Another thirty days have passed, and Zydan's life has settled into a new rhythm. His part-time schedule at Tara's café has shifted to accommodate his growing commitments. Instead of working long shifts, he now covers shorter, busier periods—just enough time to help with the morning rush before dashing off to his classes. Tara appreciates the help, though she's quick to remind him to focus on the customers and not drift into chess puzzles mid-order.
"You're great with the moves, Zydan," she jokes, "but the espresso machine doesn't play by the same rules."
In between balancing his work at the café and attending university, Zydan notices his IQ boosts from the system are becoming significantly lower.
The mental edge he used to feel with every class is now subtle, almost imperceptible. One afternoon, after a particularly underwhelming notification, Zydan asks Echo what's going on.
|"You will no longer receive IQ points for subjects you already understand fundamentally,"| Echo responds in its usual robotic tone. |"For example, business management concepts or basic financial literacy tied to the café's operations are no longer beneficial for boosting your cognitive abilities."|
Zydan grumbles to himself, realizing that the system now considers his knowledge of inventory management and profit margins too basic for any real improvement.
He had hoped those hours spent learning about the café's inner workings might count for something extra, but apparently, he's maxed out in that department.
Evenings are dedicated to the Chess Club, where Zydan has become a regular competitor. Despite facing off against strong players, including Mikal, the club captain, Zydan notices that his Stonewill stats stopped increasing, no matter how many wins he racks up. Frustrated, he turns to Echo for an explanation.
|"You're not gaining Stonewill points because you've already beaten these opponents,"| Echo clarifies. |"There's no adversity in overcoming the same challenge multiple times. You need to face new, unpredictable situations to truly grow."|
Zydan sighs, realizing that defeating familiar opponents has become more routine than challenging. It feels good to win, but without that sense of struggle, it's no longer pushing him to improve.
The nickname "Zen Zydan," given by his fellow club members, now feels all too accurate—he's calm because he's not being tested in the ways that really matter.
Later that evening, after a tough but predictable practice match, Zydan is walking home when he spots a chow-chow with a striking red mane, making it look like a cute chubby lion. The two lock eyes, and the chow-chow suddenly leaps towards Zydan, licking his face excitedly.
As Zydan laughs at the playful dog, he feels a sudden surge of joy. Moments later, he receives a system message notification:
***Congratulations! Your dog warms your hearts***
Heartwave increase by 10
Feeling uplifted, Zydan is about to continue his walk when Echo's voice chimes in.
|"It seems this encounter has significantly boosted your emotional well-being. Why not take the chow-chow home with you? It could be a good companion and help you maintain this positive state."|
Zydan nods in agreement, grateful for the unexpected boost. He heads home with his new furry friend, enjoying the simple pleasures of coffee, classes, chess, and the companionship of his adorable chow-chow. As he settles in with his new companion, he feels ready to face whatever challenges come next, knowing that his journey is about to take on a new, heartwarming twist.
Zydan decides to rent a bike with a large basket in the back to transport his new chow-chow companion. The dog seems perfectly content, curling up comfortably in the basket as Zydan pedals home. The cool evening air feels refreshing, and the added joy of having the fluffy chow-chow beside him makes the ride even more pleasant.
Upon arriving at his apartment building, Zydan parks the bike and carefully lifts the chow-chow out of the basket. The dog looks up at him with curious eyes, wagging its tail excitedly. Zydan is about to head inside when a system message pops up on his Holophone.
***"Congratulations! You have completed a 10 km run. Are you ready to meditate now?"***
Zydan looks puzzled and turns to Echo. "Does the system think biking and running are the same thing?" he asks, still holding the chow-chow's leash.
|"My master probably doesn't know what a bicycle is,"| Echo chimes in with its usual robotic tone. |"The system may not differentiate between the two activities, as both are considered physical exercises that contribute to your overall health and well-being."|
Zydan chuckles at Echo's comment, though he's still slightly confused. He smiles down at the chow-chow, who is now happily sniffing around the apartment lobby.
|"Alright, Echo,"| he says, |"Let's get this meditation done. I'm ready to unwind before heading to bed."|
As he heads to his apartment, he reflects on the day's events. The combination of his routine tasks, the unexpected joy of meeting the chow-chow, and the boost in his emotional quotient have left him in high spirits.
