The System's Game: A Tale of Power and Redemption

8. Mark's Heroic Action

Mark was taken aback when Sandrina asked. He quickly paused his phone and focused on Sandrina.

"It's okay, San. Have you decided what to order?" Mark exclaimed as he looked at the menu.

Sandrina was actually uncertain, she looked back at the menu. "I'm not picky with food. You might want to choose? But in an atmosphere like this, grilled fish or shabu-shabu would be nice, what do you think, Mark?" Sandrina asked, seeking Mark's opinion.

Mark took a moment to browse through the diverse menu options and then made a decision. "Sure, let's order grilled fish and shabu-shabu, and non-alcoholic soda to drink," Mark said, making Sandrina nod in agreement.

"Please order this, sir. What's the total?" Sandrina asked the cashier as they needed to determine the seating and food choices in advance.

"The total is one million six hundred thousand, sir."

Sandrina was about to take out her debit card to pay for the order, but Mark immediately intervened.

"Let me take care of it," Mark replied, instructing Sandrina to put her card away with a gentle smile.

"Okay, Mark. Thank you," Sandrina said.

After the transaction, they received a number to go to their reserved table. Sandrina was surprised to learn that the outdoor seating with a beach view had an additional cost, but it allowed them to enjoy unlimited time and self-service for items like rice, drinks, ice cream, and sweet desserts such as cake. As for the seafood and meat, they had pre-selected packages from the menu.

The atmosphere at the beach was incredibly tranquil, especially in the evening. They could see the moon's perfect reflection merging with the beauty of the beach. The gentle breeze carried the refreshing scent of the sea, while the calm waves gently lapped at the shore, creating a soothing natural melody. The white sandy beach felt cool under their feet, offering an unforgettable natural sensation.

Mark and Sandrina sat by the beach, under a waving white umbrella, enjoying their delicious dishes for the evening – the famous grilled fish of the area and promising shabu-shabu.

Mark initiated their conversation, recalling their chat in the car on the way to the beach. "You know, Sandrina," he said with a smile, "Back in high school, I felt like I didn't have any friends because they despised me for coming from a poor family, and to make it worse, I've been an orphan since I was little. But when you became my savior, I really wanted to approach you and say thank you. But I didn't have the courage because I thought you were so close to Arsen after that."

Sandrina, who was just learning about Mark's honesty, smiled broadly. "It's not a problem, Mark. I'm thankful that, most importantly, we can survive together now. By the way, where do you live, Mark? I tried to find information about you through my people, who I asked to inquire with friends, but they didn't know. I only thought of a way to meet you when Arsen invited me to a reunion event. I didn't dare to open my personal account, so I monitored my friends' activities on social media using a second account. Even you rarely update there. And then, you suddenly posted a photo, which encouraged me to send you a message," Sandrina explained to Mark.

In his mind, Mark continued to think and craft the right words if he had to tell Sandrina about his current life. He couldn't be honest about the gaming system he possessed; Sandrina would probably not believe it.

Just as Mark was about to respond to Sandrina's question, some waiters arrived with their orders. Grilled fish and shabu-shabu, a tantalizing and complete meal. The seafood here was incredibly fresh, taken directly from the aquarium. Mark thanked the waitstaff, while Sandrina suddenly wanted to visit the restroom before enjoying the meal with Mark.

Sandrina headed to the restroom, leaving Mark waiting in the quiet beachfront dining area. Time passed, and Mark began to feel anxious. What was once a bustling beach, now seemed deserted, possibly due to rumors of criminals frequenting the area.

After an impatient wait, Mark finally saw Sandrina exiting the restroom. However, the smile on her face suddenly turned into a look of shock. Sandrina appeared frightened, and in an instant, Mark realized that someone was following Sandrina out of the restroom.

The assailant was a burly, rough-looking man who had a reputation for troubling beachgoers. In his grip, he held a gleaming knife. Sandrina, trapped in this tense situation, screamed hysterically.

Sandrina's scream instantly reached Mark, who realized the danger Sandrina was in. Without hesitation, Mark rushed towards them. "Let her go!" he yelled, staring at the assailant sharply.

The assailant raised an eyebrow, but Mark knew he had to act quickly. He tried to defuse the situation and said, "You can have whatever you want, but don't harm the woman. We can discuss this calmly."

The assailant glanced at Sandrina's bag, his expression growing more menacing. "I want the valuables in her bag. Hand them over or there will be consequences."

Mark knew he had to act swiftly and smartly. He grabbed Sandrina's bag and threw it toward the assailant as a distraction. Then, in a lightning-quick move, Mark approached the assailant, using martial arts techniques that he had suddenly mastered perfectly. He knew for sure that the system had made him stronger and more proficient in self-defense.

The fight between Mark and the assailant was intense. Mark displayed remarkable strength and courage. They faced off, moving quickly, and the assailant began to feel threatened by Mark's power and bravery.

With his courage and fortitude, Mark managed to subdue the assailant, wresting the knife from his hand and holding him until the police arrived to secure the situation. Sandrina, still shaken and trembling, saw Mark as a hero who had rescued her from danger.

Several staff from the restaurant and beach security personnel helped Mark. Mark received thanks from the beach personnel and restaurant employees because the assailant was finally apprehended.

After the incident, Mark and Sandrina returned to their beachfront restaurant table, but this time, they did so with a sense of relief and gratitude. They contemplated their luck, and Mark offered Sandrina a drink to help her feel calmer.

"Are you okay now?" Mark asked, looking into Sandrina's eyes.

Without answering, Sandrina nodded slightly.

"All right, let's just eat for now. We can talk once you've calmed down. You're safe with me now, Sandrina. No one will harm you again," Mark assured her.

Sandrina felt an overwhelming sense of warmth and, for the first time, someone genuinely caring for her well-being. She was touched as she enjoyed her grilled fish, gazing at Mark, who looked even more handsome when he was focused on his meal.

Just as they began to relax, Sandrina was suddenly confronted with a surprising question from Mark. "Would you like to be my girlfriend, Sandrina?"