Lucas got back at his apartement, feeling like a total mixtape. He knows his new mission gonna need way more than just some chill convo. Growing affection is not easy as easy as making someone smile.
Chillin in his gaming chair, he opens up his system screen:
==================================
Progress:
Affection (Jane Harper): 18/100
Mission: Boost Affection by +5 (Total: 20).
Time Limit: 18 hours 45 minutes.
==================================
"Still got time," thinks Lucas. He's feeling optimistic that tomorrow morning he can keep vibin' with Jane. But then, his eyes dart to the computer screen on his desk, a notification from one of his fave MMORPG games popping up:
"New Raid Unlocked! Exclusive prize for the first 100 winners!"
Lucas' eyes widen. He's been waiting on this new raid for ages, and the promised rare item could fetch big bucks in the black market. "Ah, just an hour," he thinks. "I can get back to the mission after."
---
Two Hours Later
Lucas is still deep in the game. He's smashed through several raid stages and is in the final team to take down the main boss. Adrenaline rushin through his mind, completely forgetting about his mission time limit.
"Let's go! One more hit!" he screams. Grinning ear to ear when the final boss finally goes down, and the exclusive prize pops up in his inventory. "Yes! This gonna be worth a fortune," he mutters.
But then, the system notification suddenly interrupts:
"Warning: Mission time limit remaining 12 hours. Progress stagnant."
Lucas glances at the system screen floating in the air, then back to his monitor. "Plenty of time. Just need a quick break, then chat with Jane tomorrow."
---
Next Morning
Lucas wakes up in his chair with the laptop still on. Rubs his eyes, then checks the remaining time.
"Mission time limit: 2 hours 15 minutes."
"Ah, plenty o' time," thinks Lucas. Quickly changes, heads to Jane's apartment door. Knock, but no answer. Knock again, louder this time.
"Jane?" he calls.
Still no response. As he's pondering sending a message, another notification shows up:
"Warning: Mission time limit remaining 1 hour 30 minutes. Target unreachable."
Lucas stares at the screen in panic. "Did she head out to work?" he mumbles. Tries to remember Jane's schedule but ain't sure.
With a sigh, he heads back to his unit, hoping there's enough time to finish the mission later. But the fatigue from gaming all night starts to weigh on him. Sits in his chair, thinkin of waiting 'til Jane's back.
---
Two Hours Later
Lucas wakes up from his power nap by a cold, unpleasant notification sound.
"Mission Failed. No increase in target Affection within specified time."
Lucas stares at the screen, bewildered. "Wait, failed?!"
The system adds another message:
"Consequence: No level increase. Charm stat decreased -1."
Lucas eyes his changed stats. Still at Level 1 with zero XP, while his Charm, the main attribute for catching attention, dropped to 4.
==================================
User: Lucas Cross
Level: 1 (Novice Manipulator)
Experience (XP): 0/100
Attributes:
- Charm: 4 (previously 5)
- Persuasion: 4
- Lust: 1
- Love: 0
==================================
Feeling like he got smacked. Even worse, he lost the mojo to approach Jane again.
Lucas sighs heavily, slumps in his gaming chair. "All 'cause of tunin' too much into my game..."
The cold system voice comes back:
"Lesson: Procrastination can lead to failure. Good luck on the next mission."
Lucas scoffs in frustration, closes the system screen, stares at his monitor. "Maybe I need to learn time management... or just give up. I mean, it's too bizarre for a dude who rarely touches actual grass like me."