After everyone finished breakfast, Zumi stepped out of the house and strolled toward the bustling marketplace, where the sounds of chatter and laughter filled the air. Meanwhile, Ana and the ladies settled in to watch Bad Boys on television. Zumi made a quick stop at the supermarket to grab some groceries and refresh his wardrobe. As he entered the vibrant marketplace, his phone buzzed with two new notifications.
The first was an email that left him speechless—his bank account had skyrocketed to an astonishing $28 million! The second notification was a text from Ana that brought a smile to his face. It read, "Hey Zumi, we all chipped in some money to thank you for everything, and Kathy says you should hurry home so she can learn how to cook from you again! She's blushing."
Zumi was taken aback by the generosity of the girls. He quickly replied, "Thank you, ladies! I'll be back soon, and Kathy, you can cook dinner for us tonight. I'll supervise."
Almost instantly, he received a playful response: "❤️ Kathy says she's not ready, but she will if you say so!" Zumi chuckled softly, feeling a warm glow from their affection. He was eager to change into a new outfit and headed to the clothing store, finally ready to get the look he had always desired but could never afford.
Stepping into a high-end clothing store, Zumi's eyes lit up as he spotted the perfect outfit. Without hesitation, he purchased it and decided to wear it right away.
With newfound confidence, he walked into the mall bathroom, changed into his sleek new ensemble, and discarded his old clothes. As he gazed at his reflection, a grin spread across his face. He was clad in an all-black outfit—a hoodie jacket paired with tech cargo pants featuring multiple straps and pockets, exuding a tactical vibe. The red sneakers he wore popped against the dark attire, and the hood of his jacket added an air of mystery, its inner lining a fiery red—his favorite color.
Feeling satisfied with his new look, Zumi thought about upgrading his bank card since he had been using the same one since he was sixteen. On his way to the bank, he passed a bookstore and remembered how he had gained skills from reading the titles at home. Intrigued, he stepped inside, eager to see what new knowledge he could acquire.
Heading straight to the martial arts section, he picked up a detailed book titled Everything You Need to Know About Shaolin Martial Arts by Shi Heng Yi. As soon as he read the title aloud, the system chimed in his mind:
Ping! Shaolin Martial Arts skills upgraded to level 10. Shaolin Martial Arts Realm has been conquered. The Host has gained a Charisma Reward Chest and 20 Attribute Points. Would you like to open the Charisma Reward Chest?
"Absolutely!" Zumi replied without hesitation.
Ping! Opening Charisma Reward Chest for Host Zumi Gold. One moment, please. While he waited, he picked up another book called The Theory of Qi Energy Control. As soon as he did, the system sounded again:
Ping! A new sub-stat activated: Qi Energy. Since the Host mastered the Shaolin Martial Arts Realm, Qi Energy is automatically upgraded to level 10. To further level Qi Energy, the system must be upgraded to Level 20.
Zumi felt a rush of excitement at the news. With his newfound skills, he hurried out of the bookstore, got a new bank card, and headed to the grocery store. He recalled everything the ladies had put in their carts during their last shopping trip, so he restocked their supplies and added a few extra items to ensure he had plenty of ingredients for teaching Kathy how to cook.
Without a car yet, Zumi booked an Uber, loaded the groceries into the trunk, and was driven back home.
On the way, the system chimed again: Ping! Opening Charisma Treasure Chest. The Host has received the ability: Threat Perception.
Explanation: The Host can sense all threats to his life within a 20-meter range and perceive threats to the lives of system-connected characters. As the system levels up, the range increases by a multiple of 10. Note: The maximum range is 500 meters.
Zumi was astonished by the thought of being able to sense danger from such a distance. Just as he pondered this, the system chimed once more: Ping! The system has detected five units of Gold Essence in the area. Host, please collect them to upgrade the system.
Startled, Zumi began scanning his surroundings, searching for the source of the essence. His eyes landed on the driver, who wore a flashy gold watch. "That's a nice watch," Zumi said casually. "If you have any other gold items, I'll buy them from you for $10,000 each."
The driver blinked in disbelief but soon realized Zumi was serious. He hesitated but ultimately decided not to pass up the opportunity to make $50,000 that day. Just then, the driver pulled up to Zumi's home and handed him five pieces of jewelry. Zumi, feeling generous, tipped the driver $50,000 before stepping out of the car.
With his newfound strength, the groceries felt light as he carried them inside. Just as he approached the house, he was met with a delightful sight—Ana, Jasmine, and Kathy came running toward him, their faces beaming with joy. "Welcome, Zumi!" they all cheered, enveloping him in warm hugs. Even Jasmine joined in, leaving him momentarily speechless.
As the system chimed again, Zumi heard: You have fulfilled the desires of several people over the past two days. Achievement reward received. The Host has unlocked a new system function: Desire Fulfillment and Request Values.
Explanation: Each time the Host fulfills a desire of any living creature, he gains attribute points. If the desire is vital or life-changing, the Host receives one request value per desire fulfilled. Once request points reach 10, the Host can request anything from the system. Note: Requests that defy the laws of physics require 50 or more request values.
Zumi was astonished by the rewards he had accumulated. He had fulfilled Kathy's desire for a cooking teacher, earning one request value and two attribute points. He also granted the Uber driver's wish for a generous tip and an early end to his shift, earning another two attribute points and two request values. Finally, he fulfilled the desires of Ana, Kathy, and Jasmine for his safe return, gaining three attribute points and three request values.
With a total of six request points and seven attribute points, Zumi marveled at the possibilities. This system was incredible! His affection for the ladies grew stronger as they helped him carry the groceries inside. As they entered together, Zumi couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead now that he possessed this extraordinary system.