson. However, no one dared to challenge him openly now; they simply observed from a distance.
Aric reassured the woman, "There are many trainers, but only a few have real expertise. I'll make sure to recommend the best one for you."
He said this to highlight the professionalism of Stellar Fitness Center. All the staff were trained to maintain this image, so his comment shouldn't have caused any issues.
However, some trainers felt insulted, interpreting his words as a slight against their skills.
Despite their frustration, they couldn't openly complain, as such remarks were within the club's code of conduct.
Later, Dax Mitchell approached Aric, joking, "Hey, Aric, you're really becoming the star around here."
Aric rolled his eyes and didn't engage in the banter. After a while, he quietly retreated to the staff locker room to study his reflection in the mirror.
To be honest, he did feel that something had changed about him, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
Perhaps it was just a shift in his demeanor.
Regardless, Aric was pleased with his current physique—taller, leaner, and more attractive than before.
If he kept up his training, he would reach peak condition soon.
The woman finished her workout after a couple of hours and left after receiving a call. Several staff members who were on good terms with Aric gathered around, playfully demanding that he treat them to a meal.
Aric, though generally frugal, could also be generous, so he agreed to buy them a meal.
However, he was not eager to include Dax in the plan.
Smiling, he said, "Of course, I'd love to share my good fortune, but I really need to buy a new comm device. My old one keeps acting up."
"Come on! You're making a small fortune today, and a meal won't break the bank," Dax complained, which was typical of him and one of the reasons he wasn't very likable.
Aric shot him a glance. "I think the amount of credits I've lost in our quarters is already enough to cover several meals."
Dax's face reddened with embarrassment, then turned to anger. "What are you implying?"
Aric ignored him and headed for the door.
Dax, however, blocked his way, grabbing his shoulder. "Hold on. You need to explain yourself."
Aric shrugged off his hand and replied coldly, "Are you not aware that I've lost credits in our quarters?"
Dax looked even more flustered. "Of course, I know, but why bring that up now?"
"I'm just saying everyone in the quarters knows I've lost credits, but I never accused you of taking them. So why are you so defensive?" Aric spread his hands, his tone challenging. "Feeling guilty?"
After the theft, Aric had discreetly inquired among his colleagues, so the word had spread. He wasn't entirely sure who the culprit was, but he strongly suspected Dax.
Dax was left speechless, watching Aric walk away. He didn't dare to speak again until Aric was out of sight. "What a jerk! I'm cursed to be stuck with him."
As Dax tried to defend his name, Aric returned to his quarters, packed his belongings, and prepared to leave for the comm device store.
He genuinely intended to buy a new device. His old one had minimal storage, and the most frustrating issue was with the outdated software that couldn't be uninstalled. There wasn't enough memory for updates, and it took forever to load messages. A single glitch could cause the entire system to crash.
Browsing the web was almost impossible.
In the past, Aric had been reluctant to buy a new device, fearing it might be stolen, but now, everything was different.
With his newfound prospects and a successful deal under his belt, there was no reason not to upgrade.
More importantly, a new comm device would allow him to install more advanced applications, potentially unlocking new aspects of his mysterious adventure.
Aric wandered through the store for a while before settling on a new device from a reputable domestic brand.
The new device required a nano-SIM card, while his old one used a standard SIM. Aric decided to test the device on the store's wireless network first.
After spending a considerable amount of time selecting and setting up the device, Aric left the store, noticing it was already nearing 6 pm.
He planned to stay at the hotel he had already booked for the night, having not checked out at noon.
The hotel wasn't far from Stellar Fitness Center, so Aric chose to walk there through a narrow alley.
This alley was more like a gap between several buildings, barely wide enough for two small hover bikes to pass side by side.
On one side, the city was bustling with activity, while the other side remained eerily deserted.
As Aric turned into the alley, he noticed three figures standing ahead with their hands in their pockets.
The trio had their backs to him and hadn't noticed his presence. Aric instinctively ducked out of sight, but he quickly recognized one of the men—a tall, muscular figure standing in the middle. It was Liu Shuming.
Just then, a smaller man sprinted into the alley from the opposite end, with a woman chasing after him, shouting, "Thief! Someone stop him!"
Despite her cries for help, no one intervened, and she was left to chase him alone.
The woman skidded to a halt when she saw the three men blocking her path. "W-What do you want?" she stammered.
Liu Shuming, with a black cloth covering his face, sneered. "You're brave, I'll give you that."
The woman, in her early twenties, had a ponytail and wore a white, short-sleeved silk blouse, light blue denim shorts, and white sneakers.
Despite the odds, she didn't back down. Instead, she scoffed, "You think I'm afraid of you, masked man?"
"I just don't want to show my face on the security cams," Liu Shuming replied with a sinister grin. He gestured to his companions. "Take care of her!"
"Wait!" the woman snapped. "Do you even know who I am? You'll regret this if you touch me."
"I'll make sure you regret crossing me," Liu Shuming snarled. "You caused me trouble the other day, and now, you're going to pay."
The two men on either side of Liu Shuming lunged at the woman.
Surprisingly, she held her ground, skillfully fending off their initial attacks.
But then, the thief, who had been feigning retreat, suddenly tackled her, grabbing one of her legs, and she lost her footing.
"Damn it! I should've worn something more practical," she muttered.
Aric, watching from his hiding spot, finally recognized the woman. She was one of the four who had visited the fitness center the other day.
Liu Shuming had tried to take advantage of them, only to be beaten down. This woman had been part of that group.
Aric wasn't usually good at remembering faces, but this girl had made an impression—not stunning, but certainly memorable, especially given her impressive fighting skills.
As the woman was pinned to the ground by the three men, her cries for help unheard, Aric stepped out of the shadows, clapping slowly.
Liu Shuming turned, squinting in surprise.
"Well, well, are we shooting an action holovid here?" Aric asked with a broad smile.
Liu Shuming, recognizing Aric, growled through his makeshift mask, "Get lost if you want to keep breathing!"
Despite his threat, Liu Shuming didn't intend to let Aric go. He was waiting for him to turn and flee so he could attack from behind.
But Aric wasn't about to fall for that. "Three against one? Isn't that a bit cowardly?" he taunted, picking up a loose piece of metal debris and advancing.
Aric had some training in combat and was surprisingly agile. He struck Liu Shuming on the head with the makeshift weapon and swiftly kicked another man aside.
Liu Shuming, dazed but not out, struggled to regain his footing. If Aric's strike had been any harder, it might have been a knockout blow.
With two of the men incapacitated, the young woman managed to get back on her feet.
Realizing they were outmatched, Liu Shuming and his cronies scrambled to escape.
The woman looked like she wanted to give chase, but Aric stopped her. "Let it go. You've got your bag back, no need to risk more."
She hesitated, then nodded, retrieving her bag. "They can run, but they can't hide. Thanks for your help."
"Don't mention it," Aric replied with a grin. "But seriously, what were you thinking, chasing them into this alley alone?"
"My bag's important," she said, still a bit shaken. Then she looked at Aric more closely. "Wait a minute… Have we met before?"