He decides to make the most of this positive energy and fully embrace the meditation session.
Later, as Zydan sits comfortably in his living room, the chow-chow curled up beside him, he begins his meditation.
The gentle hum of Echo's guidance and the warmth of his new furry friend create a calming atmosphere. He feels a deep sense of contentment and readiness for the new challenges ahead.
With a final deep breath, Zydan concludes his meditation, feeling refreshed and centered. He looks over at the chow-chow, who now seems like a perfect addition to his life.
As he prepares for bed, he realizes that this new chapter, filled with coffee, classes, chess, and the companionship of his lovable chow-chow, is exactly what he needed to invigorate his journey.
The morning after, Zydan wakes up feeling refreshed, eager to start his day with his usual routine. He grabs his running gear and heads out for his daily 10 km run.
As he jogs through the neighborhood, he spots Tara already out and about, preparing for her own run. The chow-chow, with its red mane resembling a cute chubby lion, trots alongside her.
Unaware that Tara intends to joined him, Zydan waves cheerfully as he passes by. He's so engrossed in his run that he doesn't notice her matching pace. The chow-chow bounces along energetically, seemingly enjoying the morning exercise.
By the time Zydan finishes his run, he's a little out of breath but satisfied. He looks over to see Tara and the chow-chow completing their fifth lap. Tara's panting and wiping her brow, while the chow-chow seems to be happily bounding around.
"Hey, Tara! Didn't realize you were running today," Zydan says, catching his breath. "Looks like you and the chow-chow are exhausted!"
Tara grins, catching her breath. "Yeah, we're definitely feeling it. Speaking of which, have you thought of a name for this little guy?"
Zydan looks at the chow-chow, who's now lounging in the grass, looking particularly content. He scratches the dog's head and thinks for a moment.
"How about Leon?" Zydan suggests. "I'm currently studying Spanish, and it seems fitting."
Tara smiles. "Leon is a great name! It suits him perfectly. But what about French? Have you mastered that already?"
Before Zydan can answer, Echo chimes in, though only Zydan can hear. |"He hasn't mastered French yet because if he had, the system would notify him."|
Zydan chuckles quietly to himself. "I guess I'm not quite there yet. But Leon it is for now!"
Tara pats Leon on the head. "Leon sounds great. I'm glad you two are getting along so well."
Zydan watches as Tara heads off, feeling a sense of contentment and anticipation for the day ahead, knowing he's managed to balance his routine with new and enjoyable additions.
---
Zydan heads into his apartment, carefully closing the door behind him. He sets Leon down and grabs a piece of bread from his kitchen.
As he breaks off a small piece and hands it to Leon, he watches the chow-chow nibble happily. The simple act of sharing bread feels unexpectedly fulfilling, symbolizing the start of a new companionship.
Realizing it's Saturday, Zydan decides it's the perfect day to go shopping for some new supplies and treats for Leon—and perhaps pick up a few things for himself as well.
He also considers inviting Tara to join him. With that thought, he sends a message to Tara through his Holophone, asking if she'd like to join him for shopping. Tara responds shortly after, saying she's free at around 11 AM.
Zydan glances at the clock—it's currently 8 AM. He realizes he has only three hours to complete his daily quest if he wants to spend the whole day with Tara and Leon. Determined, he sets to work on the quest.
He begins with the meditation exercise. As Zydan settles into a comfortable position and closes his eyes, the familiar hum of Echo's guidance fills the room.
This time, however, meditation takes an unexpected turn. He sees a vivid image of an old man and a young boy.
They are both familiar, though he can't quite place them.
