In his previous life, he was from China.
And he certainly hadn't planned on coming to the USA.
He knew every top Chinese university thoroughly and thought there was something fundamentally wrong with American institutions. So, now, with Lok having to choose where to go... he was lost.
But!
Gwen—the school's top student.
And with her, he wouldn't have to worry about where to go after high school. Now, he had another ace up his sleeve—the Goddess of Knowledge.
There was another advantage to their friendship: it involved her openness.
Usually, prospective students kept their intended colleges a secret, unwilling to risk someone else taking their spot.
But not Gwen.
Gwen—the Goddess of Knowledge. While other students approached college applications cautiously, aiming to meet entrance scores and pay hefty tuition, Gwen... No, the Goddess of Knowledge would make colleges pay her to choose them.
Lok didn't aim to emulate Gwen and become a bookworm, but ultimately, it was better to follow the path of the Goddess of Knowledge to avoid missing out.
Gwen glanced at Lok with mild curiosity, thought for a moment, then told him about several AP courses she was taking.
But...
She also added, "Just don't forget to prepare for the subject tests."
Lok smiled, jotting down notes on a few courses Gwen mentioned, then nodded and thanked her.
Tests weren't the problem.
The main thing was that every test became a mission.
A test—a mission. Even if he didn't have her natural academic talent, unlike the Goddess of Knowledge, he had the system. He'd be able to secure a satisfactory grade and earn points, no matter what.
In the afternoon, Lok asked a teacher some questions about attending preparatory courses.
But that wasn't the scariest part...
Gwen, who was in chemistry class, looked up as Lok entered and seemed momentarily taken aback.
"Hey."
"...hey."
Quickly recovering, Gwen stopped staring at Lok and wondered if it was pure coincidence that he was seated next to her for the second time. But she quickly pushed the thought aside and focused on her textbook.
As usual.
The Goddess of Knowledge focused.
Meanwhile, Lok simply stared into space.
Though in reality...
"System, improve!"
Spending a thousand potential points and raising his chemistry knowledge to the eighth-grade level, Lok felt he could start grasping this complex subject. By investing another thousand, he fully understood what the teacher was saying.
Lok was slightly upset about losing a full two thousand potential points.
But...
When a new mission appeared before him, Lok felt it was all worth it.
Ding!
Mission created.
Mission rewards: 500 achievement points, 500 potential points.
The task appeared after the teacher assigned homework.
He liked it.
But he immediately frowned.
Because...
The homework assignment required two people. Rubbing his forehead, Lok wondered where he'd find a second partner.
Just then, Gwen glanced at Lok and noticed his odd expression. It didn't take her long to understand the meaning of it and what her classmate was thinking about.
"Hey."
"What?"
"Want to do the homework with me?"
"Uh... Are you sure?"
Gwen just shrugged and started packing up her books: "Do as you please."
Lok looked around uncertainly, then looked at Gwen and said, "Thanks."
"Then let's go to my place."
"?..
Isn't this a bit too fast?"
"What's wrong?" Gwen asked, looking at the motionless Lok.
In response, he shook his head.
But in his mind, he was already considering changing homework partners. He strongly doubted that George Stacy would let this slide without putting a bullet through his head...
Fine, whatever.
He needed to complete the mission!
Parking Lot
"Wow!"
"Is that... your car? Really?"
Gwen stared in shock at the silver Audi R8 parked right in front of her. She'd already heard her classmates whispering about it during lunch, so she asked, "Is this R8... yours?"
Lok opened the passenger door and nodded, "Yeah, I bought it recently. Don't worry, I have a license."
He'd passed his driving test right after he turned sixteen. Back in March.
But buying the R8 had left him broke again.
Tonight, he'd need to take on a new job.
Gwen looked at Lok with astonishment. She knew it wasn't right to count someone else's money, but she couldn't help but wonder just how much Lok had inherited.
Ten minutes later
Rumors began to spread around the school that made many students' eyes widen, while others started feeling envious: Lok, the new kid who'd only transferred in two days ago, was already chasing after their goddess Gwen. And these rumors gained wide circulation.
Thirty minutes later
Lok stopped at the curb and followed Gwen to her house.
One hour later
Sheriff George Stacy, who had been alerted by his wife Helen, rushed home in a fury.
"Where?!"
"They're studying."
Helen saw his expression and quickly added, "Don't disturb them; I peeked in, and they seem to really be doing homework."
George Stacy didn't seem entirely convinced.
Helen, knowing this would end badly, tried changing the subject, "How was your day?"
George waved his hand and silently went upstairs, listening to the mixed voices coming from Gwen's room, then returned downstairs somewhat skeptically, "Let's not talk about it."
"The Sinner Hunter's now in New York."
"..."
Helen looked at George, "That's the one from Texas, right? Or what was it you said?"
The Sinner Hunter was a codename given to a killer by the police department.
George occasionally talked about his work with Helen, so it was completely normal that his wife knew about him: "Yesterday, a man named Alan Wood was found dead. The method of killing and his 'calling card' were found on the victim's body. Thanks to him, our workload just got heavier."
On one hand, they continued the search for the Sinner Hunter.
On the other, they began investigating Alan Wood.
There was a fact the Texas police department had taken two full years to confirm: any Sinner Hunter contract would be fulfilled, and he only killed those who truly deserved death.
Fortunately, the Sinner Hunter had so far only been active in Texas.
But the New York police had identified who was involved in the killing just in time; otherwise, the front pages of New York's newspapers would already be screaming about the Sinner Hunter's appearance in New York.
Helen nodded and headed to the kitchen, "I actually like this Sinner Hunter."
George grunted a few times, "Like him or not, we uphold the law, and we can't just forgive murder."
Helen shrugged, saying nothing more, and didn't try to argue with George.
In any case, she thought it was a good thing.
Especially after George had explained what Alan Wood's crime had been. She felt the man truly deserved death for such actions. Yes, she had a unique mindset; an ordinary person would never justify a murderer so easily.
George looked at his wife, ready to argue that no murder could be forgiven—murder is murder.
Then...
"Mom..."
"Dad?"
Gwen came downstairs, looked at George in the living room, and blinked, "You're already home?"
George chuckled, "What, am I not welcome?"
Gwen quickly waved her hand and called to Helen in the kitchen, "Mom, can Lok stay for dinner?"
George fell silent.