---
Elliot's head throbbed as he squinted at the glowing screen on his phone. The words "Welcome to the Rizz God System" shimmered in bold letters, accompanied by a deep, smooth voice that sent chills down his spine.
> "Congratulations, Elliot Graves. You've taken the first step toward greatness."
He blinked, unsure if he was dreaming. "W-what the hell is this? Some kind of prank?" His voice cracked, still groggy from the whiskey and humiliation of the night before.
> "Oh, this is no prank, my friend. This is your salvation. Your chance to rewrite your pathetic story."
The words hit like a punch to the gut. Elliot gritted his teeth, shame bubbling up. "Pathetic story? Who—what—are you?"
> "I'm the Rizz God System, your personal guide to charisma, confidence, and conquest. Think of me as... a life coach. Except better."
The interface shifted, and glowing text began to scroll across the screen.
---
Level 1 Unlocked: Confidence
New Ability: Aura of Charm (Beginner)
New Mission Assigned: "Get a Compliment from a Woman." Reward: +10 Confidence Points.
Failure Consequence: Temporary Loss of Speech.
---
"What the hell is this?" Elliot muttered again, rubbing his eyes. He stared at the words, hoping they'd disappear. But they didn't. They just hung there, glowing like a challenge.
> "Don't think too hard, Elliot. You've got a job to do. A simple one, really. All you have to do is earn a compliment from a woman. Any woman."
He frowned, suddenly feeling defensive. "That's ridiculous. What kind of system is this? And what happens if I fail?"
> "Oh, you'll find out. But let's not aim for failure, shall we? Start small, build confidence, and work your way up. That's how greatness is achieved."
Elliot hesitated. He wanted to dismiss it as a bad dream, but something about the voice was so... convincing. And after the humiliation at the company dinner, he couldn't deny the thought of finally turning the tables was appealing.
"Fine," he muttered. "But this better not be some weird scam."
> "Scam? Please. I'm an investment. Now, let's get to work."
---
The Coffee Shop
The next morning, Elliot found himself standing outside his usual coffee shop, his nerves buzzing. He was already regretting agreeing to the system's demands. A compliment? How the hell am I supposed to do that?
> "Relax," the system's voice purred in his mind. "Just follow my lead. Confidence is key. Remember your new ability—Aura of Charm. It's subtle but effective. Women will feel drawn to you, even if they don't know why."
Elliot took a deep breath and stepped inside. The familiar hum of espresso machines greeted him, along with the faint smell of cinnamon and roasted coffee beans. His eyes scanned the small crowd until they landed on a barista behind the counter.
She was petite, with auburn hair tied into a loose ponytail and soft freckles dotting her cheeks. Her name tag read Maya. She was chatting with a customer, her laugh warm and genuine.
"Okay," Elliot whispered under his breath. "Let's do this."
---
He approached the counter, rehearsing his lines in his head. Morning. Just a coffee, please. Oh, and by the way, you look nice today.
But as soon as Maya turned to him with a bright smile, his mind went blank.
"Hi there! What can I get for you?" she asked cheerfully.
Elliot froze. The words stuck in his throat, replaced by a nervous croak. "Uh... um... c-coffee."
> "Pathetic," the system's voice hissed in his ear. "Loosen up, Elliot. Smile. Speak clearly. You've got this."
Elliot forced a shaky smile and cleared his throat. "I mean, uh, yeah. A black coffee, please."
Maya chuckled softly as she punched in his order. "You got it. Anything else?"
Now's your chance, the system urged. Compliment her. Something simple. Quick.
Elliot hesitated, his heart pounding. "Uh, yeah. I... like your hair. It looks, um, really nice."
Maya blinked, surprised. Then her smile widened. "Oh, thank you! That's so sweet of you to say."
---
Mission Complete: "Get a Compliment from a Woman."
Reward: +10 Confidence Points.
Current Level: 1 (Progress: 10/100).
---
Elliot nearly stumbled as the notification flashed in his vision. The glow faded, and he suddenly felt... different. Lighter. More confident. His shoulders straightened without him realizing it.
> "Not bad for a first attempt," the system said, its tone approving. "See? A little charm goes a long way. Now, let's aim higher."
Elliot took his coffee, still reeling from the surreal experience. For the first time in years, he felt a spark of something unfamiliar—hope.
"Higher?" he murmured. "What's next?"
> "Oh, don't worry," the system purred. "I've got something special in mind for your next mission."
As Elliot stepped out of the coffee shop, he couldn't help but wonder what he'd just gotten himself into.
---
To Be Continued...