The scene is peaceful, filled with a warmth and sense of nostalgia.
The figures are interacting with an ease and affection that makes Zydan feel a deep, though intangible, connection.
The vision fades, leaving Zydan with a lingering feeling of calm and introspection.
Next, Zydan moves on to the puzzle section of his daily quest. The first puzzle is the classic 9 dots puzzle.
He examines the grid of dots, 9 dots, arrange in three rows and three columns and immediately starts drawing lines.
With a bit of creative thinking, he solves the puzzle quickly, forming a continuous path that connects all nine dots with just four lines.
The second puzzle is a Sudoku grid. Zydan carefully fills in the numbers, using logical deduction to ensure each row, column, and square contains all the numbers from 1 to 9 without repetition.
The puzzle is challenging, but he enjoys the process, relishing the mental workout it provides.
Finally, Zydan faces the Three Gods Riddle, a challenging logic puzzle involving three gods: Truth, Falsehood, and Random. Each god will answer questions, but one always tells the truth, one always lies, and the third's responses are random.
Zydan settles into his meditation spot, closing his eyes and letting the tranquil hum of Echo's guidance wash over him. As he begins to focus, the familiar environment of his living room fades away, and his mind is transported to a more abstract space—a digital realm projected by his Holophone.
In this virtual space, a holographic representation of the Three Gods Riddle materializes before him. Three figures stand on a platform, each draped in different-colored robes.
One is clad in white, another in black, and the last in a shifting, unpredictable hue.
Above them float three distinct labels: Truth, Falsehood, and Random. The figures and labels are not named directly but are part of the puzzle Zydan must solve.
Zydan watches as a visual prompt appears: a question he can ask each god.
The environment around him shifts to show a digital reenactment of his first question:
"If I were to ask the god on your left if you are the Random god, what would he say?"
The holographic representation shows each god being questioned.
The god in white answers with confidence, while the god in black responds with a smirk.
The god in shifting hues offers an unpredictable gesture.
The scene is clear: the behavior of each god will help Zydan determine their true nature.
Zydan observes the answers and notes the reactions. The scene shifts to show his next question:
"Is the god to your right the Truth god?"
This time, the gods' responses vary. The god in white offers a straightforward answer, while the god in black's response seems misleading. The shifting-hued god's response is, once again, unpredictable.
As Zydan analyzes these interactions, the digital scene provides visual cues to help him deduce the roles of each god. He sees patterns emerge and contradictions highlighted.
Truth's answers are consistent, while Falsehood's responses align with lies. Random's unpredictability makes its behavior distinct.
The Holophone's interface then transitions to the final question:
"Are you the Truth god?"
This question is posed to the remaining god. The scene shows the answer clearly, helping Zydan verify his earlier deductions. The final response confirms which god is Truth, which is Falsehood, and which is Random.
With the riddle successfully solved, the digital scene fades, and Zydan returns to his physical surroundings.
He feels a rush of accomplishment as the meditation session ends, and he receives a system notification indicating that he has completed the daily quest with record time.
For the language test, Zydan reads a passage from Don Quixote.
He focuses on understanding and translating the text, immersing himself in the classic literature to enhance his proficiency in the language.
The task is demanding but rewarding, pushing his language skills and providing a deep dive into Spanish literature.
"Congratulations! You finished your daily quest in record time and efficiency."
Rewards:
Mindflow increased by 10
2,000 Digicoins
As he completes the final task, a system notification reveals a reward of 2,000 Digicoins, a testament to his quick and accurate problem-solving.
Zydan smiles, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction and readiness for the day ahead. The scene's reenactment in his Holophone provided not just a mental exercise but a vivid, interactive experience that reinforced his logical thinking skills.
With his daily quest completed and a good amount of Digicoins earned, Zydan eagerly anticipates the shopping trip.
He's excited about the prospect of spending the day with Tara and Leon, enjoying a leisurely outing and making the most of his Saturday.