Alex gave a small bow to the crowd, flashing a modest smile as a final thank-you for their applause and cheers. But as he stepped back, he took the bills and gathered his jacket; a familiar feeling began to creep in—uncertainty, the flicker of self-doubt tugging at him.
'Are they just being polite? Am I making a fool out of myself?' His mind spun with a dozen self-conscious thoughts, each threatening to pull him back into the shell he had always struggled with.
He clenched his jaw, willing himself to push past it. 'No,' he reminded himself, 'this is my second chance. I won't act like the 'old' me again.'
With that thought grounding him, he wore his jacket—now slightly heavier with the weight of crumpled bills—and went to a nearby public restroom. He slipped into one of the stalls, closing the door behind him and letting out a shaky breath.
"I feel great. It has been a while since I kicked the ball." The adrenaline from his performance was finally ebbing, replaced by an anxious excitement. "How much did I make?"
Taking a seat, he carefully spread the bills out on his lap, smoothing each one out. He began counting, his fingers brushing over each note as a sense of accomplishment settled over him.
As Alex counted the final bill, his eyes widened. He had reached a total of $103.80. The amount felt surreal—far beyond the $10 he had needed to complete the mission.
'In one performance, I can already make this much?' thought Alex excitedly.
A mix of pride and disbelief filled him; he had never imagined he could earn that much in under an hour, let alone by doing something he enjoyed. 'I should've done this earlier.'
Suddenly, a soft chime sounded, and a familiar notification appeared in his vision.
=====
[Mission Complete: Make Your First $10 Within One Hour]
Objective Achieved!
Rewards:
1. 50 EXP
2. 20 Coins
=====
A grin broke across his face. Not only had he completed his first mission outside the hospital, but he'd done it more successfully than he'd imagined.
Before he could fully absorb the satisfaction, two more notifications appeared.
=====
[Mission Complete: Make $50 Within One Hour]
Objective Achieved!
Rewards:
1. 100 EXP
2. 40 Coins
[Mission Complete: Make $100 Within One Hour]
Objective Achieved!
Rewards:
1. 200 EXP
2. 80 Coins
=====
He blinked, stunned by the extra rewards. Not only had he reached his goal, but he had unknowingly completed two additional missions. Success had stacked up beyond his expectations.
=====
[Congratulations! You have leveled up!]
[Level up Rewards]
All attributes increased by 1.
Free Points Earned: 6
=====
With a steady breath, he opened his Status panel, his heart swelling with pride as he reviewed the updated stats.
=====
[Status]
Name: Alex Young
Age: 19
Coins: 220
Level: 3
Experience: 450/600
Attributes:
Strength: 7
Speed: 7
Stamina: 8
Intelligence: 11
Charisma: 6
Luck: 11
Free Points: 6
=====
A satisfied breath escaped him. The level-up, the coins, and the new Free Points were solid proof of how much he'd achieved quickly. For the first time, he felt like he was taking control, shaping his future on his terms.
'This is just the beginning,' he thought, determination settling in.
Tucking the money into his wallet, Alex left the restroom, feeling more confident—only to freeze when he saw Nicole leaning against the wall outside, her arms crossed, her gaze sharp.
"Alex," she began, a slight frown forming as she straightened up. "What are you doing here? How are you even moving around like this? I thought you should stay in the hospital for a few more days."
Alex scratched the back of his head, feeling a little caught off guard. He managed a sheepish smile, trying to shrug off the tension in the air. "Yeah, about that… I, uh, decided to get discharged early."
Nicole's eyes narrowed slightly, clearly not convinced. "Decided to get discharged? Since when do patients just decide that?"
He chuckled nervously. "Let's just say I felt better than they expected."
Nicole's frown deepened, her eyes searching his face with concern and exasperation. "Alright, I get it. You felt better and wanted out. But, Alex… performing that?" She gestured to the ball he was still holding. "You think all those flips and tricks wouldn't risk reopening your injury?"
Alex looked down at the ball, then back at her, trying to find the right words. "Honestly, Nicole, I know it might seem reckless, but… I don't feel any pain at all. It's like I'm completely healed."
Nicole sighed, crossing her arms tighter. "Even so, you're not invincible, Alex. Just because you feel fine now doesn't mean you can throw caution out the window."
Not wanting to prolong Nicole's worrying lecture, Alex lifted the hem of his shirt just enough to show where he'd been stabbed. The skin was smooth and unmarked, without a scar or stitch. Nicole's eyes widened, her jaw dropping as she took in the sight.
"What…? How…?" She stammered, her voice trailing off as she tried to process what she saw.
Alex chuckled, patting her shoulder gently. "Relax, Nicole. I guess I just got lucky with the healing." He gave her a reassuring smile. "Come on, let's go grab some breakfast. Besides, I made more money in that one performance than I usually do in a full shift at the store."
Nicole blinked, still visibly stunned, but she managed a small nod after a moment. "Alright… but I'm paying," she said, her tone softening as a trace of guilt lingered in her voice. "You wouldn't have gotten hurt if it hadn't been for me."
Alex shook his head, but before he could argue, she'd already turned toward a nearby café. They soon arrived at a small, cozy café on a quiet corner.
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries greeted them as they walked in, instantly adding comfort to the morning. Nicole led Alex to a corner table, where they settled into the soft seats, the hum of morning chatter filling the background.
Alex ordered a simple breakfast—a warm buttered croissant with scrambled eggs and a side of orange juice—while Nicole opted for a coffee and a slice of toast with avocado. As they waited, a comfortable silence settled between them, though Alex could still sense the lingering worry in Nicole's eyes.
Finally, their food arrived, and Alex took a bite, savoring the freshness. He glanced up at Nicole, who was still eyeing him with curiosity and concern.
"You know," Alex said with a small smile, "you don't have to keep looking at me like I'm about to fall apart. I feel great, actually."
Nicole raised an eyebrow, stirring her coffee slowly. "I know, it's just… I can't wrap my head around it. Last night, you were lying in a hospital bed, and today, you're out here, looking like nothing even happened."
Alex shrugged, smiling lightly. "Let's just say I got a second chance. And I don't plan on wasting it."
Nicole tilted her head, a puzzled expression crossing her face. "A second chance?" she repeated, her voice laced with curiosity. "What are you talking about, Alex?"
Alex set down his fork, momentarily looking out the café window before meeting her gaze. "While I was lying in the hospital, I had a lot of time to think about… well, everything," he explained. "I realized that I haven't done anything remarkable. My life has been… bland, you know? Just going through the motions."
Nicole's expression softened, her gaze intent as she listened. "So, you're saying you want to… change that?"
Alex nodded, feeling a spark of excitement. "Yeah. I want to start doing interesting things. Things that actually feel meaningful." He paused, then added with a small, thoughtful smile, "I don't know exactly what that'll look like yet, but I have a feeling I'll figure it out soon."
Nicole leaned back, studying him with a mix of admiration and intrigue. "Well, I don't know what you're planning, but… it's good to see you like this, Alex. Just promise you'll try not to land yourself back in the hospital along the way?"
Alex chuckled, lifting his glass in a playful toast. "Deal. Here's to figuring things out—and keeping my hospital visits to a minimum."