"What a boring life..." Julian thought as he held a small plastic cup of hot coffee inside his car.
"How long am I going to live like this?" Steam came out of his mouth as he spoke, showing that the cold at that time of year could make his bones creak.
"When will Truck-kun come looking for me?"
Julian has always been interested in webnovels and games, even now, at the height of his 27 years, he still maintains this hobby. His dream was to die one day and be reincarnated in a new world, where he could be someone important as a hero destined to save the world.
His passion for books and mangas was so great, that if he could sell his car to buy a collection of Vintage Kenner Star Wars Action Figures, he would do it without thinking twice.
"But of course I can't do that, after all, I'm just a damn Taxi Driver!"
Julian became an orphan at the age of 17, and because of that, he had to drop out of school early and look for any job to keep himself financially stable. During all these years, he worked as an apprentice at a random fast food restaurant and an Asian restaurant, a pizza delivery boy, a convenience store clerk, and finally a taxi driver.
"It may not be my dream job, but it's still better than having to listen to an Asian man complain about how I wrapped spring rolls the wrong way." Julian said to himself.
This was one of his many mannerisms acquired over the years of reading comics, Julian used to pretend to be breaking the fourth wall constantly.
"This is why I can't get a girlfriend..." He sighed in regret, but his internal suffering was interrupted the next moment when the ride-hailing app's alarm sounded on his phone.
"Okay, another customer waiting for their savior."
"Let's see the address... 20 Ingram Street, Forest Hills neighborhood." Julian stepped on the accelerator, heading straight to the designated location. ... It didn't take long for Julian to arrive at the requested location at that speed. It was a simple house with a red brick facade, a small porch with a few plants, and a well-kept garden. In front of the house was a man of average height, with gray hair and a kind face. He had a thin beard and brown eyes. As soon as he saw me, he waved with a smile so that I could see him. "Hello, sorry to ask for a ride at this time. I need to meet my nephew." He said in a friendly tone. Julian opened the door and, after a brief glance, replied: "No problem. Where do you want to go?" "I don't have an exact address, but can you help me and take a walk around the neighborhood? Maybe I just need to talk to someone younger and, if I'm lucky, I might end up finding my nephew." Julian frowned at the request of the man in front of him, and when he was about to refuse, the man said:
"I will pay for the distance we travel."
Julian sighed and, since he needed money, he accepted the request.
...
After a few minutes of walking through the streets, Julian and the man remained silent. However, it was broken by the latter.
"My nephew... is someone very important to me and my wife."
"I know he is becoming a man, but I can't help but worry about his choices."
Julian glanced quickly out of the corner of his eye and replied:
"I think this is something normal in a family relationship, you shouldn't blame yourself for it."
The man looked ahead and, sighing, replied:
"You are right."
"What about you? How is your relationship with your family?"
Julian thought for a few seconds before answering.
"I am an orphan."
The man, who had previously looked excited to learn more about Julian, was now embarrassed by the answer.
"I'm sorry."
Julian remained expressionless, "You don't need to apologize, it's been many years."
"Having a family that cares like this is certainly a good thing, your nephew is very lucky." Julian replied with a smile.
A few more minutes passed and, upon arriving in front of a convenience store, Julian parked his car so the man could get out.
"I apologize again for taking up your time." The old man said, handing the fare money into Julian's hands.
"I already said no--"
At that moment, before Julian could finish his sentence, a fat man shouted.
"Someone stop this man! He stole my money!"
Julian frowned and prepared to leave, but before he could do so, the man ran towards him.
Immediately, a figure appeared between him and the thief. It was the figure of the old man who had just gotten out of his car.
'What is he thinking? This man is armed!'
A cold sweat ran down Julian's forehead and his heart began to pound rapidly.
"Get out of my way, old man!" The thief shouted, constantly turning his head back.
"Listen, young man, why don't you give the money to that man and go away?" The old man said as he tried to slowly approach the thief.
'What the hell, what do I do? If I stay here, I might end up dying with that damn old man!'
Julian knew the risks he was taking by staying in that place, but somehow, his body refused to do what his brain ordered.
"Don't come any closer!" The thief shouted, pointing the gun at the old man.
Time seemed to freeze and Julian could hear his own heartbeat, at that moment, a loud gunshot echoed.
Bang!
The thief shot at the old man, but a moment before that, Julian quickly got out of the car and threw his body, pushing the old man to the side.
The thief, afraid that the gunshot would attract the attention of the police, fled.
Julian was in shock, but a few seconds later, he took a deep breath and helped the old man up.
"That was a close call, old man." He said, extending his hand.
"That was a brave decision..." As the old man spoke, a teenager appeared behind Julian and ran towards him.
"Uncle Ben!" He shouted, a terrified expression on his face.
'Huh, so this is the nephew he was looking for,' Julian thought, getting ready to leave.
However, a transparent blue screen covered his face at that moment.
[You have successfully saved a client from his Tragic Fate, Spider-Man is grateful for your help.]
[Reward: 1000 Destiny Points.]