Karl exhaled a stream of smoke, eyeing the animated figure on his screen with a smirk. "You know, your name kinda sounds Japanese."
Unco perked up. "Oh yeah? Like some legendary warrior? A secret anime technique? Hit me with it!"
Karl chuckled, shaking his head. "More like unko."
Unco blinked. "...Wait. That means—"
"Yup." Karl grinned. "You basically sound like poop."
Unco gasped, clutching her hoodie like she'd just been personally attacked. "Yo, that ain't it! I ain't tryna be the shitty assistant!"
Karl took another drag, shrugging. "Not my fault. Maybe you should've thought about branding before showing up unannounced."
Unco crossed her arms, tapping her foot to an invisible beat. "Fine, then you gotta rename me. Gimme something fresh, something uncommon."
Karl raised an eyebrow. "What, now?"
"C'mon, Karl, you are the one!" Unco said dramatically, pointing at him.
Karl paused, something clicking in his head. He leaned back, tapping his cigarette against the ashtray.
"Cause you claim I am the one…"
He smirked. "Alright, then. I name you… Chillie Jean."
Unco gasped like she'd just won a Grammy. Then, in a smooth, rhythmic flow, she spun around and declared:
---
"Oh, hell yeah, that's a name so clean,
Uncommon Assistant Karl, Chillie Jean!
But don't get it twisted, my dear machine—
Chillie Jean is not your lover, Karl,
She just assists the uncommon star!"
---
Karl let out a dry laugh. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever helps you sleep at night."
Unco winked. "Oh, I don't sleep, boss. I just vibe."
Karl took another slow drag from his cigarette, staring at the animated figure still bouncing on his screen. "Alright, since you're all hyped up with your new name, tell me—what's in this update? Anything new?"
Chillie Jean grinned. "Update, huh? Aight, let's break it down—" She spun in place before striking a pose.
---
"Ain't nothin' different, keepin' it tight,
Still pickin' targets based on your sight!
Ain't no magic, no roll of the dice,
Karl's awareness? That's the price!"
---
Karl exhaled, narrowing his eyes. "So, I still have to be conscious of something before I can manipulate it?"
"Bingo, boss! If you don't perceive it, you don't change it." Chillie Jean snapped her fingers, and a floating text panel appeared, listing out the update details.
---
Cost Breakdown – Uncommon Point System:
Low Uncommon Change → 20 Uncommon Points
Medium Uncommon Change → 50 Uncommon Points
High Uncommon Change → 100 Uncommon Points
---
Karl raised an eyebrow. "And how exactly do you measure low, medium, and high?"
Chillie Jean winked. "It's all about the Uncommon Factor™!" She threw up finger quotes.
Karl sighed. "That means absolutely nothing."
"Oh, c'mon, Karl, let me lay it down—" She struck another DJ pose.
---
"Low means tweaks, a lil' finesse,
Just slight changes, not much stress.
Medium shifts? A noticeable take,
Reality bends, but it don't break.
High? Oh boy, now we get wild,
World rewrites—your power's styled!"
---
Karl rubbed his temples. "So, the bigger the change, the more points it costs. Got it." He took a final drag and flicked his cigarette into the ashtray. "And what happens if I don't have enough points?"
Chillie Jean chuckled, spinning in the air. "Then, my guy, you don't make the change. System don't do credit—cash upfront only."
Karl clicked his tongue. "Figures."
He glanced at his points balance. He had 120 Uncommon Points right now—not bad, but not exactly enough to go crazy. He needed to use them wisely.
Chillie Jean floated closer, smirking. "So, boss, you gonna try something? Or you just gonna keep chillin'?"
Karl exhaled. "…Let me think."